‘Mr Cavaletti—or Dr Cavaletti—whichever you prefer,’ Rachel said, trying hard to sound icily in control while in reality the smile and shoulder shrug had turned her bones to jelly.

‘Just because Kurt isn’t my boyfriend it doesn’t mean I don’t have one. I don’t know how you do things back in Italy, but you’re moving far too fast.’

‘I’m sorry, but I felt an attraction.’ He offered an apologetic smile. ‘I’m not normally impulsive.’

Shoot—the man’s remorse was nearly as good as his smile!

‘You do have a boyfriend?’

Rachel stared at him. The lie—a simple yes—hovered on the tip of her tongue. An easy word to say—a single syllable—but she’d left it too late, because he was smiling again.

Then he leaned forward and kissed her, first on one cheek, then on the other, and while Rachel pressed her hands to her burning cheeks he walked away.