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‘I’m sure you do,’ Annalisa said, her face relaxing into a smile. ‘And I really have nothing to complain about. As you said, I will have enough money to come back here and set up my own law practice.’
‘Something tells me that’s not what you had set your heart on.’
‘You’d be right,’ she admitted.
‘If you’ll take a little advice from me…?’
‘Of course.’ What had she got to lose?
‘Follow your heart,’ he said.
Annalisa eyes sharpened with surprise. She had expected another dose of sound common sense, not some romantic notion from her mother’s legal advisor.
‘I can see you’re surprised,’ he said. ‘But believe me, Miss Wilson, I see far too many people trapped in a life they don’t want because they missed their window of opportunity. That window has opened for you. Don’t walk past it until you’re sure there’s no other way.’
‘Thank you, Mr Patterson,’ Annalisa said, smiling as she got to her feet and extended her hand. ‘If my dream survives this harsh brush with reality, you’ll be the first to know.’
‘I’ll be waiting to hear,’ he said, taking her hand in a firm grip. ‘And I have a good feeling about this.’
Annalisa blew sceptically through her lips as she went down the narrow flight of stairs that led from Mr Patterson’s office to the street. Since when had solicitors become optimists?
‘There you are,’ she said, walking over to where Ramon was standing beside his car.
‘Did you think I’d desert you?’ he demanded, opening the passenger door for her. ‘How did your meeting go?’
‘It ended on an optimistic note,’ she said honestly.
‘I’m pleased for you,’ Ramon said, drawing the large saloon smoothly away from the kerb.
‘Nice car.’
‘Not bad. How long do you plan to stay?’
‘How long do you plan to stay?’ she countered, smiling—but she should have known better.
‘As long as it takes. Hungry?’
She hadn’t thought about it up to now, but— ‘Yes. Starving, actually.’
‘Good. Me too.’
Being with him made her feel warm and safe, and as the indicator made a mellow ticking sound she stared out of the window to see where he was taking her. He turned into a long curving driveway, and now she could see what looked like a stately home coming into view. ‘Is this yours?’ she asked in surprise.
He shrugged non-committally. ‘Not yet. But it’s a rather good hotel. There’s an excellent restaurant,’ he added as he stopped in front of an impressive sweep of steps. ‘And you can use my room to freshen up.’
That jolted Annalisa out of her complacency. ‘I’m sure the ladies’ room will be fine,’ she said quickly. A visit to his room was not on the agenda. She had to keep a clear head until she knew what he was up to. ‘Are you sure I’ll be all right dressed like this?’ She peered down at the simple grey suit and plain white sweater she was wearing underneath a heavy wool jacket. Perfect for a visit to a solicitor’s office, but a bit understated for a swanky hotel.
‘You’ll be fine,’ Ramon said, brushing off her concern like any man who preferred the contents to the package. ‘I’m happy to eat in my suite, if you’d prefer. But something tells me you’d be more relaxed in the restaurant.’
He’d got that right! So why was she trembling? She had eaten lunch with him before…and dinner…
Before she could say anything he opened his window as a young man in a smart bottle-green uniform walked over to them.
‘Would you like me to park your car, sir?’
‘Thank you,’ Ramon said, climbing out and handing him the keys. ‘Annalisa?’ he said, coming around to open the door for her.
Stepping out, Annalisa gazed up the steps towards the impressive entrance, and then turned to look behind her at gardens laid out like a chessboard. ‘I’m definitely not dressed for this.’
‘You look perfect to me,’ he said, catching hold of her hand. ‘And, just to make sure you don’t disappear, I’m going to hold onto you.’
He wasn’t married, so it was all right to take his hand, she reminded herself—only to snatch it away again when she remembered that he was still a formidable business adversary.
‘Relax,’ he murmured, guiding her up the steps.
She had to force herself to try. There was no reason to suppose he had come to England for anything other than perfectly straightforward reasons. He probably intended to buy the hotel. But there was nothing remotely straightforward about the touch of his hand…it was electrifying.
