‘So you’ll do it, then?’ Sebastio asked.
They were in a ballroom that had French doors leading out to a terrace overlooking a vast manicured garden, complete with fountain.
Would she do it? Could she?
She realised now that she did want to do this. It would be a huge challenge—beyond anything she’d ever done before.
It’s not just for the challenge, though, is it? asked a wicked little voice.
It was because of the way this man made her feel—alive and aware. Exactly the way he’d made her feel that night four years ago. As if just looking at him and connecting with him, even so fleetingly and painfully, had given her some vital injection of life-force. Something she’d been afraid she’d never feel again.
She knew it wasn’t appropriate to be feeling like this about a man who was hiring her to do a job, but it would be her own illicit secret. After all, it wasn’t as if Sebastio would ever find out—she wasn’t remotely in his league. She hadn’t been then and she wasn’t now. That hadn’t changed.
She looked at him and tipped up her chin. ‘If you’re willing to take a risk on hiring me to do this job then I promise I’ll do it to the best of my ability.’
He inclined his head, the corner of his mouth tipping up ever so slightly. ‘I can’t ask for more than that.’
He looked at his watch and became brisk.
‘I’ll ask my team to liaise with you regarding hiring a suitable firm to help you, and I’ll negotiate with your supervisor at Marrotts to let Jimmy join you.’
Once again Edie marvelled at what it must be like to be powerful enough to make people do your bidding, no matter how big the ask. In the space of less than twenty-four hours he’d comprehensively turned her life upside down, and it was disconcerting but also...thrilling.
As if he had issued a psychic command, Matteo appeared with Sebastio’s coat and a briefcase, handing them over. He said, ‘The pilot is ready when you are.’
Matteo disappeared again, and Sebastio looked at her after he’d pulled on his coat. ‘I can offer you a lift back into the city, if you’d like?’
Edie blanched and then squeaked out, ‘In the helicopter?’
He nodded. ‘Ever been in one before?’
She shook her head, and then gabbled, ‘No, it’s fine, Mr Rivas. I should stay and make some notes. I can take the train back.’
Coward! whispered a little voice. She ignored it. Taking a helicopter ride with Sebastio Rivas would only compound the conflicting things he made her feel. She needed to keep her feet on the ground. Where she belonged.
He made a face. ‘Please, call me Sebastio. “Mr Rivas” makes me sound like my father, and he’s dead.’
Edie felt an immediate burst of compassion. ‘Oh... I’m sorry. Was it recent?’
But Sebastio’s face was impassive. ‘A year ago. We weren’t close.’ He was turning to go and said, ‘Are you sure about the ride?’
Edie nodded. She was far too intrigued by this man as it was. And this nugget of information made him even more intriguing.
‘Very well, I’ll have my driver come and pick you up and take you back into town—just let Matteo know when you’d like to leave.’
‘Thank you, Mr—’ She stopped and could feel herself grow warm.
Sebastio stopped too, a glint coming into his eye. ‘Go on, Edie...say it. You won’t turn to stone.’
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She crushed the sense of exposure and took a breath, willing her voice to sound totally cool. ‘Sebastio. Thank you, Sebastio.’
He started walking backwards, his mouth tipping up on one side in a wicked smile. ‘See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?’
Edie watched him depart and scowled at his broad back. He was making fun of her. Her fascination with him must be blindingly obvious.
She whirled around and stalked back into the room they’d just left, and when she heard the sound of the helicopter taking off she refused to look out of the window because she had the very irrational sense that even from here she’d see a mocking smile on his face.