With the rose, he waved her defense away. “You’re too kind, Juliet. You see, I was thinking only of how practical you are. It’s one of the things I most admire about you.” In getting his way, Carlo had always felt it best to use as much truth as possible. “You see, besides my own family, I’ve known very few truly practical women. This trait in you appeals to me, as much as the color of your eyes, the texture of your skin.”

Because she sensed she was losing ground, Juliet sat up straighter. “You don’t have to flatter me, Carlo. It’s simply a matter of establishing ground rules.”

“You see.” As if she’d made his point, he sat forward to touch her fingertips. “You’re too practical to expect flattery or to be swayed by it. Is it any wonder I’m enchanted by you?”

“Carlo—”

“I haven’t made my point.” He retreated just enough to keep his attack in full gear. “You see, knowing you, I thought you would agree that it was foolish and impractical to book separate rooms when we want to be together. You do want to be with me, don’t you, Juliet?”

Frustrated, she stared at him. He was turning the entire situation around. Certain of it, Juliet groped for a handhold. “Carlo, it has nothing to do with my wanting to be with you.”

His brow lifted. “No?”

“No. It has to do with the line that separates our business and our personal lives.”

“A line that’s difficult to draw. Perhaps impossible for me.” The truth came out again, though this time unplanned. “I want to be with you, Juliet, every moment we have. I find myself resenting even the hour that you’re here and I’m there. A few hours at night isn’t enough for me. I want more, much more for us.”

Saying it left him stunned. It hadn’t been one of his clever moves, one of his easy catch-phrases. That little jewel had come from somewhere inside where it had quietly hidden until it could take him by surprise.

He rose, and to give himself a moment, stood by the window to watch a stream of Chicago traffic. It rushed, then came to fitful stops, wound and swung then sped on again. Life was like this, he realized. You could speed right along but you never knew when something was going to stop you dead in your tracks.

Juliet was silent behind him, torn between what he’d said, what he’d meant and what she felt about it. From the very beginning, she’d kept Carlo’s definition of an affair in the front of her mind. Just one ride on the carousel. When the music stopped, you got off and knew you’d gotten your money’s worth. Now, with a few words he was changing the scope. She wondered if either of them was ready.