Page 127 of My Sweetest Temptation

“Sure,” I said, and he took my hand, leading me deeper into the room. On our way, Serafina caught my attention, pulling me into a hug.

“Hi, Winter. I’m so happy you could make it.”

“Thank you,” I responded, inhaling the scent of lilac that lingered around her.

“Did you get enough to eat?”

“I did, thank you.”

“Would you like something to drink?” she asked me.

“No, I’m fine, really,” I assured her.

“Nana!” Aurelio tugged on Serafina’s pant suit. “Winter is going to play with me!”

“Okay,” she said with a laugh, looking down at him fondly. She turned to me, squeezing my arm gently. “I’ll see you later.”

I sat on the floor, building Legos with Aurelio, the soft music playing in the background blending with the low murmur of conversations around us.

Suddenly, a figure crouched beside me, and I glanced up to see Luca, dressed sharply in a charcoal dress shirt and black slacks. “What’s up, Winter?” He gave me a sideways glance, a whiskey glass in hand.

“Hey, Luca.” I gave him a smile and turned back to Tristan.

“You sure you don’t want a drink?”

“Yeah, I’m sure,” I replied, scanning the room. The chatter grew louder, and I caught a glimpse of Nico leaning against the doorframe, his gaze fixed on me.

“So, you guys normally have a big party for the holidays?” I asked Luca.

“Yeah. My aunt, Serafina, goes a little nuts. This is nothing.” He motioned around the room with his drink. “You should see what she does for Christmas. She decorates Nico’s place like it’s her own.” He chuckled, taking a sip of his whiskey.

“I think it’s sweet he lets her do it,” I said.

“He doesn’t really have a choice. No one tells Mama Serafina no,” he replied, and we shared a laugh.

We spent a few more minutes talking and playing alongside Aurelio when Matteo arrived and sat on the leather chaise behind him.

He tipped his chin at me in greeting, and I returned the gesture with a smile. “He likes you,” Matteo said, his deep voice breaking through the noise. “He normally doesn’t take to strangers, but he’s taken by you.” His eyes softened when he looked at Aurelio, and his words, surprisingly gentle, eased the tension in my chest.

“I like him too,” I said, tickling Aurelio’s tummy, making him erupt in laughter.

“He’s easy to love,” a woman said, her voice pulling my attention away from Aurelio.

I turned to see a tall woman, her height matching the man standing beside her. They carried themselves with an elegance that was almost regal, giving them an impressive presence that commanded respect.

“Winter, these are my parents, Emillia and Alessandro. Mom, Dad, this is Winter,” Luca introduced me.

“You mean Nico’s woman,” Matteo chimed in with a devious smirk.

I shot him a glare.

“It’s nice to meet you, Winter,” Luca’s mom said, her voice soft and welcoming. The kindness in her eyes reminded me of Nico’s mother.

“It’s nice to meet you both,” I replied.

“Likewise,” Alessandro acknowledged, his tone flat and unreadable. It felt like I was being scrutinized under a microscope.

“Don’t mind him,” Luca leaned in and whispered against my ear. “He’s harmless.”

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