Her Italian Boss’s Agenda

Olympia found herself whirled into it without a by-your-leave.

His hand was in the small of her back, holding her close against him as his legs moved against hers. The sight of David had been a shock, bringing back sharp memories that she’d spent years banishing, but, faced with the reality, they were fast fading. It was hard to be aware of anything but the man swinging her around and around, holding her so close that their bodies were as one.

The room was whirling about her, making her cling to him as the only fixed point in the world. He’d said he was her friend, and that was partly why she held him so eagerly. And partly it wasn’t that at all. Everything seemed to vanish but his face. She must make him stop this, but she wanted him never to stop.

At last he slowed and the room came back into focus. Now, she could see David again, listening to Rosalie, who was talking to him with animation and pointing back on to the floor. He rose and they started to dance together.

‘She’s told him,’ Primo murmured. ‘Now he wants to see for himself if it’s you. Look, they’re working their way towards us.’

‘Oh, no!’ she said involuntarily.

‘Why “oh, no!”? This is your moment of triumph.’

‘Is it?’

‘Isn’t it? Look at them. Sad and middle-aged before their time because they’ve made too many compromises, betrayed too many people. Then look at you, young and beautiful as a mermaid, every man’s head turned to you in admiration. They’ve had it, and now it tastes sour. You’ve got it all before you, and it’s going to be great.’

‘Yes,’ she breathed excitedly. ‘Oh, yes!’

‘Let him find out what he threw away. Make him sorry he let you go. Then hold your head high and walk out of here with me.’

‘You’re right.’

Again there was that frisson of excitement at how totally he understood her, as though their minds were linked even more closely than their bodies.

Closer and closer they danced until she was a couple of feet away from the man who had once filled her world, then broken her heart when he’d declared her not up to standard.

As Jack had promised, there was satisfaction in seeing the shock in his face as he recognised her. Her partner kept her there, dancing on the spot so that David could be in no doubt who he was seeing. Olympia met David’s eyes in a moment of blazing victory.

‘Look up at me,’ said a voice close to her ear.

She did so, and immediately felt his lips on hers. She gasped, almost stumbling, but his arms held her safe, keeping her in the dance so that her feet seemed to move of their own accord while her mouth relished his.

It meant nothing, she thought desperately. He was a friend, helping her to make a point to David, boosting her pride like the true friend he was. She must accept his kiss in the same spirit, keeping a cool head, ignoring the wild feelings that went through her.

‘Is he watching?’ she gasped against his mouth.

‘His eyes are on stalks,’ he murmured back. ‘And so are hers. Let’s give them a repeat run. Kiss me-as though you really meant it.’

‘Right!’

Her arms slid up about his neck, one hand curving pleasurably against his head, drawing him down to her, ready for him, eager for him. She did as he’d said, giving it everything as though she meant it, and felt his answering response.

Now he’d released her hand and tightened both arms around her, holding her so that she would have been helpless to resist, if that was what she’d wanted. But she had no thought of resistance. Her body had been aching for this, longing to know how it would feel to be held by him, and all the time she had been denying her instincts the need had been building within her.

If only they were not in public so that she could yield to the need that was overwhelming her, the need to touch him again and again and offer herself to his touch.

But that was what she mustn’t do, she thought wildly. Being alone with him would tempt her to reveal too much. Touch would follow touch, deeper and more intimate until touching wasn’t enough.

However hard it was, she must try to keep her distance. But this felt like a very strange way of keeping her distance.

He released her just enough for her head to fall back so that she was looking into his face. He seemed to be frowning as though something had startled him, and she understood that reaction because she felt the same.

‘What’s happening?’ she whispered.

‘I’m not-quite-sure-’

And suddenly the world seemed to burst in a glitter of flashlights. People cheered, champagne bottles popped, red roses fell on them. Olympia saw that they were surrounded by waiters, all waving champagne and cheering.

‘What on earth-?’ she said.

A man in a glittering coat, who seemed to be the Master of Ceremonies, made his way towards them and bowed.

‘Congratulations!’ he cried. ‘You are tonight’s winners.’

‘Winners at what?’ she asked hazily.

‘In our Lovers Competition. Every night this week, one lucky couple is declared our Premier Lovers-’

‘But we’re not lo-’ she started to say, then gave up. She was being drowned out by cheering.

‘Jack, what are we going to do?’

‘Put up with it,’ he said, close to her ear. ‘We’ve no choice. It’ll be over in a minute and we can slip away. In the meantime, try to look convincing. Smile. This is where the movie queen gives the hero the full power of her dazzling orbs and he goes weak at the knees.’

‘Don’t do that,’ she begged. ‘You’re holding me up.’

He gave a crack of laughter, his eyes gleaming in appreciation of the joke.

The Master of Ceremonies was shouting, ‘That was the most impressive kiss anyone’s ever seen. How about another?’

Another cheer went up and the crowd began to chant, ‘Kiss-kiss-’

‘Jack-’

‘We’ll have to give them what they want, or they won’t let us go,’ he murmured.

‘But we-’

‘It can’t be helped. Lie back and think of England.’

‘You cheeky-’

‘Hush,’ he said, lowering his mouth to hers.

He was right. Who needed words when there were feelings like this? She gave herself up to what was happening, while all around them the crowd cheered and clapped.

When at last he released her she had a vision of David’s face. It was a vacuous face, she realised, especially now, with his jaw dropping.

She had beaten him. The man who’d rejected her as dowdy and dull, who’d betrayed her love for money, had been made to regret it.

And she couldn’t have cared less.

The Master of Ceremonies was dancing around them.

‘It’s wonderful what people will do to make sure they win,’ he carolled.

‘We didn’t-’ Olympia said breathlessly. ‘We didn’t know there was a contest.’

‘You mean you normally act like that? Hey, folks, did you hear that? Boy, are these some lovers!’

More cheers, more applause.

‘Can we sit down?’ the Master of Ceremonies asked. ‘Then we can sort out the details.’

She wanted to ask, what details? But she couldn’t think clearly. Her legs were trembling, as though all the strength had drained away.

When they were seated at the table the Master of Ceremonies poured champagne and toasted them.

‘And now for the big moment,’ he said, ‘when you get to choose your prize from among our glorious range.