Lessons Learned

dug out another. “A love affair?”
    “Yes. It begins slowly, almost experimentally. Just a taste, to whet the appetite, to stir the anticipation. Then the flavor changes, perhaps something light, something cool to keep the senses stirred, but not overwhelmed. Then there’s the spice, the meat, the variety. The senses are aroused; the mind is focused on the pleasure. It should be lingered over. But finally, there’s dessert, the time of indulgence.” When he smiled at Juliet, there was no mistaking his meaning. “It should be enjoyed slowly, savored, until the palate is satisfied and the body sated.”
    Ms. Tribly swallowed. “I’m going to buy a copy of your book for myself.”
    With a laugh, Carlo picked up his menu. “Suddenly, I have a huge appetite.”
    Juliet ordered a small fruit salad and picked at it for thirty minutes.
    “I’ve really got to get back.” After polishing off her meal and an apricot tart, Ms. Tribly gathered up her pad. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed this, Mr. Franconi. I’m never going to sit down to pot roast with the same attitude again.”
    Amused, Carlo rose. “It was a pleasure.”
    “I’ll be glad to send a clipping of the article to your office, Ms. Trent.”
    “I’d appreciate that.” Juliet offered her hand, surprised when the reporter held it an extra moment.
    “You’re a lucky woman. Enjoy the rest of your tour, Mr. Franconi.”
    “Arrivederci.” He was still smiling when he sat down to finish his coffee.
    “You put on a hell of a show, Franconi.”
    He’d been expecting the storm. Anticipating it. “Yes, I think I did my—what was it you called it? Ah yes, my spiel very well.”
    “It was more like a three-act play.” With calm, deliberate movements, she signed the check. “But the next time, don’t cast me unless you ask first.”
    “Cast you?”
    His innocence was calculated to infuriate. He never missed his mark. “You gave that woman the very clear impression that we were lovers.”
    “Juliet, I merely gave her the very correct impression that I respect and admire you. What she takes from that isn’t my responsibility.”
    Juliet rose, placed her napkin very carefully on the table and picked up her briefcase. “Swine.”
    Carlo watched her walk out of the restaurant. No endearment could have pleased him more. When a woman called a man a swine, she wasn’t indifferent. He was whistling when he walked out to join her. It pleased him even more to see her fumbling with the keys of the rented car parked at the curb. When a woman was indifferent, she didn’t swear at inanimate objects.
    “Would you like me to drive to the airport?”
    “No.” Swearing again, she jabbed the key into the lock. She’d control her temper. She would control it. Like hell. Slamming both hands down on the roof of the car, she stared at him. “Just what was the point of that little charade?”
    Squisito, he thought briefly. Her eyes were a dangerous blade-sharp green. He’d discovered he preferred a woman with temper. “Charade?”
    “All that hand-holding, those intimate looks you were giving me?”
    “It’s not a charade that I enjoy holding your hand, and that I find it impossible not to look at you.”
    She refused to argue with the car between them. In a few quick steps she was around the hood and toe-to-toe with him. “It was completely unprofessional.”
    “Yes. It was completely personal.”
    It was going to be difficult to argue at all if he turned everything she said to his own advantage.
    “Don’t ever do it again.”
    “Madonna.” His voice was very mild, his move very calculated. Juliet found herself boxed in between him and the car. “Orders I’ll take from you when they have to do with schedules and plane flights. When it comes to more personal things, I do as I choose.”
    It wasn’t something she’d expected; that’s why she lost her advantage. Juliet would tell herself that again and again—later. He had her by both shoulders and his eyes never left hers as he gave her a quick jerk. It wasn’t the smooth, calculated seduction she’d have anticipated from him. It was rough, impulsive and enervating.
    His mouth was on hers, all demand. His hands held her still, all power. She had no time to stiffen, to struggle or to think. He took her with him quickly, through a journey of heat and light. She didn’t resist. Later, when she would tell herself she had, it would be a lie.
    There were people on the sidewalk, cars in