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‘Indeed. Thank you for joining me,’ he said, beckoning for her to follow as he led her through the lounge and out to the terrace.
It was already lit with candles and tiny lights, and there was a glimmering curtain between the wide, low walls and the high hedges beyond.
‘I thought it was important to close our discussion more appropriately than the last time. Mariella has just left. She thought things went very well. You have potential.’
‘Thank you,’ said Coral, following behind him.
Her eyes shifted from the broad slope of his shoulders in a tight T-shirt to the tight fit of his trousers across his backside as he walked. He stopped and turned so suddenly that she realised she’d been caught staring.
She looked up at the unreadable, unbearably handsome face and blushed.
‘Yes, everyone seemed pleased,’ she babbled. ‘Especially Kyla. She channelled her inner supermodel and looked quite the goddess—but in a very tasteful way. I’m so glad you’re pleased.’
‘Yes, I am. Very pleased.’
He took the bag that hung limply from her hand and put it down. The butterflies in her stomach soared. To please Mariella was one thing, but to please the CEO of Romano with the list of conditions he had set was another thing entirely. She felt almost dizzy with pride.
‘I couldn’t be more pleased,’ he said.
And, although she knew he wasn’t just talking about her work, she was flattered.
‘That makes me feel very proud,’ she said.
‘So you should be.’
He stared into her eyes and she tried to look away, but the inky irises drew her in deeper and deeper. He smiled, ever so slightly, and her eyes fell to his mouth, to the perfect shapes and shadows.
Oh, my God! He’s going to kiss me!
Her treacherous body fluttered with longing. But he smiled gently and the moment passed as he turned back towards the lights of the house.
Air flew from her lungs like a burst balloon. She felt light-headed. Undone. And nothing had even happened.
‘You can bask in your glory all evening at the party.’
‘What party?’ she said, swallowing.
‘It’s been a good day. Kyla’s lust for cheap glamour has been held in check. Mariella has pulled off a great feature. Of course there will be a party. They’re getting it ready now, at the old villa. Salvatore is coming here shortly—we have some things to discuss—and then we will come over to join you all.’
He was inside now, walking back to the lounge. The dogs pricked up their ears and tracked him with their eyes as he passed.
‘That’s amazing. I mean, I’m really, really pleased that you liked the work. Do you think…?’ She paused.
‘Do I think that there might be more commissions to follow?’ he said.
He unscrewed a bottle of water and poured it out slowly, rhythmically.
‘Perhaps… Kyla has some idea of a couple thing with Salvatore, so maybe they’ll want you to do that before the wedding. Mariella will talk that through with you tonight.’
‘That’s incredible. I can’t thank you enough.’
Her mind whirred. A party. The staff would all be there. Mariella and the others, drinking champagne and looking so well put together—the way they always looked. They worked in an industry where everything was about looking perfect, and they had access to every product, every accessory under the sun. Her vintage thrift shop dress had been just about good enough for daytime, but she’d look ridiculous wearing it again tonight.
‘I wish I’d known. I thought I’d be flying home tonight. I never imagined I’d be invited to a party. I’ve not brought anything to wear.’
‘That’s never a problem on a fashion shoot. Everyone will be helping themselves.’
‘But I can’t wear those clothes! I’m a totally different shape.’
‘There’ll be something to suit you. You’re not such a different shape than Kyla.’
‘I’m nothing like Kyla. She’s tiny. I’m…’
Coral ran a mental check over the clothes that had been brought, trying to imagine herself squeezing into something that might pass scrutiny.
‘You’re…what?’
He sipped water and looked at her.
‘I’m not easy to dress.’
‘I’m not sure I follow.’
‘I mean I have my own style.’
It was the best thing she could say in the circumstances. What was the alternative—pointing out her huge backside and overflowing boobs? No way!
‘You will not be difficult to dress at all. Stand there.’
He tilted his head and scanned her body, his eyes trailing slowly from her neck to her chest and down to her waist.
