Page 12 of His Housekeeper's Twin Baby Confession
He hadn’t taken a lover last night. Or at least there had been no evidence of breakfast for two. Carrie hated how relieved she felt. This crush was becoming ridiculous.
‘You prefer working here to the office?’ she asked, aiming for polite interest.
‘I would be inundated with requests and interruptions there. I’ll spend some time there once I’ve got my actual work done.’
Carrie swallowed a mouthful of food, too self-conscious to meet Massimo’s eye. ‘I’d never realised the amount of work there is in philanthropy. Surely it’s easier to give money away than to make it?’
‘You would think...’
She glanced at him now, because he sounded so grim, and saw he was looking at her.
He said, ‘It turns out that giving money away involves almost as much as trying to make it, and the responsibility for who to give it to and when is more complicated and delicate than negotiating a peace agreement between two warring countries.’
Curious now, Carrie asked, ‘Do you actually...enjoyit?’
Massimo blinked and sat back, as if surprised by her question. ‘No one has ever asked me that before. I like giving the money away... I don’t much like all the bureaucracy and politics that comes with it.’
‘At least you can have a clear conscience.’
His gaze narrowed on her then. ‘Actually, I have an ulterior motive for inviting you to dine with me. I need a favour. Another favour.’
Carrie put down her fork. For no good reason her heart-rate had doubled. ‘A favour?’ What on earth could she possibly do for the man who literally had everything?
He nodded. ‘There’s an event at the end of the week—a charity ball. I need a date and I would appreciate it if you’d consider coming with me.’
I need a date.
Arguably the wealthiest man in the world, and inarguably one of the most gorgeous, wantedherto accompany him as his date?
Carrie shook her head, as if that might make sense of what he’d just said. ‘Why on earth would you wantmeto come with you?’
‘Because, quite frankly, I don’t want to bring a date who might be under the impression that anything else is on offer.’
‘You mean like...?’ The wordsexhovered on her tongue but then Massimo spoke.
‘Like a relationship.’
Carrie could feel a hot flush rising.
Of course.
Maybe that was why he hadn’t taken a lover in months—because his lovers inevitably wanted more.
His offer—suggestion—was causing a maelstrom inside her. A mixture of girlish excitement, which was entirely inappropriate, and terror and exhilaration. And yet more terror. Mainly terror. And confusion.
‘Wouldn’t it be a little...unorthodox?’
He gave a small shrug. ‘It doesn’t have to be. It would obviously be considered as out-of-hours work for you. You’ll be well recompensed.’
Immediately the heat inside her cooled. Of course. He just wanted her to act as a buffer. She remembered the crowd around him the previous evening, clamouring for his attention.
The stark facts that she had grown up on a council estate and left school early made her no match for the kind of people he socialised with. She had to face reality: she would be a liability. Not to mention the thought of the scrutiny she would face being on his arm. Every flaw exposed!
She shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, but I really don’t think I can do that.’
Massimo took a bite of his salad, seemingly unconcerned. ‘Why?’
‘I’ve never been in that kind of situation before. I wouldn’t have a clue how to behave. What if someone talks to me?’
