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He aimed one of those charming grins her way. “Not exactly. But that doesn’t mean I’m pressuring you into anything. When we get to my apartment, just tell me what you need. If we have to, we can set the stage for marital bliss on cleaning days.”

“You and I? Living in bliss?” Frankly she’d been startled they hadn’t erupted into a real argument yet. She figured he was on his best behavior because she’d been so stressed out and shocked by Luca turning up.

“Why not?” His smile softened. “We can practice something new. At least until the timing’s right for us to part ways. Or we can be the couple who argues all the time.” His fingers drummed a faster rhythm on his knee. “Please believe me, Trina. I’m not going to leave you hanging.”

She wasn’t sure what to make of his teasing or his confidence about this whole mess. What to make of him. He kept surprising her at every turn. The kindness astounded her. He was helping with more than ideas. He was sacrificing a chunk of his life. Forher.

Swallowing around the lump in her throat, she said, “Thank you. Again. A thousand times thank you.”

Her phone rang and she didn’t even bother to stifle her groan. “My mother. I can’t keep ignoring her.”

“Not even if you’re on a romantic whirlwind trip with your soon-to-be husband?” he asked. “I can’t imagine she’d want to interfere with that.”

“Tip one for marital bliss,” she said, “Accept that my mother willalwaysexpect me to answer.”

His rolling laughter warmed her straight through. She’d expected him to grumble, at least a little. “We’re Italian.” The ringing started again. “I’m an only child. Talia Bollani is not wired to let go of the apron strings. I’ll make it quick.” Maybe she’d get lucky and the plane’s wi-fi signal would drop.

“Hey Mom!” She leaned hard into her bright and happy voice. “We won trivia tonight.”

“Is that why you have been dodging my calls?”

She couldn’t look at Rhett for fear of giving something away. “Not dodging. Just out with friends. You’re up really late.”

Her mother huffed. “Hard to sleep when I worry over you. You haven’t returned my messages.”

“Sorry, Mama. I was getting ready to respond.”

“I know when you’re lying,” her mother reminded her.

“Yes, you’ve always had a gift.”

Talia switched to Italian and proceeded to tell her all about Luca’s excitement about his upcoming visit. “He went on and on about how good it would be to see you again. I think he’s half in love already,” she gushed. “He has always cared for you just as you are.”

Trina swallowed the pain at the veiled insult. Sticking with her native language, Trina made another plea for her mother to call off the arranged marriage nonsense. Maybethis time she’d be heard. “Mama, this is too much. I’m happy and content with my work and friends right now.”

“You need to marry. You’ve had your fling in America. Now it’s time to come home so we can talk at a civilized hour. I worry, my darling.”

“I know. And I love you.” She didn’t bother with any of the points that fell on deaf ears in previous conversations. “You should go back to bed.”

Her mother swore, complaining about her hot flashes. “If you were married and living here, I could be useful at this hour, getting up with your babies.”

Trina forced a laugh. “Enough, Mama. You’re plenty useful to me every day.”

“Have you met someone?” Her mother demanded abruptly. “You have. I can tell. You’re carrying on with an American. A farmer, I suppose. They’re all farmers.”

“Mama, you and Dad are technically farmers.”

“I beg your pardon,” Talia screeched. “We are business people.”

“Yes. With hotels andorchards,” Trina reminded her. She happily blamed this newfound confidence on Rhett. Being close to him unlocked a new boldness inside her.

Her mother sniffed, continuing to deny the accusation. “We are business people with diverse investments and interests…” While her mother droned on, Trina studied Rhett from under her lashes.

The man really was as handsome as sin. Whether he was playing darts with friends at the pub, walking on the beach, or sitting comfortably in a chartered plane. Living with him was going to be a huge challenge.

How strange that her immense gratitude was increasingly blurred by her physical fascination with him. When she’d put her hand in his and agreed to this outrageous deal, the sizzlehad been undeniable. And a direct challenge to the way she lived her life.

For years, she avoided any and all feelings for men in her immediate vicinity. Men who might actually ask her out. She fixed her sights on impossible men for a reason. She didn’t want the risks or expectations that went along with a relationship. Despite several good examples of honorable men in her life, direct personal interactions left her uncertain and wanting to shrink into herself. She hated herself for the weakness. She held her own in business meetings and professional interactions with guests, but anything more intimate was a mistake waiting to happen.