Angelina looked panicky. “No, there isn’t. There can’t be.” She stood to leave, but he grabbed her arm as he rose from his chair.
“Whoa, cara,” he whispered as his fingertips touched her cheek, aching to pull her into his arms, to kiss her until she admitted that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. “I didn’t realize it was such a repulsive idea to imagine us together.”
She closed her eyes, but not before he saw the pain in her eyes. “Oh, John, I’m sorry. It’s not you. I just can’t...”
John’s heart lurched at the sight of her hurt. For all his experience with women, and all his trying to keep his distance, why was this woman finding her way under all the barriers? He couldn’t let that happen.
“Angelina. For whatever discomfort I’ve caused you, I apologize. It wasn’t my intention to hurt you.” He closed his eyes and felt a shiver rush through him. When he opened them, she was looking at him, her gaze suddenly cool and distant.
“It’s only business between us. There can never be anything more.” She forced a smile. “I bet you’re eager to get back to New York.”
John fought his frustration. He would love to show her his life in New York. But that was impossible. “That’s right, I do miss it.”
“And your friends.”
Outside the usual business acquaintances, John didn’t have many close friends. “If you’re asking if there is a special woman, there isn’t.” Why did he feel that he had to clarify that to her?
Angelina raised her chin. “That’s right, you don’t believe in love.”
He answered with a nod.
Emotions flashed in her shimmering blue eyes before she turned away, then picked up her purse and walked out the door.
John watched her go. “Oh, cara,” he murmured. “If only things could be different.” And for the first time in his life he truly wished they could be.
Instead of returning to the office, Angelina took the afternoon off and drove home. She walked in the back door and found her grandmother in the kitchen, baking.
Vittoria glanced up as she wiped her hands on her apron. “Angelina, what are you doing home?”
Angelina shrugged. “I decided to take a few hours off. I can discuss the wallpaper samples with Mr. Wolfe later today.”
Her grandmother embraced her. “Good. You’ve been working too hard, Lina. Come, what you need is food, then some rest.”
Vittoria went to the stove and turned on the burner under a pot of soup. “I know you haven’t been sleeping at night. I hear you moving around in your room late.” The older woman’s dark eyes searched her granddaughter’s. “What is troubling you so?”
Angelina shrugged and sank down into a chair. “I guess I’m worried about work. I want to do a good job.”
Vittoria went to her and stroked her forehead. “These lines aren’t caused by work, but from the pain in your heart. Is it because of Giovanni Rossi?”
Angelina wanted to deny her problems had anything to do with John, but her grandmother would see through that. She nodded. “Oh, Nonna. I shouldn’t feel like this.” Angelina glanced away, knowing she could never hide anything from Vittoria. “We work together.” Angelina couldn’t forget what his arms felt like around her. How his kiss sent her into a whirl of pleasure.
“How does he make you feel?”
“I’m not sure. Just off balance.”
Vittoria nodded.
“But there’s no future for us.”
Vittoria murmured something about the curse as she sat in the chair next to her granddaughter. “Oh, Angelina, love is never easy. La maledizione! The curse makes it more difficult. I have prayed that things will be different for my children.”
“No, Nonna, it’s not your fault,” Angelina insisted. “You didn’t create the curse. The Valente family did. Besides, Rick and Rafe managed to find love. So did I once....” she hesitated, as tears welled in her eyes. “Mine just didn’t last a lifetime.”
Vittoria pulled her granddaughter into her arms. Angelina welcomed the closeness, realizing how lucky she’d been that her family had always been there for her.
“I do not question God’s will,” Nonna said. “But you can’t live in the past. You need to move on. If that is a career, then you should—what you say—‘go for it.’”
Angelina raised her head. “You want me to have a career?”
“Oh, my Lina, I want you to be happy.” She smiled. “Maybe you’ll even find love again.”
Angelina bit her lip to keep from arguing the point. “For now I want a career. I can’t always work with my brothers. I want my own life.”
Vittoria squared her shoulders. “Good. A Covelli woman doesn’t give up. She goes after what she wants.”
Angelina knew that that was what her grandmother had done when she went off to America with Enrico Covelli. “I’m not sure if I’m as strong as you.”
“No, you’re more so. You were the first woman in this family to go to college. You can do anything.”
“Sometimes I’m not sure I know what I want anymore.”
Vittoria smiled as she pressed her hand to her chest. “Then you must listen to your heart.”
The next day, John sat behind his desk in his makeshift office at the hotel. He’d been trying all morning to get some work done, but so far hadn’t made any progress.
The thought of one pretty, dark-haired spitfire had been invading his thoughts for hours. He’d never let a woman distract him before. Now, after a single kiss and a few brief touches, he was acting like a hormone-driven teenager.
He had to forget her. Get back to work. That was what had filled his life for the past three years. He didn’t dream of someone to share his life anymore. That wasn’t for him, especially not a Covelli. He punched the keys on his laptop and began to concentrate on the next report. When the phone rang, he reached over and picked up the receiver.
“Rossi here,” he said.
“Buona sera, John,”
Hearing his grandfather’s voice, John leaned back in his chair, welcoming the break. “Buona sera, Nonno. How are you?”
“I’m sitting around too much.”
John smiled. “Then why not come to New York early? I’ll be free to leave Indiana by the end of next week.”
“How are things going with your new hotel?”
“Right on schedule. Nonno, this hotel is incredible. I think with the right publicity we could get it off the ground. We’ve drawn up plans for a wonderful resort.”
“I have no doubt that you will make it a success.”
“Thank you for your confidence.” Nonno Giovanni had always been his biggest supporter. He’d taught his grandson a lot more than how to cultivate grapes during all those childhood summers he’d spent in Tuscany.
“You’ve earned it.” John heard the fatigue in his grandfather’s voice.
“Are you okay? You’re not sick, are you?”
“No, I’m fine. In fact, I’m looking forward to my visit and meeting your beautiful secretary, Signora Charles.”
“So you think you’ve charmed Donna? I’ve warned her about you.”
“And I’ll convince her I am harmless,” his grandfather said.
They both laughed. John knew Giovanni would never admit it, but even though they’d been separated for many years, his grandfather still missed his wife, Lia. And Nonna Lia loved her husband, but after years of a cold marriage, she had told Giovanni she was tired of taking second place to his first love, Vittoria, and had left him.
“Oh. mio figlio. I am an old man. I will leave the romancing to you. Tell me you’ve met a special woman.”
John froze as his thoughts turned to Angelina. “Sorry, Giovanni. Looks like I’m a confirmed bachelor.”
There was a long silence, then Giovanni spoke, “I didn’t set you a very good example on love. I was such a foolish old man. No wonder I’m all alone.”
“You are not foolish, and I care about you, Nonno,” he assured him. “Don’t ever think you are
alone.” Giovanni Valente had been the best part of John’s childhood.
“You are special to me also.”
“And I can’t wait to show you New York. We’re going to have a great holiday together.”
“You shouldn’t be spending it with an old man. There have to be a few bella signorinas in your big city.”
John laughed, glad that his grandfather was once again teasing. “There are plenty of bella signorinas.”
Something made John look up, only to find a beautiful woman standing in the doorway. Angelina. She was dressed in a pencil-straight black skirt that emphasized the luscious curve of her hips and shapely legs. He drew a deep breath as his gaze moved upward to the white blouse tucked into the waistband, showing off her tiny waist. She had on a cranberry blazer. He took in her face and flawless skin. He bet she wore little makeup. Her own natural coloring was enough. Her blue-green eyes sparkled at him, causing his heart to race.
John gripped the receiver tightly. “I’ve got to go, Nonno.”
“Sure, I will let you get back to work.”
“I promise I will call you soon. Ciao.” He hung up the phone, stood and came around the desk. “Now what can I do for you?”
“I’m sorry, I had no idea you were talking long-distance.”
He smiled. “All my calls are long-distance. That was my grandfather.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said. “I could have come back.”
He shook his head. “No need. My grandfather and I talk several times a week. He knows I have business to attend to.”
He found himself staring. Angelina was striking. “What can I help you with?”
“I just wanted to know when your interior designer was arriving.”
“I’m not sure...” he murmured, wondering if there was any time that she didn’t look beautiful. He’d seen her at six in the morning in sweats and at noon in business suits. Every time, she’d taken his breath away. He looked in her eyes and saw her confusion.
He regained his thoughts and stepped back. “I believe Valerie said she’d be here on Friday.” He reached for his engagement book on the desk. “That’s right. It says, ‘Valerie Peters arriving by the end of the week.’” What the hell was wrong with him?
Angelina nodded and looked down at her notepad. “Well, I talked with Bently Wolfe from the historical society. He’s willing to meet with Ms. Peters and help select authentic drapery fabrics and wallpaper. The society has photos of what the Grand Haven looked like nearly seventy years ago. Mr. Wolfe entrusted me with several.” She reached into her briefcase and pulled out an envelope.
John moved next to her as she laid out hand-tinted old photographs of the hotel’s once-beautiful interior, the wide staircase with the highly polished oak banister and carpeting in a rich scarlet hue.
“Dio, it was magnificent,” he breathed in and caught a distracting whiff of the fresh scent of her hair. “And that’s the way I want it to look again.”
She glanced up at him. He saw her eyes widen and heard the catch in her breath as she realized his nearness. “Now you can see why my brothers have been so anxious to restore it. I truly believe we can make the Grand Haven even more elegant than it was before.”
Though he knew he should, John couldn’t seem to move away from her. “Do you realize that when you get excited your eyes nearly turn green rather than blue?”
She didn’t move, either. “Nonna said the same thing about my grandfather.”
John shook his head slowly. “His eyes couldn’t have been as beautiful as yours.” His gaze lowered to her full mouth. He raised a finger and gently stroked its smooth surface. Immediately he was hungry for a taste. “I haven’t found anything about you that isn’t beautiful.”
“John...” Angelina closed her eyes. “This complicates things.”
He knew she was right, but he couldn’t seem to resist her. He had to. He had to focus on his job. And to forget about Angelina as a woman.
“Oh, cara. I can’t seem to help myself when you’re around.” He drew a breath. God help him, he thought as he bent his head toward her. At the last second, he managed to move away from her lips and place a lingering kiss on her forehead.
He wanted this woman, but he couldn’t do a damn thing about it. Except let her go.
The next day, Angelina walked into the conference room at the office to find Leo Tucker calculating figures at the table. “Hey, Tuck, how would you like to do me a big favor and take me to a party a week from Friday night?”
He glanced up with a surprised look. “You mean the one at Rafe and Shelby’s?”
“That’s the one.” She went to the table and sat down on the edge, crossing her legs, giving him her best sexy pose. “Think we might turn a few heads if we show up together?”
He gave her his biggest grin—Texas big. “Sure, I’m not half-bad cleaned up,” he said, then gave her an exaggerated once-over. “But why waste your time on an old used-up guy like me, when there’s a mess of younger men out there just ready for you to give them the time of day?”
She glanced away, thinking about John and what almost had happened in the office yesterday. And she would have let him kiss her. She pushed the thought away and looked at Tuck. “I’m not interested in a relationship.”
Tuck smiled. “Darlin’, if I had a dime for every time I’ve heard that one...”
“Well, I mean it. I don’t want or need a man in my life.”
He sobered. “That can make things pretty dull. But I doubt you have to worry about that with Rossi around. The man has been hot after you like a hound dog on a coon.”
Angelina almost laughed. “You have a unique way of expressing yourself.”
“I’m only speaking the truth. The man wants you.”
She tried to ignore the shiver that raced through her body. “There isn’t exactly a large available female population in town. John Rossi is just passing the time.”
“There are plenty of good-looking women in town.”
She touched his weathered cheek. “And I bet you’ve attracted every one of them with that Texas charm of yours.”
He actually blushed. “Do your brothers really let you run around loose?”
She giggled. It was fun just to tease. “Maybe you haven’t noticed, but I’m all grown up.”
“Darlin’, I’ve noticed, but I’m not the man you have to worry about.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not worried about a man.”
“Men aren’t helpless. I believe your mama taught all you kids to take care of yourselves.” He leaned forward and cupped her cheek. “Just don’t pass up the special someone who believes the sun rises and sets in your eyes. A man who can’t bear not having you in his life, and who’ll treasure every day the two of you have together.”
Tears appeared in Angelina’s eyes. She’d had that once and it had all been taken away. She couldn’t go through the pain again. “Oh, Tuck,” she whispered. “Why don’t you marry me?”
The Texan grinned and slowly shook his head. “Your heart already belongs to someone else.” He stood and kissed the end of her nose, then glanced at the doorway.
Angelina turned to find John standing alongside a tall blonde.
“John,” she gasped and slid off the table. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you come in.” She glanced at Tuck. He appeared to be enjoying her discomfort.
“You seemed to be busy,” John said. “I’ve brought Valerie Peters over to meet you.”
Angelina held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Peters. John has raved about your work.”
“Please, call me Valerie. John and I have worked on a lot of jobs together. I pretty much know what he wants.”
Angelina just bet she did. “Valerie, I’d like you to meet Leo Tucker. Leo, this is Valerie. She’s the interior designer for the hotel.”
“My pleasure, ma’am.”
Valerie smiled and her brown eyes flashed an interest in Tuck. “By the sound of your accent, Mr. Tucker, I�
�d say you aren’t from around here. Maybe Texas?”
“West Texas to be exact, and please, call me Tuck.”
Valerie nodded, then turned to John. “John, I’d like to get settled in my hotel room before the meeting with Mr. Wolfe.”
John checked his watch then turned to Valerie. “Would you mind waiting a few minutes? I just want to call New York.”
“No need,” Tuck interrupted. “I can take the lady anywhere she wants to go.”
Angelina felt like a fifth wheel as both men tried to win Valerie’s attention. Tuck won and the couple started out the door. He stopped and looked back at Angelina. “What time next Friday night, darlin’?”
Even without looking, she could feel John’s heated gaze on her. “Oh, about six-thirty. We should get there early, in case we’re needed to help. Thanks, Tuck.”
“No, thank you,” Tuck said with a wink, then escorted Ms. Peters out the door.
John stared at Angelina. “Have you known Mr. Tucker a long time?”
“About eight months. He’s a dear man.”
“And several years older,” he murmured.
“Age isn’t important. It’s what you have in common, how you feel about each other. Tuck and I have hit it off since he came to town. Besides, he’s considering moving here. He’s a partner in Covelli Enterprises.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “As you’ve told me over and over it’s usually a mistake to get involved with someone you work with.”
She raised her chin, betting that he’d gone out with Ms. Peters. So what? She didn’t care. “Who said anything about us being involved?”
Chapter Seven
After fifty years, Stewart Manor looked regal and beautiful once again. On the night of the party, the high wrought-iron fence was draped in tiny twinkling lights, illuminating the long circular drive to the three-story brick home. An attendant hired for the formal affair rushed out to park Tuck’s car. Another came around to assist Angelina.
“Good evening, miss,” the young man said.
“Thank you.” She took his hand and stood, then smoothed out any wrinkles in her long, teal-blue dress.
The Man, The Ring, The Wedding Page 8