He stopped so abruptly that Penny cannoned into him, taken aback when his strong arms steadied her and those mesmerising dark eyes locked into hers. She actually stopped breathing for a few seconds and gazed into those magical depths, then realised what she was doing and stepped back a pace.

Her nostrils were invaded by the most irresistible cologne she had ever come across. It was strong like the man himself, though not overpowering. It was subtly pervasive and she knew it would linger long after he had gone. ‘I will naturally do the job to the best of my ability. I’m a conscientious worker, your daughter will be perfectly safe with me and—where is she, by the way? Don’t you think we ought to be—?’

‘Chloe’s still in bed,’ he told her fiercely. ‘I saw no reason to wake her. My office hours are irregular to say the least, but Chloe needs routine, as I’m sure you understand. Emily, my housekeeper, will show you around and then I shall expect you to get Chloe ready and take her to school. I didn’t see any luggage when you arrived, you do know that I expect you to live in?’

Penny inclined her head. ‘It was a rush getting here this early,’ she said, hoping to make her point. ‘I planned on sorting my things out while your daughter’s at school.’ According to the agency his previous nanny had walked out yesterday. Though why he couldn’t have taken a day off and spent time interviewing, Penny didn’t know. At least it was her gain, and the salary she’d been offered was far higher than anything she’d earned before.

He muttered something under his breath in his native language and then resumed his race to the kitchen.

Emily was small and rotund and Penny imagined her to be in her mid-fifties. She had rosy cheeks and short grey hair and, judging by the way she looked at her employer, she clearly adored him.

Penny didn’t realise how much his presence filled the massive room until he had gone. It was only then that she felt able to breathe more easily. Emily saw her relax and smiled. ‘Welcome to the De Luca household. Mr De Luca’s a wonderful man to work for. I hope you’ll be happy here.’

And why was the housekeeper giving her more of a welcome than the big man himself? wondered Penny. ‘Is he always so disagreeable?’ she enquired. ‘I got the impression that he wasn’t sure I’d be any good at the job!’

‘That’s because none of the nannies he’s employed before have lasted more than a few weeks.’

Penny frowned. ‘Is Chloe a difficult child? Or is Mr De Luca the problem?’ He was actually a big problem as far as she was concerned. Far too sexy for her peace of mind. Penny had never met a man who so instantly affected her senses. Even Max hadn’t had this sort of effect on her, and she’d thought he had been the one.

Emily lifted her shoulders and let them drop again, slowly. ‘Mr De Luca’s a very fair man to work for. I should know, I’ve been with him for a very long time. It’s the hours that people don’t like. Most of the nannies before were all young with fancy boyfriends and they didn’t want to be on duty twenty-four hours a day. It’s understandable.’

‘Is that what he expects?’ asked Penny, widening her eyes. No wonder he’d offered her such a good salary. He wanted blood.

‘He doesn’t think, that’s his trouble,’ declared Emily. ‘You just have to tell him if he puts on you too much. I do.’

But she was part of the fixtures, thought Penny. He wouldn’t take it very kindly if she said anything. She was tempted to ask what had happened to his wife but felt it was too soon. Perhaps she too had been unable to put up with the long hours he worked?

‘What time does Chloe normally get up?’ she asked, glancing at the clock on the wall.

‘Half past seven,’ answered Emily. ‘She’s a slow waker. Believe me, you’ll have your time cut out to get her to school on time. I’ll take you up there now.’

Santo couldn’t get Penny out of his mind—even in the middle of his important meeting. She was nothing like any of the other nannies he’d hired. For one thing she had more to say for herself—which could prove interesting! He wasn’t averse to verbal sparring; he liked a spirited woman. It had surprised him, that was all.

She had long, wavy blonde hair which, if he wasn’t mistaken, was entirely natural, the bluest of blue eyes surrounded by amazingly long lashes, a tiny retroussé nose and beautifully shaped lips.

He had also noticed that she wasn’t exactly as slender as some young women aspired to be these days—stickthin did nothing for him. She had curves in all the right places and even thinking about the way her breasts had jutted against the thin cotton of her blouse made his testosterone levels rise.

He surprised himself by recalling these details. Surprised and dismayed. He didn’t want to think of her in this way. He could do without such distractions. He had enough on his mind already.

But he did think of her and he was disappointed when he got home that evening and she was nowhere around. He’d been looking forward to talking to her some more, finding out what made her tick, what her hopes and aspirations were.

He’d not even thought twice about any other nanny the agency had sent him, but Penny Keeling was different. She was, without a shadow of doubt, a very intriguing woman and he was looking forward to getting to know her better.

After Penny had taken Chloe to school she returned to the flat she shared with a friend and began packing her bags.

‘You do realise I’ll have to find someone else? I can’t afford this place on my own,’ said Louise.

Penny nodded.

‘You seem very sure that this is the right job for you. It’s happened before, you know, and you’ve—’

‘I’m sure,’ answered Penny firmly. Why wouldn’t she be with such a high salary? It was every girl’s dream.

‘De Luca, you say, that wouldn’t be the Santo De Luca who’s forever in the news, would it?’ wondered her friend. ‘The one who always has a glamorous girl hanging on his arm?’

‘The very same,’ Penny agreed and smiled at Louise’s expression.

‘No wonder you took the job. I’d do the same in your position!’

Penny grinned. ‘I’m not a man-hunter like you, Louise.’

‘Life’s too short not to enjoy it,’ answered her friend with a shrug. ‘You picked the wrong man once, but hey, who’s to say you’d do it again? You’ve been on your own for far too long.’

‘You’re incorrigible,’ laughed Penny, shaking her head. ‘And I’m off. I’ll see you soon.’

Now it was late evening and she sat in her own private sitting room. A room that was luxuriously furnished with antiques and brocade drapes and had floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the parkland. It adjoined her bedroom, and the other side of her bedroom was Chloe’s room.

Chloe was adorable. A bright five-year-old, a chatterbox, and she’d already told Penny that she liked her better than her other nannies.

When Penny heard Santo’s car she imagined him coming in and throwing his jacket on the back of a chair, pouring himself a drink maybe. She imagined his strongly carved face, the high cheekbones, the straight nose and the slash of his mouth. Would his features be relaxed or would the trials of the day still be imposed on them?

Had he eaten? she wondered, and then laughed at herself for even thinking such a thing. What did she care? Emily had cooked a succulent roast of beef with all the trimmings and Penny had eaten every last morsel. Even Chloe had cleaned her plate.

In most of her other placements Penny had cooked for her charges; it made a change to have a meal provided for her. She didn’t know yet whether this was the norm. And if so, what was she to do with herself while Chloe was at school? There were definitely a few things she needed to discuss with Mr De Luca.

He had said he would talk to her tonight. Should she go down—or did he appreciate solitude after a long day at the office? She realised that she knew nothing about him—except that he stirred her senses like mad.