Free Becoming the Prince's Wife (Princes of Europe) by Rebecca Winters

laps until he was so exhausted he figured he might be able to sleep for what was left of the rest of the night. But that turned out to be a joke. There were certain fires you couldn’t put out.
    The next morning when he walked out to the landing pad with Vincenzo and his family, Carolena was still strapped in her seat. One of his security men put the luggage from her room on board as he climbed in.
    Other than a smile and another thank-you for the tour of the volcano, she displayed no evidence of having missed Valentino or passing a tormented night. They were both accomplished actors playing roles with such expertise they might even have deceived each other. Except for the slight break he heard in her voice that caused his heart to skip several beats.
    * * *
    Four days later Carolena had just finished taking a deposition in her office and had said goodbye to her client when her new secretary, Tomaso, told her Abby was on the line. She hoped it was good news about the baby and picked up.
    “Abby? How are you? How’s Max?”
    “He’s doing great. The gastroenteritis is finally gone.”
    “Thank heaven!”
    “I feel so terrible about what happened on our trip.”
    “Why do you say that? I was sorry for you, of course, but I had a wonderful time!”
    “You’re always such a good sport. I know it made Valentino’s day for someone to be excited about his work.”
    “He’s an incredible man, Abby.” Carolena tried to keep the tremor out of her voice.
    “He was impressed with you, too. That’s one of the reasons I’m calling. He flew into Arancia this morning so he and Vincenzo can talk business.”
    She almost had heart failure. It was a good thing she was sitting down. Valentino was here?
    “Since you’re a patent law attorney, both men want you to meet with them. They need your legal counsel along with mine.”
    Her pulse raced off the chart. “Why?” She’d thought she’d never see him again and had been in such a depression, she’d decided that if she didn’t get over it, she would have to go for professional help.
    “They’re putting together a monumental idea to benefit both our countries. I’ll tell you all about it when you get here. Can you come to the palace after work? The four of us will talk and have dinner together.”
    Carolena jumped up from her leather chair. No, no, no. She didn’t dare put herself into a position like that again. Legitimate or not, Valentino had to know how hard this was going to be for her. She didn’t have his self-control.
    If for any reason she happened to end up alone with him tonight, she might beg him to let her spend the night because she couldn’t help herself. How wicked would that be? She’d spend the rest of her life mourning another loss because there could never be another time with him. This was one time Carolena couldn’t do what Abby was asking.
    “I’m afraid I can’t.”
    “Why not?”
    “I have a date for the symphony.”
    “Then cancel it. I just found out this morning that Valentino is rushed for time. Did I tell you his wedding and coronation are coming up in August?”
    She bit her lip. “No. I don’t believe you mentioned it.”
    “He’d hoped to get this business settled before flying back to Gemelli tomorrow.”
    Here today, gone tomorrow? She couldn’t bear it. This request had put her in an untenable position. What to do so she wouldn’t offend her friend? After racking her brain, she came up with one solution that might work. It would have to work since Carolena didn’t dare make a wrong move now.
    She gripped the phone tighter. “I have an idea that won’t waste Valentino’s time. Would it be possible if you three came to the office this afternoon?” Neutral ground rather than the palace was the only way for her to stay out of temptation’s way.
    “I’m afraid not. It would require too much security for the two of them to meet anywhere else. The security risk is higher than usual with Valentino’s coronation coming