It hit her then with complete clarity that the spiel Vanni had given her about the way Italian women knew and expected their men to have multiple lovers was a load of crock. If that behavior was supposed to be so aboveboard, then why hadn’t Cristiano mentioned his own wife sooner? Why keep it from her? It must only be because he clearly knew she would put a swift and abrupt end to their flirtations if she knew.

Without giving it much more thought, Keira stood and discarded her napkin on the table.

“You cannot go,” Cristiano said. “What about our food?”

She looked back at him, arms folded, expression unimpressed. “I’ve lost my appetite.”

She turned to leave but Cristiano jumped up and grasped her by the arm.

“Do not go like this,” he said. “Give me a chance to explain.”

She regarded him boldly, seeing in his eyes a pleading look that she would have fallen for had it not been for Vanni’s admission, or the Internet cafe woman’s claim that monogamous Italian men were a myth. She forced herself to override her instinct to back down and hear him out.

“I doubt there’s anything you can say to make this any better,” she said, coolly.

Then she removed her arm from his hand and stormed away. As the darkness outside enveloped her, she let her tears fall.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Keira felt like such a fool as she rushed through the streets, her mascara streaming down her face. What a silly idiot she’d been, dressing up all fancy for a meal with a married man! She’d never wanted to be the other woman but Cristiano had tricked her into it. He was just like Vanni, just like the man in the Internet cafe. How had she been so blind not to notice?

As she hurried along, Keira couldn’t help but mentally berate Nina and Bryn, Shelby and Maxine. All of them had encouraged her to get over her breakup with a rebound. Not one of them had suggested she take it easy, slow down, focus on her job instead of an Italian romance. She ought to be more bold, Keira thought, turning her anger in on herself. She needed to think for herself and trust her instincts instead of letting other people’s viewpoints cloud her own beliefs.

She made it to the clock tower, a familiar landmark with which she could orientate herself. There weren’t nearly as many people in the square at night, though it was still busy. Keira dipped her head, not wanting anyone to see her tear-stained cheeks.

Just as she began walking diagonally across the square, she heard her name being called. Cristiano’s lilting voice was still like music to her ears. How disappointing that a man with a voice like an angel could be a devil in disguise.

She hurried on, not wanting to talk to him. The embarrassment his admission caused her was still burning in her cheeks. He continued calling her name, making the few tourists ambling past turn their heads and look.