Million Dollar Christmas Proposal

by Lucy Monroe

  “What if I get airsick? Or was looking forward to the car-ride to decompress?”

  He opened his mouth, but discovered he had no glib answer to those possibilities. “Would you prefer to take the car?”

  “No.”

  “I do not appreciate games, Audrey.”

  “And I don’t play them. But I won’t spend the better part of at least the next two decades being treated like a subordinate.”

  “You are assuming you will be the chosen candidate?”

  “On the contrary. I am making darn sure that if you do choose me you know what I expect in the way of treatment.”

  It made sense and he had to respect her commitment to honesty. She could have let him choose her and then started making demands after the contracts were signed and the vows spoken.

  “I am accustomed to making unilateral decisions.” Not having them made for him. “Even with my family.”

  “I imagine they put up with it because they don’t want to give up the lifestyle you provide.”

  He’d often thought the same thing, had in fact maybe even mentioned it on the few occasions his parents, his brother or his wife might have balked at Enzu’s directives.

  He did not think admitting to that would stand him in good stead with Audrey, though. Enzu merely nodded agreement.

  “I won’t live that way.”

  “What way, exactly?” He needed this particular requirement spelled out to him.

  “If it affects me, you discuss it with me. You don’t tell me the way things are going to be.”

  “That is not a natural way for me to be.”

  “Are you admitting you are controlling?”

  “Shouldn’t I?”

  She laughed. “You really are arrogant, aren’t you?”

  “Sì.” He’d never denied it. “I will try to remember to discuss things with you that concern you.”

  It was a generous concession on his part and he hoped she realized it.

  Audrey’s expression would indicate that, as Mrs. Percy would say, chance would be a fine thing. Nevertheless, she said, “Thank you.”

  “You will have to remind me when I slip.”

  “Don’t worry, I will.” She sounded entirely too pleased with the prospect.

  But she’d said she expected to discuss his decisions with him, not that she would refuse to adhere to them. He could live with that.

  He wondered if she could, once she realized what he had agreed to and what he hadn’t. That was in the event that he chose her for the role of Franca and Angilu’s mama.

  Not that after today Enzu could imagine deciding on anyone else.

  Franca adored Audrey already. Mrs. Percy treated her like royalty and Devon had given his subtle approval of her as Enzu’s friend and guest as well.

  “Do you think Devon would be willing to live in Manhattan during the week?” Audrey asked in uncanny synchronicity with Enzu’s thoughts.

  “I imagine so. He and the cook used to stay with me, but when the children came to live here I put him in charge of the household.”

  He trusted the older man like he didn’t trust anyone else. Enzu was not a man who made friends and his own family had never been on his list of trusted intimates.

  “That’s wonderful.” Audrey beamed at Enzu. “He’ll make the weekly transition between homes that much easier on the children.”

  Speaking of the man himself, Devon came into the family room. “Mrs. Percy has asked me to inform you that the children are ready for their bedtime routine.”

  “Yes?” Enzu replied.

  “I believe she is under the impression you wish to participate. I am quite certain young Miss Franca is expecting you to as well.”

  “Oh. Yes, we’ll be right up.” Enzu stood.

  Audrey remained seated and was biting her lip.

  “Are you coming?”

  “Do you think that’s wise? The children shouldn’t become too attached to me until we’ve established I’m going to be a permanent fixture in their lives.”

  He didn’t like it, but he grudgingly agreed. “That is a good point.”

  Enzu didn’t understand the look of disappointment that came over her lovely features at his words. Surely she did not expect him to announce right then that he’d chosen her? No, that would not be it. Since he could not decipher it, he chose to ignore it.

  “Mr. Enzu?” Devon asked before he could leave the room.

  The man refused to call him Enzu, and Enzu was adamant he not be addressed as Mr. Tomasi by a man who had known him since childhood. Mr. Enzu was their compromise.

  “Sì?”

  “Mrs. Percy has informed me you plan to bring the children with you to the city?”

  “Sì.”

  “I believe extensive preparations at the apartment will have to be made as it is not in any way a child-safe or friendly environment.”

  “I will not have the children disappointed.” He’d said he was taking them with him on Monday and he would. Well, more likely tomorrow, to give them all a chance to settle in. “We will muddle through.”

  Audrey gave a disbelieving laugh. “Seriously? If you had a building that needed to be ready to host international meetings on a moment’s notice and houseguests, what would you do?”

  “Find another building. I am not moving.” Not only was the apartment his home, but it was the safest place to live for the children, being on top of the well-secured Tomasi Enterprises building.

  “And if using another building was not a choice?”

  “I would have the necessary preparations seen to.”

  “Right. Because you are a freaking billionaire, Enzu. You can hire people to childproof your apartment before you take the children down tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Who said I was leaving tomorrow? I usually return to the City on Monday.”

  She just rolled her eyes.

  “You should not be able to predict my behavior. You barely know me.”

  “Sheesh, Enzu. Some things are just common sense.”

  “Like hiring a crew to prep my apartment?”

  “Yes.”

  Devon cleared his throat. “I believe several pieces of furniture will need to be replaced.”

  Thinking of the glass and chrome theme prevalent throughout the penthouse, Enzu agreed. “I will give instructions for the removal of all furniture deemed dangerous to a four-year-old and crawling infant.”

  Devon nodded his approval and Audrey smiled hers.

  Enzu let out an exasperated sigh. “If that is all? I believe Mrs. Percy is expecting me.”

  He might have left without getting a response from either his majordomo or Audrey, but Vincenzo had the distinct feeling he had not gotten the last word.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “YOU WERE KIND of dragging this morning, sis,” Toby said as he dug into his full farmer’s breakfast.

  Audrey shrugged. She’d done pretty well, considering. “I missed my midweek workout.”

  They’d taken their usual Saturday morning run and followed it with a stop at their favorite diner for their once-a-week indulgence: a traditional breakfast, including eggs, bacon and pancakes in Audrey’s case, or very crispy hashbrowns in Toby’s. Her brother also added buttered toast with jam, but Audrey would never have been able to eat that much.

  As it was, she usually left about half of her pancakes.

  “I think this new work schedule is kicking your butt.” Toby grinned and winked, looking way too knowing for her little brother. “And going out on dates almost every night isn’t helping.”

  If only he knew.

  “I was home before you were last night,” she pointed out, wanting the focus of the conversation off her.

  “Yeah, well, I’ve been dating since freshman year. You haven’t been out with a guy since that jerkwad Thad broke your engagement.”

  Audrey grimaced, but the pain that would have once accompanied her brother’s reminder was thankfully absent. Thad’s defection on the heels of her paren
ts’ rejection had devastated her in a way she’d never shared with anyone. Least of all her baby brother. He’d taken on enough guilt because of the changes in Audrey’s life.

  Toby chugged down his orange juice and then set the empty glass on the table. “Too bad your work schedule changed right when you met your superhero.”

  “Superhero?” Vincenzo was larger than life, but a superhero?

  “Yeah. He’s gotta have superpowers of persuasion to have talked you into one date, much less three.”

  She laughed as her brother had intended. “You might be right.”

  The last week had passed in a blur for Audrey. Having adjusted her work hours to a seven-to-three schedule at Vincenzo’s request, she’d spent nearly every afternoon getting to know Franca and Angilu. Some of which had bled into evenings spent with Vincenzo—sometimes in the company of the children, sometimes not.

  Audrey didn’t feel guilty telling her brother she’d been out on dates, because that was what they’d felt like. Not an extended interview and personality compatibility test for a really different kind of job.

  Vincenzo was a charming and urbane companion, treating her like a woman he wanted to spend time with, not an employee or potentially convenient wife. Nevertheless, it was a tiring schedule, and restless sleep wasn’t helping, but she couldn’t do anything about it.

  They had shared more scorching kisses and Audrey’s dreams were filled with the heated slide of flesh against flesh. She’d woken aching for something she’d never known more times than she wanted to admit.

  “I guess when word comes from down on high, you don’t have much choice though, huh?”

  “Right.” If only Toby knew.

  To explain the abrupt change in her schedule, she’d told Toby that her boss had requested it, which was not a lie.

  No way was Audrey telling Toby the details of Vincenzo’s plan, though. If she ended up as Vincenzo’s wife and the children’s mother, Audrey’s brother was never going to know it was anything but a normal marriage.

  “So, when am I going to meet this guy?” Toby pressed after they’d finished their breakfast in silence.

  Maybe never. But she couldn’t say that. “We’re not at that place yet.”

  Which, again, was not a lie, but not the entire truth, either. Walking this fine line of honesty with her brother was wearing on Audrey even more than the new work schedule.

  Toby did not look impressed by her answer. “What place do you have to be in for your brother to meet your date and decide if he’s good enough for you?”

  “I love you to death, Tobe, but no way are you screening my dates.”

  “You talk like there have been more than one.”

  “I’m twenty-seven. Definitely old enough to screen my own men.”

  Her brother snorted. “Not even close. I may be a teenager, but I’ve dated more guys than you and I can spot across the length of a football field.”

  “What are you? Super Spotter?”

  Toby flexed impressive biceps. “That’s me, teenage superhero.”

  “Better than a teenage werewolf.”

  They both cracked up and Audrey sent up a silent prayer of thanks for dodging that particular bullet right now.

  “You going to be at the game today?” he asked her as they lingered over coffee, letting their big breakfasts settle.

  “Of course.” No way would she miss it. Not even for another day spent with Vincenzo and the children at his mansion outside the city. “It’s your last one.”

  “Maybe not. I could play in college, depending.”

  “At MIT? I didn’t even know they had a football team.”

  “Sure they do. The Engineers. Fitting, don’t you think?”

  “Definitely.” She grinned and then turned serious. “But I don’t know about you playing. Adjusting to your coursework at MIT is going to be a challenge, even for you.”

  “About MIT, Audrey—”

  “No, Toby. Don’t you dare say it,” she interrupted. “You got in. You got the scholarship. You have to trust that the rest will come together.”

  “There’s a really big stretch from here to the rest coming together. I can get a job, but even I know trying to work full-time and attend MIT isn’t going to make it.”

  “I don’t want you working.”

  “We’re not going to have a choice.”

  “Maybe.” She couldn’t tell him what she was trying to do to make his dream happen, but she wasn’t going to let Toby give up on it, either.

  “I applied for more scholarships from independent funds, but the chances of getting a big one is really small, you know?”

  She nodded, too choked to speak at first. “Have I told you how proud I am of you?”

  “Only like a million times. You’re such a girl, Audrey.” He tried to sound like he was complaining, but Toby couldn’t hide his pleased glow.

  “I am a woman, Tobe.”

  “Don’t remind me. One who’s dating, even.” He gave an exaggerated shudder.

  She rolled her eyes and threw his words back at him. “Don’t remind me.”

  “Right. You gonna bring him to the game?”

  She tried to suppress her horror at the very idea of Vincenzo Tomasi at a high school football game, much less meeting Toby before he absolutely had to. “That wasn’t my plan, no.”

  “Yeah, not really convenient, huh?” Toby frowned for just a second. “Wish our last game was a home one.”

  “There will be plenty of people cheering on your side of the field. It’s not that far away.” Only about forty-five minutes north of the city in good traffic.

  “Yeah?”

  “Yes.”

  “Maybe you should call your guy and invite him, then, huh?”

  *

  Assuming that he was already at the mansion with the children, Audrey did not call Vincenzo.

  Not that she would have, regardless. Even if maybe a tiny part of her wished she really was dating Vincenzo and inviting him to watch her brother play football would have been a good idea.

  She was making her way around the field to the bleachers for fans of the visiting team when she heard a high-pitched voice yell, “Audrey!”

  Stunned, unable to believe she’d heard what she thought, Audrey turned. The sight that met her sent the air exploding from her lungs with the same power of a blow to the chest.

  “Franca?” Audrey shook her head, trying to clear her vision.

  Obviously she was hearing and seeing things. Maybe the lack of sleep was really getting to her.

  But after closing her eyes for a count of five and then opening them again she continued to see the same thing.

  Little Franca, bundled up in a pink fur-lined parka and snow boots in deference to New York’s chilly November temperatures, stood holding Vincenzo’s hand. She looked like a miniature snow bunny.

  Audrey couldn’t help smiling at the sight.

  Highlighting the family resemblance, Vincenzo and Franca wore matching expressions of satisfaction at Audrey’s obvious surprise.

  “What are you doing here?” Propelled by an irresistible force, she moved toward them. “Where is Angilu?”

  “We are here to watch the game with you.” Vincenzo’s smile had a predatory edge that was entirely absent in that of his innocent niece.

  He was looking stunning in black jeans, ankle boots and a cashmere sweater under a fleece-lined leather jacket. His head was bare and he wore no gloves. Because, unlike normal humans, apparently Vincenzo Tomasi defied even the cold.

  “Angi and Percy are at home,” Franca informed Audrey. “He’s too little to be out in the cold.” The small girl was plainly very happy to be considered old enough for the outing.

  “Wow. I didn’t expect you.” Which felt like a huge understatement.

  Audrey was completely and totally gobsmacked. She’d been sure that after turning down his invitation to spend the weekend at the mansion she wouldn’t see Vincenzo until the following Monday.

 
; “We surprised you,” Franca pointed out very happily. “Are you glad?”

  Despite Audrey’s misgivings about her life with Toby colliding with what was going on between her and Vincenzo, she couldn’t say anything but, “Yes, most definitely.”

  The tiny girl nodded with satisfaction. “Good.”

  “Shall we find our seats?” Vincenzo asked. “It appears the bleachers are filling quickly.”

  They were, which would make her brother and the other players on his team very happy.

  Bemused, Audrey only nodded.

  Somehow she found herself holding Franca’s hand. Vincenzo used the arm he rested lightly over Audrey’s shoulders to guide them all to a spot near the center of the bleachers about halfway up.

  His bodyguards took up positions on either side of the bleachers, another joining them in the stands a little to their left and behind. The security team had made an effort to blend, foregoing their usual dark suits.

  It must have worked because no one seemed interested in the three highly trained bodyguards. Vincenzo was another story, however.

  Other parents, students and their friends weren’t exactly subtle in the avid interest they were showing the gorgeous billionaire.

  For his part, Vincenzo seemed oblivious to the scrutiny. Or maybe he was so used to it he took it in his stride.

  Audrey wasn’t so sanguine. And when the parents of Toby’s teammates jockeyed for introductions she was relieved that Vincenzo took care of it himself.

  “Vincenzo Tomasi,” he said, offering his hand to shake to the men around them. “This is my daughter, Franca.”

  At that, the little girl positively glowed.

  “Are you a friend of Audrey’s?” one of the football moms asked.

  “Yes,” Vincenzo answered simply, showing no compulsion to add details such as Audrey would have felt.

  Details that would have tangled her thoughts, not to mention her tongue.

  One of the dads asked Vincenzo, “So this is Toby’s first game you’ve seen?”

  “It is.” Again no further explanation.

  The man was good.

  “You must be the new guy Audrey’s dating,” said Brian, Toby’s best friend of the non-football-playing variety.

  “You are one of Toby’s good friends?” Vincenzo asked without answering.