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Her fingers gripped the spoon Sheto Banff three years ago No more Mariella Mariella had been scared and obedient and faceless She hadn’t been a person at all

“I go by Mari Or youme Ms Ross” She didn’t even attempt to keep the cool out of her voice

Luca split a scone and buttered it “Mariella is a lovely Italian name It means beloved”

“I knohat it means”

Undaunted, he continued “It was also randmother’s name”

Mari sed a mouthful of coffee too fast and it burned all the way down her throat His grandht now; it didn’t even register on her radar She was Mari, er of a four-star resort and she’d had to leave a lot of pain behind to get here Mariella reet How many times had her mother told her about her father’s so-called family? The family she’d never known?

A family she never would know Not now It was just one of the aps in her childhood

“Mr Fiori…” At his raised eyebrow she reluctantly amended, “Luca, I don’t mean to sound impolite, but you are here as a representative of Fiori Resorts, here to evaluate your latest acquisition My first nain the tour now”

Luca took another bite of scone and considered how to answer The general er was a prickly sort, but pretty And he did enjoy a challenge “And et to the rest In time”

He sipped his coffee thoughtfully, letting his eyes roaant twist, not a hair out of place She had great legs, but she hid them beneath a conservative navy skirt and coave newto the words “power suit” Even her shoes…dio ht Her shoes were plain, unadorned navy pue that screamed “stay away”

Until she finally looked into his eyes, and then he knew

Hers were stunning, nothing at all like the cold, efficient package she presented They were gray-blue and s a lifetime of secrets

“Mariella…” He let his voice soften and was gratified to see her turn those eyes on hie This was unvarnished curiosity, soenerally happy to skih for any wo in Mari’s eyes that drew hi to be solved