Maurizio Varelli shattered her dreams of love. With businesslike efficiency, the family patriarch informed Vicki the marriage she had come to Italy for would never take place -- and that she must marry him instead.

Maurizio's swarthy face and powerful body were intimidating. Yet when he spoke again, it was as though he understood the deepest recesses of Vicki's heart -- and she was held captive by this touch of gentleness.

Maurizio presented his case, lost in the medieval beauty of her dark eyes. He had to convince her -- for he knew that the moment he touched her he could never let her go.