Page 85 of Niccolo

If this were a normal situation and I were a normal woman, this would have been the part where I started flirting with him.

But nothing about the situation – or me – was normal.

“I’ll bet you say that to all the girls,” I said coolly.

“What –‘Ciao, bella’?”He grinned. “As a matter of fact, I do. But I’ve never meant it quite so much as now.”

“Somehow, I imagine you’ve saidthatbefore, too.”

“What, the part about never meaning it quite so much?”

“Yes.”

He laughed. “Tough audience tonight! I’m Niccolo Rosolini, brother of the groom. And you are…?”

I nearly said my real name, I was so entranced by his sparkling eyes –

Until I caught myself and murmured, “Aurora Dispenza.”

“Well, Aurora Dispenza, it is my great pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

He took my hand and pressed his lips to my fingers as he looked me in the eyes, one eyebrow cocked seductively.

I don’t normally respond to men and their flatteries.

But when his lips touched my skin, I felt a tingle – a very pleasant electricity that passed between us –

And I jerked back my hand in alarm.

“Oh, my – did I overstep the bounds of propriety?” he teased me.

“I – I’m here w-with Aurelio,” I stuttered, then cursed myself for stammering.

Why the hell are you acting like this?!

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he said apologetically – then smiled mischievously. “Not sorry that I kissed your hand, but that you’re saddled with Aurelio. Whatever did you do to deservethat?”

I struggled to suppress a smile. His charm was undeniable –

And it annoyed me that I was so susceptible to it.

“Do you often insult women’s dates?” I asked.

“Only when they’re my cousin’s,” Niccolo said. “But seriously, though – what the hell do you see in him?”

An excellent question.

And one I didn’t have an answer for.

Aurelio had all the charm of a spoiled teenage brat – and no good qualities, so far as I was concerned.

I simply said, “We haven’t been together long.”

“I would think two minutes alone with him would be more than enough to see the error of your ways. Astounding that you got past the first date. I mean, I assume this isn’t your first date – or is it?”

“You ask a lot of questions.”

“I’m curious about beautiful women, that’s all. Especially incredibly intelligent ones who make suchterriblechoices.”

---