The Man, The Ring, The Wedding. Patricia Thayer

then reached down and picked up the sacks. Allowing her through the door first, he caught a glimpse of her shapely rear-end encased in jeans. Funny, he’d never thought of denim as sexy before now.

      John set the bags down on the table, then they began putting things away. Coffee, milk and orange juice. She pulled out a foil-wrapped package.

      “Nonna Vittoria made you some orange sweet bread.”

      His mouth watered. “Berlingaccio?”

      Her eyes widened. “You’ve had it before?”

      “I am Italian aren’t I?” he said, but decided not to elaborate on his taste for Tuscany sweet bread.

      “Consider yourself special. Nonna doesn’t make her

      berlingaccio for just anyone.”

      He found he couldn’t take his eyes off her expressive face. “Be sure to tell Vittoria grazie,” he said, then asked, “Would you share some with me?”

      She shook her head. “I really shouldn’t...”

      John went to the counter and stood next to Angelina. “Please stay. if only to let me apologize for my rudeness yesterday. I’ve found in my business you have to be careful.”

      She nodded. “Okay, but only if I make the coffee. And I can put on the fresh sheets while it perks.”

      “I’ll help.”

      He finished unloading the bags and she put away a loaf of bread, bacon and eggs. He couldn’t believe all the food. In New York his housekeeper prepared a few meals for the week that he could put in the microwave and heat whenever he got home. “I’m not much of a cook. Being single I usually eat out, or have something sent up to the office. So thanks for all this.”

      “Well, you’re thanking the wrong person, because cooking isn’t something I excel at. And it’s got Nonna all worried. She thinks I’ll never find a husband. Of course I’ve told her enough times, I’m not looking for marriage, I’d rather have a career.”

      “Can’t you have both?”

      He caught a sad look in her eyes before she glanced away.

      “I’m just concentrating on my career for now,” she said.

      John shrugged. “Sounds good.” How had they gotten on this topic?

      His gaze moved over her shapely frame and his body came to life. He had trouble remembering what he was saying. He walked over to the table. “I haven’t found any relationships that last,” he said, wondering if she knew what she was doing to him.

      “That’s all I see. My grandparents, my parents, even my brothers, all crazy in love.” She flashed that pained look again, then reached for the stack of towels and sheets, and took off for the bedroom.

      He followed her. “So, if it runs in your family, why haven’t you wanted to take the plunge?”

      Angelina pulled off the comforter and began spreading the bottom sheet over the mattress pad. “Who said I haven’t?”

      Interested, he went to the other side of the bed and grabbed a corner of the fitted sheet He watched as her delicate hands smoothed out the wrinkles. “Can’t believe a guy would let you get away.”

      She tossed her long hair off her shoulders and looked at him. “It was a long time ago.”

      He stood by the bed, totally enticed by the petite woman across from him. He found himself wondering who this man was that put the sadness in her beautiful eyes. How could any man walk away from her? He ached to run his fingers through her silky hair, touch her flawless skin, to kiss... John shook his head. Damn, he was thinking about something he had no business thinking about. “Sorry, I had no right to pry.”

      Angelina couldn’t figure out why John Rossi was so interested in her mundane life. She doubted he had spent many nights alone in New York. Women probably flocked to him. Haven Springs was going to be an awakening.

      “I think we should keep focused on business,” she said.

      That was all Angelina felt she had left. Unlike her mother and grandmother she’d never gotten to marry the love of her life. Justin had died decades too soon. Now all that remained were memories that she could pull out on those dark, still nights when she ached from the loneliness.

      “Then I hope you took me seriously about writing up a proposal on your idea for a pool and a fitness center at the hotel.”

      “I’ll have it for you in a few days.” She finished making the bed. “I’ve got to go,” she said, then walked into the other room.

      John hurried after her. “Aren’t you going to stay for some coffee and sweet bread?”

      Angelina forced herself to stop. Big mistake. John Rossi didn’t, and he ran into her. She gasped as her hands connected with his solid chest. He gripped her arms to steady them both, but it didn’t help. Her breathing suddenly grew labored when she looked up at his dark eyes. She couldn’t move.

      “Are you all right?” he asked.

      She only nodded.

      “I guess I should watch where I’m going.”

      His deep voice sent a shiver of awareness coursing through her, warming her body. The feeling excited and frightened her at the same time. She was definitely out of her league with this man. “I need to get home.”

      “You promised to stay for sweet bread, remember.”

      She felt the searing heat of his hands on her arms. His grip was strong, but gentle. She managed to free herself when she stepped back. “I don’t think staying is such a good idea, Mr. Rossi.”

      He leaned toward her. “John...” he corrected.

      “John...” Angelina’s heart pounded in her chest, so loudly she thought he could hear it. She swallowed, wishing she could act sophisticatedly in this kind of situation, but the truth was she wasn’t anything more than a small-town girl. She had to get out of this apartment, away from his alluring eyes. “Goodbye.”

      Turning, she swiftly headed toward the door, praying he wouldn’t call her back, because for the first time in a long time, Angelina wasn’t sure what she would do.

      Chapter Three

      Two days later, John stood in the hotel lobby with the security guard he’d hired that morning when the front door opened and Angelina Covelli came into the lobby.

      He stopped and stared as she walked across the room. She was wearing a black print skirt that revealed the curve of her hips. A black jacket hung open over a red sweater that didn’t hide the fullness of her breasts. Her silky hair was worn free and bounced against her shoulders with each step. She was lovely.

      “Well, good morning, Angelina,” the security guard said.

      She smiled. “Hello, Harry. Are you working here?”

      “Yes, he is,” John said as he joined them. He hadn’t seen Angelina in two days, not since she’d run out of his apartment.

      “Hello, John,” she said stiffly.

      “Good morning, Angelina.”

      He couldn’t believe he’d almost given in to the temptation to kiss her the other day. It would be a disaster for him to get involved with Angelina Covelli. Contrary to popular opinion, he wasn’t that much of a jerk. Maybe he should just pack up and let Mark handle everything. But one look at this woman and he knew he wanted to stay. Damn it.

      “I felt it best to have someone keep an eye on things since there will be so many people in and out of here the next few weeks.”

      “Probably a good idea.”

      Just then a messenger came to the front door. “Excuse me for a moment,” John said and