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His voice left her in no doubt that that was the last thing he would consider doing There was laughter just below the surface and she flushed She uy frouy who actually paid her salary, but that was because of her own overactive iination

‘In that case,’ she said stiffly, ‘I think I’ll freshen uphave a bath’ She looked at hiht not be a better idea for us to continue our discussion aboutWhen we’re more alert’

‘It’s not even seven-thirty in the evening,’ Alessandro said drily ‘I think I’ we can both look forward to a fun-packed full day tracking down our adventurous crook So’ He looked at his Rolex and then back at her as she waited, ready to sprint to safety ‘I can either coet you in an hour, or so you can meet me in the bar downstairswhich would you rather?’

‘I’ll meet you,’ Kate muttered

‘Fine In an hour sharp’ He grinned ‘You can scuttle off and have your bath now’

Scuttle

Horrible word Scuttle was the sort of thing tier Aderous species—at least to her peace of mind—but she had never particularly considered herself a timid little creature

She had had to develop a tough streak just to get though uilelessly fla naivety when it caard for , Kate had also had to be on standby for her ot broken

In the fra timid was a luxury she had never been able to afford

But was that how Alessandro saw her? If so, wouldn’t that co the deal on any job pro important accounts and clients?

The clothes she had packed all fell into the category of timid When she had chosen what to take she had e—she was a working woht for those evenings that she had intended spending on her own, discovering the city at her own pace and without her challenging boss for company

Prospects on that particular front now looked anything but sunny Overcast with the threat of downpours ht be more like it

She took her ti at the size of the bathrooh, opted for a variation on the eternal suit The navy skirt was, like all her work skirts, knee-length, but instead of a white blouse she chose a red one And after a lot of hesitation decided against the bun—because she could already visualize those h at her expense

It took her a while to find the bar The hotel was enor areas Eventually, however, she was directed to one of the less casual bars, which here she expected he would be Relaxing over a whisky and soda and ae and his dismissal

Sure enough, he was there, nursing a drink, although it looked like wine instead of whisky

He glanced at her as soon as she began heading in his direction

He had changed out of his travelling gear into a pair of cream trousers, an open-necked pale shirt and some loafers He looked co her feel totally out of place

She had brought her tablet, which she placed on the table before sitting down

‘What’s that for?’

Alessandro poured her a glass of wine before she could tell hi

‘Have you decided that you’d rather watch a movie than talk to me?’

Instantly flustered, Kate adjusted the tablet and then sat back, hands on her lap ‘I thought I’d take notes on it rather than on paper,’ she told him

‘We’re having an informal chat’ Alessandro finished his wine, and before he could top up his glass so back into the background ‘I’ terms and conditions’

‘Yes, I know that But’

‘No matter If it makes you happy to busy yourself on a tablet then who aht we’d eat here It’s less formal than one of the hotel restaurants and it saves us the trouble of venturing out Unless you’d rather do a bit of city exploring? See what’s out there?’

He waited for a heated negative to that idea—which, predictably, he got

Did she ever let her hair down? he wondered Aside from when she was closeted away in her house, safe in her territory, where no one could see her? Unless they unexpectedly dropped by and refused to go aithout being invited inside What did she do for fun? Did she have any? Or was that an alien concept to be avoided at all costs?