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She was glad she’d walked away. In fact she was proud of herself.
Lindsay dried her hair methodically and then slid into a sheer silk nightdress that was nothing like her normal choice of bed wear.
But as she slipped into the large canopied bed she felt suddenly more alone than she’d ever felt in her life.
Without doubt she was the only woman who had ever walked away from him.
Trying to dismiss images of a powerful arrogant Italian stretched out next to her, she pressed her face into the pillows and pulled the soft cover over her shoulders.
Instead of focusing on the nagging throb low in her body, she needed to think of his bad points. Of all the logical reasons why they shouldn’t be together.
And there were certainly plenty to choose from.
Tired after a sleepless night, Lindsay forced her trembling legs along the smooth stone path that led to the Beach Club.
Given the choice she would have eaten breakfast alone.
She would have locked the door and stayed indoors in the air-conditioned tranquillity of her luxurious villa, but that wasn’t an option. She was here to do a job and she was well aware that if she didn’t play the part, then Alessio might still fire Ruby.
At least now she was on her guard. She’d let herself become complacent. She’d totally underestimated the devastating effect he had on her.
But now she was prepared.
Having been awake for most of the night, she’d had more than enough time to select her outfit for the day, and this time she’d been less cavalier in her choice of dress.
She’d bypassed swimming costumes, shorts and sarongs and instead chosen a white skirt that drifted down to mid-thigh. She’d teamed it with a strap top in a pale shade of lilac, cut high enough on her chest to ensure that no cleavage was revealed. And it fitted perfectly. She was confident that there was no chance that it would gape or reveal anything if she leaned forward. In an impulse of femininity that she didn’t want to examine too closely, she’d slipped some delicate silver bangles onto her arm.
It was fine.
Everything was fine.
And everything remained fine until she walked onto the terrace and saw him.
He was seated at a table next to the beautiful swimming pool, a cup of coffee half drunk on the table in front of him.
Every part of his masculine physique emanating power and authority, he was talking to a man in a lightweight suit, but the moment he saw Lindsay his eyes narrowed and he said something that Lindsay couldn’t hear.
The other man melted swiftly into the background leaving Lindsay the entire focus of Alessio’s attention.
‘Buon giorno.’ He spoke in a low tone that was inaudible to all around, his eyes cool and assessing. ‘Did you sleep well?’
‘Perfectly, thank you.’ She pulled out a chair and sat down opposite him, ignoring his knowing smile. ‘Any sign of your client?’
Please say yes, she begged silently. A third person might dilute the tension that seemed to surround them.
‘There’s been a hurricane warning. He’s decided not to fly out until the weather improves.’
Startled, she looked at him. ‘A hurricane?’
‘Don’t worry. Kingfisher Cay hasn’t suffered a direct hit once in the past sixty years. It will pass us by.’
Lindsay glanced up at the blue sky, noticing a few wisps of cloud on the horizon. ‘Let’s hope you’re right.’
‘Are you afraid of storms?’
‘I love storms—’ without looking at him, she helped herself to slices of fresh pineapple and mango from a plate in the centre of the table ‘—so if you’re hoping that I’ll seek the shelter of your strong arms, you’re going to be disappointed.’
Alessio laughed. ‘So far I haven’t had to rely on the weather to entice a woman into my bed.’
