Unnoticed and Untouched Read Online Free PDF Page A

was positive he’d been in pain. That was the leg with the pins, the one that had been supposed to end his career several years ago.
    “I’m sorry to have left you standing here alone,” he said.
    Faith shook her head, frowning at the thought his leg might be bothering him. “Not at all. You came here to talk to Mr. Stein. That should take precedence.”
    He tilted his head as he studied her. It disconcerted her until she wanted to drop her lashes and shield her eyes, but she would not shrink from him. It was not the first time tonight he’d looked at her that way. Each time, she felt as if he were dissecting her and viewing the parts individually. As if he weren’t quite certain what to make of her.
    Well, she wasn’t certain what to make of herself. Whatwas she doing at a party full of rich people, pretending to be the date of one of the most handsome and dynamic men in the world? No one would believe it for a minute.
    She didn’t. She just wanted to be at home, wrapped in her fuzzy robe and reading a book. That was believable.
    “You are interesting, Faith,” Renzo said.
    She lifted her chin. She would not be flattered by his smooth charm. “Not really. I’m just doing my job.”
    He arched an eyebrow. “Is that what you call it?”
    “Yes,” she said firmly. “I’m here because you asked me to be, plus you offered to pay me. It’s work.”
    He looked amused. “And what if I asked you to come to Italy with me? Would you do it?”
    Faith swallowed. Italy? She couldn’t pretend that the thought didn’t excite her. She’d never been out of the country before, and she couldn’t imagine a more wonderful place to go. Pasta, pizza, cappuccino. Mmm. It made her mouth water just to think it.
    She’d always believed she would be shuffled to another of the company’s officers once Renzo returned to Europe. She still believed it. He couldn’t really be serious. He had another factory in Italy, and another office that was no doubt staffed with an efficient Italian PA.
    “That depends,” she said, her throat constricting around the words.
    “I need you, Faith. You keep my life together, and I don’t want to live without you.”
    Faith could only blink. And then she had to suppress a laugh—because how many women would die to hear Renzo say those words to them? Of course he meant them a very different way, but it was still amusing.
    “I wish I had a tape recorder,” she said, and then bit her lip when she realized she’d spoken aloud.
    He looked perplexed. “Why is this?”
    Faith shrugged, laughing. What was the use in denying it? “Because I could probably sell it many times over. I can think of a handful of women who would pay to hear those words from your lips. And I’m sure there are more trailing in your wake. I could retire early.”
    Renzo laughed. “Ah,
si
, it could be very profitable for you. And yet I hope you will consider my offer to accompany me to Italy.”
    “You haven’t made the offer yet,” she said, feeling bold and breathless at the same time.
    His smile was turned up full force. “Have I not? Dear Faith, please accompany me to Italy. I will give you a twenty percent raise and cover all your expenses while we are abroad.”
    Twenty percent. Faith swallowed. “Well, as wonderful as that is, I think you’ve forgotten something.” Because she had to be honest, no matter how much she might like to leap on the offer.
    “And what is that?”
    “I don’t speak Italian. I don’t speak anything but English, in fact.”
    His smile did not dim. “And yet the international language is English. How do you suppose people in Italy converse with people in Germany? No, this is not an issue. Besides, you will learn Italian while you live there.”
    “I—”
    “Renzo, darling, there you are,” a cultured female voice called out, interrupting them. “I’ve been looking everywhere.”
    Renzo stiffened as he turned toward the owner of the voice. The woman sauntering toward them was