I scoop up the offending mess with my expert use of doggy/freezer baggie and call my salutes to the retreating Piero, who's dragged away from the crime scene.

At this point the white witch from the truffle shop flies to the doorway of her property, hurling insults at me and my dog's bodily functions. She knows I only understand a little Italian, as all the locals know me by sight, and so she tries out some coarser language she's learnt in English over the years from belonging to a mainly tourist trade.

"Shit on my doorstep? I come and shit on yours!"

While she's screaming at me, the would-be, attractive customer is watching in amusement, still blocked from entering the shop.

"I call Polizia you come here again. You clean it up."

She's stating the obvious because this is what I'm currently doing. Squirming in embarrasment, I try to diffuse the situation, painfully aware that the American is still watching me. "Yes, si, of course. I'm cleaning up now."

Dissatisfied, the elderly lady crosses her arms once more and shouts, "And if your dog pee-pees? What then?"

Exasperated I yell back, "Then I will have to lick it up, you silly woman!"

I pull the contented Sissy out of the doorway and smile apologetically at the handsome man. His grin makes me nervous. I flick a quick smile to him and start off down the street. I gather that he changes his mind about finally passing me into the truffle shop and walks a while with me back down the hill, a few paces across from me. His proximity causes me to blush and I sense his eyes on me. When he speaks again, I almost melt into his words.

"Hey, I'm real sorry you got it in the neck back there." He chats away amicably as we pass more shop doorways, along the tight street. The cobbles are slippy from the early morning rain that fell an hour before, and Sissy's claws slip every now and then causing her to step sideways like a prancing pony. I'm finding it hard to concentrate on my footing, this man is stirring me up.

"Do you know anywhere that's good for coffee?" He has an easy, comfortable manner about him, but it does nothing to make me feel easy.

"Well, the café round the corner there is pretty good." I say, indicating the bumpy street that veers of to the right and back up the hill.

"That's great. Can I offer you one as payment for good company?"

"I don't know about that," I laugh as we reach the café, "I'm not exactly what you would call 'good' company right now."

I stop watching where I'm going and my foot slips on a cobble, twisting my ankle. The American grabs my arm to catch me from falling. His touch is eletric, his body so close, his breath in my face, his eyes searching mine.

"Hey, easy there, you okay?"

My blood races in my head, my stomach churns, his scent of mint and warm caramel rattles my nerves.

"Come on," he smiles, a full, no holds barred smile, while pulling me up by the elbow, " Join me for a mo'. It'll give you a chance to calm down."

I nod and smile back in agreement, but I have feeling that I'm going to need more than I coffee to get myself back together. This man has me totally disorientated, I've never been so overwhelmed with someone in such a short time. He assists me to the door of the cafe', his grip staying firmly around my arm. His gaze unfaultering.

Sissy is allowed in this small, sweet little backstreet place. A perk of the owner belonging to the local dog owners society. She breaks free from me and trots in, immediately settling down at a table for two in the corner.

Paola, the owner, comes over to pet Sissy and also to check out who my strange companion is. I'm convinced that the whole town knows of my marital problems, and probably knows a hell of a lot more about Jack's side of the story than I ever will.

Letting go of my arm and taking off his dark brown leather jacket, the American pulls out a chair for me and properly introduces himself. I suddenly miss the warmth of his touch.

"Hi, I'm William Drummond, but you can call me Will." I could easily lose myself in those eyes, rich, deep and twinkling with something mischievous.

"Hi Will, I'm Jilly Peterson." I have no idea why I only give my maiden name, but I really don't want to be labelled with my rotten situation anymore. For once I want to be known for me. Not for Mrs. Jack Firenze. We chat briefly with Paola, who's hovering over us trying to pick up juicy gossip no doubt. We give her our order, my words automatically producing the sounds, all the while my body is heating up at the touch of his knees against mine under the table. Paola gives up on her quest for knowledge and goes to prepare our drinks.

Left alone with Will, I find myself wondering how it would feel to kiss him. His lips are thin and bow shaped, his skin smooth. I need to get a grip on myself.

Let's try talking to him normally, get your mind off his looks.

"So, are you on holiday, Will?"

"No. I'm here for research on my latest novel." He's staring at me intently, like he knows exactly what's going on in my head. He rolls up the sleeves of his light green cotton top, revealing strong sunbronzed arms.

I clear my throat and try to calm the beat of my pulse. "Really, that's intriguing, what kind of novel are you writing?"

He gives me that full-on, sexy smile again and says in all seriousness, "It's about a young, beautiful English woman who has to live in a small, old, northern Italian town."

My face burns and I try to lighten the heavily charged bond that's growing between us.

"Come off it..." I half laugh, my back is arching and I realise that I'm unconsciously displaying my low neckline for his benefit. "Really?"

That same intense look.

"Yeah, really. And I'm hoping the end is going to be as hot and steamy as the beginning promises it to be."

We have to physically sit back from each other as Paola sets down the drinks, giving me a wink before she retreats to the bar.

I stir my coffee as I breathe harder under this man's gaze. Eventually I try to break the spell, this is not how I should be behaving, but he's so damn hot.

"I have to go to work in twenty minutes." The words whisper out of me, betraying the fact that I do not want this meeting to end.

"You have to meet me tonight." He counters, his legs pulling in closer and his fingertips ever-so-gently caressing mine.

Woah, hang on, am I really doing this? "I don't know if that's a good idea."

The heat is growing around us and I begin to imagine what his body would be like to touch, how he would make love, would he be hard and passionate or soft and tender?

Snapping myself out of it, I finish my coffee and stand to leave. He stands with me and grabs my bare arm, sending shivers of pleasure over my skin.

What is it about this man?

"I have to go." I say bruskly.

He reaches in his jacket pocket and pulls out a small business card. His eyes stare into mine and I recognise the passion waiting for me. "I'm staying here, Jilly Peterson and I'll be in the lobby bar this evening. Say you'll be there."

I don't give him an answer but I can't stop myself from leaning over and kissing his cheek. His skin is hot and smooth, intoxicating as caramel. When I move to pull back, he grasps both my arms and pulls me into a long kiss, firmly grasping each other in an embrace over the small, square table. A longing is roused in me and I know I will be there at the hotel. I have to have this man, his kiss, his body, his all.

I leave quickly, dragging a bemused and sleepy Sissy back to our apartment. After settling her down, I pick up Jack's dirty clothes lying strewn where he shed them late last night and make my way to work. All day I'm dazed and living up on a new level of consciousness, feeling like I'm floating in an outer body experience. It doesn't feel like me anymore.

Ruben comes to work after lunch break, huffing out of breath as he bursts through the door, sending the door bell clanging in objection. He's carrying an enormous bouquet of roses in his arms, his face animated and glowing.

"Look what some lucky girl's got." He says in a low, husky voice. He sets the flowers down on the counter and scrabbles round behind the desk to find a vase.

I pick out the small red envelope and open the card addressed to me.

Jilly Peterson, the beautiful girl from the small, north Italian town. Tonight.

" So? " Ruben can't stop grinning,"Your bastard of a Giacomo has come to his senses at last?"

From my land of make- believe I hear myself answer. " No. They're from Will. Can I ask you a favour, Ruby?"

We arrange for Simon to stay with him for the evening, Ruben more than happy to help, and I leave early to go and change.

It's strange how second nature this all feels to me. As if being unfaithful were an everyday occurrence. I have no guilty last minute regrets. In fact, being back home makes me more determined to have this for myself. I tremble at the thought of what's to come. It's been so long since I've felt wanted, desired.

I meet Will in the hotel bar. He's far more dashing than I remembered from this morning. When he smiles at me, my chest flutters in anticipation. Dressed in a classic white shirt and beige trousers, he saunters his way to me and my heart beats a little faster.

He stands beside me, his cologne rich and heady. His hand slides under my loose, low-cut top, his fingertips barely skimming my skin - hot to the touch. At such a close proximity, I can't bring myself to catch his eye. Maybe if I do, the spell will be broken, and I'd be forced to think of my place back in the real world. What was that exactly? Mother, neglected wife, forgotten lover, former beauty past her sell-by-date?

Tonight is all about me. For once I can lose my entire personality and become the woman I'd always dreamed off. Spontaneous, sexy and desired.

Will takes my hand and leads me to the elevator. No one noticed, no one cared. We were two strangers of no importance. This anonymity has me feeling like a Bond girl, the dangerous secrecy of the moment sends ripples of pleasure up my spine.

Once we're enclosed in the elevator, I have no choice but to accept the consuming heat between us. He reaches for my hand, stares straight ahead and presses the button for the third floor. His Adam's apple bobs as he swallows and pulls at his shirt collar.

Is he nervous?

The man has good taste, the Italian linen shirt is obviously new, it's still lined from the packaging and I see a glint of an overlooked pin under the folds of the collar. The open neck shows me a tempting hint of strong, sculpted pecs. Will Drummond oozes sex-appeal.

It takes forever to get to the third floor, and my misgivings begin to creep in.

Am I crazy? What if somebody recognizes me? Would he hurt me?

With one look in his eyes I know I am doing the right thing - for me. Tonight truly belongs to me.

The elevator doors startle me as they bang open. Will beckons me to exit first, in true gentleman style. I smile. In the dim-lit hallway, he puts his arm around my waist and escorts me to door number 25. As he fishes out his key, my heart jumps into my throat.

I'm really going through with this?

The heat from his hand pressing against my back burns through my thin, silk top. The sleek, dark blue material sticks to my hungry body. Slow trickles of persperation dribble their way down my skin, froming trickling trails from the nape of my neck to the waistband of my short, black skirt.

This man has full control over me. Like a puppet on a string, I allow him to usher me through the door, wait for the click of the light switch and he guides me with firm hands, turning me around to face him.

Will runs his tongue over his lips, his eyes fix on mine.

"You're beautiful, Jilly Peterson." A grin passes across his mouth, quick and natural. "I'm so glad you decided to come."

With a fever of passion and total disregard for the possible depths of danger I've placed myself in, I throw my arms around this devilishly handsome man and press my aching body against his. Wanting to play the part of every seducing temptress I've seen in films and read in books, I whisper in a hoarse, sexy manner in his ear. "Show me how glad you really are."

A glint in Will's eyes accept the challenge. He pushes up my top, coaxing me to take it off, which I happily helped him with. Then he reaches behind me and unclasps my bra, his fingers setting me on fire while he slips it free from my shoulders. I gasp as he places soft kisses around my neck, his hands caressing their way along my collarbone and sculpting down over my breasts.

Unconciously, I move in even closer, I can feel his pleasure, hard against the top of my thigh.

"You're a Godess." He breathes, in between kisses, his hands working on the zip at the back of my skirt. It slides down, oh so easily under his touch.

Will Drummond falls to his knees. I bury my hands in his thick hair, my breath rapid and hot.

Oh my god, is he going to do what I think he's intending to do?

His wicked, sexy smile gives him away. I bite my bottom lip and close my eyes. He devours me, body, mind and - if only for tonight - soul.

*****

The next morning I take Simon with Sissy to school and spot my American putting luggage into a taxi. He pauses before getting in the car, looks at Simon, then gives me a genuine smile, before blowing me a kiss goodbye.