Chapter Three

Gigi had hardly slept. She spent the night on her couch, trying to find a way to not go to work, or to make everything which had happened the previous night disappear. In the end, as soon as the sun had gone up, she took a shower, got dressed, and rushed to her car.

It was so early she didn't have a problem finding a parking spot almost directly under her office building. She made sure there was a lamppost under it, just in case.

After a few minutes, in which she surveyed the area, she ran from her car into the building. The guard gave her a weird look but didn't say anything. As soon as she got into the elevator, she let out a long sigh.

She was safe here. This building had guards at every door and cameras recording who came in and out. Nothing could happen to her here. For the first time since the previous evening, she felt her body relax.

The doors pinged, and she exited the box, heading toward her work area. She set down her purse and started her computer. Glancing around, she realized she was the first one to arrive.

"It's okay," she whispered. "There's security."

She went to the small kitchen they had at the back and set up the coffeemaker. At least, when everyone arrived the coffee would be ready. Returning to her seat, she put on her reading glasses and checked the time. The meeting with the new client was still two hours away, plenty of time to make her previous evening's work even better.

Before she knew it, the office was bustling with activity. Her boss and colleagues had trickled in throughout the morning, giving her a sense of security, which had eased her worries and enabled her to focus on work. Now, five minutes before the big meeting, her stomach churned unpleasantly. She'd overprepared for the meeting, but her boss had warned her that Mario Ludovico was not the friendliest guy. He was overcritical, straightforward, and demanded the best of the best.

She glanced at the clock. He was also not the most punctual, as he was already five minutes late. A commotion outside the meeting room caught her attention. Her jaw dropped as through the glass windows she saw two men the size of small doors, dressed in undoubtedly tailor-made suits, headed in their direction. Meg, her boss's secretary, rushed ahead of them, almost tripping as she opened the door a bit wider.

"Mr. Miller, Mr. Ludovico and company have arrived," she said breathlessly.

The men barged into the room, their presence commanding. Her boss plastered the practiced grin she'd seen hundreds of times onto his face and went, hand extended, to greet their customers. She scurried to her feet, forcing her lips upward, waiting to be introduced.

"Miller." The tallest one, with dark locks which stylishly fell over his forehead and green eyes, extended his hand. Her heart tripled its rate, her mind recalling the individual from the previous night. Tattoos peeked from under the cuff of his shirt, and she unconsciously took a step back. The movement caught his attention and his gaze fell on her. "And you are?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Let me introduce my associate, Geraldine Evans. She'll be working with us."

A slow smile spread across Ludovico's face. His eyes glimmered as he blatantly took her in. Her cheeks warmed and she fought the urge to cross her arms over her chest. Finally, he extended his hand.

"It will be a pleasure to work with you, Ms. Evans."

Be professional, Gigi.

She firmly grasped his hand and bit back a gasp as a small shock traveled across her body setting it alight. Ludovico squeezed her fingers, and she pulled back. He released her immediately with a chuckle.

"And your colleague," she asked, desperate for a distraction.

"Lorenzo is my bodyguard," he said, pointing to the man with a wide set of shoulders. He extended his hand. Gigi grabbed it warily, fearing a similar reaction, but nothing happened. She breathed a sigh of relief. It must have been her imagination and her frayed nerves. After greeting them, Lorenzo turned his back and gazed into the office surveying the area.

"Well, then, now that introductions have been made, let's have a seat and get down to business."

****

The meeting went on for hours. Lunch was ordered, eaten, and scraps were sent away. Gigi glanced at the clock. Had they really been sitting here all day? She was mentally and physically exhausted. She had hardly slept the previous night and today she'd felt as if she couldn't let her guard down for a second, not when the client, Ludovico, didn't seem to take his eyes off her.

"Are you all right, Ms. Evans? You seem a bit jumpy."

She blinked and faced him, trying to hide the heat that crept up her spine every time their gazes met.

"I'm not going to deny I'm a bit tired. We've been at this all day."

"Indeed. Pleasure and pain are but a thin line away."

"Pleasure and pain?" she repeated.

He winked at her.

"The pleasure of your company mingled with the pain of doing this work."

"Oh." She looked away quickly, too embarrassed to say anything. What the hell was wrong with her? She wouldn't usually allow this kind of behavior from anyone, much less a client, but the sensual Italian had her out of sorts.

It's exhaustion. When you get a good night's rest, you'll be your old self.

"Maybe we should call it a day," Ludovico declared, standing up abruptly. "Ms. Evans is tired and so am I. We can continue tomorrow."

"I have another meeting to attend tomorrow, but—"

"There's no need for you to reschedule your other commitments, Miller," Ludovico said. "I want Ms. Evans to take care of our account."

"Mr. Ludovico, I don't think Gigi … I mean, Ms. Evans, has the necessary experience to deal with your business."

"Either she does it or we take it elsewhere, am I clear, Miller?" Ludovico stared at her boss as if he were nothing but a bothersome bug which could be easily exterminated.

"Of course, of course. Gigi, step into my office. We'll work a bit late today so I can catch you up on the details—"

"No," she almost screamed the words, and her hand flew to her mouth. "I apologize," she said, swallowing hard. "It's just, I'd rather leave the office before it's dark. This area is not exactly the safest at night."

"Nonsense," Miller said, waving his arms in the air. "It's perfectly safe."

"She's right." Ludovico interjected. "Besides, she can catch up tomorrow." He turned to her and offered her his arm. "Come, Ms. Evans, I'll walk you to your car."

"That's okay. It's still light out—"

"I insist."

"I have to pick up, organize the documents, and—"

"I'll wait."

"That's not necessary."

"Considering your cry of distress two minutes ago. I believe it is. We will wait."

He sat back down, crossed his arms over his chest, and lifted his eyebrows.

Gigi swore under her breath. She'd worked with stubborn customers before, but this was new. None of them had ever worried about her well-being or her safety, quite the contrary. Most of them just wanted her to get the job done as fast as possible even if it meant she had to work extra hours. She glanced at her boss. He kept his head bowed, helping her collect the papers.

She bent over the table to grasp a set of papers. When she lifted her gaze, she met Ludovico's green eyes. He smirked and glanced at his lap. She bit back a gasp as the outline of his erection became apparent. Had she had that effect on him? A surge of desire slammed into her. This was unprecedented. Irrational.

"Mr. Miller would be better suited to take care of your business, Mr. Ludovico," she said, clasping the paperwork against her chest like a shield.

"I don't think so," he replied with a toothy grin.

"I don't have the knowledge."

His smile grew. "I'm certain you do."

"I—"

"There is no way you will make me change my mind, Ms. Evans. I have made a decision, and there is no going back once my mind is set."

"But…"

"No." Ludovico stood up. His height and build dwarfed her, and she took a step back, banging against the door. "No. I will walk you to your car now, and tomorrow we will reconvene. Is that clear?"

She nodded.

"I want you to say it," he ordered dropping his tone to a whisper. "Dillo."

Gigi swallowed. She managed to keep her gaze on him as she spoke.

"It's clear, Mr. Ludovico."

"Excellent. Then, let's go."