He walked after that, afraid if he said anything else he would sink De Campo’s chances.
If he hadn’t already.
Quinn followed him back to the others. Gut churning, he grabbed a drink from the tray of a passing waiter. What in God’s name was wrong with him? Hot-headed was not an emotion he would normally have associated with himself. Reckless at times, yes. But that woman was impossible. And his career depended on her.
He watched her interact with the others, visibly cool with Daniel Williams now. At least he’d made her think twice. If he’d guessed right, the Silver Kangaroo CEO’s arrogant words would make a woman like her crazy. And maybe it would make her do exactly the opposite of what she’d been planning. Backed up by the sound reasoning he’d provided.
The thought he might have once again destroyed the biggest opportunity in De Campo’s history kept him awake for much of the night as the monogrammed Luxe Hotel sheets stared him in the face. Eventually he threw them aside with a curse and got out of bed for a 5:00 a.m. run before his flight.
It would be a couple of days before he learned the fallout of his actions. Quinn had said they’d be informed the beginning of next week.
The only thing he knew for sure right now, he thought, grimacing and picking up his pace into a flat-out run through the park, was that he, the master of charm, had not only failed to ace the chemistry test, it had been an adjunct failure of epic proportions. Quinn Davis might actually hate him after last night.
CHAPTER THREE
MATTEO HAD JUST stepped into his loft after his flight back to New York when his phone buzzed in his pocket. Riccardo no doubt, looking for the full debrief.
He dropped his bag on the entryway floor, pulled out his phone and checked the caller ID.
Quinn.
His chest tightened like a vice. Fast. Too fast?
“Quinn.”
“Congratulations, Mr. De Campo.” Her tone was brisk, businesslike. “De Campo has made Luxe’s short list of two.”
He let out his breath in a long, slow exhale. Relief mixed with the sweet taste of victory, a heady cocktail that made his blood surge in his veins. “No doubt it was my sparkling personality,” he offered dryly.
“No doubt.”
The wry undertone in her naturally husky voice made him smile. He leaned back against the foyer wall and ran his palm over the stubble covering his jaw. “I am thrilled, of course, that you picked us. Grazie.”
“Thank my new head sommelier for swinging the vote. One taste of Gabriele’s Malbec and she was onside.”
“Remind me to thank her.”
“I think the better route would be to keep you well away from her.”
He lifted a brow. “Why would you say that?”
“She isn’t as jaded about men as I am. I’d prefer not to have a train wreck on my team.”
“I think you overestimate my allure, Ms. Davis.”
“I think I don’t. Thank you for the perfume, by the way. You didn’t need to do that.”
“I thought a little piece of Tuscany was apt. You like jasmine then?”
“I do.”
“Good. It’s one of the world’s great scents.”
“I assume this is one of your techniques? Plying women with expensive perfume?”
“One of the more rudimentary ones, yes,” he admitted. “I also know my way around a kitchen. You’d be amazed how impressed women are by a man who can cook.”
“I can only imagine.” There was a pause. “I have no doubt about your...capabilities in any department you choose to apply yourself in, Mr. De Campo. Would next week suit to visit your Tuscan operations? I’d like to do that first, then show you two of our Caribbean properties we’re reopening in St. Lucia so you can get a feel as to where Luxe is headed before we do the pitch in early August.”
“Of course. Will cowboy Jack be along for the ride to the Caribbean?”
“If you’re referring to Daniel Williams, then yes, he is the other half of the final two.”
“Perfetto,” he drawled, sarcasm lacing his tone. He was sure he could find a way for the Australian to stick his mouth in it again. It would be his pleasure. “We can do Tuscany whenever you like. Name the time.”
“How about Friday? That way I don’t miss the working week.”
His lips twisted. God forbid the workaholic miss a day churning out money for Davis Investments. “Shall I send the De Campo jet for you?”
“Thank you but I’m mandated by Davis rules to fly commercial. Demonstrates good corporate governance.”
He shrugged. “The offer’s there.”
“Thank you.”
“I do have one, nonnegotiable condition to us moving forward.”