Lessons Learned: the classic story from the queen of romance that you won’t be able to put down

She managed to pull her arm away. “Don’t buck the system, Franconi.”

“I always buck the system,” he told her as she walked down the aisle to her seat. Yes, he did like the way she moved.

“Mr. Franconi.” A flight attendant beamed at him. “May I get you a drink after take-off?”

“What’s your white wine?”

When she told him he settled into his seat. A bit pedestrian, he thought, but not entirely revolting. “You noticed the young woman I was speaking with. The honey-colored hair and the stubborn chin.”

Her smile remained bright and helpful though she thought it was a shame that he had his mind on another woman. “Of course, Mr. Franconi.”

“She’ll have a glass of wine, with my compliments.”

Juliet would have considered herself fortunate to have an aisle seat if the man beside her hadn’t already been sprawled out and snoring. Travel was so glamorous, she thought wryly as she slipped her toes out of her shoes. Wasn’t she lucky to have another flight to look forward to the very next night?

Don’t complain, Juliet, she warned herself. When you have your own agency, you can send someone else on the down-and-dirty tours.

The man beside her snored through take-off. On the other side of the aisle a woman held a cigarette in one hand and a lighter in the other in anticipation of the No Smoking sign blinking off. Juliet took out her pad and began to work.

“Miss?”

Stifling a yawn, Juliet glanced up at the flight attendant. “I’m sorry, I didn’t order a drink.”

“With Mr. Franconi’s compliments.”

Juliet accepted the wine as she looked up toward first class. He was sneaky, she told herself. Trying to get under her defenses by being nice. She let her notebook close as she sighed and sat back.

It was working.

She barely finished the wine before touchdown, but it had relaxed her. Relaxed her enough, she realized, that all she wanted to do was find a soft bed and a dark room. In an hour—or two, she promised herself and gathered up her flight bag and briefcase.

She found Carlo was waiting for her in first class with a very young, very attractive flight attendant. Neither of them seemed the least bit travel weary.

“Ah, Juliet, Deborah knows of a marvelous twenty-four-hour market where we can find everything we need.”

Juliet looked at the willowy brunette and managed a smile. “How convenient.”

He took the flight attendant’s hand and, inevitably Juliet thought, kissed it. “Arrivederci.”

“Don’t waste time, do you?” Juliet commented the moment they deplaned.

“Every moment lived is a moment to be enjoyed.”

“What a quaint little sentiment.” She shifted her bag and aimed for baggage claim. “You should have it tattooed.”

“Where?”

She didn’t bother to look at his grin. “Where it would be most attractive, naturally.”

They had to wait longer than she liked for their luggage, and by then the relaxing effects of the wine had worn off. There was business to be seen to. Because he enjoyed watching her in action, Carlo let her see to it.

She secured a cab, tipped the skycap and gave the driver the name of the hotel. Scooting in beside Carlo, she caught his grin. “Something funny?”

“You’re so efficient, Juliet.”

“Is that a compliment or an insult?”

“I never insult women.” He said it so simply, she was absolutely certain it was true. Unlike Juliet, he was completely relaxed and not particularly sleepy. “If this was Rome, we’d go to a dark little café, drink heavy red wine and listen to American music.”

She closed her window because the air was damp and chilly. “The tour interfering with your night life?”

“So far I find myself enjoying the stimulating company.”

“Tomorrow you’re going to find yourself worked to a frazzle.”

Carlo thought of his background and smiled. At nine, he’d spent the hours between school and supper washing dishes and mopping up kitchens. At fifteen he’d waited tables and spent his free time learning of spices and sauces. In Paris he’d combined long, hard study with work as an assistant chef. Even now, his restaurant and clients had him keeping twelve-hour days. Not all of his background was in the neatly typed bio Juliet had in her briefcase.

“I don’t mind work, as long as it interests me. I think you’re the same.”

“I have to work,” she corrected. “But it’s easier when you enjoy it.”

“You’re more successful when you enjoy it. It shows with you. Ambition, Juliet, without a certain joy, is cold, and when achieved leaves a flat taste.”

“But I am ambitious.”

“Oh, yes.” He turned to look at her, starting off flutters she’d thought herself too wise to experience. “But you’re not cold.”

For a moment, she thought she’d be better off if he were wrong. “Here’s the hotel.” She turned from him, relieved to deal with details. “We need you to wait,” she instructed the driver. “We’ll be going out again as soon as we check in. The hotel has a lovely view of the bay, I’m told.” She walked into the lobby with Carlo as the bellboy dealt with their luggage. “It’s a shame we won’t have time to enjoy it. Franconi and Trent,” she told the desk clerk.

The lobby was quiet and empty. Oh, the lucky people who were sleeping in their beds, she thought and pushed at a strand of hair that had come loose.

“We’ll be checking out first thing tomorrow, and we won’t be able to come back, so be sure you don’t leave anything behind in your room.”

“But of course you’ll check anyway.”

She sent him a sidelong look as she signed the form. “Just part of the service.” She pocketed her key. “The luggage can be taken straight up.” Discreetly, she handed the bellboy a folded bill. “Mr. Franconi and I have an errand.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I like that about you.” To Juliet’s surprise, Carlo linked arms with her as they walked back outside.

“What?”

“Your generosity. Many people would’ve slipped out without tipping the bellboy.”

She shrugged. “Maybe it’s easier to be generous when it’s not your money.”

“Juliet.” He opened the door to the waiting cab and gestured her in. “You’re intelligent enough. Couldn’t you—how is it—stiff the bellboy then write the tip down on your expense account?”