To his surprise, the reluctance implicit in his tone and attitude sold the idea with impressive ease, and he couldn’t help but suspect that a more overt declaration would have had the opposite effect, giving his grandparents pause in the face of such a dramatic turnaround from his previous attitude.
He spared a swift glance in Larkin’s direction and winced. Hell. Primo and Nonna weren’t the only ones who’d picked up on his reluctance. So had Larkin. But wasn’t that what they’d agreed to? Wasn’t that why he’d hired her? To be his temporary fiancée? That’s all it was for both of them. A transient relationship that would be nice while it lasted and, when it ended, give them both what they wanted. He’d be left the hell alone and she’d receive a nice bump to her bank account.
So why did she react as though she’d lost out on a special treat? Why that wistful look of longing, a deeply feminine look, one that spoke of childhood dreams and magical wishes? A look that caused him to respond on some visceral, wholly masculine level, that seemed to compel him to give her her heart’s desire. Not that he could, even if he wanted to. He’d been up front with her from the start. He could never fulfill her deepest desires because he was incapable of fulfilling any woman’s. The sooner Larkin accepted that, the better.
“I need to take Larkin home,” he informed his grandparents. “We can discuss The Inferno once I’ve had time to explain it to my—” He broke off with a small smile. “My fiancée.”
Primo instantly began to protest, but Nonna shushed him. “We will call tomorrow and arrange a proper meeting with Larkin,” she said. “I am sure your parents would also like to meet her, yes?”
“I think we should take this slowly.” Rafe stalled. “Now, if you’ll excuse us?”
“First you will promise to drop her off and then leave. No more of what we interrupted here,” Primo demanded. “Otherwise, you will find yourself with a wife instead of a fiancée, just like Luciano.”
Rafe grimaced. Damn it. He knew that look, as well as the tone. And the reminder about his brother and Téa was a timely one. Hadn’t the two of them been forced to the altar within twenty-four hours of being caught in the act? “Yes, Primo. I promise. I’ll drop her off in the same condition in which I found her.”
“Era troppo poco e troppo tardi. Too late for that, I suspect. But there will be no more…” He waved his hand to indicate Larkin’s uniform. “No more button mishaps until there is a ring on her finger.”
“I understand.”
“And agree?” Primo shot back.
Rafe sighed. He was going to regret getting boxed in like this. “Yes. Accosento.”
“Very well. Take her home. Your grandmother will call in the morning to arrange a convenient time for your Larkin to meet the family.”
Larkin stepped forward and held out her hand to Primo. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”
“I do not shake hands with beautiful women,” Primo informed her. He enfolded her in a bear hug, swamping her diminutive form, and planted a smacking kiss on each of her cheeks.
Larkin then turned to Nonna and the two women embraced. To Rafe’s concern, he caught the glint of tears in Larkin’s eyes and realized that she’d reached her breaking point. The events of the day must have caught up with her. First the stress of working a high-profile client, then losing her job, his proposition, followed by what had almost happened on the couch. It all added up to…too much, too fast.
He didn’t waste any time. Sweeping up her belongs in one hand and Larkin in the other, he ushered everyone out of the office. Not giving his grandparents time for any further questions, he wished them good-night and urged Larkin toward the elevators. They made the ride to the subterranean parking garage in silence. But as soon as they were enclosed in his car, she swiveled in her seat to face him.
“What did your grandparents mean about Luciano? About his ending up with a wife instead of a fiancée?”
He winced at the memory. “They were caught in the act, if you know what I mean.”
Larkin’s eyes widened in horror. “By Primo and Nonna?” she asked faintly.