Page 4 of Hidden Heir, Italian Wife

Alphonso arrived with Jax’s wine and an amuse-bouche. He relayed the chef’s suggested menu of three courses. Jax nodded agreement before Bree had finished the mental math on her budget.

When in Rome, she reasoned, and glanced out at the lake.

A soft breeze came off the water and the sound of outboard motors buzzed in the distance. The sun dappled through the greenery above them and music played beneath the lilt of nearby conversation.

It was movie set romantic so naturally she ruined it.

“I’m coming off a breakup,” she confided when they were alone again. “I was living with my boyfriend while we were getting our degrees. I thought he would invite me to go to India with him when we finished, so I could finally meet his family. He said they didn’t know about me.”

Jax’s dark brows shot up.

“He said his parents were looking for a wife for him.” She swallowed the ache in her throat, but it remained like a scuff behind her sternum. “My takeaway was that he would rather spend his life with a stranger than me.” She tried for a light, self-deprecating tone, but she was still deeply hurt.

“You’re nursing a broken heart.” His mouth twisted with rueful dismay.

Which gave her the thorniest pang of yearning and embarrassment.

“I shouldn’t have told you. That’s so cliché, isn’t it? This is my first date since before I met him. Can you tell?” She shook her head at herself.

His phone buzzed and he took it from his pocket to glance at the screen.

And there he went, she thought, expecting him to use the message to make his escape.

He removed his sunglasses as he read, revealing irises that were dark as black coffee. His mouth tightened.

“You don’t have to stay,” she said to forestall his rejection. “I realize you thought this might turn into something else.”

“I came here for a meal, not to prowl.” He turned his phone face down on the table and set his sunglasses beside it, sounding vaguely insulted. “If a vacation fling isyourgoal, though?” His tone turned intimate and self-deprecating. “I would be happy to oblige.”

Her heart did a somersault and she couldn’t help her smile of amusement.

“How long has it been?” he asked.

“Six—No, seven weeks. But I’ve started to realize he left months ago.”

“No sex?” he guessed.

“That had fallen off, yes,” she admitted, cheeks stinging at how rebuffed she’d felt by his lack of interest.

“Literally?” he drawled.

“Might as well have. I never saw it.”

They both chuckled.

“I blamed exam stress, but—” She sighed. “You know what? I’ll stop talking about him. I’ve been brooding this entire trip. This is my last day before I catch a train tonight and start my journey home. I’m determined to enjoy it.”

“Let me make you this promise, then.” He leaned forward. “I don’t prey on women who are in a vulnerable place. However, I will buy you lunch and compliment you without mercy, so you know exactly how attractive you are. Later, if you decide to exact quiet revenge by enjoying the best sex of your life, I would be very pleased to deliver that. If not, at least you’ll have the satisfaction of having turnedmedown.”

Bree nearly swallowed her tongue.

Their server arrived to switch out their course.

Jax leaned back and said, “Tell me what you’ve seen while you’ve been here.”

***

He wasn’t kidding. He applied himself to making her feel beautiful and interesting and desirable. It worked.

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