The Italian's Virgin Acquisition

‘It is a valid concern in this shifting employment market,’ Poppy said. ‘So many companies are doing it and it means less jobs now and in the future. Labour forces around the world are going to suffer.’

‘I know. But I have no intention of offloading our loyal employees like yesterday’s garbage. There are other measures that can be taken to lower operational costs and I intend to implement those first.’

‘Give your grandfather time. I’m sure it’s not easy for him to think about retiring after so many years in charge. But I’m sure you’ll do right by everyone.’

‘You are?’

‘Don’t look so surprised,’ she said. ‘You’ve done right by me so far.’ Which was a surprise in itself, given her earlier experiences of human nature. ‘You’re a good person. I wasn’t so sure of it at first.’

‘I would never have guessed,’ he said dryly.

Poppy chuckled. ‘It’s not totally my fault. You weren’t very approachable that first morning, and then you were extremely pushy.’ She glanced at him over the top of her mug. ‘I also thought you wanted to take over your family business to increase your net worth, but I was wrong to judge you when I didn’t really know you.’

‘Don’t make me out to be more than I am, Poppy,’ he said gruffly. ‘I’m nobody’s hero.’

Poppy tilted her head, smoothing down her ponytail as it caught in the wind again. ‘Are you afraid I’ll fall for you?’ She smiled easily, but the pulse in her throat had picked up speed and she was very much afraid Sebastiano had noticed it. ‘I promise you, I won’t. I’m innately sensible, and besides...’ She glanced out to sea. ‘I’m not looking for love either.’

‘Why not?’ Sebastiano spun the wheel and deftly manoeuvred the yacht towards the family’s private jetty.

Poppy shrugged. ‘I have Simon to take care of and he’s at that difficult teenager stage where he needs someone solid in his life to show him the way. I’ve seen what happens to kids without direction and I don’t want that to happen to him. On top of that, I really don’t have time. Between work, Simon and study, I’m done in most days.’

‘A man could help ease your load.’

‘He could also add to it.’ She shuddered. ‘I’ve worked out how to get by on my own and I like it.’ She looked at him a little self-consciously. ‘Boy, conversations with you get personal quickly.’ She stepped away from him lightly. ‘What time are we heading back to London tomorrow? I have to let Simon and Maryann know.’

As the yacht docked, two burly men moved forward to secure the ropes Sebastiano threw to them.

‘I’ll tell my grandparents we’ll have to leave mid-morning, if that suits you.’

‘Yes. Thanks.’

A small bubble inside her burst at his easy acceptance of the end to their weekend and she told herself not to be silly. Only naïve women fell for men like Sebastiano Castiglione and she’d let go of naïve a long time ago.

Coming above board, Giuseppe waited to help Nicolette and Evelina down the gangplank. Without asking, Sebastiano held out his hand to Poppy. Before letting her go to follow the others up the stone pathway, he turned her towards him.

Wondering if he was going to kiss her, she didn’t realise she had held her breath until he started talking.

‘I wanted to thank you for giving my grandparents a gift.’

‘Oh.’ She touched her hair self-consciously. ‘That’s okay. It was very small, and it is their anniversary.’

‘It meant a lot.’

‘Okay, well...’ Too aware of her hand still caught in his, Poppy tried to tug it free.

‘One more thing.’ He held her firm. ‘At the risk of putting you off-side again, I asked Giulietta to organise something for you to wear tonight. And, before you refuse and tell me you don’t need anything, it didn’t cost me a thing.’

Poppy could see that he was expecting her to argue, but truthfully she had already worn the only dress that might have been remotely appropriate to dinner last night. Refusing another of his offerings because of pride would just be petulant. ‘Thank you,’ she murmured, smiling widely at the bemused expression on his face.

He blinked down at her. ‘Any time, intern.’

CHAPTER NINE

POPPY STARED AT her reflection in the mirror. She was wearing a flowing halter-neck silver gown with matching stilettos that made her feel like a movie star.

She had found the gown hanging in the closet when she’d returned upstairs and even if she hadn’t already agreed there was not enough pride in the world to stop her from wearing it.