Page 17 of Nanny's Baby for the Italian Mafia Boss

His lips tilt to the side. “Yes ma’am. I’m sorry for my manners. This looks delicious. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’m going to go check on Ella now.”

“Make sure you two are ready in to go in a few hours. I have a fundraising event to go to. All of us are going to go shopping for the appropriate attire.”

“I’ll make sure Ella is ready to go with you.”

His brows furrow together in confusion, and he tosses his paperwork next to his food tray. “You’ll be going to the fundraiser, as well. Ella will be here with her Uncle Gianni.”

I twine my hands together. “What is my purpose of going?”

He stands, buttoning his suit with a quick flick of his fingers, proving he has done it a thousand times. “You’re going to be my arm candy. I need you to ward off all the women there, so they don’t bother me.”

I scoff and then it turns into a laugh, but when he stands there with a serious look on his face, my laugh slows to an awkward cough. “Um, why? I’m sorry, I don’t understand. There’s no way I’m going to ward off anyone from you. I’m… me. You’re used to another class of women and those women will know that.”

“What kind of woman is that? You’re beautiful. I don’t see what the issue is.” He doesn’t hide how he looks at me up and down, his eyes dragging as if he is taking his time. He leans against the desk and crosses his arms. When his eyes finally meet mine, I swear there is heat swirling in his eyes. “Explain yourself, Sophie.” He tucks his hands in his pockets.

“I need to go check on, Ella.” I try to change the subject so I can leave. Conversations like this make me uncomfortable, and under his inscrutable gaze, I can’t tell if he’s just messing with my head.

“Ella won’t wake up for another thirty minutes,” he informs.

“Well, she might be awake.”

“She isn’t. I’ll have to wake her, or she’ll sleep all day. The girl loves to sleep.”

“I can relate.”

“Don’t change the subject. Why don’t you think you’re good enough to accompany me to the fundraising event?”

I sigh, tugging on my long sleeves again. “Look at me,” I whisper, swallowing awkwardly. “I’m not the models you’re used to seeing and they will notice that.” I look down, unable to meet his stare.

A shadow falls over me and a finger lifts my chin. “I am looking at you, and all I see is a beautiful woman. I want you to go with me.”

I sigh, knowing I can’t say no. He’s my boss. I pretty much have to do anything he says. “Okay.”

“Great.”

I back away which causes his finger to slip from my chin. Any second longer, and I think I’d melt into a puddle on the floor.

“And I never want to hear you talk about yourself like that, Sophie. You’re beautiful. You’re better than any of those fake women that surround my world.”

Shocked into silence, I am only able to give him a small smile and make my way out the door, and rush to the playroom Ella is staying in. I want him even more now. I’m sure he’s only trying to reassure me, but God, the words sounded so good coming from his lips.

“It’s only for work. It’s only for work,” I chant to myself, peeking my head into Ella’s room.

I can’t help but laugh. The poor girl is hanging off the beanbag. I don’t see how that can be comfortable. Her knees are on the floor and her face is planted in the oversized soft chair. The blanket is wrapped around her ankles. She has to be freezing.

Maneuvering her body back on the beanbag chair, I cover her up with the blanket. She doesn’t stir.

Matias wasn’t lying. She really does love to sleep.

It doesn’t help that his attractiveness level is through the roof right now because of how well he knows his daughter.

Why can’t I just despise the man? Liking him is making my life even harder.

Maybe this job isn’t what is best for me after all. Not if I can’t focus on the task at hand.

The task is not, and will not be, Matias Milazzo.

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