Latin Lovers: Hot-Blooded Sicilians: Valentino's Love-Child / The Sicilian Doctor's Proposal / Sicilian Millionaire, Bought Bride. Catherine Spencer

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      “Definitely.”

      She rolled her eyes.

      “What else?”

      “I never said I didn’t like you, Tino.” And she couldn’t do so now in honesty. He’d hurt her, but she did like him. She loved the callous lout, but yes, she liked him, too. Just not some of his attitudes.

      “You said you never wanted to see me again.”

      “I said our affair was over.”

      “And yet here you are.”

      “Visiting your family, Tino. Not you!”

      “You could have arranged to come a different night.”

      “Why should I?”

      He laughed, the sound too sexy for her peace of mind. And highly annoying. “Ah, proving me wrong, Faith? Making sure that I know I don’t matter enough for you to avoid dinner in my home?”

      “I told you I wouldn’t give up my friendship with your mother or son.”

      “You wanted to see me, or you would not have come tonight.” He brushed her cheek with his hand. “Admit it.”

      She jumped back from the gentle touch that felt like a brand. “If I hadn’t come, your parents would have suspected something was wrong between us. I would think you would have realized that and tried to avoid it. You could have made arrangements to be gone tonight without causing suspicion.”

      “I had no desire to do so.” He shrugged, looking scarily determined.

      “I don’t see why.”

      “You have refused to answer my calls for the past week.”

      “That should have given you a message.”

      “It did. Something is wrong and I want to know what.”

      “I told you.”

      “You want more or nothing at all.”

      “Yes.”

      “I cannot give you marriage, Faith.”

      “You would be surprised at what you are capable of giving in the right circumstances, Tino.” Why she said it, she didn’t know.

      The need to challenge him?

      “What circumstances would those be?”

      She shook her head, absolutely not going there right now. “Just leave it alone.”

      “I cannot.”

      “You have to.”

      “I know about your lost husband and child. I am sorry.

      If I could take that old pain away, I would. But I cannot fill the gap they left in your life. That is not in my power.”

      Did he really believe that? And here she’d thought he was smart. “You have your own past tragedies to deal with,” was all she said.

      He did not get a chance to answer because they caught up with Gio and Rocco. Faith was given a fascinating description of what happened to the grapes once they were picked. She found it difficult to focus on, however with Tino a brooding presence beside her.

      They were once again on their own as Gio and his grandfather had hurried back to the house much too quickly for Faith to keep up in her high-heeled sandals. “How did you find out about Taylish and Kaden?” she asked, posing the question to Tino she could not get out of her mind.

      “My mother.”

      Stunned, Faith stopped walking altogether. She could not imagine Agata sharing Faith’s confidences without a prompting to do so. Not even in the effort to matchmake. “You asked her?”

      “Yes.” Tino stood only a couple of feet away, but the moonlight was not strong enough to illuminate the expression in his eyes.

      She could feel its intensity though.

      “Wasn’t that dangerous?”

      “In what way?”

      She rolled her eyes, though she doubted he could see it. “Don’t play dumb. It showed a more-than-passing interest in me.”

      Something he’d said he didn’t want his mother to get wind of.

      “It was worse than that, even,” he said, sounding rueful, but not particularly bothered. “I allowed it to slip that we had discussed the statue in my bedroom.”

      Did he have any idea what he was revealing of his inner thoughts? Tino—Mr. Certainty, the man who never changed his mind and always knew best—was acting as if he did not know his own mind. Acting in direct opposition to his stated purpose. Maybe he had a deeper insight into the long-term effect of his words than she did.

      She shook her head. “You’re kidding.”

      “Sometimes my curiosity gets the better of me.” He did not shrug, but the negligent movement was there in his voice.

      “I guess,” she said with emphasis. “I don’t see your mother making a list of wedding guests as you feared.”

      “She is matchmaking, but being surprisingly low-key about it.”

      “And that doesn’t bother you?”

      “That she is matchmaking?”

      “Yes.” What the heck did he think she meant?

      “So long as she maintains subtlety and does not make it into a family argument of dramatic proportions, no.”

      Maybe she understood his insouciance better now. “In other words, as long as it’s easy for you to avoid the outcome she is looking for.”

      “You could put it that way.”

      “I just did.”

       “Si.”

      “Don’t play with me, Tino.” He closed the distance between them but did not touch her. “I am not playing. I want you back.” “As your mistress.” “And my friend.”

      “That’s not what you told your mother.” “I explained that.”

      “And I found your explanation lacking.” “Faith—”

      Lucky for her, because she really didn’t want to get into this right now—or ever really—Giosue came running up. “You two are too slow. Nonna said we could swim if you wanted, signora.”

      Faith moved toward Gio, putting distance between herself and his father once again. “Actually, I think it is СКАЧАТЬ