Page 35 of Chris

“Guzzi,” he said, gruffly.

Chris smiled, his gaze darting to Valeria even as he said, “Jorge, thank you for indulging me tonight.”

“Better make it worth it, that’s all I have to say. Is the food here any good? I don’t trust people I am not paying to make me anything I have to put inside my mouth.”

“It’s a buffet. We’re all eating from the same plates. A true sign of friendship, yes? And trust.”

Smart again.

Valeria shouldn’t notice those things.

Or the way Christopher looked in his suit.

Still, she did.

Maybe a part of her recognized … this man would be a problem for her. It didn’t matter he looked at her like he was looking into her soul, searching for something she was keeping well hidden. Or that she liked his handsome features, and the way his form filled out the very expensive Armani he wore.

There was something else …

And she liked it.

“Fine,” Jorge muttered. “Let’s sit, and we’ll—”

A sharp Boss from behind them had Jorge turning before he approached the table to pull out a chair for himself, likely leaving her to fend for herself.

“What?” Jorge asked the man who kept a safe distance.

The section they were dining in had no other patrons.

A private area?

What strings had Chris pulled?

“Your father is on the phone.”

Jorge grunted and waved a hand. “I will call him back.”

“He’s adamant that—”

“Fine.” Jorge gave Chris a nod, saying, “I will be a few minutes. I’m sure you can entertain yourself without me.” He eyed the platters on the table, adding, “Begin eating without me, hmm? We eat, and then we do business.”

“Right,” Chris agreed. “No worries.”

Jorge pivoted on his heel, unbothered with leaving Valeria there to fend for herself. She was stunned, however, when Chris was quick to come around to her side of the table, and the first thing he did was grab a chair to pull out.

For her.

This close, she smelled the distinct aroma of his cologne. It fit his personality, she thought. Understated, but with distinct notes. Complex. Like him.

Valeria ignored the heat in her gut, never mind the way her heart raced when his hand came to rest on her waist when his dark tenor urged her to, “Sit.”

Lord.

Definitely a problem.

One she didn’t expect to have.

She held onto the clutch in her hands tighter as she took the seat he offered, but didn’t breathe any easier when his hand left her side. In fact, she wished for it to come back. “Thank you.”