The Italian's Ruthless Baby Bargain
Auteur
Margaret Mayo
Lezers
16,6K
Hoofdstukken
12
CHAPTER ONE
FROM the first moment Penny looked into Santo De Luca’s eyes she knew she was in trouble. They were the deepest, darkest brown she had ever seen, framed by long, silky lashes, set beneath a pair of equally silky black brows. And they appeared to be looking into her soul, trying to find out what sort of a person she was before she had even spoken.
It was impossible to ignore the rivers of sensation that flooded her veins, the way her blood ran hot, and the instant thought that she could be in danger. There was nothing to confirm this, just an impression, a feeling. The man was seriously sexy. ‘Miss Keeling?’
Oh, hell, even his voice was sexy, coming from deep, deep down in his throat. Was there nothing about him that didn’t set off alarm bells, that didn’t stir her deepest emotions; emotions that she’d kept rigidly in check for a long, long time?
Penny nodded, feeling sure that if she dared to speak her voice would give her away. Never in her life had she felt such strong emotions at a first meeting, not when she didn’t even know the man. Not when she was about to work for him. It was insane.
‘You do have a tongue?’ The voice had sharpened, still a low rumble in his throat but with an added edge, and his beautifully sculpted brows drew together over his eyes.
Such gorgeous eyes! Nevertheless his question had the desired effect. She snapped herself back into business mode. ‘Yes, I’ m Miss Keeling.’ And she straightened her shoulders, standing that little bit taller. But even at five feet eight she still stood several inches below him.
‘Do you look at all of your employers as though they’re from a different planet?’
Penny wasn’t sure whether he was joking or being serious. But just in case she kept her voice grave. ‘Not as a rule, Mr De Luca.’
‘So I’m the exception. Is there a reason for that?’
Not only did he look gorgeous but he also had a most attractive Italian accent. It raised goose bumps on her skin. And she wondered for a brief moment whether it would be advisable to work for a man who could do this much damage before she’d even got to know him. Perhaps she ought to turn and run?
‘I…You’re not what I expected.’
‘I see,’ he said. ‘I’m not the normal run-of-the-mill father, is that it?’
Penny sucked in a deep breath. ‘Normally it’s the child’s mother who organises a nanny, generally because she needs to go back to work—or whatever else it is she wants to do,’ she couldn’t help adding. She had worked for very rich women who preferred having a social life to bringing up their children.
‘The agency didn’t tell you that there wasn’t a Mrs De Luca?’
‘No.’ She heard the surprise in her voice. Normally she would have been given the background of the family and they would have wanted to see her prior to engaging her, making sure she was suitable. But on this occasion a nanny had been needed urgently.
‘You come highly recommended.’ He raised a brow as he said it, and Penny realised that she was hardly being professional. In fact she was acting completely out of character.
All because he was a strikingly handsome man.
‘Though I’m beginning to have my doubts about whether you’re up to the job,’ he added crisply. ‘Nevertheless I have a very important business meeting that I’m already late for. Come through to the kitchen and I’ll introduce you to my housekeeper. We’ll have a serious talk tonight.’
Up to the job! Penny took umbrage. ‘Mr De Luca,’ she declared, standing at her full height, staring him full in the face, ‘I can assure you that I am more than up to the job, as you put it.’ She thrust an envelope into his face. ‘Here are my references, you’ll see that—’
‘Those aren’t necessary!’ he declared imperiously. ‘I prefer to make my own judgement.’
And at the moment she was sadly lacking, thought Penny. She could hardly blame him; she had stood there like an idiot instead of ignoring his sexuality and being the truly experienced nanny that she was.
She had approached his house this morning with an air of excitement. The agency she worked for had stressed how important this job was. Mr De Luca was the head of the De Luca advertising agency—a global company—and if she pleased him it could work very well for them.
He lived on the outskirts of London in a huge mansion set in an amazing estate—it couldn’t be called anything less, she’d decided, because after the electronically controlled gates had opened she’d driven through acres of woodland and gardens. To say she was impressed would have been an understatement.
And when she’d reached the house, well, she was truly stunned. Three storeys high, eight windows across. How many rooms was that?
‘I understand your last nanny left you rather unexpectedly?’ she questioned as she hurried at his heels through miles of corridors. Anyone would think they were in a race. His long legs were in danger of taking him away from her.
He wore a dark grey suit and white shirt, both Savile Row if she wasn’t mistaken, but they did little to disguise the well-maintained body beneath. This man seriously worked out and she wasn’t surprised, he’d need to be super-fit to work the long hours he did. She’d been told he left by seven every morning, and was always late getting home. It sounded to her as though he didn’t see very much of his daughter.
‘That is correct. And if you’re having any ideas that this job isn’t for you, then I’d be obliged if you would say so right now.’
He stopped so abruptly that Penny cannoned into him, taken aback when his strong arms steadied her and those mesmerising dark eyes locked into hers. She actually stopped breathing for a few seconds and gazed into those magical depths, then realised what she was doing and stepped back a pace.
Her nostrils were invaded by the most irresistible cologne she had ever come across. It was strong like the man himself, though not overpowering. It was subtly pervasive and she knew it would linger long after he had gone. ‘I will naturally do the job to the best of my ability. I’m a conscientious worker, your daughter will be perfectly safe with me and—where is she, by the way? Don’t you think we ought to be—?’
‘Chloe’s still in bed,’ he told her fiercely. ‘I saw no reason to wake her. My office hours are irregular to say the least, but Chloe needs routine, as I’m sure you understand. Emily, my housekeeper, will show you around and then I shall expect you to get Chloe ready and take her to school. I didn’t see any luggage when you arrived, you do know that I expect you to live in?’
Penny inclined her head. ‘It was a rush getting here this early,’ she said, hoping to make her point. ‘I planned on sorting my things out while your daughter’s at school.’ According to the agency his previous nanny had walked out yesterday. Though why he couldn’t have taken a day off and spent time interviewing, Penny didn’t know. At least it was her gain, and the salary she’d been offered was far higher than anything she’d earned before.
He muttered something under his breath in his native language and then resumed his race to the kitchen.
Emily was small and rotund and Penny imagined her to be in her mid-fifties. She had rosy cheeks and short grey hair and, judging by the way she looked at her employer, she clearly adored him.
Penny didn’t realise how much his presence filled the massive room until he had gone. It was only then that she felt able to breathe more easily. Emily saw her relax and smiled. ‘Welcome to the De Luca household. Mr De Luca’s a wonderful man to work for. I hope you’ll be happy here.’
And why was the housekeeper giving her more of a welcome than the big man himself? wondered Penny. ‘Is he always so disagreeable?’ she enquired. ‘I got the impression that he wasn’t sure I’d be any good at the job!’
‘That’s because none of the nannies he’s employed before have lasted more than a few weeks.’
Penny frowned. ‘Is Chloe a difficult child? Or is Mr De Luca the problem?’ He was actually a big problem as far as she was concerned. Far too sexy for her peace of mind. Penny had never met a man who so instantly affected her senses. Even Max hadn’t had this sort of effect on her, and she’d thought he had been the one.
Emily lifted her shoulders and let them drop again, slowly. ‘Mr De Luca’s a very fair man to work for. I should know, I’ve been with him for a very long time. It’s the hours that people don’t like. Most of the nannies before were all young with fancy boyfriends and they didn’t want to be on duty twenty-four hours a day. It’s understandable.’
‘Is that what he expects?’ asked Penny, widening her eyes. No wonder he’d offered her such a good salary. He wanted blood.
‘He doesn’t think, that’s his trouble,’ declared Emily. ‘You just have to tell him if he puts on you too much. I do.’
But she was part of the fixtures, thought Penny. He wouldn’t take it very kindly if she said anything. She was tempted to ask what had happened to his wife but felt it was too soon. Perhaps she too had been unable to put up with the long hours he worked?
‘What time does Chloe normally get up?’ she asked, glancing at the clock on the wall.
‘Half past seven,’ answered Emily. ‘She’s a slow waker. Believe me, you’ll have your time cut out to get her to school on time. I’ll take you up there now.’
Santo couldn’t get Penny out of his mind—even in the middle of his important meeting. She was nothing like any of the other nannies he’d hired. For one thing she had more to say for herself—which could prove interesting! He wasn’t averse to verbal sparring; he liked a spirited woman. It had surprised him, that was all.
She had long, wavy blonde hair which, if he wasn’t mistaken, was entirely natural, the bluest of blue eyes surrounded by amazingly long lashes, a tiny retroussé nose and beautifully shaped lips.
He had also noticed that she wasn’t exactly as slender as some young women aspired to be these days—stick-thin did nothing for him. She had curves in all the right places and even thinking about the way her breasts had jutted against the thin cotton of her blouse made his testosterone levels rise.
He surprised himself by recalling these details. Surprised and dismayed. He didn’t want to think of her in this way. He could do without such distractions. He had enough on his mind already.
But he did think of her and he was disappointed when he got home that evening and she was nowhere around. He’d been looking forward to talking to her some more, finding out what made her tick, what her hopes and aspirations were.
He’d not even thought twice about any other nanny the agency had sent him, but Penny Keeling was different. She was, without a shadow of doubt, a very intriguing woman and he was looking forward to getting to know her better.
After Penny had taken Chloe to school she returned to the flat she shared with a friend and began packing her bags.
‘You do realise I’ll have to find someone else? I can’t afford this place on my own,’ said Louise.
Penny nodded.
‘You seem very sure that this is the right job for you. It’s happened before, you know, and you’ve—’
‘I’m sure,’ answered Penny firmly. Why wouldn’t she be with such a high salary? It was every girl’s dream.
‘De Luca, you say, that wouldn’t be the Santo De Luca who’s forever in the news, would it?’ wondered her friend. ‘The one who always has a glamorous girl hanging on his arm?’
‘The very same,’ Penny agreed and smiled at Louise’s expression.
‘No wonder you took the job. I’d do the same in your position!’
Penny grinned. ‘I’m not a man-hunter like you, Louise.’
‘Life’s too short not to enjoy it,’ answered her friend with a shrug. ‘You picked the wrong man once, but hey, who’s to say you’d do it again? You’ve been on your own for far too long.’
‘You’re incorrigible,’ laughed Penny, shaking her head. ‘And I’m off. I’ll see you soon.’
Now it was late evening and she sat in her own private sitting room. A room that was luxuriously furnished with antiques and brocade drapes and had floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the parkland. It adjoined her bedroom, and the other side of her bedroom was Chloe’s room.
Chloe was adorable. A bright five-year-old, a chatterbox, and she’d already told Penny that she liked her better than her other nannies.
When Penny heard Santo’s car she imagined him coming in and throwing his jacket on the back of a chair, pouring himself a drink maybe. She imagined his strongly carved face, the high cheekbones, the straight nose and the slash of his mouth. Would his features be relaxed or would the trials of the day still be imposed on them?
Had he eaten? she wondered, and then laughed at herself for even thinking such a thing. What did she care? Emily had cooked a succulent roast of beef with all the trimmings and Penny had eaten every last morsel. Even Chloe had cleaned her plate.
In most of her other placements Penny had cooked for her charges; it made a change to have a meal provided for her. She didn’t know yet whether this was the norm. And if so, what was she to do with herself while Chloe was at school? There were definitely a few things she needed to discuss with Mr De Luca.
He had said he would talk to her tonight. Should she go down—or did he appreciate solitude after a long day at the office? She realised that she knew nothing about him—except that he stirred her senses like mad.
On the other hand, they really did need to talk. Even as the thought flashed through her mind a loud rap came on the door, startling her, making her jump, sending her heart into panic mode.
‘Miss Keeling!’
Oh, that voice. That deep glorious voice!
Nerve-ends tingled and a flood of warmth filled Penny’s body and for a few seconds she could do nothing. She couldn’t answer, she couldn’t even get up. It was crazy feeling like this about a man whom she’d only just met, and more importantly a man she was now working for.
But how could she hide such vast emotions? Supposing they showed on her face? How embarrassing would that be? For heaven’s sake, she was a professional not some giddy schoolgirl with a crush on her teacher.
She closed her eyes and took a deep, steadying breath, and when she opened them Santo was standing in front of her.
‘Were you ignoring me, Miss Keeling?’
Not ignoring; trying to prepare herself for the onslaught of her senses that she knew would take place. And it did! With his shirtsleeves rolled up, revealing sinewy forearms and his top three buttons undone so that her eyes feasted on smooth, tanned skin, skin that tempted her fingers to touch, to feel, to taste even, she could hardly get her breath.
‘I wouldn’t dare, Mr De Luca,’ she answered, surprised to hear how strong her voice sounded; no hint at all of her inner struggle.
Straight black brows rose and dark, dangerous eyes locked into hers.
He didn’t believe her and she could hardly blame him. She felt like an idiot now and pushed herself swiftly to her feet. ‘I was actually just thinking of coming down to see you. You said you needed to talk?’
‘That is correct,’ he answered brusquely. ‘But we may as well do it here.’
Before she could even bat an eyelid he had taken the companion chair next to hers. The two armchairs in the room were overstuffed and not entirely comfortable and she almost smiled when she saw Santo’s expression.
‘How can you sit in a chair like this?’ he asked, shifting his large frame. ‘I’ll get them changed immediately.’
Penny guessed that all the rooms in the house had been furnished by an interior designer with no thought for comfort, only aesthetic beauty. And they were beautiful chairs. But…
‘Come, we’ll talk downstairs. I can’t sit here.’
He strode from the room and Penny had no choice but to follow. She devoured him with her eyes as she did so, noting the way his shirt stretched across his broad, muscular back, the way his trousers were similarly taut over his behind and hips, emphasising once again his athletic physique.
Was she crazy for noticing all these things about her new employer? Was she heading for danger? Ought she to get out while the going was good? Or could she be strong enough to hide her feelings?
They were so out of character. She had never, in the whole of her twenty-seven years, felt like this about a man she hardly knew. A man who—according to her friend—had a fierce reputation for eating females for supper. And he certainly wouldn’t appreciate such feelings from his daughter’s nanny.
He led her into what had to be his private sitting room, a fairly small room with lovely deep black leather armchairs and French windows opening out on to a patio area filled with tubs of begonias in every shade of apricot imaginable. To one side was a hedge of honeysuckle and the sweet scent of it filtered into the room.
Penny inhaled appreciatively as she sat down. ‘What a beautiful smell.’
‘I enjoy this time of night,’ he agreed. ‘Everywhere’s so peaceful. Would you care for a drink?’
Much as she would like one Penny shook her head. She most definitely needed to keep it clear. It was intoxicated enough with the sheer sight of him. ‘You have a beautiful daughter, Mr De Luca.’
He nodded and gave a faint smile. ‘Thank you. How did you get on with her?’ He stretched his long legs out, crossing them at the ankles, looking totally relaxed for a change.
‘We hit it off straight away. She liked me, I think; I like her. You have nothing to fear. I will look after her well.’
‘I’m glad to hear it. She means everything to me.’ He picked up his drink, which he must have left on the table when he had come to seek her, and Penny couldn’t help noticing what beautiful, long fingers he had, how well-manicured his nails were. And for a very brief second she wondered what it would feel like to be touched by those fingers, to have them stroke her skin.
Simply thinking about it created a storm and it took an extreme effort to dash the thought away. Fantasising about this man was a dangerous occupation. One she would do well to steer away from.
‘I need you to tell me exactly what my responsibilities are,’ she said, stiffening her spine and hoping she sounded efficient and businesslike. ‘I expected to have to cook for Chloe but it would appear your housekeeper does that.’
‘Emily does all the cooking and washing,’ he agreed, ‘and I have cleaners who come in on a weekly basis. Obviously I’ll expect you to cook for my daughter when Emily has her day off. To be quite honest with you, Miss Keeling, I’m not entirely sure what a nanny’s duties are. I—’
He pulled up short, deciding against whatever it was he’d been going to say. ‘Naturally I wish you to take care of my daughter’s welfare, but when she’s at school your time is your own. Which in effect makes up for your early mornings and late evenings. Do you have a boyfriend? Will you be needing time off?’
‘Needing it, Mr De Luca?’ questioned Penny, her blue eyes sparking dramatically. ‘It’s my right. No one works seven days a week.’ Her tone was sharper than she’d intended. Possibly because of the way her senses were still all over the place.
‘So let’s say your hours are flexible,’ he agreed. ‘And if you do have a boyfriend I must ask that you do not bring him back here.’
Penny looked at him boldly, her chin high. ‘As a matter of fact there is no one. But surely that was something you should have queried before you took me on?’
He gave a very slight lift of his shoulders. ‘I’m new to this game.’
‘So you’re making up the rules as you go along?’ she asked.
Dark eyes narrowed and a muscle jerked dangerously in his jaw. ‘Are you questioning my values?’
Penny drew in a swift breath. ‘Not if my job depends on it. But I’m sure you see my point?’
To her surprise he threw his head back and laughed. ‘Touché, Penny. I may call you Penny?’
Oh, goodness, the way her name rolled off his tongue! He said it like no one else. Made it sound different and—dared she say it—incredibly sexy. Of course, he didn’t mean it that way, it was his accent that did it, but heaven help her, the inference was there.
‘Yes,’ she agreed but she didn’t look at him. She looked out through the open doors instead, where she could see a myriad of dramatic colours in the sky. The sun had disappeared but its aftermath was otherworldly. As was the situation she found herself in.
Santo’s male hormones were behaving badly. And it annoyed him because he didn’t want to be attracted to Penny. He’d had girlfriends, yes, in plenty, in the years he’d been alone after his wife had left him. But nothing serious. They all knew it was just a game to him.
But Penny was different. For one thing she was his employee—and it was a cardinal rule of his to never mix business with pleasure. And for another, he sensed that she wouldn’t be into casual affairs. He couldn’t quite weigh her up yet but he had the feeling that she wouldn’t settle for anything less than a serious relationship. When she met the man of her dreams it would be an all-or-nothing affair.
And what a lucky man he would be. She had to be every man’s dream. Beautiful, smart, capable, interesting. He could think of plenty of adjectives to describe her. Sexy, provocative…He stopped his thoughts right there and tossed the rest of his whisky down his throat.
Standing up, he said, ‘It’s warm in here, don’t you think? Shall we continue our talk outside?’ Where there was more air to breathe! Where he could put more space between them.
Penny smiled her consent and jumped to her feet. ‘You have an incredible place here, Mr De Luca. I’d love to explore your gardens.’
‘Santo. Please call me Santo,’ he suggested softly.
‘I’d rather not; it’s a little too informal for our situation,’ she answered swiftly.
He noticed that her eyes had turned from blue to amethyst in the changing evening light. They looked softer and more vulnerable—and, dammit, he didn’t want to notice these things. She was here to work, nothing else, and he’d be as well to remember it. ‘I can’t have you calling me Mr De Luca when we’re on our own.’
‘How about Signor De Luca?’ she asked cheekily, and he was taken again by the flash in her eyes. She was so beautiful, all woman, teasing and flirtatious, whether she knew it or not. He guessed she didn’t; she would probably be horrified if she knew what he was thinking. How he was interpreting her behaviour.
‘Tell me about yourself,’ he said, conscious his voice was even gruffer than usual. ‘I really know very little—except that you come with impeccable credentials, and that you have no boyfriend,’ he added with a twist to his lips. ‘Where do you live, for instance?’
‘I share a flat with a friend in Notting Hill. Or at least I did, I moved out today.’
‘I see. Would that be a female friend?’ The question was out before he could stop it. Even though she’d said that she didn’t have a boyfriend.
‘Are you prying into my private life, Mr De Luca?’
He was startled by her question until he saw the twinkle in her eyes again and managed a smile himself. ‘I’m very curious. Do you have any family? Of course you do not have to tell me if you don’t want to. But I always take an interest in my employees’ private lives; I always enquire about husbands or wives or partners, because if there’s a problem at home it can sometimes affect their work and then I can make allowances. I believe my interest helps improve working relationships.’
She looked at him disbelievingly for a few seconds and then she laughed, and it was such a musical sound that he felt like laughing too. He wanted to pick her up and twirl her around. He wanted to kiss her; he wanted to…He stopped his thoughts right there, berating himself for being fanciful. And he was grateful when she spoke.
‘In that case, if it will improve our relationship, the answer to your question about my flatmate is that she is female.’ And she slanted him another glance to see how he would take it.
He pretended not to notice.
‘Do I have family?’ she went on. ‘My father died when I was Chloe’s age. And my mother died a couple of years ago; she’d been ill a long time. But I have a twin sister who has a six-year-old and a new baby. I visit her often. I love the kids.’
All the time she’d been speaking they had been walking along a flagstoned path that led to the lake. It was a favourite place of his to sit and meditate—especially at this time of night. And he was looking forward to Penny’s reaction.
It was not what he expected. When the vast expanse of water came into sight she gave a squeal of horror. ‘Mr De Luca, you never told me about this. It’s not exactly safe for Chloe. It really should be fenced.’
Never before could he remember feeling so deflated. And horrified. It had not occurred to him that it could be dangerous. He hoped none of the other nannies had ever let Chloe out to play on her own. He went hot and cold at the thought of what the consequences could have been.
‘It will be done,’ he declared. ‘Immediately. Mio Dio, sono un idiota.’
‘Otherwise,’ said Penny, and he swore he could hear a hint of mischief in her voice, ‘it’s beautiful here.’
‘It is especially beautiful at this time in the evening,’ he answered. But he wasn’t looking at the water, he was looking at Penny instead, and when she looked back at him with eyes so wide and so incredibly lovely he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her—regardless of the consequences.
Penny saw the intent on Santo’s face and knew that she had to act swiftly, or she too would give in to temptation. And how dangerous would that be? Her job would be gone and she’d never find another like it.
It had to be the incredible patterns of colour in the sky, reflected so perfectly in the water, that had done it. It was a place for lovers. It was a magical evening, everything still and hushed—and temptation was everywhere.
Not a place for an employer and employee. Unless she’d got it wrong and he hadn’t been going to kiss her, but she couldn’t be sure and she dared not take the risk. It would ruin everything, even though he was the most gorgeous man she’d ever met.
He wouldn’t be after a serious relationship, just a bit of fun. And she wasn’t up for that. She had many friends who would be—Louise, for instance. Friends who would tell her she was stupid not to go for it. Millionaires, billionaires, whatever, always lavished their girlfriends with expensive gifts. That way they didn’t feel guilty when they dumped you.
Well, this girl wasn’t for dumping. This girl wasn’t going to enter into any kind of a relationship with him—except a purely professional one.
‘Have you lived here very long?’ she asked, deliberately moving a few feet away from him, pretending to watch a pair of ducks who’d broken the silence by squabbling on the other side of the lake.
He didn’t answer her question. ‘Why don’t you have a boyfriend?’ he said instead. ‘A beautiful woman like you, I would have thought you’d have a whole string of them knocking at your door.’
Penny lifted her shoulders. ‘I’m not interested in men. I’m a career girl.’
‘You intend to be a nanny for the rest of your life?’ he questioned, making it sound as though it was the worst thing she could possibly do.
‘Why not?’ she demanded.
‘I cannot see it happening,’ he declared dismissively. ‘You’re too beautiful to become an old maid. That is the right expression, is it not?’
Penny smiled and nodded. An old maid! It sounded so old-fashioned and not what she had expected from him.
‘One day the right man will come along and you’ll be swept off your feet. And before you know it you’ll be married with a lot of little children of your own to look after. I’m sure that would be far more satisfying than looking after other people’s children.’
‘And you consider yourself an expert on that subject, do you? A man who needs a nanny to look after his own child.’
Penny saw him frown and knew she was out of order but for some reason the words wouldn’t stop. He’d caught her on a raw nerve. She did want children; she’d thought once that she’d met the right man to give them to her. And ever since that disastrous affair she’d had doubts that there ever would be a Mr Right.
‘Tell me, Mr De Luca, if we are being open and honest with each other, what happened to your wife? Did she leave you because of the long hours you work?’
The instant the words were out she regretted them. And when he spoke, when he answered her question, she wanted to turn and run. She wanted to wave a magic wand and make herself disappear. This was the worst moment of her life.
