Conversations floated around them in Italian, their accents thick in the air with words Paige didn't know. But even though she couldn't understand the words, she had a vague sense they were talking about them, her suspicion was all but confirmed when she heard one of them say in English.
“I say if I was any younger I would have snagged Leonardo for myself,” Aunt Elena declared and everyone laughed. Everyone except Rosa.When they continued looking at themselves like that still lost in their personal thoughts someone else muttered, “Oh well, just kiss her already Leo. Non so cosa c'è che non va in lui.” And everyone laughed.That broke them out of their trance and Leo looked down pulling his gaze away for a minute before he looped his arm around Paige’s shoulder drawing her closer and Paige tried not to feel anything but that was impossible.Because at that action, she had feltLeo looked at the man who had the same cut jaw as him, the same brown eyes but was far older, with white stubble on his face, and drawled out, “Father you sent for me.” Carlo motioned to a chair in front of him and Leo sat down. Even though his father had handed the company to Rosa eighteen years ago, Carlo had never fully withdrawn his interest from the company, neither had he stopped working. He was the type who felt everything would go wrong without their presence or interference. A trait which had caused many a fight between father and daughter. Right now they were in his study in the down floor of the palazzo which could easily be accessed by a hidden panel on the wall, Carlo perusing some paper but at his entrance had lifted his head from the paper and removed his glasses to hold in his right hand. They were still garbed in their dinner attire, Leo in his white shirt and
His concern would have been sweet had it been real and not just because he was worried about what his sister said to her. And his hands on her shoulder was making her loose herself in his warmth. She almost felt like closing her eyes to enjoy it. Lowering her eyes Paige murmured, “No, she didn’t come here.” When he continued staring at her obviously not believing her, Paige let a big smile cross her anxious face. “I thought I forgot something, that was why I was worried, but on a second thought now I realized I didn’t.” “Well, what is that?” The words were spoken slowly, yet it reminded her of an anxious child. Eyeing him askance, Paige mumbled, “it’s a female necessity.” Feeling uncomfortable for all the lies she was spouting. Did he have to come in when she was thinking out loud? A reluctant smile broke out on his face and then straightened as thou
“With no other living relative, my grandma took me in. Things were hard, life was hard. My grandma tried, but it wasn't enough. I had to work several jobs even though I was still in school. And when it was time to go to college I worked my ass off to get a scholarship, there I took a student loan to cover the rest of the expenses.” She skipped the part she met her ex and said, “Finished school and worked four years in an advertising firm and here I am.” Paige explained, spreading her arms and acting like she wasn't bothered by any of what she had just said. When she turned she expected to find Leo repulsed, but the expression she saw on Leo's face toppled her defenses as she did not know what to think about it. She had expected to see disgust at the type of life she had lived, but what she didn't expect was to see understanding in his eyes. And pain on her behalf. “I think you turned out well. Your pare
Paige heard a hmm as he laid down and another one as he sat up, and she imagined him pulling off his shirt and dropping it on the floor. Paige swallowed. When he settled again, she almost laughed at the thought he couldn't get comfortable on the ground. What with the way he kept turning this way and that, trying to get comfortable. She doubted he had ever slept on the floor before now. Finally, having mercy on him as none of them would get any sleep done if he kept moving about restlessly Paige said, “Why don't you come up on the bed, am sure it's a big bed and can contain the two of us.” His movements stopped abruptly, and the next thing she heard was, “Are you sure?” In a deep, dark, drawl. “Yeah, it's not like you are going to pounce on me or anything?” Paige finished with a small laugh. Feeling stupid for having mentioned that last part. Silence
The next day after breakfast Paige had thought all she had to do was pretend to be the perfect girlfriend when they were in the public eye and the rest would be history.Especially after the events of last night where she had told Leo about the events of her life and that little matter about her ex-boyfriend Paige had been embarrassed and had longed for a quiet time away from him, but she had been surprised when after breakfast a Golf course was suddenly announced, one which would throw her in the same space with Leo and there was no way she could escape it even if she wanted to.At first, her excuse had been she didn't bring any appropriate outfit for the game, but like a fairy godmother, Leo's mother had appeared with something she could wear. And all her arguments dissolved like a pack of ice. So here she was in their bedroom dressed up in golf attire waiting for Cole. The same man she had been hoping to avoid by any means today.She convinced herself the
“Mother?” Leo breathed in the air of one who didn't know he was being watched. Because Paige couldn't understand Italian, the family has made it a point to speak English whenever she was within the vicinity, but there were still a few times when they resolved to Italian like now as mother and son greeted themselves in Italian. Flavia turned to them and looked from Leo to her. Leo was still holding her against his body which caused a rivulet of fire to spread throughout her body and she enjoyed it so much she was a step away from turning putty in his arms. Paige tried to think of a time when Leo had held her like this, but came up with nothing. He had never held her like this and she knew he was doing it today because of the charade because he wanted his mother to see them as the couple they were pretending to be, however, it was making her feel something in her belly. She risked a glance at him, but his gaze was fixed on his moth
Warm brown eyes turned to her earnestly. “What have you thought of me as?” Leo waited for her to say something anything but Paige never said a word instead she turned her face to the other side biting her lips. “I can't really say.” After hearing that Leo's face turned dark, but he didn't pressurize her. He only hoped she wasn't one of those who only saw what was on the outside. He had thought she was different. Maybe he was wrong. Bittered, he pulled the cart to a stop by the side of the road and got down and waited for her to do the same. Once she got down. Leo instinctively grabbed her hand into his own. Only after he had done did he realize what he had done. He stared down at her, hoping she did not notice. However, Paige was staring straight ahead, looking stiff. Leo didn't have to look
Leo looked at his uncle with his short-cropped hair and a face full of stubble and his father with his round rim glasses and protruding stomach and felt a cold sweat break out in his back. For the last ten minutes, he had been trying to pitch a business idea to his father, but his uncle kept sabotaging him. Was this what Alberto meant by my father and Rosa were working together. At first, he had not believed it but seeing how Uncle Stefano kept finding loopholes in his plan. He had no choice but to lay rest to its possibilities. He needed to do something, Leo thought at this rate, he will never be able to convince his father about introducing a wine brand with a mash-up of their local grapes and foreign ones with his uncle by his side and sabotaging him.
The cool air was gentle and caressed Leo's skin as he stood on the porch watching the beach from their house. He could still hear the merry and laughter coming from inside the house where Paige had taken it upon herself to turn into the family jester. Most of the jokes were told at his expense, Leo hadn't minded as long as it made Paige happy. He had sat through it quietly and would have continued to do so had his mother not recounted one embarrassing moment in his early childhood, Leo wished to God no one will hear about. Embarrassed, he had to come outside to save face. That was where he was, casually sipping his champagne, his cheeks slightly flushed when he felt a presence. Quickly, Leo turned his head only to come face to face with hissiste
There was a strange glint in his eyes. "I'm expected in Italy soon." It took Paige a moment to realize what that meant. "You are leaving?" Paige murmured, unaware of the sadness that had crept into her voice. It must have called to him because his face scrunched up. And his adam's apple bobbed up and down. "Don't say it like am casting you away after one night of sex." "Then how is it?" "You know that's not what it is." Paige squeezed their linked hands, covering it with one of her own and stealing Leo's attention with the trembling of her lips. "We just entered into a relationship and you are already leaving?" What will happen to our relationship when you are gone. You will be in Italy, busy with work while I will be here, what will happen to us. And don't tell me we could go into a long-distance relationship. We've hardly
He pulled away from her then, breathing heavily. His hair was a mess, and his eyes were filled with love, unspent. “Not fair,” he growled. “You are still clothed while I'm naked. It gives you more advantage—"“Then take it off," Paige commanded.His eyes darkened, and he reached out with the intention to pry her off one of two clothes, and with a twist of her body, Paige escaped his arms and ran towards the king-sized bed, laughing when she saw the surprise in his eyes.She felt powerful, naughty, and so in love. Well aware she was teasing him, and that even though it might seem like he was annoyed, he wasn't bothered by it.It felt so good being this way with him. Being able to play with him like this. It made Paige smile. Then she saw the bulge in his pants and her
“Do you know how difficult it was for me to remain there acting likeIwasn’t affected by the things you said to me? LikeIwasn’t falling more and more in love with you. The gentle way you talked to me, your understanding.” He swallowed nervously. “Don’t you understand it, Leo? You confused me like no one has ever done before. You did kiss me at times whenIwas sure none of your family members waswatchingand then say nothing later. No explanation. And of course,Icouldn’t tell you that it was bothering me, thatIwas in love with you lest it turns out you reciprocated no such feelings for me too and was only pretending to, as the charade required.When that happens,Ifeared you might feel uncomfortable with me, and eventuallymightwant to lay me off after the charade was done andI&
Few minutes later, Paige was inside the ostentatious house. After navigating for a while, and pulling open several empty rooms, she finally found Leonardo upstairs in one of the rooms.Contrary to what Wesley believed, Leo was standing by the window. Which gave a natural view of the outside. One hand in his pocket. He had discarded his jacket and was left only in a white shirt and his pants. He was backing her so Paige couldn't see his face, but he must have sensed her presence because he said without turning, “I thought i told you to gohome, Paige.”Paige stepped inside quietly, closing the door. Waiting for him to face her, but he never did. "I don't want to. I don’t want to go home.”He turned then, his eyes resting on her arms, the tear in the hem of her gown. Her knee, and then finally her belly, and his
Leo studied her intently. She was serious. He frowned. "Very well. Do what you want. Stay in the car if you want. That won’t guarantee i will give you a listening ear."After saying that, Leo signaled his driver to head straight to his house.She relaxed then and Leo realized she had been holding her breath. Which Leo did not understand.Another thing he didn't understand was why was she here? Why was she hellbent on explaining herself? What reason did she think she would give that will change his mind? He wanted to believe there was a good reason for this, but he couldn't think of anything."I'm sorry." Leo hadn't realized he had been staring at her until she said that.He turned his face towards the window. Not wanting her to see how that wo
Downstairs, in the half-deserted hotel hallway, Leonardo ran an agitated hand over his hair, puffing out air from his mouth. He felt like smashing his fist into something. Worst, he didn’t feel like that would relieve the pain in his chest. It felt like a large hand was closing in around his heart. And squeezing it tight. How could Paige do this to him? And to think that he asked her before if she was pregnant and she lied through her teeth. She looked him straight in the eyes and lied. Made Leo want to curse out in frustration. What has he done to deserve this? Was he thatdespicable? Shewould rather tell Finn she was pregnant than tellinghim?The father of the child.
Finn stood up from theground,looking so lost. “Does he know? Your boss?" He gestured with his hand. "Does he know you are pregnant?"His green eyes rested on her stomach, and then back to her face. Paige shook her head. “He doesn’t know.” "He doesn’t know?" Finn repeated, his face serious. Paige could feel the wheels turning in his head. He seemed to be thinking hard. Then he ran a hand over his face and planted it on his waist as if coming to a sudden conclusion. "Don't tell him." “What?” “I said don’t tell him.” "You can't be serious!" Paige cried. “Hear me out before you say anything," Finn said, stepping closer to her. Paige knew she hadn’t told Leonardo anything about her pregnancy, she knew she was delaying, but she was going to tell him, eventually. However, what Finn was suggesting was the opposite. He was insinuating she shouldn’t tell Leo at all. He grabbed her hand, and Paige trie
Finn, who was talking with his friends, tried to call her, but she ignored him and dashed out of the door. "Paige!" Finn called and hurried after her. Immediately she stepped out of the reception which was held in the halls of a fancy hotel. Paige hurried to the nearest hallway. On getting there, she rested her back on the wall, and closed her eyes, clenching her purse tight. Paige was trying to gather herself before Finn reached her. However, she was not successful. Because in the next second Finn's hands were on her shoulders and he was turning her around. "Hey, what's wrong? Look at me," Finn said when Paige wouldn't look at him. Tipping her chin, he looked into her eyes. "Are you crying? Don't cry." Finn cooed. There was something about trying to hold back tears and then someone offering sympathy that suddenly made the tears come faster. That was the case with Paige because immediately Finn cooed that word 'Don't cry.' Not minding sh