Brynn had been less nervous for her first high school prom. She checked her appearance a dozen or more times before the doorbell rang. Her inclination was to rush across the room and throw open the door, but she forced herself to remain calm and collected.

Roberto stood on the other side of the door, so handsome her breath locked in her lungs. It reminded her of the night of the church dance. He'd knocked her senses for a loop then, too.

Looking away, she stepped aside to allow him into her apartment. "Hello, Roberto."

He inclined his head slightly. "You look lovely." Smiling, he stepped into her apartment and tenderly pressed his lips to her cheek.

Surprised and delighted, Brynn raised her hand to her face, her fingers investigating the spot where he'd kissed her.

Next he presented her with a small bouquet of flowers.

"Roberto, how sweet. Thank you." She led the way into the kitchen, where she placed the bouquet of pink carnations and miniature purple irises in a tall crystal vase.

"I didn't think to buy any wine," she said, regretting now that she hadn't thought of that beforehand.

"We'll have wine later," he said.

"I'll only be a minute," she said, and gestured self-consciously toward the bedroom. "I need to get my coat."

The ride to the restaurant, an Italian one from the looks of it, took several minutes. Roberto, the perfect gentleman, helped her out of the car and then escorted her inside.

The moment she walked through the door, Brynn was greeted with the scents of basil and simmering tomato. Garlic permeated the air, and she inhaled deeply, the smell alone enough to make her hungry. No one needed to tell her how good the food would be.

Roberto apparently knew the owners, and standing with his arm tucked around her waist, he introduced her.

"Brynn Cassidy, meet Stefano and Celeste Seti."

She shook hands with the white-haired gentleman who was smiling broadly. His wife, Mama Celeste herself, planted her hands on her face and mumbled something in Italian to her husband. Brynn couldn't understand a word. Whatever it was appeared to please the grandmotherly woman. With a wide smile she kissed Roberto on both cheeks and promised them, in heavily accented English, the best dinner of their lives.

Soon they were seated at a table. Before Brynn had a chance to smooth the linen napkin on her lap, she was served red wine, thick slices of bread, and a large block of cheese.

The food never seemed to stop coming. Brynn sampled one fabulous dish after another. There must have been three or four different appetizers-shrimp, eggplant, tiny meatballs-before a huge Caesar salad arrived. When Brynn was convinced she couldn't eat another bite, the pasta was brought to their table by Stefano, who insisted she would break Celeste's heart if she didn't take a large portion of the specialty of the house. From the envious looks being sent her way, Brynn had the feeling if she couldn't finish the clam spaghetti, any number of volunteers would gladly step in for her.

"More wine, more wine," Stefano insisted, replenishing their glasses when she'd finished the best pasta she'd ever tasted. Brynn wasn't given a chance to refuse the wine. Stefano filled her glass and carried away their empty plates.

"I've never had such good food in my life," she murmured, and scooted back her chair. She planted her hands on her stomach. "But if I don't stop eating now, I won't be able to walk."

"No dessert?" Roberto teased.

They finished with a cup of dark coffee. Stefano and Celeste visited their table before they left, and this time it was Brynn who was hugged and kissed. Mama's eyes watered, and she dabbed at their corners with the hem of her apron.

Once they were outside, Roberto headed for the car.

"Would you mind very much if we walked awhile?" Brynn asked. Physical movement would help ease the stuffed feeling. Besides, she didn't want the evening to end so soon.

"By all means, let's walk," Roberto agreed. He reached for her hand and set a slow, easy pace. The night was crisp and cold.

"It looks like it might snow."

Roberto glanced skyward. "Wishful thinking on your part," he murmured. "There's barely a cloud in the sky."

He was right. The image of them walking together, hand in hand through lightly falling snow, appealed to her.

Although she'd enjoyed their dinner, her one regret was that with all the food being served, and Stefano checking to be sure everything was to their liking, there hadn't been much of a chance for the two of them to talk.

"Thank you, Roberto, for a wonderful meal."

He released her hand and slipped his arm around her waist. "Thank you for coming with me."

Brynn pressed her head against his shoulder. "What made you decide to ask me out?" She wasn't sure what prompted the question, but she was curious.

"I wanted everything to be right for you."

"Be right?"

He exhaled slowly as though he weren't sure how to explain himself. "You aren't like other women I've known."

Brynn smiled to herself. "Is that a compliment?"

Roberto was taken aback by her question. "I meant it to be. Have I insulted you?"

"No," she assured him.

"You're special, Brynn. Not only to me, but to Emilio and his friends, too. They think a lot of you. I've heard the teens talk about you, and when they do, well, it's with respect. It takes a lot to impress kids these days."

"And how do you feel about me?" she asked. It would be far easier for her if Roberto came right out and told her. She'd never been so bold with a man, but this wasn't a normal relationship.

"Me?" He hesitated, taking some time to formulate his thoughts. "You're stubborn and strong-willed."

Brynn wouldn't deny it. "If you think I'm stubborn, you should meet my mother." She bit down on her lip when she realized what she'd said. Reminding him of the mother he'd lost was the last thing she wanted.

"So you inherited the trait." He sounded amused, and Brynn was relieved.

"I care for you, Roberto," she told him softly. "More than I care for anyone other than my family." If he wasn't willing to acknowledge his feelings for her, then she'd be the first one to say it. "Knowing you has blessed my life. When I have a problem, you're the person I want to share it with. When something good happens, you're the one I want to tell. I find myself thinking about you a lot, probably more than I should."

His arm tightened around her middle. "I feel the same way about you. I want very much to kiss you, Brynn," he said with a deep sigh that revealed his longing for her, "but I don't want to do it in public. Not again. I'll wait until we get back to your apartment."

Brynn's heart swelled with emotion as she looked to him. "We could leave now, don't you think?"

Roberto chuckled, and together they raced across the street and back to Mama Celeste's, where Roberto's car was parked.

As they neared Brynn's apartment their amusement ebbed, replaced with a growing anticipation. Brynn's hand shook slightly as she unlocked the front door, knowing that soon she would be in Roberto's arms.

Together they walked into her apartment. Brynn didn't bother to turn on the lights. Once the door was closed, she lifted her arms and reached for Roberto.

With a deep-seated groan, he backed her against the door and kissed her.

The kiss was like fire, a spontaneous combustion of desire and need. Once wasn't near enough to satisfy either of them, and Roberto kissed her again and again. He surprised her with his tongue, and she gasped as he thrust it deep inside her mouth, stroking and teasing her. Gradually her gasp became a whimper that trembled from her lips.