The Man, The Ring, The Wedding

by Patricia Thayer

  She raised her head. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have come here.”

  “Then why did you?” he said.

  Her eyes went wide. “Because just once, I wanted to experience a night of passion ... a beautiful night I could hold in my memory forever.”

  John’s body began churning once again as memories of what nearly happened in the bedroom flashed back. He wanted nothing more that to show her all about passion. But the realization struck him—Angelina Covelli wasn’t a one-night stand.

  The next morning, Angelina was waiting by the front entrance with her suitcases. Last night, she had nearly made a terrible mistake, but John had been there for her, holding her, taking her back to her suite where he’d given her the most tender kiss. She’d tried to apologize again, but he’d stopped her, then informed her they would be leaving the next day and to be ready by eight.

  John arrived downstairs as Todd drove up. There was more snow due, and he wanted to be out of the area before they got stuck there. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t quit thinking how much he wanted Angelina. He had to end the charade and tell her the truth.

  The ride into Connecticut was nearly silent, and he welcomed it. He didn’t want to analyze what he was feeling. They loaded their things on the plane and Angelina took her seat. John sat down beside her.

  He spoke with the pilot and discovered there was going to be a ten-minute delay before they could take off. “I have business to take care of in New York, and you are welcome to go with me,” he said to Angelina.

  She didn’t meet his eyes. “It might be better if I fly on home. I’ve caused you enough trouble.”

  He took a deep breath. “Look, Angelina, you were no trouble. About last night...”

  “Please, I’d rather not talk about it.”

  “No. I’m not going to let you keep punishing yourself. All you did was call a halt to...things. You had a right to change your mind.” It would be best for all concerned if he let her go home, but he couldn’t.

  She glanced away. “There’s a name for a woman like me.”

  He took her hand. “I’m not calling you any names.”

  She looked back at him. “Thank you.”

  “Will you do me a favor and tell me about Justin?”

  She shrugged, then seemed to go into her own world. “We met in college my sophomore year. I fell instantly in love, but I think it took him about two weeks. I dogged his steps everywhere on campus, made sure we ran into each other at least three times a day. Finally he confessed that he couldn’t live without me and asked me to marry him after graduation.

  “The summer before our senior year, Justin got sick. It took the doctors nearly a month to discover he had a rare form of leukemia. They tried everything, but even the bone- marrow transplant didn’t work. He died seven months before our wedding day...” Tears glistened on her cheek.

  He held tight to her hand. And before they could make love, he added silently. Had that been the only reason Angelina had wanted him? The feeling struck him hard and fast, he didn’t want to be a substitute lover.

  She looked at him. “I’m sorry for coming to you last night and expecting you to...”

  John cursed to himself. “... fill in.”

  “No!” she cried. “I wasn’t thinking about Justin at all.” Suddenly she was blushing. “I was thinking about you.”

  He was thrilled by her words. “Oh, cara. I wanted you, too. But you should hold out for love.”

  She tilted her head. “You don’t sound like a man who doesn’t believe in long-term relationships.”

  “Some of us aren’t cut out for love.” Somehow in the past month, she had made him wish he was.

  “I know I’m not. I’m going to concentrate on my career.”

  “You’ll be good at that, too,” he said. “You proved it by how hard you worked at the inn.”

  “I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn the hotel business.”

  “Well, New York will be different. I want you to see Rossi International headquarters. And after I finish with business, I want to take you out to a show and dinner. Would you please spend a few days and see the sights with me?”

  Her smile lit up her face. “I’d like that.”

  He hadn’t realized he’d been holding his breath waiting for her answer, but he had. Damn. He needed to get focused. The last thing he needed was to get in any deeper. But the warning came too late. He was in way over his head.

  Worse, his heart was involved.

  Chapter Ten

  By the time their plane landed, they had made plans for the evening. To save on time, John had the company helicopter waiting to take them to Rossi International’s offices. They were soon flying across a field of high rises and a checkerboard of crowded streets. She’d never in her life seen so many people at once. Too soon they landed on top of the Rossi corporate building in midtown Manhattan.

  They rode the elevator down two floors and stepped off into a plush reception area with wheat-colored walls and carpeting. The furnishings were done in emerald-green and blue.

  A middle-aged woman with short brown hair met them with a smile. “Well, welcome back, John.”

  “Hello, Donna,” he said.

  “How was your time off?” Donna asked, eyeing Angelina closely.

  “Nice. How are things going here?”

  “It’s been quiet.” She handed him a pile of messages. “I gave all the urgent calls to Mark.” Then she turned to Angelina. “You have to be Angelina Covelli. It’s nice to get to meet you.”

  “I’m glad to meet you, too.” Angelina shook her hand. “I think we’ve talked a few times on the phone.”

  Donna nodded. “Aren’t you lucky to be able to spend a few days in town?” She turned to her boss. “I’m sure John will make your stay memorable.”

  Angelina noticed John seemed impatient. “We’ll just be doing some sightseeing,” he said as he took Angelina’s hand. “Tell Mark I’ll be in my office,” he said, eyeing Donna closely. “But only for a short time. I have places to go.”

  Angelina felt a rush as he tugged her arm and they went down the long hall. When they reached a set of double doors, John ushered her inside. He flicked the switch and the lights came on, revealing the beautifully decorated office.

  An enormous glass-and-chrome desk sat in front of the large picture window that overlooked the city. One wall consisted of a bookcase that held books and the latest in high-tech computer equipment The carpeting was a luxurious, deep maroon color, the kind Angelina would have liked to bury her bare feet in. Her gaze raised to the paintings over the sofa. They were probably worth more than Angelina had made in a year. If she had ever wondered about her and John being different, this proved it. A small-town girl would never fit in here.

  “How do you like it?” John’s voice brought her back to reality.

  “It’s a far cry from your office at the hotel.”

  “Believe it or not, I spend more time in small cramped offices than in here.” He stood next to her, very close. He reached for her hand and took her to the window overlooking the city. “I do have a great view.” His gaze dropped to her mouth. “I guess being CEO has its privileges.” He lowered his head and her lips parted automatically. She shut her mind off to anything but wanting John’s kiss.

  “So you’re saying it pays to know the boss?” she teased.

  He nodded right before his mouth touched hers. He pulled back, then took a playful nibble before he came back for more. This time in an all-consuming kiss that when he ended it they were both breathless.

  “I thought we weren’t going to do that anymore?”

  “You were too tempting, cara.”

  Before she said anything else, there was a sharp knock on the door. A man burst in from a connecting office.

  Angelina had moved to the front of the desk as the brown-haired, hazel-eyed man entered the room. He was in his twenties.

  “So you finally made it back to sign the contracts—” He look
ed up and stopped, seeing John wasn’t alone. “Sorry. I didn’t know you had a guest.”

  John came around the desk and stood next to her. “Mark, I want you to meet Angelina Covelli.”

  Mark grinned. “Well, this is a pleasure, Angelina.”

  They shook hands. “Nice to meet you, too, Mark.”

  Mark exchanged a look with John. “Now, I can understand why we haven’t been able to get you back here.” He held up the file in his hands. “But these contracts need to be discussed and signed today.”

  “Angelina, would you mind? I need to finish up some business matters with Mark.”

  “Not at all,” she said. “I’ll go out to the reception area.”

  “I have a better idea.” He smiled then pushed the intercom. A moment later his secretary came through the door. “Donna, could you show Angelina around the office?”

  “I’d love to,” she said.

  Donna took Angelina into her office and answered some questions about Rossi International, but Angelina found that Donna was more interested in asking her questions about her family and life in Haven Springs. John arrived after about thirty minutes and took Angelina on the tour of the company. She was totally fascinated with everything, and John took the time to answer all her questions. They even had lunch with Donna and Mark.

  Nearly two hours later, they rode the elevator down to the parking garage where the attendant drove up in a shiny black BMW. John opened the passenger-side door for Angelina, before hurrying around the sports car and climbing in. The gray interior smelled of new leather and the dashboard had as many instruments as she imagined it took to fly a plane.

  “Nice car,” she said, suddenly filled with excitement.

  “Thanks.” He smiled as he shifted into gear and drove off.

  The traffic was slow, but he explained that that was part of New York, along with Broadway, Filth Avenue, Times Square and the Yankees. Thirty minutes later they had made it to his apartment.

  She hadn’t thought anything else could surprise her until they arrived at the brick warehouse in the SoHo district. The building had been recently restored and converted into apartments. John parked in the garage on the bottom floor and was greeted by a doorman. They rode to the fifth floor in a modernized freight elevator. Angelina was quickly falling in love with the place. John living here seemed so cosmopolitan...and normal.

  “What do you do, just buy up everything you like?” she said half-jokingly.

  “Hardly. But this apartment was a good investment, and I wanted a place to live away from my work. Here, I can be myself. Put on my old sweats and take an early-morning run.”

  The elevator stopped on the top floor. They stepped out into a large hall and John guided her to a set of double oak doors. He inserted a key, then opened the door and stepped inside the dark room.

  Soon, light illuminated the spacious living room. It was painted a rich cornsilk color accented by dark-stained woodwork, and had colorful paintings on the walls. The hardwood floor was polished to a high gloss with area rugs scattered around. A row of windows were bare of any drapes, allowing a view of the twinkling night lights of the city.

  An overstuffed hunter-green-colored sofa and two print wingback chairs were arranged around a large coffee table. Against the main dividing wall stood a used-brick fireplace. On one side of the hearth was an antique secretary, and on the other side an exquisite ornate grandfather clock with a Roman-numeral face.

  “Oh, John, it’s beautiful,” she breathed as she wandered into the dining room where she found a long mahogany table and six high-back chairs with padded crimson seats. A tall hutch with glass doors displayed fine china and delicate crystal.

  “The clock belonged to my parents. Nonna Lia kept it for me.”

  “Well, it fits in here perfectly.”

  She moved into another area. The kitchen. Open and airy, the whitewashed cabinets were framed nicely by the almond-tiled counters. A round table with two chairs made a cozy place for two people to share a quiet meal.

  “Whoever designed this place did a wonderful job.”

  “I did most everything myself,” he said proudly. “What’s done, that is. I took a lot of architecture classes in college. I have more space at the end of the hall where I plan to add a study, and another bedroom. I’m using the area as a gym now.”

  There was a knock on the door. John opened it to allow the doorman in with their luggage.

  John had him wait at the door and walked back to Angelina. “I’m sorry. I’m taking for granted that you’ll be staying here in my guest room.” He gave her a sheepish look. “But if you like I’ll take you to a hotel or the Rossi penthouse.”

  A warmth spread through her, remembering last night, when they’d nearly made love. The kiss in his office. Too bad she hadn’t learned her lesson. “You sure you don’t mind having me around?”

  He smiled at her. “Cara, I wouldn’t have asked you to stay, if I didn’t want you here.”

  “Then, I’ll stay,” she said. “And thank you for taking the time to show me New York.”

  “My pleasure.” He directed the doorman to the guest room, then escorted Angelina inside the large room done in beige tones. A queen-size bed was adorned with a teal-blue comforter and numerous toss pillows. An oak dresser held a photo of an older man she assumed to be his grandfather.

  “I hope you’ll be comfortable. This is where my grandfather stays when he visits. If not. you can have my room,” he said, then rushed on to say, “and I’ll sleep here.”

  Angelina stared at him for a long time without saying anything. Her gaze searched his handsome face. She was getting too used to having him close—and liking it too much. “This room is perfect.”

  “Good.” His dark eyes were dilated, and she could see tiny flecks of gold. “I wouldn’t want you to be ... uncomfortable.”

  “I’m fine.” Which was a lie. She’d been unbalanced around the man since she’d met him. “I feel like I’m keeping you from work, or something.”

  “You are, but I decided I deserve the time off.” He smiled. “How about we get in a little sightseeing this afternoon?”

  “Great, just give me a few minutes to freshen up.”

  He nodded and stepped outside, closing the door behind him.

  Angelina released a long breath and sank down on the bed. How was she going to last two days, living in the same apartment with him? All she could think about was the unbelievable feeling when he touched her, or when his arms held her.

  But sooner or later it was all going to end. She’d be back in Indiana, and John Rossi would stay here.

  Loaded down with shopping bags, John had no idea how many miles they’d walked, or how many stores Angelina had dragged him into, but she was having fun doing some Christmas shopping. He wanted her to have a good time in New York. And best of all they were out of the apartment and away from temptation. Tonight, he’d planned a quiet dinner and an early evening. He’d have a messenger send over cost sheets for him to look over. That should keep him from thinking about the beautiful woman asleep across the hall.

  For tomorrow night, Donna had gotten tickets for a Broadway show and late dinner reservation at his favorite restaurant. By the time they returned to the apartment he hoped he’d be too exhausted to think about how much he wanted her.

  Hell, any man would have to have ice in his veins not to want Angelina. Maybe it had been a bad idea to bring her along to New York. He could have easily sent her on to Indiana, but for some reason he needed to clear his conscience and tell her who he was. He was running out of time, but worse, no matter how he sugarcoated the words, he was going to hurt her.

  Angelina went up to another shop window. “Oh, John, look at that sweater,” she said as she glanced over her shoulder at him. She wore the familiar red knit cap over her long dark hair. “That blue would look perfect on Shelby.”

  “Yeah, it would be nice.”

  “Oh, gosh, I forgot. Shelby’s pregnant.”

  �
��Pregnant?” John murmured, suddenly coming to attention. “They’ve only been married a few months.”

  “I know, but Shelby was raised in foster homes. She and Rafe wanted a family from the start.”

  A peculiar feeling swept over John as he suddenly pictured Angelina with a rounded belly. Pregnant with child. His child.

  “Isn’t it wonderful?” Her voice sounded dreamy.

  Had she given up on dreams when Justin died? Had they planned on a family? Of course, what man wouldn’t want Angelina as the mother of his children? A sudden feeling erupted in his gut. He wished he could be the man to give her her dreams.

  That night they shared a quiet dinner that had been delivered from the local deli. By nine o’clock, Angelina was nearly falling asleep over her food.

  “I think it’s time you turned in,” John said.

  She tried to smile. “I’m sorry I’m such bad company.”

  “You’ve had a busy week.” He got up and went around the table to help her up. “You just need a good night’s sleep. Remember there’s the show tomorrow night”

  They started down the hall. “I should help you clean up.”

  He managed to get her to her bedroom door. “You need to be in bed. I’ll do it.”

  She looked up at him, her blue eyes clear and questioning. Holding himself in check, he bent down and kissed her on the cheek, then gently pushed her inside. “Sleep well, cara,” he whispered and closed the door. But he couldn’t shut out the thought of the desirable woman in the bed only a few feet away.

  The next evening, John was dressed in his black suit waiting for Angelina to finish getting ready for the theater. He paced the living room, knowing tonight he had to find a way to tell her everything. Tell her who he was. Who his grandfather was. The thought ate away at his gut like acid. Damn. He never should have let it go this far. If he’d told the Covellis who he was from the start, he wouldn’t be in this situation now.