not?’
She held his gaze, looked directly into his eyes. She would not be intimidated by him. He might be used to getting his way in business, but so was she. He pressed his lips together in thought, the movement drawing her attention briefly, but quickly she regained her focus, refusing to allow the pull of attraction to him to cloud her mind. Confirming her suspicions of his blame for the accident would surely curb any misguided attraction she was experiencing.
‘It’s more than that, isn’t it, Charlotte?’ The firmness of his tone dissipated as he said each word until he caressed her name, sending a hot fizzing sensation racing over her. It was worse than when he’d called her Charlie.
It was soft yet insanely hot, but she couldn’t pay heed to that now. ‘I need to know something about the car if I am to promote and endorse it. You understand that, surely.’
He took a deep breath in and she watched his broad chest expand, waiting expectantly, holding her own breath.
‘I do but, given the circumstances, is it really wise?’ He looked up at her and she tasted defeat as his dark eyes hardened in determination. But defeat wasn’t on her agenda. She’d do this her way or not at all. How could he expect anything less when he’d been the one who’d let Seb get in the car, allowed him to drive it that night?
This was the only option. Her only chance to find out what had truly happened. At least then she might be able to move on from it. ‘Don’t worry—I won’t dissolve into a heap of female hysteria again.’
‘Maybe you should,’ he said and stepped closer to her—too close—but she wouldn’t move away. He must never know of the heat he fired within her, just from one look. Thankfully, he’d stopped his flirting of moments ago and had become more professional and she had to ensure it would stay that way.
‘No, it is past time for that. I intend to do what my father advised last week.’
‘And that is?’
‘To get back in the driving seat.’ She wouldn’t tell him just yet that was quite literally what she intended to do.
He raised his hand to his chin, his thumb and finger rasping over the hint of dark stubble, the sound tying her stomach in knots. She couldn’t listen to her body now, to the way it reacted just to being close to him, not that she really understood what it was asking of her. Heightened desire and intense awareness of a man was something she’d never experienced before.
Her previous relationships had been short-lived and unsuccessful. Back then, the breakdown of her parents’ marriage had still been too fresh in her mind. Those relationships had also been a long time ago. The mess her parents had made of their marriage had ensured that lifelong commitment wasn’t something she considered possible. There was no way she was going to expose herself to more hurt and humiliation.
‘I’m not convinced it is for the best, but if you are sure then so be it.’ He spoke slowly, his accent heavy, as he continued to watch her closely.
‘I am,’ she said quickly before he had a chance to change his mind. Before she too changed her mind.
‘Then we have a deal.’ He reached out his hand, the same one that had been thoughtfully touching his face, and she took it quickly, anxious to seal the deal.
‘We have a deal.’ Her words came out in a rush as a jolt shot up her arm, setting off sparks all over her body as if she’d become a firework. Her breathing almost stopped as his eyes locked with hers, his fingers clasped tightly around her hand, the warmth of his scorching hers.
‘Bene,’ he said firmly, so firmly it was obvious he didn’t feel any of the drama from touching her and she’d do well to remember that the next time he smiled at her as if she was the most beautiful woman in the world. He was flirting, just like all the men she’d known, including her father. And it was flirting which had destroyed her parents’ marriage, driving her mother into another man’s arms, tearing the family apart.
She closed the door on those thoughts. Now was not the time to become embroiled in them, not when she had the perfect opportunity to find out the truth of Seb’s last hours.
* * *
Alessandro held onto her hand and looked into her eyes. Did she feel it too? Was the same sizzle of passion creating havoc in her body? She regarded him with a steady gaze, her full lips pressed into a firm line. Evidently not. Her beautiful face was a mask of stone; not a trace of emotion there.
He should be pleased, grateful that the deal they’d just made wasn’t going to be overcomplicated by sex. His friendship with Seb and the promise he’d made when he was in hospital, hooked up to all sorts of machines, dictated this arrangement should be business only. At least with her cool demeanour it would be exactly that.
‘If it becomes too painful, too much, you must tell me.’ She frowned at him and pulled her hand free of his, ceasing the torment just that innocent touch had created within him.
‘It won’t.’ Those two words were so full of strength he didn’t doubt it for one moment.
‘You are very sure of that, considering you told me to leave only a short while ago.’ Was he trying to reassure himself or her?
‘You caught me off guard.’ She reached past him and gathered up their discarded coffee mugs and as she turned to wash them he couldn’t help but take another look at her curves, admire the womanly softness of them.
Enough.
Business. That was all it was—business. He also sensed that this was a woman who wouldn’t accept a no-strings-attached affair. He had, after all, become adept at avoiding such women since extricating himself from a marriage which should never have happened.
He shrugged his shoulders, trying to shake off the pulse of passion. ‘Then we shall travel to Milan today.’
‘We?’ Her eyes flew wide with shock.
‘I have much to do ahead of the launch and if you seriously want to learn more about the car it would be a good idea, no?’ He wondered at the wisdom of travelling with her when he found it hard to focus on much other than her glorious body.
‘I’m not packed or anything. I’ll travel out later. You’d better get back to your family.’
‘That will not be necessary.’ His voice was firm, perhaps a little too firm if the surprise on her face was anything to go by. ‘There isn’t anyone awaiting my arrival.’ Those days were over and if he had any sense it would stay that way.
He didn’t miss her raised brows, or the look of suppressed curiosity which crept into her eyes, and wanted to deflect any questions. ‘There are also plans for the weekend, with customers going to the test track to drive the demonstration car. Seb had been really excited about that, told me you’d be in your element there.’
‘But still,’ she said, her soft voice torturing his unexpected need for her, ‘I can make my own way there.’
Was she deliberately being difficult, provoking him to the point of frustration? ‘I have a plane waiting. We can be there before nightfall.’
She looked at him, doubt clouding her eyes, and a vice-like grip clutched at his chest. Seb had always spoken very protectively of his sister—and now he knew why. She was woman enough to bring out the protective streak in any man. For years he’d avoided any such sentiments, having had them destroyed by divorce. He was far from the right man to protect her and he wished he’d never made Seb any promises.
He couldn’t do this, couldn’t risk it. She was sweet temptation even though he knew she was off limits. He couldn’t do anything against Seb’s memory. This was Seb’s sister, the woman his friend had always wanted to protect. If he allowed this carnal need to take over, he would be failing in his promise to Seb. He wouldn’t be protecting her at all.
* * *
‘So what are you going to do while I pack?’ Charlie asked tersely, annoyed that