‘I can stay for another drink.’
Raffaele grinned approvingly and Erin was cross with herself for reddening.
He got to her. She hated to admit that, even to herself, but the man got to her. Even though she never, ever showed it. She was utterly professional in her dealings with him, fully aware that anything else would be as good as signing a death warrant on her very, very well paid and very, very satisfying job.
The blue room was one of the smaller sitting rooms that led into an expansive conservatory and out to the back lawns which, by London standards, were ridiculously big.
‘So,’ Raffaele said, the second they reached the blue room, ‘what’s going on with you and the lawyer? Was that why you were hitting the bottle?’
He nodded to one of the sofas. Erin obligingly sat down and waited for him to join her—much as she didn’t particularly want to have him so close to her right now. She was fine sitting next to him, arm brushing arm, if they were poring over a report or looking at something on his computer, but in this setting…
Instead, though, he topped up their champagne glasses, then strolled over to the gleaming console by the window. He perched against it and looked at her with keen interest.
‘I beg your pardon?’ Erin said.
‘You and the lawyer. Something else I noticed. You can tell all, although I have to warn you that I’m not a fan of intra-office affairs…’
‘What are youtalking about, Raffaele?’
‘Colin. Grey suit…neat hair…good brain, I admit, but looks like his social life might revolve around dogs and long country walks in bad weather…’
‘There’s nothing going on between myself and Colin. And, by the way, that’s not a very nice description of him! He happens to be a lovely guy! Also,’ she spluttered furiously, ‘it would be none of your business anyway if Colin and I were dating!’
‘You both work for me.’
‘There would be no conflict of interest! And I don’t even know why we’re talking about this because…because…’ Erin gulped down a mouthful of champagne and then waved one hand in a dismissive, annoyed gesture.
‘Okay! It was simply an observation. I wouldn’t want my invaluable secretary to start hearing wedding bells and thinking babies.’
‘I don’t believe I’m hearing this. And not that it’s at all relevant, but I’m not the sort of woman who goes on one date with a man, hears wedding bells, thinks babies and immediately decides to hand in her resignation!’
‘Thought not,’ Raffaele said smugly. He sipped the champagne and walked towards her, sitting down and relaxing back on the sofa next to his PA.
She looked, he thought, a little ruffled but he was pretty sure that she was telling the truth. Not that it really was any of his business if there was anything going on between her and Colin. Co-workers were free to date one another. It was hardly as though Erin could clamber onto Colin’s shoulders to get a promotion or to be given any special treatment. The clambering on shoulders would have to be for a different reason entirely, he thought, slanting a wicked, sideways glance at her.
Still, he felt quietly satisfied that theyweren’tdating, or about to start dating. Was he possessive when it came to his prim and very proper secretary? Only, he decided, insofar as he didn’t want to lose her to any heady romantic nonsense. Who else could fill her shoes?
He looked at her for a few seconds through lowered lashes. He could understand Colin’s interest in her. Underneath the neatly groomed exterior, Erin Fisher was a lot sexier than first impressions seemed to suggest. Something about those calm, greeny hazel eyes, the silkiness of her poker-straight shoulder-length chestnut hair, the slightly cool expression, the surprisingly husky voice…and the fact that she did nothing to promote herself.
She could be as sensual as any woman a thousand times more overt.
He shifted and cleared his throat.
‘So onto the Archer business. Seems like there might be a prospect of another takeover in the offing although this one would be completely out of my comfort zone. Wouldn’t mind hearing your thoughts on it but nothing leaves this room. Understood?’
‘Before we get onto work, Raffaele, and I do wonder if we should stick to talking about another acquisition on Monday in the office…’
‘Those walls have ears. And, like I said, this is just something I’m toying with…’
‘Right. But I stayed behind because there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.’
Erin noted the way Raffaele stiffened, the way his eyes narrowed. ‘I’m not sure I like the tone of your voice. Tell me you’re not handing in your resignation.’
‘Why would I be handing in my resignation? What makes you say that?’
‘It’s not like you to pull me aside to have a word.’
Erin took a deep breath. Was she so predictable that deviating from business talk was something that might set off warning bells in his head? Yes, she was, because she was the employee with no personal life. She was one-dimensional. Maybe that was why he’d been so disconcerted to see Colin flirting with her.
