Captivated by Her Italian Boss by Rosanna Battigelli

Author:Rosanna Battigelli
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-05-01T11:13:06+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

AFTER DAVIDE AND BIANCA had left, Neve had gone downstairs and out into the courtyard with a book, but she hadn’t been able to concentrate. Why would Davide rush Bianca off so quickly after they had just met? She wondered at the real reason why Davide had been so adamant about her staying behind. Had she simply imagined that his gaze had hardened for a moment, as if she had done something to displease him?

Whatever it was, she was determined to find out what the problem was.

And then maybe he’d look at her again like he had eight years ago...

* * *

The tread of shoes in the hall outside her room had briefly registered in her light slumber, but Neve hadn’t fully awakened until she heard a series of shrieks sometime later. She jolted upright, disoriented, and then consciousness hit her like a wave.

Bianca. Was she having one of her nightmares?

She grabbed the matching robe and hurriedly put it on, tying the straps before bolting out the door.

Bianca’s door was partially open, and Neve didn’t hesitate. In seconds she was at Bianca’s side. Bianca was sitting up, her face puckered and streaked with tears.

“You’re safe, Bianca,” Neve murmured, putting an arm around her. “You must have been dreaming. I’m here.”

“And I’m here.”

Davide’s voice made them both direct their gazes to the doorway. In several strides he had reached the bed, and had crouched down to kneel on the mat. Taking Bianca’s hands, he gave them a kiss and then met Neve’s gaze. “You can go back to bed,” he said curtly. “I’ll take care of this.”

Neve felt a stab of hurt. She had been hoping to comfort Bianca with a little rhyme she had shared with her kindergarten students after reading them a story about having bad dreams. “I just—”

“I want her to stay,” Bianca cried, tugging at her uncle’s hands.

Neve saw Davide’s jaw tighten, the muscles flicking as he gazed from Bianca to Neve.

“If you wish, and if Signorina Neve doesn’t mind,” he said gruffly.

“I don’t mind at all,” Neve said. She glanced at the bookshelf nearby. “Maybe I can read Bianca a story...”

Bianca’s face brightened. She clambered out of the bed and ran to grab a book. Neve felt her heart melting at the sight of Bianca in her nightshirt, her golden-brown hair streaming down her back, her slender legs bronzed from the summer sun.

Although she kept her eyes on Bianca, Neve was very conscious of Davide’s proximity. And gaze. He was still on his knees and inches away from her own. An image of his head cradled in her lap flashed in her mind, and her hand caressing his hair, and she felt a series of sparks shoot through her. She was sure her cheeks were flaming and she was glad when Bianca jumped back on the bed between them.

“This is my favorite,” she said, turning the book to reveal the cover: Bianca Neve. “I’m in it!” She looked up at Neve, her eyes fluttering as if she just realized something.

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