Falling for Her Billionaire Boss

“About what happened in the attic.”

She looked away. “No, I don’t.”

“You were frightened. I want to know why.”

“I was not frightened. I happen to be claustrophobic.”

It was paltry and he saw through it. But he could not make her talk and he hardly knew her well enough to pry. Still…

“I did not realize that when I reached for your arm.”

Her hands remained flat on the blotter and she met his eyes coolly. “Luca, I am a person who does not like her personal space invaded. I’m not a touchy person. That’s all. I’m sorry if that is blunt, or rude.”

“It is honest, and I appreciate it. So it is not just me you don’t want to touch you, it is everyone.”

Her cheeks flamed. “That’s correct.”

“It’s nothing personal.”

She swallowed, and his gaze was drawn to the curve of her throat. Damn, it sure felt personal right now.

“Nothing personal,” she echoed weakly.

“I’m glad, because we will be working together closely, and it will be difficult if there is animosity between us.”

Animosity?

Mari swallowed and forced the cool, neutral expression to remain on her face. He had no idea about what had happened in the attic. How his words touched her, mirrored so many of her own emotions. How she’d suddenly felt strangled and had to get out.

He’d touched her.

She hated being touched. And when he’d gripped her elbow, something had shot through her that terrified her.

But it wasn’t memory. It was longing. Something she hadn’t felt for so long the very presence of it undid her. She liked the feel of his hand on her elbow, connecting them. Liked it so much she’d wanted to slide forward into his arms and let them surround her. Protect her.

She’d vowed no man would touch her ever again, and until now she’d never wanted one to. Oh, nothing made sense! She’d had to escape, pull herself together.

She risked a look up. He was watching her steadily and she knew there was something very personal between them, like it or not. Something she refused to acknowledge further than she already had. She wasn’t equipped for more than accepting there was a small level of attraction. Anything more would be pointless.

“I assure you, it has nothing to do with you.” And the bottom line was, it didn’t. It had to do with her and with Robert and that was all.

“Then I won’t take it personally. I merely wanted to be sure you were all right.”

“I am, and thank you for asking.”

When she smiled this time, it was without the frosty veneer. He had accepted wha

t she’d said with politeness and grace. She was touched that someone cared enough to be concerned about her. No one worried about her, because she’d reinvented her life that way. But without even knowing her, Luca seemed to care. It was unexpected, and though she suspected he’d hate the thought, it was sweet.

He stepped forward and laid the key on her desk. “I thought you might want this back.”

She left it where he’d placed it and he stepped away.

He was nearly to the door when he turned back. “Oh, and Mari, I’d like for you to sit in on the meeting with Dean once I’ve given him the tour and my initial ideas. We’ll work up a preliminary budget and tentative schedule, get the ball rolling so to speak, and that’s your forte. I also would like us to send out a joint memo before then to all the staff. Something to say that over the next months there will be changes and adjustments, but that no one will lose their position. That every effort will be made to make this as seamless as possible for both staff and guests. I keep my promises, Mari. I hope you remember that.”

He was keeping his word. It pleased her that he remembered. When she least expected it, he showed consideration to those around him. Perhaps he was more than she’d initially suspected. Perhaps the playboy from the glossy magazines had a little more substance than she’d given him credit for.

“I’ll draft one up today and email it to you.”