Chapter 1

Evelyn's POV

When I found out my husband was cheating on me with 8 women, I decided to get even.

The breeze off Lake Como felt amazing. Maddie and I were stretched out on lounge chairs at Lido Villa Olmo, sunbathing while analyzing the profiles of Sebastian’s eight mistresses on my iPad.

“Jesus Christ!” Maddie slammed her coffee cup down on the saucer so hard it clattered like a tiny drum solo. The couple making out at the next table actually stopped kissing to stare at us.

“A secretary, a tennis coach, a nurse, a flight attendant, a college girl… This asshole’s cheating résumé is basically a job fair. What, did Sebastian grow his dick where his brain’s supposed to be?”

“You wanna know how long I’ve known?” I asked.

“How long?”

“Three months.” I stared at the sunlight dancing across the pool and clenched my teeth.

“And how long has he been cheating?”

“No idea. Three months? A year? Two?” I gave a dry laugh. “Honestly, he might’ve been doing it before we even got married. And I still went ahead and married him like an idiot.”

“I told you!” Maddie wrapped me in a hug and patted my back. “He’s not good enough for you. I knew it. That’s why I was against this wedding from day one.”

She squeezed me tighter.

“You must be heartbroken, baby. God. You’re literally the best woman on the planet and he still cheats on you. I truly do not understand men.”

I hugged her back. The best woman in the world… was I?

If that were true, why was something this ridiculous happening to me?

“Thanks, Maddie.” My eyes stung with tears.

“You know,” I said quietly, “when I first found out Sebastian cheated, I was devastated. I thought maybe it was a stupid mistake.”

“When I found out there were two women, I blamed myself. I thought maybe I wasn’t good enough.”

“But when it became three… four… five…” I shook my head. “Then I was just angry. I wanted a divorce.”

I flipped the iPad toward her.

“Now there are eight.”

I let out a humorless laugh.

“At this point it’s not even tragic. It’s ridiculous. Divorce doesn’t feel like enough anymore. I want revenge. Why does he get to turn me into the pathetic wife everyone pities?”

“Then take revenge!” Maddie said instantly. She raised her coffee cup like she was proposing a toast. “Eight women, right? For fairness, you sleep with eight men.”

My jaw dropped. “Eight?!”

“Relax,” she said. “No one said you have to fall in love with them. Just cheat. Use them. Obviously pick hot guys without wives. But trust me, men are all the same. They’re great at sex and sweet talk, but the second you ask for commitment or money, poof. Gone.”

She pointed her sunglasses at me.

“And honey, you look like that. If you crooked one finger, half the men on earth would volunteer to sleep with you.”

I laughed. “What about the other half?”

She shrugged. “No idea. Maybe they’re gay.”

Good women get a reputation.

Bad women get everything.

If people were going to pity me, I’d rather just become the villain.

“You’re right,” I said finally. “I’m doing it. I’m making him feel exactly what I felt.”

I scanned the beach lazily.

“Step one is finding a decent-looking man.”

Honestly, that wasn’t hard. This was Lake Como. Romantic encounters practically grew on trees here.

My gaze drifted toward the lifeguard station in the distance. Most of the guys there didn’t really do it for me. Nothing compared to Sebastian.

Then I saw him.

A brown-haired guy with bronze skin and a body that looked sculpted by a very enthusiastic god. Every muscle was perfectly placed. He was wearing tight neon-red swim trunks that hugged his thighs, his butt, and… well, everything else.

He noticed me staring.

He turned and our eyes met.

So I gave him a friendly smile.

His whole face lit up instantly, bright and sweet like an Italian orange. My heart actually fluttered.

His coworkers followed his gaze, spotted me, and immediately threw their arms around him laughing like idiots. The poor guy turned bright red.

I looked away, satisfied.

Yep.

That one.

“Well,” Maddie said, raising her cup toward me, “looks like you’ve found number one out of eight. Go get him, baby. In the water. Wait for him to come rescue you. Then press those gorgeous boobs against his chest and wrap your legs around his waist.”

I was wearing a bright yellow bikini that showed off exactly the right amount of cleavage and butt.

My plan was simple.

Fake drowning.

Hot lifeguard saves me.

Romantic gratitude follows.

It was only ten in the morning, so the beach was still quiet. Hardly any kids around. I checked the area carefully to make sure my little stunt wouldn’t distract anyone from a real emergency.

Then I slipped into the water.

I floated on my back like a giant lemon in the middle of Lake Como.

And then I drowned.

Exactly as planned.

Underwater, I endured the burning sting of lake water up my nose while staring at the spinning sky above me. The physical discomfort oddly dulled the ache in my chest.

Then I felt strong arms grab me and pull me up.

My chest pressed against his. Even through the water I could feel his nipples against my skin. Unfortunately, he didn’t give me the chance to wrap my legs around his waist. Dragging a drowning woman to shore apparently required better logistics.

Once we reached land, he laid me down and lightly patted my cheek.

“Are you okay?”

His voice sounded urgent.

Wait.

That wasn’t an Italian accent.

I coughed up a mouthful of water and slowly opened my eyes.

The lifeguard was not the man above me.

Instead, I was staring at the most ridiculously handsome face I had ever seen.

From Renaissance paintings to modern Hollywood, I had seen plenty of beautiful men. But this guy? This guy was unfair.

His face looked carved out of marble like a Greek god. Deep blue eyes. Wet lashes clinging together like little galaxies pulling me into orbit. Water droplets slid from his forehead down across perfectly defined abs.

Dear God.

And he was huge.

I immediately forgot about the lifeguard.

I wanted this man.

Quick glance at his left hand.

No ring.

Excellent.

Seeing me awake, he exhaled in relief. I coughed and slowly sat up. He instinctively rubbed my back, and I leaned into his chest like it was the most natural thing in the world.

His body stiffened.

Then I felt his heartbeat start to pick up.

“Do you have a friend nearby?” he asked. “I can walk you over.”

I glanced toward Maddie in the distance. She wisely stayed exactly where she was.

“I’m alone,” I said.

“Then if you feel unwell, I should take you to the rescue station. Or a hospital. Near-drowning is serious.”

I tilted my head up and looked into his eyes.

“Why can’t we go to your room instead?” I said softly. “If you want to make sure I’m feeling okay.”

He definitely swallowed. I saw his Adam’s apple move.

“Do you realize what you’re saying?” he asked.

“You saved my life,” I said, tracing a finger across his chest muscle. My voice came out softer than usual. Flirtier. I wasn’t used to sounding like that. “I’d like to thank you.”

He gave a crooked smile.

“I don’t do easy.”

Then he stood up, let go of me, and walked away without looking back.

What?