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No freaking wonder he's delayed us having breakfast. Blood tests typically require individuals to fast a certain number of hours,and when the nurse reaches for my arm to tie a tourniquet around it—-

Oh no, you don't!

The hemophobic wimp in me freaks out, and all hell breaks loose.

Chapter Nine

Cesare

MASSIMO:È vero? It took three men to keep her still?

Cesare:Sì.

Massimo:And that she managed to give one of them a shiner?

Cesare:Also true.

Massimo:I do not know whether to think you are lucky or unlucky.

Cesare:All you or any other man needs to remember is that she is mine.

Massimo:You almost sound jealous, fratello.

Cesare's lip curled at his brother's message. He was notgeloso,for fuck's sake. Never had been in his life, and he would not start acting so now, even where his ownfidanzatawas concerned.

"I'm back..."

Penelope marched out of her gynecologist's clinic with a still-stony look on her face. Even though she had already enjoyed the most sumptuous breakfast in the tower's rooftop restaurant, it was obvious that she had still not forgiven him for tricking her into getting her bloodwork done.

"Can we go now?"

No woman had ever dared to hold a grudge against him before, but instead of finding this annoying, it only made Cesare want to tease his Penelope even more.

"Not just yet," he drawled.

Penelope's gaze turned mutinous then, but he pretended not to notice.

"You are certain you've discussed everything with your doctor?" Cesare asked silkily.

"Of course."

"Then she's given a prescription for birth con—-"

"Yes!"Penelope was now red-faced in embarrassment, and she was also looking around them nervously as if wanting to check if someone else had accidentally heard his words.

"And did you make it clear that I wanted to fuck you without a con—-"

A mortified squeak escaped her lips as she tried to cover his mouth with her hands, only to end up losing her balance as her body fell against his.

She beat his chest upon hearing him chuckle in amusement, but as soon as she looked up, Cesare was able to retaliate by taking her mouth with a swift, hard kiss.

"Mmmph."

Penelope cried out as he sucked hard on her lower lip, and she glared up at him as soon as he lifted his head.

"Will you still not forgive me,tesoro?"

"Never," she grumbled without hesitation, "and will you please stop kissing me just anywhere you please?"