“I haven’t got any money,” she said, still frowning.

“It is customary,” he replied, his expression still hopeful.

“I don’t care if it’s customary,” Keira replied, her patience reaching its end. “I have no money. I was pickpocketed in Naples.”

His expression changed immediately. “You should have said that right away. I carried that case for you in good faith.”

Keira just wasn’t in the mood to hear it. Something in her snapped. She’d had enough of people treating her poorly in this country, of not helping her when she clearly needed help!

“Get lost!” she shouted. “Go on, go away! I didn’t ask for your help, you just pushed it on to me!”

The boy made a tsking noise, which Keira assumed was some kind of local insult, and walked off.

Keira could tell she had gone red with anger by the burning feeling in her cheeks. Still fuming from the altercation, she heaved up her bag, her muscles protesting as she did so, then crossed the street to the Oceano Hotel.

She stumbled inside, half falling with relief. The air conditioning was on strong and it blasted her, making the sweat on her forehead and neck become instantly cold.

Half slumped against the wall in the lobby, Keira panted. She wasn’t trying to be dramatic but she felt like it had been an ordeal even getting here.

Suddenly, someone was moving toward her. She looked over as a man approached.

Romeo…?

He looked exactly like the man from her dreams, with dark, lash-lined, brooding eyes. It was like Keira had stepped into a photo shoot and the fashion model had decided to approach her.

Assuming he was a staff member, she tried to wave him away, to show him she was okay. But she could hardly speak from the effort it had taken her to get here.

“Miss Swanson?” the man said as he drew up to her.

He touched her elbow.

Keira was surprised to hear her name. She just about managed to stammer, “Yes?”

“My name is Cristiano,” he said. “I am your tour guide. There was a mix-up and I thought I was meeting you at the hotel. I hope you did not have any trouble getting here.”

Keira couldn’t contain it anymore. Whether it was from relief at having made it, exhaustion at how difficult it had been, sunstroke from being out in the pounding sunshine, or shock at coming face to face with her stunningly beautiful Romeo, she could no longer hold her body up.

“Miss Swanson?” she heard Romeo say, his concerned face appearing ahead of her. “Miss Swanson, are you okay?”

Keira’s knees gave out and she collapsed over her case, sprawling out on the cold tiled floors. Before the world went black, the last thing she saw was Romeo peering down at her.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Swoon was the only word Keira could think of to describe what had just happened. Cristiano had literally made her weak at the knees. She flushed with embarrassment, not just because of her swooning, but because of the fact it had happened when she was sweaty, flustered, and angry.