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‘God, it’s great to see you,’ Jeremy said at the same time, astounding Harriet even more with the richness and depth of his voice, which seemed at odds with his size. Though far from short—he was only a couple of inches shorter than Alex—his frame was much leaner. His shoulders were broad enough, but the rest of his body was very slender. He could easily have made money as a model, or as a narrator, with that gorgeous voice of his.
Harriet couldn’t remember what he did for a living. She didn’t think Alex had actually told her. Just that he was a rich friend from Oxford and was a fellow member of their Bachelor’s Club, which meant he, too, had recently become a billionaire. He looked rich; money had a way of clinging to a man like an invisible cloak.
When he cheekily winked at Harriet over Alex’s shoulder, she got a glimpse of his much-vaunted charm.
‘So, who’s this gorgeous creature, Alex?’ he asked as he stepped back to look her up and down, his blue eyes twinkling. ‘You never mentioned you were bringing someone with you.’
‘It was a last-minute decision. This is Harriet,’ Alex introduced. ‘My PA. And my new girlfriend,’ he added before Harriet could be offended. ‘I usually call her Harry, but in present company I think Harriet is called for.’
She saw the drily amused look Jeremy gave Alex. ‘You sneaky devil,’ he said, then grinned. ‘And you had the hide to tell me that business and pleasure don’t mix!’
‘There are exceptions to every rule,’ Alex said and smiled a wry smile at a slightly startled Harriet. ‘I didn’t say anything because I agreed to keep our affair a secret. But there’s no need for secrets over here, though I think I might not tell Sergio she’s my PA. Sergio isn’t as much of a free spirit as you are, Jeremy. Without going into too many details, I have to speak to that chauffeur over there. He was going to drive Harriet down to a hotel at Lake Como, but I’ve persuaded her to change her plans and come to the wedding with me.’
‘And rightly so,’ Jeremy pronounced warmly as Alex walked off, leaving Harriet to fend alone in his friend’s perversely bewitching company. It was simply impossible not to like him. She wasn’t sexually attracted to him, but she could understand why lots of women had fallen under his spell over the years. He possessed a personal charisma which she imagined could be overpowering if he was also your physical type.
‘It’s wonderful to see Alex dating a real woman for a change,’ he said. ‘Though slightly disconcerting.’
‘Disconcerting?’
‘I don’t want to be the only one left a bachelor in our Bachelor’s Club. Oops. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. Has Alex told you about the Bachelor’s Club?’
‘Yes. I know all about it.’
‘That’s a relief. Thought I’d put my big foot in it just then. Sergio’s broken ranks, but Alex and I are still committed bachelors. We both believe it’s best for a girl to know the lie of the land before she gets in too deep. Or is it too late for that?’ he added with a sudden searching look.
Oh, God. Why did she have to blush?
‘I see,’ he said, his brows drawing together.
‘No, you don’t,’ she said quickly. ‘Look, I know Alex isn’t into love or marriage. I’m not a fool. I recently broke up with my fiancé and I’m not looking for love or commitment of any kind. I’m just having a much-needed fling. It won’t last. When it’s over, I’ll move on and so will Alex.’
‘Are you quite sure about that?’
‘Quite sure,’ she said coolly and glanced over at Alex, who was still talking to the chauffeur. Just then, he glanced back at her, smiled, then hurried over, the chauffeur in his wake.
‘Right. All settled. Jeremy, am I right in guessing you didn’t drive yourself to the airport? Knowing you, you either had Sergio drop you off or you took a taxi.’
‘I hate it when people know me that well,’ he said, but without looking offended at all. ‘Yes, Sergio dropped me off, then went on to his office. He’s getting everything organised there before he and Bella fly off to New York.’
‘Thought that might be the case,’ Alex said. ‘Anyway, I’ve organised for Lucca here to take us all to the tailor. After we’re finished there, we’ll drop you off back at Sergio’s office, Jeremy, then I’ll accompany Harriet down to the hotel I booked her into on Lake Como. Everyone, this is Lucca,’ he finally introduced. ‘Lucca, this is Harriet and Jeremy.’
