Page 57 of Alessio

Ginevra smiled and stared down at the floor.

“And yes, we’re done,” Cara added, “so you can sneak her back, and hide her away from the world, Corrado.”

“Thank you, Ma.”

Cara pointed a finger at him, her gaze narrowing. “I do, however, want to see more of you, if you will be staying in this city. It’s not acceptable for you to be here for two months, and I see you all but one time. I don’t like that.”

“I will fix that.”

“Make sure. Oh, and Alessio, too. Although, I have seen far more of him than you … pick up the slack, huh?”

“Noted, Ma.”

Ginevra hid her grin at Cara chastising her son by continuing to stare at the floor. She only looked up when Cara touched her arm with a soft touch.

“Thank you for joining me today,” Cara said, winking, “and we will do it again soon. I promise.”

“I can’t wait.”

It wasn’t a lie, either.

“Your driver is outside, if you’re ready to leave, Ma,” Corrado said. “I chatted with him before I came in.”

Cara nodded. “Good. I have errands. Take care of this woman, Corrado.”

“Will do.”

Corrado leaned down to press a quick kiss to his mother’s cheek when she stopped at his side before passing him by. A simple wave of her delicate hand over her shoulder was all Ginevra saw of his mother before Cara disappeared out the front of the business.

Just like that, her focus was back on Corrado.

And that sly grin of his as he stepped closer to her until she had to walk backward from his closeness. Not that she went far—her back hit the edge of the bar, and she was cornered. Except it didn’t really feel like he cornered her, not when she liked being caught by Corrado.

He stared down at her, his brown eyes darkening before he dropped a quick kiss to Ginevra’s mouth without asking if he could or should. She didn’t mind that, either, taking his kiss and reveling in the way he owned her.

All too soon, he was pulling away.

But he didn’t move away.

Corrado’s thumb stroked her bottom lip, and then drifted over the edge of her jaw as he asked, “Did you enjoy yourself?”

“Very much.”

“Good. My mother loves you.”

“She’s … amazing, too.”

Corrado cocked his head to the side with a curious eye. “She is, and so are you.”

“Do you lay that charm on for every woman that catches your eye, or am I a special case?”

“I never tried.”

She appreciated his frankness.

“And you’re quite special,” he added, winking.

Ginevra laughed. “You came to get me alone?”