Page 311 of Vicious Temptation

“Zara has you wrapped around that little finger of hers, doesn’t she?”

“Guilty.”

“That’s okay. I owe her.”

I pull back. “Owe her?”

She nods. “Zara is part of the reason you eventually won me over.”

“How’s that?” I ask, kissing along her jaw.

“Watching you with her. You were so good with her and so patient. She adores you, baby.”

“I love her too.”

“And you let her put ten ponytails in your hair. I still have those pictures, by the way.”

“For legal reasons, right?”

“For legal reasons,” she says with a smile.

Her fingers slide into the curls at the nape of my neck. “And you saved her, Thiago. I’ll never stop being grateful for that.”

I kiss the center of her palm. “I’d do it again.”

“I know.”

“I have something for you,” I say, reaching into my back pocket.

Her eyebrows lift when I pull out a watermelon lollipop. She takes it from me with a laugh, then unwraps it.

“I was just craving something sweet too.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” she breathes, slipping the candy into her mouth, then slowly pulling it free and brushing it against my lips. She glides it back and forth before giving it another teasing lick.

“Your family is watching,” I whisper, tightening my grip on her.

Remi glances toward the bleachers.

Zara has both hands pressed to her mouth, blowing exaggerated kisses our way. The second Matteo realizes what she’s doing, he covers her eyes with one hand and turns her toward him.

Remi bursts out laughing.

“Then take me somewhere they’re not.”

“I love Zara, but I might have to take a rain check on that ice cream.”

“But you promised her.”

“She’ll forgive me.”

“Only if you buy her extra sprinkles.”

“I’ll buy the entire damn shop if it means getting you to myself.”

I set her down, keeping one arm around her waist until her feet are steady. She slips the lollipop back between her lips, takes my hand, and pulls me toward the parking lot before I can decide whether leaving our entire family behind is a terrible idea.