She didn’t doubt that. But something else was bothering him deeply. What was it?
This vulnerability of his to the travails of others was another change, a huge switch from the ruthless, competitive champion she remembered. Could a man change that much in seven years?
Her father had taught her that a leopard never changed its spots. Yet this stern businessman she faced now was nothing like the rash playboy she’d known. Nothing similar to the man she’d expected to deal with.
This Luciano was all business. Serious, driven, and clearly tormented. What had caused this transformation? His bitter divorce? The accident? Or did it run deeper than that?
Hard to guess as she rarely read anything about him in the tabloids either. It was as if he’d dropped out of sight. She rose from the sofa and walked to the stunning vista offered by the windows. She needed the space between them to think.
“Will Julian’s transformation free you to live your life again?” she asked.
His jaw clenched. “My life is as I wish it. Your answer, Caprice,” he said, his intense gaze locked with hers in silent challenge again.
She nodded, mentally kicking herself for getting sidetracked over the state of Luciano’s health instead of getting on with her business with him. But she wasn’t fool enough to accept his word at face value and snap up the chance to work with him, forgetting the slights.
“If we agree to this on paper, you’ve got a deal,” she said and extended her hand just like she would to wrap up any business deal.
His lips curved in a rare smile that brought back memories of the fun-loving man she’d known. Just as quickly it vanished behind that wall of indifference that he wore so well.
“Excellent. I’ll arrange for us to meet with my interior design team as soon as possible. Once they are made aware of what we require, they will be able to come up with a plan for my lodge by the end of next week.”
“Whoa! I thought I was to decide how my program should be designed and implemented at your lodge.”
“You’ll have a voice at the meeting.”
A voice she intended to use. “I suppose you plan to sit in on the design meeting for Tregore Lodge as well?”
“Of course I am. I’m financing it,” he snapped, brows drawn in a dark frown. “Why are you being so contrary?”
“I don’t mean to be difficult. It’s just that this is all very important to me.”
“Do you think it isn’t for me as well?”
“I really don’t know what you’re thinking.”
He muttered something she didn’t catch, rose and strode toward her, his long legs moving with fluid grace, the broad width of his shoulders a shifting wall of lean muscle. Each step exuded power and masculine grace and purpose, like a cougar stalking the canyon rim in search of prey.
She stepped back, startled by the power that was all Luciano. He was a force to be reckoned with and she would do well to keep that in mind at all times.
He stopped, his larger hand grasping hers in a warm, but clipped shake. “I am thinking I made a very savvy deal with a very smart woman who I admire.”
“Thank you,” she said, pulling her hand back and hoping it didn’t appear as if his touch disturbed her. “To our mutual success.”