Hired:The Italian's Bride

But she’d have to go back to the hotel with Luca and the thought of walking back through the lobby with him and a picnic basket sent quivers through her stomach. They didn’t need rumors circulating amongst the staff. Even over something as innocent as a picnic. She desperately needed to put the tone back to business.

“We could do a variation on a winter picnic. Soup in a thermal container, bread and cheese, hot cocoa and a dessert.”

Luca grabbed the basket and began repacking the dishes she’d gathered into the basket. “That’s brilliant. We can adjust it and make it seasonal. The Rocky Mountains in winter. See, I knew you’d catch on.”

Maybe to the concept, but definitely not the execution. Falling in love and being romanced was fine for some people, but not for her. Not anymore. She looked over at Luca’s profile as he wrapped the now-empty wineglasses in linens to keep them safe. Never would she let someone take over her life so much that it wasn’t hers anymore. She wouldn’t give anyone that much control ever again.

It was just as well Luca was only here for a few weeks, certainly he’d be gone by the new year. In a way that made him safe, too. Any attraction she felt wouldn’t matter. She wouldn’t have to worry about feelings deepening and things being awkward. She just had to hold out until he was gone and she could get the life she’d built back. Her safe life. A life where no one had the power to hurt her again.

“Why don’t you take the rest of the afternoon off?”

Luca stood, holding the basket. Mari hopped up, grabbing the blanket and folding it into an imprecise square. It was tempting. But her car was still at the hotel and she’d dallied enough today. There was still work to be done and she didn’t want to take advantage. It was important for her to end the day with their work relationship at the fore, not the lazy intimacy of the picnic.

“Thanks for the offer, but my car’s still there anyway.”

They walked back down the hill, Tommy trotting happily ahead. The stress headache that had been lurking behind her eyes was completely gone. Perhaps Luca was right. She did need to relax more. She certainly had relaxed with him. Perhaps too much.

“I’ll be back in a few moments,” she murmured as they reached the cottage. She put Tommy in the house and checked his water bowl before locking the door and leaving again.

Charlie drove up and opened the door for her. Luca got in again, and her eyes were drawn to how the fabric of his trousers hugged his thigh. As the car pulled away and back down the mountain, she leaned back and studied him without being obvious. He wore his clothes like he belonged in them. He was at ease, comfortable with himself, and it came across as confidence. She blinked slowly, wishing she had that sort of self-assurance. She agonized over every piece of her wardrobe, yet he seemed so at home in whatever he wore, whether it was jeans and a T-shirt, or dress trousers with his trendy shirts. She imagined he’d be equally handsome in evening wear. Looking like she’d imagined earlier. A picnic like today, then an elegant dinner, only it wasn’t guests she envisioned but the two of them. Stepping out on their dance floor, with her on his arm…

“We’re here.”

Mari heard the words but the fabric against her cheek was soft and warm. She snuggled into it further.

“Mari, I hate to wake you but we can’t sit in the car forever.”

The voice intruded again and she realized it was Luca. Then she realized she was leaned against the breadth of his arm. It was wider and stronger than she’d anticipated. And his scent came through with each slow breath.

She sat up abruptly, putting distance between them. Her last thought had been of him dressed in a tuxedo. Now she was intimately couched in the back seat of a luxury car with him. She edged over further. “I fell asleep.”

His smile was lazy, indulgent. “You did. Almost as soon as the car began to move.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s perfectly all right.”

Embarrassment flamed in her face. “But it’s an eight-minute drive from my place.”

“Obviously you were tired. And relaxed. Shall we?”

Charlie had opened the door with a bland look on his face.

She got out into the refreshing mountain air, its bite going a long way to clearing her head. Luca said something to Charlie and then he touched her elbow and they walked toward the lobby doors together. Just before they reached the entrance, Luca quipped, “Don’t let it get around that my company put you to sleep. I have a reputation to uphold.”

As she let out an unexpected splutter of laughter, he opened the door and held it as she passed through. He followed her in, both of them chuckling.