Tempted by Her Italian Surgeon Read Free

requirements, dress code, et cetera. Mr Finelli, many hospital boards don’t allow their physicians to have a public face on social media. We are not unusual in wanting to protect ourselves.’
    Round one to Ivy Leigh. Ivy…wasn’t there a plant…poison ivy? Sommaco velenoso . It described her perfectly. He just needed a counter argument to bring Poison Ivy down a peg or two. ‘Perhaps I could sue you too.’
    Now her eyes widened with a flicker of nervousness. ‘What the hell for?’
    â€˜Breach of my privacy. I could suggest that I did not give my permission for my body to be used in such a poorly contrived advert.’
    She laughed and it was surprisingly soft and feminine. ‘Go on and indulge yourself in any fantasy you like. But you and I both know this was not an advert. You have no grounds, but I do. In fact, section three of the Workplace—’
    â€˜Forget it. I’m not listening any more. I will not attend your sessions.’
    â€˜Okay. Your choice.’ She reminded him of his younger sister, Liliana, who would not give up. Ever. Arguing with her was like arguing with a brick wall. ‘Then I will have to invite you to attend a meeting with our human relations director first thing tomorrow morning.’
    â€˜No.’ Take more time out of his work schedule?
    Maybe Mike would swap his cardiac roster from a Wednesday for one week just to make this insufferable woman go away?
    â€˜Mr Finelli, we are both on the same side.’
    â€˜Like hell we are.’ But he did not have any more time to waste on this. Better to get it over and done with. ‘You leave me with no choice. I’ll do the four sessions.’
    â€˜Then it’s sorted. After that you won’t hear anything more from me on this matter. Thank you for your time.’ She put out her hand and, grimly, he shook it. It was warm and firm and confident. And a little something reverberated through his body at her touch—which he steadfastly ignored. Clearly she felt none of it as her voice remained calm and cool, like her eyes. ‘I’m sure you’ll find the sessions most interesting.’
    â€˜I’m sure I won’t. Now I need to rearrange myday. Four sessions shouldn’t take up much time. I will be free from what time? Lunch?’
    Amusement flashed across her features, as if she’d won a well-fought victory. ‘Oh, sorry, didn’t I make myself clear? By four sessions I meant four days.’
    â€˜Four days? No. No way. I’m not doing it.’
    â€˜But you agreed. And we shook hands. Is an Italian man’s word as good as his honour?’
    He held her gaze. His honour was fine and intact, unlike others he could name. He would never betray anyone the way he had once been betrayed. ‘It is. But I have one condition.’
    â€˜Oh, yes?’ Her expression told him she thought he was not well placed to be making conditions.
    â€˜For every minute I have to spend in your ridiculous class you have to spend an equal amount of time with me, doing my work. The work this hospital is so famous for doing. Saving lives. Then perhaps you’ll see just how badly you have wasted my time.’ He held her gaze. Saw the flicker of anxiety stamped down by determined resolve as she nodded.
    â€˜Okay.’ Her smile was like condensed milk—way too sweet. ‘Seeing as I’m new to the hospital, I have to familiarise myself with each department anyway. And it’ll give me invaluable insights into the specific kind of legal issues thatcould arise there and a chance to review policy. This way I’ll be killing two birds with one stone.’
    How had he thought it might be fun to play with her? Fun was over. This was war. ‘Believe me, Miss Leigh, the only killing going on in my OR is of your determination to make a damned fool of me. Goodbye.’

CHAPTER TWO
    H E WASN ’ T GOING to come.
    Ivy surveyed the conference