The Vineyards Of Calanetti
“Your message never said it was important.”
“Stop!” Marianna pushed Angelo back. “You aren’t helping anything by coming here and fighting with Nico.”
Angelo took a deep breath and blew it out. “I know I wasn’t here when you needed me, but I’m here now. Let me help.”
Kayla watched all of this in utter amazement. She never would have guessed her boss was capable of such a wide range of emotions. So then why did he strive at the office for such an unflappable persona? What was she missing?
Kayla was about to introduce herself to Marianna, when the young woman stared up at Angelo and said, “And I wish you weren’t here now. Not like this. Not with all of the fighting.” When Angelo’s brows rose and his mouth opened but nothing came out, Marianna added, “I don’t want to play referee.” Her hand moved protectively to her still-flat stomach. “It isn’t good for the baby.”
Angelo and Nico looked at each other as though neither had considered how their fighting would stress their sister—their pregnant sister.
Marianna moved to look at both of her brothers. “I’m fully capable of taking care of myself.”
Nico rolled his eyes. Angelo crossed his arms but refrained from saying anything.
“I hope you’ll both give me some space.”
Angelo’s brows rose. “But first, we want to know the name of the father.”
“That’s none of your business.”
Nico stepped forward. “It is our business if he thinks he’s going to get our sister pregnant and then just walk away.”
Marianna’s face filled with color.
Angelo pressed his hands to his sides. “We deserve the right to speak to this guy. He needs to know that we expect him to step up and do his part—”
“And I expect you both to mind your own business.” Marianna started for the house.
Enough was enough. The time had come to make a hasty exit. It was obvious that Marianna was in over her head and that her brothers were only making the situation worse.
When Angelo turned to follow his sister, Kayla moved swiftly in front of him. “I’m not feeling so good.” It wasn’t totally a lie—her stomach was in knots watching the Amatucci siblings squabble. “Could you take me to the hotel?”
Angelo’s worried gaze moved from her to his sister to her. “Sure.” He turned to Nico. “We need to talk more.”
“I figured as much.”
“I’ll be back after we get settled.”
Nico shrugged. “I’ll be here. I can’t speak for Marianna.”
“I don’t think she needs anyone to speak for her. She certainly does have a mind of her own. Even if it gets her in trouble.”
“She always was strong-willed. I think she’s a lot like Mama.”
“Agreed.”
At last the two had something they agreed on—their little sister’s character. And now that things were on a good note, it was definitely time to say goodbye.
Kayla cleared her throat, hoping to gain Angelo’s attention. When he didn’t turn her way, she proceeded to say, “Angelo, are you ready to go?”
She’d have rather had a tour of the vineyard and stretched her legs, but not under these strained circumstances. She couldn’t help but wonder if it was the situation with their sister that had them at odds or if they had a history of not getting along.
Angelo glanced her way. “It was a long trip. I suppose you would like to lie down for a bit.”
“That would be nice.” She turned to Nico, who was still eyeing his brother with obvious agitation. “It was so nice to meet you. I hope that we’ll see each other again.”
“I suppose that’ll depend on my brother and whether he trusts you with me—”
“Nico. Enough.” Angelo’s voice held an obvious note of warning. “We’ll be staying at the Hotel Villa Bellezza. If Marianna cools down, phone me.”
Angelo quietly followed her to the car and opened the door for her. “I’m sorry you had to witness that.”
“Don’t be.” She searched for words of comfort. “Families are messy. It’s what happens when people love each other. And I saw a lot of love back there.”
“You did?”
“Most definitely.” She stepped past him and got in the car.
She’d never met anyone who could get under her boss’s skin like Nico. The man appeared to have needling his big brother down to a fine art. There was so much more to the polished, successful businessman standing next to her than she’d ever imagined. And she was anxious to know more.
CHAPTER FIVE
KAYLA GRIPPED THE armrest tightly.
The line of cypress trees was no more than a blur as Angelo accelerated away from the vineyard. He didn’t say a word as they zigzagged through the valley before starting their ascent up a hillside. The vegetation was so green and lush that she couldn’t imagine there was a village, much less a five-star hotel, within miles of here.
“I need to apologize.” Angelo’s voice broke the awkward silence. “I didn’t mean to have you witness our family drama.”
“It’s okay. I know how families can be.” She couldn’t help but want to know more about him and his family. “Your parents, do they live around here?”
He shook his head, keeping his eyes on the road. “They left the vineyard to us kids and moved to Milan. It was best for everyone.”
Kayla wasn’t sure what to say to that. Obviously there wasn’t a close relationship between him and his parents. Did she even want to know why? It’d just move them further from boss and employee and into a new relationship—one that she didn’t want to examine too closely.
Angelo downshifted for a curve. “I know that you come from a close-knit family, so it’d be hard for you to understand a family that functions better apart than together.”
Kayla was surprised that he kept talking about his private life when she hadn’t even asked him anything. It was as if these thoughts were pent up inside him, and he needed to get them out if he was to have any peace.
She searched frantically for words of comfort. “Every family is different. Not better. Not worse. Just different.”
“But this is my fault.” His palm smacked the steering wheel. “I shouldn’t have left for New York to go to college. I should have found a way to stay here. Marianna was so young when I left, and my parents—well, they were so consumed with each other that they didn’t have time to worry about anyone else.”
“I’m sure they did their best.”
He shook his head. “You don’t know my parents. They are the most passionate people I know. And not in a good way. One minute they love each other and the next they are getting divorced. That’s the end. They never want to see each other again. To say our childhoods were unstable is putting it mildly.”
Kayla struggled to keep her mouth from gaping open. Her parents were the most mild-mannered couple. Their voices were rarely raised to each other, and they still gazed lovingly at each other like a couple of starstruck teenagers. Kayla knew they wanted her to experience the same sort of love and happiness. That’s why she didn’t hold it against them for trying to guide her life. It’s just that she was different. There was so much more to life than love, marriage and babies. And she wanted to experience all of it.
Angelo cleared his throat, but his voice still rumbled with emotion. “I just couldn’t take any more of their fighting and making up. It was so unnerving to never know if my parents were passionately in love or on the verge of calling their divorce attorneys. And there was no way I could take Nico with me—not that he’d have gone. He has this unbreakable tie to the vineyard—to the village. He never would have done what I did. And maybe he’s right. Maybe if I’d stayed then Marianna wouldn’t be alone and having a baby.”
“It’s not your fault.” Kayla resisted the urge to reach out to him. “Your sister is a grown woman. She has to be allowed to make her own choices. Right or wrong. You couldn’t have prevented this.”
“But maybe if I’d been here, she’d have felt like she still had a family that loves her. Then she wouldn’t have taken off on this trip of hers only to let some smooth-talking guy take advantage of her.” Angelo’s body noticeably stiffened.
“I’m fairly certain that no one could take advantage of your sister. She seems quite strong, like her brothers. She just needs some time to sort things out.”
He sighed. “I’m sure she’s plenty confused. And I suppose Nico and I did nothing to help by arguing. It’s just that every time my brother and I get together, we disagree. We are very different. That’s why I reserved us a suite at the hotel. I knew staying at the vineyard would just lead to more drama, and that’s the last thing any of us need.”
“But you two didn’t argue at the end.”
“That’s because we both agree that Marianna needs both of us—whether she likes it or not.”
“Good. Maybe you can build on that.”
“Perhaps.”
She decided that enough had been said for now on that subject. Angelo needed time to calm down. “Is the hotel far from here?”
“No. It’s just at the rise of the hill.” His voice had returned to its normal reserved, unemotional tone.
“Really. I never would have guessed. I can’t wait to see the village.” But if Angelo was serious about this being a productive trip, she wasn’t sure that she’d get to see much of Italy. The thought dampened her mood. “Do you think I’ll have some time to look around the village?”
He glanced at her before turning back to the road. “There really isn’t much to see.”
She’d beg to differ with him. Everything about Italy was special for this American girl. This was the biggest adventure of her life. How could he think this place was anything but special?
“I...I’ve never been here before. I was just hoping to sneak in some sightseeing.”
“As long as you get your work done, I don’t care what you do with your free time.”
Oh, good!
As the car climbed the hill, Angelo pulled to the side for an older truck that was barreling toward them. Once back on the road, the car’s tire dropped into a rut and bounced Kayla. The seat belt restrained her, but her bare thigh brushed against his hand as it gripped the gearshift. Heat raced up her leg, under her skirt and set her whole body tingling.
“Sorry about that.” He quickly moved his hand back to the steering wheel.
Had he noticed their touch? Had it affected him, too? Was that why he’d moved his hand? Or was she just being ridiculous? Definitely being ridiculous. She knew when men were interested in her, and Angelo certainly wasn’t. A frown pulled at her lips.
So why then did it bother her? Sure, he was the most handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on. But, he was her boss—the key to her career. She wouldn’t—she couldn’t—let some ridiculous crush get in her way after everything she’d sacrificed to get here.
Time to think about something else.
“I didn’t have time to do any research before we left New York. What should I see while I’m here?”
He shrugged. “Honestly, there’s nothing special about Monte Calanetti. It’s just small and old.”
“I’m used to small towns. I grew up in one. And there’s always something special about them.”
He glanced her way and his dark brow rose. “What was special about your town?”
“A number of things.” She wasn’t sure that she wanted to delve into this subject with him. She’d finally got past her homesickness. The way she’d done that was by not thinking of her hometown and what made it special.
“Such as?”
She shook her head. “Never mind.”
Before he could question her more, she spotted what she thought was the edge of Monte Calanetti. “Are we here?”
“We are.”
She stared out the windshield, not exactly sure what to expect. There was a tall wall. As they eased past it she found rustic buildings of earth tones similar in color to Nico’s villa. People stopped and glanced their way as though trying to figure out if they should know them.
As more and more people turned to stare, Kayla couldn’t hold back her curiosity any longer. “Why are they staring?”
He shrugged. “It must be the car.”
“The car?”
“Yeah, you know because it’s a sports car. They probably don’t see many around here.”
“Oh.” She glanced over at him. Was he sitting up a little straighter? And was his chin tilted just a little higher? Interesting. “The village looks quite intriguing. And small enough to explore on foot.”
Angelo didn’t say anything. He just kept driving. And sadly he didn’t offer her a guided tour. She forced herself not to frown. Then again, why should he bend over backward for her? She was, after all, merely an employee. They weren’t even friends. Though little by little, she was getting to know Angelo better and better. In fact, she’d learned more about him in the past forty-eight hours than she had in the past two months while working as his assistant.
The car slowed as they eased through a wrought iron gate and up the short paved drive to a two-story building. The outside was plain but there was an elegance in its simplicity. Beneath a black awning, a bronze plaque off to the side of the front door read: Hotel Villa Bellezza. The place looked old but well kept. It reminded her of maybe a duke’s grand house. She couldn’t wait to check out the inside.
A young man in a black uniform rushed outside and opened her door for her. He smiled at her before his gaze moved to Angelo. The smile dimmed. She had the feeling that the young man had jumped to the wrong conclusion—that she and Angelo were a couple, here for a romantic tryst. Nothing could be further from the truth. But for the first time, she imagined what it might be like if Angelo were to look at her as a woman—a woman he desired. The thought rolled around in her mind at a dizzying pace.
Angelo moved to her side and spoke softly in her ear. “Are you okay?”
His voice drew her from her thoughts. She swallowed and hoped she succeeded in composing herself. “Yes.”
“Are you sure? You’re a little pale.”
She patted his arm, not a good move as her fingertips tingled where they made contact. “I’m fine. Honest.”
Or she would be, once she quit fantasizing about her boss. He obviously wasn’t attracted to her. He saw her as nothing more than his temporary assistant, and that’s the way it’d have to remain if she hoped to convince him of her talents.
While Angelo took care of registering them, she took in her surroundings. The modest exterior had not prepared her for the beauty of the interior. The floor was gleaming marble while the walls and ceiling were masterpieces of art with ornate parquet. Kayla had to force her mouth to remain closed instead of gaping open. She’d never stayed anywhere so fancy.
She couldn’t even imagine how much this visit would cost Angelo. And the fact that he could afford to stay in a place such as this without even batting an eye impressed her. They sure didn’t have anything like this back in Paradise. Wait until she told her mother and father about this.
CHAPTER SIX
THERE WAS NO time for fun and games.
Angelo didn’t get to the top of his profession by taking time off. Now that they were settled into their suite and Kayla had rested for a bit, they needed to get back to work. As he waited for her to join him, he couldn’t help but wonder what she made of his clash with his brother. He shouldn’t have taken her to the vineyard. What had he been thinking?
Yet on the car ride here, she hadn’t seemed to judge him. Instead, she’d acted as though she cared. It was as if she understood him. Her reaction surprised him. He wasn’t used to letting people into his personal life. But from the moment he’d asked her to join him on this trip, the lines between personal and professional had become irrevocably blurred.
Kayla entered the common room between their bedrooms. Her auburn hair was loose and cascaded down past her shoulders. Her glasses were off and she was no longer wearing the drab gray business suit. Instead, she was wearing pink capris and a white cotton sleeveless top, which showed off her creamy shoulders and slender arms.
The breath hitched in his throat. Who was this gorgeous woman? And what had happened to his nondescript assistant?
“I hope you don’t mind that I changed?”
Wow! All he could do was stare. It was as if she were some sort of butterfly who’d just emerged from a cocoon.
Kayla settled on the couch with her laptop. She gave him a strange look as though wondering why he had yet to say a word. The problem was he didn’t know what to say. Ever since they’d left New York, the ground had been shifting under his feet. Now it was as though a fissure had opened up and he was teetering on the edge, scrambling not to get swallowed up.
She didn’t appear to be too disturbed by his standoffishness, which was good. Before he took a seat anywhere near her, he had to get a hold on his rambling thoughts. Kayla wasn’t just any woman. He couldn’t indulge in a romantic romp with her, and then go about his life.
He was her boss and, more important, he couldn’t afford to lose her because she was good—really good at her job. He’d already had ideas of promoting her, but he wasn’t sure that she was ready to be advanced quite yet. He wanted to see how she handled the Van Holsen account, since he’d given her a lot of room to show him her stuff.
The tight muscles in his chest eased and he was able to breathe easier. Concentrating on work always relaxed him and put him back in his groove. Work was logical for the most part and it lacked emotions, again for the most part, depending on the client. But since he was the boss, he was able to hand off the more excitable clients to other account executives.
That was it. Focus on business and not on how appealing he found her. “How’s the Van Holsen account coming?”
She glanced over the top of her laptop. “Thanks to your help, I think I’ve come up with some innovative ideas. Would you care to take a look?”
His gaze moved to the cushion next to her on the couch and his body tensed. He was being ridiculous. She wasn’t the first beautiful woman that he’d been around. What in the world had got into him today? It had to be his return home. It had him feeling out of sorts.
Time to start acting like Angelo Amatucci, the man in charge. “Sure. I’ll have a look.”
He strode over to the couch and took a seat. Kayla handed over the laptop and their fingers brushed. Hers were soft, smooth and warm. A jolt of awareness zinged up his arm and the air hitched in his lungs. Stay focused. He didn’t dare turn to look at her. Instead, he focused his gaze on the computer monitor.
He read over her ideas for the new fragrance campaign and was truly impressed. Not only had she taken his ideas and expanded upon them, but she’d also inserted some of her own. He loved her initiative. Kayla was exactly the kind of innovative person that he wanted at Amatucci & Associates. Talented people like Kayla were the assets that would keep his company one of the most sought-after advertising agencies in the world.
“This is really good.” He turned to her. When her green gaze met his, the rest of his thoughts scattered.
“You really like it?”
He nodded. His line of vision momentarily dipped to her pink frosted lips before meeting her gaze again. He struggled for a nonchalant expression. “I think you’ve captured a touching nostalgic note with a forward-thinking view. This should capture both the new and old consumer.”
Her tempting lips lifted into a broad smile that lit up her eyes. “Now we just have to hope the client will approve.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that. Send this along to the art department and have them start working on some mock-ups.”
Her smile dimmed a bit. “You’re sure about this?”
“Of course I am. Don’t look so surprised. You don’t think you got the position as my assistant just because you’re beautiful, do you?”
Now why in the world had he gone and said that? But it was the truth. She was stunning. In fact, he was considering changing the dress code at the office. He really enjoyed this different look on her. Then again, if she looked this way in the office, he’d never get any work done.
Color bloomed on her creamy cheeks. “You think I’m beautiful?”
He stared back into her eyes longer than was necessary. In that moment, his ability to speak intelligently was debatable. He merely nodded.
“No man has ever called me that.”
At last finding his voice, Angelo said, “I’m having a hard time believing that.”
“Steven was more matter-of-fact and sparing on compliments. It wasn’t that he was a bad man. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. He was really good to me. He just wasn’t good with flowery words.”
“This Steven, he’s from Paradise, too?”
She nodded. “High-school sweethearts.”
“The man must need glasses badly to have missed your beauty. Both inside and out. Is he still your boyfriend?” Part of Angelo wanted her to say yes to put a swift end to this surreal moment, but a much stronger part wanted her to be free.
“We...we broke up before I moved to New York.”
The field was wide-open. Exhilaration flooded through Angelo. His hand reached out, stroking the smooth, silky skin of her cheek. The backs of his fingers skimmed down over her jaw, and then his thumb ran over the plumpness of her bottom lip. Her sudden inhale drew air over his fingers.
In her eyes, he noted the flames of desire had been ignited. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. And in that moment, he didn’t want to think—he just wanted to act. He wanted to forget everything and enjoy this moment with the girl with wavy red hair.
His heart pounded as he leaned forward. He needed her and her understanding ways more than he imagined possible. Their lips met. He was a man who knew what he wanted and he wanted Kayla. Yet he fought back the urge to let loose with his mounting need. Instead, his touch was tentative and gentle. He didn’t want to do anything to scare her away—not now that he had her exactly where he wanted her.
Kayla’s lips were rose-petal soft. And when she opened them up to him, a moan grew deep in his throat. She tasted sweet like chocolate. He’d never been a fan of candy until this moment. Now he couldn’t get enough of her sugary sweetness.
His arms wrapped round her curvy form, pulling her close. The gentle scent of perfume wrapped around them—the teasing scent that he hadn’t been able to forget since that day in the office. It was as though she’d cast some sort of magical spell over him.
In the next instant, his phone vibrated in his pocket, zapping him back to his senses. He pulled back and Kayla’s confused gaze met his. He couldn’t blame her. He was just as confused by what had happened.
He held up a finger to silence her inevitable questions—questions for which he had no answers. Because there was no way he was falling for her. Getting involved with her—with anyone—meant dealing with a bunch of messy emotions. The last thing in the world he wanted to do was end up like his parents. Just the memory of their turbulent life had Angelo immediately working to rebuild the wall between him and Kayla. He just couldn’t—wouldn’t—subject anyone to such miserable instability.
Angelo glanced down at the screen to see his brother’s name pop up. Hopefully his sister had confessed all. Angelo couldn’t wait to confront the man who’d walked away from his responsibilities.
Angelo lifted the phone to his ear. “Nico, do you have a name yet?”
There was a distinct sigh. “Is this how you answer your phone these days? Too important for a friendly greeting before diving into the heart of the matter?”
Angelo’s back teeth ground together. He quickly counted to ten, okay maybe only to five, before addressing his sibling. “Hello, Nico. What did Marianna say?”
“Nothing.”
He was losing his patience. “But why did you call?”
“You and Kayla need to return to the villa. Now. I’ll explain everything when you both get here.” The line went dead.