‘No.’ So long as that’s all it was.
He’d denied himself any right to an interest in Amber’s love life. Yet that didn’t stop the swirl of unease in his belly as he imagined Amber with someone else. Not Matteo, obviously, but some nameless, faceless guy who’d revel in her beauty and passion. Who’d enjoy that stunning body and…
Aurelio yanked his thoughts back to the conversation before his imagination had him beating that unknown man to a pulp. This was simple sexual frustration, he told himself. Sex with Amber had been phenomenal and here, alone with her, it was natural his body responded to the allure of hers. This was merely a matter of testosterone, nothing more.
‘What was that about networking?’ Anything to keep his mind off the twin ideas of Amber and sex.
‘Obviously you’ll be networking at the party to promote the business, right?’
Aurelio said nothing. He was attending as Matteo’s brother, that’s all. He knew the value of networking of course. He’d developed excellent links in the wine industry as well as in distribution and the restaurant trade. But working the room at some glittering social event was his idea of hell.
Attending the recent industry awards night had been his limit, but since the winery had won a slew of awards he hadn’t been able to avoid it.
Inevitably his mind zoomed straight back to sex because that was the night he and Amber had finally hooked up. Before that, when he’d seen her in the crowd at a wine expo, his need to go to her had been so strong he’d actually left the event rather than succumb to what felt more like compulsion than desire.
Amber sighed, her shoulders and breasts rising. ‘I see. Even that’s too much to expect.’ Her gaze shifted from his as she apparently took an interest in their surroundings for the first time. ‘At least tell me you’ve got some beautiful date to take with you.’ Her husky voice quickened. ‘Someone who’ll look good on the red carpet for the photos.’
‘No.’
Abruptly her silvery eyes meshed with his and he felt a sting of heat right through his body.
‘I don’t do dates.’ When she just stared he added. ‘It’s not necessary that I take someone.’
He had no interest in a date with another woman. Look at the trouble this one still caused him.
Never before had it been difficult to sever ties with a temporary lover. Yet even before Amber had turned up at his vineyard she’d caused havoc, distracting him from work and undermining his concentration, not to mention destroying his sleep. She’d even made him wonder what might have happened if he’d been a different man, a man able to invest in a relationship.
Hell!
His backbone froze, vertebra by crackling vertebra, at the direction of his thoughts.
Dismay raced through him and he drew himself up straight, scowling at Amber’s ability to mess with his head.
He’d learned to his cost that permanent relationships could be anything but permanent. He couldn’t again go through pain like he’d suffered ten years ago.
Silently Amber studied him, her expression impenetrable. Then she lifted a hand to her hair in its usual immaculate style, and grabbed at it like she wanted to yank it out.
‘You don’t think it’s necessary!’ She shut her eyes and Aurelio saw the pulse pound at the base of her neck. ‘And you can’t be bothered promoting your own business.’
‘I didn’t say that. I spend a lot of time promoting it. Just not schmoozing people in dinner suits. Anyway, isn’t that what we’re paying you for – to promote us?’
Amber spun on her heel and paced away, then spun round and stalked straight back. The impatient energy radiating from her zapped at his blood, making his pulse quicken. It was a wonder he didn’t see sparks as she moved.
‘Aurelio.’ She paused as if searching for words then slicked her lower lip with her tongue. Instantly Aurelio’s attention was fixed on her mouth and the memory of her sweet taste. ‘This is the sort of opportunity businessesdreamof. A high class hotel, one of Rome’s most exclusive. A film by Italy’s hottest leading man.’ Sternly Aurelio ignored the sudden blaze of jealousy at her words. ‘An A-list party that everyone will be talking about. The press will be out in force. Youneedto make a splash.’
‘I’ll be wearing a dinner jacket,’ he offered, watching Amber roll her eyes. That was a major concession. He hated formal clothes and bowties were the work of the devil in his opinion.
She opened her mouth then snapped it shut, clearly speechless.
Perhaps he was being unreasonable. His siblings all accused him of burying himself here and ignoring the outside world unless it suited him.
The vineyard had become not just his home but his sanctuary, the thing that had kept him going in the empty days after his world shattered. But hewasgoing to the premiere and he did want to do what was best for the business. He didn’t want to scupper their PR campaign before it got off the ground. He just didn’t want to do the marketing himself. Give him his vines and his vats any day. Amber could handle the rest.
‘How about this?’ He paused, reassuring himself it was a sensible solution. ‘You’re the expert on all this so you take my spare ticket. You come to the premiere and the after party with me. Plus you can organise whatever publicity or photos you want. But you can do all the schmoozing. Agreed?’
One evening in Rome with Amber at his side. Surely he could manage that. Besides, she’d be too busy flitting here and there chasing down VIPs and spreading word about the marvellous wines to tempt him with that delectable body.
It wasn’t like he invited her on a date.
Yet Aurelio felt nervous about her response.
For long moments those stormy eyes stared up at him, as if trying to fathom his motives. Then, abruptly she nodded. ‘Agreed.’