He was a celebrated playboy. Life had been a game to him and he’d played it to the hilt. He laughed. He partied. He took nothing seriously.
Not her. She’d assumed the role of a reckless flirt one time in her life. A stupid act of retaliation that she’d regretted every day since. That one horrific incident convinced her that she wasn’t a player in that world.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me,” she said, refusing to let him fluster her.
He smiled, though it appeared as practiced as hers. “My pleasure.”
If only she could say the same. She had to strike a winning deal. A position she deeply resented.
She’d worked hard. Saved. Scrimped. Yet it hadn’t been enough to save her when crisis struck. Now she needed this deal or she would lose Tregore Lodge, her heritage, her home, her livelihood.
“I’ve come prepared, Mr. Duchelini,” she said, getting right to the point.
He laughed, a brief, rich contralto that set his blue eyes twinkling and carved his beautifully sculpted lips into a half smile he likely used to charm ladies. “You are a take-charge woman. I remember how expertly you cracked the whip to get me to those pre-event meetings on time.”
She nearly smiled until she recalled how bitterly their last working relationship had ended. “It would have been easier if you hadn’t been a night owl.”
He simply shrugged, just like he’d done back then only lacking the teasing smile. Zero contrition. She expected no less from a rich womanizer who’d skirted conventions all of his life.
“Come,” he said. “Let’s go someplace private to talk.”
Said the spider to the fly? Being anywhere private with him was the last thing she wanted to do, but she said, “I’m ready.”
“As am I. This way,” he said, and gestured to the elevators.
She fell into step beside him and tamped down her annoyance that he hadn’t simply arranged for her to meet him at a set location for their meeting. The sooner this phase was over, the better. No, not over. Resolved, so she could move forward achieving her dream.
“I brought plans for the lodge and a prospectus for my program, Mr. Duchelini,” she said, not wishing to waste a minute, not wanting to be here any longer than necessary.
“Please, you know me. Call me Luciano or Luc.” He motioned to the open elevator and she stepped inside, then stood as far from him as she could though she may as well have not bothered.
The mirrored wall behind made the space loom larger, but it did that to her companion as well. Not that he needed any physical enhancements.
Luciano simply consumed any space he was in with his commanding presence, absorbing the energy of everything around him.
She knew most women would be content to stare at his gorgeous body and classically handsome features because years ago she’d fallen under his charismatic spell. Not now, though it was tempting to admire him. Thank God she was stronger than that, that she’d learned from her mistakes.
“Very well, Luciano,” she said, refusing to use his nickname as she’d once done. That would be too familiar. “To be honest, I’m surprised you didn’t send someone in your stead.”
He shot her a frown, his gaze cool. “There is much business that I attend to personally.”