Page 73 of My Italian Love Affair

A few throw curious glances our way - because, let’s be honest, this hot little redhead storming onto the pitch to confront me isn’t exactlysubtle- but they don’t stick around to watch.

They know better than to get involved.

Daphne, however, doesn’t seem to care either way.

"Giornalista, I’m flattered,” I smirk, dragging my towel over my face to wipe away the sweat before tossing it over my shoulder. “But usually, when a woman says those words to me, she’s talking about something a little more…personal."

"You’reunbelievable,andinsufferable,and -"

"Andhere you are," I interrupt as I widen my stance, lookingher over with curiosity. "Have you finally come to confess that you’ve fallen for my good looks, my irresistible charm?"

"Not evenclose," she glares.

I raise a brow.

"Then to what do I owe the pleasure?"

Daphne exhales sharply, like she’s holding back from strangling me.

I’dloveto see her try.

Apparently, so would my cock, which is hardening by the second.

"The Tribune wants more interviews," she grits out.

I nod, unsurprised as I attempt to discreetly adjust my shorts.

My agent already filled me in this morning. Apparently,The Tribuneis eager to set up more features with me.

No surprise there, of course - why wouldn’t they?

Whatissurprising is that they don’t just want me.

They want meandDaphne together on camera.

It’s not a request, either.

It’s an expectation.

My agent has a long-standing relationship withThe Tribune- his wife is one of the senior executives on the board, which means there’s been an unspoken rule for years now that they get all my exclusives.

It’s never been an issue before. If anything, it’s been convenient. A mutually beneficial agreement that keeps everyone happy.

But now, they’re making it clear that my exclusives aren’t justabout me anymore. They want Daphne involved.

Not Mark.

Good.

I’d made a point to tell my agent I was happy with that arrangement - less time with that asshole was a win in itself - but I’d also instructed him to dig up every piece of information he could find on the prick.

So far, the results have been…interesting.

Mark Chapman has worked with alotof junior journalists over the years while here in Rome. More than a few of them have been women.

And yet, in the last five years, every single one of them has left sports journalism entirely.

Some have even left the profession altogether.

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