"What do you do?" I ask tentatively. Milo drags his hand down his face as if he knows what's coming.
Julia smirks. "We fuck, we fight, and we eat."
"Allora—" Milo claps his hands, standing up, clearly not happy to hear about his sister's sexual escapades. "I think it is time for Paolo and me to talk business... inside."
Julia sighs dramatically. "Such a prude.”
I snort, choking on my drink. A prude? Now that is one word, I would never use to describe him.
Milo snaps his mischievous eyes at me. "Something to say, Kiara?"
I press my lips into a thin line. "Nope," I peep as Paolo joins Milo's side. "Nothing at all."
"We will go too," Julia says to her husband as they make their way back inside. "I will give Kiara the tour and show her the bedrooms." She winks at me. "Don't worry, you get your own."
"Oh, good…” A slight wave of disappointment washes over me as I polish off my drink.
Milo lingers by the French doors waiting for me, his arms crossed over his chest. He leans against the frame, his lithe silhouette drawing me closer, pulling me toward him.
"It seems as though my sister has taken quite the liking to you."
"The feeling is mutual.” I pause a couple of inches away from him, afraid to get any closer. "Honestly, it's hard to believe that the two of you are related. She's very?—"
"Loud?"
"No…” I cock my head. "I was going to say pleasant."
"And I am not pleasant?" He takes a stride toward me, closing the distance between us. His hand curls under my chin as he asks, his voice low, husky, debilitating, "Do you not enjoy my company, Kiara?"
"Do you enjoy mine?" I raise a brow, my pulse quickening from his faint touch.
"Yes," he whispers, the scent of tropical fruits escaping his mouth as he leans into my ear. "Especially when you are asleep."
"Good thing we're in different rooms.” I meet his suggestive gaze. "I guess you'll have to find yourself another sleeping beauty."
Milo chuckles. "There are no locks on the doors, Kiara. Keep that in mind."
My chest rises, the alcohol from the cocktails hindering rational thought, making his acute observation moderately enticing. "Do you plan on sneaking into my room?"
"No," he grins with wicked confidence. "You will come to mine. I guarantee it."
"I—"
"Kiara!" Julia hollers. Oh, thank God. "Where are you? I changed my mind! We're going shopping! Let's go now before the stores close! I still need to buy a dress for Talia's party."
"Go," Milo says in a defeated tone, dropping his hand as he nods down the hall. "You do not want to keep her waiting."
I readjust my purse, casting Milo a smile as I attempt to look normal, unaffected. "Maybe I'll buy some locks while I'm out."
"Are you afraid you won't be able to resist me?"
I expel a soft laugh. "The locks are for you, Mr. Di Vaio. Not for me."
"Kiara!" Julia shouts, annoyed. “Andiamo!”
Milo is right.
His sister is loud.