No... Daisy finally found her voice again. Im fine.
Then whats the matter with? Giles fell abruptly silent as the door behind her opened.
Since were in a hurry, Miss Thorntons services will be adequate, Alessio asserted flatly.
Goose-flesh prickled along the nape of Daisys neck. She didnt turn round even though she could see Giles regarding that scarcely civil oversight with a fresh look of incomprehension. Adequate? Her teeth clenched. Fierce resentment, backed by a rolling tide of humiliation she didnt want to admit to, flared through her taut length.
Thirteen years ago she had been unceremoniously dumped and she had done nothing to deserve Alessios brutally dismissive reaction to her in front of her boss and his girlfriend. Was it embarrassment? Or was he, just like her, fighting off a distressing surge of adolescent memories? Dont kid yourself, Daisy, a more cynical voice urged. Even at nineteen, Alessio Leopardi didnt have a sensitive bone in his body...
Rigid-backed, Daisy descended the wrought-iron spiral staircase that ran down to the ground floor, and walked out through the crowded front office. Her legs felt as if they might fold beneath her at any moment. A deep trembling was beginning inside
her. Shock was setting in hard. As she emerged out onto the pavement and began turning in the direction of the staff car park, Alessio drawled from behind her, Well use the limo.
Of course, she managed half under her breath.
So tell us about this house, Nina Franklin invited thinly as Daisy slid stiffly along the indicated seat opposite her.
Daisys lips parted and closed again. She knew virtually nothing about the property in Blairden Square, not even if there were any offers on it. Since Giles had never allowed her to deal with what he termed the superior residences on the agency books, she had had no reason to take any interest in them. Starter homes and apartments were generally her field. But had she been in her right mind she would have checked out the facts before shed left the office.
A glossy brochure landed squarely on her lap. She jumped. Startled violet eyes switched to the male she had been rigorously avoiding looking at.
Time to bone up, Alessio said very drily, his expressive mouth as hard as iron.
Youre not very efficient, are you? his companion remarked in cutting addition. High-powered sales routines are painful but total ignorance is something else again!
Daisy had coloured but she tilted her chin. Im afraid I havent dealt with this particular property before
Its a Georgian terrace, Alessio slotted in gently. But dont worry about it. We can read too.
Daisy bent her head, his smooth derision stinging like acid on her over-sensitive skin. Why was he treating her like this? Alessio was blunt but he had never been a boor. She didnt understand his apparent need to humiliate her. Surely he couldnt still be blaming her after all these years? And it was so ridiculous to be forced to pretend that they were strangers. Was that her fault...or his? He had made no attempt to acknowledge their previous relationship either. But then why should he have? Why should either of them want to? That relationship was all but lost in the mists of time, she told herself, until intelligence intervened. How could that long-ago summer ever be lost for her when she had Tara? Her stomach cramped again into even tighter knots.
The buzz of a mobile phone broke the tense silence. Daisy didnt lift her head. But she couldnt concentrate, couldnt even begin to study the brochure. It was as if her whole brain had gone into a state of suspended animation, as if the world had stopped dead the instant shed glanced up and seen Alessio in Giless office. No longer the long, lean youth she recalled but, if anything, even more heartbreakingly handsome...
He had level dark brows, cheekbones sharp enough to cut concrete, an aristocratic blade of a nose, lustrous tawny eyes and a head of glossy black hair, now ruthlessly suppressed into a smooth cut and infinitely shorter than she recalled. His hard-boned features were intensely male, his wide, beautifully shaped mouth pure sensual threat. He could smile and steal your heart with one scorching, teasing glance...but that had been the boy, not the man, Daisy reminded herself painfully.
She flinched as Nina Franklin gave an explosive little shriek of annoyance and thrust the mobile phone back into her capacious bag.
I cant stay! she told Alessio furiously. Joss needs me now. I could scream but how can I refuse? Hes done me too many favours. You might as well let me out here. I can walk to the studio faster than you can get me there in this traffic! Look, Ill try to make it over to the house before you leave.
Relax...its not important, Alessio murmured soothingly.
I could strangle Joss! the blonde exclaimed resentfully, and then her green eyes landed on Daisy and hardened to accusing arrows of steel. If you had been on time, this wouldnt be happening!
Perhaps you would prefer to cancel and make a fresh appointment? Daisy suggested with an eagerness she couldnt conceal.