Page 26 of His Innocent for One Spanish Night

It was a very busy morning for Emily. She was shown the IT office, and she met the staff she’d be working with, and despite the ancient surroundings and furnishings it was all very high-tech.

She also found out, when they went for second breakfast—second breakfast!—that lunch was generally taken around three p.m., and that it was very normal in Spain to work through till eight.

‘You’re going to need every hour,’ Sophia warned.

‘I am,’ Emily agreed.

At first six weeks had seemed plenty of time, but there was so much to take in and find out.

And to avoid!

‘The brothers’ offices are at the top,’ Sophia said, as they stood at the bottom of a very grand staircase. ‘But I for one am not up to climbing four flights of stairs.’

‘There’s no elevator?’

‘No. And really there’s no need to go up there. Most meetings are held in the courtyard or online, as the brothers are rarely here. Sebastián spends a lot of time in Madrid, and Alejandro is all over the place—often in Seville.’ She looked up. ‘Here he is now.’

Indeed he was—coming down the stairs and carrying his jacket. He looked busy, and as if a trip to the vineyards was the last thing he needed right now.

‘I’m fine to take Emily,’ Sophia told him in Spanish.

‘It’s okay,’ he said. ‘I do appreciate you coming in. But go home. I can take it from here.’

Of course Alejandro didn’t add that hewantedto take it from here.

He knew that Emily deserved some sort of an explanation.

Actually, so did he. Alejandro had been doing a little research of his own, and had taken a closer look at the website for the bed and breakfast she ran...

It would seem Emily Jacobs might have a few secrets of her own!

CHAPTER FIVE

‘DOYOUNEEDto collect anything?’ Alejandro asked.

‘My tripod and such...’

‘Sure.’ He nodded. ‘Sophia, could you have Jorge bring my car?’

‘Don’t you want him to drive?’ Sophia checked, but Alejandro shook his head.

‘No need.’

Jorge helped Emily with her equipment, and as he loaded it into the boot Emily got into the passenger side. Alejandro sat, engine idling, strumming his fingers on the steering wheel. It was a very low car—so much so that she was actually pleased with her sensible trousers.

‘Thanks for this,’ Emily said as they pulled out of the bodega. ‘Though I’d have been happy to go and explore by myself.’

‘You know about sherry production, then?’ he said, and glanced over as Emily fought not to curl her lip. ‘It’s not a leisure trip.’

‘Of course not.’

He manoeuvred the silver car easily through the traffic, telling her it was mainly one-way.

‘How was Sophia?’ he asked.

‘Very helpful,’ Emily responded, wishing he would address what had been said earlier, but he did not.

Instead, as they left the city behind them, he glanced over. ‘Is this what you look like when you’re sulking?’

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