Georgia laughed as Sam kissed the air, before the screen went blank. She was still laughing when the hotel phone rang, nearly causing her to jump out of her skin.
‘Hello?’ She pressed the receiver to her ear.
‘Ms Montano, I’m calling on behalf of a Mr Luca Kaufmann.’
Her pulse ignited. ‘He’s in reception?’
‘He requested that you meet him in the lobby at your earliest convenience. He will be waiting at the bar.’
‘Thank you.’
She hung up the telephone and stared at the open wardrobe where she’d hung all her clothes. The little black dress was staring back at her, and despite her protests when Sam had told her to pack it, suddenly it felt like the most appropriate attire.
If he was only stopping by for a drink or to give her information, she could pretend she was dressed to go out elsewhere. But if he wanted to take her out for dinner? Then she would be perfectly dressed for the occasion.At least I hope I will be.
Fifteen minutes later, Georgia stepped out of the elevator and crossed the lobby to find Luca sitting with a drink in his hand. She hesitated, watching him, but he seemed to sense she was there and turned.
‘Georgia,’ he said, putting his drink down and standing.
She couldn’t help but notice the way his eyes danced down and then back up her body.Thank you, Sam. Georgia felt like a million dollars in her dress, with her long dark hair falling over her shoulders and a pair of black pumps on. She had a blazer caught over her arm, an excuse in case it became cold, but in reality she’d brought it down with her to slip on if she felt the dress was too much. But Luca was wearing a tailored suit withan open-necked shirt underneath, which made her pleased she’d dressed up instead of coming down in jeans.
‘It was presumptuous of me to think you wouldn’t already have plans,’ he said, leaning in to kiss her cheek. ‘Hopefully you can join me for a drink?’
Georgia nodded. ‘Of course. I don’t know anyone in Geneva other than you, so it’s nice to see a friendly face.’
Luca gestured for her to take the seat he’d been in, pulling another bar stool closer for himself. ‘What would you like to drink?’
‘What are you having?’
‘Well, I’ve just had a brandy.’ He grinned. ‘Tough day at the office, but I’m already starting to forget all about it.’
The way he smiled at her made her wonder if he was meaning thatshe’dmade him forget all about it, and she glanced away from the heat in his gaze.
‘Difficult customers?’ she asked.
‘You could say that,’ Luca said. ‘But tell me about your day. I would have come to see you sooner, but work got in the way.’
‘Well, I followed your instructions and visited the old town, and you were absolutely right about the architecture, it’s stunning.’
‘And you went somewhere nice for lunch?’
‘I did, to a charming café. Then I climbed the tower of St Pierre Cathedral, and the view was every bit as incredible as you said it would be, and then I explored the underground archaeological remains before I came back to the hotel.’
He sat back and studied her, grinning as he slowly shook his head. ‘You did all that, and yet somehow you’ve still managed to come down for drinks looking refreshed and beautiful, as if you’ve been resting all day.’
Georgia couldn’t help the blush that she knew was creeping across her cheeks, but she refused to acknowledgeher embarrassment. Usually, she would have fobbed off a compliment, but not tonight. She wasn’t going to let herself. ‘Thank you.’
‘Now, back to drinks,’ he said. ‘Shall we have a glass of champagne? To toast you being in Geneva?’
She smiled. ‘That sounds perfect to me.’
Once he’d ordered, he pulled his chair a little closer, and if she’d uncrossed her legs, it would have been impossible not to brush his knees with hers.
‘How long are you staying for again?’ Luca asked, his face suddenly serious.
‘I’m scheduled to leave on Tuesday morning, at this stage.’ She held her breath a second before asking, ‘Is that long enough?’
‘Long enough for us to unravel the mystery of the sapphire?’ He shook his head. ‘No.’
