An Innocent, a Seduction, a Secret

He sounded so incredulous that Edie just looked at him for a moment. ‘Don’t you?’

He shook his head, and a curious expression crossed his face—half angry, half frustrated—before he said, ‘No, I’m alone.’

Now Edie wanted the ground to swallow her for an entirely different reason. She’d just exposed herself spectacularly.

She swallowed. ‘Sorry... I just assumed...’

He sounded grim. ‘Well, you assumed wrong. The reason I was asking why you were still here is because you shouldn’t be working at the weekend.’

Sebastio looked down at Edie and saw the evidence of her embarrassment on her flushed face. It made him feel alternately irritated and aroused. Why did he always feel as if he’d insulted her in some way?

He’d got caught up in a round of social engagements in the past week, and hadn’t been able to make it back to the house. Which in any other circumstances wouldn’t have bothered him in the slightest. But knowing she was there...that was a different matter.

He’d been in Paris the previous evening, at an exclusive charity ball, surrounded by the crème de la crème of European society. The most beautiful people in the world. Certainly the most beautiful women. All vying for his attention. And not one had sparked his libido like she had...and did.

As soon as he’d walked in here this morning and seen her he’d felt the resurgence of desire. Igniting his nerve-endings. Making him hard.

But then he’d noticed something else. Shadows under her eyes.

His voice was rough. ‘You look tired.’

Her eyes flashed, and perversely that eased Sebastio’s conscience.

‘It’s been a busy week. We’ve all been putting in long hours to get the work done in time, and with the commute...’

‘Commute?’

She nodded. ‘Well, yes...’

‘Where do you live?’

She blinked, as if his question had taken her aback. ‘North London—Islington.’

Sebastio cursed under his breath. She might as well be in Paris. Even if he had his driver ferry her back and forth every day it would still be a huge commute. No wonder she looked tired.

He made a split-second decision. ‘You’re going to move in here for the duration of your contract.’

CHAPTER THREE

SHOCK REVERBERATED THROUGH EDIE. ‘You’re going to move in here...’ It wasn’t a question.

Sebastio was looking at her as if he was enjoying watching her reaction. And then he said musingly, ‘You’ve got a very expressive face. It’s amazingly refreshing.’

Edie scowled and folded her arms. She didn’t like to be reminded of how gauche she must seem to a man like him, who was undoubtedly surrounded by sophisticates who knew better than to let every thought be read like a cloud passing across the sky.

‘Are you always this bossy?’

He bit back a smile. ‘I think it’s my duty to ensure your health and safety.’

She looked at Sebastio suspiciously. She knew her commute was a bit ridiculous—even Jimmy had asked her how she was doing it. He lived in South London, so Richmond was handy for him. He’d offered her his couch to sleep on, but she preferred to sleep well for a few hours rather than badly for longer!

Sebastio was waiting for her reply. He really meant it.

She unfolded her arms. ‘I can’t just move in here... It’s not...appropriate.’

‘Says who?’

‘Me!’ Edie fired back.