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‘Hey babe, what’s happening? Did you get the good news?’
The orchestra started to leave through the double doors. Melody waved to her, but Carly waved her back. ‘That’s what I’m calling about. I’m in Italy for the next two weeks. I left you a message—’
‘Italy? Damn, girl. How am I supposed to book you over there?’
‘One of my orchestras is on tour, and I had to go to keep my full-time status. I’m sorry. I thought you got the message.’
He sighed, sounding more annoyed than sad. ‘Well, I guess I have to find someone else.’
Someone else. Those two words cut to her gut like reed sharpeners. In the gig business, if you refused, you got bumped to the bottom of the list. Dirty Dancing DJs was like the music mafia. It controlled every event center from the coast to western Massachusetts. She could already hear his fingers clicking over the keyboard for more numbers.
Someone tugged on her sleeve and she yanked her arm back. Melody has some guts coming to me now after ignoring me for the whole flight. ‘Just give me a sec,’ she hissed while covering the phone.
Dino hung up, leaving her with a dead phone stuck to her ear. Carly stomped her foot as anger threatened to get the better of her. How long would it take to rise back to the top of his precious list? ‘Asshole.’
There was that tug on her arm again, this time more insistent. Fury boiling inside her, she whirled around. ‘I told you—’
A man who looked like he’d walked off a Giorgio Armani ad glowed before her, illuminated by the Italian sun shining through the windows behind him. Midnight hair rolled in waves around his ears, slicked back from his face with just the right amount of mousse. Thick, perfectly sculpted, dark eyebrows contrasted with smooth, olive skin. Blue eyes with a ring of amber around the center mesmerized her.
‘Are you with the Easthampton Civic Symphony, signorina?’ He accented his words just like the cultured Italian men on the James Bond films she had watched growing up.
‘Yes, I was just—’ what was she doing? Carly’s voice trailed off.
‘May I introduce myself? I am Michelangelo Ricci, your tour guide.’
Their tour guide? Carly’s stomach plummeted. She’d just made a bitchy fool of herself right in front of the man she’d have to spend the next two weeks with. Great. Or what do the Italians say? Bene.
Michelangelo stared in expectation at her with his beautiful blue-amber eyes. What did he want? Some sort of pat on the back? A kiss? Stop daydreaming. Carly blinked back to reality. ‘Yes?’
‘And you are?’
‘Oh. Carly Davis.’
He extended his hand. ‘Nice to meet you, Carly.’
She took his hand in hers and squeezed. He had a strong grip with rough calluses, maybe from working outside in the vineyard? Boy, this guy was too good to be true. Which was why she should stay the hell away.
He released her hand politely, if not a little too soon for her taste. ‘Per favore, follow me. The tour bus is just beyond the doors.’
‘I know that.’ She grabbed her oboe case. Her long, floral bohemian skirt caught on her Birkenstock, and she tumbled face-forward on top of her luggage. Her over-packed bag broke her fall, but it didn’t stave off a humbling wave of embarrassment.
He reached for her arm, pulling her up. ‘Mio dio, are you all right?’
Why was she so off all of a sudden? Must have been the conversation with Dino. It couldn’t possibly be the tall, dark and gorgeous hottie, who must think she was the biggest idiot ever to land in Italy.
‘I’m fine, thank you.’ Her fingers shook as she grabbed the handle of her rolling bag. ‘Just a long flight, that’s all.’
‘I’m sure it was.’ His eyes glanced to where the bus was parked, looking very unconvinced. He reached for her oboe case, of all things. ‘May I help you?’
‘Absolutely not.’ She pulled her case back. He may be hot, but she wasn’t about to trust him with her twelve grand rosewood Lorée. Embarrassment climbed its way into her cheeks until she was pretty sure her entire face was red as a ketchup bottle. Her pale skin didn’t help. Even at her most calm, her cheeks always looked pink.
‘Va bene.’ He stiffened as though slightly offended, then stepped away from her and moved toward the double doors. ‘If you’ll come this way.’
Carly followed him to the tour bus, dragging her luggage behind her and feeling like she was unwittingly doing everything she could to tick off the one person she’d have to rely upon for the next two weeks.
Maybe it was for the best. She was dangerously attracted to him, and the last thing she needed was a distraction.
Off to a great start.
*****
Michelangelo Ricci trudged to the tour bus feeling as though he’d signed away the next two weeks of his life. Fourteen days of vivere l’inferno, or as the silly Americans would say, a living hell.
It was because of wealthy Americans he was here, scraping together a paycheck so they didn’t build luxury condos on his family’s winery. The irony of his situation cackled in his face.
What Ms. Maxhammer and the rest of the orchestra didn’t know was the only tours he had ever conducted were on his own vineyard. His family’s land had fallen to him a few years ago, and if he didn’t earn money fast, it would be history. Applying to Ms. Maxhammer’s ad was his only way out, even if he had to stretch the truth.
As if taking care of spoiled, lazy tourists wasn’t enough, the embodiment of the All-American Girl following him to the tour bus already grated on his nerves. The crazy part was that if she hadn’t been so rude, he would have thought her intriguingly attractive. Not many women in his part of the world had such white-blonde hair and pale skin, looking more like she walked out of a fairytale than an airplane. Her pale-blue eyes were gorgeous, but it was the sheer determination mixed with intense vulnerability within them that piqued his attention.
Who was she talking to and why was it so important? Usually he didn’t meddle in the affairs of others, but overhearing her desperation made him want to jump in like a knight in shining armor. All the way up until the part where she called the man an asshole. This woman could fight for herself.
So why did he feel such an inclination to help her?
Must be the big paycheck waiting for him after the tour ended. It wouldn’t solve his family’s problems, but it would buy them more time.
They reached the bus, and he turned around, wondering if he should even ask to help her with her bag again. The way she recoiled, clutching the small case to her chest made him wonder if she had trust issues. The last thing he wanted to do was piss off one of the Americans on his first day. Ms. Maxhammer had explicitly asked for the utmost courtesy.
‘Would you like some help, signorina?’ He prepared himself for the worst.
Carly narrowed her eyes, which turned to ice in the midday sun. ‘You can take this bag.’ She pointed to the large, heavy one with wheels.
‘Very well.’ He bent down and gripped the handle. His muscles bunched as he picked it up. Mio dio. What was in here — rocks?
Of course, he didn’t want her to see him strain. Gritting his teeth, he hefted the bag up the steps and onto the luggage shelf at the front of the bus. It hit the shelf, rattling all the other bags before settling.
Edda, the bus driver, who could have posed as his mother, turned around and spoke in Italian. ‘Is she the last one?’
He wiped his forehead. ‘Si.’
Carly followed him up the steps, still clutching the smaller case like a baby, with small, elegant fingers. She looked like a lost princess who had misplaced her carriage. A pang of compassion shot through his chest. The desire to scoop her up and comfort her overwhelmed him. Remember how she told that person off on the phone? You don’t want to become asshole number two.
Michelangelo scanned the seats. Every one was full, except the one next to him. Great, I’ll have to put up with her all the way to the hotel. He gestured toward the front seat. ‘Ladies first.’
She glanced around nervously, as if she’d rather sit anywhere but there. Michelangelo adjusted his collar, feeling slightly offended. He’d offered to help her with her bags twice and lifted her colossal boulder of luggage to the shelf, and this is how she treated him! Usually women enjoyed his company.
He stated the obvious, trying not to sound annoyed. ‘It is the only seat left.’
‘Oh, right.’ Carly slipped into the window seat and adjusted her flowery skirt.
Resisting the urge to glance over the way the light fabric fell around her legs, he took the seat next to her. The bus merged with traffic and turned onto Roma Fiumicino, the main highway that led into Rome. Sunswept green fields spread before them.
Remembering he was supposed to be describing the landmarks, Michelangelo brought out a crumpled note from his pocket. Holding it in the palm of his hand, where no one would see, he turned on the intercom. ‘I’d like to welcome all the members of the Easthampton Civic Symphony. Per Ms. Maxhammer’s request, I’ll be announcing important landmarks along the way.’
He checked the note. ‘To your left is Lago Traiano, an artificial lake built by Imperatore Traiano in 98—117 B.C. and used as a port in the time of Imperial Rome.’
Turning off the intercom, Michelangelo glanced longingly at the circle of pines. He’d taken the guided tour on a horse-drawn carriage with his father as a young boy. If only he was still here, he’d think of a way to save the vineyard.
He turned his attention back to Carly. Scrolling down a list of e-mails on her cell, she didn’t even look up to see the lake, which sent a dagger of pain through his gut. Stupid American, can’t even appreciate the Italian countryside. Would she stay on that thing the whole time and miss all the views?
Michelangelo sat beside her once again and tried an attempt at conversation.
‘Is this your first time in Italy?’
Carly nodded as she checked off the boxes beside the e-mails and deleted a bunch. ‘First and last.’
Wow, he’d not heard that before. No visitor he’d ever met didn’t want to come back. What was with her? Want stirred in his gut as he looked her up and down.
‘Is that so? I’ll have to change that.’ The words slipped out of his mouth as more of a challenge than a remark. Did he just hit on her? What was getting into him?
Carly dropped her phone and glanced at him with a mix of surprise and dismay, and maybe—if he didn’t imagine it—a hint of desire. She shifted a little further away, pressing her side against the window. ‘Excuse me?’
Michelangelo’s friends said he was smoother than gelato. He could work his way out of this. He shrugged. ‘Everyone falls in love with Italy. Once you’re here, you’ll always remember it.’
‘Besides music, I haven’t fallen in love with anything in my entire life.’ Carly twirled a strand of silky hair behind her ear. ‘Good luck.’
Michelangelo took that as a challenge. Whether to make her fall in love with Italy, or with him, he wasn’t sure.
Chapter Two
Diva’s Choice (#uc4c5df4a-33c5-5ce8-957a-0d97838f6f4d)
Carly hoped Michelangelo couldn’t see her heart beating like a metronome on vivace. She read the next e-mail, trying to focus and ignore how the hottie tour guide may have just hit on her.
Honestly, she must have read him completely wrongly, because they’d had about the worst introduction she could think of, and she’d watched a whole ton of romantic comedies in her day with Melody; While You Were Sleeping, Groundhog Day, Pretty Woman, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days. She could go on and on—they’d even come up with their own top-fifty list.
Wait a sec. Didn’t they all have rough starts?
Michelangelo leaned over and his eyes glanced down as if reading over her shoulder.
Sighing, she shut the screen off. She’d have to wait until they reached the hotel if she wanted any form of privacy.
‘How long is this trip?’ Her tone came out more annoyed than she would have liked. All the unread e-mails, the conversation with Dino, and her embarrassing introduction to Michelangelo had raised her anxiety to momentous levels. Thank the hotel gods for mini bars.
‘It will take us about thirty minutes to reach the center of Rome, where the Villa Borghese is located.’
Great. Thirty minutes of spine-cringing awkwardness.
She turned to the window. Lush hills spread before her in blankets of emerald, accented by pointed, dark shrubs and patches of red and white wildflowers. An old farmhouse made with bleached stucco and red-orange tiled roofs claimed the side of a hill. Italy really was gorgeous.
Her phone vibrated with another new message.
Too bad she couldn’t appreciate it.
Michelangelo gestured to her phone. ‘You’re a wanted woman.’
‘Right now I am. Give it two weeks, and we’ll see if they still call.’ Carly tucked her cell in the front pocket of her purse, wishing she could control her mouth. Why was she spouting her problems to this man?
Michelangelo pouted his thick, velvety lips, a look which came across as sultry and alluring. ‘You’ve got some fickle friends.’
She forced herself to stop staring at his lips and focused on his two-tone, blue-amber eyes. ‘It’s the nature of the bizz I’m afraid.’
‘Sounds as risky as owning a vineyard.’
Oh yeah, right. Wandering through the vineyard and taste-testing great wines. Like he could really compare all the competition, the hours spent practicing, the expensive instruments, and the twenty-four-seven gig schedule? She crossed her arms and turned toward him. ‘What do you mean?’
‘The crop yield all depends on weather, pests, and the quality of the vines. One late frost, swarm of aphids, or disease can mean thousands lost. And that’s just the beginning. Even if you have a good yield, you have to protect against bacteria, make sure the tanks are all sanitized, and check the bottling line systems and drainage systems. There’s always something that needs fixing or replacing.’ For a moment he looked older than his years—which couldn’t be any more than hers.
Carly tried to lighten the mood. ‘No wandering through the vines drinking Chardonnay?’
Michelangelo laughed and looked at her as if he wished there was, just so they could do it together. ‘More like being knee-deep in grape must or crawling into the tanks to sanitize them.’
Carly batted her eyelashes. ‘How romantic.’
‘You’re telling me.’ Michelangelo grinned.
OMG did I just flirt?
It had been a few years since she’d thrown herself out there, and she blushed like a giggly schoolgirl. Geez, she had to pull herself together or she’d end up on some crazy fling. Like that would last longer than the two-week tour.
Carly turned back to the window to cool things off, and they rode in silence.
The rolling hills had morphed into beige, white and pink stucco buildings interspersed with grand stone facades in the arched and domed architecture characteristic of Rome. Carly marveled at the bustling, narrow streets. The farthest she’d traveled was Disneyland in Florida as a kid. The absence of Starbucks, McDonald’s, and any other US clothing and food chains gave the city a timeless, classic look.
I’m not in Kansas anymore.
The intercom buzzed as Michelangelo turned it on. He opened his hand, then closed it again and stuffed his palm into his pocket. Was he nervous? After all the tours he must have given, this should be old school for him.
Michelangelo took a deep breath. ‘Up ahead we’ll cross the Tiber river, which is the third-longest river in Italy. It comes from the Apennine Mountains in Emilia-Romagna and flows four hundred and six kilometers through Umbria and Lazio to the Tyrrhenian Sea. The king Tiberinus Silvius was said to have urinated in the river, which was subsequently renamed in his honor.’
Carly laughed out loud, then covered her mouth.
Michelangelo raised a dark eyebrow in question as he turned the intercom off and sat back down.
‘Men. They have to mark their territory.’
He widened his gorgeous eyes. ‘Is this how you view all men?’
Somehow, Carly felt as though he’d use her answer to judge every single thing about her character and whether she was available or not. It had to be good. And firm. It had to draw the line between them.
