Never Say Love by Sarah Ashley Read Free Book Online Page A

with him, tell him Maggie Smythe said ‘hello’ and thank you, for…” she stopped speaking as Benito went to open his mouth, to defend his father but was stopped instantly by Maggie putting her palm in front of his face. “Don’t say a word. What’s past is past, but you! You need to look after her.” She turned towards Lucy, her head down as she studied the menu, “She’s lovely and very beautiful. Franco would approve, and I know Sophia would have, definitely. You look after her!” She gave Benito a stern look, not unlike the looks his mother would have given him when he was a boy.
    Not giving Benito or James a chance to argue back, she turned and left the restaurant calling “Ciao” as she left, walking quickly past the concierge and out of the hotel.
     
    Once Maggie was out of the building, James and Benito returned to Lucy, “So what’s it to be?” James asked.
    She shrugged, “Just some toast, I’m really not hungry, and some orange juice please.”
    “Just coffee for me,” Benito chipped in.
    Stopping one of the waiting staff as they passed, James gave Benito and Lucy’s order as well as ordering himself another coffee, some pastries and a bowl of strawberries. Lucy frowned as he asked for strawberries, catching his eye. “They’re good for you, didn’t you know?” He smiled and winked at her.
    She shook her head, a half smile crossing her lips.
    “So how old are you?” James asked, wincing as he felt a whack in the shins under the table. Turning towards his friend he glared at Benito as Lucy answered.
    “I’m 22, why?”
    Looking directly at Lucy, James smiled before turning his attention to Benito, “No reason, just curious.”
    Sitting in silence, Lucy was thankful for the arrival of her food, breaking up the awkwardness between the three of them.
    Benito watched as she sipped on her orange juice and nibbled her toast. “Why are you looking to leave your job?” He asked, recalling the conversation from last night.
    She shrugged, “He’s just a dirty old man. Well actually, he’s not old, maybe forty? But, he’d have his hands all over us, if we let him. Anyway, I’ve got that interview on Monday. I’ve taken the day off work.” As she continued telling him how the letch of a boss frequently pawed at the girls in the office, Benito felt his muscles tense, becoming angry at the thought of this beautiful young woman who he felt so much for (although he didn’t understand why he felt this way), being subjected to the unwanted attention of someone who was clearly old enough to be her father, his fists clenching under the table, he sighed deeply.
    “Are there more girls in the office?” Benito questioned as James watched the conversation unfold. Despite being infuriated by Lucy’s reports of the letch of a boss, Benito started to relax in her company, he felt good. Whilst James looked at her, she was a lovely girl, so pretty but he wouldn’t have arranged a date, would he ? And what happened to Benito wanting to stay away from commitment? Hell, who knows until you are there, in this situation with an incredibly pretty girl. Hayley had disappeared before he woke this morning, although he wondered how she’d actually managed to walk away from the hotel after what they’d done last night. He liked Hayley, but she just wasn’t the one for him, just didn’t do it for him; well, not enough to commit anyway.
    Putting her juice down, Lucy looked towards Benito, her eyes brighter now, a beautiful blue, clear and bright. “There are three of us in the office, and given the chance, he’d always be too close to any one of us all of the time. He knows how we feel, we’ve threatened that we’ll leave, but he takes no notice.” She explained about the letch, that she’d started at the company a couple of years ago when the letch’s father had been there. He had retired and his son had taken over, and he was the one that the girls had the problem with. She explained that the old man