‘I’m sorry.’ She tensed in embarrassment and he stilled, sitting back. ‘I didn’t fall asleep on you, did I?’ Her breathing quickened. ‘Didn’t drool?’
He couldn’t smile as he shook his head. He wanted her sleeping on him. He wanted her drooling over him. Something had to change. If it weren’t for the promise he’d made George, he’d back out of the deal or sell on Scott Insurance—he had other, better targets on his list. But he couldn’t do that to the old guy. And he couldn’t let his loss of self-control force him into such drastic action.
* * *
The second they got to the hotel, he made a beeline for the concierge to ensure that their rooms were as far apart as possible. Different floors. He didn’t even want to know which floor hers was on. There was no need to make temptation all the more difficult to resist. He spoke in Italian, not wanting her to know how perilous his self-control was. Then he turned back to her and broke into English.
‘You have time for lunch and a rest before the first meeting this afternoon,’ he said curtly. ‘I will see you in the meeting room ten minutes ahead of the start time.’
He walked away before he saw the room key the receptionist handed to her. He went up to his room and stripped out of his suit. A shower wasn’t going to cut it. He’d go use the hotel pool and thrash out a few miles.
He was just setting down his towel at the back of the pool area when she walked in. She didn’t see him and he ducked behind a pillar—cursing his childishness—but he couldn’t be in this pool with her. Couldn’t bear to remember the last time they’d been in a body of water together. Yes, now his descent was complete. He washiding. Worse than that, he was now watching her like some sick voyeur. But he couldn’t actually move as she dropped her towel and walked to the edge of the pool.
A bikini. Blue. Heaven help him. He stared like some deranged stalker with no self-control as she slowly stepped down the stairs into the water. The image echoed the one from months ago—he remembered those exact slow steps she’d taken into the shallow edge of the pond. He remembered her laughing squeal at the temperature of the water.
She’d been naked that day, while that jaw-dropping bikini covered deeply personal parts now. But every inch of her body was so ingrained on his memory, he noted the subtle differences—her breasts seemed more full and her skin was so radiant, he could see her gleaming even from here. She was a willowy, tall blonde—more slender than curvaceous—only that wasn’t quite the case now. There was a softness about her, definitely a slight curve to her lower belly that hadn’t been there before. It was as if she’d blossomed like some goddess of fertility—all rich curves in deeply feminine places.
No, to coffee. Yes, to olives.
The thought hit randomly. Her differenttastes. Then another thought hit so hard, his brain halted entirely.
* * *
Phoebe really needed to get a grip. She had no idea how she’d endured that flight—having him so near, breathing in his scent, feeling his warmth. She’d had to turn away, close her eyes and feign sleep. Until she’d suddenly and completely fallen asleep—that terrible exhaustion overtaking her again. But then he’d woken her and her heart had taken a hammering again. He’d been so close and so careful, yet she’d been certain he’d wanted to kiss her…
And now, to be back on Italian soil back beside Edo was shockingly thrilling. But he couldn’t get away from her fast enough. She’d hoped the swim would siphon some of her excess energy, but she still feltwired. She went back to her room to shower and prepare for the meetings this afternoon. She’d been back only a moment when there was a peremptory knock on her door. She frowned. She’d not ordered room service and she wasn’t due to meet Edo for another hour. She checked the peep hole. Stood back from the door and took a breath.
He knocked again. ‘I know you’re in there, Phoebe, open up.’
She opened the door fractionally and glared at him stiffly. ‘What do you want?’
They were not on work time and she couldn’t muster cool politeness this second, especially when she was clad only in a bikini and a towel.
‘Can I come in?’ he asked bluntly.
She hesitated. It was too intimate. ‘I’m not dressed for company.’
‘Please, Phoebe. It’s important.’
The hard light in his eyes told her he meant it. What had happened to the ‘public meetings with other people present’ rule? But she stepped back, tightening her grip on the towel. ‘Is something wrong?’
‘Maybe, I’m not sure.’ He stood in the centre of her small room.
He dwarfed the space and she became horribly conscious that her bed was only a foot away from him. She braced by the door and waited for him to elaborate.
An irritated expression flickered on his face as he turned away from the bed. ‘This room is tiny.’
It was undeniably small, had a dingy view of the car park and was situated a little too close to the gym, so there was a lot of foot traffic. But she’d refused to be disappointed. She was back in Italy on a free trip. But she bet he wasn’t in a shoe-box-sized room with sound-proofing issues.
He frowned as a loud ding sounded in the room. ‘You’re too near the lift.’
She stared as he rubbed the back of his neck and suddenly cursed.
‘Edo—’
‘Is there any chance you’re pregnant?’ he suddenly growled.
She reeled and took a step back. ‘What?’
