The Moretti Seduction by Katherine Garbera Page A

you doing?”
    “Having dinner with my family. I’m sorry I haven’t sent you a thank-you note.”
    “That’s nothing. Why haven’t you returned my calls?” he asked.
    She shrugged and then realized he couldn’t see that response. “I’m not sure. I’ve been busy.”
    She realized she was making excuses and she knew better than that. “I guess I wanted a chance to get you out of my head.”
    “Did it work?” he asked.
    “No. Not at all.”
    “Well, then you should have called me back. I’ve missed the sound of your voice.”
    “Have you?”
    “Indeed. When will you be back in Milan?”
    “Next week. I’m meeting with our board tomorrow and I should have a counteroffer for you.”
    “You know how far I’m willing to go,” he said.
    She wondered if she really did know. How far was Antonio willing to go to get the deal closed? Was he willing to seduce her?
    She didn’t know. She doubted seducing her would be of benefit for him.
    “Why so silent?”
    “I’m just thinking,” she said. She was dreaming of this man who was her rival. This man who wanted something from her family that they had fought to hold on to. And she was going to try to find a way to make it work for him. Because she wanted to honor her grandfather’s memory, but also because she wanted to get this deal off the table so she could see what lay between them.
    “Nathalie?”
    “Um…pardon me. I’ve got to go. My parents are waiting.”
    “Call me when you are done with dinner,” he said.
    “It will be late.”
    “That’s okay, I’ll be up.”
    She hesitated. But then she thought, why the hell not? She’d be thinking about him anyway.
    “All right. I’ll call. I only have your office number.”
    “I’ll send you a text with all my numbers. I’ll be at home after ten.”
    “Very well. Bonne nuit, Antonio.”
    “Until later.”
    He disconnected the call and she held on to her BlackBerry for another minute, standing in the crowded foyer of the restaurant trying to regain her equilibrium.
    “Nathalie!”
    She turned to see Genevieve waving at her. She made her way over to her sister and hugged her. “Are Mom and Dad here?”
    “Not yet. I told them we’d meet them in the bar,” Genevieve said, leading the way to the bar. They both ordered a glass of wine and found a seat at one of the high tables.
    “What happened that last night in Milan?”
    “What? Nothing. I told you I stayed in,” she said.
    “I followed you to Duomo and saw you leave with Antonio.”
    “Busted?”
    “Big-time. So what’s up?”
    “I…I don’t know. It really has nothing to do with the negotiations.”
    “How can you say that? He’s a Moretti. Lorenzo already proved that the men in that family are all about business.”
    Nathalie took a sip of her drink. “I know. But Antonio is different.”
    “Is he really?”
    “Yes, I think he is. I know that I might be making a mistake, but I think I can handle him in the boardroom and out.”
    “I hope you are right,” Genevieve said.
    Nathalie did too. And she knew no matter what, she had to be very careful that she didn’t forget that with Moretti men, business always came first.

    Antonio strolled down the hall to Dominic’s office. Angelina was sitting at her desk despite the fact that it was well past five.
    “ Ciao, Antonio,” she said.
    “ Ciao, Angelina. Is my brother available?”
    “ Sì. Marco has just gone in.”
    “Grazie.”
    He entered the office and closed the heavy oak door behind him. Marco looked relaxed and happy, despite the fact that it was the beginning of the F1 World Championship race calendar. “ Ciao, Marco. Congratulations on your win in Behrain last weekend.”
    He smiled. “ Grazie. Everyone is gunning for me this year.”
    “I would imagine so,” Dom said.
    “How is Virginia and little Enzo?”
    “Very good. We’d love it if you’d join us for dinner tonight.”
    He nodded.
    “If that’s settled, can we get down to business?” Dom