Page 28 of Claimed At First Sight

I don’t let him finish. Turning, I bolt toward the house and don’t look back.

This was a big mistake.

Chapter Eight

Maximo

Mialina disappears into the house so fast I almost laugh.

I stay where I am on the bench, watching the spot where she vanished between the stone archways, a smile tugging at my mouth.

Another man might take offense at her abrupt escape, but I don’t. If anything, her retreat tells me exactly what I wanted to know.

Mialina Accardi isn’t nearly as unaffected by me as she wants me to believe. For all the arguing she does, she didn’t argue with my mouth.

She was hesitant for all of a few seconds. Then she yielded, clutching my shirt and trying unsuccessfully to hold in those soft little sounds.

By the end, she was kissing me back with enough hunger to make my blood run hot and turn my cock to steel.

Soon enough, I’ll teach her what pleases me. I have a feeling she’ll learn quickly.

The image of her in my lap comes back to me. Flushed cheeks. Swollen lips. Those furious dark eyes glazed with desire.

It bodes well for our marriage. Getting her pregnant over and over again won’t be a chore.

She can keep fighting me for now. After that kiss, I’m not worried about where this is heading.

When my cock is finally under control, I stand and adjust my jacket. I need to speak with Mateo. I’m sure Mia told him what I revealed to her last night. The Irish contract is unfinished business, and I intend to get to the bottom of it.

I move toward the house. On the terrace, I spot Aldo and Caterina Accardi at a small breakfast table.

I noticed the two of them talking for a while last night. Looks like my consigliere has taken a shine to Mialina’s mother. I can see why. Caterina is a beautiful woman.

He seems lighter around her. I even catch him smiling, something he’s done very little of since his wife died.

As I walk past toward the door, I hear Caterina laugh softly at something Aldo says. Her laugh is easy and genuine, nothing like the practiced flirting I have to endure from women hoping to marry a man with my name and position.

I can’t imagine Mialina laughing just to make a man feel good about himself. She’d roll her eyes at such attempts.

I head inside and find Mateo in his study. The door is partially open when I arrive.

Mariella stands near the desk while Mateo sits behind it, his attention fixed entirely on his wife.

Whatever they’re discussing is serious, but neither of them looks upset. Mariella’s expression is thoughtful, almost relieved, while Mateo looks softer than usual.

Mariella glances toward the doorway first, noticing me.

“I’ll let you two talk,” she says, smiling at Mateo before crossing the room to leave.

Mateo’s expression hardens the second his wife disappears from the room.

“Maximo,” he says. “You spoke to Mialina.”

Straight to the point.

I step into the room and close the door behind me. “I did.”

Mateo leans back in his chair. “You had no right.”