Whisked Away by Her Millionaire Boss
As always, the façade and location of the hotel triggered in him a sense of satisfaction, representing for him how far he had come. The marble-clad building was set in acres of tranquillity, an oasis of greenery, trees and stately plants, a botanical garden that provided a bubble of quiet and peace amidst the bustle of c
entral Milan.
As they trekked across the black marble lobby a woman walked towards them, a welcoming smile on her face.
‘Eloise,’ he greeted the manager.
‘Ben. Good to see you again.’ She glanced discreetly at Sarah.
‘This is Sarah Fletcher. A colleague of mine. Maree is on her honeymoon this year.’
‘Ah. Please wish her well from me. I will get someone to show you up to your suite. Your baggage has already been taken up.’
Next to him Sarah shifted, glanced at him in question, and he realised he hadn’t mentioned the suite to her.
‘Not necessary, Eloise. I know the way and we’re travelling light.’
Once in the glass lift he explained.
‘The suite is enormous. Two separate en-suite double rooms with an immense living area in between. Maree used to have a separate room when we started out, but after a while it seemed easier for work purposes for us to share a suite. Especially given its size.’
Could he emphasise its measurements any more?
‘It’s fine. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t be.’
The attempted breeziness of her tone blew hollow, and he had not a doubt that they were both reliving that toe-tingling kiss. Sarah raised a hand to her lips in a jerky movement, and he forced himself not to let his gaze rest on her mouth.
It was hard to say who was more relieved when the lift eased to a halt and the door opened to give them sole access to the top floor.
‘Here we go.’ He opened the door, then stepped back to allow her entry, hearing her intake of breath as she stepped in.
‘This is...’ Her eyes widened as she walked across the living area to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the garden. ‘I have no words.’
The first time he’d stayed there he’d felt exactly the same—overwhelmed by the enormity of the teak-walled room, the granite fireplace, the shelves of books of all genres and sizes, the terrace that wrapped round the whole room, providing an awe-inspiring view of the gardens and Milan itself.
‘Later, when we come back, we can sit and look at Milan by night.’
‘I could sit there for the whole trip—but that’s not what you’re paying me for. We need to leave in half an hour and I’m nowhere near ready. Pre-catwalk party hosted by one of the fashion houses, right?’
‘Right.’
‘OK. I’ll be quick. But I need to call Jodie first.’
Tugging her phone from her pocket, she turned from the window and headed for her bedroom. Fighting the urge to watch her departure, Ben headed for his.
He changed quickly into a white shirt, light trousers and grey jacket, no tie. Moments later he exited into the vast lounge area, where Sarah was already waiting, standing by the window.
‘I don’t think I’d ever get tired of this view,’ she said. Turning, she gestured downward. ‘Does this look OK?’
‘Perfect.’
The elegant off-the-shoulder black dress, simple yet individual, had a band of ruffled flowers across the top. The material curved and flowed, falling to mid-calf. The strappy high heels were fun and sassy, as were the statement long black earrings. Though once again his fingers itched to let her hair down, to see it loose in all its glory.
Why, he wondered, did she always keep it up? Why grow her hair at all if she never let it loose? Perhaps it was metaphorical. Perhaps Sarah Fletcher never let her hair down.
‘Any advice? Obviously my ordinary world doesn’t include star-studded parties.
‘Be yourself. All those stars are only people—catapulted to fame due to a mixture of luck, graft and talent. Some of them were just in the right place at the right time. For some it’s luck that genetics gave them a look that is fashionable today. But they’re all still people.’