A Venetian Affair

by Catherine George

  ‘Hello, Nell. Welcome back.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Her heart was thundering so violently she could hardly breathe. She wasn’t sure why he had attacked her in the hall, though she had swiftly defused it and he hadn’t come back at her. ‘It’s been a long time.’ She couldn’t allow any of this to become personal. She was in Venice for a reason. Luca Barbaro’s endorsement was crucial if her pilot scheme was to be a success.

  But it didn’t help that the response she’d had to him the first time they met hadn’t faded. In fact it had hit home even more strongly, like a sledgehammer, making it impossible to think straight. It wasn’t that he was older, or that his aura of power had increased…she wasn’t sure what it was, but she knew that he affected her more urgently. He even smelled different: warm, spicy, masculine, dangerous…

  ‘So, what brings you here? What makes you think Venice is in need of your services?’

  He was like a coiled spring. She launched into her reassuring spiel. ‘People everywhere welcome the support of our volunteers…’

  This wasn’t the right time or place for a serious discussion, though. ‘Perhaps we can organise a proper meeting so that I can reassure you.’

  ‘Perhaps…’

  She didn’t like the way he was looking at her—eyes darkening with something. Humour, maybe? Or rather, she liked it too much. She held his gaze because he had to know the strength of her resolve. This was a good scheme. It had helped more people than he could imagine, and she wouldn’t let it fail because of the way this man made her feel.

  He had more presence than she remembered. The planes of his face were more rugged and his hair had been cut abrasively short, which suited him. It suited the hard expression that had crept into his eyes. Everything about him was unsettling. The blue-black stubble was darker, the lips crueller but also more sensuous. He exuded strength and purpose and, she saw, an implacable resistance.

  ‘How do you fund this?’ he said bluntly.

  Nell’s hackles rose. Did he think she was dishonest? She didn’t want to get into detail now, but she didn’t want him running away with the thought that this was a profit-making exercise either. ‘Donations, mostly. We’re a registered charity. The volunteers work for expenses only, and some of them refuse to take even that. I am not salaried. I fund myself from an invested sum.’ She stopped there, her eyes telling him plainly that was all he needed to know about her personal finances. She wasn’t about to tell him it was the very large compensation pay-out she had received after Jake’s death that had allowed her to start the scheme.

  ‘This meeting wasn’t about raising funds, Signor Barbaro.’ Nell exaggerated his elevation just enough to let him know it gave him no greater standing in her eyes. ‘It was about informing the local hospitals and the public about what we can offer. And may I remind you,’ she continued evenly, ‘that this isn’t an ego trip for me, or for you? We’re here to support people who need our help—and that’s your help and mine.’

  ‘As far as I’m aware, I’m already helping just by doing my job.’

  Nice to know the ego was intact! ‘But now we have a chance to do something together…’ She broke off abruptly. Her usual line of persuasion hardly seemed appropriate in this instance.

  ‘To do something together?’ Luca prompted ironically.

  She met his gaze without a flicker of expression. ‘Yes, we would be working together for a time if you agree to let us set up the pilot scheme in your hospital.’ She glanced around dismissively. ‘Are there any more questions I can help you with now?’

  ‘Just one. Who zipped you into that suit?’

  The fact that he had noticed at all threw her—but then her image had changed rather dramatically since the last time they had met. Even so, it was an uncomfortably intimate observation, and he had obviously meant it as a parting shot because by the time she was ready to fire back, he had started to walk away. ‘Any more sensible questions?’ she called after him.

  He turned to stare at her over his shoulder, his lips tugging down in a wry smile as he pretended to reflect. ‘No, I don’t think so.’

  ‘Good!’ She snapped the word before she could stop herself, knowing she too was making it personal.

  Luca’s response was a long, slow smile, which reminded her how good he was at reading thoughts. ‘But I’ll be sure to think of some by the time we have our private meeting. Just you and me.’

  Nell didn’t know whether to be relieved or not when he walked away.

  She didn’t move until he had disappeared into the crowd and then she let out the air in her lungs in one juddering breath. She almost fell into the chair Marianna was holding out for her when she got back to the dressing room.

  ‘Who was that?’ Marianna’s voice was a cautious mix of concern and suppressed excitement.

  ‘You noticed?’ Nell shrugged wryly.

  Molly provided a welcome distraction, launching herself at Nell. ‘You were great, Mum! And so was that man.’

  ‘What man?’ Nell’s heart started thumping again. She knew very well to whom Molly was referring. ‘What on earth makes you say that?’

  ‘He made it exciting. Everyone shot up when he spoke.’

  Nell’s eyes narrowed as she caught Molly sharing a conspiratorial glance with Marianna. She’d make Barbaro shoot up next time she saw him…

  The thought was barely formed before the door swung open.

  ‘Hello again, Nell.’

  Nell couldn’t believe her eyes. She couldn’t believe Luca would have the nerve to walk in unannounced. Her pulse was so far off the scale she couldn’t even speak.

  Molly spoke for her. ‘Hello.’ Tipping her head, she looked at Luca then at her mother, her eyes bright at the thought of the entertainment to come.

  Luca hunkered down to Molly’s level to introduce himself. ‘Hi. So you’re Molly.’

  As Molly turned a questioning face her way Nell felt all the old resentment bubbling up inside her.

  ‘Do you remember me, Molly?’ Luca said.

  ‘Of course I do. You called out to Mum when she was speaking in the hall.’

  As Luca glanced around, Nell knew they were both thinking the same thing—the emergency hospital admission had left no imprint on Molly’s young mind.

  ‘Yes, that was rude of me.’ He spoke casually, as if he and Molly were sharing a confidence.

  ‘It made things interesting,’ Molly observed. Her voice was neutral, but her glance kept flicking between Luca and her mother.

  ‘It certainly did,’ Luca agreed.

  Nell didn’t pick him up on it. She didn’t want to make too much of what had happened in the hall for all sorts of reasons—most importantly, she didn’t want Molly becoming suspicious.

  Suspicious? There was nothing for Molly to become suspicious about. But she was clearly waiting for an explanation as to why they had such an interesting visitor.

  Nell had made sure that Molly understood her condition for her own safety. They never laboured it, but there was no reason not to tell her about the first time they had met Luca. ‘When you were taken ill in Venice all those years ago, Signor Barbaro was your doctor.’

  ‘Oh, now I see.’ Molly stared at Luca with increased interest.

  ‘So, we’re friends?’ Luca held out his hand.

  ‘You bet!’ Molly’s face broke into a grin.

  The sight of the two of them forging a compact made Nell uncomfortable. But she was bound as always by her wish to put the project before her own feelings. And this meant that he was serious about them having a meeting. ‘What can I do for you?’

  ‘Thought I’d better tie up our appointment before you found yourself completely booked up,’ he said. ‘Five minutes of your time?’

  ‘Of course.’ Nell hadn’t thought it would be so easy, but against all her expectations it seemed that Luca Barbaro was prepared to consider her scheme.

  Marianna said, ‘Don’t forget our challenge back at the hotel, Molly.’ Nell realised that she was a
bout to take Molly and discreetly slip away. That she didn’t want. ‘You don’t have to go.’

  ‘Doom Merchant Seven,’ Molly was confiding to Luca. ‘Marianna will never beat me. I’ve reached level twelve.’

  Luca dipped his head in approval. ‘One short of me.’

  ‘Really?’ Molly’s face was incandescent with admiration.

  ‘Perhaps I’ll take you on some time,’ Luca suggested, standing up.

  ‘Would you?’

  Luca was probably just saying it for effect, Nell told herself, which Molly wouldn’t realise. She would help him to back out gracefully and save Molly’s feelings in the long run too. ‘I’m sure Signor Barbaro has other things to do than play computer games.’ Luca slanted her a glance, and she added sharply, ‘Doubtless, as the top paediatric consultant in Venice and the medical director here, you have very little time to spare.’

  He had moved behind her, where Molly could see him and she couldn’t, though she could feel his warm breath brush her ear when he started speaking.

  ‘You don’t know me at all if you think I would pass up an opportunity to play Doom Merchant Seven with a master.’

  Molly started giggling and Nell felt her face heat up. Luca was right. She didn’t know him. Better for all of them if she kept it that way.

  Marianna held out her hand. ‘Come on, Molly, your mother’s got things to talk about.’

  ‘No!’ Nell began to collect her things. ‘Wait a minute and I’ll come with you.’

  ‘Why don’t you come on later when we’ve finished our game?’ Molly piped up. ‘You’ll only be bored sitting there watching us.’

  Nell saw a muscle twitch in Luca’s jaw and suspected he was trying not to laugh.

  He waited until the door closed behind Molly and Marianna before saying, ‘You’re not frightened of me, are you, Nell?’ He leaned back against the wall to stare at her, arms folded.

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’ But what was ridiculous was the shimmer of desire quivering down her spine. ‘What do you want?’ An appointment, Nell wondered, or something more?

  He tipped his head, his lips curving in a half-smile. ‘You have nothing to fear from me. Weren’t those your words to me back in the hall?’

  ‘I might have said something like that with regard to the scheme,’ Nell admitted. Tilting her chin, she held his gaze. ‘No, I’m not scared of you. You’re just here to make an appointment.’

  ‘That’s right. We didn’t settle on a date or a time in the hall.’ He smiled. ‘I’d like to pin you down right now.’

  Chapter Five

  GRABBING her diary, Nell briskly settled on a mutually convenient date, then stowed the book back in her briefcase and made for the door. Business was one thing, lingering with Luca was another—and she had no intention of giving him the impression that her life was an open playing field.

  Luca smiled to himself. She was tougher now, and far more together than he remembered, but brittle too. Maybe she would crack if he went in too hard. But maybe that was what he wanted. He might support her scheme, he might not…He’d need to know a lot more about it first. Like, how far would Ms Foster be prepared to go to gain his compliance?

  OK, that wasn’t one of the questions he’d be asking, but if she’d been a threat in those boho clothes with her hair gelled up in spikes, in a severe suit with her shirt buttoned up to her chin she was more of a promise. A promise he was making right now to himself. And that hair was glorious—how could she have ever cut it short? It looked as if every strand had been hand-polished with silk. How would it feel to run his fingers through it…how would it look spread out on a pillow?

  ‘I won’t keep you.’

  He refocused. She was ending the meeting on him? Still, he liked a challenge. ‘I think we’ve made a bad start.’

  She didn’t cave in right away at his admission, merely nodded and smiled gravely. He smiled too and turned up the charm. ‘How about I buy dinner to make up for it?’

  Her eyes widened as she stared at him. ‘Dinner? Are you serious?’

  ‘Why not?’ He shrugged, lips pressing down as if everything in the hall had been nothing more than a misunderstanding. ‘You asked for questions, I gave you questions. That’s it. But I would like to discuss the scheme further.’ Now he had to hope the project came before her pride.

  As he waited for her response, he took the opportunity to observe her without distraction. It had been a long time and there were many changes. He always listened to his senses—how a patient looked, how they felt beneath his hands. His intuition had never let him down in the past and it was as acute as ever now. She was undeniably sincere about this scheme of hers—and though she obviously didn’t know it, she was hot.

  ‘Why are you smiling?’

  Because she was different? Because he was intrigued, wanted to know all there was to know about her? No. Because this time he was going to take her to bed.

  ‘Are you so confident I’ll accept your invitation that you’re already celebrating?’ she suggested.

  He killed the smile, ignored her cynicism and gave himself a sharp reminder that he couldn’t afford any more lapses of attention. ‘No, of course not.’ He met the level gaze head-on. ‘What on earth would I have to celebrate if you decided to accept?’

  She smiled at that, almost. It made him feel good inside. Better than good. He had never forgotten her—had never forgotten the fright she had given him when he was just starting out on his career and the smallest indiscretion might have brought the whole pack of cards tumbling down. He’d been forced to remove himself from the case, but that didn’t mean he’d forgotten Nell. When he’d heard she was coming to Venice he’d moved heaven and earth to make sure he could attend the meeting. And the moment he’d first set eyes on her again, the engine inside him had gone into overdrive. He’d had no alternative but to stand up, stand out, confront her, be the leader of the pack—there was a primeval instinct driving him. It wasn’t her scheme he was arguing for or against; he was staking his claim.

  Seeing Nell with Molly had complicated things. He had anticipated meeting up with the same harridan who had bad-mouthed the colleagues he held in such high regard, who thought all doctors were demons and who was asking to be thoroughly and relentlessly bedded until she became a recognisable human being. What he’d actually found was a dedicated worker on a crusade to improve the world, a mother whose whole face lit up every time she looked at her child…a woman with enough secrets hidden beneath that bright blue stare to pique his interest.

  Plan ‘A’ had called for the briefest of introductions followed by consummation. Plan ‘B’ called for something rather more subtle—like dinner first, Venetian-style.

  ‘In that case, I accept.’

  ‘I beg your pardon?’ For a moment he wondered what she was talking about. His senses were stirring all over the place, but the activity hadn’t reached his brain yet.

  ‘Dinner?’ she reminded him. ‘Now I know how much it will pain you to take me out, I couldn’t possibly refuse. And you should pay a penance for your bad behaviour in the hall.’

  A penance? He had to kill the thoughts darting round his head or she’d see them in his eyes and change her mind fast. ‘Dinner together.’ He affected a frown. ‘Was that my idea?’ It was fun provoking her, fun seeing her head cock to one side and her lips falling open in surprise…but the best fun of all was to be had seeing her eyes darken as she stared up at him.

  ‘I believe so,’ she observed primly. ‘It certainly wasn’t my idea. And I hope you’ll be taking me somewhere nice—no fast food.’ She raised a brow.

  ‘Fast food?’ He lingered over the words, if only because it gave him more time to look at her, to watch her blue eyes darkening still further. ‘Only tourists eat on the run. A true Venetian likes to take his time and savour every mouthful.’ The same way he likes to make love. But he didn’t add that.

  ‘I’m looking forward to it,’ she said drily.

  You and me both. He smiled
faintly.

  ‘It will be a good opportunity for me to have a preliminary chat with you about how our scheme can operate in your hospital before we have our actual meeting,’ she went on, determinedly businesslike. ‘I can assure you it has the potential to enhance the services you offer—’

  ‘My services?’ He kept his face perfectly straight.

  ‘You are in charge now, aren’t you?’

  ‘Yes, I am.’ Her eyes had changed—hardened—as she pursued her goal. He didn’t want to get into discussions about business—not until he had investigated Ms Foster’s personal potential a little further. ‘I’m sure we’ll find plenty of time to discuss your scheme over dinner.’ He smiled reassuringly.

  He sensed she hadn’t forgiven him yet for his attack on her in the hall. He wasn’t going to have it all his own way; they were well-matched. That made an exciting change.

  ‘Venice will be our first outpost in Italy,’ she remarked. ‘Shall we go?’

  He held the door for her. ‘You’re very sure of yourself.’

  ‘I have to be if I’m going to support my team as they deserve, if I’m going to convince people like you that it’s a good thing we’re doing, and not a threat.’

  He couldn’t help but admire her control after the way he had gone for her in the hall. He also sensed she had softened towards him, if only because she could see a gleam of hope that he might be persuaded to consider allowing her volunteers into his hospital. He pressed home the advantage. ‘I hope you’re hungry?’

  ‘Starving, Luca.’

  The comic look was clearly meant to warn him she was going to eat her way through the menu, but her use of his first name was a definite plus…

  ‘Signor Barbaro?’ She waved her hands in front of his eyes as they stood waiting for the lift. ‘Are you still with me?’

  ‘You called me Luca—shall we stay with that?’ He guessed she was balancing the need to get him on her side against her wish to keep him at a safe distance.

  ‘All right. I suppose in that case you’d better call me Nell.’