Page 20 of When She Tempts (The Fallen)
“He still insists on going on a run with Polo every other Saturday, but I’m worried he’s going to trip and break a leg one of these days. The forest floor is so uneven in some parts, and there are some really slippery roots. I’ve been meaning to ask Polo to—”
Giorgio’s eyes suddenly flick from the newspaper to me. “Martina.”
The woman quiets and follows his gaze. For a moment, she seems confused at the sight of me, then her expression melts, and her mouth forms a cheerful smile. “Hello! Our guest!” She patters to me in a succession of quick steps and unceremoniously places her hands on my cheeks. “What a pleasure it is to have you join us. Gio, look at her freckles.Bellisima!How charming.”
“Hi,” I insert between her two kisses. “I’m Martina.”
“Of course you are, and I’m Allegra.” Her eyes twinkle. “We are so happy to have you here. We haven’t hosted any visitors since…”
Pressing her palm to her forehead, she whirls around. “Dio mio, has there been anyone since Polo? And he hardly counts, given he now works here.”
“You know I don’t like people,” Giorgio says, already back at his newspaper.
Allegra’s eyes widen, and she makes an awkward laugh. “He means he doesn’t like people in his personal space, not in general.”
“No, in general too,” he deadpans.
She swats at him with a towel, then guides me to a seat to his right. “A strange sense of humor he has. Sit, sit. I’ll bring you your breakfast, and then we’ll all sit down. Polo is just a little late. It’s been very dry this month, and the garden needs a lot of watering. Cappuccino?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Allegra disappears down a hallway and leaves us on our own. I’m not quite sure I can look at Giorgio without blushing just yet, so I take in the room instead. Fine art, gold-plated candelabras, and furniture that appears to be well-maintained antiques. A stone fireplace acts as the centerpiece of the room, but since it’s summer, it’s not lit.
There’s a snort, and then the tablecloth lifts to reveal a snout. Sophia places her head on my lap and offers me her best puppy eyes.
“Hi.”
She licks my hand.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Giorgio fold the newspaper and place it on the table. “Sophia likes to sleep in my room when I’m at the castello. If she keeps scratching at the door, I’ll ask Tommaso to take her for the night.”
“How old is she?”
“Four, although she still likes to act like she’s a puppy.”
“You leave her here when you’re gone?”
He brings his coffee to his lips. “Yes. I’m not here often. Technically, she’s Tommaso’s dog, but she’s developed an attachment to me I can’t really explain. I haven’t done anything to encourage it.”
As if sensing the topic of conversation, Sophia leaves me and pads over to him.
“Sit.”
She follows his command immediately and sticks out her tongue.
I’d miss it if I wasn’t watching carefully, but something soft bleeds into Giorgio’s expression as he drags his palm over the dog’s head.
I’m not about to tell him this, but her attachment is really no mystery when he looks at her likethat.
“Your ice is in that bucket, by the way.”
Oh, right.I reach inside the metal container and take out a small ice pack before pressing it against my tailbone. “Thanks.”
“I hope your grave injury doesn’t bother you too much.”
“I’ll survive.”
He glances at me, amusement dancing inside his eyes. “Have you decided what you’ll be doing today?”
