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not knowing. It made him feel…not in control.
    Jenna emerged back in the dining room and with a familiar swirl of excitement in his belly he watched her progress. Male heads turned as she passed but she seemed not to notice. Her eyes were on him and he felt a thrill of possessiveness. Those lush lips were glossy and full and soon they’d be on his.
    He wouldn’t take no for an answer tonight. For two days she’d claimed she hadn’t the time to meet him. Tonight he’d remind her exactly what she’d been missing. She’d be putty in his hands. He couldn’t wait.
    ‘Ready to go? I’ve paid the bill.’
    She paused, eyes widening a fraction. Then understanding dawned. He saw the moment her eyes turned smoky with anticipation and his heartbeat sped up. ‘If you are.’
    He was on his feet in a moment. With Jenna he was always ready. He’d never known such insistent, all-encompassing desire as for this woman.
    Arm in arm they left the restaurant for his limo. Twenty minutes later they were in his palazzo.
    ‘A drink?’
    Jenna looked up into Fabrizio’s handsome face and almost walked straight into his arms. She knew he’d sweep her up the grand marble staircase straight to his bedroom if she let him, that his question was mere politeness.
    But she made herself nod. ‘That would be lovely, thanks.’
    She ignored the flash of surprise in his eyes and followed him into the vast, opulent salon where generations of Armatis had relaxed and entertained.
    From his expression he’d obviously expected to have her in his bed in sixty seconds flat. As he usually did.
    That was what frightened her, and made her delay. She’d thought by setting some boundaries, not moving in with him or being always at his beck and call, she could take the edge off this passion. But the strength of her feelings for Fabrizio hadn’t faded.
    What had she expected? That she could conquer love with a little distance?
    Jenna squeezed her eyes shut, knowing she’d been a fool. She should never have let him persuade her back into his bed and his life. Every moment she spent with him just reinforced what she felt for him. She was in too deep. Extricating herself would take all her strength.
    ‘Jenna? Are you all right?’
    She snapped her eyes open and nodded. ‘Of course. Just a little tired.’ She nodded at the bottle in his hands. She knew from the label it was the premier wine made at his own vineyard. ‘What are we celebrating?’
    He glanced at the bottle of Prosecco then at her. ‘Do I need an excuse when I have the pleasure of your company,
cara
?’ His gaze drifted over her tight red dress, lingering on her cleavage, making her nipples harden. Fabrizio smiled wolfishly, deftly twisting the bottle till the cork came out with a pop.
    Jenna’s insides liquefied at the desire in his eyes. The same desire pounded in her bloodstream.
    Yet part of her bridled that he took for granted she was there for his pleasure. It was true. She couldn’t deny him when he took her in his arms. But that didn’t make her feel any better about it, trapped as she was between her feelings for him and the cold, hard truth that the longer she stayed with Fabrizio, the more difficult their inevitable parting.
    Finally he looked away and she almost sagged in relief.
    He poured the sparkling wine into elegant crystal flutes. ‘To us,’ he said as he held out a glass to her and raised the other in salute.
    Now. Now was the time to tell him.
    ‘There may not be an us for much longer,’ she said finally over the tightness in her throat. It was stupid of her. This was the chance she needed to break the web that bound her to him. Yet she’d hesitated because in her heart of hearts she needed him even though he didn’t need her. Jenna pushed her shoulders back and stood straighter.
    He froze, the glass at his lips, his brow furrowing in a dark scowl. ‘What do you mean?’
    Jenna sipped her wine, cool and delicious on her dry throat. ‘I lost my job at the