He heard the bedroom door open and he looked up. The air caught in his lungs as he watched Angelina walk toward him. She was dressed in a short black evening dress that caressed her curves just enough to be enticing. Her black high heels made her seem considerably taller and, if possible, made her legs shapelier. Her silky hair was pulled up off her neck by two sparkling clips and small diamonds adorned her ears.
“Do I look okay?” she asked timidly. “The salesclerk said this dress would be all right for tonight.”
“You’re perfect,” he said as he placed her wool jacket across her shoulders, knowing she was far too tempting for them to hang around here. “Let’s go.”
They arrived at the theater in plenty of time. But Angelina hadn’t noticed; she was too fascinated by all the excitement of being at the Broadway play Les Misérables.
Afterwards they took a cab to an out-of-the-way restaurant not far from the theater. They shared a quiet intimate meal without much conversation. But every time John glanced across the table at Angelina, he knew that he was falling deeper and deeper... And it scared the hell out of him.
How could he have let it happen? He’d been so careful to keep an emotional distance. Not to get involved. But it had happened anyway.
“John, are you okay?”
His gaze met hers. “I’m fine. Maybe a little tired.”
She smiled and picked up her wineglass. “We have been busy. Today was an unbelievable day. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He reached across the table and took her hand, knowing that it was getting harder and harder to let her go, but he had no choice. “You’ll be heading home tomorrow.”
She nodded, and he felt her hand tremble. “I feel like I’ve been gone forever.” Her gaze went to his. “I can’t thank you enough for this trip. I’ve learned so much.”
“I’ll miss you,” he said, not caring that the words had slipped out
She nodded. “I’ll miss you, too. But, I guess we both always knew that your life is here...and mine’s in Indiana.”
He watched the tears well in her eyes. Damn it, how did she manage to reach inside and get a grip on his heart? Suddenly he didn’t want to spend the rest of their time together in a crowded restaurant.
He waved for the waiter to bring the check, and within ten minutes they were in a cab heading back to SoHo. They rode back in silence. John was careful to keep his distance. Once he touched her, he wouldn’t be able to stop.
And tonight he had to tell her the truth.
John opened the apartment door and Angelina walked inside ahead of him. Unable to resist her, he leaned back on the door and pulled her against him, loving the feeling of her shapely body. They fit together perfectly. Oh, how he wanted her.... No! With the last of his strength, he managed to release her.
“Angelina, we have to talk.” Needing space, he went into the living room. He pushed a few buttons on the CD player, and the voice of the Italian opera singer, Andrea Bocelli, filled the room with a romantic ballad. Big mistake. But before he could correct it, Angelina came up to him.
She returned to his arms. “What do you want to talk about, John?” she whispered. “How I realize that I have feelings for you? I tried to push you away, but can’t anymore. I don’t want to go back to Indiana without you knowing how I feel.”
Instantly fire flamed inside him, making him forget all reason. He took her mouth in another hungry kiss. Hot sensations raced through him, but he suddenly came to his senses. He gripped her arms and pulled back.
“Wait, Angelina. We need to talk first. There are things that you need to know.”
“What things? That you don’t believe in permanent relationships? That doesn’t matter. I care about you, John. I think you care about me.”
“I do, damn it.” He moved away again. One more touch and he was a goner. “That’s why you have to listen to me.”
She stopped and looked up at him, her face so full of trust. “If you’re trying to let me down...”
He swung her into his arms, sliding an arm around her waist before she could gauge his intent. She gasped as his mouth came down on hers in an intimate, searing kiss that demanded a response. And she did respond, with a passion that matched his own. When he finally raised his head she was clinging to him, just as he wanted her to.
He walked across the room as he worked on calming his breathing. “I think I’ve proven my point that I’m not trying to let you down. Now stay over there until I say what I have to say.”
She nodded as the music surrounded them, blanketing them in intimacy. Besides a small lamp, the only other light was moonlight streaming through the window.
“When the Grand Haven Hotel came up for sale last year, I’d never heard of Haven Springs, Indiana. I did some research and discovered that the area could handle a Rossi hotel. So Mark and I began to look into purchasing the property and researching companies to handle the renovations.” He paused to take a breath. “Then I got the list of contractors and saw the Covelli name on it...” He glanced at her. “I recognized the name, and I did some more investigating to see if your family was the same Covellis I knew of. I’ve told you my grandfather was from Italy. And he still lives there.”
Angelina nodded.
“Well, what I didn’t tell you was that he came from Tuscany. His family has owned a vineyard there for generations. He knows your Nonna Vittoria.”
“Really? She’ll be delighted to hear you know someone from her village. Who is your grandfather?”
John drew a breath. “Giovanni Valente.”
The excitement died from her eyes as she shook her head. “No, that can’t be. Giovanni Valente cursed our family.”
“It’s true, Angelina. But what happened fifty years ago shouldn’t matter to us.”
“If it doesn’t, why didn’t you tell me in the beginning? Why did you lie?”
“I never lied. I was curious to meet the family that caused my grandparents so much heartache.”
She gasped. “The Covellis caused the Valentes heartache? I believe we were the ones who were cursed. Why did you hire us? To amuse yourself?”
“One thing has nothing to do with the other. I gave your brothers the hotel job because they were the best qualified.”
“We don’t need charity. You lied to us all along.”
“I did no such thing,” he denied. “I was only doing my job. Now looking back, I should have told you....” He wanted to go to her, to hold her. To make things right again.
Without a sound, she turned to leave.
Panic raced through him, realizing how much he wanted her to stay. “Please don’t go.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “You’ve had your laugh, now leave me a little dignity.”
“I’m not laughing.” He took her arm and turned her around. “I care about you, Angelina.”
The buzz of the intercom startled them, and John went to answer it. The doorman informed him that his grandfather was downstairs waiting in the lobby. What unbelievable timing! Giovanni wasn’t supposed to arrive until next week. John said that he’d be down in a moment.
“Look, Angelina. I have to go downstairs for a minute. Please, just wait until I get back, we have to talk this out.”
She folded her arms and refused to answer him.
John raced out the door and down the elevator. He didn’t need this tonight. He didn’t need this ever. Somehow he had to stop this woman from walking away.
The door opened and he rushed out to find his grandfather. They hugged and exchanged greetings in Italian.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming early?”
“I didn’t know until I spoke with Signora Donna, yesterday,” Giovanni said. “She told me you had returned from Vermont and came into the office with a beautiful young woman. Her name was Angelina Covelli. This Angelina is related to Vittoria, sì?”
John nodded. “Sì, Nonno. She’s Vittoria’s granddaughter. And I think I’m in love with her.”
Angelina fought her tear
s as she changed into slacks and a sweater. Then she began tossing her clothes into her suitcases and planning her escape. But, by the time she made it to the front door, John was there with a white-haired man.
In his late sixties or seventies, he was tall and broad-shouldered. His gaze met hers and he froze, complete surprise on his face. Finally he turned to John and spoke in Italian.
“Angelina, this is my grandfather, Giovanni Valente.”
“Ciao, Signorina Angelina,” Giovanni said with a smile. “You are as bella as Vittoria.”
“Signore Valente, I’m sorry, but I can’t talk about this.”
John interrupted. “My grandfather had no idea that I knew the Covellis,” he said. “So don’t be angry with him.”
“No!” Giovanni said. “This is all my fault. It was my mother who cursed your famiglia, Angelina. John wasn’t even born. Be angry with me.”
Angelina wanted to disappear. “I’m not angry with anyone. I just want to go home.” She started for the door.
John grabbed her arm to stop her. “Please, Angelina, don’t go like this. I care about you.”
She pulled away from his touch. “If you care anything about me or my family, you’ll leave us alone for another fifty years.” She walked out and slammed the door behind her. The sound echoed in the silent room.
A dull pain constricted John’s chest, making it hard to breathe. The scene was familiar, another person he cared about leaving him. His shoulders slumped, he was suddenly tired. He looked at his grandfather.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t help,” Giovanni said.
John went to the window, all at once feeling empty. Angelina could have filled that emptiness. “Why can’t we have the women we love?” he murmured.
Giovanni came to his grandson and put a hand on John’s shoulder. “Sometimes we look for the wrong woman. I realize now that Vittoria wasn’t for me to have. She loved another man long before I asked her to marry me. But my stupido pride couldn’t let her go. Then for years I hung on until my bitterness even drove my Lia away. Even my own daughter was injured by my loveless marriage and passed that hurt on to you.” He looked John in the eyes. “I’m sorry. Our family has been cursed because I wouldn’t let myself love. You can change that, figlio. Let Angelina show you how. Let her love you.”
But Angelina was gone. Love was gone. “Doesn’t matter anymore. You heard her. It’s hopeless, just like you and Vittoria.”
Giovanni smiled sadly. “No, no, son. You can’t think that. Besides, there’s a big difference. Vittoria loved another man, Enrico. Your Angelina loves you. And if she is anything like her grandmother, there is only room in her heart for one man.” The older man reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a velvet box and opened the lid. The beautiful ruby and diamond ring sparkled inside. The bride’s ring. The ring that Giovanni was to slip on Vittoria’s finger so long ago. But that had not been meant to be. In anger, Giovanni had cursed the Covellis and stolen the bride’s ring. Now, it was past time to return it. To end the curse that plagued both families for years.
John swallowed, wanting to hope, but afraid to. So many times love had eluded him. “I don’t believe in love.” It hurts too much, he added silently.
“Fine, be stubborn. Look where it’s gotten me. Nowhere. I can look forward to being alone for the rest of my life.” Giovanni looked out at the twinkling lights of the city. “I guess it won’t bother you when Angelina finds another man. A man who will love her. A man who will share her life. Her dreams.”
The pain of Giovanni’s words nearly choked John. “Stop it,” he cried. “Okay, I get your point.”
“Then do something.” The old man held up the ring. “The curse ends when our two families get together.”
“She doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
“I bet you can change her mind. Do you think that Angelina would have been so angry if she didn’t care? The tears in her bella blue eyes were for the man she loves.”
John’s heart raced with hope. He took the velvet box from his grandfather. “I’m going to need this. Come on, I have to convince one beautiful woman that I love her.”
Chapter Eleven
The next afternoon, Angelina sat up in her bed and checked the clock on the nightstand. It was already after one o’clock. She should have been up by now, but knowing she would have to face more questions from the family had kept her isolated in her room.
She had wasted enough tears on John during the redeye flight, not to mention sobbing all the way home after Rafe had picked her up at the airport.
How could she have let herself fall ... ? No, she wasn’t going to think about him anymore. If she’d had any feelings for the man, he’d killed them. Anger was the only emotion she felt when she thought of John Rossi and his deception.
Now she had to pull herself together and go on. Right. How was she supposed to work for Rossi International knowing John had lied to her and her family? Tony had informed her that the contract with Rossi International was ironclad. No way out Maybe the contract was ironclad, but her job wasn’t. She could resign from the project, leave town and forget about John. Forget how easily she’d fallen for his charms—how she had nearly made love to the man. Fresh anguish filled her heart. Had she betrayed Justin’s memory?
There was a soft knock on the door, and her grandmother peeked inside. “Good afternoon, Lina.”
Angelina watched as Nonna Vittoria walked forward carrying a tray of food.
“You need to eat,” she said. “You will feel better.”
“Thank you, Nonna, but I’m not really hungry.”
Nonna set the tray on the table next to the bed. “That usually happens when you’re in love.”
Angelina sighed. “I’m not in love,” she denied as her gaze met her grandmother’s wise, caring dark eyes. Angelina’s lips began to quiver. “He lied to me, Nonna.”
“Was it really a lie?” Vittoria reached out and stroked her cheek. “Don’t blame John for something that happened over fifty years ago. Neither of you children were responsible for what Giovanni or I did.”
“It was the Valente family who caused the trouble. You only wanted to many the man you loved. Nonno Enrico.”
“And when we’re in love, we don’t always think with our heads. Maybe John did the same. Maybe he was curious at first, maybe even a little jealous of what the Covelli family had. Then he grew to care about you. Didn’t he finally tell you the truth, even though he feared he would lose you?”
Angelina didn’t want to hear this. “There was nothing to lose. I ... we weren’t involved,” she said, knowing it was partly a lie. “I mean, I love Justin. I’ll never love another man like I loved him.”
“Of course you won’t,” Nonna said. “Each love is different.” Her aged hand took her granddaughter’s. “And you have been blessed to know love once before. Some people, maybe John, have never known what it is like to love someone. Maybe he wanted to take a chance with you, but was afraid. I don’t think that Justin would expect you to go through life closing yourself off from happiness.”
A tear rolled down Angelina’s cheek. Vittoria went on. “I believe you are so angry because you have feelings for John Rossi. Feelings that scare you, so you’re ready to walk away just to protect your heart.”
Angelina tried to deny it, but she couldn’t find the words.
“And what of John?” Vittoria continued. “Seems his life has been pretty lonely. He works all the time, traveling around the world. You told me his parents died when he was just a boy. And Giovanni helped raise him, no doubt teaching his grandson the bitterness he’d felt toward the Covellis.” Vittoria’s gaze met hers. “And yet when John discovered that the Covellis who bid on the hotel job were one and the same family that had made his grandfather’s life miserable, didn’t he still give Rafe and Rick the job?”
Angelina’s defenses were weakening. “That was business.”
“I believe that there were plenty of companies in Louisville who wou
ld have loved to have the job. But John gave it to the Covellis. Do you know how hard that must have been for him? That’s like a betrayal to the Valente family. Now, why do you suppose he did that?”
Angelina didn’t want to hope there was a more personal reason. “What about the curse?”
Vittoria stood. “Oh my, Lina. Has our family really been cursed? Just look around you. There may have been struggles along the way, but we’ve all been blessed with our big, happy family. You’ve had the love of a wonderful man. Now you have another chance at happiness. Some people aren’t that lucky, and some, like John, don’t trust love enough to reach out for it.
John had reached out—to her. But she had turned away. Oh, God, how could she have done that? Panic raced through her. Had he cared about her? Maybe even loved her? She had to find him. “Oh, Nonna, I’ve been so terrible to John. I have to go to New York.” She got out of bed. “I have to see him.” She went to her closet and pulled out gray wool slacks and a pink sweater. “Can you call the airport and see if I can get a plane?”
Vittoria smiled. “I don’t think you need to go to New York.” She reached in her pocket and pulled out a paper. “John called this morning. He wants to see you.”
Angelina’s eyes widened. “He’s in town? Where?” She read his note. “Please, Angelina, I need to see you. Come to the hotel at your convenience. John.”
Her hopes faded at the word convenience. He didn’t seem anxious to see her. And why should he? She had basically told him to get lost. Why had it taken so long for her to realize she loved him?
“He wants to see you.”
“I know, Nonna. I’ll go, but I doubt John wants any more than to talk to his project manager.”
Thirty minutes later, Angelina arrived at the hotel, only to find the place empty. No workmen around and her brothers weren’t to be found. Harry wasn’t even at the door. Suddenly it felt like the first day she’d arrived for the job. She’d had so many hopes that day. She was going to take on the world, or at least Rossi International’s CEO. Find independence, make a career for herself. None of that mattered now. She had lost what she really wanted...John.
The Man, The Ring, The Wedding Page 14