The Italian's Unexpected Heir

He didn’t want to discuss it. Instead, he wordlessly handed the invite to her.

She took it and began to read. Oohs and ahs accompanied each line she read. “This is amazing. You must be so excited to be invited to your sister’s wedding. Can you believe you’ll be related to a real-life prince?”

Enzo cleared his throat. “I don’t care who marries my sister as long as he makes her happy.” By the raised brows on Sylvie’s face, he realized his voice had been gruffer than he’d intended. “I’m sure Prince Leo will make her happy. She certainly seemed excited enough when she moved to Patazonia.”

“Oh, she was.” Sylvie wore a dreamy smile.

He didn’t want to talk about his sister, especially not the new life she’d been thrust into by their parents’ unreasonable will, which had pushed all three siblings to compete against each other for ownership of this estate. Maybe if it hadn’t been for the unusual will and ridiculous requirement, his family would still be together—

He halted his thoughts. That wasn’t the truth. It was his fault. He should have tried harder to protect his sisters—to keep them all together.

You’re the big brother. You have to watch out for your sisters. Keep them safe.

His father’s words echoed in his mind. How many times over the years had his father told him that? Too many times to count. And now when it was urgent for him to do just that, he’d failed them.

Not only had he failed his sisters but he was also about to disappoint Sylvie. And just like his sisters, she wouldn’t see this news coming.

* * *

What was going on?

As Sylvie continued to study the distinct frown on Enzo’s face, the more confused she became. He’d been acting strange ever since he got home from the wine competition—which he’d won. But instead of being excited, he’d been moody and quiet. And worst of all, he’d pulled away from her.

Whereas they’d started off as friends, joking and laughing with each other, they now acted like mere acquaintances. Gone was the warm, easy companionship.

When he’d invited her to Paris, she’d thought it was the start of something serious between them. Boy had she been wrong. So very wrong.

Within a couple weeks of returning from Paris, everything looked dismal. Not only had Enzo put up a wall between them, but with his decision to close the boutique hotel, the wedding business was dwindling. People had been drawn in with the package deal. Now with just a wedding venue and no lodgings, well, the competition was drawing away business.

Maybe if she hadn’t acted spontaneously in Paris—if she hadn’t forced their relationship to the next level—she’d be able to convince Enzo to reopen the hotel. But with the mood he was in these days, that wasn’t going to happen.

If it wasn’t for that one unforgettable night, things would be different. Heat rushed to her cheeks when she recalled the night he’d won the prestigious competition. It had been a very special night for her, too. Perhaps they’d celebrated a little too much and then one thing led to another until she’d wound up in his arms all night long. She’d let herself believe he cared for her—like she cared for him.

But then they’d returned to Tuscany. It was like their passion had all been a steamy, stirring dream, but a dream nonetheless. And though that had been weeks ago, she was still trying to figure out what had happened.

They just needed to address the elephant in the room. The air needed clearing because she had important business to discuss with him. And this time she wouldn’t let him come up with an excuse to walk away—like he’d done so many times before.

“Enzo—” she waited until she had his full attention and then she continued “—we need to discuss the future of the wedding business. I have some ideas to go over with you.”

This was it. This was further than she’d gotten in the past. She straightened her shoulders and met his gaze, letting him know she meant business. Would he stay this time and hear her out? Or would he make an excuse again?

When he started for the door, he said, “Maybe later. I need to get back to work.”

In the past she’d let him escape. Maybe she should have spoken up before now. Maybe she shouldn’t have let thing

s drag on to this point. But it was so hard when the first time you make love and you think it was great—special even—and the guy thinks otherwise.

At first, she’d cried into her pillow at night. But time had helped soothe her wounded heart—or was it her pride? Perhaps a little of both. Either way, she wasn’t going to be ignored. No one deserved that, not after what they’d shared.

She rushed over to the doorway before he could escape inside. When she stepped in front of him, his widened gaze settled on her.

“Sylvie, this isn’t the time.” His tone was gruff. “I have things to do.”

She settled her hands on her hips. “Not before we talk.”

He sighed. A moment of tense silence passed before he said, “Okay. What do you want to talk about?”

“You.”