Pretending with the Greek Billionaire(14)

Luca looked like he’d just rolled out of bed. His rumpled hair looked almost artfully tousled though it was probably the result of just having left his pillow. The morning scruff on his chin only enhanced the sexy bedroom vibe he had going on. It was unfair for someone to look that appealing without any effort.

“My apologies if I kept anyone waiting,” he said to the still-stunned trio behind the desk. “Had a little bit of business to take care of, and I’ve got quite the full day scheduled so I’m afraid this will have to be brief.”

He took Constance’s hand and pulled her from the chair.

“Mr. Vasilakis,” Reverend Mother said, only a slight stammer to her voice.

Constance was impressed. It took a will of steel to keep one’s composure in front of the Luca Vasilakis.

Reverend Mother continued. “We’d like to offer our sincere apologies for any inconvenience the actions of Miss McMurty may have caused…”

Luca interrupted her. “There’s no reason for apology. My fiancée had merely brought the children to my estate, at my request, so that I could meet the charges she’s so fond of.” He pulled her into a one-armed hug that squeezed the breath from her lungs. “She goes on and on about them.” He gave her a loud kiss on the cheek and she tried to glare at him with her eyes without letting her anger show on the rest of her face. She must have partially succeeded because an amused grin spread across Luca’s lips.

“Your fiancée?” Ms. Castellanos sputtered.

“Yes. Didn’t Stanzia tell you? Ah, that’s my little duckling. So modest.” He chucked her under the chin with his finger and Constance had to grit her teeth to keep from biting him. If he didn’t tone it down, he was going to blow it.

He must have realized she was nearing the end of her very frayed rope because he loosened his grip on her waist and turned back to the women at the desk, his demeanor sobering. A little.

“Well, ladies. As I said, we have quite the busy day planned. I only wanted to stop by and make sure there was no confusion about what happened yesterday. Everything is on the up-and-up and all that.”

“Yes, I suppose…”

“Also, I hope it won’t be too much of a bother, but we thought we’d best give it a bit of a trial run with the children. They’ll be staying at my home for the next several weeks. I know I need to go through all the proper paperwork once we are married and the children will be with us full time, but we thought a bit of a holiday on my estate could help ease them into it. Mrs. Ballas, of course, is invited as well.”

Mrs. Ballas turned bright pink and stammered out a response, but Constance knew she was excited. The Reverend Mother didn’t look quite as pleased.

“Well, I don’t know if that’s…”

“You know,” Luca said, interrupting again. “I’ve always found the work you do here admirable. I’ve been meaning to make a nice donation for some time now. I guess no time like the present, eh? I’ll have my assistant deliver a check this afternoon if that suits you.”

“Oh. Yes, that would be wonderful, Mr. Vasilakis. How generous.”

He waved her off. “Speak nothing of it. It’s a deserving cause. I’m happy to do it. Now about the children. If it’s too much trouble, I suppose we could…”

“Oh, well…” Reverend Mother patted at her hair and straightened her necklace, more flustered than Constance had ever seen her. It wasn’t every day a woman got steamrolled by the force of nature that was Luca Vasilakis, she supposed.

“No, not at all,” she finally said. “I’m sure the children will enjoy themselves. As long as Mrs. Ballas accompanies them as well, so they have both their regular caregivers…”

“Oh, but of course. We have Mrs. Ballas’s room all ready for her.”

Constance bit her lip to keep her jaw from dropping. Luca was playing the Reverend Mother like a well-tuned violin. Good God, the man had no boundaries. He’d bribed a nun, no matter how he’d spun it.

“Excellent! Well, ladies, it’s been a pleasure,” he said, giving them a slight bow. “Darling, let’s leave these saints to their work.”

Constance let him take her hand and lead her from the office and back out onto the street before she pulled away. Luca glanced at her but kept walking. She had no choice but to trail after him.

“What was that?” she asked his retreating back.

“What?” He pulled his keys from his pocket, looking at her with genuine confusion.

“Laid it on a bit thick back there, didn’t you?” she asked, folding her arms across her chest.