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“It makes me feel…” she searched for how to express it, how to explain what she meant without sounding too invested. She shook her head slowly. “I like that you want to spend time with me, but please don’t make decisions for me again.” It wasn’t what she meant, but it was true too, so she let the words hang between them.
“I won’t, I promise.”
And she believed him.
Because when it came down to it, he was nothing like Jay. Jay who had lied to her and manipulated her from the very start, who’d made her feel small and wrong in so many ways, making her doubt herself and her decisions until she had no confidence left. That wasn’t what Leandro had wanted to do. He’d probably thought he was being romantic, like with the dresses the night before.
It made her wonder, was he always like this? In relationships, was he always so generous and focused? She felt as though she had the full force of his attention, and it was like being in a delicious spotlight. But the spotlight would move on soon enough, and then what?
She’d be cold.
The thought came to her out of nowhere. She tilted her gaze towards the skyline, staring out at the buildings with a thudding heart. This wasn’t real. It was all make-believe. From the beginning they’d said this thing had no future. Neither of them wanted that.
Skye had chosen to be single not just because of Jay’s controlling ultimatum and blackmail, but because she would never again risk putting her heart in another man’s hands. She couldn’t. She didn’t think she’d survive anything like that again.
So short term was good.
Temporary was fine.
She wouldn’t be cold, she’d be alone, but she’d be strong, just like before. She had to be.
CHAPTER NINE
IT WAS ENTIRELY SURREAL to be sitting cross-legged in the middle of the floor, playing a game of tea parties with Harper only to have Leandro walk in. A few nights ago, he’d greeted her at the door by pulling her against him and kissing her passionately, and now he was walking into a full-blown domestic situation.
But if it bothered him, he didn’t show it. He smiled easily at Harper, and Skye tried not to let that soften her heart. Because he made her pulse rush as a man, she didn’t want to also see him as someone who was great with kids. It made him somehow too perfect, and she knew there was no such thing. Nobody was perfect. She’d never be stupid enough to believe that again.
He was carrying a bag and he crouched down beside Harper and Skye, so her eyes were drawn to the way his fabric stretched across his powerful haunches and her mouth went dry. “For you, signorina.” He passed the bag to Harper who took it with a gleeful giggle.
“Sinnamina, sinnamina,” she repeated incorrectly.
“Signorina,” he said slowly.
She tried again, this time with more accuracy.
“What is it, Harps?”
The little girl’s hands were so small, her fingers still covered in that extra layer of toddler chub. Skye watched as she reached into the bag and pulled out something that was almost as big as her.
“A dolly!” She squealed.
Skye’s jaw dropped. She knew how much these particular dolls cost. Of course that’s what Leandro had bought her. And not just the doll, but a whole range of accessories too.
Only, seeing the look of pure joy on Harper’s face, how could Skye object?
“That’s very generous of you,” Skye said quietly.
“Di niente,” he waved away her thanks.
“Show Jane!” Harper exclaimed excitedly, putting paid to any thoughts Skye had about whether or not the nanny was working out. Harper adored her.
She went careening off down the corridor in search of her new best friend, leaving a bemused Skye staring at Leandro.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know.” He reached out and took her hand, pulling her to standing as he stood. “I got something for you too.”
“Leandro,” she sighed. “You have to stop.”
