Return of the Italian Tycoon

“Because I want you to really see Monte Calanetti and get excited about it.” Her gaze met his and then dipped to his mouth. “I think if you’re passionate about something it will show.”

The temperature started to rise. He knew what she was thinking because he was thinking the same thing. He zeroed in on her inviting lips. He was definitely feeling passionate. Would it be wrong to kiss her again?

Someone bumped his shoulder as they passed by, reminding him that they were in the middle of the village. Not exactly the place for a passionate moment or even a quick peck. Besides, he couldn’t give her the wrong impression. He didn’t do relationships.

Before he could decide if he should say something, Kayla slipped her arm in his and they started to walk again. They made their way around the piazza, taking in the various shops from a shoe boutique to a candy shop. Monte Calanetti offered so much more than he recalled.

Maybe it wasn’t quite the small backward village he’d conjured up in his memory—the same village where he’d once got into a bit of mischief with harmless pranks. Those were the carefree days that he hadn’t known to appreciate as they flew by.

“What are you smiling about?” Kayla sent him a curious look.

He was smiling? He hadn’t realized his thoughts had crossed his face. “I was just recalling some antics I’d gotten into as a kid.”

“Oh, tell me. I’d love to hear.”

“You would?” He wouldn’t think something like that would interest her. When she nodded, he continued. “There was this one time when I glued a coin to the sidewalk outside the market. You wouldn’t believe how many people tried to pry it free.”

Her eyes twinkled. “So you didn’t always play by the rules.”

He shrugged. “What kind of trouble did you get into?”

“Me? Nothing.”

“Oh, come on, confess. There has to be something.”

She paused as though giving it some serious consideration. “Well, there was this one time the neighborhood boys attached some fishing line to a dollar. It was similar to what you did. They’d lay it out in front of my par

ents’ market, and when someone went to pick up it up, they’d tug on the line.”

“See, I knew you weren’t as innocent as you appeared.”

“Hey, it wasn’t me. It was them. I...I was just watching.”

“Uh-huh.” He enjoyed the way her cheeks filled with color. “It’s good to know you have some spunk in you. That will come in handy in this business.”

* * *

Kayla was in love—with the village, of course.

Brilliant sunshine lit up the heart of Monte Calanetti. The piazza was surrounded by a wide range of small shops to satisfy even the most discerning tastes. But it was the large fountain in the center of the village square that drew Kayla’s attention. She tugged on Angelo’s arm, leading them toward it.

The focal point of the fountain was a nymph draped in a cloak. She held a huge clamshell overhead. The sunshine sparkled and danced over the fine billowing mist from the continuous jets of water. Kayla stopped at the fountain’s edge. She smiled, loving the details of the sculpture that included a ring of fish leaping out of the water.

“I take it you like the fountain.” Angelo’s deep voice came from just behind her. “You know there’s a tradition that if you toss a coin and it lands in the shell, you get your wish.”

Her gaze rose to the clamshell—suddenly it didn’t look quite so big. “You’d have to be awfully lucky to get it all the way up there.”

“Why don’t you give it a try?”

“I...I don’t think so. I was never good at those types of things.”

Angelo held a coin out to her. “Here you go.” His fingers pressed the money into her palm. “I made a wish once and it came true.”

“Really?” She turned to him. “What was it?”

He shook his head. “You aren’t supposed to tell your wish.”

“But that doesn’t apply if your wish has already come true. So, out with it.”