Page 11 of The Maid Married To The Billionaire

Enzo studied her in disbelief. ‘Mavis? You actuallynamedthat hunk of junk?’

‘Mum did.’ Skye stood up. ‘I’ll go and fetch the coffee. I got the machine working. I even ground the beans.’

‘The car has sentimental value?’

‘Yes. Mavis comes with a carload of childhood happy memories.’

‘At least youknewyour mother. Mine died with my father when I was six weeks old,’ Enzo admitted. ‘A car accident. My grandparents raised me.’

‘Photographs aren’t much of a comfort, are they?’ Skye quipped as she hovered beside him on her way out of the door to the kitchen. Without thought, she squeezed his shoulder in consolation. ‘At least you have grandparents. Mine were long gone by the time my mother and stepfather passed away.’

Enzo blinked in shock at that affectionate shoulder squeeze. The only person who had ever touched him like that was his grandmother. Outside the bedroom door, Enzo was unaccustomed to such gestures, and in the bedroom he usually avoided that kind of intimacy because it was likely to give women the wrong message. After almost marrying the wrong woman at university, flings had become much more Enzo’s style with the opposite sex. There were no misunderstandings or future expectations that way.

A cup of coffee was slid in front of him.

Skye watched him sip and smile with pleasure and she began to clear away the dishes.

‘No, sit down and join me,’ Enzo urged. ‘I have a proposition to put to you.’

Her brow furrowed, her violet eyes widened and flashed with curiosity and he smiled. ‘You look like a kitten when you do that.’

Skye pursed her lips. ‘Think panther or tiger, definitelynotkitten.’

And Enzo burst out laughing at that advice. ‘I don’t think that’s likely to work for me,piccolo mio. How do you feel about acting as my fake girlfriend at a party next week?’ he extended, the laughter still lending a buoyant afterglow to his lean, darkly attractive features. He had charm in spades, she conceded abstractedly, struggling to concentrate.

CHAPTER THREE

‘FAKEGIRLFRIEND?’SKYErepeated uncertainly. ‘What’s a fake girlfriend?’

‘A pretend relationship. No sex involved nor, indeed, anything else you might reasonably object to,’ Enzo clarified smoothly. ‘I have several women coming on to me at work and there’s a staff party next week. I would like a platonic girlfriend on my arm to ensure that nobody thinks I’m available. I’m afraid my reputation as a womaniser goes before me but I have no intention of getting involved with anyone while I’m here.’

Skye wasn’t surprised that women were making advances to him. He was exceedingly well built and extraordinarily gorgeous. Any single woman would look twice and hang out a welcome sign, but she was shocked that he could so lightly refer to having a reputation as a womaniser. ‘A womaniser?’ she queried with a wrinkled nose of distaste.

‘Believe it or not, that attracts some women. Right now, however, I’m living the celibate life,’ Enzo quipped with a wry curve of his lips. ‘And I intend to continue to do so while I’m here.’

‘Good to know,’ Skye countered, feeling her cheeks burn. ‘So, you want a fake girlfriend to keep you safe from temptation.’

‘Sì...No affairs, no one-nighters and no entanglements of any kind,’ he spelt out.

‘But nobody would credit me in a role like that. I’m not stylish enough for someone like you,’ she said ruefully.

‘Your bruises will have faded by the end of next week and clever make-up will take care of any marks that linger. I will naturally cover the expense of an outfit for the occasion as I doubt you have anything suitable.’

‘I’ll think about it. I suppose I could do it as a favour in return for all that you’ve done for me,’ Skye conceded quietly.

‘I’m not a fan of favours. I’llpayyou for doing it.’

‘No. The party will be my thank you for you helping us last night and for coming to the police station with me this evening,’ Skye countered with quiet dignity. ‘I’m not a hired escort. I’ll do it for free, so please don’t offer me money again.’

Enzo’s dark as night eyes positively shimmered. ‘Is that a warning?’

‘Yes,’ Skye confirmed, rising to start clearing the table. ‘Will you be wanting anything else tonight? I was thinking of having an early night.’

‘Go to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.’

Skye paused at the door and then turned back, unable to resist saying, ‘Isn’t it crazy that we’ve only known each other for twenty-four hours?’

Enzo thought about that and he was equally taken aback by the reminder. It was rare for him to feel so comfortable with a woman and yet, in reality, he barely knew Skye. Perhaps that was because he knew nothing could happen between them, he reasoned thoughtfully. Perhaps he relaxed more with her as a result of that awareness. And possibly she was comfortable with him for the exact same reason. In any case it would take her a while to get over the abusive creep she had been living with. In addition, posing as his fake girlfriend might give her an extra layer of protection against her ex, he reflected wryly.

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