8. Raven

"Are you ready for today?"I tap away on my phone, sending yet another email for an acquisition that needs my attention.

Even in Italy, I can't escape work. Being the CEO means no rest. I have to be accessible at all times.

Most days, I don't mind it.

But being in Milan with Blair?

I wouldn't mind having more than one minute alone with her.

From the moment we arrived at the airport in Seattle, it seems like we've been going a thousand miles per hour.

After checking in, there was a cocktail hour with everyone interested in buying the company, then we had a free day to rest and tour the city. I kept getting distracted by work while the two of us went out to explore.

So far, everything about Blair is impressing people. I could tell Laney and Eden both liked her. No doubt she could charm the pants off any person.

I wish I could hate the fact that we have to share a bed, but I don't. I hate that I can't pull her into my arms and taste her. I want to wake up tangled around her.

Being that close to her is going to be the biggest distraction these next few weeks.

"Duomo Tour, right?"

Movement from the bedroom catches my eye as Blair walks into the living room. Setting my phone down on the bar, I drink in the woman in front of me.

Sweeping blonde hair curls around her shoulders. A simple, white T-shirt that hugs her curves is tucked into a pair of dark jeans with white tennis shoes to round out the look. My eyes snap back up to hers to find them raking over me.

I shift under her steady gaze. The thrum of my pulse picks up, echoing in my ears. It's not supposed to be like this.

I'm not supposed to feel anything for Blair Stevens. She was brought here to make me look like a well-rounded person. Someone whose life is more than work.

Even though I was firing off emails for the last twenty minutes.

But that's beside the point.

When Blair's eyes connect with mine, a flush colors her cheeks. I wonder what else of hers turns that color.

"Raven?"

"Sorry, what?"

I shake my head clear of any thoughts that would take me down the wrong road. This is a transaction. Plain and simple.

No need to get feelings or any other body parts involved.

"We're going to the Duomo?"

I nod, swallowing down the last of my orange juice sitting next to my phone. "Have you ever been?" God, I could smack myself for being so stupid. "Right, never been to Italy before, so of course not."

What is it about Blair that turns me into a bumbling buffoon? I can stare down CEOs of any company without breaking a sweat. Yet, the woman who is pretending to be my girlfriend is the one twisting up my insides?

Get it together, Raven.

"Duomo then lunch on our own."

Blair leans across me, grabbing a grape and popping it into her mouth. The citrusy scent that follows her overwhelms me.

"Ready to go then?"

"Yes."

And ready to breathe some Blair-free air.

* * *

The tour guide goes on. And on. And on.

The history of the building we're in. How it came to be. It helps distract me from where we are— on the roof of this impressive church.

Being outside in the midst of it is stunning. Even something I can appreciate as I stay in the middle of the roof.

I hate heights. And seeing how high up we are right now? I wish I could take the express elevator down to the ground floor.

The Duomo, though, is best seen like this—experiencing the true beauty rather than hearing about it secondhand.

Except Blair is eating up every word. She's been asking questions the entire time, and I can't help but wish she was asking me these kinds of questions.

There's something about her. I want to learn everything about her. She's complicated. I want her to let me in.

It drives me crazy. I'm the kind of person that has people opening up to me within minutes. Sharing their life story.

So why can't I get Blair to?

Her steps are guarded as she walks over to me. People surround us everywhere on the roof.

"Have you ever seen something so beautiful?" Blair steps up to my elbow. Dark sunglasses hide her eyes, but her head is on a swivel, turning every which way to take it all in.

"I haven't."

She turns to face me, a small smile playing on her lips. "Have you even looked at the view?"

She's the only view I want—no, need—right this very minute.

"How can you not? No wonder Eden settled in Milan. It's incredible."

The Duomo looms large over the square, its fingers casting long shadows in its wake. Ornate, gothic architecture is a visual feast. With the pillars reaching into the sky, it's like we're in our own town up here.

"I wish we had more time here." Her voice is wistful, carried away on the wind, like she doesn't want anyone to know she won't be able to come back.

"Hey." I hook my hand around her elbow and pull her into me. "It just means we'll make the most of all the time we have here."

That earns me a real smile. "I plan on it. Even if I have to drag you along."

"Hey! Who said you'd have to drag me anywhere?"

Blair shrugs a shoulder, pushing her sunglasses up onto her head. "You didn't seem that interested in hearing about the history of this place."

"Because I'm trying to focus on not falling over the edge," I mutter.

Blair goes to peek down over the ledge, but I pull her back.

"Don't get too close!"

Blair laughs, deep and bright and full. "You realize there's an entire other level down there, right?"

I step closer to the edge, giving it a safe distance to see more people below us.

"It's like this place keeps on going."

"C'mon." Blair links her hand with mine and pulls me off with her.

My breath hitches in my throat as I follow her down the narrow steps.

It has nothing to do with the way she's holding my hand. Or the way it sends frissons of heat through me, my heart beating double time in my chest.

"The view is even better down here."

Blair leans against the railing, looking down over the tiny people in the square. Groups of tourists are taking photos, others mingling in sidewalk cafés.

With the blue skies, it's postcard worthy.

I try not to step too close to the edge.

"Are you scared of heights?" Blair turns, curious eyes meeting mine when I stay back from her.

"I wouldn't say scared. More like giving them the respect they deserve from a safe distance."

Blair smirks, leaning back against the side of a pillar. "And here I didn't think you were scared of anything."

"I didn't say scared."

"Then come here." She holds her hand out to me, and I take it without thought.

"You're not scared of heights?" I whisper, trying not to focus on how small everyone looks below us.

"I'm not scared of much these days."

Blair scoots me closer to the edge, and my grip on her tightens. Digging my nails into her arms, I don't let go.

"I promise," Blair whispers, close to my ear, "I won't let anything happen to you."

It's those words that have me relaxing into her hold.

How can a woman I've only known for a short while have such power over me?

I don't want to give it to her, but she's taken it.

Right here on the roof of this imposing structure in Milan.

It was the thing I wasn't expecting to happen. But somehow, Blair has crawled under the defenses I use to keep the world at bay and is slotting herself into my life.

I'd stay up here with her for ages if it meant I got to keep her.

Heights be damned.