The Italian's Fake Fiancée

21

"Mother?" Leo breathed in the air of one who didn't know he was being watched.

Because Paige couldn't understand Italian, the family has made it a point to speak English whenever she was within the vicinity, but there were still a few times when they resolved to Italian like now as mother and son greeted themselves in Italian.

Flavia turned to them and looked from Leo to her. Leo was still holding her against his body which caused a rivulet of fire to spread throughout her body and she enjoyed it so much she was a step away from turning putty in his arms. Paige tried to think of a time when Leo had held her like this, but came up with nothing. He had never held her like this and she knew he was doing it today because of the charade because he wanted his mother to see them as the couple they were pretending to be, however, it was making her feel something in her belly. She risked a glance at him, but his gaze was fixed on his mother.

"Ahem." Someone cleared their throat and Paige swung around and blushed, embarrassed that she had gotten disconnected with the conversation.

Flavia stared at her. The woman had kind eyes. I'm glad you are here with my son. And It's good to know you are going for the game," she added.

Paige turned to Leo for how she should respond, but his face revealed nothing of what should be said. Turning back to the woman she mumbled, "I'm glad I am here with him too." This she said truthfully.

There must have been something in the way she said those words that got Leo's eyes to stray towards her, and they locked each other in a searing gaze.

A door opened in the corridor and Aunt Elena came out. "Ah if it isn't the young couple and look how adorable they look."

That broke them apart, but it didn't stop aunt Elena from rambling on. "You make me want to fall in love again. Che bella coppia."

Leo grinned down at his aunt. "Your exaggerations are beyond me, aunt Elena."

"Oh, it's no exaggeration." She waved her hand in the air.

Paige smiled holding onto Leo. He smiled down at her. "Well, if that's the case you can have that if you find the right man for you. Just like I did with my Leo." She had only said that as part of the charade, but he turned to her with a surprised look in his eyes.

"It doesn't always last," Someone chirped in, a new voice. All eyes turned towards the source of the voice. Only to find Rosa strolling down the corridor towards them. Her golf bag on her shoulder and pulling her gloves on her hand. "It doesn't always last," She repeated. "Some people should just know that." Her eyes trailed to Leo and Paige.

"Rosa you can't say that about your brother's relationship!"

"I don't recall mentioning anyone's relationship," Rosa said without remorse.

"Oh, I don't know what has gotten into her. Mie scuse." Flavia apologized on her behalf and Paige nodded her head. Leo's hand tightened on her waist, but Paige did not notice. She was busy staring at Rosa.

Even though she didn't like what the woman said, she knew without a doubt, it was the truth, and it scared her. This love that she was pursuing, what if it deserted her like it did before, the first time around when she was dating her first boyfriend.

Without knowing it her face had revealed that fear and Leo thinking she had slipped into the acting shoe of the perfect fiancée who had just been told her relationship won't last swooped in to save her.

"Don't listen to her," he cooed. Paige turned and saw her boss leaning towards her. She would have shrunk back in surprise, had she not remembered they were not the only ones there. So she stayed put and watched him gently lean closer and flick her nose, moving it from side to side. When he finished, he smiled down at her. "Don't worry, our love will last." He purred and then placed a kiss at the corner of her lips.

Immediately, a swift blush rose to Paige's cheeks, and she turned her face away, but he did already see it and stared curiously at her. Her eyes met Rosa's. The pretty brunette did not look happy. But that wasn't her problem. Her problem was what Leo was thinking.

When she turned to Leo he was staring straight ahead, the sensual chiseling of his mouth clamped down in a neat line and steering her downstairs as though there was a devil they had to get away from.

They stopped in front of the golf cart and separated. Paige took a step away from him. Breathing heavily.

Without a word, he climbed into the golf cart, and she did the same. He turned to her, his face full of remorse "I'm sorry I had to do that, but words have been going around that we didn't look as much in love as we did on the first day and I wanted to eradicate all doubts."

"Words have been going around, where?"

Leo cursed and turned back to her. "In the family group chat. They added me back after I returned to Italy." He paused and frowned, "Are you okay, you are a bit... red."

"Red?" Her voice was shaky when she said that. Paige shook her head. "Nah that's not possible. It's the heat." He stared at her and she returned the stare. God forbid she let him think she was affected by a barely-there kiss, which wasn't even on the mouth. Good lord, what was she turning into?

And why was he even talking about the kiss? She closed her eyes. Fucking blush betrayer of all mankind.

When she opened her eyes again, he was still staring at her.

"What?"

He shook his head and started the engine, pulling them out of the vicinity of the palazzo.

Paige rested her head on her seat and stared at Leo's side profile.

"From what I gather, this is a kind of tradition. What happens when you miss?"

"You can't. It's mandatory, besides this is more than just a golf course or any other activity we might engage in but, about the bonding we share as a family. It started with my great-great-grandfather. He led us to believe bonding as a family is very essential for our business, and we have been doing that till today. Besides, if you are still worried about the golf course you don't have to i will teach you."

"You will teach me?" Paige blurted out, surprised. Her brain bringing her a clear picture of what would happen. Paige became nervous, imagining all the possible angles they might be in. How he would be touching her, and she would be doing the same, can she handle that?

Leo's brows furrowed as he pulled his gaze away from the passing trees and manicured, lush grasses to stare at Paige's white face. "If you don't want that, I can get my cousin Alberto to teach you."

He looked disappointed after that which caused Paige to say, "I didn't say that!" In a very low voice. He paused and Paige could sense him fighting the urge to look at her again. Paige blushed and threw her face the other way. She didn't mind Alberto or whoever he is teaching her or touching her, but she would rather it is Leo who was doing the touching. It would be most welcomed.

After a while of no conversation, he gave her a fickle glance before he turned to the road, and they drove the rest in silence.

"You know I never thought of you as a family man before now."

Warm brown eyes turned to her earnestly. "Oh yeah, what have you thought of me as?"