Tempted by Her Italian Surgeon by Louisa George Page A

home.’
    â€˜Seriously, you’ve got this far, don’t be embarrassed. You’ll be fine, honestly. I bet it happens all the time anyway. People faint, get over it. Come on.’ Becca tugged on Ivy’s arm as she had been doing almost every step through the hospital corridors in an attempt to bring her down here to the pub, despite every excuse Ivy could think of. In the end she’d had to give in because, it appeared, no one was listening. ‘Last one at the bar buys the round.’
    â€˜Fine. Just give me a moment.’ Ivy watched her assistant’s back disappear into the pub and took a deep breath. If she didn’t look at him she’d be fine. He’d be in the middle of a group, she’dshimmy past out of eye contact and hide in a dark corner with the rest of the admin staff. No problemo .
    Taking another breath, she pushed the heavy door open and stepped in. The noise was bearable, people sat in groups and she could make out some familiar faces in the far corner, but as the door swung closed behind her everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at her.
    Huh-huh. This was her idea of hell. Even though no one spoke she could almost read their thoughts. She’s the one who fainted. Top lawyer who’s deep-down weak .
    But at least Matteo was nowhere to be seen.
    At the bar Becca was talking to the barman, and beckoned Ivy over. ‘Seeing as you’re paying, I’m having the biggest cocktail they do. A jug of Cancun margarita, I think. What would you like, Ivy?’
    â€˜A glass of wine, please. Red.’ Make it a big one.
    â€˜ They do a nice merlot. Oh, look…’ Becca pointed across to the admin crowd, who were grinning and waving back. ‘Everyone’s so pleased to see you.’
    â€˜Or they’re laughing at me.’
    â€˜ So, Miss Ivy Leigh, you decided to brave it out after all?’ Great . Matteo’s voice behind her thrilled down her spine. She couldn’t see himbut every tiny hair on her body was standing to attention in some sort of annoying hormonal salute to his arrival. Maybe the admin crowd hadn’t been waving at her at all, maybe they’d all been giggling and flirting and fluttering their eyelashes at him.
    As she turned she controlled her breathing. She would not be impressed. She would not be impressed. She would not… Wow. Every time she looked at him his eyes pierced her—so dark and intense. And right now they were sparkling with mischief. The shadows and dips of his cheekbones seemed more acute today and he certainly rocked the swarthy tall, dark and handsome cliché. In a collared black shirt that showed off his broad chest and snug jeans that hugged his legs he looked dangerous and sinful and so out of her league. Not that she had a league or even wanted to be in one. But, it was safe to say, if she did, he would be stratospherically out of it.
    â€˜Good evening, Mr Finelli. Yes, I’m here. My assistant insisted and it looks like the whole hospital is here too, so that’s good, I’ll get the humiliation over and done with in one clean swoop. I’m just showing my face, having a quick drink and then…’ She lifted her overloaded workbag, the zipper almost splitting with the contents. ‘Work.’
    â€˜Ah, yes. It never stops.’ Shoving a hand in hispocket, he pulled out a wad of notes and gave them to the barman. ‘I’ll get these.’
    Becca grinned her starstruck thanks and went to join the group in the far corner. Double great . Thanks a bunch. Leave me here w ith him, why don’t you? Traitor. Ivy picked up her glass and nodded to him. ‘Thanks. I owe you one.’ Then she took a step towards her crowd.
    â€˜Not so fast.’
    â€˜Sorry?’ Ignoring the flustered feeling in her chest, she turned back to him, wondering what the Italian for cold shoulder was. Because that was what she intended on giving him. Freddo