Latin Lovers: Hot-Blooded Sicilians: Valentino's Love-Child / The Sicilian Doctor's Proposal / Sicilian Millionaire, Bought Bride

“Si, but that’s not the point.”

“And what is the point?” “That you never answered her question.” “She didn’t seem bothered by that.” The older woman had not brought it up again. “Perhaps not, but I am.”

“That’s too bad. I’m not here to visit with you, Tino.” “My family will be disappointed. They are matchmaking.” “In vain.”

“Yes, but won’t you tell me why?”

He was insane. He was the one who refused to consider marriage. Ultimately, wasn’t that a far more effective deterrent to his family’s attempts at matchmaking than her supposed dislike of him?

“You’re arrogant.”

“I am a Grisafi.”

“So, it comes with the territory?”

“Definitely.”

She rolled her eyes.

“What else?”

“I never said I didn’t like you, Tino.” And she couldn’t do so now in honesty. He’d hurt her, but she did like him. She loved the callous lout, but yes, she liked him, too. Just not some of his attitudes.

“You said you never wanted to see me again.”

“I said our affair was over.”

“And yet here you are.”

“Visiting your family, Tino. Not you!”

“You could have arranged to come a different night.”

“Why should I?”

He laughed, the sound too sexy for her peace of mind. And highly annoying. “Ah, proving me wrong, Faith? Making sure that I know I don’t matter enough for you to avoid dinner in my home?”

“I told you I wouldn’t give up my friendship with your mother or son.”

“You wanted to see me, or you would not have come tonight.” He brushed her cheek with his hand. “Admit it.”

She jumped back from the gentle touch that felt like a brand. “If I hadn’t come, your parents would have suspected something was wrong between us. I would think you would have realized that and tried to avoid it. You could have made arrangements to be gone tonight without causing suspicion.”

“I had no desire to do so.” He shrugged, looking scarily determined.

“I don’t see why.”

“You have refused to answer my calls for the past week.”

“That should have given you a message.”

“It did. Something is wrong and I want to know what.”

“I told you.”

“You want more or nothing at all.”

“Yes.”

“I cannot give you marriage, Faith.”

“You would be surprised at what you are capable of giving in the right circumstances, Tino.” Why she said it, she didn’t know.

The need to challenge him?

“What circumstances would those be?”

She shook her head, absolutely not going there right now. “Just leave it alone.”

“I cannot.”

“You have to.”

“I know about your lost husband and child. I am sorry.

If I could take that old pain away, I would. But I cannot fill the gap they left in your life. That is not in my power.”

Did he really believe that? And here she’d thought he was smart. “You have your own past tragedies to deal with,” was all she said.

He did not get a chance to answer because they caught up with Gio and Rocco. Faith was given a fascinating description of what happened to the grapes once they were picked. She found it difficult to focus on, however with Tino a brooding presence beside her.

They were once again on their own as Gio and his grandfather had hurried back to the house much too quickly for Faith to keep up in her high-heeled sandals. “How did you find out about Taylish and Kaden?” she asked, posing the question to Tino she could not get out of her mind.

“My mother.”

Stunned, Faith stopped walking altogether. She could not imagine Agata sharing Faith’s confidences without a prompting to do so. Not even in the effort to matchmake. “You asked her?”

“Yes.” Tino stood only a couple of feet away, but the moonlight was not strong enough to illuminate the expression in his eyes.

She could feel its intensity though.

“Wasn’t that dangerous?”

“In what way?”

She rolled her eyes, though she doubted he could see it. “Don’t play dumb. It showed a more-than-passing interest in me.”

Something he’d said he didn’t want his mother to get wind of.