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CHAPTER FIVE

‘WHY ARE YOU in such a hurry?’ Gaetano frowned as Poppy sped away frorandfather had outmanoeuvred him and he needed to have a serious conversation with his fake fiancée

‘I have to get changed and get out in the nextertenher step after checking her watch

Gaetano took his tied in pulling on a pair of jeans, lithe long legs topped by a pair of bright red knickers on display Her face flushing, she half turned ariggling her shapely hips to ease up the jeans The enthusiastic stirring at his groin was uniquely unwelcome to Gaetano at that moment ‘Where do you have to be in ten minutes?’ he asked quietly

‘Work I picked up a waitressing shift at the café round the corner I’ll be back by ht,’ she told him chirpily

In the doorway, Gaetano went rigid, convinced that he could not have heard her correctly ‘You applied for a job as a waitress’ his dark deep drawl clily in volume and e to be engaged to me?’

‘Why not? Bartending is better paid but the café was closer and the hours are casual and flexible and that would probably suit you better’

Brilliant dark eyes landed on her with the chilling effect of an ice bath ‘You working as a waitress doesn’t suit me in any way’

‘I don’t see why you should object,’ Poppy reasoned, thrusting her feet into her co and what am I supposed to do with myself while you’re busy all day? It’s not even as if pretending to be your fiancée is a full-time job’

‘As far as I’o to the café now and tell theht,’ Gaetano told her with raking i out to you? I’m a billionaire banker You can’t work in a café or a bar for peanuts while you’re purportedly engaged to me!’

An angry flush had lit up Poppy’s cheeks ‘Then what am I supposed to do for money?’

‘If you needout his wallet, relieved that the problem could be so easily fixed But seriously, where was her brain? Working as a waitress while living in a mansion?

Poppy backed away a step and then snaked past hie down to the hall ‘I don’t want your money, Gaetano I work for my money I don’t take handouts from anyone’

‘But I’rimly as he followed her with tenacious resolve ‘While you are engaged toin a low-paid menial job’

Outraged by that decree, Poppy whirled round to face hi over her shoulder in a bright colourful stream ‘Is that a fact?’ she prompted ‘Well, I’m sorry, you’re out of luck on this one As far as I’ off charity and I don’t care if you think waitressing is menial—’

‘We have a deal!’ Gaetano raked at her with raw bite ‘You’re breaking it!’

‘At no stage did you ever mention that I would not be able to take paid work,’ Poppy flung back at hie the rules to suit yourself I’ as a waitress at Carrie’s coffee shop as a h status on your own account? Does it really irl who needs to work to live and that’s not about to change for you or anyone else!’

‘It’s totally unnecessary for you to workin fact it’s preposterous!’ Gaetano slaolden as the heart of a fire now, his anger unconcealed ‘Particularly when I have already assured you that I will cover your every expense while you are staying in London’

‘Just as I’ve already told you,’ Poppy proclaimed heatedly, ‘I will not accept money from you I’m an independent woman and I have my pride If our positions were reversed, would you wantyou?’

‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ Gaetano roared back, all control of his te refusal to listen to him and respect his opinion Never before in his life had a woman opposed him in such a way