Kim took a sip of her water. ‘It’s not actually that hard.But before you do anything major like find a premises or buy stock, first find yourself an accountant to have the company registered officially, and give you some advice on how best to plan things when it comes to paying taxes and stuff.’
Annie’s heart sank a little. She didn’t even know she had to consider that kind of thing. But she knew she could learn.
Then there was Colette. Her disarming naïvety, openness, and unbridled generosity were more than Annie had ever come across in a person, with the exception of Felicity, perhaps. The English girl was genuinely good-hearted, though a bit immature in her ways, to be fair.
She was hilarious, too, in the way she’d reacted to Luca’s attentions after the accident. ‘It’s just so weird …’ she confessed to Annie and Kim in the clinic that day, when Luca had slipped out to get her a fresh glass of water. ‘I just saw this gorgeous guy waving at me from the water, and yes, IthoughtI recognised him from the restaurant … But truly, I couldn’t be sure hewasactually waving at me, because, well … why would he? So I moved closer, and then, bam – next thing I know, I wake up here. Or at least I think I’ve woken up. Maybe it’s really all dream?’ she said, without a trace of irony. ‘Because it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve conjured up some drama or another in my mind. I had an imaginary friend growing up, you know …’ she rambled, sending Annie and Kim doubling up with laughter and considerable relief that their new friend was indeed OK.
Annie couldn’t wait to introduce the two of them to Harry.She was a bit disappointed not to see him at Music on the Rocks the second night she’d gone back there with Kim and Annie, but he’d reappeared a couple of nights later when she’d once again ventured down there on her own and this time, neither of them held back.
‘Well, hello there, handsome.’ Annie grinned when he came up alongside her at the bar. She’d spotted him as soon as she arrived. Gathered in the corner with his friends, and feeling his gaze on her while she strutted to the bar – decked out in a sexy red tassel dress and strappy silver heels – she knew it wouldn’t be long before she had company. ‘Got your dancing shoes on tonight?’
‘Depends on if I’ve got a dancing partner,’ he replied with a devilish wink that made her go weak at the knees. ‘Though from what I’ve already seen, I get the feeling you could teach me a few moves.’
Annie smiled, enjoying the open flirtation and the confident way he was pursuing her. ‘You better believe it.’
Back home, lads usually needed a fill of drink before awkwardly trying to cop off. Harry’s suave assurance made him all the more attractive.
They’d danced all night and since then had met up casually again a couple of nights, mostly in bars with his mates. But tonight he’d asked Annie if she’d meet him for dinner, just the two of them.
A sure sign that for him, things were heading beyond just casual. But Annie had kept him under wraps because she honestly wasn’t sure if it was just a holiday fling, or whether she was even that interested. And also because she was pretty certain that once he caught sight of Kim, she herself would be forgotten in an instant.
That happened a lot.
The American girl literally dripped with unbridled sensuality and, to be fair, didn’t even seem to realise that she was that hot. She certainly didn’t play on it, anyway. Annie was usually the one who ended up flirting and chatting to fellas on their nights out, while of course Colette wouldn’t say boo to a goose. It was funny, but also made her and Kim a little bit protective of her, she thought fondly.
Besides, Colette seemed to have found a new protector in the gorgeous Luca. Man, he was a fine thing. The kind of Italian stallion you dreamed about meeting when coming to a place like this. Annie grinned to herself, suspecting he was exactly that – pure stallion – in the sack, too. She definitely wouldn’t mind giving someone like him a go if the chance ever arose.
And speaking of which …
Annie licked her lips. She wondered if tonight would be the night she and Harry did the deed. God, she hoped so. The summer heat here, especially the balmy nights, made her horny as hell and she wouldn’t mind working off some of that sexual energy.
They were meeting at a traditional trattoria in town that he had chosen. Arriving at the restaurant, Annie followed the waitress down a short stairway and into a cavernous subterranean dining area.
Arches lined in pale orange brick stood overhead. Square tables lined the walls and the floor was laid in a burnt orange tile. Paintings of the Italian countryside adorned the walls and the tables were decorated in red-and-white check-patterned cloths.
So far, so touristy.
Harry was already waiting at the table and Annie could feel her cheeks rise in a smile as she laid eyes on him. No doubt, he was a fine thing, too.
His sandy blond hair stood slightly askew at the top of his head and she had to resist the urge to pat it down, but it looked so cute all the same, like a bold schoolboy. Instead of his usual rugby-style top or T-shirt, tonight he was wearing a smart blue shirt, but it was his cheeky smile that really got her.
No one had ever smiled at Annie like that. And no fella ever seemed that happy to see her until now.
Thank you for this trip, Felicity. It’s helped me more than you know.
‘Hey beautiful,’ he greeted as she approached, stepping out from behind the table to kiss her. His kisses were more intoxicating than any alcohol. It was as if he knew exactly how and where to move his lips so that Annie’s insides melted like butter.
‘Hello yourself, handsome,’ she replied jauntily.
‘Allow me.’ Harry pulled out her chair for her and she smiled at the gentlemanly gesture. She’d never had a man do anything like that for her in her entire life.
‘Thanks,’ she said with a smile, lowering herself into the chair.
‘I hope you don’t mind, but I ordered a bottle of red to get us started.’
Annie paused a little. She really should refuse, given her vow not to drink too much and risk losing the run of herself altogether by behaving like a lush in front of him. She wanted to say no, but the eager look on his face made her change her mind.
This was their first proper date, after all. She didn’t want to ruin it by coming across like a goody-two-shoes.
