Katrina Cudmore - Her First-Date Honeymoon

‘Yes.’

She stared back at the canal, a small grimace pulling on her mouth. ‘I can’t afford to stay there.’

‘I’ll take care of it.’

She stepped away from him before meeting his eye. ‘I said it last night—I’m not taking your money.’

‘I can appreciate how you feel. If it makes you happier, you can repay me some time in the future.’

‘No.’ Those hazel eyes sucked him in, dumped a whole load of guilt on his soul and spat him back out again.

‘I’ll make some calls myself—check the internet again. I’ll find somewhere suitable,’ she said.

This woman was starting to drive him crazy. He had had to use all his influence to secure her a room. He doubted she would find anywhere by herself.

‘I want to resolve this now. My event co-ordinator for the Chinese trip has gone into early labour. I’ll be tied up with organising all the final details for the visit for the rest of the day.’

She stepped back towards him, her crossed arms dropping to her sides. Concern flooded her eyes. ‘I hope she’ll be okay. How many weeks pregnant is she?’

He had no idea. It had been a sizeable bump. Once he had even seen a tiny foot kick hard against the extended bump during a meeting. It had been one of the most incredible things he had ever seen.

That image had haunted him for days afterwards. Catching him unawares in meetings, distracting his concentration. Bringing a hollow sensation to his chest, a tightness to his belly, knowing he would never see the first miraculous stirrings of his own child. Knowing he would never be a father. Knowing he would choose the empty feeling that came with that knowledge over the certain pain of letting someone into his life, of risking his heart in a relationship.

‘I’m not sure...eight months?’

Did she have to look at him so critically? Suddenly he felt he had to defend himself. ‘I asked for flowers to be sent to her.’

‘I don’t think flowers are allowed in hospitals these days. Anyway, I reckon flowers are the last thing on her mind right now.’ She threw him another critical stare before adding, ‘I hope she and her baby will be okay.’

Why, all of a sudden, was he the villain in all of this? ‘Of course I do too. My employees’ welfare is of great importance to me. It’s why they all receive a comprehensive healthcare package.’

‘I’m glad to hear it.’ Her tone didn’t match her words. Her tone implied he was a close relative of Wall Street’s Gordon Gekko.

‘About your accommodation...’

‘How long are your clients here for?’

Hadn’t she heard him? This conversation was supposed to be about her leaving. ‘Why do you ask?’

‘Have you someone to take over from your event planner?’

A tight dart of pain prodded his lower back. He stretched with a quick movement, but it brought little relief. ‘No. My event management team are already stretched, co-ordinating the upcoming spring/summer shows. Most of the team are already in New York, getting ready for the shows there.’

She pulled her lips between her teeth as if in thought. When they popped back out they formed an even fuller pout, had turned a more sensual red than usual. Emphasising their cupid’s bow shape. She had a beautiful mouth...

A sudden urge to take her in his arms and taste those lips gripped him. Maybe he was more stressed than he’d realised?

* * *

Emma’s mind whirled. Could she drum up the courage to suggest she take over the event planner’s role? Work for Matteo Vieri? Without question it was what every ambitious marketing assistant dreamt of. She should be genuflecting right now in front of this business legend; this marketing genius, instead of deliberately trying to antagonise him. What was that about?

A niggling thought told her that not only was she trying in vain to ignore how attracted she was to him—especially when he openly stared at her with interest, as he was doing right now, with particular attention focused on her mouth—but that it would hurt to have another person reject her. Which, rationally, she knew was crazy. They barely knew each other. But even after so many rejections it still hurt when others turned her away.

Working for him would be the kick-start her career needed. Even a week of working with him would open doors for her.

But she was a mess.

She had come to Venice to heal and to get her game plan together. She felt hollow and abused. She was in no position to deliver the best performance of her career.

A mocking voice echoed in her head. You said you were going to toughen up. Time for action and a lot less talk.

And having a purpose, being busy, might stop the stream of guilt and sadness that was constantly threatening to break through her defences—defences of shock and numbness, of a determination to tough it out. Being in control, having a structure to her days, was what she needed.

She spoke before she had time to talk herself out of it. ‘I’ll do it.’

His gaze moved from her lips to her eyes. Very slowly. So slowly that time seemed to stand still while her cheeks spontaneously combusted.

‘You?’

Did he have to sound so appalled by her proposal?

‘In my role at the fashion college I often helped pull events together—from the graduation show to organising the visits of academics and sponsors. Last year I co-ordinated the visit of some members of a faculty from a Chinese fashion college. I’m in need of a place to stay...you need an event co-ordinator.’

‘But you’re on holiday.’

‘My career is more important. I’ll be frank: having the Vieri name on my CV will be priceless.’

He seemed to be considering her proposal. For a moment hope danced before her eyes. But then he cut that hope off at the legs with a single determined shake of that movie-star-meets-roman-emperor head.

‘It’s not a good idea.’

‘Why?’

‘This trip is of critical importance to my companies. The delegation is coming to negotiate contracts which would see the large-scale expansion of our product placements in China’s most prestigious department stores. Nothing can go wrong.’

For a moment she considered backing down, admitting that she was probably the wrong person for the job. But she had to believe in herself.

‘You can brief me on it this morning, and then I’ll liaise with the travel agents and hotels involved. I’ll also double-check that all the protocols involved with hosting Chinese guests are followed. If there are any issues I will notify you immediately.’

He leaned one hip against the balcony and folded his arms. ‘It’s not a nine-to-five position. You would need to attend all the scheduled events with me.’

‘That’s no problem.’

Those brown eyes darkened. ‘We will be working closely together.’

‘That’s fine.’

Liar! Why is your belly dancing with giddiness if that is the case?

‘Please understand I never mix business with pleasure.’

Why was he telling her that? Was her attraction to him so obvious?

‘Of course. Exactly my sentiments.’ She took a deep swallow and forced herself to ask, ‘So, can I have the job?’

‘Tell me why I should give it to you.’

This would be so much easier if he wasn’t so gorgeous—if he wasn’t so self-assured, so ice-cool.

‘I will work myself to the bone for you because I have so much to prove. To you—but especially to myself.’

He stared at her as though she was a discount store garment made of polyester. It looked as if she would be packing soon. A heavy sensation sat on her chest—embarrassment, disappointment.

‘As I’m stuck, I’ll let you take on the position—but any mishaps and you’re gone.’

His scowl told her he wasn’t joking. Her ankle and heart began to throb in unison.