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His voice left her in no doubt that that was the last thing he would consider doing. There was laughter just below the surface and she flushed. She might be having a hard time disassociating the sex-on-legs guy from the guy who actually paid her salary, but that was because of her own overactive imagination.
‘In that case,’ she said stiffly, ‘I think I’ll freshen up...have a bath.’ She looked at him. ‘I wonder whether it might not be a better idea for us to continue our discussion about my job in the morning. When we’re more alert.’
‘It’s not even seven-thirty in the evening,’ Alessandro said drily. ‘I think I’m alert enough to focus. And in the morning we can both look forward to a fun-packed full day tracking down our adventurous crook. So...’ He looked at his Rolex and then back at her as she waited, ready to sprint to safety. ‘I can either come and get you in an hour, or so you can meet me in the bar downstairs...which would you rather?’
‘I’ll meet you,’ Kate muttered.
‘Fine. In an hour sharp.’ He grinned. ‘You can scuttle off and have your bath now...’
Scuttle.
Horrible word. Scuttle was the sort of thing timid little creatures did to get away from danger. Admittedly Alessandro might easily be classed as a dangerous species—at least to her peace of mind—but she had never particularly considered herself a timid little creature.
She had had to develop a tough streak just to get though most of her childhood. In addition to her mother’s guilelessly flamboyant jobs, her shocking naivety when it came to the opposite sex and her casual disregard for most aspects of parenting, Kate had also had to be on standby for her mother when her heart had inevitably got broken.
In the framework of things, being timid was a luxury she had never been able to afford.
But was that how Alessandro saw her? If so, wouldn’t that come into play when it came to sealing the deal on any job promotion for her? Who wanted someone timid handling important accounts and clients?
The clothes she had packed all fell into the category of timid. When she had chosen what to take she had made sure to pack stuff that conveyed the right message—she was a working woman on business. A few less formal things had been brought for those evenings that she had intended spending on her own, discovering the city at her own pace and without her challenging boss for company.
Prospects on that particular front now looked anything but sunny. Overcast with the threat of downpours might be more like it.
She took her time enjoying her bath, absently marvelling at the size of the bathroom, and then, with a sigh, opted for a variation on the eternal suit. The navy skirt was, like all her work skirts, knee-length, but instead of a white blouse she chose a red one. And after a lot of hesitation decided against the bun—because she could already visualize those mocking dark eyes taking in the ensemble and having a laugh at her expense.
It took her a while to find the bar. The hotel was enormous, with extensive shopping within it and several dining areas. Eventually, however, she was directed to one of the less casual bars, which was where she expected he would be. Relaxing over a whisky and soda and amusing himself with various scenarios involving George and his dismissal.
Sure enough, he was there, nursing a drink, although it looked like wine instead of whisky.
He glanced at her as soon as she began heading in his direction.
He had changed out of his travelling gear into a pair of cream trousers, an open-necked pale shirt and some loafers. He looked completely at ease—which had the perverse effect of making her feel totally out of place.
She had brought her tablet, which she placed on the table before sitting down.
‘What’s that for?’
Alessandro poured her a glass of wine before she could tell him that she wasn’t going to be drinking.
‘Have you decided that you’d rather watch a movie than talk to me?’
Instantly flustered, Kate adjusted the tablet and then sat back, hands on her lap. ‘I thought I’d take notes on it rather than on paper,’ she told him.
‘We’re having an informal chat.’ Alessandro finished his wine, and before he could top up his glass someone materialized and did it for him before subsiding back into the background. ‘I’m not dictating terms and conditions.’
‘Yes, I know that. But...’
‘No matter. If it makes you happy to busy yourself on a tablet then who am I to tell you otherwise? I thought we’d eat here. It’s less formal than one of the hotel restaurants and it saves us the trouble of venturing out... Unless you’d rather do a bit of city exploring...? See what’s out there...?’
He waited for a heated negative to that idea—which, predictably, he got.
Did she ever let her hair down? he wondered. Aside from when she was closeted away in her house, safe in her territory, where no one could see her? Unless they unexpectedly dropped by and refused to go away without being invited inside... What did she do for fun? Did she have any? Or was that an alien concept to be avoided at all costs?
Curiosity niggled away at him, and he wasn’t sure whether he was impatient with that, exasperated or invigorated—because curiosity and women was a combination that didn’t occur in his life.
His dark eyes lazily fastened to her face, he summoned the same guy who had leapt to refill his glass and somehow managed to convey a request for menus without actually saying anything.
Kate watched this interplay between power and subservience, unsettled but fascinated.
‘I sincerely hope you’ve brought something else to wear tomorrow, Kate. It’s boiling here at this time of year...’
‘I’ll be fine,’ Kate said airily.
‘Sure? Because if you’ve brought those shorts of yours then feel free to wear them. They’d be far more appropriate, given the weather. The food here’s excellent,’ he carried on, as menus were placed in front of them. ‘I stayed here the last time I was in Toronto and I couldn’t fault the food. Or the service.’
‘They’re very obliging,’ Kate said politely. ‘I guess it’s the least you’d expect, considering what you’re probably paying...’
Alessandro grinned. ‘A bit like the service and the hot meals in the first-class lounge...? Touché...’
‘I don’t suppose you ever slum it...’
‘I try and avoid that. Why? Have I been missing out?’
At the prospect of another detour into a personal conversation she didn’t want—one she would have to manoeuvre through with the adroitness of someone walking in a minefield—Kate brought the talk firmly round to business and the reason why she was sitting opposite him in the first place. In a darkened bar. Knees practically touching under the table. Chilled wine in front of them. She inched her knees to one side and hoped he hadn’t noticed.
‘You mentioned in the car on the way here that there was something you wanted to talk to me about in connection with this job promotion...that’s why I’ve brought my tablet, as a matter of fact. I thought it might be an idea to make some notes on the various responsibilities I’ll be taking on board.’
‘Ah, down to business straight away...’
Kate reddened, resenting the way that simple observation made her feel instantly like a bore. A bore in a semi-suit.
‘Good idea. You’re right. We’ll probably both need our beauty sleep if tomorrow’s going to be a long day.’
Kate searched his face for typical Alessandro irony but he returned her gaze seriously. Not that she believed he needed to go to sleep at this hour. She doubted he needed much sleep at all. Maybe even none. He struck her as the sort of guy who could just keep going...and going...and going...taking the occasional power nap while the rest of the world collapsed, exhausted, in his wake.
And he’d be able to do that whilst still managing to look, frankly, drop-dead gorgeous.
They both ordered something light from the menu and then she nervously gulped down a generous mouthful of wine and looked to him to carry on the conversation. He didn’t.
‘Yes...’ she returned feebly at last. ‘So...’
‘So here’s the thing, Kate.’
He leaned forward, suddenly all business, and she inched back in the chair, taking the wine glass with her.
‘If you recall, I expressed some concern that you might find the hours attached to your new role a little tedious if you’re forced to do them...and that’s something we should clear up right here and right now before going any further...’
He really had the most amazing eyelashes. He hadn’t shaved, and there was a shadowy stubble on his chin that also looked pretty amazing.
Kate tore her eyes away from both those amazing features and focused on him with a slight frown.
‘There’s nothing to clear up,’ she told him crisply. ‘I have no problem working long hours, if required. I one hundred per cent realize that that’s all part and parcel of any job that entails responsibility.’
Alessandro made a non-committal sound under his breath and sat back, pushing his chair away from the table so that he could cross his legs. He looked at her long and thoughtfully.
‘What about your personal life? Not to put too fine a point on it, I wouldn’t like to find that I’ve promoted you and you’re not up to the challenge because there’s some guy in the background, waiting for you to return home to cook his dinner...’
