Page 10 of The Hitman's Rose

“I blame your beauty for my impulsiveness,” he retorts, smirking. My cheeks burn and I nibble on my bottom lip. “I will ask him for permission.”

“Might be easier and safer to drink coffee here.”

“You’re probably right but there’d be less ears in the garden.” He gestures at the guys around us. They glance at us but quickly divert their eyes elsewhere. The other customers on the other hand are blatantly staring at us.

“Maybe we should leave.”

“Why?” he asks, turning to see what has my attention.

I couldn’t help myself. My eyes narrow in on a table with two beautiful women, who are gawking at Ademaro. They look like supermodels. Their skin is flawless. Their hair is long and silky. They are done up from head to toe.

Bitches,I curse, finally breaking eye contact from them.

“Jealous?” Ademaro smiles, facing me.

“Would it matter if I was?” I sass.

“Definitely would matter,” he whispers. “I’d even go as far to say I’d be flattered to know you’re jealous over women looking at me.”

“And why’s that?” I cross my arms in front of my chest.

“Because if you’re jealous then that means you’re interested in me. Right?”

My heart skips a beat. Nerves fill me and I suddenly want to run away so I don’t have to face Ademaro. Everything seems too intimate. Too real.

“Would that matter?” I ask nonchalantly, trying to downplay the anxiety flooding me.

“Of course, it’d matter, Rosaline,” he smiles. “And for the record, no one can hold a candle to your beauty.”

“Ademaro,” I suck in a sharp breath. My hands grip the table to steady myself. My mind and body are unable to handle the fire that has engulfed me.

“You’re even more beautiful when you’re flustered,” he chuckles, calming my nerves.

“Keep making fun of me and I’m going to tell Giovanni you’re picking on his sweet, innocent goddaughter.” I stick out my tongue and he laughs more.

“Enjoy your coffee and book. We can talk more once we have you home safely,” he smiles then picks up the paper he had been reading earlier.

I know the paper is just a ruse because of the date on it and how he has been on the same page for over an hour. I’m sure no one else noticed. I only noticed because I’ve been googly-eyes over him all morning. Trying to read my book has been almost impossible because my mind is consumed with wild thoughts of him.

Ademaro Bianchi, what spell did you cast on me?

---