Return of the Italian Tycoon

by Jennifer Faye

  Could she trust him? She supposed it depended on the subject. With her safety—most definitely. With her dreams—perhaps. With her heart— Wait, where had that come from?

  “Kayla, what is it?”

  She wasn’t good at lying so that left her with the truth, but she didn’t know how Angelo would take it. “I came to New York because I wanted...er...I want to be an ad executive.”

  His brows scrunched together. “And?”

  She shrugged. “And that’s it.”

  “That’s what you didn’t want to tell me?”

  Her gaze moved to the cobblestone walkway. “It’s just that I got comfortable around you and forgot to watch what I was saying.”

  “Oh, I see. Since I’m the boss, you feel like you have to screen what you say to me?”

  She nodded.

  “How about this? For the duration of this trip, I’m not your boss. We’re just business associates or how about friends? Would you like that?”

  Her gaze met his and she found that he was being perfectly serious. “But what about when we return to New York?”

  “Obviously things will have to change then, but for right now, I’d like to just be Angelo, not Mr. Amatucci. I’d forgotten what it’s like just to be me again.”

  “And I like you calling me Kayla.” Her gaze met his. Within his eyes she found a comforting warmth. “Consider yourself a friend.”

  He held out his hand to her. She accepted it. A shiver of excitement raced up her arm. They continued to stare deep into each other’s eyes, even though it was totally unnecessary. She knew she should turn away. She knew that it was the proper thing to do with her boss. But as he’d just pointed out they were friends—for now.

  His voice grew deeper. “I couldn’t think of a better friend to have.”

  Her heart fluttered in her chest. What had just happened?

  Angelo turned and tucked her hand back in the crook of his arm. Why did it suddenly feel as though their relationship had just taken a detour? How would they ever find their way back to just being boss and employee now?

  * * *

  Monte Calanetti is a diamond in the rough.

  Had that thought really just crossed his mind?

  Before he’d left the hotel a few hours ago, he’d envisioned Monte Calanetti as he had when he was a child—suffocating with its traditional ways and its resistance to growth and to modernization. But somehow, with Kayla by his side, he’d seen the village from a different perspective—he’d seen it through her very beautiful, very observant eyes. With her passion and romantic tendencies, she might just be the key he needed to pull this wedding pitch together. But did he dare ask for her help?

  Sure, she had talent. He’d witnessed it firsthand with the Van Holsen account. But did he trust her with a project that was so important to his family? After all, his brother and sister, not to mention the entire village, were counting on him to represent them properly to the royal couple. But how was he supposed to do that when he kept hitting one brick wall after the other?

  They walked some more before Kayla turned to him. “Thank you for showing me your hometown. I love it.”

  “Really?” He failed to keep the surprise from his voice.

  “Of course I do. How could you not? Not only that but it has the most delicious aromas and it’s so peaceful.” Just then two scooters whizzed by them. “Okay, so it isn’t totally peaceful.”

  “You’ll get used to them. Scooters are very popular around here.”

  A couple more scooters zoomed down the road causing Kayla to step into the grass. She took a moment, taking in her surroundings. “Is this where you went to school?”

  Angelo glanced at the back of the building off in the distance. The years started to slip away. “Yes, it is.”

  “I bet you were a handful back then.”

  As a young kid, he’d been the complete opposite of the way he is now. “I believe the word they used was incorrigible.”

  Now why had he gone and admitted that? Letting down his defenses and opening up about his past would only lead to confusion and misunderstandings, because sharing was what people did when they were getting serious. And that wasn’t going to happen. He refused to let it happen. No matter how ripe her lips were for a kiss. Or how her smile sent his pulse racing.

  “You probably picked on all of the girls and pulled on their ponytails.”

  He shook his head. “Not me. I didn’t have time for girls, not until I was a bit older.”

  “And then I bet you broke a lot of hearts.”

  He wasn’t sure about that, but there was one girl, Vera Carducci, and he’d had the biggest crush on her. He hadn’t thought of her in years.

  “See. I was right.” Kayla smiled triumphantly.

  “Actually, I was the one who got dumped.”

  “That’s so hard to believe—”

  “It’s the truth.” Why did he feel the need to make Kayla believe that his life was far from idyllic? What was it about her that had him letting down his guard? He had to do better. He couldn’t let her get too close. It’d only cause them pain in the end.

  Kayla walked over to a tree in the school yard. Her fingers traced over the numerous carvings from initials to hearts. “Was this the kissing tree?”

  He nodded, suddenly wishing they were anywhere but here.

  “I bet your initials are here...somewhere.” Kayla’s voice drew him back to the present. “Want to point me in the right direction?”

  “Actually, they aren’t here.”

  Her eyes opened wide. “Really? I thought for sure that you would have been popular with the girls.”

  He shrugged, recalling his fair share of girlfriends over the years. But he’d never kissed them here. Not a chance.

  “Surely you stole a kiss or two.” Her gaze needled him for answers.

  “Not here.”

  “Why not?”

  Oh, what did it matter if he told her? It wasn’t as if there was any truth to the legend. It was all a bunch of wishful thinking.

  “There’s some silly legend attached to the tree that says whoever you kiss here will be your soul mate for life.”

  Kayla’s green eyes widened with interest. “Really? And you don’t believe it?”

  He shook his head. “It’s just an old wives’ tale. There’s nothing to it.”

  “And yet you’ve made a point not to kiss anyone here.” She stepped closer to him. “If you don’t believe in such superstitions, prove it.”

  His pulse kicked up a notch. Why was there a gleam in her eyes? Was she challenging him? Did she really expect him to kiss her here?

  Instead of the idea scaring him off, it actually appealed to him. His gaze dipped to her lips. Kayla was the only woman he had ever contemplated kissing here—wait, when did that happen? He gave himself a mental jerk, but it didn’t chase away the tempting thought.

  What was it about Miss Kayla Hill that had him wishing there were such things as happily-ever-afters instead of roller-coaster relationships? He’d had so much turbulence in his life that he couldn’t stand anymore. But Kayla was different. She had a calming presence.

  This wasn’t right. He should make it perfectly clear that he was no Romeo, but the way she kept staring at him, challenging him with her eyes, filled him with a warm sensation. He didn’t want it to end. What would it hurt to let her remain caught up in her romantic imaginings?

  Without thinking about the pros and cons of what he was about to do, he dipped his head and caught her lips with his own. Her lips were soft and pliant. He wrapped his arms around her slender waist and pulled her to him. She willingly followed his lead. Her soft curves pressed to him and a moan swelled deep in his throat. How in the world was he ever going to let her go? He’d never felt anything this intense f
or anyone—ever.

  He wanted to convince himself that it was because she was forbidden fruit—his assistant. But he couldn’t buy that. There was something so special about her that he couldn’t diminish the connection with such a flimsy excuse. He knew as sure as he was standing there in a lip-lock with her that if their situation were different and he wasn’t her boss that he’d still desire her with every fiber of his body.

  His mouth moved over hers, slow at first. Yet when she met him move for move, the desire burning in him flared. Her mouth opened to him and she tasted sweet like the sun-ripened berries she’d sampled back in the village. He’d never tasted anything so delectable in his life. He doubted he’d ever experience a moment like this again.

  There was something so special about Kayla. It was as though no matter what he did, she could see the real him. But could she see his scars, the ones that kept him from letting people get too close?

  Her hands slid up over his shoulders and wrapped around the back of his neck. Her touch sent waves of excitement down his spine. He wanted her. He needed her. But his heart and mind were still guarded.

  If he let her get any closer, she’d learn of his shame—of his ultimate pain—and then she’d pity him. Pity was not something that he could tolerate. He was Angelo Amatucci. A self-made man. He needed no one’s sympathy. He needed no one.

  Anxious to rebuild that wall between them, he braced his hands on her hips and pushed her back. Her eyes fluttered open and confusion showed in them.

  “We should head back to the hotel. I...I have work to do.”

  Disappointment flashed in her eyes. “Oh. Okay.”

  He retraced their steps. “I have a conference call this afternoon.”

  Kayla fell in step beside him. He should say something. Explain somehow. But he didn’t know what to say because that kiss left him utterly confused by the rush of emotions she’d evoked in him. Somehow, some way, she’d sneaked past his well-placed barriers and with each smile, each touch, she was getting to him. That wasn’t part of his plan.

  Unable to decide what to do about his undeniable attraction to his assistant, he turned his attention to something much less stressful—the village. For the first time, he saw its charms. Kayla had opened his eyes to everything he’d blocked out, from the amazing artisans, to the detailed architecture, to the warm and friendly people. He had so much to work with now. The pitch would be amazing if he could pull it all together, even though he was still unsure about the wedding aspect.

  Still, Monte Calanetti had some of the best food in the world. It was sure to impress even the royal couple. And to be truthful, he was quite anxious to try Raffaele’s restaurant—if the rumors were anything to go by, it was out of this world.

  Although his desire to go to dinner had more to do with Kayla than the food. He hungered for more of her melodious laugh and her contagious smiles. Though he shouldn’t, he’d come to really enjoy her company.

  As productive as they were, working as a team, he was enjoying getting to know her on a personal level. After all, it wasn’t as if this thing, whatever you wanted to call it, would carry over to New York. He’d make sure of it. But what would it hurt to enjoy the moment?

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  ANGELO SWIPED HIS key card and opened the suite door for Kayla. When she brushed past him, he noticed the softest scent of wildflowers. He inhaled deeply, enjoying the light fragrance as he followed her into the room, wishing he could hold on to her delicate scent just a little longer.

  When she stopped short, he bumped into her. He grabbed her shoulders to steady her. She turned in his arms and gazed up at him with those big luminous green eyes. His heart pounded in his chest.

  “Wasn’t the afternoon wonderful?”

  Was it his imagination or was her voice soft and sultry? And was she looking at him differently? Or was it that he wanted her so much that he was projecting his lusty thoughts upon her?

  He swallowed down the lump in his throat. “Yes, it was a really nice day.”

  “Thank you so much for spending the day with me. I promise to pay you back.” She stood up on her tiptoes and leaned forward.

  She was going to repeat their kiss. His heart pounded. His brain told him that it shouldn’t happen, but his body had other thoughts. He started to lean forward—

  Buzz. Buzz. His phone vibrated in his pocket, breaking the spell.

  He pulled back. After retrieving the phone from his pocket, he checked the screen. “It’s the conference call. I have to take it. Can we talk later?”

  He moved to his room to take the call in private. He actually welcomed the interruption. It gave him time to figure out how to handle this change of dynamics with Kayla.

  The phone call dragged on much longer than he’d anticipated. When he finally disconnected the call, he found Kayla was still in the suite working on her laptop.

  He cleared his throat and she glanced up, but her gaze didn’t quite reach his. “Sorry about the interruption.”

  “No problem.” Her voice didn’t hold its normal lilt. She lifted her reading glasses and rested them on her head.

  As much as he’d like to pretend that the kiss hadn’t happened, he couldn’t. It was already affecting their working relationship and that was not acceptable. “I need to apologize. That kiss...back at the tree, it shouldn’t have happened. You must understand that it can’t happen again.”

  “Is that what you really want?”

  “Yes. No. I don’t know.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “Maybe I was wrong about this. Maybe it’d be better if you flew back to New York.”

  “What?” She jumped to her feet. Her heated gaze was most definitely meeting his now.

  “This isn’t going to work between us.” He glanced away, knowing he’d created this problem. “We can’t keep our hands off each other. How are we supposed to concentrate on all of the work we have to get done?”

  She stepped up to him and poked him in the chest. “You’re not firing me. I won’t let you—”

  “Wait. Who said anything about firing you?” He wrapped his hand around her finger, fighting off the urge to wrap his lips around it. “Certainly not me. You are very talented. Do you honestly think that I’d sack you over a kiss or two—kisses that I initiated?”

  “Then what?” She pulled her finger from his hold as though she’d read his errant thought. “You don’t think you can keep your hands to yourself around me?”

  “Yes... I mean, no.” He absolutely hated this feeling of being out of control—of his emotions or whatever you called it ruling over his common sense. “You confuse me.”

  “How so?” Her gaze narrowed in on him. When he didn’t answer her, she persisted. “Tell me. I want to know.”

  He sighed. “It’s nothing. Just forget I said anything.”

  “What is this really about? It has to be about more than just a kiss.”

  His gaze lifted and met hers head-on. How could she understand him so well? No other woman had ever seen the real him—they’d always been more interested in having a good time. But then again, he’d gone out of his way to hook up with women who didn’t have serious, long-term plans where he was concerned.

  His strong reaction to Kayla was due to a lot more than just the kiss. She made him feel things—want things—that he had no business feeling or wanting. And the way she’d moved him with that passionate kiss hadn’t done anything to settle him. It had only made him want her all the more. What was up with that? He’d never desired a woman with every single fiber of his being. Until now.

  Kayla stepped closer and lowered her voice. “Angelo, I think we’ve grown close enough on this trip that you can talk to me and know that it won’t go any further. Tell me what’s eating you up inside.”

  He knew what she was after—the secrets of his past. But was h
e ready for that? Did he have the courage to peel back those old wounds? Was he ready to deal with her reaction? Could he stand having her think less of him?

  The answer was a resounding no.

  Angelo inhaled a deep breath and blew it out. He wasn’t prepared to open that door. It wasn’t as if they were involved romantically. They didn’t have a future, just the here and the now.

  But there was something else...

  He needed her—well...er...her help. He couldn’t do this wedding pitch alone. The admission twisted his gut in a knot. He was not a man accustomed to reaching out to others.

  He made a point of being the man handing out assignments, making suggestions and overseeing operations. He was never at a loss for how to accomplish things—especially an advertising pitch. This was supposed to be his area of expertise—his specialty.

  What was wrong with him? Why couldn’t he come up with a solid pitch? And what was Kayla going to think of him when he made this request? Would she think less of him?

  Wanting to get it over with, he uttered, “I need your assistance.”

  “What?” Her brow creased. “Of course I’ll help you. That’s what I’m here for.” She took a seat on the couch. “What do you need?”

  His gaze met hers briefly, and then he glanced away. “I...I’m having issues with this pitch. Weddings and romance aren’t my thing.” That much was the truth. He avoided weddings like the plague—he always had a prior business engagement. “I thought maybe you’d have some experience with them.”

  “Well, um...I have a bit of experience.” Her cheeks took on a pasty shade of white.

  “You don’t look so good. I’ll get you something to drink.”

  “You don’t have to wait on me. I can get it.”

  She started to get up when he pressed a hand to her shoulder. “I’ve got this.”

  He retrieved a bottle of water from the fridge and poured it in a glass for her. This was his fault. He’d had her gallivanting all around Monte Calanetti in the sun. She must have worn herself out.

  He moved to her side and handed over the water. “Can I get you anything else?”