A Jersey Affair

by Georgina Troy

  His mouth lifted in the barest imitation of a smile. ‘If you’d rather I left you alone to enjoy some peace, please tell me. I won’t be offended.’

  ‘No, it’s fine.’ It wasn’t this guy’s fault she was anti-men at the moment. She had forgotten not all of them were scheming pigs. ‘I’m sorry. I’m not normally this unfriendly,’ she said, wishing to make amends for her unnecessary rudeness. She watched him pull back the chair next to her and sit down. It occurred to her that his piercing blue eyes, coupled with his intoxicating aftershave could do an awful lot of persuading to an unsuspecting female. Not that she thought for a moment she could be so susceptible.

  ‘I travel a lot,’ he said, his clipped English accent not matching his Roman good looks, ‘but it’s always more enjoyable to have a conversation with someone rather than drinking alone, don’t you think?’

  Paige nodded.

  ‘Would you like another drink?’ He indicated her near empty glass.

  ‘Yes please.’

  He ordered and then looked out over the terrace wall. ‘It doesn’t matter how many times I visit Sorrento, I never tire of this view.’

  ‘It’s my first time here,’ Paige admitted, wondering what he was doing here by himself.

  They sat in silence for a minute or two. The waiter returned with their drinks and Paige held up her glass and smiled. ‘Thank you,’ she said before taking a sip.

  ‘For what?’

  ‘For this,’ she said, holding up her glass. ‘and for catching me this afternoon.’

  ‘My pleasure. Are you here on holiday?’

  ‘I’m on honeymoon alone, because my fiancé has decided in his infinite wisdom that he now prefers my best friend. I’m Paige Bingham, by the way,’ she said, aware she hadn’t actually introduced herself yet.

  ‘Ah,’ Sebastian widened his eyes. ‘Not too sure what to say to that scenario.’

  ‘Nothing much you can say really.’ She wished she had not been quite so quick to open up about her private woes. ‘Anyway, I’m putting all that unpleasantness behind me.’ She stared down at her glass. ‘Or that’s the plan, anyway. Here’s to a new beginning.’

  ‘Yes, and it would be hard to find anywhere more atmospheric than Sorrento in which to start again.’ He touched her glass lightly with his own. ‘I’m here on business,’ he said. ‘As my meetings today have been a little better than I’d expected, I was wondering if you’d like to share a bottle of champagne with me?’

  Should she, Paige wondered, suspecting her feeling of intoxication was due more to his presence than the alcohol she’d consumed so far. She thought back to Olly’s insistence that she get out and enjoy herself and surely having a few drinks with Sebastian would be a good way to start? ‘I don’t see why not.’

  Chapter Two

  Sebastian caught the attention of the waiter. ‘A bottle of the Laurent Perrier Rosé, please,’ he said, turning and smiling at the woman in front of him. He must have been even more wound up about his earlier meeting not to have noticed how pretty she was when he’d caught her in the town. ‘What an unexpected pleasure meeting you today.’

  Paige looked down at her feet before looking him directly in the eyes once again. She was so lovely, but Sebastian didn’t think she had an inkling as to how alluring she was. She seemed to be struggling for something to say and the sadness in her green eyes made him want to cheer her up. ‘How long are you staying in Sorrento?’

  ‘Two weeks,’ she replied. ‘You?’

  ‘About the same.’ He’d have to remember to send Linda an email as soon as he had a moment to try and clear some time in his diary. Now he’d met this intriguing girl, he was determined to get to know her a little before they went their separate ways.

  ‘Are you here alone, too?’

  He nodded. ‘I am, but I’ve pretty much wrapped up everything I needed to do here.’ Maybe this was what his secretary had meant when she suggested taking time off work and relaxing. He’d never seen the point of it before this evening.

  ‘You could enjoy a bit of a holiday.’

  ‘I don’t take many holidays,’ Sebastian admitted. ‘To be honest, I can’t remember the last time I travelled for pleasure.’

  ‘So this is all work then?’

  He shrugged. ‘Initially, yes, but I’ve almost concluded my meetings here. I can now take the next ten days or so to enjoy some of the sights this place is famous for.’

  ‘Everyone should find time for themselves. Don’t you agree?’

  ‘I do.’ Hell, she was lovely. He couldn’t take his eyes of her beautiful face as she smiled at him warily. How could anyone jilt this alluring creature? ‘Is that what you’re doing?’

  Paige laughed. ‘Only because my bossy friend insisted I should. I usually spend most of my time either working or thinking about it.’

  ‘Then I’m glad your friend persuaded you to come.’

  Paige nodded. ‘So am I.’

  ‘As it’s your first time here, will you let me introduce you to the best that Sorrento and Naples has to offer?’

  She took a sip of her drink and peered over the rim at him. ‘Are you sure?’

  Sebastian couldn’t hold back a laugh. ‘It will be fun for me to have someone to show around, and I’d hate you to return home having missed the best sights.’

  She visibly relaxed. ‘In that case, I’d love to join you.’

  ‘Great. Shall we start by eating dinner out here this evening and you can tell me all about the places you had in mind to visit?’ He would have loved to take her to the old town for a meal, but hadn’t missed seeing her grimace and rub her feet earlier when she’d thought he wasn’t looking. He would simply have to wait until tomorrow.

  ‘Yes, I’d like that,’ she said after a little hesitation.

  ‘Should we meet down here at, say, seven thirty?’

  ‘Perfect,’ she said, a little awkwardly, before walking over to the stairs.

  He watched her climb up to the first floor. ‘My key, please,’ he said to the receptionist, as he retrieved his mobile and quickly emailed his secretary, asking her to call him as soon as she was free. It was late, but she never seemed to mind him contacting her.

  The phone rang almost immediately. ‘Linda, thanks for calling me back. How is everything coming along?’

  ‘Your lawyer called to confirm that the due diligence for the buy-out is almost complete. There are only a few financial queries left to input on to your spreadsheet, but I’m waiting for those to be sent from the FD of the company. He’s assured your lawyer we’ll have them by start of play tomorrow.’

  ‘Fine; as soon as you’ve collated all the information, forward it to me and I’ll have a look. Copy in Sir Edmund to keep him in the loop and give him the chance to put forward his comments, should he have any. We don’t want any excuses for a delay on this.’ He waited for the receptionist to hand over his key and nodded his thanks to her. ‘What’s my work schedule for the next ten days?’ he asked, making for the lift.

  ‘The usual weekly meetings.’ He could hear her tapping away at her keyboard. ‘You have a few calls lined up, and you wanted me to set up a meeting with the President of the Chamber of Commerce in Jersey in the next few weeks. However, he’s away at a conference, so I haven’t been able to finalize anything with his PA yet.’

  ‘Perfect. I’d like you to clear everything from my diary for the next week and a half. Apart from the conference calls, I’ll conduct those from here.’

  Linda didn’t reply for a moment. ‘Will you book the meeting rooms with the hotel?’

  ‘Yes, I’ll do that when I get to my room. Clear everything else though and book the Jersey meetings. The latest I want these to be held is three weeks from now.’

  He’d been working on this takeover for months and once the due diligence had been completed and everything was in order, then he would have to set up a temporary office in Jersey. He would have to work hard to implement his way of running the place with the staff. He knew from
experience that this was when the battles would begin. Finances he could deal with, it was people’s emotions that caused delays and unforeseen difficulties.

  Seb sighed. He didn’t mind people standing up for what they believed in, it was their right after all, but each time he conducted a takeover there always seemed to be people who thought they knew better. He wondered if he would ever work on a business where the employees realized that their concessions had declined to such an extent that the only chance of survival was to do things his way.

  Linda interrupted his thoughts. ‘I’ll change your flights back from Italy to the UK and email the itinerary across to you.’

  ‘Great. I think that’s it. I’ll give Sir Edmund a call tomorrow. If he asks to speak to me, you can tell him I’ve taken a short break.’

  ‘He’ll be relieved. Your uncle always says you work too hard.’ He could tell by the tone of her voice that she was pleased he was taking a little time off work.

  Sebastian laughed. ‘That’s rich coming from my uncle, the original workaholic.’

  They followed the maître d’ to their table. ‘You look lovely,’ Seb said as soon as they were seated. ‘Did you have a relaxing couple of hours?’

  ‘Yes, thank you.’

  He waited for the waiter to hand them both a menu. ‘Do you have a preference for wine?’

  Paige shrugged. ‘Not really. I’m happy to go with what you decide.’

  Seb looked up at the waiter. ‘A bottle of your 2003 Pio Cesare Barbaresco, please.’

  ‘I don’t think I’ve tried that before,’ Paige said, looking a little unsure.

  ‘If you don’t enjoy it, we can choose another.’ He watched her for a moment. ‘You mentioned you wanted to visit Pompeii and I was wondering if you’d like to go there tomorrow.’

  ‘I’d love to,’ she said smiling. ‘Is it far from here?’

  Seb shook his head. ‘Only about a half hour drive. I have a car here, so it won’t be a problem.’

  ‘Have you been to Italy many times?’

  ‘A few, but each time I come here, I discover sights I’d missed the time before.’

  ‘I can’t wait. I mustn’t forget to take my camera. Olly will be expecting to see photos of everywhere I visit.’

  Seb wasn’t surprised there was a man in her life somewhere. They gave their order.

  ‘Do you have family here?’ asked Paige.

  Sebastian laughed and shook his head. ‘No, my mother’s family originate from Northern Italy.’ She seemed satisfied that her suspicions were correct. ‘What were your reasons for choosing Sorrento?’

  Paige thought for a moment. ‘It always looked so romantic in photos and I thought it was,’ she looked away from him, ‘well, the perfect place for a honeymoon.’

  ‘Sorry, that was tactless of me.’ Sebastian winced. ‘I should have realised it was an insensitive question.’

  ‘No, not at all. I don’t even know why I reacted like that. I suppose, it’s because I still can’t quite believe that only a week ago I thought I was getting married. It was so unexpected.’

  ‘I can see why you needed to get away then.’ He studied her pained expression, angry with her ex-fiancé on her behalf.

  Paige smiled at him. ‘You look so serious. Please don’t concern yourself with my dramas, I’ll be fine. I’m tougher than I probably seem.’ She looked out across the bay.

  Sebastian rubbed his chin. ‘Then it’s up to me to make sure you have the perfect holiday. The first thing we’re going to do is forget your ex ever existed. He obviously doesn’t deserve you.’

  Paige glanced up and stared at him. Her gaze made his stomach clench with desire. ‘Thank you. You’re very kind.’

  ‘I wouldn’t be too impressed with my actions, watching you experience these incredible sights for the first time is a great incentive.’

  ‘I suspect you’d be just as sweet if I was an ugly old lady.’

  ‘Really? Are you sure of that?’ Sebastian narrowed his eyes but couldn’t refrain from smiling.

  Paige laughed. ‘Maybe not, but you’ve made me feel much better, so I’m grateful.’

  ‘Don’t be. My motives are entirely selfish,’ he admitted. ‘Let’s eat. We need to keep our strength up if we’re going to see all the attractions I intend showing you.’

  ‘What are those?’ asked Paige the following day, stopping to stand on one of the large stones and gazing down the ancient street to the side of her.

  ‘They’re ruts from the wheels of the Pompeians’ carts. Incredible to think we’re able to see these centuries after everything was buried.’

  ‘Yes,’ she whispered. Pompeii was far more impressive than she’d hoped and being there with Sebastian, who was making everything so much fun, made it even better. It was a little unnerving to feel this comfortable with someone she hadn’t known twenty-four hours earlier.

  He took her hand securely in his, leading her across the rest of the stepping stones and down a narrow street. Jeremy had rarely held her hand, so it was an unfamiliar sensation, but she couldn’t help thinking how natural it felt to have her hand in his.

  ‘This courtyard looks as if the family have only left minutes ago,’ he said shaking his head slowly. ‘It’s hard to imagine they relaxed here so long ago.’

  Paige touched the crimson wall. ‘The colours are still so vivid.’ She pulled gently on his hand with her free hand so that he stopped. Sebastian turned to face her and let go of her hand. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘I really needed this.’

  ‘It’s been a pleasure.’ He looked serious for a moment. ‘I’ve enjoyed it too.’ He bent his head down slightly, stopping, as if he’d realised what he was about to do. He turned to focus on the painted wall in front of them. ‘Actually, I should be the one thanking you.’ He smiled at her.

  ‘Whatever for?’

  ‘For reminding me there’s more to life than work.’ He began walking again. ‘Come along, there’s a lot more I have to show you, and I know this great little café where they do delicious iced coffees.’

  Paige trailed behind him enjoying her view of his tight bottom in his faded jeans.

  Sebastian looked over his shoulder at her and grinned. ‘Are you not paying attention to my tour?’

  Paige grimaced, aware that she’d been caught out. ‘Yes,’ she fibbed, taking in how perfectly his white T-shirt showed off his taut back. She was going to have to be careful to guard her feelings against this man. What the hell was she thinking, only yesterday she was upset about Jeremy. She studied Sebastian silently once more. If only she’d known him before now, maybe she wouldn’t have wasted so much emotion on her ex.

  Sebastian stopped abruptly, and Paige slammed into his hard body. ‘Ouch.’ She rubbed her nose.

  ‘Are you OK?’ he turned and taking her face in his hands inspected the damage, concern obvious on his face. ‘Does it hurt much?’

  ‘Does your back?’ She tried to sound light-hearted to hide her embarrassment and wiped the tears away from her streaming eyes.

  He shook his head. ‘No, I’m fine. Come here,’ he said, his voice tender. He pulled her into a hug. ‘You’re so refreshing to be around.’

  Paige frowned, wincing in pain. ‘I am?’ She wasn’t sure that was the impression she was trying to give him. She would have rather he thought her sophisticated.

  ‘There’s nothing wrong with that, surely?’

  ‘Are you laughing at me?’

  Sebastian pulled a scared face. ‘I wouldn’t dream of it.’

  She slapped his arm. ‘Stop teasing me.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ he said putting his arm around her shoulders and leading her down the road once more. ‘How about that coffee? Maybe we could have some cake too?’

  She tilted her head. ‘It sounds tempting.’

  He took her across the road to the café, and after she’d pointed out the cake she wanted to try, Sebastian ordered their coffees and led her to two seats at a table outside where they could watch the visitors c
oming and going from the entrance to the Pompeii site.

  ‘I don’t know how you drink that stuff,’ she said, pointing at his double espresso. ‘A latte is strong enough for me.’ She took a sip of her drink. ‘So tell me, what exactly do you do for a living?’

  Sebastian shrugged. ‘I work for my godfather. He has various interests, which is why I travel so much.’

  ‘And he has business over here, too?’

  ‘He does.’

  ‘Which is why you’re here now?’ She took a sip from her drink, just as a thought occurred to her. Breathing in sharply, the latte went down her throat the wrong way. She cleared her throat.

  Sebastian patted her on the back. ‘Hey, are you all right? I seem to be causing you more pain than anything else today and that really wasn’t my intention.’

  Paige nodded. She tried her best to catch her breath, drinking a little more to clear her throat. She noticed he was watching her. ‘What?’

  ‘You look thoughtful. What’s the matter?’

  She gazed at him trying to reason with herself. How well did she know this man? Would she have been so quick to accept his invitation to dinner, and now to Pompeii, if he hadn’t been so incredibly handsome? There was something about him, a power he exuded but seemed unaware of.

  ‘What?’ He frowned.

  She looked around to check that no one was in earshot and then leant in closer to him. ‘You’re not in the mafia, are you?’

  ‘Excuse me?’

  She could see he was trying not to laugh at her. ‘You heard me.’

  ‘Why would you think that?’ he whispered, the amusement in his voice obvious. ‘Do I look like I’m a member of the mafia?’

  ‘You do, actually,’ she said thinking of the gangster films Jeremy enjoyed so much.

  Sebastian gazed across at the ruins thoughtfully. ‘Is this because I mentioned working for my godfather?’

  Paige, not trusting herself to speak, nodded.

  He lowered his head a little. ‘No, I’m not.’ Paige looked up at him, not looking convinced by his assurance. ‘Really, I’m not. The only business my godfather,’ he lowered his voice and smiled, ‘who is also my uncle, has over here is with property. I needed to sign some paperwork on his behalf, that’s all. Nothing dodgy about it, I can assure you.’