But really… His body was an absolute work of art, sculpted with hard muscle that filled out his lean frame. His shoulders were broad, with strong, ropey arms, though she’d suspected as much when he’d lifted her in them last night and carried her to the couch in his office. His abdomen was flat and sporting the type of six-pack that she would have been only too happy to spend an entire night sampling. His mane of hair fell in rumpled abandon, the colors a lush mixture of browns and golds.

“We came over to arrange a time to meet Larkin,” Elia explained. Her smile wavered. “Surprise! We met.”

Rafe thrust his hands through his hair and Larkin suspected by the way his lips moved that he was swearing beneath his breath. “Let me get dressed and I’ll be down.” His gaze sharpened, arrowing in on Larkin. “May I suggest you do likewise?”

“Oh, right.” She glanced down at her own shorts and cropped T-shirt with something akin to horror before offering Rafe’s mother and grandmother a weak, embarrassed smile. “Excuse me, please.”

She dashed in the direction of her bedroom and closeted herself inside. Kiko stared at her alertly from where she lay in one corner, curled up on a thick, cozy rug. “What do you say we try out the backyard again and see what you think about it in the daylight,” Larkin suggested.

She opened the French doors leading outside and watched while Kiko limped into the yard. She kept an eye on the dog for several minutes to assure herself that the fence would withstand all escape attempts before taking a swift shower and throwing on the first set of clean clothes to come to hand. The fact that a night spent in a backpack had pressed a thousand wrinkles into them couldn’t be helped.

Calling to Kiko, Larkin headed in the direction of the coffee scenting the air. She found Rafe and the women in a low, heated conversation. Since it was in Italian, she could only guess what they were saying. Nonna appeared to be offering the strongest opinion, and Larkin could make a fairly accurate guess what that opinion might be. They broke off at the sight of her and smiled in a friendly manner, though Larkin picked up on the tension that underscored their greeting.

She pretended not to notice, returning their smiles with a broad one of her own before zeroing in on Rafe. “I just want to thank you for giving me a place to stay when I lost my apartment. If you hadn’t, I think Kiko and I would have been wandering the streets all night.”

“What is this?” Nonna asked sharply.

“I’ve been trying to tell you—” Rafe began.

“No.” He was cut off with an imperious wave. “I wish Larkin to tell me.”

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“I wasn’t allowed to have a pet in my apartment building. The landlord found out about Kiko last night and kicked me out. Thank goodness Rafe insisted on walking me inside. If it hadn’t been for him…” She shrugged. “Obviously we didn’t have the time to find a place that would accept a dog, so Rafe thought the smartest option would be for Kiko and me to use his guest room for the night. I’m just relieved that he has a Brutus fence.” She offered a quick grin. “Turns out it’s also Kiko proof.”

Rafe grimaced. “After last night, I don’t know whether to be disappointed or relieved.”

“Last night?” Elia asked sharply.

His eyes narrowed on Kiko in open displeasure. “Full moon,” he said as though that were all the explanation necessary.

“Would it be okay if I fed her now?” Larkin hastened to interrupt. “I have some kibble for her, but she needs a little bit of raw beef mixed in.”

“No problem.” He crossed to the refrigerator and rummaged through the contents. “Before you joined us, we were talking and Nonna and my mother would like to take you out today so you three can get to know each other.”

With his head buried in the refrigerator, Larkin couldn’t get a good read on either his voice or expression. “I thought I might look for a job,” she temporized.

“Time enough for that on Monday.” He emerged with a small packet of steak and carried it to the cutting board. “In fact, I might have something for you at Dantes.”




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