And that was the one thing that scared him most—the fact that he never wanted to say goodbye to her, needed to keep her close at all times. That propensity was the most disconcerting of all to a dedicated bachelor like himself.
Ella had texted him her flight information so he left the office at ten to ensure he’d be waiting at the airport when she arrived. He’d almost sent Brad, his new driver, but he wanted to see Ella badly and he didn’t want to wait until the end of the workday—and, by all indicators, today was going to be a tediously long one. He’d have to immediately return to the office once he deposited her home. He didn’t dare take her to the houseboat.
Now he tries to chuckle but the look on her face chokes it off. “For one thing, your impressions. You’ve never been there before, correct?”
She nods, a slight smile on her lips.
“Also, your business there—how’d it go? How was the flight? What did you see?” He raises a brow. “Lots of things about Venice to discuss.”
“Okay,” she begins haltingly, “To start, Maya St. Sauveur was a most impressive woman and I enjoyed meeting her. She was a bit miffed at Lucien’s impatience to get the interview on tape… but other than that, she was charming.”
“Obviously I’m not the only one he rubs the wrong way.”
“No, apparently not. Um, what else? Oh, I fed pigeons in Piazza San Marco and they scared me witless… I think I gave everyone in the plaza a good laugh. We went to see the Palace of the Doges . . .”
“We?” The volume of his voice escalates—there should be no we in Venice. The look that descends over her face chills his blood because he recognizes it as one of guilt and his stomach twists.
And here comes the deep flush that colors her face instantly. “Uh, yeah, I was getting to that. Lucien showed up unexpectedly at the taping.”
“Oh?” He could hear the ice in his own voice as he struggled for control. Right now if that blond bastard was in front of him, he’d definitely take a swing at his stupid pretty face. Pretty faces irritated Ian—even his own.
“Yes. I was annoyed at first since if he was able to do the interview, I wouldn’t have had to drop everything to go to Venice. But he explained that he only realized he’d be able to make it once I was in the air so…” She lets the sentence lay where it drops.
“Things have a habit of working out conveniently in Phillips’ world, don’t they? So… he took you sightseeing then?”
“After the taping we went to lunch and he accompanied me when I went to see the Doges and the plaza. That’s it, Ian; nothing inappropriate happened and he knows that you and I are involved.”
“How observant of him. Tell me, what tipped him off? Could it have been my presence at your interview with my arm around you? He’s obviously quick on the uptake.”
“Stop it. You’re going to have to get past this antagonism. I’m going to be working with Lucien until June and then it’s done. Please tell me you’re not going to keep it up that long.”
“There’s something slimy about the man, Ella. I’ve learned to trust my gut instinct about people. It’s never let me down yet.”
“I promise, Ian, if Lucien does anything untoward, you’ll be the first to know. Okay?”
“So then I can assume from that comment that he behaved himself during your time together? He didn’t touch you?”
“Yes, he behaved admirably.”
“He didn’t touch you?”
“Ian! Stop it. As I said, if he did anything, I’d tell you. So, when are we leaving for Tokyo?”
She’s avoiding answering my question, Ian thinks, and wonders what exactly it means. Had Phillips touched her and she set him straight? Or maybe he touched her and she interpreted it as benign? There was something there—Ella was a God-awful liar. He decides to let it go for now.
“We’re leaving day after tomorrow. I’ll take you to Mariah’s so you can rest and get packed for Japan. I’m going to have a late night tonight at the office so I’ll head directly home and I’ll pick you up sometime tomorrow afternoon. Be packed and ready.”
“Oh. I was hoping we could have dinner together tonight.”
He touched her cheek affectionately—it was so incredibly nice to have her back with him. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m swamped at work—there’s too much going down next week to prepare for and I’m going to be away, obviously.”
“How long are we staying in Japan?”
“I need to be home by next weekend at the latest so I thought Thursday or Friday. I know it’s a short stay for such a long trip but it’s the most I can manage right now.”