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Francesca looked at hi on behind the polite words

‘I have co her back her papers and pointedly looking at his watch A man on thedown amemory lane He stood up and left sufficient money on the table toher protests as she stuffed the papers back into her bag He likewise ignored the businesslike outstretched hand as she half rose to her feet

‘That’s okay,’ she said quickly ‘I understand Neither of us expected…Good luck with your wedding’

‘You have the job’

It took a few seconds for what he’d said to sink in, during which time Francesca stared at him in blank amazement ‘What?’ she stammered

‘You heardfrom me within the next week’

‘But I don’t want the job!’

Angelo paused to focus all his attention on her ‘Reason being?’ he asked softly

‘Reason being that we used to be lovers, Angelo! We can be adult and have a conversation because we have no choice, but there’s no way that I’m prepared to work for you! It would be…a joke! And how do you i that the wo is her husband’s ex-lover?’

‘I aina be aware of the fact that once, years ago, we had a fling? It is an irrelevance I a you on the basis of the fact that I like your menu’ He didn’t bother to pretend to himself that this excuse was even close to the truth He had only to choose a caterer, order thee Money alwayshe had in bucket loads No, he wanted to cure hi wound caused by her treachery He wanted to still his raging e that he had been used like a plaything while she cavorted with another man behind his back He wanted her in a position froe

‘I don’t want the job Thanks all the same’

‘I don’t believe I offered you a choice’

Their eyes clashed and Francesca refused to look away ‘And what influence do you have over what I decide to do, Angelo? Are you going to throw eon soh of disbelief ‘We’re not living in the Middle Ages and you’re not et by without this job just nicely!’

‘Can you, though?’ Heit over ‘Really, I have found that London is a very serated helpless shrug that left her in no doubt as to the implication of his threat ‘I mean, hoould it seem to prospective clients were they to know that you had turned down the job of a lifetime because you were afraid that you would not be up to the task?’

‘You wouldn’t’ But the colour had left her face He would He would destroy what she had built up because once upon a tio It was an insane reaction, but she knew that underneath that highly sophisticated exterior he was all Italian It hat made him so potently attractive—the passion behind the steely self-control She felt faint

‘Ito take the chance? To lose what you have? Your boyfriend works with you, which I assu his future as well as your own—’

‘Why? Just to even old scores? Is that it, Angelo?’

‘A concept as old as the Bible,’ he mused ‘But I also like what you have to offer Why do you think I chose to interview you in the first place? Georgina said that you were a horse with little more than an outside chance You should be flattered Now, I really should be going I have a business engagement later and I expect you ant to hurry ho over preparations with your…partner, hmm?’