The Truth About De Campo Read Online Free PDF

short list of two.”
    He let out his breath in a long, slow exhale. Relief mixed with the sweet taste of victory, a heady cocktail that made his blood surge in his veins. “No doubt it was my sparkling personality,” he offered dryly.
    “No doubt.”
    The wry undertone in her naturally husky voice made him smile. He leaned back against the foyer wall and ran his palm over the stubble covering his jaw. “I am thrilled, of course, that you picked us. Grazie .”
    “Thank my new head sommelier for swinging the vote. One taste of Gabriele’s Malbec and she was onside.”
    “Remind me to thank her.”
    “I think the better route would be to keep you well away from her.”
    He lifted a brow. “Why would you say that?”
    “She isn’t as jaded about men as I am. I’d prefer not to have a train wreck on my team.”
    “I think you overestimate my allure, Ms. Davis.”
    “I think I don’t. Thank you for the perfume, by the way. You didn’t need to do that.”
    “I thought a little piece of Tuscany was apt. You like jasmine then?”
    “I do.”
    “Good. It’s one of the world’s great scents.”
    “I assume this is one of your techniques? Plying women with expensive perfume?”
    “One of the more rudimentary ones, yes,” he admitted. “I also know my way around a kitchen. You’d be amazed how impressed women are by a man who can cook.”
    “I can only imagine.” There was a pause. “I have no doubt about your...capabilities in any department you choose to apply yourself in, Mr. De Campo. Would next week suit to visit your Tuscan operations? I’d like to do that first, then show you two of our Caribbean properties we’re reopening in St. Lucia so you can get a feel as to where Luxe is headed before we do the pitch in early August.”
    “Of course. Will cowboy Jack be along for the ride to the Caribbean?”
    “If you’re referring to Daniel Williams, then yes, he is the other half of the final two.”
    “Perfetto,” he drawled, sarcasm lacing his tone. He was sure he could find a way for the Australian to stick his mouth in it again. It would be his pleasure. “We can do Tuscany whenever you like. Name the time.”
    “How about Friday? That way I don’t miss the working week.”
    His lips twisted. God forbid the workaholic miss a day churning out money for Davis Investments. “Shall I send the De Campo jet for you?”
    “Thank you but I’m mandated by Davis rules to fly commercial. Demonstrates good corporate governance.”
    He shrugged. “The offer’s there.”
    “Thank you.”
    “I do have one, nonnegotiable condition to us moving forward.”
    A pause. “Which is?”
    “You need to start calling me Matteo.”
    He could have sworn he heard her smile. “I want your top-ten list, Matteo .”
    The Chagall he’d recently purchased at auction drew his eye, a vivid splash of color against the cream entryway wall. “Over a bottle of Brunello in Tuscany, Quinn. Bring a sweater for the castello . It gets chilly at night.”
    “Have you forgotten?” Her low, sardonic tone dripped across the phone line. “I’m already ice-cold.”
    Low laughter escaped him. “Why, Quinn Davis, I think you have a sense of humor.”
    “Don’t go imagining things.... I’ll have our admins connect on the details.”
    She disconnected the call. He slipped his phone back into his pocket and shook his head. As far as standoffish women went, it was his theory that some were cold and uninviting at their core, while others just pretended to be so for a whole variety of reasons. The latter category had always fascinated him. Often proved the biggest challenge and the sweetest reward. He’d bet his Chagall Quinn was one of them.
    Too bad that particular challenge was off-limits. If his vow to swear off women wasn’t enough of a reason to put Quinn in that category, his ten-million-dollar one was.
    He settled in and called Riccardo, an intense feeling of exhilaration moving through him. They had made it to the pitch.