Page 21 of His Housekeeper's Twin Baby Confession
‘And to that end,’ Massimo was saying now, ‘I will cover the costs of every event held here for the first year...’
Applause broke out and Massimo put up a hand.
‘But that’s only if a certain threshold is met tonight with charitable donations. I like to ensure that people feel galvanised into raising as much money as possible.’
He smiled the smile of a shark, and it reminded Carrie for a moment of who he was.
The applause was mingled with wry chuckles and some good-natured heckles. Carrie heard someone from the table behind her saying, ‘Typical Massimo Black—generous, but always with a ruthless edge.’
Massimo put his hands together. ‘Thank you. Now, please enjoy the rest of the evening and start conceiving all the events you will host. I look forward to the invitations.’
He was a consummate diplomat. And he was the most intimidating and charismatic man in the room. And now he was stepping down from the stage and walking towards where Carrie sat, his eyes on her.
Along with everyone else. Wondering who on earth she was. Why on earth she was with him. But she didn’t have time to worry about what everyone was thinking because she was so consumed by that dark gaze.
Massimo stopped beside her and held out his hand. ‘Shall we?’
Carrie wanted to ask,Shall we what?But, aware of people looking and listening, she stood up and put her hand in his. Her skin broke into goosebumps as he led her away from the table and she noticed everyone else getting up. As if they’d been waiting for his signal.
They moved through the dining room to yet another glittering room. A ballroom. Soft lighting and lots of gilded mirrors made it seem as if it was shimmering.
Carrie couldn’t help a little sigh of awe. If someone pinched her right now she was sure she’d wake up and not just be back in London, in her little suite of rooms in Massimo’s house, but back on the council estate where she’d lived with her mother.
There was a different band in here, playing music that was smooth and slow. Rhythmic. Carrie only realised what was happening when Massimo stopped, drew her in front of him and pulled her close, putting one arm around her back and taking her other hand in his and moving it up close to his chest.
Dancing.
She stiffened. And then, when he started to move and she had no choice but to follow him, she darted a look at everyone else milling about the room around them.
‘I can’t dance,’ she hissed.
A toxic memory inserted itself into her head—her husband smiling at her indulgently, but with an edge, saying,‘Bless you, Carrie, you just don’t have any natural grace.’
‘Neither can I—I’ve been faking it for years,’ Massimo said, pulling her out of the past and back to the terrifying present. ‘Just follow my lead.’
Carrie had no choice but to do as he said, and she found that once the panic started to dissolve her feet were moving of their own volition, in some approximation of dancing.
His arms felt very secure.
She felt safe.
It was a rogue thought, flashing through her mind and going again before she could refute it.
Other people were dancing too. Laughing. Chatting. Carrie relaxed a little more into Massimo’s embrace. She let the music wash over her...through her. She had to stop herself from moving even closer. She wanted to press her body against his. It made her tremble.
‘You’re doing great, Carrie.’
She looked up at him and couldn’t look away.
Massimo nearly stopped dancing. Carrie’s eyes were huge, and full of more expression than he could remember seeing in any woman’s face. Usually what he saw was fawning. Guile. Calculation. Hard cynicism.
What he saw in Carrie’s eyes was totally unguarded. Awe. Fear.Desire.His body thrummed with need. She felt like steel and silk in his arms. Incredibly strong but also vulnerable.
He couldn’t take his gaze off her mouth. He wanted to cover it with his own. Brand her lips with a kiss so deep and carnal that she would be left in no doubt that he wanted her.
‘I want you.’ It came out of his mouth on a raw breath. He only realised he’d spoken out loud when Carrie stopped moving.
Her eyes widened with shock and her cheeks went pink. ‘You...what?’
