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Her eyes narrowed. ‘A snag?’
‘A problem,’ he clarified. ‘It seems my grandfather organised a business meeting in Venice later this week but it’s been moved to tonight.’
‘Okay.’
‘Since I’m the new CEO, and the guy happens to be a friend of mine, I have to take the meeting.’
Poppy couldn’t see any problem with that. ‘Well that’s great, isn’t it? It’s what you wanted. Control of your family’s company.’
‘Yes, but you have to come with me.’
‘Me? I’m heading back to London.’
‘You were heading to London, now you’re heading to Venice. For a night.’
Poppy’s lips went dry. ‘But it’s a Sunday.’ Exactly a week since they’d met. ‘I only know one person who works on a Sunday.’
He gave her a sardonic look and she crinkled her nose.
‘I was only working that day because I had something to finish up. Usually I’m home studying, or sleeping.’
‘Well, tonight you’re dining at Harry’s Bar. It’s the only time Lukas has free, and I need to capitalise on the negotiations my grandfather started with his company six months ago.’
‘You know I could just fly back to London on a commercial flight. I don’t mind.’
‘I do. And how will it look to my grandparents if you don’t go with me? Especially since Lukas is bringing his wife.’
‘Like I’m busy and have my own life.’
‘We agreed on the weekend, dolce mia, and it’s still the weekend.’
Poppy gave an exasperated sigh. ‘You know, you’re like one of those enormous earth-movers when you want something.’
‘What can I say? It’s my best trait.’
Poppy instantly thought about all the things he had done to her body last night. ‘I wouldn’t say that,’ she murmured, excusing herself before he saw her face flame with embarrassment.
‘Poppy?’
She turned back to look at him.
‘If your reticence about Venice is because you think I’ll expect a repeat performance after last night, you’re wrong. I’ve already organised a suite with two rooms for tonight.’
Poppy let out a soft breath. Sadly, after his polite stranger routine this morning she hadn’t thought that he would want anything from her, let alone a repeat performance.
‘Does anyone ever say no to you?’ she asked quietly.
‘Only you, bella. Only you.’
But she didn’t say no to him all the time, and she was very much afraid that if he touched her once more she wouldn’t say no to him again.
* * *
‘So, who is the guy again? Lukas Kursnet—Lukas Kornis—’
‘Kuznetskov.’ Sebastiano guided her out of the small launch and onto the red-carpeted jetty in front of the palatial Cipriani Hotel. Poppy was wide-eyed as she stared up at the blush-coloured Moorish building that rose out of the water like an elegant apparition.
They had arrived in Venice just over two hours ago, the city’s unique beauty captivating and seducing her from the first glimpse of its elegant, centuries old architecture.
