Page 32 of Royally Roma
The wings of panic began to beat against the inside of her rib cage.
“I’m afraid this is a bit awkward.” He raked a hand through his damp hair. Hours in the mist and rain, and the man’s hair still looked perfect. Was nothing in the universe fair? “I don’t actually have any credit cards with me either.”
“A checkbook?” she asked hopefully.
Did people even write checks anymore? It was old school but it would do. She’d take anything at this point.
He shook his head.
This wasnothappening. Absolutely not. Mano had already nearly gotten her in trouble with her boss. She absolutely couldn’t go back to the office and tell Giuseppe that he’d walked out on the bill. He would be furious. Losing her job would only be the tip of the iceberg. He’d probably bury her alive like one of those non-virgins.
She narrowed her gaze at Mano. She was getting to the bottom of this. Right now. “Exactly how much money have you got with you, more or less?”
“More or less?” He smiled. Finally. But it was overly solicitous. Julia felt faint all of a sudden. Behind Mano, the world began to spin in a blur of hazy color and agonizing memory. “None.”
CHAPTER
NINE
“Inever carry money,” Mano said, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world to say.
Julia stared at him like he’d lost his mind. She didn’t believe for a minute that he was serious. He couldn’t possibly be. Who refused to carry money? This was surely his attempt at some sort of bad joke. He might know his way around a kiss, but his sense of humor needed work. In a big way.
“That’s a bad habit,” she said, deadpan.
“It’s not a habit. I have people who take care of those matters for me,” he said in that stirring tone that was his and his alone.
My God. He’s telling the truth. He really can’t pay me.“Where exactly are those people now?”
“Not here, I’m afraid.” He held her with his cool gray gaze. So impassive. So sure of himself. Even now, when the words coming out of his mouth were so nonsensical.
“No kidding,” she snapped.
“Listen, Julia. Calm down.” He spoke with exaggerated slowness, which in no way made her feel like calming down. “I have every intention of paying the bill.”
Did he expect a medal or something?
Normal, honest people paid their bills. On time. With real money. Was that truly such a difficult concept to grasp?
Apparently so, if her past history with men was any indication. First her father, then Elio...
And now Mano.
Was there even such a thing as normal and honest? How could she be such a gullible fool? Again.
“I assure you that I’ll have my staff take care of the bill the moment I get back to the hotel.” He sounded far too smug for her liking.
She shook her head. She was finished playing the fool. Absolutely done. “Not good enough.”
He raised a dark brow. “I beg your pardon.”
“I’m supposed to collect payment here, now, at the conclusion of the tour. I’m sure that was explained to you when you made your reservation.” And then, because she couldn’t stop the stream of annoyance from flying out of her mouth, she added, “Or maybe you never called at all. You probably have people to take care of things like that, too.”
“Julia.” He said her name like a warning.
She’d angered him. Well, that was just too bad. She had every right to be upset. If anyone should be angry here, it was her. “I’m afraid I can’t let you leave without rendering payment.”
“What are your plans? To kidnap me?” His lips quirked.
