Page 72 of Duke, Actually

“It must be the soothing snores of Max Minimus.” She probably thought he was in jest, but he had slept remarkably well these recent nights after the arrival of his canine bedmate. He pushed back the covers. “Do you want to take a writing break or—”

“Max?”

His blood went cold. It couldn’t be. They were in Sardinia.

“Darling?”

“Shit.”

“What’s wrong?” Dani asked.

“Get—” He was about to exhort her to get up, but to what end? Where was she going to go? Was she going to climb out a fucking window because he wouldn’t stand by her? No. Instead he said, “I am sorry in advance. Just remember that.”

The door burst open. His mother rarely came to the cottage, but when she did, she didn’t let little things like respect for privacy, or closed doors, stand in her way.

“Max, darling, didn’t you get my texts?”

Dumbly, he picked up his phone, which he’d taken to silencing because the only person he generally texted in the middle of the night was currently in his house—and in this case, his bed. The notification screen contained two messages from Sebastien that were short enough to read in their entirety.

Sebastien:Parents back!

Sebastien:Mother on her way to you!

Well, damn.

Mother’s eyes widened. She was struck dumb, which normally would have amused Max, given how rarely that happened. She knew about his reputation, of course. It was a frequent topic of “discussion.” But he’d never brought a woman to the estate.

Not that Dani was “a woman” in that sense. But to argue that, given how this looked, would be ridiculous.

He cleared his throat. “Mother, this is Daniela Martinez. Daniela, this is my mother.”

Neither woman said anything immediately—they were both like deer caught in headlights. Max Minimus barked as if annoyed to be left out.

“Right,” Max said. “And this is...” Oh lord.

“McMuffin,” said Dani quickly, and god bless her.

His mother raised her eyebrows. “How... charming.”

Max Minimus started growling, and Max had to stifle a laugh.

Dani rose from the bed, shot the dog a look that silenced him, and extended her hand as if she weren’t wearing pajamas. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Your estate is lovely.”

Mother’s “good” breeding kicked in, and she fake smiled. “How nice to meet you, Ms. Martinez. If I’m not mistaken, you’re one of Leonardo Ricci’s... people.”

“Was there something you wanted, Mother?” Max said loudly.

“There are many things I want, darling, but we can’t always get what we want, can we?” she said, still looking at Dani. After a beat of silence, she transferred her attention to Max. “I came to tell you that we’re back early from our holiday.”

“I can see that.”

“I came to discuss dinner plans, too, but perhaps another time is better.”

“I think so.”

Max remained still while Mother made her way out of the room, waiting until he heard the front door close before he turned to Dani. How was he going to apologize?

She burst out laughing. She laughed so hard, she started waving her hand in front of her face as if she were apologizing for laughing.

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