Page 19 of Claimed At First Sight

Isa gives me a subtle thumbs-up as we step out into the cooler air of the terrace.

“Now that you’ve got me alone,” I say without missing a beat, “what would you like to talk about?”

Silence settles between us for a second. Out here, the heavy perfume and noise of the ballroom fall away, and without the crowd around us, his presence is harder to ignore.

“What are your plans now that your father is gone?”

The question catches me off guard. I hate that.

“Um.”

What is his game? Why does he want to know that?

“It’s not something I’ve had much time to consider. He’s only been dead a little over three weeks, and I’ve been helping Mari pull this memorial together.”

“Yes, I heard the flower arrangements were all your doing. You’ve got a good eye.”

His compliment warms me. I don’t want it to and try to squash that feeling.

“I love flowers. Unlike people, they’re soft, fragrant… and don’t reek of ego.”

I smile up at him sugar-sweet, and he chuckles.

“Or you could say, they’re easy to love… and don’t need a leash to behave.”

I don’t bother hiding my laugh. He’s fast.

“Or unlike people,” I counter, “they’re stunning, silent, and not obsessed with being in charge. Tempting, huh?”

“Hmm,” he drawls like he’s considering it. “No. Not tempting at all.”

Of course not.

“So what is it you want from me, Maximo? You’ve been staring at me all night.”

The playfulness vanishes, his face turning serious.

“Were you aware your father was in the final stages of arranging your marriage?”

Chapter Six

Mialina

Itake a step back, my legs shaky. For a moment, I just stare at Maximo.

Father was arranging my marriage next?

Before Isabella, the oldest?

We all thought it was strange that he fixed Mari’s marriage first. Thankfully, that ended in disaster, or she’d never have found her happiness with Mateo. But doing it again?

What were his plans for Isa then? It doesn’t add up.

“How would you know that?” I ask, my voice calm by sheer force of will.

“I did a bit of digging,” he says. He sounds too damn casual, as if he’s discussing the weather or the quality of the wine. “Wanted to see if I had any competition.”

My jaw tightens.