Not for you, p.1
Not For You, page 1
NOT FOR YOU
The President’s Daughters
Book 4
Kathryn Shay
While living in Italy, Andraya Manwaring, isn’t looking for Prince Charming. Too bad she finds him in Ben Moretti, a man who’s lost too much in life to risk love again.
Andraya Manwaring lives in Casarina, an island of lush landscape, surrounded by the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. She was drawn here after she graduated college, and was thrilled to be able to teach in the Marcello Schools, a renowned, innovative educational system. She anticipates a good year again, and getting to know the new staff, particularly the agricultural faculty’s Ben Moretti. She’s drawn to him, too.
Ben has lost everything he cared about. His family farm, which fell victim to drought, his way of life and a wife who abandoned him and his kids years ago. Now, he lives the city, will teach agriculture and try to help with his rebellious daughter needs to adjust. So what if he’s attracted to the lovely Andraya Manwaring, who even shows interest in him? He has nothing to offer her but a lot of problems, and he won’t drag her down into his dysfunctional life.
But both circumstances and an undeniable attractive throw them together and he sees what a beautiful person Andraya is inside as well as outside. He gets close to her as they work together on integrating journals into his classes. Mistakenly, he spends time with her outside of school.
Andraya comes to really cares about Ben. She’s also particularly interested in his twins. His son is a doll, but his daughter Meli has a big chip on her shoulders. Eventually, though, her tenacity in showing Meli she truly wants to help her, brings his daughter close to. They have fun together, spend time with each other’s family, and everybody’s happy.
This leads to Ben and Andraya falling in love. But when Meli learns of their relationship, all hell breaks loose. Ben and Andraya must end their relationship to save Meli. Her father, former President of the U.S. steps in and tries to help.
Can Meli ever believe Andraya’s interest in her wasn’t just to get to her father? They both lied for so long.
The outlook for their relationship is grim if his daughter doesn’t see the truth. If they could convince her of their honesty, they could be one happy family.
Not For You
Copyright © 2022 by Kathryn Shay
All Rights Reserved
Smashwords Edition
Published by Ocean View Books
Cover Design by Shelley Kay at Web Crafters
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Table of Contents
Cast of Characters
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Author’s Note
Don’t Miss All of The President’s Daughters Stories
LOST TO US Excerpt
About the Author
Cast of Characters
Main Characters
Andraya Manwaring, teacher at The Marcello Schools in Humanities area
Ben Moretti—former farmer, teacher of agriculture at The Marcello Schools
Masters Manwaring Family
Annalise Masters Manwaring—twin of Andraya, member of the House of Representatives,
married to Luke Branson, son Andy
Andraya Masters Manwaring—twin of Annalise, teacher at the Marcello Schools in Italy
Hannah Masters Manwaring—lives a self-sustaining lifestyle in Rockford, NY, engaged to
Zeke Carter, former Secret Service Agent, old boy friend
Sasha Masters Manwaring—youngest daughter and sister, married to Dan
James Manwaring—president of the United States for eight years, retired
Karen Masters Manwaring—mother of the girls, former first lady, former attorney
The Moretti Family
Gianni Moretti—Ben’s father
Meliora Moretti
Matteo Moretti
Elisha Moretti Giordino
Meli’s Friends
Josh Green—from old school
Sienna Ricci
Matteo’s Friends
Leo Conti
Ava Lombardo
Twins Next Door
Tony and Kara Caselli
Mrs. Iris Caselli
The Marcello School Personnel
Queen Renata Gentileschi—founder
Luciana DeLuca—the upper grade principal.
Iliana Morata—Humanities teacher
Dom Abruzzi—new Humanities teacher
Jonas Matina—Agriculture grapes
Professoressa Luna—Yoga and meditation teacher
Dr. Carlos Lambrini—School Psychologist
Royalty
Queen Renata Marcello Gentileschi
King Alessio Gentileschi
Princess Calla Marcello Gentileschi Marino
Princess Mariella Marcello Gentileschi DuBois
Jordan DuBois
Enzo Cutali—King’s nephew
Others
Marcella Mancini—docent
Dottere Mancini—surgeon
Enzo Cutali—nephew of the King
Bianca and Joe Lucchese
Carlotta Ricci
Naldo Barbara
Places
Tattoria Pucci
Milano Fashions
Ernesto’s Eatery
Jewels and Gems
Chapter 1
Andraya removed her bathing suit cover-up and kicked off her sandals as soon as she hit the beach. The mid-September sun beat down on her head and face, making the day bright and beautiful. She smiled as she walked halfway down the sandy spot on the palace grounds. Because of the privacy, she’d worn two-piece yellow bathing suit Annie had given her. When she reached her destination, she dropped down onto one of the many chaises the royal family attendants had set out and inhaled the scent of the seaweed and mist. Umbrellas dotted the area too, but Andraya allowed herself one half-hour in the sun. Renata insisted she swim here.
Darling Andraya, you must use our beach. Your father would skewer Alessio if we let you go to the public one.
Renata, my father does not control my life over here.
Then do it for the school. Do you want to sunbathe with students?
Well, no.
And you shouldn’t swim alone. I’ll have a female guard far enough up on one of the cliffs for your privacy but close enough for her to jump in and help you, if need be.
Eventually, Andraya had given in. Eventually, everybody gave in to the queen who, at sixty, was imposing and lovely.
Lying flat on her back, she rubbed her arms to make sure she put enough sunscreen on her body. Satisfied, she took a book out of her backpack. By Italian writer Elena Ferrante, The Lost Child had won the Strega Award. If Andraya thought it was age appropriate and interesting enough, she planned to teach it next term.
She began reading. The book was interesting, but her eyelids began to close. So she set it down, got up and headed into the Mediterranean Sea. Sand squished between her toes and still-warm water lapped at her feet. She trudged out further and further then dove into the water.
When she returned to the land, she felt invigorated. She laid back on her chaise, picked up the book, and began to read again. Her family wondered why she’d moved to Casarina. Was anything better than this?
* * *
What the hell? Ben Moretti stopped short inside the door of the Agricultural wing. He walked up close to a flyer plastered on the wall which revealed a color picture of a woman sunbathing. No, not any woman. Dio mio, Andraya Manwaring.
A prank? Damn it, he hoped his own kids weren’t responsible for this. They’d asked to stay at friends’ houses overnight so he came in early on the first day and didn’t drive them to school.
For a few seconds, he stared at her curves. He stilled. He had no idea she was so…sculpted. Her dark hair was up on her head and her eyes were closed. The amount of skin revealed made him clear his throat. Trying to shrug off the reaction, he pulled down the first flyer and headed up the hall. Outside every few rooms were more of copies of the photo. He yanked at them. His heart beat fast in his chest. This was so unfair to her. She’d be embarrassed as hell.
His phone buzzed. Renata. “Moretti.”
“Are you at school yet?”
“Yeah.”
“Are there photos of Andraya up in your wing?”
“Yep. I’m taking them down as I go.”
“When you’re finished, could you come over to the Humanities wing and head off Andraya. I’m meeting with building security now. Meet her at the door and tell her what’s happened.”
He wondered why Renata called him. He hadn’t spent that much time with Andraya. They’d met during the summer for some preplanning, and since she had his kids in class this year, he’d talked to her about them. He’d also had to confess some of the reasons for their behavior. And she was understanding of their
“She parks outside the Humanities wing.” Teachers had their own spaces in the faculty lot.
Making quick work of ripping down the rest of the flyers in this wing, he jogged over to hers, grabbing pictures along the way. He got to the door just as she entered the building.
“Hey, Ben.” She cocked her head. “Are you waiting for me?”
“Yeah. Renata asked me to meet you.”
“About what?”
“Let’s talk on the way to your room.”
She stopped. “Tell me now.”
Sighing, he handed her a copy of the flyer. She looked at her photo then lifted her gaze. “Hey, it’s a pretty good shot of me, don’t you think?”
“How can you joke about this?”
A small line marring her brow. “I’m not ashamed of how I look.”
“Why would you be? You’re gorgeous.”
Now those light brown brows shot up. “Why…thank you.” She rapped the flyer with her knuckles. “Where’d you get this? I was sunbathing on the palace property.”
“I’m afraid someone took a picture of you there. Copies were posted all over school.”
“Seriously? Why would anyone do such a thing?”
“I…” He glanced away.
“What?”
“I’m afraid my kids did it. They stayed overnight at a friends’ houses, so they could have come in early without me knowing it.”
“Let’s not overreact. Or assign blame yet.”
Now, he frowned. “I didn’t expect you to be…all right with this.”
“I’m not. No one did this with kindness in his or her heart. But I’m also not going to melt into a puddle at the sight of it.” She took a bead on him. “You know, anyone could be responsible.”
“You don’t have enemies. You’re too nice.”
“There’s resentment among some of the faculty because I’m close to Renata. And all my life, people have been jealous of me being the daughter of the U.S. president.”
“This seems more like kids’ doing to me. They had to sneak on the palace property over the weekend to take the photograph, then somehow get the flyers up when school opened early.”
“Walk me to my room, would you?”
“Sure.” On the way they passed teachers who were arriving.
One stopped them. “Andraya, I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you. But it’s not the end of the world, so don’t worry about me, Iliana.”
They went further and bumped into another new member of her department. Ben said, “Domenico.”
Andraya held his gaze boldly. “Dom.”
“Lookin’ good,” he said with a seedy smile.
She gave him a dazzling one. “Why, thank you, Dom.”
If the stronzo thought he was going to get a rise out of her, he was swimming in the wrong fish tank.
They kept going. Finally, he couldn’t keep it in. “You know, you’re something else. I wouldn’t have handled this as well as you are.”
“Why? You have a great body.”
Holy hell. He kept himself from being embarrassed. And worse, turned on by her comment. All he said was, “Ha!”
* * *
The students were fourteen and they seemed young with their new sneakers and recent haircuts. As they walked into her classroom, she caught their whispers and sly looks. As she’d thought, she’d have to deal with the photo right away. Once they were seated, she greeted them. She was heartened to see several students seemed embarrassed or sad even. Some, though, were grinning, a lot like Dom.
“I’m sorry to have to start the first day like this, but hello, I’m Professoressa or Prof Andraya, if you like.” The Marcello School was known for its innovation and purposely allowed the use of a teacher’s first name. “I met some of you this summer, others not. But, before I can get to know you properly, I’ll address this.”
She held up one of the copies Ben had given her and with a bland expression on her face, she silently walked down one aisle and up the another, until she’d covered the whole room.
Once back up front, she raised her chin. “These were all over school this morning. If you know who did this, tell that person I’m not embarrassed. I know this is a flattering picture of me.
“I also know whomever did this was trying to hurt me, and I’m very sad about that. Again, I’m not angry, not embarrassed, but sad.
“With that, I’d like to forget about this…” she crumpled the paper tossed it into the trash “…and go on to our first day together.”
A pretty little girl raised her hand.
“Do you have something to say, Serina?” The kids wore name tags until their teacher learned who they were.
“Yes, Professoressa. I hate that stupid person who did this to you. Lots of students will be angry and sorry, like me.”
“Thank you for telling me that. Any more questions?” When there were none, she picked up a stack of journals. “I’m handing these out for you to use at home then bring back in case we need them in class. Like right now. In either English or Italian, you’re to write about your expectations for this class. How you’re feeling about taking first-year Humanities. Be honest. You have fifteen minutes. No one else will read it but me. I’ll comment on each one.”
They got to work. Most of them. The dark-haired, dark-eyed Moretti twins looked at each other. She saw Meliora shake her head at Matteo. Huh, she was the dominant one. Their journals remained closed. Andraya walked to them. Bending over, so they both could hear, she whispered, “If you don’t do this now, you’ll have to come after school to complete the paragraphs.”
“Can’t,” Meliora said. “No ride home then.”
“Not an excuse. You’ll have to find one. And since you’re new to the school this year, I’ll tell you that it’s a rule here that a teacher can keep any student after school any day of the week. Even Saturday. Parents have to agree to accommodate their kids before you enroll.”
Meliora glared at her with hateful dark eyes. Then she opened the journal and wrote, No expectations. Feeling like shit now.
“Three paragraphs are required.” She glanced over at the boy. He’d opened his journal and started writing.
“Mattie!” Meliora whispered harshly.
“Come on, Meli. You know what Papà said.”
“And if you insist on preventing your brother from doing assignments, Meliora, I’ll separate you in the room.” She arched a brow. “Or we’ll transfer you to a different classroom and another teacher. For the whole year.”
A glare that could freeze hell came from the girl now. But she started to write. And Matteo did the same. Andraya couldn’t wait to read what they had to say.
All day long in her classes, she gave the same speech and got similar statements from the students as she had earlier. But she still had time for journals writing and one other get-to-know-you activity.
At the end of the day, after the students left, she practically flopped back in her chair at table upfront. Her private desk and some chairs were in the back in a small anteroom where she could have privacy and see students one-on-one.
Ben appeared in her doorway. “Hey. How you holding up?”
“I made it through. Come on in.”
He walked to the front. Now she noticed how big and attractive he was in a black and white shirt rolled up at the sleeves and khaki pants, his hair tousled. He hitched a hip on the edge of one of the desks.
“From what I hear, it was more than that. The kids told me what you did. Good for you.”
“Thanks, but it was tedious and tiring. And marred our first time together.”
