The CEO, the Puppy and Me

“Wait. What?”

“It sounded like you were worried about being home alone with the dog, so I’ll work from home today. But this evening I have to go out.”

Her fine brows rose in question, but as though she’d caught herself, she glanced down at the pup. “And if I want to go out?”

He shrugged. “I’m not going to stop you.” Did she want him to? With most of the women in his past, they would have wanted him to make a fuss. But with Gia, he had the feeling she wasn’t the clingy type. She had other priorities on her mind. “You can come and go as you please. I’m just sticking around today to help you out.”

“You mean to help the dog.”

“Yeah, that too.”

She didn’t look too pleased with him. He wasn’t sure what he was saying wrong, but obviously it was something. The truth was, he wasn’t well-versed in making casual conversation with women. Sure, he had his share of dates, but they were usually out in public. And when they were alone, conversation hadn’t been foremost on his mind.

So maybe he was a bit rusty with what to say and do. Which was yet another reason he should go to the office. But he’d said he’d stay home today, and that was what he intended to do. Everything he needed to access for his dinner meeting could be done remotely.

Gia’s blue gaze met his. “Would you mind getting the door while I hold on to the puppy? I don’t want him jumping out of my arms.”

“Sure.” He hurried around the front of the car and opened her door for her. “Why don’t I show you inside, and then I’ll come back for the supplies?”

She nodded. “It has been a long day.”

“Did you just arrive in Lapri today?”

“Yes. It’s my first visit to the island. After checking in at the hotel, your uncle’s villa was my next stop.”

“Then you can get the puppy situated and rest while I take care of a few things.”

What was wrong with him? He didn’t normally play the congenial host—in fact, he didn’t play any sort of host. He didn’t like people invading his personal space. The only reason he had a housekeeper was because his dislike of cleaning surpassed his dislike of sharing his space.

It had actually worked out for him because Mrs. Rossi was excellent at her job. She cooked for him a couple of times a week, leaving the food in the fridge. And she was always gone before he returned from the office. Of course, that was because he would get lost in his work and forget the time until it was very late.

But having Gia and the puppy here was really going to take some adjusting for him. Still, it would give him a chance to disprove her belief that his uncle might be her father. Because Ric did not believe it. Not a chance.

Or was it that he didn’t want to believe it? As she passed him and entered the apartment, he inhaled the gentlest floral scent. It teased him, drawing him in for a closer, much deeper whiff. He resisted the urge. Barely.

CHAPTER FIVE

THIS WAS HIS HOME?

Gia stepped past the double doors into a streamlined modern apartment. It was like something straight out of the glossy pages of an architectural magazine. Everything was in its place. There were no decorations, absolutely nothing on the glass coffee table. White and red couch cushions didn’t have a wrinkle or indentation as they sat along the back of the black leather sofa. Trailing the edges of the very high ceiling was exposed ductwork. On one wall hung the biggest flat screen she’d ever seen.

The floors were a gray slate. And the puppy’s nails clicked as he danced in a circle, not sure where he should go. He wasn’t the only one that felt totally out of his element.

She’d thought her parents’ villa was fancy, but compared to this place with its industrial decor and lack of decorations, her parents’ home—erm, now her and her siblings’ home—was downright warm and cozy.

How did someone live like this? She wasn’t exactly a slob, but even her place wasn’t this clean and perfectly arranged. Perhaps this wasn’t his place. Maybe he was just borrowing it? Maybe it was part of a hotel suite plan. Yes, that sounded like a viable option.

“Make yourself at home,” her host said.

“Uh, thank you.” She wasn’t sure how to be at home when she felt as though the apartment was staged for a photo op. “Do you spend much time here?”

She shouldn’t have asked. It was none of her business. But curiosity was eating at her. She wasn’t sure how to make herself at home if he really was some sort of neat freak.

Please say it isn’t so.

“I spend a lot of time at the office. But I make it here at some point in the evening.”

“Really?” She bit back her bottom lip, hoping to hold in any other unwise comments.