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He didn’t believe her. “Can we talk about it later?”
“I’d rather not. There’s nothing to say. Besides, you have more important things to deal with.” She jumped to her feet and moved away from him. “You should get going. I’ll be fine here.”
“Nico requested you, too.” Angelo held back the startling fact that he’d feel better facing this crisis with her next to him.
Kayla pressed a hand to her chest. “But why me?”
“I don’t know. But we have to go.”
“Okay. Just let me grab my shoes and purse.” She rushed back to her room.
Angelo got to his feet and paced back and forth. Of course he was worried about his sister, but there was something else fueling his inability to sit still—Kayla’s off-the-cuff dismissal of his kiss.
The women he was used to spending time with never brushed off his advances, though each of them knew his rules in advance—nothing serious. So why did that rule not apply here? Probably because Kayla was off-limits. She was his assistant. He couldn’t forget that going forward—no matter how much his personal life spun out of control while in Italy.
From this point forward, Kayla was off-limits.
CHAPTER SEVEN
HER THOUGHTS RACED so fast that it unsettled her stomach.
Kayla stared out of the passenger window as she clasped her hands tightly together. Angelo expertly guided the rented sports car along the narrow, tree-lined road. How in the world had she lost control of the situation?
She inwardly groaned. As fantastic as that kiss had been, it couldn’t have come at a worse time. Angelo at last had noticed her work and complimented her professionally. And what did she turn around and do, stare at him like some lovesick teenager—encouraging him to kiss her.
Sure, she was wildly attracted to him. What woman with a pulse wasn’t? He was gorgeous with that short, dark hair, olive skin and dark, sensual eyes. But he was her boss—the man in charge of her professional future—her dreams.
She couldn’t afford any more blunders. She had to remain aloof but professional. Surely it wasn’t too late to correct things between them. At least he hadn’t mentioned anything about sending her back to New York on the next plane, but then again they’d rushed out of the hotel so quickly that he didn’t have time to think of it. His thoughts were on his sister.
Kayla sure hoped there wasn’t anything wrong with Marianna. This was the first time Kayla had ever witnessed Angelo visibly worried. He obviously cared a great deal for his family though he never let on at the office—when he was working he was 100 percent professional—
So then what happened back there at the hotel?
Angelo pulled the car to a skidding halt in front of the villa. Before she could summon an answer to that nagging question, Angelo had her car door opened. She would figure it out later. Right now, she would offer her support in whatever capacity to Angelo’s family.
Nico rushed into the drive. “About time you got here.”
“We came right away.” Angelo frowned at his brother. “What’s the matter with Marianna?”
“Marianna?” Nico’s brows drew together in a questioning look. “This has nothing to do with our sister.”
“Then why in the world did you have us rush over here?” Angelo’s voice took on a sharp edge.
Kayla breathed a sigh of relief. She had no idea what Nico wanted, but she was fully relieved that mother and baby were okay. However, she did have to wonder why Nico wanted her here? Was he hoping that she’d play referee?
Nico’s eyes opened wide and his face became animated. “You are never going to believe this—”
“I might if you’d get to the point.”
Nico smiled in spite of his brother’s obvious agitation. “What would you say if I told you that I was just approached by representatives of Halencia? Monte Calanetti has just made the short list of locations for the royal wedding of Prince Antonio and Christina Rose.”
Angelo rolled his eyes. “Nico, this is no time for joking around—”
“I’m not. I’m perfectly serious.”
Kayla’s mouth gaped open. A royal wedding. Wow! She really was in Europe because nothing like this ever happened back in the States. Wait until she told her family. They would never believe it.
Her gaze moved to Angelo. He still wasn’t smiling. In fact, he didn’t look the least bit excited about this news. She had absolutely no ties to this village and she was over-the-moon happy for them. So why was he so reserved?
