A Proposal to Remember Read online

  ‘I am.’ She stuffed her hands in her pockets and looked at him. ‘Did I mention that you were great back there, by the way?’ She rubbed her boot in the snow and avoided his eyes. ‘You saved that baby’s life. I’m impressed.’

  So was he. He’d hurt her feelings but she was still generous enough to offer praise.

  He took instant advantage. ‘Impressed enough to cook me that dinner you promised me?’

  He knew he shouldn’t see her again, and he knew Matt was going to kill him, but he couldn’t help himself. If Zan was a drug then he was well and truly hooked.

  There was no way he was giving this girl up. He’d worry about the consequences later.

  ‘I don’t think so.’ She turned to walk away from him and he grabbed her arm, his grip hard through the wool of her coat.

  ‘If that Christmas tree is as big as you say then you’re going to need help carrying it.’

  She stared at him and shook her head. ‘I’ll be fine.’

  ‘Zan.’ He suddenly sounded very Italian and very frustrated. ‘I meant what I said last night.’

  She gave him a wan smile. ‘You also made it perfectly clear in clinic this morning that you’d had second thoughts.’

  He sucked in a deep breath but he didn’t let her go. ‘That isn’t true.’

  He’d been trying to do the right thing but he knew now that he couldn’t do that. He had to be with this woman and somehow he’d make sure that she was kept safe.

  ‘I can read body language, Carlo.’ She lifted her chin. ‘So what did you want to talk about?’

  ‘A relationship between us isn’t straightforward.’ He almost laughed as he listened to himself. That had to be the understatement of the year.

  ‘You mean because you’ll be going back to Italy?’

  No. Because he was deceiving her about who he was.

  Because some crazed lunatic was out to get him.

  ‘Zan—’

  ‘I don’t expect commitment,’ she said, her head tipped to one side, her cheeks pink from the cold. ‘All I want is for you to be honest with me.’

  Carlo rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, her words creating an unbearable tension in his body.

  Honest.

  That was the one thing he wasn’t being.

  In many ways their whole relationship was a charade. She had absolutely no idea who she was involved with. What his life was like back in Italy.

  And he ought to walk away from her but there was no way he could do it.

  ‘Decorating a tree is no fun on your own.’ He’d make sure that she was kept safe, he told himself. And he’d find a way to tell her the truth about himself when the time was right.

  She looked at him for a long moment and he could see the question in her eyes.

  She was trying to decide whether she could trust him.

  ‘Should I buy a Scotch pine or a blue spruce?’

  He grinned. ‘Blue spruce. It’s the best.’

  CHAPTER FOUR

  ‘IT’S too big.’ Carlo gazed up at the top of the Christmas tree and then back at Zan, who was winding the lights around the branches.

  ‘It’s not too big.’ She crawled out from under the branches, eyes shining, humming along to the Christmas carols that were playing in the background.

  ‘It’s touching the ceiling,’ Carlo pointed out, and she grinned.

  ‘It’s supposed to. Now we just have to decorate it.’

  ‘We?’ Carlo lifted an eyebrow and she nodded and handed him a box.

  ‘Might as well make use of your superior height. These go on the top.’

  He followed her instructions, trying not to be distracted by the way her jeans hugged her rounded bottom as she leaned over to hang things on the bottom of the tree.

  He’d rushed things the night before and he’d made up his mind that he was going to control himself and slow the pace as he’d promised.

  He just hoped he didn’t die in the attempt.

  He finished the top of the tree and then crouched down next to her to look through the rest of the decorations.

  ‘We need to hang these at the front because they’re so pretty.’ She handed him a box of delicate silver baubles and he took them carefully, his fingers brushing against hers, their heads close together as they inspected the decorations.

  ‘These are pretty.’

  And so was she. Completely gorgeous. He was fascinated by those thick black lashes and the soft fullness of her mouth.

  Carlo tilted his head so that their mouths were tantalisingly close and fought the urge to kiss her. He watched her lips part in anticipation and bit back a groan.

  She wanted him to kiss her.

  But he wasn’t going to. He wanted to make sure that she was comfortable with him before he touched her again. And in the meantime he was going to make her want him as much as he wanted her.

  Deliberately cranking up the heat, he hesitated just long enough to see her breathing quicken and then dragged his attention back to the baubles.

  Every nerve ending in his body was tingling with frustration and he was grateful that he was wearing tailored trousers this time. At least they were slightly more forgiving than his jeans.

  ‘So these go at the front?’ Trying to keep his tone casual, he straightened up, still holding the box, and started hanging the baubles on the branches.

  ‘Yes—just there—’ she sounded breathless and he gritted his teeth, forcing himself not to turn round.

  If he turned round he was going to kiss her, and he was determined not to kiss her again yet.

  She wasn’t touching him and yet every sense in his body alerted him to how close she was.

  It occurred to him that he’d never been in this position before. He’d never had to hold back with a woman. But, then, the women he usually mixed with were experienced and sophisticated whereas Zan… He dragged in a breath and tried to ignore the way her subtle perfume wrapped itself around him. Zan was sweet and natural and she’d confessed that she had virtually no experience when it came to men.

  The knowledge satisfied everything that was male in him. She was going to be his and there was no way he was rushing her.

  ‘Can you reach the plug to switch on the lights?’ Her voice was husky and feminine and he clenched his fists and decided that he’d never known temptation before he’d met Zan.

  ‘Sì.’ He bent down and flicked the switch.

  The tree lit up, throwing sparkling silver lights across her living room.

  Zan gasped and clapped her hands. ‘Oh, that’s so pretty!’ She smiled at him, her green eyes reflecting the glitter of a hundred tiny Christmas tree lights. ‘Merry Christmas, Mr Bennett.’

  The stark reminder that she didn’t actually know who he was stabbed at his conscience. She trusted him and he wasn’t being honest with her.

  ‘It’s very pretty.’

  ‘Isn’t it just?’ She scrabbled in her bag and pulled out a piece of paper. ‘I’ve just remembered. Lottery numbers for tomorrow. You can help me choose.’

  He stared at her. She was expecting him to choose lottery numbers? He rubbed a hand over his jaw. ‘Do you really want to do the lottery?’

  In a few weeks, when all this was sorted out, he’d be able to buy her anything she wanted.

  ‘Of course I want to do it. The jackpot is eleven million. Eleven million. Imagine how amazing it would be to win a bit of that at Christmas.’ She grinned and sat cross-legged on the cushions which were always piled by the huge window. ‘Go on, if you had all the money in the world what would you want from me as a present? It’s got to be a car, right? You look like a man who likes fast cars.’

  She was spot on. He did like fast cars. He already had three at home.

  ‘Let me guess.’ Zan tipped her head on one side and looked at him thoughtfully. ‘Ferrari? Red?’

  This was ridiculous.

  ‘Ferrari, definitely.’ He played along with her game, thinking how nice it was going to be to be able to buy he
r whatever she wanted.

  ‘What else would you buy?’

  Carlo stared at her, finding the whole situation surreal. Here was he, trying to pretend that he didn’t have money, and she was asking him what he’d do if he did. It was enough to give a guy a headache.

  Suddenly he realised just how much he took his life for granted. True, he was fed up with all the complications that went with wealth, but the benefits outweighed the disadvantages and he’d started to forget that.

  ‘I’d buy a ski lodge,’ he said slowly, thinking of their family home in Cortina, ‘and a villa in Sardinia.’

  In fact, all the things he already had. And loved.

  ‘Sardinia?’ She tipped her head on one side. ‘Is that a nice place?’

  ‘Fabulous.’

  ‘Well, if we win, you’re taking me there.’ She sucked the pen and squinted at the numbers. ‘I’ll choose three and you choose three.’

  Carlo suppressed a groan. He could just imagine the newspaper headlines if he won the lottery. They’d have a field day.

  ‘You do it,’ he suggested lightly. ‘I don’t want to bring you bad luck.’

  Or at least he didn’t want to bring her any more than he might already be bringing her.

  She filled out the form, stuffed it back in her pocket and smiled at him. ‘Remind me to take it to the newsagents later. Now, then, time for dinner.’

  She cooked a fabulous chicken dish, bursting with flavour, and Carlo decided that he needed to find a way of getting her to ask him to stay at Christmas again. This time he’d say yes.

  They dined by candlelight and Christmas tree lights and Carlo was just thinking that he couldn’t remember a time when he’d been happier when she asked the question he’d been dreading.

  ‘Tell me about your family.’

  Carlo tensed. ‘My family live in Milan,’ he said carefully. ‘My father owns his own business.’

  And he was the richest man in Italy.

  Zan tipped her head on one side and looked interested. ‘What does he do?’

  ‘Sort of medical supplies—technology,’ Carlo hedged, hoping she wouldn’t delve too deeply. His father’s company was a household name in Europe and the States.

  ‘But you weren’t tempted to join him?’

  ‘My brother and I wanted to carve our own way in the world,’ Carlo told her, suddenly filled with an overwhelming desire to tell her just how hard it was to be the son of a billionaire. It was pretty hard to see yourself as successful when your father had success all sewn up.

  ‘So your brother’s a doctor, too? Where?’

  ‘He works in Milan. He’s a surgeon.’ A famous children’s heart surgeon, and she might even recognise the name if he mentioned it because he’d worked in her hospital for a while. Carlo chose not to mention it. ‘He lives with his wife and their daughter, who’s two now. They’re expecting another baby any day. You’re an amazing cook.’

  ‘Well, someone had to help my mum and it certainly wasn’t my brothers,’ Zan said dryly, standing up and clearing the plates.

  Carlo stood up, too, relieved that he appeared to have successfully changed the subject away from his family.

  ‘I’ll help you wash up.’

  ‘No need; I’ve got a dishwasher.’ She walked into the kitchen and opened a cupboard. ‘This flat may be small but it’s very well equipped. Can I ask you something?’

  ‘Of course.’ Carlo braced himself. Now what? More questions about his family that he was going to have to dodge?

  She hesitated slightly. ‘The children’s ward is looking for someone to be Father Christmas. Usually the Chief Exec does it, because he’s tall and broad and looks good in the outfit, but he’s off sick with flu at the moment and…’ She broke off and looked at him hopefully.

  He grinned. She was so sweet. ‘You want me to dress as Father Christmas?’

  Her cheeks dimpled wickedly. ‘I’ve always fancied men in uniform.’

  ‘You have a fetish for men with white beards?’

  They were both laughing and Carlo had to stop himself grabbing her. ‘And where and when does all this take place?’

  ‘The day after next. Christmas Eve. The children’s ward opens onto a huge lawn so you arrive that way.’

  ‘In my sledge?’

  ‘Nothing so fancy, I’m afraid. This is the NHS. No sledges.’ She closed the door of the dishwasher and pressed the button. ‘You get to walk with a few elves as helpers to give out presents.’

  Carlo looked at her thoughtfully, an idea forming in his mind.

  ‘I’ll do it,’ he said immediately, and she gave him a wide smile that hit him straight in the solar plexus.

  ‘That’s great. You’ll get to see my elf costume.’

  If her elf costume was anywhere near as attractive as her tight jeans then the Father Christmas outfit had better be baggy.

  Deciding that he’d stretched his self-control to the limits for one night, he glanced at his watch and gave her a rueful smile.

  ‘I’d better be going. Thanks for supper.’

  ‘Thanks for helping with the tree.’ She looked at him wistfully and then looked away quickly, but not before he’d caught the blush on her cheek.

  He knew exactly what she wanted because he wanted the same thing and it was starting to drive him crazy.

  ‘Zan…’ His voice low, he reached out a hand and turned her face towards him, sliding his fingers around the back of her neck, feeling the softness of her dark hair teasing the back of his hand. ‘So, after I’ve been Father Christmas, what happens then? Do the elves invite me home?’

  She laughed. ‘I think you spend the rest of the night squeezing yourself down chimneys.’ Her laughter died and she looked at him warily. ‘Alternatively, you could spend Christmas Eve here.’ She gave a hesitant smile. ‘But you didn’t seem too wild about that idea when I mentioned it last night.’

  Carlo stuck his hands in his pockets to stop himself grabbing her.

  ‘Trust me, I’m wild about it.’

  ‘Really?’ She looked at him doubtfully and then smiled. ‘In that case, we can come back here after our visit to the children’s ward and then open presents on Christmas morning before we go to the hospital.’

  Which meant that she was inviting him to stay the night.

  His eyes gleamed in anticipation. ‘Does that mean I get to hang my stocking next to yours?’

  ‘That depends.’ Zan gave a shy grin. ‘Will it behave itself?’

  ‘Probably not.’ Carlo bent his head and brushed his mouth against hers in a kiss designed to tease and frustrate them both.

  He had absolutely no intention of behaving himself.

  Which meant that he had forty-eight hours to make sure she felt the same way.

  * * *

  ‘You’re going to carry on seeing her?’ Matt stared at him in dismay but Carlo merely grinned.

  ‘I’m going to carry on seeing her, and you’re going to protect her.’ He almost laughed at the expression on Matt’s face. ‘Don’t look like that. You’re always dying to do your macho bodyguard act and here I am giving you permission. Be as macho as you like. Just don’t let her see you.’

  Matt exhaled sharply. ‘Let’s get this straight. You’re asking me to follow the girl?’

  ‘Absolutely,’ Carlo said pleasantly. ‘And her name is Zan.’

  ‘I’m supposed to be protecting you.’

  Carlo frowned impatiently. ‘I protect myself. And anyway, apart from when I’m working I’m going to be with her, so protecting her will be protecting me.’

  ‘You could be putting her in danger.’

  ‘But you’re the best,’ Carlo said softly, ‘and so am I. Between us we can stop anything happening to her. We have to, Matt, because there’s no way I’m letting her go.’

  ‘I can’t believe you’re doing this.’ Matt raked long fingers through his cropped hair and his jaw tensed. ‘Have you really thought this through? You’re a multimillionaire, Carlo. This can’t be
anything but a short-term relationship.’

  ‘Why?’ Carlo’s tone was noticeably cooler and Matt glanced at him warily.

  ‘You really need me to tell you that? You’ve got a life in Italy—your clinic is one of the most famous in the world. People pay huge sums of money to see you personally because you’re so damn talented.’

  ‘So maybe I want to use those talents with the less fortunate for a while,’ Carlo replied smoothly, remembering what Zan had said about visiting Kelly. She made a difference.

  ‘But sooner or later you’ll be going back,’ Matt pointed out logically. ‘And then what?’

  Carlo pushed the thought away. He didn’t want to think about going back.

  ‘I’ll worry about that later. At the moment I just care about keeping her safe.’

  And waking up next to her in bed on Christmas morning.

  ‘And what if they use her to get to you?’

  Carlo looked him in the eye. ‘They’re not going to do that.’

  Matt frowned. ‘And how can you be so sure?’

  ‘Because we’re going to be protecting her,’ Carlo said smoothly. ‘I don’t want her to go anywhere without one of us within hugging distance of her.’

  Matt blinked. ‘You seriously want me to tail your girlfriend?’

  ‘I want you to do whatever it takes to keep her safe,’ Carlo said gruffly. ‘You’re the best. We both know that. No one gets past you.’

  ‘Which is why I’m supposed to be looking after you,’ Matt said dryly, his frustration obvious. ‘What’s it going to do for my professional reputation if they get you?’

  ‘They won’t,’ Carlo said calmly. ‘You know as well as I do that I can take care of myself. We also both know that I shouldn’t be dragging Zan into this, but I have, so now it’s my responsibility to keep her safe. I want you on her tail every time she leaves that flat of hers and I want you or one of the team parked outside her apartment every night. No one enters or leaves without your knowledge. Oh, and by the way…’ Carlo gave a smug grin. ‘She’s invited me to spend Christmas with her so I’ll be staying with her on Christmas Eve.’