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He is like a Roman god, all sleek muscle, dark hair and lively blue eyes. It is hard to not start drooling. I take a peek at his left hand. Nope not married.
I look over at Owen who is glaring at me. Oops he must have seen me ogling our potential client.
Slapping a smile on my face I take the lead. Owen can take his glare and shove it, the man is gorgeous which will make being charming that much easier. I’m going to win this account just so I can rub it in Owen’s face.
Chapter 2
Owen
Harper looks like every man’s wet dream in that dress and heels. It clings all over her curves and the heels make her legs look a million miles long. She’s left her long red hair loose to wave down her back and her sparkling green eyes are twinkling with the light of a challenge. She was good at this part. Wooing the clients and making them feel comfortable. I’m a numbers guy, when it is time to get down to hashing out the deal and crunching numbers, that is my strong suit, but getting the deal that is all Harper.
She greets the Italian god as she dazzles him with kisses on the cheek and a stream of Italian. We do a lot of business in Italy, and she downloaded a program a few years ago and taught herself the language. I’m always in awe of what she can do. Now if she wasn’t so irritating, she would be the perfect assistant.
I have a proposal for her this weekend, and I hope that she takes it. With the company growing so rapidly it is time for the financial department to have two leaders. I can’t go on every trip that is needed and Harper is excellent at it. I will take her to dinner, listen to her groan over how the pasta is going straight to her hips before she devours it like she hasn’t eaten in years and then offer her the job.
“Earth to Owen are you coming?” Harper asks and it snaps me back to reality.
She has her arm in Antonio’s, snuggled up next to him. He looks down at her with adoration.
Thisshouldmake me happy. If he is already this enamored with her the deal is in the bag.
Why does the sight of their arms locked together and her looking up at him as if he is the only man in the world bother me so much?
It’s not like I’m interested in her. She is the most annoying woman on the planet. Harper lives life to the fullest. She is always talking and full of energy. Always harassing me about something or other.
I follow them in, listening to her chatter with him in Italian. He laughs as something she says and I roll my eyes. He is caught in her snare, this deal is all but done and we haven’t even reached the front door yet. I know one thing is for sure… she is going to rub it in my face.
???
“Do you really think that going on your own around Rome with a perfect stranger is a good idea?” The words are out of my mouth before I can suck them back in.
Now Harper is looking at me as if I have two heads and I just want to forget what I said.
“First of all, I am an adult and can make my own choices. And second of all, Antonio is harmless, and he just wants to show me Rome. This should be good news, the more time I spend with him the more I can pitch the idea of partnering with us exclusively for this new canvas. Can you imagine if we can get an exclusive deal! Our profits will increase by at least forty percent. Besides, it’s not exactly such a hardship for me to spend some time at the best restaurants and shops in Rome with an Italian god.”
I roll my eyes, “We are not here for socializing Harper. We need to hammer out this deal and get back to the States.” My tone is much firmer than I mean because the idea of Harper and the Italian god together makes me twitchy.
“Who peed in your cheerios?” She crosses her arms and frowns at me.
“No, one I just want you to keep your priorities straight.” I wince as the words come out of my mouth.
Then Harper does the thing that makes me know I’m in for it. She lifts her left eyebrow. I hunker down in my seat waiting for the onslaught of words that I know are coming my way. It isn’t like I don’t deserve it but Harper on a tear is a sight to behold.
“Don’t worry Owen I live and breathe this company. I know what my priorities are.” Her voice is cool, her face a blank mask. The only feeling there is, is a hint of shine in her green eyes.
“Harper, I didn’t mean…”
“Yes, you did Owen. I’m going to combine my sightseeing and work. It is multitasking at its finest. Don’t worry I will get the deal wrapped up in a bow for you and then you can hammer out the details.”
She turns and looks out the window of the town car watching the lights of the city go by as we return to our hotel.
This is the problem with Harper, I’m always saying the wrong thing or sticking my foot in my mouth. With other women I’m smooth and charming. They are always surprised by it as I’m known as the bookish brother. Harper, on the other hand, is immune to my charm and has been since day one. She came in with a box on her hip and a sunny smile on her face, and asked me where to plant her boxes so that she could get started. It startled and surprised me how eager she was to get to work. After the first day I knew she was irreplaceable. Even if sheisthe most annoying woman on the planet.
I look over at her as she rapidly blinks and my stomach drops. I never meant to hurt her with my words. Before I can say a thing, the car is stopping at the entrance of the hotel. Harper climbs out and walks into the hotel not looking back. The promotion will fix this, it will make her forget all about what I said.
Chapter 3
Harper
