Page 73 of Secret Baby for my Off-Limits Fiancé

"Fuck."

This woman is going to end me.

I immediately reply.

Of course not. I thought I’d come get you.

I shove my phone back in my pocket and head straight for my car.

I might not have solved the Eva situation. I might not have convinced Silvano.

But Layla? She’s mine to handle.

And tonight, I plan to handle her thoroughly.

17

LAYLA

Fiveminutes.

That’s how long it took between me sending that text and Valentino’s car came screeching down the parkway.

The second he steps out, he looks me over, slowly, deliberately.

The heat in his gaze makes my skin tingle. It’s the kind of look that melts you, strips you bare, and makes you forget every last bit of common sense.

Then, his lips curve into the most ridiculously happy smile. A smile so genuine that it makes my chest ache.

"God, Layla. What the hell are you doing to me?" His eyes trail over my body with unfiltered appreciation. “I think I owe you an apology.”

"You think?" I smirk. "You were supposed to plan tonight. Did you forget?"

His expression shifts, frustrated, guilty, turned on, all at once.

He rakes a hand through his hair. “Maybe I did. It’s just, work has been…" He exhales sharply. "You know what? Fuck it. I don’t want to talk about that when you’re standing here looking like that.”

His gaze drags down my body again, burning into my skin.

"What is it, Marchetti?" I tilt my head. "Cat got your tongue?"

His jaw tightens. His hands are in his pockets, probably so he doesn’t give into the temptation to touch me.

“Let’s go somewhere.” His voice is lower, rougher. “I want to take you somewhere nice.”

I shake my head, stepping closer. “We don’t need to do anything fancy.” My fingers brush over his wrist, feeling his pulse quicken. “We can just stay in tonight.”

His brows raise, surprised. “Here?”

I nod.

He doesn’t argue, just nods back before leading me inside his building.

The click of my heels echoes through the open foyer as I step into his building.

Valentino takes my hand, his grip warm and sure, threading his fingers through mine like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

A slow, steady pulse beats beneath my skin as he leads me into the elevator.

---