The Consequence She Cannot Deny
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He clasped her face in his hands and stared down into those eyes. ‘You beautiful girl.’
But as he moved to kiss her she squealed and stepped out of his grasp.
‘I—I have to get back. They’ll be waiting for me.’
He smiled with casual confidence. ‘You can take ten minutes to check out the view.’
‘That’s kind, but it will set tongues wagging. They’ll all think I’m down here getting it on with you.’
‘That doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.’
But she stepped further away, looking horrified.
‘OK, Miss Dahl. If you insist.’
‘I’m sorry, but I really want to make a good impression on everyone. This is so important for me. I need to network with these people. Some of them could open doors for me. The last thing I want is anyone thinking I’ve been on some kind of casting couch.’
He looked at her. She was serious.
‘Nobody would dare to question you. You’ve been in discussion with me. And I answer to no one.’
She looked vexed.
‘You don’t understand. I want this more than I can tell you. I’ve never been rich or successful. My mum has had to beg and borrow and steal to put me through college and I can’t risk ruining this one chance.’
‘You’re not going to ruin anything. Mariella is one of the toughest in the business and you won her over because of your talent. You’ve won me over too. That’s a fact. And we have chemistry—really explosive chemistry. You can’t deny that. I’m not sure why you think it’s such a problem.’
‘I’m not denying that I’m flattered. Of course I am. But...’
‘But?’
She looked away, uncomfortable.
He’d had enough. He pulled out his phone.
‘Va bene. I’ve got work to do. Enjoy the rest of your day.’
He walked away, smiling. Casting couch! As if he would need anything so obvious. A glance, a whisper, a word left unsaid—that was all it ever took.
But he had to admire her principles. How refreshing. And even more attractive. At least he could be sure she wasn’t one of those who thought a kiss was a declaration of love or a proposal of marriage. Or a sign to go out and choose a wedding dress or wallpaper for the nursery.
Ha! He laughed at his own joke. Wallpaper for the nursery! Words he would never say. Not even with a gun to his head.
‘THE STILLS LOOK amazing. Kyla is really pleased. It was an absolute genius idea.’ Mariella, who’d been a little bit glacial all afternoon, managed to squeeze out a compliment.
Coral closed her eyes in a silent prayer of thanks as they checked out the stream of images for Kyla’s final outfit.
‘The whole day has been a dream come true,’ she said. ‘Everyone’s been lovelier than lovely. Just being here watching would have been amazing, but getting to work with the best in the business... I’ve learned loads already.’
‘Yes, I bet you have. All we need now is Raffaele’s final approval and then we can really relax.’
There was no mistaking the tone. Coral looked away. Glances had been exchanged all afternoon, but so far no one had mentioned the fact that she had been alone with Raffaele twice over the course of the day.
‘So lucky that he gave you his approval.’
‘Yes, I couldn’t be happier.’
‘Amazing that you managed to change his mind so easily.’
Here it came.
‘Yes, it was. You’re absolutely right. He liked my idea and I’m so grateful to you for giving me this chance.’
‘You know we had a thing once, Raffa and I?’
‘Oh. No. I didn’t realise.’
Could this get any more awkward?
Mariella’s wily, exquisitely arched brows rose. ‘Angel, no one who dresses in Sophia Loren’s hand-me-downs is fooling anyone. You think you can get your claws into Raffaele? Let me give you some free advice. You’re just some light relief between emails. Don’t think that your fumble on the terrace is going to get you on some fast track to fame. There’s a whole stable of little fillies like you, waiting for him to click his fingers. So take it from me—success is about what you put in, not about how well you put out.’
‘I don’t know what you think you know, Mariella, but I can promise you this: I am here for one reason and one reason only. I want to make a name for myself.’
‘You already have, angel. You already have.’
Mariella winked at her, then shook her head as she breezed past, leaving Coral adrift in the swarm of people packing things away.
But she was right. She was absolutely right. This was her career, not a fantasy island adventure. Raffaele Rossini was not going to chase after her when she was back in London. She’d been a distraction this afternoon and that was it. He was off the charts and off the agenda in every single way. Every. Single. Way.
Thank goodness she’d had the strength of will to resist him earlier. It had taken every ounce of her resolve not to kiss him back. When he’d touched her she’d wanted to melt into him. When he’d held her face she’d wanted to close her eyes and slide into heaven...
But that wasn’t why she was here. She was shoving open the door of her career. And it would slam in her face if she messed up.
‘Miss Dahl?’
She looked up from the images on the laptop into the face of a very attractive young man.
‘Signor Rossini wishes you to attend a meeting at his villa.’
‘Oh! I haven’t quite finished, and my things—’
‘The meeting is due to start now.’
Coral looked around. Mariella and the fashion staff had disappeared and the clothes were being packed away. Only a few junior staff still wandered about, tidying up the loggia.
‘Is it really important?’
He gave her an Are you serious? look and shook his head.
‘Follow me, please.’
It would be fine. It was probably a meeting to look through the images she’d shot and select the best, decide what needed to be filtered or airbrushed. Mariella would be there. And the other senior staff. Maybe they would be planning the next shoot. There was talk that Kyla was going to ask Salvatore to do a couple shoot.