Page 210 of Claimed At First Sight

The refusal lands with a sharper sting than I anticipated. I don’t allow my disappointment to show.

Instead, I study the flush warming her cheeks and the way her body remains inclined toward mine.

“Then I clearly haven’t kissed you enough yet.”

A gleam of mischief enters her eyes. “Far be it from me to interfere with your strategy.”

She lifts herself toward me, curling her fingers into my jacket with renewed enthusiasm, and kisses me.

I savor her newfound boldness before I take control again. She yields without hesitation, following every movement of my mouth as though her body already understands mine.

The SUV begins to slow, and I reluctantly pull back. Mia’s dazed expression is a sight to behold, her lips red and plump and her cheeks flushed.

Our gazes remain locked as my fingers trail down the side of her neck. My thumb brushes over her lower lip, and she makes no attempt to turn away.

“We’re here, little rebel.”

When we stop at Aldo’s front door, Mia’s gaze breaks from mine and she turns toward the door. I catch her hand before she can reach for the handle and pull her back.

God knows when I will kiss this woman again after today.

Cupping her face, I murmur, “One more.”

She melts into the kiss, seeming to understand that our time alone is coming to an end.

“You’re surprisingly eager to kiss me,” I murmur against her lips when we part.

“Don’t let it go to your head, but you are a good kisser.” Mia gives me one of those sugar-sweet smiles I’ve learned means nothing but trouble. “I’ve made it perfectly clear that I’m not going to marry you, so there’s no risk of giving you the wrong idea. Until I find another man I want to make out with, why not?”

She tries to slide out of the SUV, but I catch her wrist and pull her back.

“There won’t be another man, Mialina.”

The warning in my voice only makes her eyes sparkle more.

“Believe whatever you want.” She frees her wrist and opens the door. “Once we return to Sicily, I will go exploring. Italian men are supposed to be very passionate.”

My teeth grind together. Then I remember that things are about to change. I step out of the car and follow Mia inside.

She’s already wrapped her arms around her mother. Caterina laughs as Mia nearly knocks her backward, returning the embrace with equal enthusiasm.

Mia pulls back, and Caterina cups her face affectionately. That’s when Mia notices it.

She pulls her mother’s hand from her cheek and holds it out in front of her.

I watch the exact moment she realizes what she’s looking at.

She brings Caterina’s hand closer as if to make sure she isn’t imagining it. The diamond in the ring catches the light from the chandelier as Mia’s gaze locks on the stone.

Her eyes widen, and a sharp breath leaves her. She blinks a few times and opens her mouth, but no sound comes out. For once, she appears speechless.

Caterina’s smile grows. Mia clutches a hand to her chest before throwing her arms around her mother again, her surprised laugh bright and genuine.

Then the implications begin to catch up.

Mia pulls back. Her gaze drops to the diamond again, but this time she isn’t admiring it. She is calculating what it means.

Aldo and Caterina.