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I busy myself in the kitchen, putting the fresh pizza in the oven, pulling the freshly made bruschetta from the fridge, grabbing an antipasto platter already made as well, and a packet of lupini beans that I pour into a bowl and sprinkle sea salt on, popping a couple in my mouth as I go. There’s a tray of polpettine meat balls that need to be reheated, so I place that tray next to the pizza while I wait for the oven to heat up, and lastly, I find a tray of arancini balls.
Out to the table, I take the bruschetta, antipasto platter, and the lupini beans, and the guys are arguing over a hand and teasing each other—just like my own brothers do, making my heart ache thinking about them.
“Here you go, guys, some snacks to keep you going till the rest is cooked,” I say, placing them down in the middle.
“Thanks, Natalia,” Valentino grins up at me. He’s a handsome guy with dark hair, chocolate eyes, and a bit of scruff. He’s tanned, dressed nicely, tall, athletic, and cheeky. Nice, ticks all my boxes.
“Who’s winning?” I ask.
“Andro,” they all say with a groan.
I look over at where he’s seated. He ignores me and stares at his cards as his fingers turn a poker chip around between them.
“Guess I’ll leave you all to it then.”
“Why don’t you join us?” Valentino asks.
Alessandro’s hand slams down on the table as he glares at his cousin, then the room falls silent.
“Maybe not this time, but it was so kind of you to offer.” I smile at Valentino before heading back to the kitchen, just in time for the oven’s preheating beep to sound.
“Did you need any help?” Valentino asks, joining me in the kitchen.
His question makes me jump as I wasn’t expecting him there. “Oh, thank you, but I’m fine. Just have to put these trays into the oven and it’s all done,” I explain to him as I grab the first tray, slide it into the oven, and repeat it until all the trays are loaded. I look over at the table just as Alessandro’s attention is pulled back into the game.
“Would you like a drink?” Valentino asks.
“I’d love one, thanks, but aren’t you playing still?” I ask as we head toward the bar area.
He shakes his head. “Got out,” he answers as he walks around and stands behind the bar. “What would you like?” he asks.
“I’ll have a vodka, lime, soda, thanks.”
“Coming right up.” He grins, giving me a blinding smile. Wow, he really is handsome. I watch as he methodically creates me a drink. “So, you and my cousin, hey?” he asks, handing me the drink.
“What can I say? I found the love of my life. He’s the Romeo to my Juliet,” I answer sarcastically, which has him bursting out laughing, earning him a steely glare from Alessandro.
“Did the public buy your bullshit?” he asks.
“I can be convincing when I want to be,” I tell him, then take a sip of the drink. Oh, that’s strong.
“I’m sure you can.” Those chocolate eyes fall to my lips for the briefest of moments. My husband’s cousin isn’t supposed to give me flutters in my stomach. Concentrate on what you need to do, not flirt with someone you shouldn’t be.
“You’re a flirt, and it’s going to get us into trouble,” I tell him, sipping my drink.
“And?” He smirks, raising a brow at me.
“And I’m married to your cousin,” I answer.
“Technically.” He grins again, his eyes dip to my breasts, and this time, he isn’t hiding his blatant admiration.
This was not at all what I was expecting was going to happen tonight. “You are the first Conti that’s been nice to me,” I tell him.
He shrugs his shoulders. “Probably because Conti isn’t my surname, my mother was one. Also, who wouldn’t be nice to a beautiful woman like you?”
“You’re incorrigible.” I giggle, the drink hitting me as my cheeks burn from the alcohol.
“My friends call me Val,” he says.
