Page 14 of The Hitman's Rose

“Hmm?” I ask, looking at him. He gestures at the open doorway and smiles. A groan escapes me and I slowly make my way over to him. “I hope you know this doesn’t make you the boss of me.”

He frowns and shakes his head.

“I would never think of controlling you. Ever,” he replies.

“Then why am I changing my clothes?”

“Because…” His cheeks redden as he takes a deep breath and rubs the back of his neck. He opens his mouth but says nothing. He teeters back and forth on his feet.

“Because?” I prompt, when curiosity finally gets the best of me.

“I don’t like men seeing you undressed,” he blurts. “Sorry. I know it isn’t my place but I don’t like them being able to see you like…” he gestures at me. “Like this.”

“What’s wrong with my robe?”

I glance down at my robe. It was a Christmas gift from my mother a few years ago. She had the robe made by Giulliani Ricci, an Italian designer from Milan. It wasn’t my favorite robe; however, I knew it cost a pretty penny so I made sure to use it.

“Nothing. It looks good on you.Verygood on you,” he sighs.

“So, you want me to go put on some sweatpants or something?” He chuckles in response. “Perhaps a moo moo or a burlap sack?”

“Would you mind?” he grins, making me laugh.

“Yes. I mind!” I shake my head and giggle. “It’s bad enough I’m trapped in here like a prisoner, but now you want me to wear prison clothes.”

“Rosaline,” he whispers and steps towards me. The warmth of his body and his cologne capture me as they had in the coffee shop. I inhale sharply like an idiot taking in the scent of him.

Get it together, Rosaline,I groan to myself.

“Signore Tacchelli says you can go anywhere your heart desires,” he says faintly. “Just say the word and I’ll make arrangements for you to go there. Okay?”

“That just sounds like a prison field trip with the guards.” My eyes lock on him as I bury my nerves and give him my best big sister, Adrianna, impersonation. She has no fear in speaking her mind or making others feel uneasy.

“Rosaline,” he sighs. “You’re the most precious jewel. Everyone around you just wants you safe. You aren’t a prisoner. I promise you that.”

“Precious jewel?” I ask faintly, trying to contain the giddiness flooding me.

“Is that the only part you heard?” he chuckles.

“I heard all of it. Thank you very much,” I sass, placing one hand on my hip and waving a finger at him playfully. He holds up his hands.

“I surrender, ma’am.” He laughs. “Now, go get changed.”

“Yes, Dad,” I mutter, making Ademaro laugh more. “You’re lucky you’re sexy.”

My cheeks burn from embarrassment. I wasn’t even sure why the words came flying out of my mouth. They just did. There was no containing them.

“You think I’m sexy?” he asks.

“Shut up,” I blurt, then take off like a bat out of hell, but not before seeing Ademaro’s shit-eating grin.

Yeah, yeah. Eat it up, pal. I just need a few minutes to get myself together then your spell won’t work on me anymore, Ademaro Bianchi.

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