Page 33 of Deception

“Think of it this way,” he offers over his shoulder, heading back upstairs, “You’re on vacation, and for as long as you are here, this is your home. Treat it as such. When in Rome, as they say, right?”

“Minus the strict rules and off-limits areas,” I mutter under my breath.

If he hears me, he lets it slide. “I have some things to take care of. Do you think you can occupy yourself for the rest of the day?”

“I’m sure I’ll manage.”

“Good.” He turns back to me at his office door, standing far too close for comfort. “I’ll see you at dinner tonight.”

It’s a statement, but something in the way he says it makes my stomach flip, like he’s asking me out on a date.

“I-I’d like that. I mean, I would love to have dinner with you.”

And I'm kicking myself. Idiot!

Flirting with the enemy.

And just like that, he's gone into his office, shutting the door and I'm left on the landing feeling out of place.

The dining hallextends off the main entryway of the lodge near the stairs leading down to the landing and the kitchen. It’s clearly meant for large gatherings.

“Will the staff or your brother be joining us?” I ask, raising my voice just a bit to make sure Alessandro can hear me from the other end of the table.

“No. It’s just us tonight. Adriano is…private. And rather sour at the moment.”

“He’s still mad that I’m here?”

Alessandro gives me a look, trying to decide how I figured that out. “He always takes a while to accept things he can’t do anything about, or things I insist on that he doesn’t agree with.”

“So…he stays mad all the time?”

The loud scoff of laughter that pops out of him is surprising and endearing. “You have no idea.”

“I’m sure he’s just protective of you. I assume his primary duty is doing that, keeping you safe, right?”

“And offering me sage advice. Or at least questioning my decisions, tempering my choices.”

“I’ll try to impress on him that I mean you no harm.”

“He's right about one thing: you certainly present a certain amount of danger.” He eyes me, tilting his head in a way that’s both flirtatious and cunning.

“In what way?”

“You’ve already gotten me to let my guard down better than anyone has in a long while.”

“‘Better than’ makes it sound like a good thing.”

“That has yet to be seen.” His eyes smolder.

“Well, I hope you like what you see. And Adriano can keep his eyes to himself.” I smirk, taking a bite of the appetizer, a rich balsamic bruschetta on crisp toast.

“Don’t worry too much about him. He’s just protective. Sometimes, I think he believes he’s the elder brother.”

“I know what you mean.”

“You have a brother, too?”

“I did.” It slips out, softly, but loud enough to carry.

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