The Italian's Fake Fiancée

35

The walk back home was a silent one, which comprised Paige stealing glances at Leo who didn't pay her any attention and was looking forward with great determination. The muscle in his jaw throbbing as though he was clenching it hard. His handsome face appearing sharp yet withdrawn.

Finally, after a few more looks that didn't bear any fruits, Paige sighed and allowed herself to trail behind him, thinking about the kiss that had just happened and the way Leo had held her tenderly. His actions confused and thrilled her. Leaving her bewildered most times. Leo had kissed her and said it was because someone was watching, but she could bet her life savings no one was. 

With a tender hand, Paige touched her lips, a smile following that action as she stared at Leo's form.

Lost in her thought, Paige stared at Leo's long legs encased in black pants, tapered waist, broad shoulders which filled out a suit of the same color, and sucked in a breath when she met his brown assessing eyes. He had stopped to stare at her, but how long had he been staring at her?

Paige scratched her head and lowered her head. "Boss?"

"Come here?"

"What?"

"*Vieni qui*," he beckoned with his hand. His voice rough.

As soon as she moved to him, Leo pulled her body to his side, knocking the breath out of her with that simple move. Paige's skin tingled and burn where their bodies met and before she could open her mouth and ask what he was doing he said,

"We are nearing the house, Paige." As if that was supposed to be some kind of reminder, or was it a warning to behave?

Her protest died down and she allowed herself to enjoy the feeling of being pressed to his side, that was when she heard the soft sound of music coming from the palazzo. 

The palazzo loomed ahead of them, tall and large. The late afternoon sun appearing as though it was directly above it so that when they looked at it, it blinded their eyesight and they could only make out the brown color of the palazzo, the architecture, and some windows.

Below, some preparations were being made. There were workers everywhere. Some were carrying drinks, some were doing the decorations, and the others were standing by the grill where the barbecue was being made. There was a lot of food. 

It looked like a celebration or party was going to take place later that day.

The scene left Paige bereft of her senses never had she seen so much food in one place and she forgot who she was with or who she was pressed against until she felt a hand run up her arm to her shoulder, and turned and saw Leo looking intently at her.

His gaze was searing, and his eyes were running through her face, resting nowhere in particular but stopping briefly at her mouth and eyes. Paige felt her cheek heat up and her lips part of their own accord. 

Then he leaned down and Paige forgot how to breathe. Was he going to kiss her?

Those were the last words that filtered through her mind as her eyelids fluttered close.

Five seconds passed, six, but nothing happened, instead what she felt was a harsh breath on her skin and a hand at the corner of her eyes, and then as briefly as it came was gone.

Paige opened her eyes and stared at the pair of brown eyes, returning her stare. 

"It's all gone now."

"Wwhat?"

"The stuff in your eyes."

"The stuff in my..." Paige couldn't believe her ears. So he had breathed on her skin and touched her face because of the stuff in her eyes. Leo pulled his hands around her waist and steered her towards the house, offering no other explanation.