Jackie Braun - If the Ring Fits...

Rachel felt her creative juices begin to flow just thinking about it. She could picture the work area Tony was talking about. She liked it…with a little tweaking, of course. With a finger pressed to her lips, she turned in a semicircle.

Half to herself, she said, “I guess I could skimp on the master closet to free up more floor space.”

“Am I in your bedroom, signorina?”

Ridiculously, she felt her face heat as she watched Tony’s mouth curve. Oh, she knew that smile.

“Actually, you’re in my closet, right about where I was planning to put my shoes.”

He was undeterred.

“Do you have any stilettos, carina? In red perhaps?”

“Sorry. None.”

He made a tsking sound. “You need to buy some. They do wonderful things for a woman’s legs.”

“I’ll take that under advisement.”

“And now?” He stepped toward her, close enough that she could smell his cologne. “Where am I standing now?”

They were where her bed would be. When she said nothing, Tony chuckled softly. “You will look lovely here in the morning light.”

The air backed up in her lungs. It took a moment, but she managed to exhale. Pointing to the right, she said, “The bathroom.”

“Hmm?”

“The bathroom. It will go here.” She stepped to where the construction crew had already framed in the walls with two-by-fours.

Tony wasn’t smiling. In fact, he was frowning. “But there is not enough room here for a proper tub.”

“It will have a shower only,” Rachel agreed on a sigh. What woman didn’t like the indulgence of a long, languid soak?

“You are always welcome at my home. I have a big tub.” That sinful smile spread over his face once again when he added, “Big enough to accommodate two.”

He was just flirting, she reminded herself. He didn’t mean anything by the words. Even so, she wanted to be sure he understood one thing clearly. She didn’t condone cheating. Having been the one cheated on, she wasn’t about to turn around and become the other woman, even if Tony and Astrid weren’t married or, for all she knew, exclusive. She turned to face him and said pointedly, “Perhaps you should be inviting Astrid to join you, then.”

“Astrid.” He studied the ceiling a moment as if considering, then shook his head. “Astrid and I are no longer seeing one another.”

Rachel knew her mouth was gaping open, but it took her a moment to snap it closed after mumbling, “Oh.”

“Yes. Oh.” He tapped her nose.

Was he laughing at her? Rachel decided to concentrate on business. Did he still want the necklace? “Is this a recent development?”

“Not really. We said our official goodbyes in Stockholm.”

“But that was—”

“Prior to me returning to the States. Yes.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.” She flushed even though he hardly looked broken up about the relationship’s demise.

He didn’t shrug, but his words were the verbal equivalent when he said, “We enjoyed one another while it lasted, although never in my bathtub. These things happen.”

“Yes, they do.” Rachel’s tone was sharper than she intended.

This time, it was Tony who apologized. “That was an insensitive remark given your current circumstances.”

“At least you didn’t cheat on her,” Rachel replied without thinking.

“I never cheat, carina. Never.”

She wasn’t sure she believed him. Regardless, he wasn’t the sort of man who settled down. He was…the perfect rebound. She sucked in a breath and tried to shoo away the thought.

“Is everything all right?”

“Fine. I…I’m just surprised about the necklace. I assumed it was for a special occasion.”

“It is. A parting gift as well as a way to wish her luck with her career.”

“That’s very generous of you.” And no doubt it would ensure Astrid went on her way without any fuss or acrimony.

He did shrug this time. “I can afford to be generous. Because that is the case, women want things.”

Rachel frowned. “I’m offended on behalf of my gender.”

“Everyone wants something, carina.”

His level gaze left Rachel to wonder exactly what Tony wanted from her.

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