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“That sounds amazing.” Never had I wanted to trade places with someone so badly. That amount of freedom was inconceivable.

“I’m sure she would love to tell you about all her adventures. She could give you recommendations on where to go.”

Right. Because I was a jobless heiress, with unlimited funds and no responsibilities.

“I’m not sure I could go off for over a year, but I’d love to hear all her stories.”

He seemed pleased by that. Had it been a test?

For what? Seeing if I was sticking around or how dedicated I was to my fictional charity work?

“I think I would miss you if you were gone for that long.”

The smile that broke free was out of my control. How else was a woman expected to react when a sweet, handsome, kind man said something like that?

He is a job, Emilia!

Fuck.

“Oh, really?” I couldn’t help it. Flirting was a part of this mission. Seduction. I needed him to let me into his world.

He blushed.

Ugh. Why did he have to be so real? So human. It was adorable and addictive.

“Can I get anything else for you two?” our waiter asked.

“No, thank you,” I responded immediately.

“Thank you,” Alessio told him. He slipped the man several folded bills and then turned his attention back to me. “I’m not ready to say goodbye.”

I titled my head. “Who said we had to?”

His eyes heated. “Would you like to see my house?”

“The inside this time?”

He quietly chuckled. “Yes, the full tour.”

“I’d love to.”

He slid from the booth and offered his hand to help me out. I took it, then he interlaced our fingers as we left the restaurant and into his waiting car. I hadn’t seen him pull out his phone. How had the driver known to come around?

The thought disappeared when he scooted closer and traced his finger along my chin, turning my head to look at him. His eyes searched mine as I studied his face.

The moment our lips connected, I wanted the world to melt away. I tried to hold my thoughts together—enemy—instead I was spiraling.

This was it.

I knew eventually this moment would come. On some level, I even knew it would be tonight, but now that I was facing it, I couldn’t freeze.

I’d slept with a target before.

It was just sex.

So why did this time feel different?

The guys.