Page 61 of Secret Baby for my Off-Limits Fiancé

Because just ahead, a small vineyard comes into view.

Layla’s breath hitches beside me.

Her entire face lights up.

“Oh, my God. This is beautiful.”

I follow her gaze to the rows of grapevines, their dark, plump fruit hanging low, ripe for harvest. An elderly woman stands at one of the rows, plucking grapes with practiced ease.

I watch as Layla takes a step forward, completely captivated.

I smirk. “Want to help?”

She blinks up at me, startled, like she didn’t even realize I was still here.

“I… what?”

I wave to the woman, calling out in Italian. “Buongiorno! Would you like some help?”

The woman glances up, smiling warmly. “Oh, yes! Extra hands are always welcome.”

I turn to Layla, arching a brow.

“Come on, baby. Let’s get to work.”

She narrows her eyes at me for the ‘baby’, but doesn’t argue. Instead, she tosses her bag onto the ground and strides toward the vines, rolling up the sleeves of her dress.

God, she’s beautiful.

As we pick the grapes, I can’t stop myself from stealing glances at her.

The way her delicate fingers work with surprising skill, the way her brows furrow. The way she bites her lip when she focuses, completely lost in the moment.

“You’re good at this.”

She glances at me, grinning. “Well, I do work with fabrics all day. I guess I have good hands.”

My stomach tightens.

Don’t think about her hands, Valentino. Not like that.

She mimics my movements, gently twisting the stems before plucking the bunches of grapes. She examines one carefully, then holds it up to the sunlight, the deep purple hue glowing. “The color is so rich.”

I smirk. “That’s how you know it’s good.”

She turns to me, her eyes shining.

And fuck. Everything else fades. She’s all I see.

I don’t even realize I’ve stepped closer until her breath catches.

The basket slips from her fingers, hitting the ground with a soft thud.

Neither of us moves to pick it up.

Because she’s looking at me like I’m something worth looking at.

And I can’t take it.

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