Read Online Sophie and the Scorching Sicilian by Kim Lawrence - Free Book Online Page A

buttons than he had intended. He studied her with renewed interest—she was definitely not lacking the passion he required.
    He arched a brow. ‘Some people?’
    Sophie, her chest heaving, allowed her lashes to fall in a concealing curtain over her eyes; the silence that settled between them was as loud as a slamming door.
    The door was probably slamming on her career.
    She couldn’t believe she had actually said those things. It was, she reflected, as if another person had taken over her body. And even more bewildering than this emergence of another persona was the adrenaline rush—her body still hummed with it.
    Was it the man or the circumstances that were making her act this way?
    Sophie tried to smooth things over. Not that she really expected to succeed; a man like Marco Speranza would never let a mere employee speak to him that way. ‘I don’t want to make this personal.’ Pity, Sophie, you didn’t think that way a minute ago.
    â€˜Do you want the job?’
    â€˜Do I want the job?’ Sophie echoed. ‘After what I just said?’ She was unable to hide her amazement. ‘But I thought…’
    â€˜Thought or hoped?’ he asked with a sardonic smile. Hethought that he had seen every interview technique but hers was, he had to admit, unique.
    He did not surround himself with yes-men but Marco couldn’t recall the last time that someone had challenged him in the work place. A man who wasn’t challenged was in danger of becoming complacent and losing his edge.
    â€˜I made a personal comment, and you responded. So long as you do not forget who’s the boss, I think we will deal well together…’
    Laughter bubbled up in her throat. ‘I don’t think it’s likely you’ll let me.’
    â€˜Do you want the job?’ His lashes lifted from the angle of his sharply defined razor-edged cheekbones as he scanned her face. ‘If not, there is little point us continuing this discussion.’
    â€˜Yes!’ Sophie heard herself shout, then more moderately and ignoring the voice in her head asking, Are you totally insane? she added, ‘I would like the job, Mr Speranza.’ This so wasn’t going to happen. Amber would voluntarily break a fingernail before she’d let Sophie take control of such a prestigious project.
    As if reading her thoughts—that ability was getting distinctly unsettling—Marco moved around his desk, balanced on a corner and stretched his long legs out in front of him. ‘Leave your boss to me.’ He rose to his feet, tipped his dark head. ‘Come…’
    This autocratic decree made Sophie stare—was this man for real?
    He didn’t snap his fingers but the expectation was much the same. He was clearly accustomed to unquestioning obedience and the force of his personality was such that she suspected he generally got it.
    The man had an egotism that made her father look mild mannered and hesitant by comparison.
    â€˜Where?’ she said, not moving.
    He looked mildly irritated by the question. ‘I have a home to go to if you don’t, Miss Balfour.’
    He watched her get to her feet and wondered what he had said to fill her expressive eyes with bleak pain? He placed a hand between her shoulder blades and repeated his command. ‘Come.’ But this time his manner was gentler.
    Sophie had been speared by a jolt of homesickness, but now wanted to respond to the hand that rested lightly between her shoulder blades—the man had no concept of personal body space. Unfortunately, as soon as he touched her everything, including her brain, refused to function. Actually, this was not totally correct; she could smell the soap he used mingled with other less familiar but not unpleasant male scents.
    Luckily, the paralysis did not last more than a moment and Sophie didn’t feel the inclination to examine the heart-racing breath-catching moment of paralysis too