Falling for Her Billionaire Boss

If she thanked him for the painting now, she’d probably make a complete fool of herself and say something sentimental.

She had to keep her head. One day soon Luca would be gone. She’d get over her feelings. She’d be fine. She’d look back on it all as a beautiful time.

Mari stepped into the lobby, her eyes taking in the changes that were ongoing. The lobby was, for all intents and purposes, operating in half its usual square footage while the other half went under its transformation. Even though they’d cordoned off the area being worked on, there was still mess and disorder, and she wondered if it would have been better to close the hotel for a few months. On the other hand, she looked at the staff. They were doing a fantastic job of adjusting. More than one had mentioned to her how excited they were

to be able to take part in it all. And while she’d felt duty-bound to try to keep a check on the plans, she could admit to herself that Luca had been right. He was good at his job. The hotel was going to be stunning when it was completed.

But as she turned, she caught sight of a man at the abbreviated reception desk. Something about him twigged Mari. She couldn’t pinpoint it, but a cold feeling of uneasiness swept through her. Colleen, the employee behind the desk, had a smile pasted on her face but Mari could tell it was forced. The man gestured with his hands and Mari heard his raised voice carry across the lobby, over the construction noise.

It was her job to deal with this sort of thing, no matter how distasteful. She gave her shoulders one last roll, put on her friendliest smile, and went forward.

“Good afternoon, and welcome to The Fiori Cascade. Is there some way I can be of assistance?”

Colleen’s taut cheeks relaxed a bit. “Good afternoon, Ms. Ross. I was just explaining to Mr. Reilly that we’ve adjusted his reservation to a room on the third floor. Due to the renovations.”

Mr. Reilly was not appeased. “And I was telling her” —he turned his back on Colleen altogether— “that arrangement is completely unacceptable.”

Mari clenched her teeth. He had presented his back to Colleen, the slight deliberate and rude. But he was their guest and he had been inconvenienced. It was her job to smooth ruffled feathers. “I’m the manager here, perhaps I can be of help. You were booked in which room?”

“The Primrose,” Colleen supplied over his shoulder.

Mari kept the warm smile in place. The Primrose Room was one of their best, and it was also non-existent now. “I’m afraid the room you originally booked is now involved in extensive renovations. To compensate you, Mr. Reilly, we can accommodate you in a third-floor executive suite at the charge of a superior room. I’m sure you’ll find the room more than satisfactory. Our executive suites feature a graciously sized—”

“I reserved this room three months ago and it’s the room I’ll have,” he interrupted sharply. “I don’t want a suite on the third floor. I want the Primrose.”

Mari breathed in measured breaths. Everything about Reilly was pushing her buttons, from his rudeness to his sense of entitlement to the belligerent tone of voice.

“And I’m very sorry it’s impossible, as the room is part of our upgrading.” She tried a smile, hoping to appeal to his common sense. “Presently the room is full of plywood and power tools. As manager here, I do apologize on behalf of the hotel and will be more than happy to move you to the suite and also include breakfast each morning. I assure you, Mr. Reilly, our executive suites are beyond compare.” Her voice came out warm and confident, but inside she was trembling, hating the confrontation.

She tried to remember the exercises. It went against everything she’d learned growing up. That to stay silent meant to stay safe. It was her job to talk to him. Yet for a moment she became the girl huddled in a corner hoping to be left alone.

She looked over his shoulder at Colleen. “You’ll see to it, Colleen?”

“Yes, Ms. Ross.”

Mari aimed a parting smile at him and took two steps away.

“You think that’s good enough, you’re mistaken, Missy. Don’t you walk away from me!”

A heavy hand reached out and gripped her wrist painfully, jerking her back, and she yelped before she could think better of it. Her eyes closed, waiting for what would come next, the sound of Colleen’s shocked gasped vibrating through her. She stilled. It was only worse when she showed pain or fear.

“Is there a problem here?”

Mari gazed up at Luca, wanting to weep with gratitude. Luca, eyes dark with fury, glared like an avenging angel at the man holding her arm. She’d never been so glad to see someone in all her life.

“Nothing I can’t handle,” the man sneered, giving her wrist an extra squeeze. Mari couldn’t help the wince that flickered over her face, and instantly saw a muscle in Luca’s jaw twitch in response.

“I strongly suggest you release the lady’s arm.” He uttered the words softly, but the steely threat was unmistakable. When Reilly didn’t immediately comply, Luca’s voice was dangerously low. “While you still can.”

“We were just having a little disagreement, that’s all,” the man replied, looking disappointed at having to relinquish his hold on Mari. Now that her wrist was free, she rubbed it with her hand. She knew she should say something, but words refused to come. She stood dumbly, staring at Luca.

“Mari, are you all right?” He temporarily took his eyes off the man, the look of genuine concern reaching through the fear and touching her deep inside. Luca wouldn’t let anything happen to her. She nodded slightly and forced calm breaths. All she wanted was for Reilly to leave. To get him out of her sight.

“Perhaps I may be of some assistance,” Luca suggested tightly, his polite words laced with venom. Mari held her breath, hoping Luca didn’t resort to violence. Causing a scene was clearly what the man wanted. A chill ran over her body. She knew his kind. The kind that wanted to provoke a fight. Who thought physical power solved everything.

“And who might you be?”

“Luca Fiori. Owner of this hotel.”