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‘Standby,’ she said to her boss.

And Stella knew she had to put things on standby too. Their private lives could not be discussed now. ‘They want to start filming.’ She tried to turn her head to work, to the film crew impatiently awaiting news. ‘Are you likely to fly off?’

Part of him wanted to. To just get back in the helicopter and head off and forget this nightmare.

This nightmare where she stood, even more beautiful than he’d remembered, but too late for him to adore.

Yet the lion in him roared and he would not simply back off.

Gabe chose not to leave.

‘I’m here for the night.’

‘So,’ Stella checked, ‘they’re good to go?’

He gave a curt nod and watched as she conveyed the news, his eyes refusing to drift down her body, not wanting the evidence of another’s touch on her.

Oh, Stella…how could you?

‘We need notice if you’re arriving or leaving.’

‘Very well—’ he nodded ‘—I’ll be sure to let someone know.’

‘Let me know,’ Stella said. ‘I’ll give you my number.’

‘I don’t want it.’

‘Then I’ll give you Daisy’s number.’ Though of course her pen was outside.

Gabe did not offer his. And Stella did not ask.

‘I’ll get her card for you.’

‘Good. Now, perhaps you can tell me where I can go in my own home?’

‘You agreed to this, Gabe.’ Her voice was a little shaky but gaining strength as she took him beyond the roped area. ‘It’s not as if you’ve returned home to find a wild party or squatters—you know there’s a film crew here. We’ll be finished up for the day soon…at least here.’ She swallowed. ‘Gabe, please, we do need to speak. There’s something you ought to know…’

He did not want to know, but he faced her head-on.

‘Are you staying at the hotel?’

‘I was, but they wanted me close for shooting, so they put us…’ She swallowed, worried she’d just outed herself and they could not have that conversation now, not here, not with him dark like this.

‘Us? Don’t tell me you’re staying here?’

She bit her lip, and he wished she wouldn’t because she looked as sexy as hell, and then she nervously nodded. ‘Yes.’

‘With your lover?’ Gabe sneered, and he cared not what any contract said, there was not a chance in hell he would accommodate her partner, but she just frowned.

‘What?’

‘Because I won’t be nice,’ he warned. ‘I will be polite with you, but never with him.’

‘Conte di Sant…’ she attempted.

‘Gabe!’ he barked, irrational and irritated. ‘Call me Gabe.’ Then he sighed and raked a hand through his black hair, knew he was being unfair.

Stella did not know how much this hurt. And, he vowed, nor would she.