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She was shown to the best table in the room She took her seat with surprise, looked outside at the ht She hadn’t asked for this particular table; it was one usually reserved for guests requesting so of theuest waiting for it

She sipped her drink and waited By ten past six her toes had joined her nails, tapping with impatience Only to stop abruptly when he stepped in the room

God, he was beautiful She could admit it when he was a room away from her and they weren’t ely sexy in black trousers and a white shirt She shook her head, sighing It was one of those tailored shirts that wasup to broad shoulders One hand slid casually into his pocket in a gesture she so to the hostess at the front, and the two of thehed

Luca Fiori was every woman’s dream Everyone’s but hers Dreams like that simply didn’t last But it didn’t e It was a lovely package And for a very quickwasn’t a luxury she afforded herself But looking at Luca, with his bronzed skin and easy smile, she wished she kne to be that free To be able to accept, and to give

He approached the table with an easy stride “I’ht up in e-mails my father sent and lost track of time”

She pursed her lips, determined not to let him off easily, but he leaned over and pressed an infor to her cheek

She froze

Seely unaware of her reaction, Luca took the chair across from her “You look beautiful Have you ordered?”

Beautiful? Her? She’d gone hoe and feed Tom a wardrobe change Gone was the tailored charcoal trouser suit she’d picked and in its place was her generic little black dress—si fitted sleeves and with a he just above the knee

It wasn’t as businesslike as she’d have preferred, but it worked and while classy there wasn’t ue as easily as assurances

“Thank you, and no, I was enjoying a drink and the led than she felt

A recent jazz CD played over the speakers She hadn’t paid it a whit of attention but needed to cover It was beco clear that Luca was a toucher He was coestures like polite kisses and hand clasps It should help, knowing they were impersonal, but Mari knew she could never be that tactile with people It was simply too difficult Yet to explain was unthinkable She’d just have to h