Chapter Four
ANTONIO MADE HIMSELFcomfortable at Justin’s kitchen table and opened his laptop. The motions were familiar and comforting—things he’d done dozens or possibly hundreds of times, since Justin bought the house a few years back.
“My apologies for last night.” Antonio would have rather been working. Even though it shouldn’t be necessary, it was better than showing his father’s business partners around town and pretending he didn’t recognize all the subtle attempts to remind him how much better things were back in Milan. Their efforts had the opposite effect.
Justin had offered to keep him company, but Antonio didn’t want him knowing the real reason for the visit. He didn’t intend to reveal his father urging him to come home, unless things got that bad here. Which they wouldn’t.
Justin took a seat, tablet in hand for notes. “We needed a night off anyway, and I kept myself busy.” There was the tiniest catch in his voice. It could have been a swallow, or a pause to breathe.
Antonio knew it was more. “What did you get up to?”
“You know—a bit of this, a little of that. A lot of gorgeous redheaded siren with a brain to match.”
Antonio almost pushed for more, but something he couldn’t define stopped him. “You and your redheads.”
“Anyway.” Justin’s voice was too sharp in the quiet room, echoing off polished stone and stainless steel. “What else do we need to cover before tomorrow?”
“We need to make sure we’re not missing any tiny details.” Last night didn’t matter. Either Antonio’s company or whatever Justin got up to that he hesitated to share. If they got this right—making the retainer and Grant happy, while still letting their side project continue—Antonio would remain in the States. He hated the idea of letting his father down, but proving this company was not only viable, but also cutting edge, would soften the blow of him staying here. With Justin.
* * * *
ANTONIO PAUSED OUTof view of the office lobby, taking a few seconds to steel himself for the day ahead. They had a plan. Whoever this woman was, she’d be shown what she needed in order to do her job, and he and Justin could carry on as necessary, to do theirs.
He didn’t need to ask Reception who the retainer was. She was the only other person in the room. The redhead in a pinstriped suit, perched on the edge of her seat as if getting comfortable was the last thing she wanted. She was gorgeous, and exactly Justin’s type.
Lust surged through him, catching Antonio off-guard. Even with her mouth pinched in a flat line and her eyes dull and cast at nothing in particular, she was attractive. Cute in that deceptive way that probably fooled people into thinking there was nothing under the surface. Something told him she took advantage of that assumption. She must have some defense in place, to be in a position like hers.
“Ms. Lowry.” Antonio stopped in front of her and extended his hand.
She stood and smoothed her skirt, before returning the greeting. “Emily, please. Mr. Conroy?” Her voice was lilting and pleasant, but didn’t hold any traces of hesitation. That was sexy.
Which was completely inappropriate for Antonio to think.Don’t hit on the employees.Usually be didn’t need reminders like that. “His schedule is packed this morning, though he’ll try to stop by later and introduce himself. I’m Antonio Bianchi. Co-founder and development manager.Antoniois fine. I’ll be your primary contact while you’re here.” He gestured toward the elevator banks. “This way.”
They crossed the room, her heels not echoing on the tile as loudly as they should. Was she walking with a light step on purpose?
“How much do you know about our business?” His question came out gruffer than he expected. He needed to find a balance between being polite and stowing his attraction. He took a deep breath and counted to three as they waited for the lift, forcing his racing thoughts to calm.
She pursed her lips and stood a little straighter. She was only a few inches shorter than him and met his gaze, unwavering. “Grant gave me an overview of your specialties and what he’d like to see accomplished while I’m here, and I spent several hours on your website.”