An Invitation to Sin(65)

She was staring at him, her face pale. ‘I—I’ve told you so much. Too much.’ Her voice was a whisper. ‘Why did I do that?’

‘I don’t know.’ He was asking himself a similar question. ‘Because you trusted me.’

‘I don’t trust anyone.’ Her lips were bloodless and it took no effort to read her mind.

‘You’re worried I’ll sell your story to the media?’ He was surprised by how much that hurt. ‘Come on, Taylor—’

‘You’ve remembered every detail. Every single detail I’ve ever told you.’

‘Because I’m a good listener.’

‘Why? So that you don’t forget the juicy parts?’

‘You know me better than that.’

‘I don’t know you at all. You haven’t let me know you.’ She was stammering in her panic. ‘I have no idea what you’re capable of when you’re upset or annoyed and I’ve trusted you with information I would never have given to anyone else.’ She pressed shaking fingers to her face and breathed deeply while Luca swore under his breath and tried to grab hold of a situation that was fast spinning out of control.

But they’d arrived at the docklands and already the usual crowd of journalists pressed around the car.

Luca yanked on the handbrake. ‘We need to talk.’

‘I’ve talked.’ There was no missing her emphasis on the word. ‘The problem is you haven’t and I’m not interested in a one-sided relationship.’ Before he could respond Taylor was out of the car, tall, long-limbed and beautiful as she walked gracefully to where the modelling shoot was to take place.

He wanted to remind her their relationship was fake. That confidences had no part in what they were doing here. But the whole thing was a confused mess in his head and there was no opportunity to sort it out because the photo shoot was already under way.

And she was as professional during the shoot as she was with her acting. She listened to what was required and worked her heart out and by lunchtime Luca knew that what he had was perfect. Even the exacting, hypercritical Gianni was happy.

He had no idea how Taylor felt because the mask was back up and he knew it was his fault. Not only had he stripped away her protective shell and frightened her, he’d shut her down when she’d asked him a personal question.

I don’t know you at all. You haven’t let me know you.

Her words stayed with him as he walked into the boardroom an hour later. Prepared for something close to adulation from them for the way his ideas were already increasing occupancy and profits, Luca opened the door and was greeted by stony silence. A few of the older members of the board avoided looking at him.

Deciding that this was a day that definitely wasn’t going his way, Luca strolled to the head of the table and braced himself for trouble. ‘Well, this isn’t quite the fun afternoon I was anticipating.’ He kept his tone light but he was surveying the room, trying to identify the reason for the frosty atmosphere. ‘Something wrong?’

There was an awkward silence.

The chairman cleared his throat. ‘You don’t know?’

‘Know what?’

‘About your fiancée.’ The older man’s mouth was set in a thin, disapproving line. ‘It seems her past was even wilder than the rumours suggested. An Italian magazine claims to be in possession of certain naked photographs.’

Everything fell into place. He had no need to ask who had taken the photographs. Had no need to ask for any detail because he could guess at the detail all too easily.

Luca kept his face impassive. ‘Photographs?’

‘So you don’t know.’ The chairman exchanged a relieved glance with the rest of the board. ‘Naturally this won’t reflect well on you or the company. I expect you’ll want to distance yourself from her actions and break off the engagement. It’s damaging for the Corretti name and even more damaging for you personally.’

Closeted on the film set, it wasn’t until Taylor finished filming for the day that she saw the usual crowd of journalists gathered at the barrier had swollen to ridiculous proportions.

Remembering the studio’s insistence on publicity and determined not to give them any reason to complain about her, she forced herself to walk across to them. Her intention was to allow them a few shots that would hopefully satisfy them enough to make them leave her alone, but as she approached she sensed the buzz of excitement that comes with a major story.