Hired:The Italian's Bride

He typed back: I will speak to Gina and the manager in Paris. I will come as soon as I can. But my priority is here.

He signed off and hit Send, then sat back in his chair, rubbing a hand over his mouth. Dio, there was more truth in that last line than he’d truly meant. It wasn’t just the Cascade that was his priority, though he did consider it his “baby.” But it was Mari. She was important.

But what did he want? He’d wanted his own place at Fiori for a very long time. But did what he want match with what Mari wanted? Hardly. Mari wanted the fairy tale, and he didn’t believe in them. The best thing he could do for her was make sure she kept her feet on the ground and leave the running of the Cascade in her capable hands. It wouldn’t be enough for him, but it would be enough for her. Ambition wasn’t Mari’s goal, he got that now. She was after something more substantial. She’d built a life; she wanted stability, not adventure. It was odd how the idea appealed to him, especially today. Normally he’d be thrilled to go to Paris; it was one of his favorite cities. Now it felt like an imposition, because he was being ordered to go.

And even though he’d sent his response, he knew he had to leave. Someone from the company had to put in an appearance. He wasn’t clear on what was wrong with Gina, but he knew his father would be putting her first. So it was up to Luca to take care of business.

Yet…how could he possibly say goodbye to Mari now?

“The Panorama Room is completed. Have you seen it?”

Mari stopped by his desk. Something was distracting Luca and she didn’t know what it was. She fiddled with a pen on the top of his blotter. “No, I haven’t made it there today.”

Ever since their night together, she’d made sure she kept her distance. It was clear that Luca cared for her. He wouldn’t have acted so kindly, so gently, if he hadn’t cared a little. But she also knew her past was a lot to take on, and their situation wasn’t conducive to deep feelings and commitments.

He looked up and smiled, but somehow his heart didn’t seem to be in it. “Haven’t seen it? You gave me such a difficult time over the decor, and you haven’t checked it out yet?” He cleared his throat, rose and shrugged into his jacket. “It can rival any of our dining rooms in any of our facilities, I promise. I’ve booked the two of us a table for tonight. As a farewell.”

“A farewell?”

She paused, unmoving. So soon. She hadn’t expected it to be so soon. Her heart sank.

“I’ve been called to Paris. I leave in the morning.”

Luca saw the blood rush from her face and cursed himself. He’d left it an extra day, but he couldn’t put it off any longer. Yet the fragile pallor of her skin reminded him of how she’d looked: small and defenseless in his king-size bed. He couldn’t shake the image of her sleeping face, the way her hair slid over her pale cheek, the color matching her long eyelashes completely. Couldn’t erase the fantasy of that dark sheet of hair falling over his chest as they made love…

He turned away from her abruptly, running a hand over his hair.

“Luca, are you all right?”

He was tired of playing a charade.

This was insane. He wasn’t supposed to fall for Mari. A flirtation was one thing, but he didn’t intend on having serious feelings for any woman, especially a woman he worked with. And it was clear that Mariella was the wrong woman. She was fragile and afraid and trying to overcome something greater than he could comprehend. She deserved a man who could provide her with the stability she needed. Not a man like Luca who flitted from one place to the next.

It would never work between them. And looking at her now…he realized now how it must have seemed to her yesterday. He’d been thinking of himself and putting up walls. He’d been wrong and she’d been right. He’d treated her with no consideration at all. Like he would have a mistress. With politeness, but not genuine caring. He wanted to make it up to her. To show her she was different…because she was.

“I’m fine. I just thought…it’s been an eventful few weeks. I thought we could say goodbye with a sense of occasion.”

He met her gaze, though it was difficult. She was watching him with eyes wide with compassion and understanding. She only thought she understood. He knew that now.

He would ensure that nothing about his leaving caused Mari further pain. She didn’t deserve that, not after all she’d been through. He’d be on his best behavior if it killed him.

He only knew that he had to talk to Mari tonight about how to end their relationship with the least hurt to anyone. He wouldn’t be here to protect her, to watch over her if her stepfather decided to find her. The thought chilled his blood and his footsteps faltered. Perhaps he couldn’t offer her the life she wanted, but he could damn well make sure she was looked after here.