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  “Carlo, I want to.” She shook her head and went into his arms. “I want to. I can start over, learn Italian. There must be a publisher in Rome who could use an American.”

  Drawing her back by the shoulders, he stared at her. “What are you talking about, starting over? You’re starting your own firm. You told me.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I can—”

  “No.” He took her more firmly. “It matters a great deal, to both of us. So you’ll have your own firm one day in New York. Who knows better than I how successful you’ll be? I can have a wife to brag about as much as I brag about myself.”

  “But you have your restaurant here.”

  “Yes. I think perhaps you’d consider having a branch of your public relations company in Rome. Learning Italian is an excellent decision. I’ll teach you myself. Who better?”

  “I don’t understand you. How can we share our lives if I’m in New York and you’re in Rome?”

  He kissed her because it had been much too long. He drew her closer because she was willing to give something he’d never have asked. “I never told you my plans that night. I’ve been considering opening another restaurant. Franconi’s in Rome is, of course, the best. Incomparable.”

  She found his mouth again, dismissing any plans but that. “Of course.”

  “So, a Franconi’s in New York would be twice the best.”

  “In New York?” She tilted her head back just enough to see him. “You’re thinking of opening a restaurant in New York?”

  “My lawyers are already looking for the right property. You see, Juliet, you wouldn’t have escaped me for long.”

  “You were coming back.”

  “Once I could be certain I wouldn’t murder you. We have our roots in two countries. We have our business in two countries. We’ll have our lives in two countries.”

  Things were so simple. She’d forgotten his unending generosity. Now she remembered everything they’d already shared, thought of everything they’d yet to share. She blinked at tears. “I should’ve trusted you.”

  “And yourself, Juliet.” He framed her face until his fingers slid into her hair. “Dio, how I’ve missed you. I want my ring on your finger, and yours on mine.”

  “How long does it take to get a license in Rome?”

  Grinning, he whirled her in his arms. “I have connections. By the end of the week you’ll be—what is it?—stuck with me.”

  “And you with me. Take me to bed, Carlo.” She pressed against him, knowing she had to get still closer. “I want you to show me again what the rest of our lives will be like.”

  “I’ve thought of you, here, with me.” He pressed his lips against her temple as he remembered the words she’d hurled at him on that last night. “Juliet.” Troubled, he drew away, touching only her hands. “You know what I am, how I’ve lived. I can’t take it back, nor would I if I could. There’ve been other women in my bed.”

  “Carlo.” Her fingers tightened on his. “Perhaps I said foolish things once, but I’m not a fool. I don’t want to be the first woman in your bed. I want to be the last. The only.”

  “Juliet, mi amore, from this moment there is only you.”

  She pressed his hand to her cheek. “Can you hear it?”

  “What?”

  “The carousel.” Smiling, she held out her arms. “It’s never stopped.”

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  ISBN: 978-1-4592-7339-9

  Lessons Learned

  Copyright © 1986 by Nora Roberts

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