Page 33 of Bellini Born

If it was in this neighborhood, then it was awfully big for one man alone, and my curiosity got the better of me. “Do you have a wife?”

A choking noise sounded, and Enzo thumped a fist against his chest. His reply came out croaked. “God no.”

The tiniest hint of a smile teased onto my lips. “Ah, so you’re an eternal bachelor. Got it.”

“It’s not that all this isn’t great.” One of his shoulders lifted. “It’s just not for me, you know?”

“I get it,” I assured him. Honestly, after watching my mom burn through men growing up—her clingy behavior driving them away sometimes before I even had a chance to learn their last names—the idea of a nuclear family featuring two parents who loved each other and a couple of kids they cherished felt like an unattainable dream. Not everyone was destined to achieve a happily-ever-after, even if they were desperate for it, so maybe Enzo was onto something by deciding he was fulfilled enough being single.

An excited cry echoed off the high ceiling of the foyer. “She’s here! Papa, Summer’s here!”

I tracked the sound of that little voice, my eyes landing on Bianca at the top of the curved staircase, bouncing on her toes.

Matteo appeared beside her, dressed in what I could tell even from this distance was a perfectly tailored designer suit, holding Serafina in his arms. His intense gaze met mine as he offered his hand to Bianca. “I can see that.”

I swallowed thickly. Why did that deep voice settle right between my thighs?

Get it together, Summer, before you end up working off your debt on your back.

I mean . . . would that really be the worst thing?

Yes! You didn’t make it out of the trailer park only so you could end up selling your body to a rich man who’s sure to chew you up and spit you out.

Together with his daughters, the man who had mastered the smolder walked down the steps, coming to a stop where I stood with Enzo.

With his eyes never leaving mine, Matteo said, “Welcome home, Summer.”

Holy hell, was it hot in here? Because it felt like I was burning up.

Bianca was oblivious to the sexual tension growing so thick in the air you could cut it with a knife. She left her spot by her father’s side, throwing her arms around my legs with so much force I stumbled back a step.

She peeked up at me, a giant smile splitting her face. “Can we do my hair again?”

My hand smoothed over the top of the braids I’d done yesterday that she must’ve slept on, wispy strands having come loose. “Absolutely. I even brought some detangler with me that will help make combing easier.”

Matteo spoke. “Why don’t we get Summer settled first?”

Bianca’s eyes lit up, and she tugged on my hand. “Come see your room!”

Her excitement was infectious, and I found myself laughing as I let her lead me up the stairs. When we reached the landing and she turned right, then left, then right again, I wondered if I’d need a map to navigate this massive house.

She came to a stop before an open door. “This one is yours.” Without waiting for me, she ran inside, climbed onto the queen-sized mattress set against the far wall, and began bouncing up and down. “You got a big bed!”

I nearly jumped out of my skin when a sharp snap sounded from behind me and Matteo’s stern voice commanded, “Bianca, down. You know there’s no jumping on beds.”

Bianca’s tiny lips pursed into a pout, but she dropped onto her bum and scooched off the edge. Hands twisting, she dropped her eyes to the floor. “Sorry, Papa.”

Her father walked past me into the room, dropping to a knee. He still held the baby in one arm, so he used his free hand to gently grip his daughter’s chin. “I only want to keep you safe,principessa.” Then he tenderly placed a kiss to the center of her forehead.

Damn, I was about to melt into a puddle watching this man go from authoritative to sweet with his daughter in the blink of an eye.

When he rose to his feet, Matteo checked his watch, blowing out a heavy breath. “I need to get to the office.”

“Right, of course.” I ducked my head.

“I’m sure Bianca will be more than happy to give you a full tour in my absence, but Teresa, our housekeeper, is around if you have any questions about the girls’ schedules. I don’t expect I’ll be back before bedtime this evening.”

Stepping forward, I extended my arms to take Serafina, and he willingly passed the infant over. Her big brown eyes stared up at me as I bounced her. “Well, hello, little one.”