Taught by the Tycoon (8 page)

All this being the kiss. The idea twisted her heart a little, and she knew she wouldn’t regret it. Maybe brush it under the virtual rug, per say, but never regret it. And she would take that little secret to the grave with her.

“I knew you both moved in the same circles. I didn’t want you to get weird about it.” When he looked about to argue she lifted her free hand. “Don’t deny you wouldn’t get weird, when it literally just happened.”

His expression darkened. “You must up the stakes.”

“And how do I do that?”

“A man loves competition. Make him fight to win you. Make him want to keep you beyond a night, and more toward forever. Because that’s what you want, is it not?”

Rachel hesitated. Did she? In her head she hadn’t even gone that far. Samuele had been a distraction. A nice man she should have said yes to immediately, but had turned down because of her own insecurities.

“Honestly, I couldn’t even begin to tell you at this point,” she admitted wearily. “And I hate this competitive stuff, Damiano.”

“For men like us, we thrive upon it.”

“I know you do. Say I did decide your advice was sound—which I’m not saying it is—there’s a small problem. I’m blatantly single right now. Samuele has no competition.”

“After what just happened between us, that is not the impression he has.” Damiano stepped closer and tugged her hand to his lips. He brushed a kiss across her knuckles, sending another wave of warmth through her. “He thinks you are my lover now.”

Her heart pounded at the words. The illusion they painted. “But I’m not, it was all a mistake, and he’ll probably realize that sooner or later.”

“He saw us in a passionate embrace,
Dolcezza
. There is no mistake in that.

Her heart pounded faster as she tried to figure out what he was implying. Before she could say anything, though, several people spilled out of the doorway onto the balcony, laughing and chatting loudly.

“Come, I think it is time we leave.” He cupped her elbow and steered her back inside and through the crowded room.

Soon they were away from the event, in the back of the Rolls Royce, and being whisked back toward her apartment in Brooklyn.

She turned her head slightly, to glance at him through lowered lashes. His profile displayed a brooding demeanor. Lips pursed and eyes narrowed, as if he were deep in thought. Did he regret tonight and all that had occurred?

He must’ve felt her gaze on him. “What I was trying to say earlier is the damage is done, but maybe we can use it to both of our advantage.”

“I couldn’t possibly see how.”

“Look, I wasn’t completely honestly with you, Rachel.” He sighed. “When I invited you tonight, my motives weren’t all together altruistic. Yes, I intended to give you a glimpse into what it would be like on the arm of someone like me, but I had an ulterior purpose.”

“And that purpose would be?” The hairs on the back of her neck lifted.

“I wanted us to be photographed together tonight entering the gala. And I intended to inform my mother that you were no longer just my assistant, but my
inamorata
.”

Rachel’s pulse was pounding just about as hard as her head now. Disbelief ran rampant through her.

“What does your mother have to do with this? And why on earth would you want her to believe I’m your girlfriend?”

“I made a promise, somewhat carelessly, that if I was not seriously involved with someone by my next visit, I would agree to take out a woman my mother has been trying to convince me to marry.”

“Now that is unfortunate,” she murmured, ignoring the sudden heaviness in her chest. “Because you don’t do serious.”

He gave a slow shake of his head. “No, I don’t.”

“And you’re going to Italy on Monday.” It all clicked in place. She’d scheduled his trip, which was a mix of business and pleasure. “And by taking me to the gala you realized it could work in your favor. You just tell your mother we’re together, and then you can back out of the promise to take out this other gal?”

“Something of the sorts.”

“Well she must be quite the troll.”

His mouth tightened into a grim slash. “You’ve no idea.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if you only kissed me because you had a photographer ready to snap an image,” she muttered thickly.

When he didn’t immediately deny it, as she’d expected, she gave a small gasp.

“Okay, maybe I would be surprised.”

He grunted. “A photo of an intimate moment between us is evidence even my mother wouldn’t dispute.”

She flinched and looked away. In the past she’d appreciated his candidness, but right now she wanted to tell him where he could shove it

For a moment, she’d been convinced he’d actually wanted to kiss her tonight. That maybe he’d been driven past control by the same need she felt. But that had been incredibly naïve of her. Damiano never lost control. Every move he made was carefully calculated. Motivated. And right now, she was just a pawn in his world.

“If you want to tell your mother we’re a couple so you can avoid going on a date, then fine. No harm to me,” she said bitterly. The car came to a stop outside her apartment building and she reached for the door handle. “I think I’m done.”

“Done? How so? You’re not quitting, are you?” Visibly panicked, he caught her arm.

“Done for the night.” She shot him a loathing glance. “I’m sure you’d find it quite convenient if I quit my job, though, wouldn’t you?”

“I can’t lose you, Rachel.”

As his assistant, of course. When was it that she’d begun hoping for more? That night in Paris. It had to be it.

“Look, I only want to change out of this dress, wash my face, and go lie in bed and think about all the craziness of this evening.”

“Rachel, wait.”

Reluctantly, she released her hold on the door and glanced back at him.

“Come to Italy with me.”

It was more of a command than a request, but it would’ve shocked her either way.

“Why? To pretend to be your lover?”

“Yes. Just one week. Your presence will not only appease my mother, but it’ll be giving you exactly what you need. More training, shall we say, on what you can expect if you are to become serious with someone such as Lionelli.”

Just looking at him, and the complete lack of humor in his gaze, showed her he was completely serious.

Go to Italy with him. Pretend to be his girlfriend. All for what? To keep his mother off his back? To win Samuele Lionelli’s affection? She shook her head and looked away.

“Samuele won’t want me after this.” She wasn’t even sure what
she
wanted anymore.

“He will. Because once we return to New York, you’ll be the one to end our relationship, and we’ll make sure everyone knows.” He gave a brief smile. “You’ll be suddenly quite available, and even more desirable.”

“Or maybe he’ll see me as your hand-me-downs and have no interest whatsoever,” she murmured coolly.

“Ah, you still have so much to learn,
Dolcezza
. Lionelli’s words may have been polite this evening, but now more than ever, he will want you. He will try and take you from me.”

I’m not yours to begin with
. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them.

“Think about coming to Italy with me. I’ll not accept your answer until the morning.”

“I can give you my answer now,” she quipped, struggling against irritation.

“Tomorrow.” He caught her hand again and brushed a kiss against her knuckles. “A week away from the office will be good for us both, especially after tonight.”

As if she needed that reminder.

Her door was opened a moment later by the chauffeur, and she quickly made her escape. Even if she was relieved that he didn’t insist on seeing her to her door this time, he still waited until she’d entered the building.

Once she was back in her apartment and unpinning her hair, she let out a heavy sigh.

He wanted an answer by tomorrow? Well, it wouldn’t be any different than what it had been tonight. And that was a big fat no.

“Well, if it isn’t my celebrity roommate.”

Rachel glanced up just as Lexi sauntered into the room, an iPad under one arm, and her usual cup of tea in the other.

“Celebrity? What on earth—”

“Bam, check it out.” Lexi flipped the iPad around, revealing a giant picture of Damiano and Rachel on the red carpet.

“They have it up this fast?” she asked numbly, recognizing the website as a trendy celebrity gossip site.

“They sure do. And there’s a call out for any info on who you are.” Lexi grimaced. “Girl, they’ll probably know every little detail about you by morning. Where you went to college, who your kindergarten teacher was…”

Rachel’s stomach kept sinking lower and lower. “This is a mess.”

“Yeah it is. A hot mess with your hot boss.” Lexi’s grin slipped into a bit of a sympathy smile. “And this may make your life miserable at the office on Monday.”

She hadn’t even considered what kind of gossip she’d face back at work. Crap. She didn’t want to go anywhere near the Mantovani building on Monday.

And just like that Rachel made up her mind.

She flashed her friend a tight smile and headed to her bedroom, calling over her shoulder, “Fortunately, I’m not going to work. I’m going to Italy.”

An accident on the Brooklyn Bridge slowed Damiano’s trip to pick up Rachel Monday morning. When the car pulled up alongside her apartment building, she was already out front with luggage in hand.

Damiano watched as Rachel slid into the car beside him. She was all leg, peeking out from her usual pencil skirt, as she settled in.

“So glad you’ve decided to join me.” His words held a hint of amusement, because he’d never had any doubt that she would.

Not after that photo had popped up online Saturday night. Rachel was used to being in the shadow of the spotlight, not under its direct glare.

“Let’s get a few things clear first, shall we?” She settled in beside him, fastening her seatbelt. “I’ll pose as your girlfriend this week, Damiano, but there can be no repeat performances of what happened on Saturday night.”

He arched a brow. “Do you mean our kiss?”

“That’s exactly what I mean.” She smoothed her hands over her skirt and cast him a quick look. “We can’t become physically involved. No matter what kind of pretense we’re making this week you’re still my boss in the end, and I’d like to keep my job.”

“Your job never was, and never will be, at risk, Rachel. I hope you’ll always be secure in that realization.” He gave a faint smile as the car pulled away from the curb. “That includes whether we sleep together or not.”

Her eyes widened slightly, before narrowing just as quickly. “Not. The answer is not in your bed. I thought I’d just made that clear.”

“I was speaking hypothetically. We don’t have to sleep together, but do you not think my family will find it strange,
Dolcezza
, if we are not displaying affection publicly? Even if just holding hands, or a few stolen kisses?”

A flicker of unease crossed her face. “No, I suppose you’re right. And I can,” she swallowed visibly, “manage a bit of affection then, I suppose. But when we’re alone, the charade is over.”

“If that’s what you wish.”

Did she truly think she could turn the passion on and off that easily? He knew without a doubt that there would be no acting this week when it came to the chemistry between them.

The moment he’d touched her, with his hands or with his mouth, he’d felt her shiver. Saw the flash of awareness in her eyes, and just how hard she fought.

“You sound as if you’re mocking me.” Her gaze shot accusations now. “Of course it’s my wish.”

“Is it really?” He couldn’t help but push her further. “We’re grown adults, no? So why do we act like inexperienced children flirting. I enjoyed that kiss last night, and unless I’m wrong—which I highly doubt—you did too. If there is a passion knocking at our door, why do we not answer?”

There’d been surprise in her eyes when he’d said he enjoyed their kiss, but now her chin lifted defiantly.

“I’ll tell you why. Because, in case you’ve forgotten, we’re not really a couple and as I said before, I don’t sleep around.” She slid her gaze away. “And you’re right, there’s no denying we both felt something with that kiss. It’s unfortunate we opened that door, as you put it. But I’m going to insist it must remain firmly closed.”

His lips quirked. At least she wasn’t denying the attraction between them, but he still couldn’t help but feel irked that his sensible P.A. was again acting entirely...too sensible.

“As you wish.”

She clenched her hands on her lap. “And maybe you’re using me this week, but remember I’m using you too.”

The reminder of how this whole situation had come about made something dark take root inside him.

“Lionelli.” The name was bitter on his tongue. “Of course.”

“And you were right.” She crossed one leg over another, and turned her gaze out the window. “He’s already been in contact.”

“Has he now.” He kept his words even and casual, even if darkness swelled in his gut at her statement. Lionelli had already approached her, even after Damiano had warned him away? “And what did he say?”

“That he was sad to realize I was already involved with someone,” she paused. “And that I should be careful because it was you.”

“How perfectly cliché. Throwing stones in a glass house and all. Was that everything?”

“No.” She met his gaze again and her chin lifted. “He also said should things not work out between you and I, I’m to give him a call.”

Like a dog trying to steal a bone. Damiano gave a semblance of a smile and arched a brow at her.

“Well, it appears you have exactly what you wanted. After this week is over, and you’ve spent each moment pretending to be the lover of a tycoon, you’ll be infinitely more comfortable dating Lionelli.”

“I suppose I will,” she agreed.

It didn’t change the fact that Lionelli was still a womanizing bastard and Damiano didn’t trust the man an inch.

The limo arrived at the heliport along the Hudson River a short time later, and he helped her out of the car.