Page 131 of Claimed At First Sight

She asked what happened for Maximo to storm in the way he did and order her and Ari from the room, but there was no chance I was admitting he’d discovered a book full of boudoir photographs of me. I changed the subject instead.

Maximo’s gaze settles on me first before drifting to my sisters.

“Steel-frame construction revolutionized architecture after the fire,” he continues, like my nervous system didn’t just short-circuit. “It allowed buildings to rise much taller than before.”

Ari blinks up at him as he steps closer. “That’s interesting.”

His expression softens by about one percent.

“It is,” he agrees.

I fold my arms tightly across my chest, ignoring the fact that my pulse has decided to sprint.

“Tell me, Don Maximo, do you often appear behind unsuspecting women on sidewalks, or is it just me who receives this special treatment?”

A wicked glint appears in his eyes.

“Only you,” he says smoothly.

“Does that mean you brought the book you stole from me?”

A smile tugs at the corners of his mouth, but he suppresses it.

“No, that wouldn’t be safe out in the open. Rest assured it’s carefully stored away.”

I roll my eyes at him.

He leans closer, invading my space, and my heart rate kicks up another notch. I catch a hint of his cologne, and remembering why I’m angry with him suddenly requires a lot more concentration than it should.

His mouth moves to my ear. “I look forward to going through the album again with you. Let me know when you’re ready for it.”

I might actually be beginning to sweat despite the cold.

For once, I have no clever response. My brain just abandons me. By the time it works again, several seconds have passed, and Maximo seems way too pleased with himself.

I fold my arms, not that it’s much of a defense against him.

“And what are you doing here, Don Maximo?”

“Ensuring you don’t get kidnapped in my city.”

I stare at him.

“Well. That’s comforting and alarming at the same time. But as you can see,” I point to the guards surrounding us, “it’s not necessary. Security hasn’t lost us so far today.”

“And they never will again, or everyone involved will have to deal with the consequences.”

I fix him with a glare. “Now that definitely sounded like a threat.”

“Better heed it, because I won’t let it slide like last time.”

My eyes widen. Did Maximo just imply he’d punish me?

And why does that thought send an entirely inappropriate shiver through me?

Maximo notices, of course, but a gust of icy wind sweeps between the buildings at the same moment, and he misinterprets it.

Thank you, God, for this small mercy.