Undressed by the Billionaire. Susanne James

Ethan’s life would go flat now. And she hadn’t been much of a challenge for him, had she? Savannah reflected, remembering she’d practically begged Ethan to make love to her.

      His phone rang and he had to turn away to take the call. ‘Will you excuse me?’ he said politely.

      Savannah waited.

      ‘The England manager,’ Ethan revealed, sounding pleased. ‘The boys won their match and would like to come over for a celebration.’

      ‘Oh, that’s great news!’

      He looked at her sternly. ‘I was about to say, but—’

      ‘But what?’ Savannah cut in again.

      ‘But, in case you hadn’t noticed, I don’t do entertaining.’ Having slipped the phone into the pocket of his shirt, Ethan started walking back towards the palazzo.

      ‘But I do,’ Savannah called after him recklessly.

      ‘You do what?’

      Ethan stopped so abruptly, she almost ran into him again. ‘I do entertaining,’ Savannah explained, staying a safe distance away. ‘In fact, I love entertaining.’ The prospect of humiliation was very real, seeing as she was supposed to be leaving the palazzo, not arranging a party for Ethan. But what did she have to lose? ‘So, if you need a hostess, you’ve got one.’

      ‘No.’ Ethan quickened his step.

      ‘No?’ Prompted into action, Savannah ran after him. ‘Why not?’

      ‘For the obvious reasons.’

      ‘What obvious reasons? Ethan, please, just wait and listen to me.’

      ‘I said no, Savannah. Thank you for the offer, but there isn’t going to be a party here. Half the palazzo is shut up. It hasn’t seen the light of day since I bought it.’

      ‘Well, what a good excuse to open it up. It can be done, Ethan, just like my room.’

      Shaking his head, he strode away from her. ‘I’ve got business appointments.’

      ‘I could handle everything for you.’

      ‘You?’ He didn’t break stride as he headed back towards the palazzo.

      ‘Yes, me,’ Savannah said patiently, scurrying along at his side.

      ‘The boys can come over for a quiet kitchen-supper.’

      She felt like punching the air.

      ‘But I don’t do celebrations.’

      ‘There’s always a first time.’

      ‘That’s a popular misconception put about by an optimist,’ Ethan informed her, speeding up again.

      ‘You wouldn’t even have to be there,’ Savannah added hastily, forced to run to keep up as they crossed the courtyard. ‘Unless you wanted to be there, of course,’ she added, seeing Ethan’s expression darken.

      ‘If I agree to anything at all, it will be a quiet meal organised by my staff. And an early night for everyone,’ he told her sternly, reaching for the door.

      ‘Oh … I’m sure the squad will enjoy that.’ Savannah pulled a face Ethan couldn’t see as he lifted the latch on the big wooden door that led through to the utility rooms at the back of the palazzo.

      ‘So, what are you saying?’ He swung round to confront her. ‘You want to stay another night?’

      It would have been nice if he’d wanted her to. She swallowed her pride. ‘If it would help you, yes; I’m prepared to do that.’

      Ethan’s hum told her nothing, his expression even less, but she wasn’t done yet. This was one straw she wasn’t going to lose her grip on. ‘You helped me. I’d like to help you.’ She gave a nonchalant shrug. ‘It’s the least I can do.’

      The very least.