She felt a flash of pride and then wondered why she would feel pride in a man who wasn’t hers.
Unsettled, she sipped her champagne and asked the question no one else seemed interested in asking. ‘So do you have a plan for the hotels, Luca?’
Luca didn’t hesitate. ‘We’re going to refurbish the top six from the latest Corretti Home collection. Out with bland, hotel uniformity and in with style and originality. Instead of guests walking away with white waffle dressing gowns they could purchase from any retail outlet, they come away with ideas for decorating their own homes and recreating luxury in their everyday lives. They leave not just rested, but inspired.’
Nico spluttered over his drink. ‘The Corretti name is already a strong brand. We don’t need your help with that.’
Luca smiled. ‘By the time I’ve finished Corretti won’t be a brand, it will be a lifestyle.’
There was a stunned silence.
Nico hadn’t touched his drink. ‘You’re assuming people would want your lifestyle.’
‘How could they not?’ Luca slid his arm round Taylor, who smiled up at him in full-on adoring-fiancée mode, but this time the act was easy because her admiration was genuine.
‘So you’re giving people the message that if they stay in a Corretti hotel, they soak up some of the Corretti style—that’s a totally brilliant idea.’
A faint frown touched his forehead. ‘Grazie, bellissima.’ He hesitated and then lowered his head and kissed her gently. ‘And now I think about it, you’d be perfect to front the campaign I have planned. Corretti Hotels—First Choice for Taylor Carmichael, Movie Star.’
‘I’d have to stay in it first, just to check it has my approval.’
His smile was intimate. ‘Once the hotel has been refurbished, we’ll christen the Presidential Suite.’
Her gaze collided with his. Her stomach twisted. the chemistry between them rocketed off the scale. Through the thick, lazy heat of sexual awareness she heard the chairman clear his throat.
‘It seems Luca has extravagant plans for the business, but what about the two of you?’ He beamed at them. ‘You’re just so perfect for each other. It occurred to us that a Corretti wedding would focus attention away from Matteo’s untimely elopement.’
‘Was it untimely?’ Still looking at Taylor, Luca raised his eyebrows. ‘I thought the timing was perfect.’
Taylor, still shaken by the depth of the physical connection between them, decided that goading the board was a sport to him.
‘What Luca means,’ she said quickly, ‘is that there is never a good time for such a thing to happen.’
‘Perhaps not.’ The chairman didn’t look convinced. ‘But there is no doubt that your wedding would divert attention and give the press something positive to think about. You should marry without delay.’
It was a suggestion she hadn’t anticipated and Taylor felt Luca’s arm tighten around her.
‘A rushed wedding would lead people to assume Taylor was pregnant and none of us want that.’
The chairman’s smile faded. ‘You don’t want to be pregnant?’
‘Of course she wants to be pregnant.’ Luca’s gaze drifted over the heads of the people around them. ‘But not before we’re married.’
The chairman relaxed slightly. ‘The press is full of pictures of your romantic dinner together last night. Love has transformed you, Luca. A big family is exactly what you need. I assume Taylor will be giving up her career once you’re married?’
Taylor choked on her champagne and Luca thumped her on the back.
‘Taylor can’t wait to have children,’ he said smoothly as he gave her time to compose herself. ‘To the world she’s this fantastic, glamorous movie star but underneath all she wants is to walk barefoot round my kitchen, cooking my dinner and nursing my babies. She’s a real earth-mother type, aren’t you, angelo mia?’
Taylor had the feeling he was enjoying himself hugely. ‘Babies—’ she played along ‘—I can’t wait. We’ve agreed on at least six, haven’t we, Luca?’
‘Six?’ It was his turn to be startled. ‘Of course, bellissima. I’m all too happy to make as many babies as you would like as long as you’re sure you can cope with them while I’m away on business. Which might be often.’ His sensual mouth flickered at the corners and she found herself looking at that mouth and thinking of the way he kissed.
‘We’ll travel with you, my heart.’
‘Bene! I’ll be working on my laptop while six adorable little children, all dressed in Corretti Bambino crawl all over you wanting you to read to them, play with them and tuck them in at night.’