Mistress to the Mediterranean Male (Mills & Boon By Request) Read online

  ‘Sarah Heart.’ Sarah drummed one well-manicured hand against the desk as she waited.

  ‘I’m sorry, Ms Heart, but I don’t appear to have your name on my list.’

  ‘I beg your pardon?’ Sarah looked as if she was about to turn an interesting shade of purple.

  Before she could launch into a scathing remark Charlie leaned across her. ‘Excuse me, but have you got my name on the list? It’s Charlotte Hopkirk,’ she said quietly.

  The woman ran her eyes over the book again. ‘Oh, yes, your name is here, Ms Hopkirk.’

  ‘Good, well, this is Dr Delmari’s publicist, so she should be down as well.’

  ‘I see.’ The girl smiled at Charlie. ‘Then I guess it’s OK for her to accompany you through. You’ll find Dr Delmari in the hospitality suite next door to studio five, the door should be open.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘What on earth are you thanking her for?’ Sarah muttered as they moved away from the desk. ‘She was clearly incompetent.’

  ‘Your name wasn’t down, so it was hardly her fault. Anyway no harm done; it’s just a good job that I stayed with you,’ Charlie couldn’t resist adding.

  Sarah slanted her a narrow-eyed look but said nothing.

  They found Marco talking to the station manager. He smiled over at Charlie as she walked through the door. Then he turned his attention to his publicist. ‘Sarah, this is a surprise! There was no need for you to rush down here.’

  ‘I wanted to, Marco. I’m so sorry I was held up,’ she said smoothly. Charlie noticed how her voice had softened now that she was talking to Marco. Then she flashed a winning smile at the station manager. ‘Sarah Heart,’ she said as she extended her hand. ‘Marco’s publicist.’

  ‘Pleased to meet you, Ms Heart.’

  ‘Call me Sarah, please,’ she practically purred.

  ‘Well, Sarah, we are just waiting for our DJ Sam Richmond to come through and have a word with Marco then we’ll go through to the studio.’

  ‘How is Sam?’ Sarah gushed. ‘It’s a while since I saw him.’

  ‘You’re a friend?’ the station manager asked.

  ‘Oh, yes, Sam and I go way back.’

  He was probably ex-husband number three, Charlie thought darkly. According to gossip Sarah had been married and divorced four times, which was no mean feat by the age of thirty-eight. Ex-husband number four had been a top TV executive and a wealthy man. It was through his contacts and money that Sarah had started her business.

  The DJ came in at that moment and Sarah made a performance out of greeting him and introducing him to Marco. She probably wouldn’t have bothered to include Charlie only Sam Richmond smiled at her and reached to shake her hand.

  ‘Oh, and that’s Charlie,’ she tagged on, her tone less than gracious. ‘She’s—’

  ‘My right-hand woman,’ Marco finished the sentence smoothly.

  Charlie caught Marco’s eye and he smiled at her. Something about that smile made her feel warm and special. It was a delicious feeling. She almost had to shake herself to get rid of its dreamy effect.

  A few moments later she was left alone in the hospitality suite as Sarah accompanied the men through to the studio. Charlie poured herself a coffee from a pot that was sitting on the sideboard and sat down in one of the comfortable armchairs to wait. She could see the others through the glass partition between her and the studio next door but she couldn’t hear what they were saying, she could only hear the record that was being played on air.

  She found herself watching Marco, studying him as he talked. She liked the sincerity in his eyes as he listened to people, and she noticed that when he smiled he had a dimple in his cheek. As she glanced away her eyes connected with Sarah’s and she knew the other woman had caught her watching her boss. Hastily she looked away feeling guiltily uncomfortable … although for the life of her she couldn’t work out why.

  She had just got up to replenish her coffee when Sarah joined her. ‘I’ll have one of those while you’re there,’ she told Charlie as she sat down. ‘White, no sugar.’

  Charlie poured her the drink and handed it across. She noticed how Sarah didn’t even bother to say thank you. She really was quite rude, Charlie thought with annoyance.

  Sarah watched as she sat back down in her chair opposite. ‘So …’ she murmured idly as she crossed her long legs and smoothed down the silky material of her skirt, ‘tell me, Charlie … how long have you been in love with Marco?’

  The outrageously personal question was asked with such nonchalance that for a moment Charlie wondered if she had misheard. ‘What on earth are you talking about?’ She stared at the woman in astonishment.

  ‘I think you know,’ Sarah continued smoothly.

  ‘All I know is that you are asking me an absurd question!’

  ‘Am I?’ Sarah shrugged. ‘From where I’m watching it seems blindingly obvious that you have a thing for him.’

  Charlie was so outraged that she could barely find her voice. ‘I’m not even going to deign to answer that!’ she finally muttered.

  ‘You know you aren’t his type, don’t you?’ Sarah smiled but her eyes were cold. ‘And I’m not just talking about the fact that Marco only seems to date women who look like super-models, I’m talking about the fact that Marco would never fall for a romantic. He’s far too practical for that. So I’m afraid that unless you take those rose-coloured glasses off when you look at him … I think you have a problem.’

  The sardonic tone grated on Charlie. ‘I think the only problem around here is you,’ she said succinctly. ‘And I’ll thank you to keep your weird opinions to yourself.’

  Sarah just laughed.

  At that moment the music stopped and the radio interview started. Charlie tried to switch off from the preposterous accusations and concentrate on the conversation in the studio but Sarah’s words kept echoing around in her mind with disturbing emphasis.

  How long have you been in love with Marco?

  CHAPTER THREE

  ‘ARE you OK?’ Marco’s quiet tone cut across the silence in the car.

  ‘Absolutely fine.’ Charlie changed gear with a grating sound that exactly mirrored the way she was feeling inside.

  ‘You haven’t spoken much since leaving the radio studio.’

  Because she couldn’t believe the audacity of Sarah Heart—imagine asking a question like that! If anyone was in love with Marco Delmari it was Sarah herself. The woman had been almost sycophantic towards Marco as they were leaving the station. She’d invited him over to her apartment for dinner on Sunday, ostensibly to discuss his American tour, but by the tone of her voice she’d had more in mind than business discussions … and Marco had accepted the invitation quite happily. But maybe the thing that had annoyed her most of all was the way Sarah had looked at her as Marco accepted Sarah’s invitation. There had been triumph and disdain in the other woman’s eyes, as if to say you will never hook a man like Marco Delmari.

  ‘Well, you know me, I’m always quiet,’ Charlie murmured as she realised Marco was waiting for a reply. ‘The interview went well,’ she said, trying to change the direction of her thoughts. She wasn’t in love with Marco and it didn’t matter what Sarah Heart thought.

  ‘Yes,’ Marco frowned. ‘Except for the questions about my love life; I didn’t think they were relevant.’

  ‘No, they weren’t, but I suppose he had to ask. People will be interested in your private life.’

  ‘You are starting to sound like Sarah,’ Marco said drily.

  ‘Sorry!’ The last thing she wanted was to sound like Sarah Heart!

  ‘That’s OK. Maybe on reflection she has a point.’

  Charlie glanced over at him in horror. ‘No she hasn’t!’

  Marco smiled. ‘From an academic’s point of view she hasn’t. However, I’m not aiming my book solely at academics. It’s for the mass market and I have to give Sarah her due, she is a good businesswoman. She knows how to work the media … knows what sells.’
r />   Charlie wanted to correct him and tell him that Sarah Heart just had her eye on the main chance … that she fancied a sexy doctor as husband number five. But she pulled herself back. ‘You’re not considering her idea of entering into a relationship as … as some kind of a publicity stunt, are you?’ she asked instead, her tone laced with incredulity.

  ‘Well, I’m still not completely convinced. But I suppose having a partner around at the moment wouldn’t go amiss.’ He shrugged. ‘But it would have to be somebody who is on a similar wavelength to me—’

  ‘You mean someone who wouldn’t get carried away by it all and imagine herself in love with you?’ Charlie guessed wryly.

  ‘No, I mean someone who believes in my ideas,’ Marco corrected her pointedly. ‘However, as my book tour starts in just a few weeks, I’d have to be quick to find a suitable candidate in that time.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sure you would be able to dig up someone acceptable very quickly,’ Charlie murmured. Sarah Heart for one, she thought sardonically.

  The edge in her voice wasn’t lost on Marco. ‘The idea of a relationship without love really offends your sense of romance, doesn’t it?’

  ‘No. I just have doubts that it would work out in the long term.’

  ‘What kind of doubts?’

  ‘Well, you know … that it would actually last.’

  ‘Of course it will,’ Marco said softly. ‘I’ve backed up the hypothesis with exhaustive research studies. If two people are serious about wanting to get married … or about making a long-term commitment … and they follow the steps I’ve outlined in the book, then the relationship should be successful regardless of whether they are in love or not, the main proviso being both parties are willing to work at the agreement.’

  ‘It doesn’t sound very romantic. I always thought that all Italians were incredibly impulsive and passionate,’ Charlie murmured thoughtfully. ‘But you don’t really fit the criteria … do you?’

  ‘What makes you think that? ‘Marco gave her a half-smile that made her tingle with sudden awareness of him. ‘Being impulsive and passionate with someone is one thing … making a lifelong commitment to them is quite another.’

  ‘Well … yes … obviously …’ Charlie was mortified now; she wished she hadn’t said that. ‘I was just talking about the romantic side of a partnership.’

  ‘But that is my whole point. For a relationship to be successful you’re supposed to work at that side of things as well.’

  ‘But if you are both in love to begin with, surely romance follows naturally like night follows day.’

  ‘Nice theory.’ Marco smiled at that. ‘But unfortunately not true. Very often love is just an illusory feeling … a misleading mirage … and even if it is not you can’t rely totally on just that feeling to sustain a relationship over the long term. You need to look deeper than that.’

  Charlie looked over at him wryly. ‘Maybe you just don’t believe in love.’ She couldn’t resist the comment.

  ‘When making a long-term commitment I think it is an emotion that should be approached with caution.’ Marco’s voice was dry. ‘All too often people confuse making love with being in love … two different things entirely. It’s fine to have wild nights of passion and not think too deeply about things. But before you make any promises you should think with your head, not your heart.’

  ‘Sometimes you sound more cynical than sensible.’

  ‘I’m just a realist, Charlie.’ He shrugged. ‘I believe if you are looking for a successful long-term relationship it’s best to be practical, not starry-eyed. And, as bizarre as it sounds, my findings are that if you can disregard love from the equation you can see a relationship more clearly. But maybe the theory wouldn’t be successful for someone like you.’

  ‘What do you mean, someone like me?’ Charlie pulled the car to a halt in front of his house and turned to look at him.

  ‘Well …’ he shrugged in that particular way of his ‘… you’re obviously an incurable romantic.’

  ‘I wish you would stop saying that.’ Charlie glared at him.

  ‘Sorry, Ms Hopkirk.’ His tone was teasing. ‘But that is my considered opinion and the prognosis isn’t good, I’m afraid. There’s no hope for you.’

  Unfortunately Charlie failed to see the humour behind his words. ‘Well, that is where you are wrong … actually.’ She emphasised the word with derision. ‘I was cured from my … as you would term … delusional state a long time ago. I got divorced and became a single parent. That has a way of grounding the senses, believe me.’

  ‘Hey, I was just making a light-hearted remark!’ Marco held up his hands and looked at her with that glint in his eye that she was starting to recognise so well.

  ‘No you weren’t, you were being condescending. Well, yes, I do like roses, soft, honeyed words and moonlight … but I’m not so stupid that I would fall in love and get married just because they are applied to a situation. And let me tell you, I’m looking for something much more realistic next time around, believe me.’

  ‘Are you?’

  The sudden interest in his tone pulled her up and made her realise that she had just lost her temper, but why she had got so steamed up she didn’t know. Maybe because she was still smarting from Sarah’s earlier remarks, or maybe it was because she didn’t like the idea that Marco seemed to think that she was some kind of dreamer who had completely unrealistic expectations of life and wasn’t to be taken seriously. Just because she believed in true love and romance didn’t mean she was bewildered. Well, perhaps this was her chance to prove—even if she did have to lie a little bit! ‘Of course I want something realistic. I’ve made one mistake in my life by choosing the wrong partner and I don’t want to make another,’ she answered him hesitantly. ‘Sorry to disappoint you but my days of being starry-eyed are long gone. Deep down I am also a realist.’

  ‘So are you saying that if the terms were right you wouldn’t be averse to the idea of a serious relationship based on common sense rather than love?’ Marco continued wryly.

  ‘Terms?’ Charlie frowned.

  ‘Marriage, or cohabitation, should be treated like a business partnership; you need to know exactly what you want out of it before you enter into it.’ Marco noticed the high colour on her cheekbones and smiled. ‘You see … you do find the idea too clinical … distasteful even. I rest my case.’

  ‘No! If the terms were right I might consider such an idea.’ She raised her head defiantly. She wasn’t going to back down.

  Marco gave her a sardonic smile. ‘Well I don’t believe you … I think your heart would be far too soft and emotional to ever be happy with that kind of an arrangement.’

  ‘And what are you basing that opinion on?’ Charlie asked dismissively. ‘The fact that I listen to romantic music?’

  ‘No … I’m basing it on what you have told me about yourself … about your parents’ marriage … about your date last night.’

  ‘You don’t know anything about me.’ Charlie shrugged. ‘But believe what you want! Now … I think we should forget this nonsense and get back to work.’ She tried to switch the subject and reached for the door handle, but Marco touched her arm, stopping her from getting out of the car.

  ‘So what are you looking for in your next relationship?’

  The blunt question took her completely by surprise. She looked back at him and as she met the seriousness of his dark eyes she realised that perhaps this conversation had gone a little too far. ‘Well…. I…. hadn’t really thought about it that deeply. I mean … I was only speaking hypothetically.’

  He was looking at her very intently as if he could see into her very soul … see the romantic streak lurking beneath the surface. And to her dismay she felt herself blushing wildly. This wasn’t fair—he had no right to ask such personal questions!

  Marco laughed. ‘A word of warning, Charlie; never try and play poker, you wouldn’t be much good.’

  It was that derisive, cynical laugh that pushed her over the e
dge. ‘Well, OK, then, if you really want to know, next time around I’d want … companionship.’ She pulled the word wildly out of mid-air.

  ‘Companionship?’ He didn’t know whether to believe her or not. She could see the dark light in his eyes was tinged with just a hint of uncertainty.

  ‘Well yes …’ She held his dark gaze determinedly. ‘What’s the matter—isn’t that practical enough for you?’

  ‘We’re not talking about me … we are talking about you and what you would want,’ Marco corrected her softly. ‘And would companionship really be enough for you?’

  She wished those dark eyes of his weren’t so intense … Companionship would be good but she knew deep down it would never be enough for her. She would want a deep and passionate love … nothing less would suffice. She wished she’d never stated this lie now. Charlie glanced away from him. ‘Obviously the guy would have to care deeply about Jack and be good with him.’ She added the provision hastily. That at least was the truth.

  ‘Obviously.’ Marco nodded.

  ‘As you said in your book, it’s important not to allow emotions to cloud reality.’ She threw the line in for good measure.

  ‘You have been paying attention.’ He smiled.

  She frowned; was he being facetious? ‘No, I’ve been through a divorce and, as I said before, it has a way of grounding the senses. Why do you think I’ve chosen internet dating? Let’s face it; it is the ultimate practical way to meet someone. You read through a list of a person’s attributes and decide from that if you have something in common. There are no hearts and flowers about choosing a partner using that method, I assure you.’ She left out the fact that it had been her friend Karen who had talked her into it.

  ‘I guess so.’ Marco frowned for a moment. ‘Maybe you are a little more practical than I gave you credit for.’

  ‘A lot more practical,’ she corrected him quickly. Even though she veered towards the romantic, that didn’t mean she wasn’t sensible.

  Marco held up his hands. ‘Obviously I was very wrong in my assessment of you.’