Page 24 of Business Temptations

Matteo glanced at Bailey, hesitated, then nodded.

Bailey turned to face Tim. “We were just talking about how Matteo’s father unexpectedly showed up at the gala tonight,” she announced. “What I didn’t mention to the others was that Ricardo announced that he wants Matteo to return to Spain and take over the family business.”

Tim’s jaw went slack and he stared at Matteo. “I thought you hated your father. I thought he was a bastard who tore you away from your mother when you were just a kid!”

“That’s correct,” Matteo replied with a dry, disinterested tone.

Tim bristled with anger and confusion. “So, why the hell would your father show up all of a sudden, without warning and tell you to come back to help them….?” His question faded to silence.

“That’s exactly the conclusion that Bailey and I were coming to when you arrived.

Tim’s eyes narrowed. He glanced over at the area by the wall where they’d been hiding only moments ago.

“Right,” he replied. A moment later, he breathed in while rubbing his forehead. “I don’t think we’re going to figure out anything tonight.” He turned again, looking around. “I’m going home.”

And he left, Bailey and Matteo stood quietly in the lab, but this time with the lights on.

“Are you ready to head upstairs?” Matteo asked, referring to their condos on the top floor.

Bailey nodded, trying to appear casual. Trying to appear as if her world hadn’t just shifted. Correction, trying to appear as if she weren’t desperately trying to restrain herself from throwing herself back into Matteo’s arms. He’d felt so…perfect! She wanted to feel him like that again. To feel the strength and power of him, his heat and the secure sensation of his arms wrapped around her so protectively.

But they were just friends, she told herself firmly. This was Matteo. They’d been friends for…ever!

“Right. We should get to bed.” After those words were spoken, Bailey gasped, and peeked over her shoulder to see how Matteo took her comment. “I mean…we should…uh…get some sleep.”

One of those annoying dark eyebrows lifted. “Yes. Sleep is exactly what we need.”

Bailey wanted to look at him again, to see his face so that she could determine if he meant that he wanted something else right now.

But she didn’t have the courage to confront the strange vibes she was getting. Better to get some sleep. It was late…or early. Everything would be back to normal tomorrow.

Matteo watched until Bailey was inside her condo and the door closed. He even waited to hear the ding that would let him know that she’d activated her security system.

Once she was safely inside her condo, he headed into his own. Setting the alarm, he tossed his keys onto the table, then moved deeper into the penthouse. Stripping off his clothes, he didn’t bother to turn on the lights as he contemplated the events of the night.

Bailey, he thought as he stared out at the night sky. Had she felt the frisson of sexual tension? Was she ready to take the next step in their relationship?

Was he?

Hell yes! Until this moment, he hadn’t allowed himself to acknowledge his growing need for Bailey. But now, remembering the heat in her eyes, the current of electricity that had passed between them, he knew that she was just as aware.

Would she act on it?

No. He knew his best friend too well. Bailey would bottle up these feelings forever, if he let her. If she hadn’t ever shown an interest, he would have left things alone. But she’d revealed herself tonight.

Now he decided he was going to act on their mutual feelings. Their attraction for each other had been sizzling for so long, but tonight had been his first glimpse that she felt it as well. It was time to face the reality and move to the next phase.

And it was time to speak with his father. To find out if he really was the bastard who had tried to steal his company’s secrets.

Chapter 5

“We’re going to be late!” Bailey called out, dumping her purse on the floor by the door as she made her way into Matteo’s kitchen for coffee. “I had some more ideas about last night!” she yelled, grabbing two travel mugs from the shelf and filling them with freshly brewed coffee. She added cream and sugar to her own, leaving Matteo’s black.

She felt better today. Much more grounded. Last night in the lab had been a fluke. Just fatigue and confusion. It hadn’t been sexual awareness that she’d seen in Matteo’s eyes. It had been…just…exhaustion after a long day and strained revelations. That was it.

That was…!

Matteo walked into the kitchen in just a pair of slacks that were zipped up, but still unbuttoned. Bailey couldn’t help but stare. The sight of Matteo’s magnificently bare chest stole her breath away.

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