'Le voglio te,' Carlo said softly, and she looked at him curiously.

'What does that mean?'

I want you.

But he shouldn't be telling her that. He couldn't offer her anything except trouble and hurt.

Suddenly feeling hideously guilty for taking advantage of her, Carlo pulled her close, his voice gruff as he spoke. 'It means you're a pretty sexy chick.'

'Does it?' She chuckled and leaned forward to kiss him. 'I'm obviously going to have to learn Italian. Will you teach me?'

'I can think of other things I'd rather teach you.' He smiled at her, thinking that she was the most gorgeous woman he'd ever seen.

Flushed and sparkly-eyed and full of humour and warmth.

He never wanted to give her up.

Medical Romance™ is proud to present

a wonderful new duet

THE SANTINI BROTHERS

by Sarah Morgan!

Caring doctors by day...

Passionate Latin Lovers by night!

Nico Santini

is used to women falling at his feet. A brilliant heart

surgeon, he seems ruthless and without emotion, and

when he finds out that he's fathered a child nothing is

going to prevent him from gaining custody. But even

Nico has his sensitive side, and he can't bring himself

to take this baby from her mother—especially as he's

already head over heels in love with her...

Carlo Santini

is desperate to find a woman who isn't interested

in his money. He is determined to find someone

who loves him for himself. Strong and laid back,

he's got a wicked sense of humour and a sexy smile,

but he doesn't take no for an answer—and he's Italian

enough to know that he's just found the woman for him!

Find out if these gorgeous doctors

have really met their match in:

THE ITALIAN DOCTOR'S WIFE

September

THE ITALIAN'S PASSIONATE PROPOSAL

December

From Medical Romance™

THE ITALIAN'S PASSIONATE PROPOSAL

BY

SARAH MORGAN

MILLS & BOON

CHAPTER ONE

The freezing air was thick with softly falling snowflakes and the darkened streets of the East End of London were totally deserted. With less than a week to go until Christmas, most people were at home, decorating trees and wrapping presents.

Carlo Santini was barely aware of the inhospitable nature of his surroundings. He was restless and on edge, frustrated beyond belief by recent developments in his life. A frown on his handsome face, he paced rhythmically along the icy pavement, his footsteps muffled by the thick covering of snow, the collar of his black coat turned up against the cold.

He'd been warned to keep to his apartment and the hospital but he was totally fed up with the warnings.

In fact, he was so disillusioned with his life that when things had finally come to a head and he'd been ordered to leave Italy for a short time, he'd been only too happy to comply.

His old life was starting to feel like a prison.

Having enormous wealth was a fantasy for most people but for Carlo the reality had become an increasing burden over the years and he embraced the chance to pretend that it didn't exist, even for a few precious weeks. Being forced to come to London and work under an assumed name was a gift that he was determined to grab with both hands.

For the first time in his whole life, no one would know who he was.

People would respond to his medical and personal skills rather than his reputation as a billionaire playboy or his impressive connections.

Suddenly aware of just how quiet the streets were, Carlo narrowed his eyes and took a brief look around. He'd always refused to have a personal bodyguard and the recent threats to his life hadn't changed that. He preferred to look out for himself.

He gave a slight smile. Matteo Parini, his father's chief of security, was probably in their London apartment biting his nails at this very moment, wondering where he was.

And Carlo was under no illusions about his safety. Even hidden in the East End of London under an assumed name, he wasn't safe. Not until they caught the men who were threatening his life. But at least for a few hours he could pretend that nothing was wrong.

Suddenly aware that two men had appeared in the street ahead of him, he tensed his broad shoulders slightly. They were walking slowly and Carlo's eyes narrowed suspiciously as he watched them.

Why would they be dawdling when it was below freezing? It was hardly the night for a winter stroll.

Then he saw one of them glance across the street and for the first time noticed a young boy, slight in build, hurrying along the pavement, clutching a stuffed bin bag, his eyes down as he struggled against the snow.

Guessing their intention before they'd even acted, Carlo removed his hands from his pockets, his lean features suddenly showing a strength of purpose. Without drawing attention to himself, he increased his pace, every sense on alert as he closed the distance between them.

With no warning they suddenly turned and sprinted across the snowy street, attacking the young boy viciously, grabbing the bin bag that he was carrying and pushing him roughly to the ground.

Carlo's eyes gleamed and adrenaline rushed through his veins, but before he could reach them the young boy was back on his feet, lithe and agile. He grabbed one of the men in a classic judo hold and threw him heavily onto the pavement.

Carlo winced at the sickening thud and gave a surprised smile.

Maybe the lad didn't need his help after all. He seemed to be doing pretty well by himself.

Or maybe not...

As the man lay groaning on the ground, his accomplice grabbed the boy round the throat and Carlo saw a flash of steel.

His blood heating, he moved swiftly, using the element of surprise to his advantage, attacking the man from behind and enclosing his wrist in a deadly grip until the knife fell to the ground.

'Let him go...' He couldn't think of a suitable word in English so he switched to Italian, twisting the man's arm behind his back in a ruthless hold that forced him to release the boy.

The other attacker scrambled to his feet, winded by the fall, bracing himself for a fight.

Breathing heavily, he caught the cold, dangerous look in Carlo's eyes and backed away, his change of heart evident.

'Hey, it wasn't my idea...'

He glared at his friend, still held captive by Carlo's deadly hold, and then turned and ran for it, sprinting away as fast as he could, slipping and sliding on the snowy street in his haste to put distance between them.

Swearing fluently, the other man whimpered with the pain in his arm and Carlo reluctantly let him go, kicking the knife out of reach, cold fury erupting inside him. Why were they attacking a kid?

Rubbing his arm, the man gave an angry snarl, landed a final vicious kick in the boy's stomach and then turned and ran after his friend.

Carlo was itching to chase them but he was aware that the young boy was doubled up in pain from the kick. He reached out a hand to offer support and found himself flat on his back on the pavement, staring up at the stars.

How the hell had that happened?

He was an expert in several martial arts and had spent his entire life prepared to defend himself. He just hadn't expected to have to defend himself from someone who didn't even reach his chin and whom he'd just rescued.

But clearly the boy didn't realise he was being rescued.

Grunting with pain, every muscle in his body protesting, Carlo struggled to sit up and then ducked as a booted foot flew in the direction of his face.

'Stay away from me, you scum!'

Deciding that this was becoming dangerous, he grabbed the foot and brought the boy down as gently as he could, rolling on top of him so that he could hold him securely.

'I'm not trying to hurt you,' he gritted, grabbing both arms and pinning the boy to the pavement. Finally the boy stopped wriggling and glared up at him defiantly and Carlo felt something shift in his stomach.

He'd never seen a boy with eyes that beautiful.

They were an amazing shade of green, fringed with thick lashes that were inky black.

Following through on a totally male instinct, he released the boy's hands and jerked off the woolly hat, sucking in his breath as soft dark hair tumbled down and trailed in the snow.

Not a boy...

His last coherent thought was that she was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen in his life.

And then she hit him.

Carlo winced as her small fist made contact with his cheekbone, pain splitting the side of his face. He swore fluently in Italian and moved his jaw gingerly, testing for fractures.

He'd say this for the girl, she certainly knew how to fight. Why had he ever thought she needed his protection?

Careful not to hurt her, he shifted himself so that he pinned her more securely and caught hold of her hands as she struggled.

'Porca miseria, I'm not attacking you,' he growled impatiently. 'I'm rescuing you!'

Her eyes were blazing up into his, her chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath.

'Rescuing me? You're not rescuing me, you're suffocating me! And ranting at me in a strange language. Let me go!'

She was gorgeous.

Utterly captivated, Carlo gave her a lazy smile but didn't move an inch. He was enjoying it far too much to move. The feel of her soft, womanly body under his was fantastic. How could he ever have thought she was a boy?

He must be losing it...

Her outraged glare faded and she stared up at him, her stunning green eyes locking with his. 'Are you going to lie on top of me all night?'

Given the chance, yes.

'Is that an invitation?' Carlo knew he ought to move and help her up, but all he wanted to do was bend his head and kiss her.

So he did.

As his mouth came down on hers he hung onto her hands, fully expecting her to take another swipe at him, but after the briefest hesitation her soft lips parted and she kissed him back, sighing slightly as he used all the skill of his thirty-four years to seduce a response from her.

When he finally dragged his mouth away from hers he felt drugged. It had only been a taste but it had been enough to make him want the whole meal.

'Wh-what did you do that for?' Those amazing green eyes were still staring up at him, and for the first time in his life Carlo found it difficult to string a coherent sentence together. His body and brain felt disconnected.

'Kiss of life,' he murmured huskily, his mind and body still focused on her mouth. 'They were pretty rough with you—I thought maybe...'

'I don't think it worked.' Her expression was slightly dazed and her voice was smoky and feminine. 'Want to try it again?'

Carlo lowered his head and kissed her thoroughly, this time releasing his grip so that he could use his hands to haul her body even closer to his.

He felt her shudder under him, felt her slim arms slide round his neck, and for endless moments he was lost in the soft, sweet wonder of her mouth.

Then he heard a shout from the pavement opposite and rolled to his feet, instantly alert.

Be discreet, his father and brother had said.

Lying on a snowy pavement kissing a gorgeous female in full view of anyone who happened to pass probably didn't qualify, he admitted ruefully, reaching down a hand to pull her up.

She staggered to her feet and then jerked her hand away as if his touch had singed her.

'I can't believe we just did that.' She backed away from him and lifted her fingers to her lips, her expression stunned. 'I can't believe I let you kiss me. You're a stranger. I don't kiss strangers.'

She looked confused and wary, and he forced himself to stand still and give her some space. He could hardly blame her for being nervous of him. After all, she'd just been mugged.

Carlo searched for the words to reassure her, but before he could speak she stooped to pick up the bin bag and winced in pain.

'Are you hurt?' He frowned, surprised and confused by the rush of possessiveness that swamped him. He didn't even know her name, but the thought that they'd hurt her filled him with red-hot anger. 'That was a nasty kick.'

He searched his brain for a non-sexual way of suggesting that he take a look at her stomach. He was a doctor after all.

'I'm OK.' She brushed her snowy dark hair away from her exquisite face. 'I suppose I've got you to thank for that.' She gave him a cautious look, still keeping herself at a safe distance. 'If you hadn't intervened he probably would have used that knife. I'm sorry I floored you. It all happened so fast I panicked. I thought you were with them.'

She still looked wary, and every muscle in her body was tense, but at least she hadn't run off.

'Don't apologise. I'm glad you floored me.' Remembering the feel of her soft body under his, he was more than glad. If she hadn't done that, he probably wouldn't have kissed her. And, having kissed her...

His eyes dropped hungrily to her mouth again and he wrestled with the instinct to act like a caveman and drag her somewhere quiet, where he could make love to her until she couldn't stand up.

But she was visibly nervous and he wasn't going to blow his chances by rushing her. So, instead of grabbing her, he pushed his hands firmly into his pockets and kept his distance.

'Do you always kiss people who knock you to the ground?' She was watching him carefully with those incredible eyes, as if she hadn't quite decided whether she should run or not.

'Never.'

Her fingers tightened on the bin bag. 'So why did you kiss me, then?'

Carlo was finding it harder and harder to breathe normally. 'Because you're stunning.'

The wariness left her face and she threw back her head and laughed aloud. 'Dressed in torn jeans and an ancient coat with a woollen hat on my head? Very sexy, I'm sure.'

'Kissing is a good way of distracting an attacker,' he drawled, unable to drag his gaze away from her gorgeous face. 'It's the element of surprise.'

'Well, I've done judo since I was six but that's a move I've never used,' she confessed, still smiling. Suddenly she seemed more relaxed. Her eyes sparkled and snow stuck to her lashes and shiny dark hair, and it occurred to him that if he could have anything he wanted for Christmas then it would be her.

Preferably unwrapped.

'Are you saying that you've never been kissed by your opponent before?' His words and eyes teased her but his body and brain were deadly serious as he moved closer. 'You've been missing out.'

Their eyes locked and she smiled hesitantly. 'It certainly takes your mind off fighting.' Suddenly her smile faded and she stared at his cheekbone in dismay. 'Oh, no! Did I do that? Have I given you a black eye?'

He didn't care about his eye. At the moment he was more concerned about other parts of his anatomy that he was finding distinctly uncomfortable. His jeans were just too tight to accommodate such an extreme reaction.

She stood on tiptoe and touched his bruised cheekbone gingerly, her voice contrite. 'We ought to get some ice on that.'

Ice. He gritted his teeth. Maybe if he thought about ice it would help him out of his dilemma. He was reacting like a hormonal teenager.

He looked down at her. 'Are you sure you're all right? They were pretty rough with you.'

It occurred to him that, apart from being wary of him, she didn't seem particularly shaken up. He tried to think of one other woman of his acquaintance who would have fought like that and still been smiling afterwards. He failed dismally. All the women he knew panicked if they so much as chipped a nail.

'I'm OK, thanks to you. Apart from ripping my favourite jeans. I was thinking about something else or they wouldn't have taken me by surprise.' She peered at his face again, her expression guilty. 'You saved my life and in return I hit you. That never happens in the movies. I should have been sobbing with relief and gratitude, instead of which I may have given you a black eye.'

'I love a dominant woman,' Carlo drawled lightly, and she laughed.

'Next time I'll try not to panic.'

'I'm not surprised you panicked.' His expression was serious. 'But I don't think he would have used the knife.'

He said it to reassure her, in case part of her was still scared. Or maybe it was himself that he was reassuring. The thought of what might have happened if that creep had done what he'd threatened was too horrific to contemplate.

She pulled a face. 'If it hadn't been for you, he probably would.' Her tone was matter-of-fact. 'This area is notorious for muggings and other unsavoury acts. I'm lucky you were passing and bothered to help. Do you think we should call the police?'

Carlo froze. The last thing he needed was to draw attention to himself.

'I think they're long gone,' he said carefully, his expression guarded. 'And I didn't really get a good look at them, did you?'

'No.' She shook her head and he changed the subject neatly.

'What are you doing out on your own on a night like this?'

She altered her grip on the bin bag. 'I'm working.'

Working?

What sort of work required her to walk the streets at ten o'clock at night wearing worn jeans, a woolly hat and carrying a bin liner?

Surely she wasn't...

She looked up at him and started to laugh. 'I wish you could see your face! I can assure you I don't do what you're thinking! Actually, I'm a midwife,' she said, as if it was perfectly obvious to anyone but a complete idiot.

A midwife?

He'd worked with midwives for most of his adult life, but none of them had looked like her.

Carlo tried to ask her something intelligent but all he could see was that gorgeous smile that seemed to take over her whole face. Suddenly his brain and his body seemed to be ruled by a vicious rush of male hormones. He'd dated some of the most beautiful women in the world, but he couldn't remember a single one who had threatened his ability to walk in a straight line. Until now.

'Do all English midwives walk around in the dark, carrying bin liners?'

'I was trying not to attract attention,' she confided, and he gave a wry smile.

'I think you need more practice.'

'You might be right.' She looked sorrowfully at her torn jeans. 'They must have thought I had something exciting in my bin bag.'

'And have you?'

'Well, I haven't robbed a bank, if that's what you mean.' She chuckled and hoisted the bag towards her, twisting the neck so that the contents were safe. 'Actually, I'm on my way to see a patient. So, if you're sure your face is all right, I suppose this is where we say goodbye.'

No way!

'I'll come with you,' he said immediately. 'There's no way I should be allowed to walk these streets on my own. It's not safe.'

She looked up at him, her cheeks dimpling. 'You need my protection?'

'Absolutely.' His voice was husky and he saw her breath catch in her throat.

'You're at least six foot three and you've got more muscles than I've ever seen on one body,' she pointed out, appreciation in her eyes as they wandered over his broad shoulders. 'You tackled those guys without a second thought and you certainly don't look like a man who's afraid of much.'

Up until five minutes ago he would have agreed with her, but since the moment she'd thrown him to the floor everything had changed.

'I'm afraid of never seeing you again.'

The only sound was the soft whisper of snow as it floated past her stunned face and settled on the black wool jacket she was wearing.

When she finally spoke her voice was shaky. 'I suppose I'm meant to say that you're being ridiculous.'

He stepped closer to her, aware of just how delicate she was. Suddenly he felt fiercely protective. 'Say it, then.'

She stared up at him and he could see that she'd stopped breathing. 'I—I can't.' A look of confusion crossed her face. 'Oh, help! What are you doing to me?'

Their eyes held, the heat and tension between them almost melting the snow.

Without shifting his gaze, Carlo held out a hand, and after endless seconds she stepped towards him and took it.

He pulled her against him and stroked her snowy dark hair away from her face, thinking how beautiful she was.

She stared up at him and he could see her breathing quicken. 'I—This is crazy. I really ought to be going...'

'Me, too. Do you think we should kiss each other goodbye?' He was only a breath away from touching her mouth with his when she dipped her head and gave him a gentle push.

'What is it that you do to me? I don't behave like this! I don't even know you.'

Carlo stared down at her thoughtfully, a warm feeling spreading through his body.

He never met people who didn't know him.

In Italy, everyone knew him. His picture appeared regularly in the newspapers and gossip columns and he hated it. He hated being public property.

But to this girl he was a stranger and it was a totally novel experience.

'Everyone is a stranger the first time you meet them,' he pointed out gently, and she gave him a half-smile that betrayed her confusion.

'That's true, I suppose, but I don't usually kiss men I've only known for five minutes.'

'So I'll hang around until you've known me for longer,' Carlo said, and she rolled her eyes in exasperation.

'Are you always this persistent?'

No. He never usually needed to be. He was one of the richest men in Italy and he was usually the one tactfully keeping women at a distance.

'Look, why don't we go somewhere warm and grab a coffee or something?'

'I can't. At least, not right now.' She glanced at her watch and pulled a face. 'There's somewhere I have to be and I don't want to be too late. It's not the best of places in the middle of the day, but at night it's horrid. I meant to go earlier but I had to stay late at the hospital. I need to go and do my visit and you ought to go home and get some ice on your cheek,' she said, touching it with gentle fingers, guilt in her eyes. 'I'm really, really sorry. I wasn't thinking straight.'

'Forget it.' Carlo gave a lopsided smile, wondering where all his smooth chat-up lines had gone when he needed them. He could think of a dozen things to say to her in Italian but none at all in English. 'Just remind me never to get on the wrong side of you.'

She lifted an arm and pretended to flex her biceps. 'Scary, that's me.'

Carlo looked deep into those green eyes and decided that she definitely was scary, but not for any of the reasons she imagined.

The scariest thing of all was that even though he'd only known her for five minutes, there was no way he was letting this woman out of his sight. Part of him knew that he should walk away from her. He was involved in something nasty and he certainly didn't want her dragged into it. But he wasn't prepared to let her go even for a moment. He was going to see where this led and deal with the consequences later.

'All right, if you won't come with me then I'll have to come with you on your call, and then we can both put ice on my face together.'

As a pick-up line it was novel, but he was past caring.

He was a desperate man.

If she turned and walked away, he'd have to consider kidnapping her.

'You can't come with me on my call.' She clutched the bin bag more tightly. 'It's a professional visit. I can't just take a man I picked up on the street.'

'I picked you up,' he pointed out, and she rolled her eyes.

'Details. Details.'

He gave a lopsided smile. 'Would it help if I confessed that I'm an obstetrician?'

Her eyes widened in disbelief and she started to laugh.

He frowned at her. 'What's so funny?'

'I'm just trying to imagine any of the obstetricians I know fighting like you did.' She shook her head slightly, still laughing. 'I'm failing dismally. They're all very puny and academic. They'd have trouble wrestling with a microscope.'

He lifted an eyebrow, pretending to be offended. 'You don't think I'm academic?'

'You mean you've got all that muscle and a brain?' She batted her eyelids and he grinned appreciatively.

'I certainly have.' He adored her sense of humour. 'So, now do you believe I'm an obstetrician?'

'No.' Her cheeks were rosy from the cold. 'I've worked with loads of obstetricians and none of them look like you.'

Was that good or bad?

'So what's wrong with me?'

Her smile faded and he saw the uncertainty in her eyes, and something else that had a serious effect on the fit of his jeans. 'Oh, there's nothing wrong with you at all. That's what I mean.'

His blood heated and he had to stop himself grabbing her again. 'Well, until you see me in action you're just going to have to take my word for it. So, can I come?'

She tipped her head to one side. 'Well, if you're truly an obstetrician, then tell me where you work.'

'I'm doing a locum job at St Catherine's from tomorrow.'

Using a false surname that only he, his security team and the most senior member of the hospital were aware of.

Her eyes widened. 'That's spooky! I work there, too.'

Did she, now? That was the best news he'd had for months.

'Which definitely means I can come on your visit,' he said smoothly. 'We're colleagues. And after that I'm walking you home and we can heal each other's bruises.'

Her lips parted slightly and he held his breath. If she said no, he was in big trouble.

'I—I don't know...'

The wary look was back and he gave her a smile that he hoped was non-threatening.

'Look, I know this was an unconventional meeting, but you don't need to be scared of me. If I step out of line you can always black my other eye.'

Maybe he was playing dirty by appealing to her conscience but he didn't care. He wasn't going to let her walk out of his life.

'All right.' She hauled the bag onto her shoulder and jerked her head towards a high-rise building in the next street. 'Come with me to see Kelly and then we'll go back to my place and sort your face out. It's the least I can do after having tried to half kill you.'

Resisting the impulse to punch the air in triumph, Carlo shortened his stride to match hers and followed her up seemingly endless flight of soulless concrete steps that intersected the flats.

He glanced around with a deepening frown.

No wonder she didn't like coming here at night. The place was menacing and rough. Definitely not somewhere to be after dark. Especially for a woman on her own. The walls were covered in graffiti, there were smashed windows and boarded-up doors and, even this close to Christmas, there was very little evidence of festive cheer.

The girl came to a halt in front of a door, tugged the woollen hat back on her head and stuffed her hair back underneath it.

'All part of the disguise.' She tossed him a smile that made his whole body ache, and tapped on the door.

'Kelly?' She leaned closer to the door. 'Kelly, it's Zan. Let me in.'

Zan? Carlo blinked in surprise.

What sort of a name was Zan?

He was still trying to work it out when the door jerked open and a burly man stood there.

If ever a man was looking for a fight it was this one, and instinctively Carlo straightened his shoulders and prepared himself for trouble.

What the hell was the girl doing in a place like this? This certainly wasn't his idea of midwifery.

'Hi, Mike.' Zan didn't seem remotely nervous. Instead, she just gave the man the same warm smile she'd used on him earlier and peeped round him into the flat. 'Can I see Kelly? I brought some stuff...'

She jiggled the black bin back temptingly and Mike's face darkened.

'We ain't taking no charity!'

Zan shook her head. 'Of course you're not. It isn't charity,' she said easily, her tone relaxed and friendly. 'Mothers swap clothes all the time. Someone I look after was having a clear-out—I just thought you might find it useful, but I can offer it to someone else if you prefer...'

Mike glowered at her and then opened the door wider. 'And while we're at it Kelly ain't going to hospital, so don't even think about suggesting it.' He looked over her shoulder and his eyes narrowed as they fixed on Carlo. He looked at him man to man, his eyes resting on the width of Carlo's shoulders. 'Who's he?'

Zan opened her mouth but Carlo spoke first.

'I'm a doctor. Carlo Bennett.'

He almost stumbled over the surname, because it wasn't his and he wasn't used to it yet, but it was the name that everyone had agreed he should use while he was hiding out in London. As a qualified surgeon he was actually entitled to call himself Mr, but he didn't think this was the time to worry about the finer points of titles. 'I'm going to be working in this area and Zan said I could come with her on some visits.'

Aware that Zan was staring at him, Carlo gave the other man a friendly smile and reached out a hand.

There was a moment's hesitation and then Mike shook it briefly, but his expression was still unfriendly.

'You don't look English and you don't sound English.'

'Part Italian,' Carlo lied smoothly, denying some of his heritage in the interests of discretion. Mike pulled a face, leaving no one in any doubt of what he thought of foreign doctors.

'Well, you can come in as you're here, but you might as well know that I hate doctors and I'm not having one of them near my woman. Zan's the only one I'll let look at her.'

'No problem.' Careful to be non-confrontational, Carlo strolled into the flat after Zan, trying not to show his shock as they walked into the tiny sitting room.

The room was filthy and stacked high with old newspapers and half-eaten plates of food. In the middle of the carpet a German shepherd dog lay with its head on one paw, eyes fixed warily on Carlo.

The place was damp and freezing, and in the corner was a thin wisp of a girl with a rounded stomach and skinny legs.

'Hi, Kelly.' Clearing a space on the sofa, Zan sat down and opened the bin bag. 'How are you feeling?'

Kelly glanced nervously at Mike, who gave a nod. 'I'm doing OK,' she said in a low voice, 'but I'm pretty tired. Well, very tired, actually.'

And he would have bet half his fortune that she was anaemic, Carlo thought, running a professional eye over the patient and her surroundings. Judging from the remains of the food on the plate, she wasn't eating properly.

'I think it's possible that you may be anaemic,' Zan was saying as she delved into the bag for a blood-pressure cuff. 'That basically means that your blood isn't carrying enough oxygen. It can happen very easily when you're pregnant, especially if you don't eat properly.'

Carlo blinked with admiration. So she'd homed in on the same problem immediately.

She checked Kelly's blood pressure and then glanced at Mike. 'I really want to take a blood sample, Mike.'

'No way.' His tone was unfriendly. 'I'm not having you sticking needles in her. Just do what you have to do and leave.'

Zan's expression was understanding. 'I'm just trying to help her, Mike. She's thirty-four weeks pregnant. If she is anaemic then that could be the reason she's so tired, and we need to get it sorted out before she has the baby. I want to check the iron levels in her blood.'

'No needles.' Mike moved towards Zan and Carlo took a step forward, ready to intervene.

No way was that thug going any nearer to Zan.

'If you've got iron in your bag then just give it to her,' Carlo said smoothly, and three pairs of eyes turned to look at him.

'There's a strong chance that you are anaemic, and obviously we'd like to check that out.' He spoke directly to Kelly. 'But if you'd rather we didn't then the next best thing is to just give you the iron.'

'Will it hurt the baby?'

'It could hurt you if you don't have it,' Carlo said gently. 'Being pregnant and giving birth to a child place huge demands on your body. We need to correct it or you could have problems during your delivery and you'll be exhausted afterwards. When you come into the hospital we—'

'She ain't coming into the hospital!' Mike growled, and Zan cleared her throat.

'Don't let's worry about that now. You've got my number, and you know that I'll deliver Kelly any time you want me to, anywhere you want me to, but we really do need her to take some iron.' She reached into her bag and pulled out a bottle of tablets. 'Will you take one a day for me?'

Kelly glanced at Mike for approval before taking the bottle, and he gave a brief nod.

'And now can I just check the position of the baby?'

'Not with him in the room.' Mike glared at Carlo, who strolled towards the living-room door immediately.

'I'll wait in the hallway.'

Whatever had happened to the man to make him so suspicious?

Five minutes later Zan called him back in.

Her eyes were troubled as they met his. 'I don't think the baby is growing quite as fast as it should—She's small for thirty-four weeks.'

Carlo lifted his eyes to Mike. 'Can I examine her?'

'No!'

'Mike, please?' Zan's voice was soft and reassuring and Mike hesitated, his jaw set.

Finally he nodded. 'All right.' He glared at Carlo. 'But I'm watching you.'

'That's fine.' Carlo moved his hands skilfully over the mother's abdomen, thinking that he'd never seen such a half-starved waif in his life. Normally he dealt with the pampered wives of the hideously wealthy, and the contrast was extreme. As he examined the girl he realised just how bored he'd become, working in his world-famous Women's Unit in Milan. The case he was seeing now presented so much more of a challenge, both medically and socially.

'Well?'

Mike was looking at him threateningly and Carlo picked up the tape measure that Zan had used and measured Kelly from the top of the bump to her pelvic bone. The measurement was supposed to correlate roughly to the number of weeks of pregnancy, but in this case Zan was right. The baby seemed small.

'Do you smoke?'

Kelly shook her head, but her eyes slid nervously to Mike and Carlo deduced that the man probably smoked heavily and that she was therefore subjecting the baby to passive smoking.

'The baby does seem slightly smaller than we would like,' he said gently, talking directly to Kelly. 'Ideally I'd like to get you to come to the hospital for a series of scans. Nothing scary. We just slide a clever device that's basically a camera over your stomach and we're able to measure the size of the baby's head. That gives us an indication of what size the baby should be, and we can then take a look at the rest of him.'

Kelly glanced at Mike, who shook his head.

'She's not going to hospital.'

Carlo frowned. 'But—'

'That's fine,' Zan interrupted quickly, shooting Carlo a warning look. 'But if you change your mind then come and see us any time. I brought you some clothes, Kelly.'

She delved into the bin bag again and pulled out another bag full of tiny baby clothes, vests and a gorgeous blanket.

Carlo's eyes narrowed.

If those clothes were second-hand then he was an Englishman.

Kelly gave a gasp and her face suddenly shone like the sun coming out from behind a cloud.

'Someone was giving this away?' She fingered one of the outfits in disbelief and Zan smiled.

'They were no use to her.'

Oh, sure.

'But they're like new.' Kelly looked at Mike, her expression pleading. 'Can I keep them—please?'

Carlo found himself holding his breath and finally Mike nodded. 'I suppose so,' he muttered.

'Oh, and I've had a word with the council,' Zan said casually, 'and they're trying to rehouse you in a flat on the first floor.'

Kelly looked at her with hope in her eyes. 'Really?' Her slim shoulders sagged slightly. 'I just can't let myself get excited in case it doesn't happen.'

'It will happen, Kelly,' Zan said firmly. 'There's no way you can stay here. The weather is getting colder, the flat is damp and there's fourteen flights of stairs between you and the ground floor. How are you going to manage that with a baby when the lift's out of order? I've been talking to Social Services about rehousing you and they're doing their best.'

Carlo listened to her and wondered if the couple had any idea how lucky they were to have Zan to fight their corner.

'She can take the tablets, but she ain't coming to hospital for that scan thing,' Mike said, and Zan looked him in the eye.

'The baby isn't big enough, Mike. We really need to—'

'Get out!'

Kelly flinched and shrank back into her chair.

Carlo's eyes narrowed slightly and he drew himself up to his full height, preparing himself for trouble.

'We're leaving,' Zan said calmly, smiling at Mike as though he hadn't just yelled at her in the rudest way possible. 'We'll talk about it again next time.'

'She ain't going to the hospital and that's final.'

Zan stood up. 'That's fine, Mike.' She turned to look at Kelly, her gaze direct. 'Any problems, call me.'

With that she looked meaningfully at Carlo and walked out of the flat with him following close behind.

CHAPTER TWO

'Does he hit her?' Carlo followed her down the dark staircase and back onto the streets.

'I don't think so.' Zan turned sharp left and then right down a wide road that stretched along the river. 'I think he's just very controlling.'

'And why does he hate hospitals so much?'

'He's never told me, and I don't push it or I won't get to see Kelly at all.' She glanced sideways and tried not to stare.

She'd never met anyone as strikingly good-looking as Carlo before. Tall, dark-haired and loaded with sex appeal, he exuded a strength and confidence that was magnetic. If she'd had to pick one word to describe him, it would have been male. Carlo was very, very male.

And he had good shoulders.

She remembered the weight of his body when he'd lain on top of her and smiled slightly. For once she could walk home without worrying.

Who in their right mind would pick a fight with him?

Carlo was frowning. 'Do you have to visit them?'

'Well, if I don't then she gets no antenatal care whatsoever,' Zan told him, crossing over the road so that they could walk next to the river. Fairy lights had been strung between the trees and their reflection danced over the surface of the water. 'Social Services first told me that she was pregnant, but she hasn't seen a doctor once in her whole pregnancy. To start with Mike wouldn't let me in, but I've worked on him and now I get to see her. I'm hoping that if she sees enough of me I'll be able to get her to trust me.'

'She needs a biophysical assessment,' Carlo said, and Zan nodded.

He was referring to an established technique using ultrasound to look at the baby and to measure the heart-rate.

'I know. The truth is she needs a lot of things she isn't getting. It's very worrying, but we can only do the best we can. It's hard enough getting access at all.'

She felt his eyes slide over her. 'Presumably that's why you dress like that? Because they're suspicious of authority?'

He was smart; she'd give him that.

'That's true, but I also hate walking around this area at night,' she confessed. 'I might be a black belt in judo but I'm not stupid. If I have to do it then I dress down and I wear trainers. If anyone suspected I was medical they'd be attacking me for drugs.'

'It isn't a suitable place for a woman to be working.' His gaze darkened ominously and she chuckled.

'Are you always this macho?'

'Of course.' Carlo's arrogant dark head lifted and a wry smile touched his handsome face. 'I'm Italian, remember? Despite our efforts to be politically correct, deep down we still expect our women to stay at home and warm the bed for us.'

The mention of bed brought a faint colour to her cheeks. Whoever warmed his bed would be a very lucky woman, but she wasn't telling him that. 'Someone must have forgotten to tell you that this is the twenty-first century.'

He didn't smile, his gaze disturbingly direct. 'It's not a safe area for you to work in.'

He was breathtakingly good-looking and Zan was finding it hard to peel her eyes away from him.

'I work here because it's challenging and I'm really doing some good.' She looked at him curiously. 'This isn't what you're used to, is it? You looked pretty shocked when you saw the flat.'

He pulled a face and rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. 'Was it that obvious?'

'Only to me. Don't worry about it. I was pretty shocked myself when I first came here after twenty years of middle-class upbringing. It's a real eye-opener. Lots of teenage pregnancies, lots of unmarried mothers with several children by different men, and every flat you visit has a German shepherd dog the size of a wolf.' She stepped gingerly over a patch of ice. 'I suppose I'd have one, too, if I lived in this area. The dogs used to be the worst part of the job for me, but generally I've got used to them. Do you have dogs at home?'

He hesitated and then nodded. 'Yes, dogs don't bother me. So, why did you learn judo?'

Zan smiled and huddled more deeply into her coat to keep out the cold. 'I have four older brothers. My father was going for a five-a-side rugby team but then they had me.' She shrugged. 'Anyway, they all decided that I needed to know how to take care of myself just in case they weren't around to do it for me.'

'Sensible.'

'No, massively over-protective,' she said dryly. 'They've scared off every boyfriend I've ever had.'

Carlo looked at her curiously. 'But you're close?'

'I adore them,' she said simply. 'Growing up with four big brothers was just the best thing in the world. We had such fun.'

'But they've taught you to be wary of men?'

She hesitated for a moment and then nodded. 'Yes. Yes, they have. I may love my brothers but I'd hate to be anything other than their baby sister. They're rogues, and when they were growing up they treated women appallingly. I've learned lots about men by watching them. And because they know exactly how men think and act, they scare off anyone male who shows an interest in me.'

'Ouch.' Carlo gave a rueful smile and glanced around him at the dark shadows. 'So can I expect to be pounced on any moment?'

Zan looked at his shoulders and laughed. 'I don't think you've got much to worry about. So, now you know about me, how about you? All I know is that you're part-Italian. What I want to know is, which part?'

He shot her a suggestive smile that was so sexy she almost stopped breathing.

'If you're good, I'll show you later.'

His teasing drawl made her blush, but she couldn't help smiling. There was something so good-humoured and honest about him.

'Well, judging from your slight accent and the fact that you were muttering something incomprehensible when you were lying on top of me, I assume that Italian is your first language. Which must mean that you live over there usually. So what are you doing in London?'

'Having a change from Italy.' His answer was so smooth and glib that she looked at him closely, wondering if he was hiding something. He caught her look and smiled. 'Plenty of doctors from EC countries come and work in England. It isn't unusual.'

'So where were you working last?'

'In a private clinic outside Milan.' He gave a rueful smile. 'Most of my patients were nothing like Kelly, I'm afraid.'

'Too posh to push?'

He smiled in appreciation. 'Something like that.'

'Well, it was decent of you to take a look at Kelly for me.' She glanced at him. 'Don't think I don't know that most doctors would have refused. Too worried about litigation.'

Carlo looked unconcerned. 'I'm well insured.'

And very experienced and self-confident. She also suspected that he would never refuse to help a patient. He was that type of man.

'This is where I live.' Zan stopped outside a block of flats and Carlo leaned against the wall, his eyes watchful.

'So...' he drawled softly. 'Are you going to invite me up?'

She stared at him, caught by the intensity of his gaze. Excitement curled in the pit of her stomach and she struggled to be sensible.

'I don't usually invite strangers up to my flat.'

His smile had a peculiar effect on her knees and she felt them wobble alarmingly. 'I'm very glad to hear that.' He moved fractionally closer to her, his eyes never leaving hers. 'But we've already kissed twice and spent an evening together so we're not exactly strangers.'

She laughed to disguise her awareness of him.

'We spent the evening in a filthy flat with a man who wanted to hit both of us. Is that your idea of a perfect first date?'

'It was different,' he admitted, his gaze dropping to her mouth and lingering there. 'You can trust me, Zan.'

She hesitated, common sense wrestling with temptation.

'I don't know anything about you.'

Except that he was strong, clever and stunningly good-looking.

'What do you want to know?' He smiled down at her. 'I'm Italian, I'm an obstetrician, I have one older brother and one younger sister. I also have a black eye.'

She smiled back and then looked at him cautiously. 'You're not married?'

His gaze didn't shift from hers. 'No wife. No kids.'

She bit her lip. Would it be such a big mistake to invite him up?

She paused a moment longer and then made up her mind. She pushed open the swing doors and led him into the deserted entrance hall. 'I'm on the top floor.'

They walked towards the lift and she pressed the button, watching the lift doors close and wondering what on earth she was doing, taking a total stranger back to her flat.

Was she mad?

Her brothers would have thrown a fit.

But then she'd spent most of the past twenty-four years being cautious, and frankly she was getting impatient with herself. It was time she lived a little. Time she trusted her own instincts.

And her instincts about Carlo were all good.

She loved his wicked sense of humour, the way the corners of his eyes creased when he smiled, and she loved his easy confidence. There was something about him that was tough and kind and, no matter how much she tried to pretend otherwise, the fact that he'd stepped in and rescued her made her insides squishy. It might not be politically correct to have a tough man looking after you but the truth was it had felt good.

Better than good.

It would be a long time before she forgot the feel of that hard muscle pressing her down onto the snowy pavement or the taste of his warm lips as he'd kissed her.

She shivered slightly with nerves and excitement as she remembered that kiss. Until tonight she'd always thought that kissing was a very overrated pastime.

She 'd obviously been kissing the wrong men.

She sneaked a sideways look at him, still finding it hard to believe that he was a doctor. All the doctors she'd ever met were mild-mannered and academic or just plain arrogant. Carlo was none of those things. He was all muscle and strength, mixed with a wickedly sexy sense of humour.

He intercepted her look and gave her a smile that reminded her of his kiss. Hot and exciting.

She dragged some air into her lungs and leaned against the wall of the lift for support. If all Italian men looked like him she was moving to Italy.

The lift pinged as it arrived at her floor and she made an effort to stand upright.

'You'd better prepare yourself,' she warned him as she scrabbled in her pocket for the key. 'I call it the penthouse because it's on the top floor and the view are great, but trust me when I say that the resemblance ends there. When I win the Lottery I'm buying something bigger. You can't swing a cat in here...'

She pushed the key in the lock and then paused, aware that he was staring at her oddly. 'What? What have I said?'

'Why would you want to swing a cat?' His accent was marked as he repeated her words. 'I thought you English were supposed to like animals?'

'We do. Well, some of us do.' Zan grinned. 'It's just an expression.'

His eyes gleamed. 'Totally incomprehensible language. I thought my English was good, but evidently I still have a lot to learn.'

Carlo had gorgeous eyes—very dark brown and fringed with sinfully thick, dark lashes that he used to hide his expression when it suited him. And it suited him often. She suspected that he wasn't an easy man to read.

'Don't worry—I'll teach you.' Zan opened the door and walked into her flat, flicking on the light.

The pale wooden floor was covered in plastic packets and bags from various shops, and she shot him an embarrassed look as she started to scoop them all up.

'You needn't hide the packaging from me,' he said, his tone amused. 'I was well aware that all that baby stuff you gave her was brand-new.'

She clutched the evidence to her chest and looked at him in dismay. 'Oh, no! I tried to rumple them and make them look old. Do you think they guessed?'

'I think Kelly was too pleased to notice.' He moved closer to her and removed one of the plastic wrappers from her grasp, lifting an eyebrow as he saw the price. 'Do you always spend your money on your patients?'

She blushed and snatched the wrapper back. 'No. Well, sometimes. I like Kelly and I feel sorry for her.'

He looked at her for a long moment and she felt the breath jam in her throat. Just looking at him made her legs shaky.

As if he'd guessed her thoughts, he gave a lopsided smile and strolled over to the huge windows that made up one wall of her tiny flat.

'Fantastic view.'

'Thanks.' She tugged the hat off her head and shook her dark hair like a kitten in a rainstorm. Typical. She had a man to die for in her flat and she looked as though she 'd been dunked in a puddle. 'I've never bothered with curtains. No one can see in so it didn't seem worth it.'

'It's a nice flat.'

She smiled. 'Well, like I said, it's the penthouse, but when I win the Lottery I'm buying a bigger version.'

For a moment he didn't respond, and then he turned, a strange light in his eyes. 'You do the Lottery? Is money important to you?'

'No.' She tossed the rubbish into the bin and smiled cheerfully. 'Just what it buys. I love to dream, don't you?'

He sucked in a breath and looked taken aback. 'Well, I...'

'Oh, come on!' She tugged off her boots and coat and dropped onto the sofa, cross-legged. 'Everyone dreams of winning the Lottery. Even people who never remember to do it!'

He was looking at her curiously, arms folded across his broad chest. 'So what would you buy?'

'I don't know, the usual things...' She shrugged. 'A house in a better area, a car so that I don't have to walk around at night.'

'Would you give up your job?'

'Oh, no!' Her expression was horrified. 'I love my job. And just think, if I won money I'd be able to rehouse Kelly and Mike without having to bow and scrape to Social Services all the time.'

Carlo turned back to the window. 'You'd have a job to beat this view.'

'Nice, isn't it? They've converted so much of the Docklands area into housing and it's a pretty good place to live.' She glanced round her with satisfaction. She liked her flat. It was small, but it was cosy and homely and all hers. 'Make the most of it. It's pretty small now, but after tomorrow it's going to get even smaller.'

'What's happening tomorrow?' He moved away from the window and strolled towards her.

'I'm buying my Christmas tree,' she said proudly, 'and it's going to be big.'

'Ah.' He folded his arms across his chest and his sexy dark eyes twinkled at her. 'So size matters to you?'

'In Christmas trees, definitely.' Zan was laughing at the innuendo and trying to control the frantic fluttering in her stomach. 'I love everything about Christmas. I used to buy my tree on the first day of December, but the needles always fell off by Christmas Day and I got fed up with staring at decorated twigs so now I make myself wait. It's an exercise in self-discipline. What about you? Do you like Christmas?'

He hesitated and then nodded. 'I suppose so.'

'But you're sad because you won't be at home this year?' She tilted her head on one side and looked at him. 'I know the feeling. I'm working this Christmas so I won't be able to get home until New Year. But I've written my letter to Santa and he knows I'm here so all my presents should still arrive.'

He leaned broad shoulders against the wall and watched her, and she was breathlessly aware of how big he seemed in her tiny flat.

Big and male.

'You've written to Santa?'

'Of course! I've sent him my list. How else will he know what I want?' She ticked them off on her fingers. 'Diamond earrings, cashmere jumper, silky underwear— you know the sort of thing.'

'Diamond earrings?' His gaze slid down to her torn jeans. 'You don't strike me as a diamond earrings sort of girl.'

'Don't judge by appearances. I've never been given the chance,' she told him gloomily. 'With four brothers my childhood was all rugby boots and Action Man. Every single Christmas I'd get the same stuff as them. Don't get me wrong. My parents are great and I love them. But somewhere along the line they forgot I was a girl. I would have given anything for something pink and girly.'

He blinked. 'Pink and girly?'

'You know, something feminine. What about you? What do you want for Christmas?'

There was a long silence, and when he finally spoke his gaze was disturbingly direct. 'You.' He spoke the word softly and then paused, his dark eyes holding hers. 'I want you, Zan.'

There was a hot, pulsing silence and she stared at him, her heart in her mouth and her palms damp.

His words shocked and excited her and for a moment she had no idea how to respond. The truth was she wanted him too, but the feeling scared her.

She'd only known him for one evening.

'I don't do one-night stands.'

'Good.' His dark eyes didn't shift from hers. 'I'm not interested in just one night.'

She looked into those stunning dark eyes and felt her insides tumble. Suddenly overwhelmed by his directness and the intensity of her own feelings, she jumped to her feet and looked at him nervously.

He was so different from the men she normally mixed with. They seemed younger somehow. More boyish. But there was nothing boyish about Carlo. He was all man. A man who knew exactly what he wanted and went straight for it.

And she couldn't forget the way he kissed.

'Where did you come from?' She wrapped her arms around her middle defensively. 'I mean, one minute my life is thoroughly predictable and full of men who bore me to tears and then the next...'

He lifted a dark eyebrow and prompted her gently, his Italian accent suddenly pronounced, 'The next?'

Her heart was hammering in her chest. She didn't know which was sexier, the tone of his voice or the look in his eyes. 'The next I find myself lying on the pavement, kissing a total stranger.'

'Is that a complaint?' His dark eyes teased her and her breath came in little pants.

'Not exactly. I'm just not used to kissing in the street in front of an audience.'

'But now we have no audience.' He gave a smile that sent her pulse racing and she lost her nerve and took a step backwards.

'Do you want coffee?'

'No.' He moved towards her, standing so close she could feel the warmth from his body against hers.

Zan's heart was pounding frantically. Just remembering what his kiss had felt like was enough to make her knees start to tremble. He was breathtakingly attractive.

But she shouldn't be kissing men she didn 't know.

Her eyes dropped to his mouth and her lips parted in breathless anticipation.

Or maybe she should.

Still unsure, she gave him a nervous smile. 'I still haven't put ice on your eye.'

'Right now it isn't my eye that needs the ice.' He pulled her against him and lowered his head, their breath mingling as his mouth hovered above hers.

She shivered with expectation, waiting for him to kiss her, the excitement and anticipation stealing every breath from her body. His lips brushed hers, teasing her lightly, and he gave her a wicked smile, fully aware of the tension he was creating between them.

And then finally he kissed her properly.

And this time the kiss was different.

What they'd shared on the pavement had been exploratory and fun, but this—this was a purposeful seduction, and Zan realised immediately that if this was how kissing could feel then she'd never been kissed before.

Carlo kissed as though he'd invented excitement. The touch of his mouth was a wholly sexual experience that swamped her inexperienced body with unfamiliar sensations of such intensity that she squirmed against him in a purely female plea for satisfaction.

His mouth still on hers, he lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck and then pulled her hard against him, his tongue delving into her mouth with devastating thoroughness, encouraging her more hesitant response.

It was the most intimate experience of her life. The skilled sweep of his tongue, the hard ridge of his erection pressed against her and the pounding of her heart against her breastbone.

She breathed in his scent, felt the roughness of his jaw against her, tasted his maleness and felt overwhelmed by a fevered desperation that defied logic.

His touch was totally addictive and when he finally dragged his mouth away from hers she sucked in some air, so shaken by her own reaction that she couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye.

She'd never been kissed by anyone as skilled as him before.

He slid his strong fingers through her hair and tilted her head so that she was forced to look at him.

His dark eyes shimmered with raw hunger, but he veiled it quickly and gave a lopsided smile.

'I don't think we'd better do that for too long, cara mia,' he said dryly. 'We might both explode.'

Totally blown away by his kiss, Zan tried to speak and failed.

He touched her cheek with a gentle finger. 'You know what?' He was totally relaxed and easy with himself. 'I could really do with taking a shower. My jeans are soaked because someone threw me on my back in a puddle.'

She loved the way he took the seriousness out of every situation. 'You're joking! Who would do an evil thing like that?'

'I can't imagine, but when I track them down they're going to be punished.' He pulled her against him and gave her another lingering kiss. 'Maybe we should get out of these wet clothes before we both freeze. Can I put my jeans in your tumble-drier and take a shower?'

She nodded and gestured towards the kitchen. 'It's through there. Help yourself.'

His eyes were very dark. 'Are you going to join me?'

No.

Resolving to be more daring was all very well, but you couldn't change the habit of a lifetime in an hour!

It was all too fast.

Zan shook her head and he gave her a warm smile and strolled into her kitchen, emerging moments later with an apologetic look on his face and his jeans dangling from one hand.

'I don't know how to use a tumble-drier.'

Carlo's humble confession broke the ice and she laughed, trying not to look at his tanned, strong legs. He had an incredible physique—athletic and powerful.

No wonder the muggers had run.

'More of the macho Italian guy stuff, I suppose? Who does your washing at home? Or maybe I shouldn't ask that question.'

'I have a housekeeper,' he told her, and she walked over to him and took the wet jeans out of his hand, still keeping her eyes averted.

'Well, she hasn't trained you very well.' She popped them into the tumble-drier, turned the dial and started the machine. 'I assume you know how the shower works, or does your housekeeper do that bit, too?'

His midnight-dark eyes gleamed wickedly. 'I'm OK with the shower, but I've never really got the hang of undressing myself.'

No man should be allowed to have a smile that sexy. It had a lethal effect on her pulse-rate.

'Well, if you don't want another black eye you'd better learn quickly,' she said, ignoring his laughter and hurrying past him. 'I'll fetch you a towel.'

The shower was running by the time she returned with the towel and she half opened the door and talked through the crack.

'I'll leave the towel on the floor.'

'Pardon?' His voice was muffled from the water and she leaned in slightly further, averting her eyes from the shower cubicle.

'I said I'll leave the towel on the floor.'

'I can't hear you.'

She sidled in a bit further and strong arms grabbed her and hauled her under the steaming jet of water.

'You pig!' Laughing and squealing, she thumped him hard, spluttering and screwing up her eyes against the water. 'What are you doing?'

'Economising on water.' He was laughing, too, and she gasped as he pulled her close and kissed her, ignoring the water that was raining down on both of them.

She leaned into him and kissed him back, and suddenly the laughter stopped and the kissing intensified until their mouths fused hungrily, the chemistry a living, powerful force between them.

Her whole body was singing with excitement and suddenly she was breathlessly aware of his arousal and the fact that he was totally naked.

An unbearable ache was building between her thighs, but when she felt his fingers on the zip of her soaked jeans she reached down and grabbed his hands, stopping him.

What was she doing?

His skill and experience had her at flashpoint in seconds, but the speed with which he could reduce her to a shivering mass of desperation made her nervous. She'd only ever kissed boys before and Carlo certainly wasn't that. He was a fully adult male and he wasn't playing games.

'Wait—it's too fast...' The water was streaming over her hair and down her back and he reached out a hand to stem the flow, speaking softly to her in Italian as he held her against him.

'You want me to stop?' He switched to English and she struggled to control her response.

'Yes—No...' She was shaking against him and he gave a groan and slid a warm hand over her back.

'Have you any idea how much I want you?'

Zan gave him a shaky smile, breathlessly aware of his masculinity. He had a fantastic body. His confidence with his own sexuality was in complete contrast to her own inexperience and she felt completely out of her depth.

From the moment she'd stared into his eyes in the snowy street she'd decided that even if she only had sex once in her whole life, she wanted it to be with this man. But now that the moment had come she felt hideously unsure.

Carlo probably thought that any woman who was prepared to kiss him in a public place was equally experienced and relaxed about sex.

She was still panicking when she felt a warm, soft towel draped around her shoulders.

'Take off your wet jeans and go and put on your least provocative outfit,' Carlo said, his voice infinitely gentle as he stepped back and let her step out of the shower.

She bit her lip and looked at him anxiously. 'I...thought we were going to...'

'Well, we're not,' he said softly. 'At least, not yet. You're not totally sure and I want you to be totally sure.'

She hesitated and shook her head, painfully self-conscious. 'It's just a bit fast. I don't know you—I can't—'

'So we slow it down.'

He made it sound perfectly simple and she looked at him shyly, surprised that he wasn't more annoyed with her. 'And you're OK with that?'

'Well, I'll need a lot of cold showers,' he admitted ruefully, 'but we've already agreed that if I step out of line you can black my other eye, so I'll do my best to hold back as long as I can. Now, go and get dressed quickly.'

When Zan arrived back in the sitting room Carlo had the towel wrapped around his hips, his black hair damp and tousled from the shower as he flicked through her CD collection.

'Carlo.' She came to a halt in front of him, her smile hesitant. 'Are you angry?'

He glanced up. 'Of course not.' He seemed surprised by the question. 'Why would I be?'

Zan thought of all the conversations she'd overheard when her brothers hadn't known she was listening, and bit her lip.

'Because I made you think that I... I'm sorry if you thought I... I didn't mean to lead you on...'

Ebony brows came together in a frown. 'You are always entitled to say no, cara mia.'

'But I didn't want to say no,' she said quickly, a blush touching her cheek. 'Not exactly. But it all seemed a bit quick and—I know you're very confident, but, you see, I've never actually done it before.'

She broke off, painfully aware of the stunned expression in his gorgeous eyes.

She should never have told him.

The silence seemed to stretch for ever, and when he finally spoke his voice was rough.

'Then I'm doubly pleased that your first time wasn't in a shower, tesoro. We can do a great deal better than that when the time comes.'

She looked at him, her heart missing a beat as the warmth in his eyes and the full implication of his words hit her.

'You still want to?'

'What do you think?' Carlo moved towards her and cupped her face in his hands. 'I'm sorry if I moved too fast. It never occurred to me that—'

'I didn't want to tell you. I thought it might put you off,' she muttered, and he laughed.

'In that case, you have a great deal to learn about Italian men, cara mia.' He looked into her face, smug male satisfaction reflected in his dark eyes. 'We are a hideously jealous, possessive race. We are not good at sharing. We like a woman to be ours and ours alone.'

His alone.

The thought sent heat flaring through Zan and she pulled away from him. 'I'll see if your trousers are dry.'

He followed her to the kitchen, leaning broad shoulders against the doorway as he watched her.

'I cannot believe that you're still a virgin,' he observed, lush dark lashes shielding his gorgeous eyes. 'Your brothers obviously did a good job at protecting you.'

She reached into the tumble-drier and dragged out his trousers. 'Every time a boy became remotely interested in me they worked really hard to scare him off. Amazing teamwork and family unity. They succeeded every time.'

He lifted an eyebrow. 'And the men in question were willing to be scared off?'

She handed him the trousers and their fingers brushed together. 'I suppose they were boys, really, and my brothers must have been pretty daunting.'

'And what about now you're grown-up?'

'Now they just rely on my natural wariness to keep me out of mischief.' She looked at him anxiously, suddenly aware that she'd only known him for a few hours. How had she ever let him so close to her so quickly?

'It's OK, Zan.' His voice was incredibly gentle. 'I don't go off with women I've just met either. We'll take this slowly and see where it ends up.'

The thought of where it might end up sent her stomach dropping to the floor.

'Do you want some coffee?'

Maybe caffeine would clear her mind.

'What sort of coffee?' His gorgeous eyes narrowed and he looked at her suspiciously. 'At home we clean floors with what you English call coffee.'

She stuck her chin in the air and gave him a superior look. 'I'll have you know I make the best cappuccino in London—'

'Well, that isn't saying much—Ouch!' He winced as she thumped him and his eyes creased with humour. 'In that case, I'll put my jeans on while you make it.'

She made two steaming mugs of cappuccino, tipped some home-made shortbread onto a plate and walked back into the living room.

Carlo sprawled on the cushions by the floor-to-ceiling window, staring down at the Thames.

There was something peaceful and Christmassy about the lights sparkling along the bank, and he relished the fact that for a rare moment in time no one actually knew where he was.

There was going to be hell to pay later.

'I always love London at night.' Zan knelt down next to him and handed him the coffee. 'It's magical, isn't it? And you can't see the grime.'

'All cities are grimy in the day. You should see Milan—smoggy and noisy.' Carlo took a sip of coffee and looked at her in surprise. 'Mmm. You're right, you do make good coffee. This is excellent.'

He'd given up trying to find a decent cup of coffee in England, but she'd managed to produce one.

Maybe it was an omen.

She'd changed into another pair of jeans and a soft cream jumper that just seemed to make her more huggable. She was soft and womanly and so alive that everything about her made him smile.

And her shy confession had affected him deeply.

He'd never been with anyone as inexperienced as her before.

'Come here.' He put his coffee down and reached for her, trying to keep his tone neutral and unthreatening. Inside he was a raging mass of male hormones but he had no intention of letting her see that.

He was already feeling guilty that he'd pushed her too far in the shower.

Without the slightest hesitation she snuggled into his arms and they lay together on the cushions, staring out of the window.

She was so trusting.

Carlo felt an uncomfortable twist of guilt at the knowledge that he was deceiving her. On the other hand he couldn't deny that he was enjoying the fact that she didn't know who he was.

She lifted her head and looked at him, a touch of shyness in her twinkling eyes.

'You like my coffee?'

He liked everything about her.

Unable to resist her, he gave a groan and rolled her back onto the cushions, shifting so that he was lying on top of her. Careful to keep his weight off her, he lowered his head and took her mouth, exploring its sweetness, trying to keep the kiss light and teasing.

He failed.

Zan's response to his kiss was so hot and eager that desire ripped through him and he took the kiss a stage further. With every skilled stroke of his tongue he felt her trembling increase and the hand resting on her ribcage felt the rapid pounding of her heart.

The knowledge that she wanted him as badly as he wanted her did nothing for his self-control and he slid his hand under the hem of her jumper and felt her skin, warm and soft under the tips of his fingers. She gasped against his mouth as his fingers found her nipples and he felt his erection throb within the confines of his jeans.

Next time he met up with Zan, he definitely wouldn't be wearing jeans.

Aware that he was testing his self-control to its limits, he dragged his mouth away from hers, moved his hand and sucked in some air.

If kissing her drove him this wild then what was going to happen when he finally made love to her?

Out of breath, and shaken by the whole experience of kissing Zan, he rolled onto his back, taking her with him, trying to make sense of the way he felt.

She burrowed into his chest and then finally she lifted her head and looked at him, shyness and question mingling in her green eyes.

'Why did you stop?'

Was she really that innocent?

Carlo gave a wry smile. 'Why do you think?'

Her eyes widened and her cheeks flushed pink. 'You wanted me?'

'You could say that.'

But it would have been an understatement.

'You're an amazing kisser.'

He was tempted to suggest that she sample the rest of his skills, but he didn't want to hear her say no a second time that night.

'You're incredibly good to kiss.'

'Do you know that you talk in Italian when you kiss? You sort of murmur against my mouth and it's so sexy.'

She was all tousled and warm from his kiss and he wondered if his erection was ever going to subside.

'It's my first language,' he reminded her, grateful that she didn't speak it. He'd said some things that would have probably have made her run a mile.

'I love your accent,' she said dreamily, putting her chin on her palm and staring at him with those huge green eyes. 'Say something to me in Italian now. Go on—anything.'

He kept his face serious. 'Cappuccino.'

'Oh, very funny.' She rested a hand on his chest and he reached for her and pulled her on top of him.

'Io voglio te,' he said softly, and she looked at him curiously.

'What does that mean?'

I want you.

But he shouldn't be telling her that. He wasn't in a position to offer her anything except trouble and hurt.

Suddenly feeling hideously guilty for taking advantage of her, Carlo pulled her close, his voice gruff as he spoke. 'It means you're a pretty sexy chick.'

'Does it?' She chuckled and leaned forward to kiss him. 'I'm obviously going to have to learn Italian. Will you teach me?'

'I can think of other things I'd rather teach you.' He smiled at her, thinking that she was the most gorgeous woman he'd ever seen.

Flushed and sparkly-eyed and full of humour and warmth.

He never, ever wanted to give her up.

He frowned at his own thoughts. Of course he'd want to give her up eventually. Commitment was the very last thing on his agenda. Circumstances meant that he'd ceased to trust women long ago and he was incredibly wary of relationships.

But this was different because she didn't know who he was.

'You look serious all of a sudden.' Zan looked up at him, her eyes concerned.

He forced a smile. 'I was just thinking that I start a new job in six hours.'

And his security people would be out there combing the streets for him.

She gasped and glanced at the clock. 'I'd forgotten about work. You'd better go!'

He bent his head and kissed her gently. 'Maybe I don't want to go.'

'Well, you can't turn up at the hospital wearing my clothes,' she teased, her eyes slightly shy as she looked at him. 'Even if you don't sleep, surely you need to go home and get changed. Where is home, by the way?'

He hesitated and then rolled away from her. 'I'm staying somewhere temporary at the moment—nowhere special.'

His brother's three-million-pound penthouse apartment overlooking Hyde Park.

'Right.' She gave him a sympathetic look. 'Well, that's not very nice over Christmas. You need a home, not somewhere temporary.'

He pulled his jumper over his head and stared at her. 'What are you suggesting?'

She gave a nervous shrug. 'You could stay here.' The minute the words had left her mouth she wrapped her arms around herself and bit her lip. 'Forget I said that.'

'What if I don't want to forget it?'

She covered her face with her hands and shook her head. 'I don't know myself when I'm with you. I'm doing really strange things. Like inviting you up to my flat when you're a total stranger and inviting you for Christmas. I've gone crazy.'

He couldn't think of a better way to spend Christmas than moving in with Zan and being surrounded by her warmth and laughter and her incredible body.

But he couldn't do it.

His life was just too complicated at the moment. Complicated and dangerous and he wouldn't put her at risk.

And he could see that she was really confused about the strength of her own feelings.

Carlo stepped forward and gently pulled her hands away from her face. 'As you said earlier, we probably need to slow the pace a little. Let's see how it goes, shall we?'

She hesitated, and then gave a smile that was just a little too bright. 'Good idea.'

He sighed and covered her soft lips with a finger. 'I know what you're thinking and you're wrong. You're thinking that when I walk out of this door that's going to be it.'

Colour touched her cheekbones. 'I've got four brothers,' she muttered. 'I know all the lines they use.'

Zan was incredibly brave and dignified, but he had enough experience with women to know that she was as attracted to him as he was to her.

'I'm not using any of those lines,' Carlo said firmly, ignoring the flash of guilt that exploded inside him.

He was deceiving her.

And he probably ought to walk away from her and never see her again because he wasn't in a position to give this woman anything but grief.

But he wasn't going to do that.

He had to see her again.

'Where the hell have you been?'

Carlo glanced at Matteo Parini, his long-time friend and his father's chief of security. 'I went for a walk.'

He shrugged his shoulders out of his coat.

'For five hours?'

'Calm down, Matt, or you'll have a stroke,' Carlo said mildly. 'I left a message on your mobile.'

'Five hours ago!!'

'So?' Carlo gave a shrug. 'I met a girl.'

A girl who had no idea who he was.

For possibly the first time in his life Carlo was sure that a woman was interested in him for himself alone, and he found the knowledge oddly satisfying. Zan didn't know anything about his money.

There was an ominous silence and Matt stiffened with disbelief. 'A girl? You've been in London for one evening and already you've met someone? That's fast, even for you.'

Not just someone.

The one.

Carlo frowned at his own thoughts. Women had been trying to trap him into a serious relationship for years but he'd never been remotely tempted.

Until tonight.

'Do you believe in love at first sight?'

Matt stared at him with naked incredulity. 'I can't believe you just asked me that.'

Carlo grinned. He couldn't believe it either. 'Well?'

'Only when I've had several drinks,' Matt responded wryly, shaking his head as he scrutinised Carlo's face. 'Tell me you're not serious. You've only just met her.'

'I know that.'

But she'd affected him in a way that no other woman had before.

Matt let out a long breath and tried to reason with him. 'You can't do this. Not now. You're supposed to be keeping a low profile. What if she goes to the press? The whole idea of the false name was to fool the press.'

'She won't go to the press,' Carlo said easily. 'She doesn't know who I am.'

'Yet.' Matt lifted an eyebrow meaningfully but Carlo refused to lose his cool.

'Relax. This isn't Italy. And I don't think she's the type to read glitzy magazines.'

Matt sighed. 'Well, at least take me with you next time.'

It was Carlo's turn to lift an eyebrow. 'I never thought you were kinky.'

'I'll wait outside,' Matt growled, and Carlo gave a grudging smile.

'You're a good friend, but I don't need a watchdog.'

'Really?' Matt looked at his cheek. 'So how did you get that?'

Carlo lifted a hand and touched the bruise with the tips of his fingers, a soft smile touching his mouth. 'I was attacked.'

'Attacked?' Matt stared at him in growing dismay and Carlo's grin widened.

'By the woman. I tried to rescue her—'

'And she hit you?' Matt looked stunned and Carlo started to laugh.

'We had a misunderstanding. She didn't realise I was rescuing her.'

Matt laughed too. 'No wonder you think you're in love with her. There's something very sexy about a confident woman.'

Carlo gave a half-smile, knowing that only part of Zan was confident and feisty. The other part was feminine and shy, and the combination was mind-blowing.

Mart's smile faded. 'Look, you feel this way because she doesn't know who you are. It's just the novelty.'

Carlo thought about it. 'It isn't that.'

Matt shot him a frustrated look. 'This is a really, really bad time for you to get involved with someone, Carlo. You don't know anything about her.'

Carlo's expression darkened. 'And she doesn't know anything about me. There is no way she'd be involved in all this, if that's what you're suggesting. She's totally innocent.'

Completely innocent.

The thought made his insides tighten and he gave a smile of pure male possession.

He was going to make her his.

All his.

Matt wasn't so easily distracted. 'Let's be honest about this for a moment. You left Italy to draw those lunatics away from your family—to tempt them into following you. I still think it was a bad idea, especially as you're so careless about security.'

'Careless?' Carlo's eyes gleamed. 'Oh, believe me, I'm not careless.'

He was totally alert and more than ready to face the threat.

'Well, even if she doesn't shop you to the press, associating with this girl could put her at risk. They could use her to get to you,' Matt growled, obviously totally frustrated by Carlo's lack of co-operation. 'Don't think the false name is going to fool them. We did that to lose the press as much as anything. The men behind the threats are pros. I'm willing to bet they already know who you are and where you are.'

Carlo's smiled. 'Of course they do.'

He was under no illusions about his current position.

Matt frowned. 'You can't see her again. At least, not until this mess is sorted out.'

'I know that, too.' Carlo's smile faded and he rubbed long fingers over his forehead.

Everything Matt said was true. He had left Italy to draw the men who were threatening him away from his family.

To see Zan again could be risky for her. But he knew he couldn't give her up.

Maybe he could stall her and hope that the guys who were threatening him came out into the open quickly.

On the other hand, if he was honest, he was enjoying living his life as someone else for the time being. He liked the fact that Zan didn't know about his true circumstances.

For the first time in his life he was able to have a normal relationship with a woman without his money getting in the way. There was no way he was letting that go.

'There's another thing to consider.' Matt's tone was cautious. 'Even if she doesn't know who you are now, it's bound to come out soon. And she'll be hurt that you didn't tell her. And a hurt woman—'

'Is dangerous,' Carlo finished flatly, pacing across the apartment and staring down at the snow-covered trees.

'She could go to the papers.'

Carlo frowned, knowing that it was true. His family had been hurt on numerous occasions when girls he and his brother had dated had later sold their stories to the newspapers. It was one of the reasons he was extremely careful in his relationships with the opposite sex.

He couldn't believe that Zan would do a thing like that.

But he'd been burned before. Badly.

He stirred and looked at his friend. 'She isn't the type. She's special.'

'Special enough to forgive you when she discovers that you've lied?'

Carlo let out a long breath. 'I certainly hope so.'

If she wasn't, then his life had just become even more complicated.

CHAPTER THREE

'All right, what's going on?' Kim, Zan's best friend and the sister in charge of the antenatal clinic, glanced up curiously as they prepared for the morning clinic. 'I've just told you we've got a full clinic, a locum doctor who doesn't know the ropes and two off sick. Why are you grinning? Did I miss the joke?'

Zan picked up a stack of notes and hugged them to her chest. Her insides were so churned up with excitement that she hadn't even managed breakfast. All she could think about was Carlo.

'I'm just happy.'

'That's what worries me,' Kim said dryly. 'Why would you be happy, given that by the end of the day you'll have blisters on both feet and a headache bigger than Africa?'

'I don't care about blisters. I met someone.' She tried to sound nonchalant and then wondered why she was even bothering. Kim was her best friend and they told each other everything.

'You met someone? When? We worked together yesterday and your smile was normal-sized then.' Kim looked at her, stunned, and Zan laughed.

'I met him last night.'

'Last night? So it wasn't quick or anything?' Kim shook her head in disbelief. 'Zan, I hate to be the one to point this out, but falling for men in one night isn't your style. In fact, correct me if I'm wrong, but you've never fallen for anyone, no matter how many nights were involved. You invented the word "cautious". I'm the reckless one in this friendship.'

Zan shrugged. 'So maybe it's time I changed.'

Kim glanced around to check that no one was within earshot and lowered her voice. 'So did you...you know?'

'Kim!' Zan pretended to look shocked and then grinned. 'No. We didn't. But I've made up my mind I'm going to. He's going to be my Christmas present to myself. I'm fed up with being cautious and he's gorgeous.'

'Obviously.' Kim sounded faint. 'He's managed to achieve in one night what the whole male race has been struggling with for years. I can't wait to meet him.'

Zan dipped her head, deciding not to mention that the locum and her new man were one and the same. Her relationship was too new to expose it to one of Kim's indiscreet comments.

'Anyway, if you could pull yourself down off the cloud you're sitting on, we need to get this clinic started,' Kim said brightly. 'And when we've finished that, we've got a tree to decorate.'

'That's OK.' Zan smiled. She loved decorating Christmas trees and she wasn't afraid of hard work. 'So where do you want me to start?'

'Here in clinic, keeping an eye on my locum, who's in Room 1,' Kim told her, and Zan fought to control her expression. If the new locum was the person she thought he was then she intended to keep much more than an eye on him.

Her heart banging against her ribcage and her hands suddenly shaking, she picked up a pile of notes and walked towards her room.

It connected with the room next door, and through the open door she could see Carlo sitting at the desk, stethoscope looped around his neck, reading through a set of notes.

It was the first time she'd seen him in daylight and her heart missed a beat.

Her first thought was that he was stunningly good-looking. Dressed in a dark suit, he had an air of strength and authority that made her catch her breath.

Her second thought was that he didn't look English.

Her eyes slid over his short, cropped hair, rested for a moment on his olive skin and dark jaw and then dropped down to those powerful shoulders.

He looked completely and thoroughly Italian.

She knew she was staring but she couldn't help herself, and when he glanced up and saw her standing there his face broke into a smile that made her remember why she'd ended up semi-naked in the shower with him after only a few hours' acquaintance.

He was the sexiest man she'd ever met.

He rose to his feet in a fluid movement and strolled across to her, his gaze heating as he looked at her.

'Buongiorno—good morning.'

'Good morning.' Suddenly she felt ridiculously shy and lifted a hand to smooth her dark hair behind her ear.

He gave a low groan and glanced over his shoulder to make sure that no one was listening. 'Don't do that or I'll never get any work done this morning.'

Before she could answer, Kim walked into the room, clutching a pile of notes.

'Mr Bennett?'

At first Carlo didn't react, but he must have seen something in Zan's eyes because he suddenly shook himself and turned to the other woman.

'Yes. Sorry, sister.' He cleared his throat. 'I was miles away.'

Zan frowned, puzzled. It was as if he hadn't heard his own name. Was she really that distracting?

Kim beamed at him. 'I just came to say that you're very welcome, and if there's anything at all you need while you're working here, you can ask one of us. We're very informal here. Do call me Kim. And this is Suzannah Wilde, but we call her Zan. She'll be working in the room next door so that you can see patients together when the need arises.'

'Well, that's good to know.' Carlo's eyes gleamed slightly and Zan turned away so that Kim wouldn't see her blushing.

Kim was chattering away to both of them, oblivious to the tension between the two of them. 'We've got Mrs Hughes in the waiting room; she's expecting twins. We try not to keep her waiting too long for obvious reasons.' Kim handed Carlo the notes. 'Have you had much experience with multiple pregnancies, Mr Bennett?'

'Call me Carlo, and the answer to your question is, yes, plenty.' Carlo stretched out a lean brown hand and took the notes from her. 'One of my special interests is infertility, and I'm afraid one of the consequences of infertility treatment is an increase in multiple pregnancies, even though we do try to avoid that happening. I delivered several sets of twins and two sets of triplets last year.'

'Mrs Hughes is thirty-seven weeks pregnant and has two more children at home, both under five,' Zan told him, trying to keep her tone professional. 'It's pretty hard for her to get enough rest. Her blood pressure was borderline last time.'

Carlo nodded and flicked his eyes over the notes. 'Let's get her in. Do Zan and I see her together or separately?'

'Together. Zan is her midwife,' Kim said immediately. 'Has she explained how we work here?'

Carlo shook his head and looked at Zan expectantly.

'We try and give continuity of care whenever we can,' Zan explained, 'so, instead of working in one place, we all rotate. One day I might be in clinic and the next I might be on the labour ward. Basically we try and follow the patient, at least up until they have their baby. After that I'm afraid they get whoever is on the ward.'

Carlo listened carefully. 'So you see them in clinic and you deliver them?'

'That's the idea. We divide the midwives into teams, so the woman should at least be familiar with someone from the team. It means that they don't go into labour and find themselves being delivered by someone they've never met before,' Zan explained, and then gave a gasp and turned to Kim. 'I forgot to tell you—I saw Kelly Turner last night.'

Kim sighed. 'I hardly dare ask. And?'

'Well, she wasn't great,' Zan confessed, deciding not to mention that Carlo had been there, too. 'She's thirty-four weeks pregnant now, she looks tired and her uterus isn't the size it should be. I tried to get her to come in for a scan but Mike wasn't having it.'

'If we're not careful there's going to be a tragedy there,' Kim muttered. 'I'll have a word with the bosses and let them know what's going on and I'll speak to Social Services again. Any luck with the housing?'

'Not yet.' Zan's eyes twinkled. 'But I'm working on it.'

Kim grinned. 'They have my sympathies. What I want to know is how did you find time to see Kelly and meet a man?' She glanced at Carlo and winked. 'You'd better watch her concentration this morning. She met someone last night and now she's in love.'

Oh, thank you, Kim!

Zan closed her eyes and stifled a groan. Why, oh, why had she been so stupid as to tell her friend?

Carlo cleared his throat. 'Well, that's nice.'

Even without looking at him Zan could sense his amusement, and she backed towards the door.

'I'll go and tell Mrs Hughes she can come in, if you're ready.'

'Oh, I'll do that,' Kim said immediately. 'You and Carlo had better have a quick chat before you start seeing patients. By the way, what happened to your eye?'

Carlo lifted a hand to his cheek. 'Oh. I, er, had an accident.'

'Right.' Kim grinned and as soon as she'd left the room Carlo lifted his eyes to Zan's, the laughter in them unmistakable.

'A very interesting accident. So, who's this man you're in love with?'

'I never said I was in love,' she said hastily. 'Kim has a vivid imagination, that's all.'

'So you're not in love?'

She knew he was teasing her and her face flamed. 'I don't fall in love with men I've only just met.'

'Ouch. Is that a put-down?'

She looked at him and smiled shyly. 'I'm buying my tree tonight. If you'll lend me those muscles again, I'll cook you supper.'

His smile faded and there was no missing the sudden tension in his frame. 'Zan, about tonight...'

She saw the hesitation and felt the colour rush to her cheeks.

He'd had second thoughts.

Oh, damn, damn, damn. How could she have been so stupid?

A man as experienced as him certainly wouldn't want to be bothered with a virgin.

'Don't worry, I'm strong enough to carry the tree myself,' she said quickly, looking away and missing the frown that touched his brows. 'We'd better get going. This clinic sometimes runs until early afternoon if we dawdle. I'll call Mrs Hughes.' Without giving him a chance to speak, Zan left the room and sought sanctuary in the waiting area. She saw her patient immediately and managed to produce a smile.

'We're ready for you, Mrs Hughes.'

Carlo closed his eyes and cursed softly in Italian.

Zan thought he didn't want to see her again.

He was in an impossible situation. He'd promised Matt that he wouldn't see her again, at least for the time being, but that was going to hurt her badly and frankly he didn't feel too great about it either. But if he carried on then eventually he was going to have to confess that he'd been withholding significant information about himself, and additionally he could be putting her at risk.

Whichever route he took, he was going to hurt her.

She walked into the room at that moment, the twinkle missing from her gorgeous green eyes.

'This is Helen Hughes.' She smiled at the lady with her and helped her up onto the examination couch. 'You might as well see us both at the same time, Helen. It will save us asking the same questions.'

Carlo introduced himself and tried to drag his mind back to the job in hand. He gave the patient a warm smile and walked over to the couch. 'How are you feeling?'

'Pretty awful,' Helen Hughes confessed immediately. 'I've got terrible backache and indigestion which keeps me awake at night.'

Carlo nodded. 'Because you are carrying two babies, your uterus is that much larger than that of a mother who is pregnant with one child. I'm afraid that all the normal problems of pregnancy are often worse when you are expecting twins.'

Helen pulled a face and rubbed her back. 'Tell me about it. And it doesn't help that I already have two children to look after.' She exchanged a wry smile with Zan. 'We thought we'd have one more baby and look what happened.'

Carlo smiled. 'Is there a history of twins in your family?'

Helen nodded. 'I'm a twin and my aunt and my sister both had twins. I suppose I'm lucky I only had one set!'

Zan checked Helen's blood pressure and tested her urine sample for evidence of protein.

'That's all fine, Helen.' She showed the results to Carlo, who nodded.

'I'd like to feel your stomach, if that's all right.' He helped Helen wriggle down on the examining couch and then assessed the size of the uterus and the way the babies were lying.

Helen looked at him curiously. 'Can you tell which is which?'

'The first twin is lying head down in what we call a longitudinal position,' Carlo said immediately, and Helen's eyes widened.

'That's very impressive. The last doctor I had didn't have a clue! He had to scan me.'

'It can be hard when there are two babies,' Carlo admitted. 'Sometimes we need a scan to assess precisely how they are lying, but twins and triplets are a special interest of mine. Where I work in Italy, we also run an infertility clinic and, as you probably know, one of the consequences of infertility treatment is sometimes multiple births. We try to avoid it wherever we can, but I have more experience than most in delivering twins and triplets.'

'Oh.' Helen looked at him with a new respect. 'The doctor I saw here last time had never even delivered twins before. I have to confess it didn't fill me with confidence. Will you deliver me?'

Carlo smiled. 'That depends on when you have the babies. I will try to.'

'Well, I certainly hope you do, and that leads me to my next question,' Helen said promptly. 'When do you think they're coming? I'm going to need help with the other two and I daren't invite my mother too far in advance or my husband will leave home, especially at Christmas. I've already wrapped the children's presents and frozen enough food for an army.'

'So it's a wonder that your blood pressure isn't higher,' Carlo said dryly, finishing his examination and helping her to sit up. 'The answer to your question is that it is unusual for a twin pregnancy to last for the full forty weeks. Most women go into labour at about thirty-seven weeks, which is where you are now.'

Helen stared at him. 'So do you think it will be soon?'

Carlo smiled. 'In all probability, yes, but you might last until after Christmas.'

'I hope I do.' Helen looked worried. 'There's no way my husband could cope with two children under five, my mother and a raw turkey.'

Zan laughed and helped her off the couch. 'Perhaps he'll surprise you.'

'Perhaps.' Helen looked doubtful. 'So what happens now?'

'Everything is fine at the moment,' Carlo told her. 'I want you to go home and do as little as possible, which I realise is asking a great deal when you have two small children. If nothing happens then we see you again next week, but I have a suspicion that you might not be around to cook that turkey.'

'Well, I hope you're wrong.' Helen walked slowly to the door, one hand on her back to relieve the pressure.

Zan followed her out to the waiting room and Helen turned to her with a wicked smile.

'Where did you find him? He's totally gorgeous.' She buttoned up her coat and wound a scarf around her neck. 'I tell you this much, if he delivers my babies then I'll definitely know it's Christmas. I didn't think doctors could be that sexy.'

Zan managed a smile and walked with her towards the door. 'You shouldn't be thinking about sex at your stage, Helen.'

'Well, thinking is just about my only option,' Helen said gloomily, opening the door and shivering as the freezing air hit them both. 'And once these are born that'll be the end of it for ever.'

Zan laughed and gave her arm a squeeze. 'Have a good Christmas if I don't see you before.'

She walked back into the waiting room and gave herself a sharp talking-to. She'd known Carlo for less than twenty-four hours so she couldn't really feel anything for him. Not really. It was just because he was so different from the doctors she usually worked with.

Exotic, exciting—Italian.

It wasn't anything special about him.

Then she remembered the sexy look in his eyes, his gentle touch and the way he teased her, and she knew that her feelings had nothing to do with his nationality and everything to do with the man himself.

Carlo Bennett was special.

But he didn't want her.

She'd had her chance to spend the night with him and she'd blown it.

The clinic was hideously busy, and it was past two o'clock when Kim asked Zan to go to the labour ward.

'Vicky Morris has just come in and they reckon it's going to be the fastest delivery on record.'

Vicky was one of Zan's mothers and her face brightened. 'Oh, that's wonderful. She was desperate to be home before Christmas.'

Carlo frowned slightly. 'You haven't eaten lunch.'

'This is the NHS, Carlo,' Kim said dryly. 'What's lunch?'

'I'm not hungry anyway,' Zan said quickly, handing the last set of notes to Kim and making for the door. She was glad to get away from Carlo. 'I'll see you later.'

Up on the labour ward it was organised chaos, as usual.

'We've got two women labouring on the antenatal ward at the moment because we're full up here,' Diane told her as she gave Zan a quick hand-over. 'It looks as though your Vicky might deliver quickly, and frankly I hope she does because we need the space.'

'Always nice to work in such a relaxed environment,' Zan quipped, making her way along to Room 6.

She pushed open the door. 'Vicky, this is great—just what you wanted.'

'It doesn't feel great at the moment,' Vicky panted, her face white with pain. 'One minute I was Christmas shopping in town, minding my own business, and the next my waters break and suddenly I'm standing in a puddle in agony. I thought labour was supposed to be slow, but the midwife who admitted me told me that I'm already seven centimetres dilated.'

'And how are you coping?' Zan washed her hands and checked the CTG machine which provided a read-out of the baby's heartbeat and the mother's contractions.

'Well, all things considered, I'd rather be having lunch with the girls,' Vicky confessed, groaning as another pain hit her.

'Use the gas and air,' Zan instructed, encouraging Vicky to lift the mouthpiece. 'That's it. Well done.'

She put a hand on Vicky's abdomen and felt the strength of the contraction.

When it finally passed Vicky sagged back against the cushions, limp with exhaustion.

'OK, that's it. I've had enough. When can I go home?'

'Soon.' Zan gave her hand a squeeze. 'You need to start breathing in the gas and air at the beginning of the contraction. If you wait until it's really taken hold then there's no chance of it working.'

Vicky sighed. 'Nag, nag.'

'That's me.' Zan checked the foetal heart-rate and gave a nod. 'It's all looking good. Is the gas and air enough for you?'

'Well, I'd actually like a general anaesthetic,' Vicky said dryly, 'but I don't suppose that's on offer, is it?'

'Not today. Where's Andrew?'

Zan had met Vicky's husband at the last group of antenatal classes she'd run and knew that he was keen to be at the birth.

'He's on his way in. Oh, here we go again...' Vicky screwed up her face and started to breathe in the gas and air, her eyes tightly shut.

Zan encouraged her gently, watching the monitor to check that the baby's heart-rate wasn't affected by the contraction.

'I really, really want to push,' Vicky gasped, dropping the mouthpiece and grabbing the sides of the bed.

Zan frowned. Could she possibly have dilated that quickly?

'I just need to examine you again,' she said, washing her hands and dragging on a pair of sterile gloves. 'I don't want you pushing unless you're fully dilated.'

Two minutes later she looked at Vicky with a stunned expression on her face. 'Push away. You're obviously trying to do this in record time.'

She pressed the buzzer to summon some help and at that moment Andrew hurried into the room, looking out of breath and worried. Diane followed close behind him.

Vicky gave a sob of relief. 'I thought you weren't going to make it.'

'I didn't know you were planning to do it so quickly,' Andrew said, the strain evident in his face as he dropped his parcels by the door and went straight to his wife. 'You told me first labours always took hours.'

'Well, you know I like to be different.' Vicky gave another groan as another contraction hit her.

Zan encouraged her quietly and after several pushes the baby's head was delivered.

'The head's out now, Vicky,' Zan told her as she waited for the shoulders to rotate. 'Your baby will be born any minute.'

But the shoulders didn't rotate.

Feeling cold fingers of panic down her spine, Zan looked at Diane. 'I can't deliver the shoulders.' Zan kept her voice calm but both she and Diane understood the seriousness of the situation. Impacted shoulders were an obstetric emergency.

Vicky was breathing rapidly, dread showing in her eyes. 'What's the matter with the shoulders? Why can't you deliver them?'

'I'll fast-bleep the obstetrician,' Diane said immediately, and Zan turned her attention back to Vicky and her unborn baby.

'It will be all right,' she said quickly, praying that it was true. 'Sometimes the shoulders don't move into the right position and we have to give the baby some help.'

Diane reappeared only seconds later, accompanied by Carlo.

In the meantime Zan had made another attempt to deliver the shoulders and failed.

Zan looked at Carlo, her heart thumping in her chest. She knew just how serious the situation was. 'The anterior shoulder has failed to rotate. I've tried doing it manually, and I've checked that the hand isn't alongside the head.'

'So we'll try and deliver the posterior shoulder first.' He was amazingly calm, talking quietly to Vicky as he washed his hands and tugged on sterile gloves. 'Vicky, I need to change your position. The baby is stuck and we need to give him more room to be born.'

With Zan's help he adjusted Vicky's position and then he slipped his fingers behind the posterior shoulder and rotated it into the hollow of the sacrum.

Still talking quietly to Vicky, he did something magical with his fingers and the baby slithered out into his wailing hands. He lifted it straight onto Vicky's tummy.

Zan gave a gulp of relief and exchanged amazed looks with Diane, who grinned.

'Now I know it's Christmas. The time for miracles. Done that before, have you, Mr Bennett?'

'Not too often, fortunately.' Carlo smiled, his eyes on Vicky and the baby just as the paediatrician rushed in.

'Problems?'

Diane let out a long breath, not bothering to hide how thankful she was. 'Not any more—but now you're here you might as well check the baby.'

Carlo grabbed his coat and sprinted down the stairs to the front of the hospital.

Had he missed her?

He slammed through the main door and into the freezing air and then looked left and right, cursing the call from the ward that had slowed him down.

'Looking for someone?'

Her voice came from behind him and he turned, sighing with relief as he saw her standing there, dark hair pushed up inside her woolly hat again, her green eyes wary.

'I've been looking for you.'

For most of his adult life.

'Why's that?' Zan tried to sound casual but he could see the hurt in her eyes and he didn't blame her. He was only too aware that he was giving her mixed messages.

'I thought you were going to buy your tree.' He smiled down at her, remembering what she'd said the night before about getting a tree that would fill her flat. 'The big tree.'

'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 tantal-isingly 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.

'Si.' 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 her 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.'

Matt shook his head. 'You've lost your marbles.'

'You only think that because you haven't seen her,' Carlo drawled, shrugging out of his coat and walking towards his bedroom.

'And are you going to tell her the truth?'

Carlo stopped walking. 'No. Not yet.'

He was enjoying the simplicity of their relationship.

'And what if she goes to the press once she finds out who you are?'

Carlo's fingers tightened on his coat. 'Then I'll have made a serious error of judgement.'

Carlo hadn't laid a finger on her.

Zan pulled her coat over her uniform the next morning and tried to squash the feelings of disappointment.

They'd spent the whole evening together and he hadn't even kissed her properly. About a dozen times she'd thought he was going to—at one point he'd seemed to be within kissing distance every time she'd turned around—but he hadn't made that final move. Obviously he wasn't as frustrated as she was. She was beginning to wish she hadn't said no on the first night.

She'd wanted him to slow down, not stop altogether!

She stepped out of the lift and through the door that led to the street, gasping as the cold hit her. It had stopped snowing but the air was freezing and her breath made smoky clouds ahead of her as she hurried along the pavement towards the hospital.

It was still fairly early but the roads were already busy and there were several other people walking to work, heads down against the cold.

Uneasy after her experience with the muggers, Zan glanced briefly over her shoulder, checking that no one was following her. The only person behind her was an elderly woman with a stick and on the other side of the road a broad-shouldered man in a long coat strode briskly, paying no attention to her whatsoever.

She relaxed slightly but still felt considerable relief when she reached the hospital gates and hurried inside.

The unit was as busy as ever and Zan made her way to the antenatal clinic.

Kim was looking harassed. 'Just tell me, what happened nine months ago?'

Zan dragged the scarf off her neck and raised an eyebrow. 'Frankly, I have trouble remembering what happened yesterday. Why are you asking about nine months ago?'

'Because I want to know why there are so many women delivering this week,' Kim muttered, staggering under the weight of a pile of notes that she was carrying back to the desk. 'Did I miss a wild party or something? I'm trying to count back and work it out.'

Zan laughed. 'Don't be a misery. Christmas babies are always really special. I'm still hoping that Helen will have her twins on Christmas Day.'

Kim gave her an incredulous look. 'Don't you want to eat your turkey in peace?'

Zan gave a wistful smile. 'I just think it would be really exciting if the twins were born on Christmas Day.'

'You need your head examined.' Kim glanced up with a smile as a very pregnant woman approached the desk. 'Hello, Millie. How have you been?'

Zan picked up the first set of notes and walked through to her consulting room to begin the clinic.

She saw a steady stream of patients and it was lunchtime before she caught up with Kim again.

'Are you joining me in the canteen for lunch?' Kim's eyes gleamed with curiosity. 'I want to hear episode two of your story.'

Episode two had been decidedly non-eventful, Zan refleeted gloomily. Lots of tension but absolutely no action. Carlo hadn't even kissed her. Apart from the brief touch of his lips when he'd left her for the night. And that hadn't really been a kiss. More a tease.

She gave a slow smile as a suspicion grew in her mind.

Was he playing games with her?

Was he trying to drive her wild?

Maybe that was exactly what he was trying to do.

Suddenly cheered, she smiled at Kim. 'I'm popping out at lunchtime to buy a present for my brother.' It was true. She still had a couple more things to buy. 'But I'm still free tonight for that pizza.'

She and Kim had arranged to go out the previous week and she'd been looking forward to it.

Having arranged the details, she wrapped up warmly, slipped out of the hospital and walked towards the shops.

The streets were crowded with Christmas shoppers loaded with bags and she fought her way into a small boutique that sold unusual knitwear and chose a chunky ribbed jumper for her brother.

Then she remembered Carlo. If he was spending Christmas with her then she'd need to buy him something.

Thinking back to their conversation, she smiled.

She knew exactly what to buy him and she knew just the shop.

She was hovering by the till, waiting to pay, when she glanced up and noticed a man buying chestnuts across the road.

It was the same man that she'd seen that morning.

Frowning slightly, Zan paid for the jumper, trying to convince herself that it was perfectly possible to bump into the same person twice in one morning. He probably worked locally.

She was just jumpy after the attack the night before.    

Still feeling edgy, she left the shop and went back to the hospital, telling herself that there was nothing to worry about.

Kim grabbed her as soon as she arrived back in the clinic.

'Someone called for you but they didn't leave their name. It was a woman and she sounded frantic.'

Zan dumped her parcels and frowned. Who would have called her?

Her eyes widened as a thought struck her. 'Kelly?'

'Possibly.' Kim gave a sigh. 'I did ask her, but she hung up at that point.'

'Oh, help.' Zan glanced round the packed clinic and bit her lip. 'Do you think...?'

'Maybe. You'd better check it out,' Kim said immediately. 'I'll call the agency and see if I can get some extra help here. If you need anything, call us. Not that she's likely to let anyone help but you.'

Without waiting to argue, Zan sprinted off and found the bag she used for community visits. She checked the contents, added some extra equipment and then made her way to the door.

For a brief moment she contemplated telling Carlo where she was going and then she thought better of it.

He was busy in the clinic and she didn't want to interrupt him.

Carlo had just finished seeing a patient when his mobile rang.

It was Matt.

Carlo listened in silence and then closed his eyes briefly, his broad shoulders suddenly tense. 'She's gone into the flat?'

He listened to Matt's response and then let out a long breath. 'Hang around outside. I'll be there in ten minutes.'

He made two more phone calls and then snapped the phone shut and went to find Kim, who was placating a woman who'd been waiting for two hours.

'We have a problem.' He took her to one side and glanced around to check that no one was within earshot. 'Zan's with Kelly and I think she needs help.'

Kim's eyes widened. 'She's called you?'

'I...er...yes.'

No. His bodyguard had been following her. And he'd heard a woman screaming from inside the flat.

Had it been Kelly or Zan?

Sweat broke out on his brow.

The temptation to order Matt to break the door down had been overwhelming.

'Oh, hell.' Kim raked fingers through her blonde hair, visibly panicking. 'I shouldn't have let Zan go on her own, but the problem is that the husband won't let anyone else near her.'

'I'm going to see if I can help her.'

Kim shook her head. 'They won't let you in.'

'They might.' They'd let him in before. Just. 'The registrar can cover the rest of the clinic. If he has a problem he can call me.'     

Kim nodded and looked at him helplessly. 'What can I do to help?'

'Nothing for now.' Carlo dragged on his coat and picked up his bag. Then he paused. 'On second thoughts, maybe you can. Do you have a portable oxygen cylinder?'

'I'll fetch it.' Obviously thinking along the same lines, they hurried to the equipment room.

Carlo stuffed a bag full of equipment while Kim helped.

'I really, really hope you don't need any of this,' she said fervently, and he nodded agreement.

'Let's hope not. But if that baby is arriving six weeks prematurely, in a freezing flat, we could have a problem on our hands.'

It was an understatement, and they both knew it.

Kim walked with him to the door. 'I'll alert Social Services and the ambulance service. If necessary, we can put an incubator in the ambulance.'

'Good. I'll call you.' Carlo strode out of the door and made for the car park.

Slumped in a car at the far end of the car park, two men watched as Carlo walked towards his car. The bigger of the two men sat up slightly, suddenly alert, checking a photograph that lay in his lap.

'That's him.'

His partner nodded agreement and both of them watched while Carlo slid into the driver's seat and drove away.

'So we've finally tracked him down. Now what?'

'Nothing yet.' The man gave an unpleasant smile. 'We wait. But Carlo Santini is about to have a memorable Christmas.'

CHAPTER FIVE

Zan finished examining Kelly for the second time and tried to stay calm.

It was the hardest thing she'd ever done.

The flat was freezing and she was delivering a premature baby at home.

This was a midwife's equivalent of a bad hair day.

'Kelly, you have to let me call an ambulance,' she said quietly as she listened to the foetal heart again. So far it had been steady and strong, but it was starting to dip with contractions and Zan was feeling vulnerable and exposed with so little equipment and no medical back-up.

Mike stepped forward, his eyes cold. 'She has the baby here.'

Zan glanced at Kelly but she just stared at the floor, her face white with pain, her long hair straggly as it hung past her thin shoulders.

For a wild moment Zan wondered whether she could floor Mike and drag Kelly bodily to hospital.

But that wasn't an option, of course.

She was just going to have to do the best she could in the circumstances.

'Just as long as you realise that this baby is going to be very small when it's born,' Zan told him. 'Babies born this early often need to go to our intensive care unit to help them breathe.'

Kelly gave a little sob and bent double as another pain hit her.

Zan talked to her quietly, reminding her how to breathe, almost wishing that Kelly had bonded with another midwife.

Why her?

Kelly gave a sharp scream and even though the room was freezing Zan felt sweat break out on her forehead.

'Try and remember your breathing, Kelly,' she murmured gently, rubbing the other girl's back, horrified by how thin she was.

'I want to push,' Kelly sobbed, and Zan examined her again to check that her cervix was fully dilated.

'You're right,' she said finally, 'you are ready to push. Let's get you into a better position.'

She glanced at Mike, but before she could speak there was a loud knocking at the door.

Mike glared at her threateningly. 'Did you call someone?'

'You've been in the room with me the whole time,' Zan pointed out logically, 'so you know I haven't.'

'Then who—?'

'Mike, it's Carlo Bennett.' Carlo's deep voice penetrated the door and Zan closed her eyes in relief.

Kim must have told him.

Mike's mouth tightened. 'I'll get rid of him.'

'No!' Zan's sharp tone stopped him as he strode towards the door, shoulders braced for conflict.

'He ain't coming near my Kelly!'

Zan took a deep breath. 'Mike, ideally Kelly should be in hospital, but if you won't allow that then at least let the doctor come to her. Please.'

Mike's jaw was set. 'No way.'

'Mike, please.' Kelly spoke in a quivering voice and then gave a groan as she pushed again.

Mike looked at her uncertainly. 'No...'

'Let him in,' Kelly whispered, her eyes squeezed tightly shut and her hand gripping Zan's.

Without another word Mike dragged open the door and Zan felt the tension drain out of her as she saw Carlo, broad-shouldered and powerful, standing in the doorway with an impressive array of equipment tucked under his arm.

'Thank goodness.' Zan shot him a look of pure relief and he gave her a reassuring smile.

'It'll be OK.' He put a hand on Mike's shoulder, ignoring the frosty look that the other man gave him. 'Can I take a look at her?'

Mike hesitated, but then glanced at Kelly again and stood to one side.

Carlo found the bathroom, washed his hands and then crouched down beside Zan.

'How are you doing, Kelly?'

'Not too good.' The girl was deathly pale and clearly exhausted.

'Her waters broke in the night but she didn't call until lunchtime,' Zan told him. 'I've tried to persuade them to go to the hospital but they won't. She's fully dilated and ready to push.'

'So hospital isn't an option for the moment,' Carlo muttered, glancing around him with a frown. 'This place is too cold for a premature baby.'

Without waiting for an answer from anyone, he reached into his pocket for his mobile phone, leaving Zan to deal with Kelly.

'I'm just calling a friend,' he told Mike, and proceeded to dial a number and speak in rapid Italian.

Zan had no idea what he was doing. She was too busy delivering the baby.

She'd brought clean sheets and blankets from the hospital, and she laid them out now and fished the mucus extractor out of her bag.

Then she prepared an injection to give Kelly to help her uterus contract once the baby had been born.

'I'll give that.' Slipping the phone back into his pocket, Carlo took the syringe from her and watched while Zan delivered the baby's head.

'Gently now, Kelly,' she said quietly as she controlled the delivery. 'That's great...'

As the head slid out Zan felt her heart start to pound. The baby was so tiny. It should have been born in hospital, with a team of paediatricians handy and a warm intensive-care cot ready.

Instead, it was about to be born in a filthy flat which was freezing cold, while snow fell outside.

Kelly gasped as another contraction hit her and Zan delivered the anterior shoulder, aware that Carlo had swiftly given the necessary injection and was now preparing himself to take the baby.

'You see to the mother,' he ordered quietly, and as the baby slithered into her waiting hands she found herself praying.

'You have a little boy, Kelly,' she said softly, passing the limp body to Carlo, who wrapped the baby in a towel.

Please, let him cry.

The baby lay still, showing no signs of life. His skin was tinged a sickly blue colour and he made no effort to breathe.

Kelly struggled upright and then gave a sob of desperation. "Why isn't he crying? Why isn't he crying?'

Zan bit her lip and tried to keep her voice steady. 'Mr Bennett's just examining him, Kelly.'

Kelly's eyes were wild and she shook her head. 'No! Oh, my God, no—tell me he isn't—'

'We're working on it, Kelly,' Carlo was using the mucus extractor to clear the airway but he glanced up when he heard the knock on the door.

'Open it,' he ordered harshly. Mike heard the command in his tone and for once responded without argument.

Zan's eyes widened as he came back into the room carrying two heaters.

Following Carlo's instructions, Mike plugged the heaters in and positioned them.

Heat belted into the room and Carlo dried the baby carefully and reached for the oxygen. Then he directed a low flow of oxygen over the baby's face to try and stimulate a gasp reflex.

Meanwhile Zan turned her attention back to Kelly and delivered the placenta.

Despite her weakened state, Kelly seemed to be doing remarkably well, but she was obviously beside herself with worry about the baby.

'Please, don't let him die—please. Oh, Mike—do something.'

Tearing sobs shook her slight frame and Zan put her arms around her, praying for a miracle.

It was Christmas. Didn't miracles happen at Christmas?

Obviously not.

The baby was limp and unresponsive and Mike gave a moan of anguish, the fight draining out of him.

Zan felt her eyes fill.

It was so unfair.

The baby was so tiny and helpless.

It deserved to live.

Finally Carlo bent his head and covered the baby's mouth and nose with his mouth, breathing gently. Then he started cardiac massage, using his index and middle fingers to depress the sternum.

The tears spilled out of Zan's eyes and trickled down her cheeks. Maybe it was unprofessional to cry but she just couldn't help it.

She could see that Carlo was using every trick at his disposal but the baby was showing no signs of responding.

He was just too little.

'What's happening—?' Mike's voice was rough with panic and Zan looked at him pleadingly, trying to appeal to the father in him.

'He's very, very sick. We have to get the baby to hospital. Please, let me call an ambulance. Please, Mike...' She choked slightly and saw Mike hesitate, but before he could speak the baby gave a little cough and a feeble cry.

Kelly gasped in delight. 'He's alive! You've done it. Oh, thank you.' She burst into tears again and Mike frowned and went to put his arms around her.

Carlo was still working on the baby.

'He isn't out of the woods yet,' he said grimly, wrapping the baby warmly and covering his head to prevent further heat loss. 'This baby is tiny, Kelly, and he's grunting. That means that he's having trouble with his lungs. Babies that are born early can suffer from something called respiratory distress syndrome. They need help with their breathing.'

'And what happens if they don't get it?' Kelly's voice shook and Carlo looked directly at Mike.

'Sometimes they die.'

Zan flinched at the brutality of his words but she knew what he was trying to do. He was trying to make Mike understand the seriousness of the situation. Carlo had produced a miracle but this baby was desperately in need of hospital care, and without it...

Kelly turned to Mike, her eyes terrified. 'We have to let them take him into hospital. We have to!'

Mike was breathing heavily. 'You know how I feel about hospitals.'

'I know.' Tears were streaming down Kelly's face as she watched Carlo working to save her son. 'And I wanted to stay at home, too. But that's before it all went wrong. He's ill, Mike. If he stays at home he might die, and we'll always blame ourselves and I don't think I can live with that. They're trying to help. They care. They're not like the others.'

'What others?' Carlo asked the question, still monitoring the baby's breathing.

Zan held her breath. In the few months she'd been coming to visit them she'd never got to the bottom of Kelly's story. All she knew was what the social worker had told her. That Kelly and Mike hated doctors and hospitals.

No one knew why.

'If you can tell us what happened, what you're so afraid of, then maybe we can help,' she said softly, and Kelly swallowed hard.

'Mike lost his brother...' She glanced nervously at Mike, obviously expecting her confession to provoke an angry reaction, but Mike was slouched against the wall, his face drawn.

Carlo looked up, his gaze suddenly intent. 'I'm sorry. That must have been terrible for you. What happened?'

'Doctors. That's what happened,' Mike answered bitterly. 'Eddie found a lump in his testicle but his GP kept telling him it was nothing. By the time he found out how serious it was he had just a few weeks to live.'

Kelly reached out a hand but Mike turned away and strode into the kitchen, slamming the door behind him.

Kelly flinched and looked at them helplessly. 'He adored Eddie. They were twins. When he lost him I thought...' She broke off and looked at the closed door with something close to desperation in her eyes. 'I thought I'd lose Mike, too. We've been going through a terrible patch. He never lets me out of his sight. He says I'm all he has now and he doesn't want to put me in anyone's care.'

Carlo let out a breath, visibly moved.

'I can understand that. In the same circumstances I wouldn't be that eager to trust the medical profession either.' Carlo rose to his feet and glanced at Zan. 'Try and get the baby on the breast. His blood sugar is low and he needs food. If his breathing changes, call me. I'm going to talk to Mike.'

He opened the kitchen door and closed it behind him, and Zan lifted the baby, positioning him against Kelly's breast, trying to encourage him to feed.

The baby played idly with the nipple but showed no inclination to suck.

Kelly gave a sob of desperation. 'He can't do it,' she wailed, and Zan frowned, determined not to give up.

'He's very little,' she said quietly. 'His suck reflex may not be fully developed yet. We'll just persevere.'

She also suspected that Kelly's poor physical condition might limit her supply of milk, but now wasn't the time to discuss that.

There was no other way of getting food into the baby in this tiny flat. He desperately needed to be in Special Care, with high-tech equipment and a specialised medical team.

At least Carlo's heaters had warmed the place up.

Even as she held the baby in place for another try, Carlo and Mike came out of the kitchen and Carlo reached for his phone.

'We're taking you both to hospital,' he said gruffly, his voice heavily accented and lines of strain visible around his dark eyes. 'Mike's agreed it's the best thing.'

'Oh, Mike...' Kelly burst into tears again and Zan gave a sigh of relief.

She just hoped it wouldn't be too late for the baby.

Carlo was talking into his phone and within minutes an ambulance crew were at the door.

Only moments later the baby was in the warm incubator inside the ambulance and Mike and Kelly were seated next to her.

Zan looked at Carlo in amazement. 'How did you arrange all that so quickly?'

'I didn't.' He flashed her a smile and sprang into the ambulance after the crew. 'I arranged it all before I left. They've been parked at the end of the road, waiting for my call.'

Zan was stunned. 'But Mike might have refused...'

'I have amazing powers of persuasion.' He lowered his voice and gave her a sexy smile. 'You'd do well to remember that, Suzannah.'

Zan followed the ambulance in her car and once back at the hospital the whole team moved into action.

The baby was taken to the special care baby unit and Kelly was taken to the ward for a check-up and a rest.

'But I want to see the baby,' she fretted, as they examined her again.

'As soon as the paediatric staff ring us, we'll take you up to the special care baby unit,' Zan promised. 'They're just taking a good look at him and deciding what he needs.'

Mike was hovering nearby, not knowing whether to worry more about his wife or his son.

Carlo had gone straight up with the baby and the ambulance crew and was supervising the hand-over.

Zan was only too aware that the baby was alive only because of him and she was totally in awe of his skills as a doctor.

He was incredible.

She didn't know a single other doctor who would have coped in that situation. The flat had been filthy and freezing and he'd had next to no equipment. But he'd managed to resuscitate the baby and keep it alive until he could talk sense into the father and transfer the family to hospital.

And he'd been so cool.

Finally SCBU rang to say that they were ready for the parents, and Zan took Kelly and Mike up to see their son.

'It can seem a bit scary when you first see him,' she warned, knowing that the baby would be having a lot of help. 'He might have tubes in to help him breathe and things.'

'I don't care.' Kelly gave a gulp and clung to Mike's hand. 'As long as he's alive, I don't care.'

Mike was white with the strain and there was no sign of his usually tough approach to life.

It was much later, after mother and baby had been reunited and she was back on the labour ward, that Zan suddenly remembered that she'd caught a glimpse of a man watching her before she'd knocked on Kelly's door.

He was the same man she'd seen on her way to work and then again when she'd been shopping for Christmas presents.

Zan shifted uneasily.

Was she imagining it?

'Why are you frowning?' Carlo's deep voice came from directly in front of her and she gave a start.

She'd been so deep in thought that she hadn't even seen him approach.

'Oh—hi.' She smiled at him. 'Have you finished on SCBU?'

He nodded, his smile weary. 'Now we just have to hope the little chap makes it.'

'You were amazing.' Her voice was soft. 'I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't arrived. The baby would have died, Carlo.'

'Maybe not.'

He seemed oblivious to his accomplishment but Zan was under no illusions. She knew that he'd saved that baby.

'So, come on, why were you looking so worried a minute ago?' His eyes narrowed and he looked at her searchingly. 'Tell me.'

She blushed. What if she'd imagined it all? 'I'm probably being stupid...'

'But?' he prompted her gently, and she bit her lip.

'I think someone is following me. I saw this man this morning on my way to work, and then again at lunchtime when I did some shopping, and when I arrived at Kelly's flat—' She broke off, aware that Carlo was suddenly looking tense.

'Can you describe him?'

Zan looked at him, surprised by the urgency in his tone. 'I don't know...' She racked her brains. 'Tall, broad, dark hair—he wore a fawn coat with a black scarf...'

Carlo seemed to relax. 'I'm sure it was your imagination,' he said lightly, and she gave him an odd look.

'I saw him, Carlo.'

'I don't doubt that you saw him,' he replied smoothly, 'but I'm sure it was your imagination that he was following you. Maybe he was just going to the same places as you.'

Zan frowned. That might explain the first two encounters, but what would he have been doing outside Kelly's flat?

Still, Carlo obviously didn't think there was anything to worry about, and maybe he was right. It wasn't as if the man had shown any interest in her after all. He hadn't even been looking in her direction.

'It's been a long day.' Carlo seemed keen to change the subject. 'I'm on call but everything seems quiet at the moment so can I buy you supper?'

Zan smiled. 'I'm meeting Kim for a pizza at our favourite Italian restaurant. I didn't think you'd be free.'

'I'm free until I get called out.' Carlo said immediately. 'I'm feeling hideously homesick and I could do with some Italian cooking. You have to invite me.'

'Invite you where?' Kim bounced up to them, a brightly coloured scarf wrapped around her neck. 'Are you joining us?'

'Is that OK?'

'Of course.' Kim grinned at him and then glanced at Zan, who was bright pink. Her mouth fell open. 'Oh, my goodness—how could I be so slow? You're the one who—'

'Kim!' Zan interrupted her before she could say something indiscreet, and Carlo smiled.

'Why don't we go and eat? I'm starving.'

The restaurant was tucked away in a back street and the welcoming heat hit them as soon as they opened the door.

The owner greeted them in Italian and almost dropped the plates he was carrying when Carlo replied equally fluently.

Delighted to have a customer who spoke his language, the owner was immediately distracted and talked for several minutes before finding them a table.

Carlo ordered some wine and sat back in his chair while they all looked at the menu.

'So how did you two meet?' Kim was showing no interest in the idea of food.

Zan shrank into her chair in embarrassment. 'Kim, we're not—'

'Yes, we are.' Carlo's voice was firm and he flashed her a reassuring smile before turning his attention to Kim. 'We fell over each other in the street while she was on her way to visit Kelly. I didn't think it was a great place for a girl to be wandering on her own so I went with her. Then we had dinner last night.'

Zan's face heated under the look he gave her. She couldn't quite believe that this man wanted her.

She didn't need to notice that all the women in the restaurant were sneaking looks at him to be aware of his attractions. He was gorgeous. Warm and charismatic, but incredibly strong, too.

It was a combination that left her breathless.

'Well, you've definitely got the touch,' Kim said dryly, picking up the bottle of wine and helping herself. 'Have you any idea how many men Zan's chased away over the years?'

Zan flushed with embarrassment. 'Carlo's agreed to be Father Christmas,' she said quickly, changing the subject before Kim said something to embarrass her further.

Kim grinned. 'Really? You wait until you see Zan in her elf costume. Father Christmas usually has trouble with his blood pressure from the moment she takes off her coat. I keep a supply of suitable drugs at the ready.'

Their order arrived and they ate their meal, talking and laughing, and it was only when she glanced up to order coffee that Zan noticed the man sitting on his own at a table in the corner of the restaurant.

She gave a gasp and the colour drained from her face.

'What?' Kim looked at her in alarm. 'What's the matter?'

Carlo frowned. 'Zan?'

She reached across the table and grabbed his hand. 'It's the same man I saw earlier,' she whispered urgently. 'He's sitting at the table by the window. It can't be a coincidence. Every where I go, he's there, too.'

Carlo glanced around and then turned his attention back to the table as the waiter brought the coffee.

'Just ignore him,' he advised, but his fingers tightened on hers reassuringly.

Zan bit her lip. What was the matter with her? She was behaving like a real baby.

'Sorry.' She gave him a wan smile. 'I'm being stupid, aren't I? I've never really been nervous of anything before. But after the other night I'm a bit jumpy.'

Kim frowned. 'What happened the other night?'

Carlo was looking at Zan, his expression reassuring. 'There's no need to be jumpy, cara mia. No one is going to hurt you.' There was a hint of steel under his warm, male tones. 'We will drink our coffee and then I will take you back to your flat myself.'

She loved the fact that he was so protective.

Glancing at his powerful shoulders, she suddenly had a disturbing memory of him naked in the shower and, remembering his raw, male sexuality, she felt excitement spiral up through her body. He had an incredible physique. It was hardly surprising that he wasn't intimidated by anyone.

'Will someone please tell me what's going on?' Kim glanced between them with a mixture of concern and frustration.

'Someone attacked me the other night,' Zan said flatly. 'Carlo rescued me. It's how we met.'

Kim stared at her in horror. 'Someone attacked you?' She lifted a hand to her mouth. 'Oh, my God! Were you hurt?'

Zan shrugged and shook her head. 'Not really.'

Kim looked at Carlo in dismay. 'And your eye—is that how...?'

Carlo laughed. 'No. That was Zan. She was fighting like a wildcat when I got to her. She mixed me up with the attackers.'

Kim blinked in disbelief. 'And what were you saying about someone following you?'

Zan put down her coffee-cup and glanced across the restaurant again. 'Every time I turn around, that man is behind me.' She lifted her chin and frowned. 'In fact, I'm going to stop being so pathetic and confront him. I want to know why he's following me.'

She rose to her feet but Carlo put a hand on her arm.

'Sit down.' His voice was calm but firm. 'Finish your coffee. I'll deal with it.'

She opened her mouth to argue and then closed it again, seeing the sense in his suggestion.

After all, if the man following her realised that she was with Carlo then he might think twice about following her.

Carlo strode over to Matt and sat down in a vacant seat, his back to the two women.

'You're losing your touch,' Carlo told Matt grimly, his brows locked together in a frown. 'She knows you're following her.'

'I guessed as much.' Matt rubbed a hand over his jaw and looked apologetic. 'Sorry. I underestimated her. The girl's been looking over her shoulder every two minutes and frankly I didn't expect her to be so jumpy.'

'Nor me.' Carlo felt his insides twist. He hated to think that Zan was frightened. She'd successfully concealed the fact from him.

'Whatever happened the other night obviously freaked her out,' Matt said thoughtfully. 'On her way to work this morning she looked over her shoulder at least eight times and she didn't slow down until she walked inside those hospital gates. She was better at lunchtime but she was still keeping an eye on her surroundings. She dashed to Kelly's house so quickly I didn't realise she'd seen me.'

'Damn.' Carlo was frowning but Matt gave a shrug.

'Actually, I think it's probably a good thing that she's alert in the circumstances.'

'Alert, maybe, but I don't want her frightened,' Carlo growled. 'I hadn't even noticed that she was nervous.'

Matt shrugged. 'She probably isn't when she's with you. It's just when she's on her own.'

'Well, you're going to have to keep a low profile now,' Carlo pointed out, dragging his fingers through his hair and letting out a long sigh. 'Maybe we'd better get one of the other guys to follow her.'

Matt lifted an eyebrow and Carlo shook his head. 'No, you're right. Bad idea. At least I know that if she's with you nothing's going to happen to her. Maybe I should tell her the truth.'

The longer it went on, the worse he felt about the fact he was deceiving her and he knew he was going to be faced with a major dilemma soon.

Could he make love to a woman who didn't know who he was?

'You can't tell her!' Matt glared at him. 'Not until we've caught those lunatics. You don't know that you can trust her.'

'But if she sees you again...'

'She won't. I'll be invisible and I'll change my image tomorrow.'

'All right.' Carlo was still disturbed by the news that Zan was so nervous. Why hadn't she told him? 'Oh, and by the way, while we're working in the hospital and you're kicking your heels, I need you to do something for me.'

Matt's eyes narrowed warily. 'I hardly dare ask.'

'I need you to find me a team of reindeer and a sleigh.'

Matt blinked. 'Reindeer.' His tone was faint. 'And a sleigh?'

'That's right. I'm going to be Father Christmas.'

And he was going to give Zan a Christmas to remember.

He walked back to the table and gestured to the waiter to bring the bill.

'It's fine, tesoro,' he said easily, paying the waiter in cash and reaching for his coat. 'If you saw him earlier then I'm sure it was just coincidence. He's Italian and he lives around here.'

She accepted what he said without argument and he felt a pang of guilt as he saw the trusting look in her eyes.

Whatever happened, he was going to keep her safe.

They said goodnight to Kim and then made their way back to Zan's flat.

'Only two more days until Christmas.' She smiled at him, her cheeks pink from the cold. 'Do you want to come up?'

Yes. He wanted to check that her flat was safe.

'I'll just see you into your flat and then I'd better go home.' He followed her into the lift and waited while she found her keys, his senses constantly alert to danger.

'Why do you keep looking around you?' She looked at him anxiously and this time he sensed her nerves. 'I thought you said that man wasn't following me.'

Damn. She was amazingly observant.

'He's not,' he said smoothly, cursing the fact that Matt hadn't been more discreet. It was going to be harder to keep a careful watch on Zan from now on.

Carlo took her keys and unlocked the door, hoping that she'd think he was chivalrous by nature. The truth was he wanted to enter her flat first.

He wasn't taking any chances.

He flicked on the lights and glanced swiftly around the room. Everything was neat and ordered. No sign of problems.

She tilted her head to one side and smiled. 'Coffee?'

'I shouldn't.' He walked towards her window and gazed down at the river below with a frown. The view was great but he wished she had curtains. From the outside this room would be lit up like a stage. 'I've got to go home and practise being Father Christmas in front of my mirror.'

And tighten the security arrangements so that she was kept safe.

He wanted someone to check the opposite bank of the river to see just how visible her flat was.

'I haven't had a chance to thank you for this afternoon,' Zan blurted out. 'If it hadn't been for you, I dread to think what would have happened to Kelly and the baby. It's lucky Kim told you I was there.'

Kim hadn't told him, but he wasn't in a position to correct her.

'Resuscitating a baby in those surroundings was certainly a new experience,' he admitted dryly, and she shook her head in admiration.

'So you mostly dealt with infertility in your last job?'

'Actually, we offered a total care package,' he explained. 'From conception to discharge home after delivery.'

'Do you think the baby will be all right?'

He pulled a face and shrugged. 'Who can say? He's in the right place now—all we can do is wait and see. I'm just glad they agreed to go to hospital in the end. It made life a lot easier.'

She nodded agreement and smiled up at him. Suddenly the smile faltered and her green eyes locked with his, anticipation heating her gaze.

She wanted him to kiss her.

The silence thickened around them and he sucked in a breath.

'I'd better go.' His voice came out in a croak and he almost laughed at himself. He'd never been so clumsy around a woman before.

But, then, he'd never known chemistry like this before either. The sexual tension between them was so powerful that it was a living force, drawing them together.

She stepped closer to him, her eyes never leaving his.

'Do you want to go?' Her question was loaded with meaning and he closed his eyes briefly.

How had he ever got himself in this mess?

He couldn't make love to her when she didn't even know who he was. He just couldn't do it.

'Zan, I don't think—'

She reached up and touched a finger to his mouth, silencing him.

'That first night, when you wanted to make love, it just felt a bit fast.' Her slim fingers were locked on the front of his jumper, hanging onto him, her eyes incredibly shy. 'But you're not a stranger any more and I—I mean, if you still want to...'

Her meaning was clear and he felt desire slam through his body.

She wanted him to make love to her because she felt that she was beginning to know him.

But she didn't know him.

He wasn't who he said he was. In fact, she knew virtually nothing about him.

Conscience ripped through him and he muttered a curse and stepped back from her.

Having a secret identity had been great at the beginning, but it had gone from being the solution to the problem.

Her hands fell to her sides and she wrapped her arms around her middle self-consciously. 'You've changed your mind.' She kept her tone light and her brave smile made him want to thump the wall.

'I haven't changed my mind.' His voice was husky and he fought the urge to reach for her again. 'I promised you I'd slow the pace.'

'Oh.' Zan's eyes brightened and the smile that followed his confession was pure sexual invitation.

Heat engulfed his body.

For a woman with no experience she certainly knew how to make a man sweat.

She licked her lips. 'You need to learn the difference between slow and stop.' Her eyes dropped to his mouth and then lifted to his eyes.

Drawn in by the expression in her green eyes, Carlo forgot about going slow. In fact, he forgot about everything.

He closed his fingers around her wrists and backed her against the wall, his mouth capturing her soft gasp of excitement. Her lips were soft and warm and she opened her mouth for him, tempting him inside.

He accepted the invitation, tasting her sweetness, showing her with every intimate touch of his mouth and tongue just what he wanted to do to the rest of her body.

Desire exploded inside him and he released her hands and cupped her face, sliding his hands through the silky mass of hair as he kissed her until the heat between them reached an intolerable level.

He lifted his head briefly, their foreheads touching, his expression dazed as he stared down into her eyes.

She looked as stunned as he felt, her green eyes cloudy, her soft lips bruised and damp from his kiss.

'Carlo.' She whispered his name with a reverence that made him groan and lower his mouth again.

He knew he ought to stop now, before stopping ceased to be an option, but he couldn't drag his mouth away from hers.

Her tongue teased his and he wondered how on earth he was going to keep it slow and gentle when the time came to make love to her. She drove him so wild he didn't know himself.

He felt her small hand slide under his jumper and then rest on the warm muscle of his chest, finding his heartbeat.

Muttering in Italian against her mouth, he dealt with the zip of her jeans and slid a hand inside, over the soft curve of her bottom.

'You feel incredible.' He moved his hand lower and found what he was looking for, his fingers touching her with a deliberate intimacy that brought a sob to her lips.

She moved against his hand and dragged her mouth away from his, her eyes glazed with desire and her cheeks fevered.

'Carlo, it feels so... I didn't know...'

'Shh—' He moved his hand and hugged her against him, trying to lower the temperature a notch.

He didn't succeed.

His whole body burned for this woman.

And he wasn't being honest with her.

The thought was like a shower of cold water and he released her and stepped away, raking a hand through his dark hair as he struggled with his conscience.

She leaned against the wall for support, looking at him in confusion.

Her dark hair was tangled from his touch and her cheeks were flushed. She looked like a girl who'd been thoroughly kissed and he felt desire slam through his body with a force that left him breathless.

'It's getting late. I'd better go...'

He worked on his will-power. If she asked him to stay he was in trouble.

But she didn't.

In fact, she didn't speak at all. She just stood there, supported by the wall, staring at him.

He picked up his jacket from the floor and walked back to her. He locked their hands together and bent his head to give her a gentle kiss.

'Goodnight, Zan—I'll see you tomorrow.'

And by then he would have worked out how to tell her the truth.

CHAPTER SIX

Carlo stared at the ultrasound scan and tried to forget about Zan.

She was dominating his every thought and it was starting to drive him mad.

He'd already decided that the first opportunity that he had he was going to tell her the truth and risk the consequences.

'Mr Bennett?' A young student nurse cleared her throat nervously to attract his attention. 'The labour ward has been calling. They need you up there urgently.'

Despite the fact it was Christmas Eve, the day was frantically busy and they barely saw one another as they coped with the huge workload.

Fortunately by five o'clock labour ward had calmed down and the clinic was empty.

In the nurses' locker room, Zan dragged on green tights and a figure-hugging tunic and pulled a face in the mirror. 'Are you sure this is an elf costume? I look more like Peter Pan.'

'Definitely elf,' Kim murmured as she pushed her feet into a pair of black boots. 'Next year I'm coming as something warm and furry, like a reindeer. There's something to be said for being Father Christmas. At least you can wear a thick jumper underneath. Talking of which, what's happening with that gorgeous man of yours?'

Zan blushed and tucked her dark hair under a green hat. 'He's finished on Labour Ward and he's gone to

change.'

'That wasn't what I meant,' Kim said dryly, and Zan smiled.

'Nothing's happening exactly...' Not yet anyway. 'But we get on well. And he's such a brilliant doctor, Kim.' Her eyes shone. 'You should have seen him with Kelly. He was so calm and he just wouldn't give up on that baby. And then he managed to talk Mike round and persuade him into going to the hospital, and he'd arranged heaters and an ambulance...' She broke off, breathless, and Kim grinned.

'So you're not in love, or anything like that, then?'

Zan sucked in a breath and her eyes widened.

Love?

It had been so fast she hadn't even examined her feelings in any depth, but now she did and the result shocked her. She sat down with a thump on one of the hard chairs.

'It's only been a few days,' she croaked. 'How do I know if it's love?'

Kim shrugged. 'I don't know. Try and imagine him walking down the aisle with someone else. How do you feel?'

Zan thought about it. 'Sick?'

'That could be love or too many mince pies,' Kim said sagely. 'Do you want to punch her on the nose?'

'I think I've done enough punching in this relationship,' Zan muttered, remembering Carlo's bruised cheek. 'And I'm not kidding myself it's marriage he has in mind.'

Carlo was a red-blooded Italian male who certainly didn't need to get married to have an active sex life.

Kim shrugged. 'I wouldn't be so sure about that. He must be early thirties. All Italian men want babies at some point. They're very into the family thing. It's got to be on his agenda.'

Zan bit her lip. Did he want to get married? The thought of Carlo smiling at another woman, kissing another woman, making love to another woman, made her utterly miserable.

'OK.' She lifted her palms and gave a resigned smile. 'To answer your original question—I'd definitely want to punch her on the nose. Hard.'

Kim grinned. 'I knew it. You're in love.'

'I think I might be.' Zan's expression was gloomy. 'Bad news, huh?'

"Why bad news?' Kim straightened her costume and reached for her coat. 'He seems pretty keen on you, too.'

'Bed keen,' Zan said wistfully. 'Not marriage keen.'

'You don't know that.'                           

'I've only known him for four days,' Zan pointed out, and Kim shrugged.

'Well, it's been long enough for you.'

Zan thought about everything Carlo had done since she'd met him. Waded in and rescued her from being mugged, made her laugh, intervened in a difficult delivery, kissed her breathless and saved the life of a baby. She'd learned a lot about him in four days.

'He'd be a brilliant father. Oh, help!' Zan sighed. 'What's happened to me? I used to be cautious and rational. Now I want to have his babies.'

'Love is never rational,' Kim said dryly. 'When are you seeing him again?'

'Tonight.' Zan blushed slightly. 'He's staying the night so that we can open our presents together tomorrow morning. He's on call tomorrow.'

'So tonight's the night.' Kim looked at her curiously. 'Spending Christmas together sounds pretty romantic to me.'

'Well, his family is all in Italy and I can't get home so it seemed like a good idea.' Zan shrugged dismissively and Kim laughed.

'Stop making it sound like a business arrangement. You're not fooling me. What have you got planned?'

Nothing she could share with her friend.

Fortunately, before she could answer there was a knock on the door and one of the other elves stuck her head round, her eyes twinkling with fun.

'Message from Father Christmas—the reindeer are playing up and he needs some elves desperately. He's waiting for us by the main entrance.'

'Reindeer?' Kim and Zan exchanged baffled looks and made their way to the hospital entrance.

Zan pushed open the revolving doors and then stopped with a gasp of amazement.

Immediately in front of the hospital was a sleigh straight out of a fairy-tale, decorated with delicate silver chains and tiny lights and pulled by six brown reindeer with knobbly antlers and velvety noses, their breath producing clouds of steam in the frosty air.

Carlo sat holding the reins, a huge sack bulging on the seat behind him.

He was dressed as Father Christmas, most of his face concealed under a ridiculous white beard. 'Hurry up, elves. I'm never going to get down all the chimneys at this rate.'

Zan gave a laugh of delight and jumped into the sleigh next to him. 'I can't believe you found a sleigh. Did you arrange this?'

'What use is Santa without his reindeer?' His face was barely visible under the white beard that he was wearing. Then he smiled at her and bent his head for a kiss.

A laughing Kim jumped up next to them. 'Hey, this is a family show!'

They broke apart reluctantly and Carlo ran a gentle finger down Zan's flushed cheek.

'What exactly are an elf's duties?' His voice was husky with passion and Zan smiled.

'We're here to service your every need, Father Christmas.'

'Glad to hear it.' He gave her a sexy wink.

The other nurse jumped onto the sleigh and for the first time Zan noticed a girl standing next to the reindeer, holding their reins.

Once everyone was settled on the sleigh, the girl led the first pair of reindeer forward and the others followed, pulling the sleigh down the path and onto the lawn behind the children's ward.

Despite the cold and the snow, the doors had been flung open and excited children gathered in the doorway, their faces pink with delight. Those who were confined to bed had been pushed as close as possible to the window so that everyone could have a look.

Carlo said something to the girl who was helping him and she leaned forward and untied one of the reindeer, leading him carefully towards the children.

Carlo followed, leaping down from the sleigh and grabbing the bag of presents.

'Ho, ho, ho, children,' he bellowed, and Zan burst into a fit of giggles. He was the most convincing Father Christmas she'd ever seen.

He walked onto the ward and the children were soon clambering all over him, hugging him and trying to tell him what they wanted for Christmas.

Carlo listened intently and nodded and then indicated to the elves that they should give out presents.

Kim, Zan and the other nurse dipped into the enormous sack and pulled out boxes wrapped in blue and pink, passing them into eager little hands.

Several of the children were stroking the reindeer, totally enraptured by the soft -covering on its antlers. It was totally docile, standing quietly while they swarmed all around it.

'I have to confess that I never knew reindeer were so small,' Kim muttered as she delved into the sack for another present.

'Does size matter in a reindeer?' Carlo's eyes twinkled suggestively and Zan laughed.

She couldn't believe he'd arranged real reindeer. When she'd asked him to be Father Christmas she'd never thought for a moment that he'd enter into the spirit of things to quite this extent.

But the children were loving every minute of it.

And as they sat on the floor, ripping open their presents, the hospital choir arrived at the entrance of the ward and started to sing carols.

The moment was so magical that Zan felt her eyes grow hot.

'I feel really Christmassy,' Kim said happily, and then she glanced across at Carlo and lowered her voice. 'He's fantastic, Zan. After tonight, I'd have his babies, too.'

Zan watched as Carlo hugged a little girl who had her leg in plaster, his dark eyes warm and kind as he listened to her breathless requests for presents.

Kim was right. He was fantastic.

And then he looked up and caught her looking at him. The benign, fatherly look in his eyes vanished, to be replaced by a look of such sexual intensity that her insides burned with excitement.

She could hardly breathe for wanting him, and she wondered how she was going to show him that she didn't want him to slow the pace any more.

It was obviously going to be up to her to take the initiative.

Finally the reindeer were loaded back into their trailer and the children were settled into bed.

'Not that I expect them to sleep much,' the ward sister admitted with a sigh as she tried to calm the excited children.

Zan moved closer to Carlo. 'How's Kelly's baby doing?'

'I've been too busy to go up and check.' He looked at her quizzically. 'Shall we go up now?'

'Dressed like this?' Zan glanced down at herself doubtfully and he laughed.

'Why not? It's Christmas Eve after all.'

So they took the lift to the labour ward and walked through to SCBU. The ward was warm and festive and the staff greeted them with amusement as they strolled onto the ward in their costumes.

'How's baby Turner?' Carlo walked over to the incubator and gazed down at the baby lying attached to tubes and monitors.

'Actually, he's doing pretty well.' The doctor looking after the baby glanced at the machines with a frown and twiddled a knob. 'They're scanning him later because they're worried about the risk of intraventricular haemorrhage.'

'Oh.' Zan looked shocked. 'Why are they worried about that?'

'It's a fairly routine procedure in premature babies,' Carlo assured her, picking up the chart and scanning it. 'Brain haemorrhage can occur in up to forty per cent of babies who weigh under 1500 grammes. How's everything else?'

The doctor adjusted her glasses. 'His blood gases deteriorated so we had to ventilate him overnight but he's stabilised now.'

She and Carlo proceeded to have a detailed conversation about the baby's progress and then Zan looked up and saw Kelly and Mike hovering in the doorway, looking out of place and uncomfortable.

'Hi.' Zan moved towards them, waving an apologetic hand over her costume. 'Sorry about the way we look—we dressed up for the children's ward earlier and we haven't had time to change. How are you?'

'We're fine.' Kelly looked pale and thin and she was gazing longingly at the baby. 'He's being fed through a tube and I so wanted to breast-feed.'

'You can still breast-feed him,' Zan assured her, taking her arm and walking with her towards the incubator. Machines beeped and the lights sent a glow over the dark ward. 'Have you talked to the nurses about it?'

Kelly shook her head. 'They're so busy.'

'Not too busy to help you breast-feed,' Zan said firmly. 'What you need to do is express milk to begin with and they can give that down his tube.'

The doctor looking after the baby glanced up and smiled. 'In fact, that would be brilliant. He's actually not tolerating our formula milk very well. I think it's a bit too rich for his little tummy. Any time you want to give us some breast milk, please, feel free.'

Kelly glanced nervously at Zan, who smiled reassuringly.

'How about now?' She sensed that Kelly was out of her depth on this ward full of strangers. 'I could help you. They've got a special room here where you can sit quietly. Providing the staff don't mind me butting in, I can show you the ropes.'

Carlo lifted an eyebrow. 'There's no end to what an elf can do.'

Zan glanced down at herself and pulled a face. 'I'd forgotten I'm an elf.'

'I'll lend you a white coat if you'll stay and help,' one of the nurses said dryly as she walked past and heard the exchange.

Zan looked at Carlo. 'Is it OK?'

'Of course.' He smiled easily, as relaxed as ever. 'Give me a shout when you're ready to go.'

He made no secret of their relationship and Zan blushed slightly.

'OK, Kelly, come with me and I'll introduce you to Daisy.'

They left Carlo talking quietly to Mike and walked down the corridor and into a small but comfortable room. Kelly hovered on the threshold.

'Who's Daisy?'

Zan laughed and waved a hand towards the machine on the table. 'Meet Daisy the cow. So called because of her role in milk production. Let me show you what to do.' She picked out various items of equipment and ripped open the packets. 'These are sterile and you need a fresh one of these every time.'

She showed Kelly what to connect where and then helped her get the pressure right on the machine.

A few drops of milk-like fluid trickled into the bottle and Kelly looked at Zan anxiously. 'It isn't very much.'

Zan sat down next to her. 'It takes a few days for your milk to come in properly. This is what we call colostrum. It's not high volume but it's very high in calories and full of antibodies.' Zan hesitated. 'You've been anaemic, Kelly, and you're pretty underweight. It's possible that you won't be able to produce enough milk to feed him completely on your own. We might need to top her up.'

Kelly's eyes filled but she nodded. 'I see.'

'It's important that you eat a good diet from now on—plenty of protein,' Zan told her, 'and keep expressing because that will stimulate your milk supply.'

Kelly looked at her. 'And will he ever be able to feed from me?'

'I'm sure he will.' Zan was quick to reassure her. 'As soon as he's a bit stronger, we'll start putting him to the breast to get him used to the idea.'

'What if he doesn't get used to the idea?'

'He will.' Zan gave her a warm smile. 'You're going to be a great mum, Kelly. How are you feeling in yourself?'

'Tired,' Kelly admitted, and Zan made a mental note to mention it to Carlo. She still needed to have her blood checked for anaemia.

'How's Mike coping?'

Kelly pulled a face. 'Pretty well, really, considering how much he hates hospitals. It brings back horrible memories for him.'

They walked back onto SCBU to find Carlo still in conversation with Mike and the doctor.

He smiled at Kelly. 'Has this little boy got a name yet?'

Kelly nodded and looked at Mike. 'Eddie,' she said softly. 'We're calling him Eddie after Mike's brother.'

There was a silence and Carlo cleared his throat. 'Good name,' he said gruffly, and Mike looked at him and rubbed a hand across the back of his neck.

'I don't know how to say this, Doc,' he mumbled, and Carlo put a hand on his shoulder, his dark eyes warm with understanding.

'There's nothing to say,' he said quietly. 'You had a difficult choice to make, but you did the right thing. You were brave.'

Mike shook his head. 'It was you who did the right thing and don't think I don't know that,' he said hoarsely. He grabbed Carlo's arm. 'You need anything—anything at all—you come to me.'

Carlo was visibly moved and Zan leaned forward to give Kelly a hug.

'Merry Christmas,' she said softly, looking at Eddie Turner and deciding that miracles did happen after all.

It was much later when they walked towards Zan's flat, both still dressed in costume.

'That was fun,' Carlo said, a laugh in his voice as he reached up to rub his dark jaw. 'Apart from the beard. The beard made me itch.'

'You were brilliant.' Zan glanced over her shoulder, still nervous that someone might be following her. 'Where did you find the reindeer?'

'They came down from Scotland,' he told her, following her gaze and looking at her quizzically. 'Why do you keep looking over your shoulder?'

'Because I'm paranoid about being followed,' she confessed, moving a little closer to him. 'I thought I saw a man watching me again this morning.'

Carlo glanced at her. 'The same man from the restaurant?'

'No.' Zan shook her head. 'Someone different. Well, actually, there were two of them. I'm sure it was my imagination. I'm seeing men on every corner.'

Either way, she didn't really care at the moment. No one was going to hurt her while she was with Carlo. No one in their right mind would attack someone of his build.

They arrived back at her flat and Zan flicked on the Christmas-tree lights and lit a few candles.

She needed subtle lighting for what she had in mind.

'I put some champagne in the fridge earlier,' she murmured, moving through to the kitchen and fetching two glasses.

By the time she moved back to the sitting room Carlo had removed his hat and was wearing a snug pair of jeans and a thick jumper.

Zan's eyes twinkled. 'So this is what Father Christmas does in his spare time.'

'Consorts with elves, you mean?' He moved towards her and took the bottle, popping the cork and catching the bubbling liquid in the glasses that she held out. 'You're shivering.'

'Yes, well, elves are obviously tougher than me,' she admitted, a plan forming in her mind. 'This outfit is freezing. I'm just going to take a shower and change into something warmer.'

Carlo tensed slightly. 'OK.'

She walked through to her bedroom, stripped off the elf costume and showered quickly.

Her heart banging against her chest, she opened a drawer and removed a bag. Did she dare?

Taking a deep breath, Zan gave a womanly smile and started to dress.

Carlo glanced towards the bedroom as he dialled, hoping that she was going to take some time.

He'd managed not to react when she'd announced that someone was still following her, but a nasty suspicion was growing in his mind.

'Matt?' He spoke in Italian, talking in a low voice as he briefly outlined the situation to the chief of security.