Page 34 of How Not to Mess with a Millionaire

Last time? More like the only time. He hadn’t made her cappuccino since that first morning, and she wasn’t about to beg him for more, no matter how damn delicious it was. No doubt he’d only done it today to impress his grandmother. Maybe Carmella should drop in more often. Hopefully when Zoe was fully clothed.

She took a sip and sighed. Yep. Delicious. Just like the man who made it.

Whoa. Down, girl.There had to be some sort of rule of etiquette against thinking dirty thoughts about a man with his grandmother sitting right next to her.

“So.” Carmella tapped a finger on the table. “Dante was telling me you two have been enjoying each other’s company.”

Zoe almost spat out her cappuccino. “Really?”

Dante gave her a look that wavered between warning and pleading. She let him stew for a moment, slowly sipping her drink, then relented and took pity on him.

“I mean, yes, we have. He’s been a perfect host.”

“Has he shown you the sights? This region of the country has some of the most beautiful beaches, the best shopping, and the finest restaurants in Italy.”

“I’ve mostly been relaxing at the villa. Swimming. Reading. Catching some rays.”

“You haven’t been to Pompeii? Taken the ferry to Capri? Spent the day on Marina Grande Beach?”

Zoe shook her head.

“What a pity.” Carmella clucked her tongue and wagged a finger at her grandson. “I’m ashamed of you.”

“Me?” Dante lowered his coffee cup. “What did I do?”

“Nothing, and that’s the problem.” Carmella’s eyes narrowed at her grandson. “Zoe’s been here an entire week, and she’s barely been outside these walls.”

Dante returned his grandmother’s stare over the rim of his cup. “I didn’t realize you expected me to play tour guide.”

“It’s settled, then.” Carmella set her mug down on the table with a loudthunk.

“What’s settled?” Zoe asked, her gaze ping-ponging from grandmother to grandson. Had she missed something?

“The sun is shining. The sea is calm. Perfect weather for a day trip to Capri.” Carmella’s sugary sweet smile matched her syrupy tone. “Unless you two had other plans?”

“That’s not necessary,” Zoe protested. “Really.”

“Zoe’s a big girl.” On Dante’s lips, the words sounded dirty and a little dangerous, making Zoe’s mouth go dry and her palms itch. Was he remembering their kiss? “She traveled all the way here from San Francisco. If she wants to see Capri, I’m sure she’s perfectly capable of going solo.”

“Nonsense.” Carmella checked her watch. “If you hurry, you can catch the ten o’clock ferry.”

Zoe gaped at Dante. “How do you know I’m from San Francisco?”

She replayed their conversations in her head. It didn’t take long. The most personal they’d gotten was the night they’d listened toLa Bohème.

And that kiss.

“Your shirt,” he answered, snapping her back to the present. “That first day. You left your heart there.”

“Enough chit-chat.” Carmella pushed her chair away from the table and stood, signaling that coffee time was over. “You have a ferry to catch.”

Dante rose to join her, picking up both their coffee cups. “It’s no use arguing with her. Believe me, I’ve tried. She’s stubborn when she gets her mind set on something. Like amulo.”

Carmella smacked him on the arm again, harder this time so that Dante almost dropped one of the mugs. “It’s not nice to call your grandmother a mule.”

“What about Houdini?” Zoe stood and picked up her own cup. “We can’t leave him alone.”

“He won’t be alone,” Carmella announced, marching past them into the house. “I’ll stay with him until you get back.”