An Innocent, A Seduction, A Secret. Эбби Грин

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      Sebastio stood in the middle of the room, perfectly in proportion with the space around him. But for once his sheer masculine beauty couldn’t distract her as the full enormity of what he was asking of her sank in.

      ‘Look, I’m truly flattered that you liked my display enough to think I could do this...but I don’t want to mislead you. This is way beyond my capabilities in such a short space of time.’ She started to back out through the door. ‘You need to hire professionals who are used to dealing with a project of this size. Why have you left it so late?’

      The question landed like a lead weight in Sebastio’s gut. Because he didn’t want to be doing this at all. But he could read the panic in Edie’s eyes, and he suspected that unless he was honest she’d bolt.

      ‘Because,’ he said heavily, ‘I detest Christmas.’

      The panic faded to be replaced by something else. Curiosity? Sympathy? Cursing himself for giving in to an impulse to be honest, because it would only lead to questions he wasn’t prepared to answer, Sebastio went into damage limitation mode.

      ‘What about this? I’ll hire professionals who have expertise and resources in this area, but I want you to design the decorations and oversee everything. So in essence you’ll be the creative designer and you’ll have all the help you need.’

      She still looked as if she was ready to turn and run, and Sebastio didn’t like the sense of desperation he felt to convince her at all costs.

      He said, ‘I know you’ve probably never project-managed anything this big before, but really it’s just a matter of being clear about what you want and delegating. Would it help if you could have the young man who was working on the window with you?’

      Her mouth closed and he could see her brain whirring as she took that in. She relaxed perceptibly.

      ‘Well...that would be helpful...to have someone I know here.’

      Sebastio thought of something then, and asked sharply, ‘Are you in a relationship with him?’

      He couldn’t recall the features of the skinny young man, but he was already regretting saying that he could be part of this commission.

      Edie looked affronted. ‘No! Jimmy is gay. Not that it’s any business of yours.’

      Some of the tension in Sebastio’s chest immediately eased. ‘I think you can do this job, Edie. I wouldn’t ask you if I thought you weren’t capable. I’m not in the habit of hiring or working with incompetents.’

      That made him think of the cohesive unit of the rugby team around him, all working as one to the best of their ability. He pushed down the pang of regret. The ever-present guilt.

      Edie was biting her lip again, and Sebastio had to fight the urge to close the distance between them and crush that lush mouth under his, seeking to dilute his memories as much as anything else.

      Because he wanted her.

      He cursed himself. He hadn’t needed to exercise restraint for a long time—if ever—but he had to exercise it now. He couldn’t jeopardise his successful acceptance into European society just because his hormones had decided to come back to life.

      He backed away, putting distance between them. ‘I’ll show you the rest of the rooms to be decorated...’

      Edie dutifully followed Sebastio as he took her through yet more rooms with the same football field dimensions. She couldn’t help wondering why he detested Christmas so much. But then she told herself it was none of her business. Not everyone liked the festive season. She knew that. It could be hard for people who didn’t have family around them, and if Sebastio Rivas was spending Christmas in London then maybe he had family issues...

      The shock and trepidation were wearing off slightly as she focused on what Sebastio was saying about each room, what he wanted, and in spite of her earlier sense of panic she actually began to imagine the rooms dressed for Christmas, filled with guests. She was surprised at how easily images were coming to her—considering the proportions!

      ‘So you’ll do it, then?’ Sebastio asked.

      They were in a ballroom that had French doors leading out to a terrace overlooking a vast manicured garden, complete with fountain.

      Would she do it? Could she?

      She realised now that she did want to do this. It would be a huge challenge—beyond anything she’d ever done before.

      It’s not just for the challenge, though, is it? asked a wicked little voice.

      It was because of the way this man made her feel—alive and aware. Exactly the way he’d made her feel that night four years ago. As if just looking at him and connecting with him, even so fleetingly and painfully, had given her some vital injection of life-force. Something she’d been afraid she’d never feel again.

      She knew it wasn’t appropriate to be feeling like this about a man who was hiring her to do a job, but it would be her own illicit secret. After all, it wasn’t as if Sebastio would ever find out—she wasn’t remotely in his league. She hadn’t been then and she wasn’t now. That hadn’t changed.

      She looked at him and tipped up her chin. ‘If you’re willing to take a risk on hiring me to do this job then I promise I’ll do it to the best of my ability.’

      He inclined his head, the corner of his mouth tipping up ever so slightly. ‘I can’t ask for more than that.’

      He looked at his watch and became brisk.

      ‘I’ll ask my team to liaise with you regarding hiring a suitable firm to help you, and I’ll negotiate with your supervisor at Marrotts to let Jimmy join you.’

      Once again Edie marvelled at what it must be like to be powerful enough to make people do your bidding, no matter how big the ask. In the space of less than twenty-four hours he’d comprehensively turned her life upside down, and it was disconcerting but also...thrilling.

      As if he had issued a psychic command, Matteo appeared with Sebastio’s coat and a briefcase, handing them over. He said, ‘The pilot is ready when you are.’

      Matteo disappeared again, and Sebastio looked at her after he’d pulled on his coat. ‘I can offer you a lift back into the city, if you’d like?’

      Edie blanched and then squeaked out, ‘In the helicopter?’

      He nodded. ‘Ever been in one before?’

      She shook her head, and then gabbled, ‘No, it’s fine, Mr Rivas. I should stay and make some notes. I can take the train back.’

      Coward! whispered a little voice. She ignored it. Taking a helicopter ride with Sebastio Rivas would only compound the conflicting things he made her feel. She needed to keep her feet on the ground. Where she belonged.

      He made a face. ‘Please, call me Sebastio. “Mr Rivas” makes me sound like my father, and he’s dead.’

      Edie felt an immediate burst of compassion. ‘Oh... I’m sorry. Was it recent?’

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