Celine frowned. What in the world could she do to help a man like him? He was obviously a powerful, wealthy man and she was nothing but a PhD student moonlighting as a hotel maid.
“I’m a busy man,” he said, deftly buttoning his cuffs as he spoke, never once taking his eyes off her, “but I suddenly find myself in a difficult situation. I’ve got my business to run and now I’ve got a four year old. I need the services of a nanny.”
Celine could only stare at Pierce D’Amato, convinced that the man had gone mad. He didn’t know a thing about her. What was he thinking?
“I know this sounds crazy,” he said, giving her a smile that told her he’d seen the confusion on her face, “but I was just appointed guardian for my cousin’s little girl and…I’m a bit lost, to say the least.” He shrugged. “What do I know about children?”
“So you’re looking for someone to take care of her.”
“Yes, a nanny, companion, helper. Whatever you call it. I already have a housekeeper but she’s got her hands full and I don’t think she’s up to the challenge of a four year old. Mrs. Simpson is almost sixty.”
“But what about the agencies? They can help you find lots of people who would be happy to take care of a child.”
“I went that route already. Hated it.” He grunted as if in disgust. “They sent me young, old, fat, thin. Kylie hated all of them. She’s really picky, that little one.”
“And you think…she’d like me?”
He chuckled. “I’m sure of it. From the second I laid eyes on you I knew you were the girl for Kylie.”
The second he laid eyes on her? How could he form an opinion that fast? And then she remembered she’d formed an opinion of him in that split second, too. And as she remembered their encounter her face grew warm. Celine shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
He laughed then stood up and walked over to the window. He looked down at the street below then turned to look at her. “As funny as it sounds when my eyes met yours something clicked. You have a freshness about you that I think will appeal to Kylie. And you look like a girl who isn’t afraid to have fun.”
Now what did he mean by that? Celine frowned and rose to her feet. “I’m sorry, Mr. D’Amato. I don’t think that would be a good idea. I’ve got a good job here and-”
He laughed. “Working at what? Minimum wage? I could give you many times that without blinking.”
Celine sucked in her breath. The nerve of him. “Money isn’t everything. I don’t know you. How can I leave my job to go to a man I don’t know?”
“Is that all?” He waved his hand dismissively. “I’ve got great references, starting with the man who owns this hotel. He’s one of my clients.”
“Mr. Pierrefond?” she asked, her voice a reverent whisper. “You know him?” Every one of the hotel employees knew and respected John Pierrefond. He was one of the few billionaire businessmen in the area who took a personal interest in his employees. He was in his seventies but he remained as involved in the operations of his businesses as when he’d started out. The veteran employees never stopped talking about him.
Pierce shrugged. “We’ve been doing business for years. Ask him.” Then he gave her a grin that revealed a charming dimple in his right cheek. “He’ll stand by my character. I don’t go around ravishing innocent maidens, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
The smile disappeared as quickly as it had come. He glanced at the heavy gold watch on his wrist then back at her. “Listen, I have to go. Keep the card and call me. You have until tomorrow. I’m heading back to Springfield and I need an answer before I go.”
Celine nodded and slid the card into her pocket. “Of course,” she said, hurrying to retrieve the vacuum cleaner. “I’ll think about it and let you know.”
“Good.” He nodded and before she was even out the door he was heading back to the bedroom.
Celine closed the door behind her, leaned her back against it and closed her eyes. Talk about an interesting start to the day. She’d just met the most seductively handsome man and her heart still raced at the memory of Pierce D’Amato with his broad shoulders, narrow waist and the silky strands of black hair that nestled around his…
Mon Dieu. She had to get a hold of herself. But the image of Pierce was burned into her mind and she knew that, like it or not, it would haunt her for a very long time.
She pushed her trolley on to the next suite. She had no intention of still being in sight when Pierce exited his room. The next time she saw him, if there ever was a next time, it would be on very different terms.
CHAPTER TWO
Heart thumping, Celine drove up the long and winding driveway that led to Pierce D’Amato’s house. Actually, house was an understatement. What she was looking at was a mansion. The place looked big enough to house five families and still have room to spare. She pulled her Toyota Corolla into the space between a sleek black Jaguar and a candy-red Porsche. She couldn’t help but grimace. Beside the other vehicles her ten-year old car looked so out of place. Oh, well. The other cars would just have to get used to working-class company.
She slid her damp palms down the sides of her jeans, shaking her head in annoyance. She hated how they perspired when she was nervous. There was no need to be, she knew, but her body was saying otherwise.
After almost an entire day of vacillation Celine had decided to call Pierce D’Amato. After all, how could she throw away the chance to possibly double her salary? With such an increase in fortune she would be able to afford two, maybe even three trips back to Europe each year to visit her family. Her eyes grew misty at the thought of Christmas at home in France.
She’d confided in Bridgette, a friend she’d made on her first day of work, and received a glowing report from the older woman. Bridgette had met Pierce many times and she described him as a true gentleman known for giving generous tips to hotel staff who served him. Still, there was a sparkle in the woman’s eyes that told Celine she was smitten by him. And who wouldn’t be? With his sleek, dark looks and intense green eyes, Pierce D’Amato looked like he had the power to charm any woman he desired.