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and I could see his dark face turning darker.
    "Maria, are you giving this man a hard time?" I said, coming to his rescue. "Don’t mind my sister, she loves to tease…."
    "Mr. Thompson—" Maria began, turning to me with a wink.
    "It’s just Thompson, ma’am," he said.
    "I was just inviting Thompson in while you finished getting ready."
    "I’m all set," I smiled, winking back at her. "Maybe next time Thompson should drop by a bit earlier."
    "I’ll be waiting at the car, ma’am," he frowned, then hurried down the driveway.
    I watched him go, then turned back to Maria. "Are you sure you’ll be okay?"
    "Absolutely," Maria replied. "I'm not totally incapable of taking care of myself, you know! Besides, I checked with Mrs. Jenner next door. She'll be home all evening in case I need anything."
    I leaned down and gave my sister a big hug.
    "Have a great time, Ange," she whispered in my ear. "Remember to be home by midnight or you'll turn into a pumpkin."

Chapter Twelve
     
    The driver was waiting impatiently at the limousine for me, his scowl firmly set in place again. I thanked him as I got in. He grunted in response and closed the door.
    "So," I said when Thompson had secured himself in the driver’s seat. I gazed around the car’s interior, running my hands over the black leather seats. "How long have you been working for Mr. Mancini?"
    "Long enough," he replied shortly.
    I was taken aback by his cold tone, but I pressed on. Maria had seemed friendly with him, and she was a good judge of character. I even felt it was my sisterly duty to find out what Thompson kept hidden under that glower. Maybe I could find out a little bit more about Antonio, too. "Have you always been his driver?" I asked.
    He grunted as the car pulled away from my house. I guessed that meant yes.
    "Does Mr. Mancini attend these kinds of events often?"
    "Often enough," he replied.
    I rolled my eyes and sat back against the plush seats. Classical music drifted softly from the speakers and, despite Thompson’s curt and almost surly attitude, I realized how excited I was about this event. In matter of fact, I was actually looking forward to it .
    At least, until Thompson smoothly turned the car onto the long drive way of a sprawling mansion. My heart instantly began beating faster. Thompson pulled the car to a stop in front of the wide steps, then stepped out of the car just as the double doors of the house opened. I saw the sharp, distinguished silhouette of Antonio Mancini. When he stepped out into the light, I caught my breath. The man wore a suit like he was born to it and I couldn’t help staring at the crisp clean lines that outlined a perfect body.
    Thompson approached him confidently and they greeted each other with a hearty handshake like old friends. The cold, aloof limousine driver was gone. This man laughed openly, and even Antonio was animated as they chatted outside.
    As if suddenly remembering I was waiting for him in the car, Antonio turned and looked right at me. I suddenly felt too exposed. Then I laughed, shaking my head at my foolishness. The windows were tinted. He couldn’t see me. Even so, as he and Thompson turned towards the window, my nerves tried to get the better of me. I moved my gaze from the two men, leaning back against the leather seat and closing my eyes.
    "Good evening, Angela," Antonio said when the car door opened. He paused, his eyes roaming over me. A strange look came over his face and he licked his lips, reminding me of my recent dream. "You look … incredible," he whispered.
    I blushed and stammered a thank you.
    He stared at me for a moment longer, then it was as though his eyes shuttered and back came the cool, in-control demeanor I had come to expect. I was once again wary and observant, but a small voice in my head wondered about the whisper and the look in his eyes.
    He settled into the seat beside me as Thompson closed the door. Antonio pushed a button and the privacy window rolled up with a quiet