Taught by the Tycoon Read Free Page B

awareness down her spine. When the waiter approached he ordered them a bottle of wine she’d never even heard of.
    Soon she had a glass of red liquid courage before her, and she wasted little time in taking that first sip.
    Don’t drink it all in one gulp, girl, this stuff probably costs three figures for the bottle .
    “Tell me, Rachel, do you have any plans for the long weekend?”
    Besides watching a series of Audrey Hepburn movies and indulging in chocolate cake? Not a lot. But she could hardly admit that to her tremendously cultured boss.
    She remembered the times when her brother and Damiano would watch action flicks as teenagers. She doubted Damiano had sat down and watched a movie in years. He was constantly in work mode. The only time she’d seen him out of it was no doubt when he slept, and when he’d take a woman out.
    Like tonight, and somehow she’d become the woman he was entertaining. Sort of. Without the sexual attraction business to get in the way.
    “No plans this weekend really,” she murmured, “Just to relax.”
    A faint smile crossed his lips. “Hmm. I shall have to try this relaxation thing you speak of some day.”
    As she took another sip of her wine, she watched him over the rim of her glass.
    He cradled his glass in long, capable fingers, his gaze amused as he watched her. She felt a little bit like a bug under a microscope and just barely resisted the urge to squirm in her seat.
    “You really should,” she agreed lightly, sliding her gaze away. “I bet you’d actually love it.”
    He tilted his head, and then murmured, “Hmm. Or maybe you can teach me?”
    “Teach you?” she parroted in disbelief. “How to relax?”
    “But of course.”
    She gave a nervous laugh, not sure what he’d meant by that remark. “No teaching necessary. I promise it’s self-explanatory.”
    “Yes, of course you’re right.” He reached for the bottle of wine and refilled her half-empty glass.
    Crap, had she really drunk that much already? She took another sip before burying her face in the menu.
    She saw the prices, or lack there of, and felt the color drain from her face. Unlisted prices were never a good thing. Reaching again for her wine, she knew she’d need it to get through this evening.

 
     
     
Chapter 4
     
     
    Damiano watched in amusement, as his usually composed assistant seemed a little nervous at being alone with him.
    Not that it was a rarity. They were often alone in the office or while traveling, yet never when it didn’t include business. And this most definitely was not business.
    What had driven him to invite her to dinner? No doubt the curiosity about this ‘wealthy’ man she was considering dating. But there was more to his invitation. He wasn’t foolish enough to lie to himself.
    There was a curiosity burning within him. Who was this man was she considered becoming involved with? Unless this was all a ruse to gain his attentions and flirt in a roundabout way?
    The idea clicked to life in his head, at first a sardonic afterthought, but then it clawed its way into possibility.
    Hmm . He leaned back and observed her through narrowed eyes.
    Was it possible Rachel had felt the same brief attraction he had on that night in Paris? Maybe, in the past few months, she’d been struggling with how to approach him about it and was using a fictitious man to bring them together?
    Damiano was not only her boss, but also the close friend of her older brother. Surely it would be difficult, and complicated, for her to come straight out and admit a sexual interest.
    It was an interesting concept for certain. But would he be so rash as to act upon it if his theory was right? Would he even want to?
    He slid a slow gaze over her, noting the tiny furrow between her eyes as she studied her menu. Her lips were on the smaller side, but when she flicked her pink tongue out to wet them, his body responded.
    Her clothes were lackluster. Her demeanor was almost conservative at times, but even still,