Sweet Temptation by Cora Reilly

Mansueto obviously wasn’t going to drop the topic anytime soon.
It was difficult to suppress my annoyance during dinner, so I was relieved when
everyone left eventually. Father kept nagging me to take a paternity test. This
was another subtle hint that I might not have an heir yet. After I’d brought
Simona to bed, I found Giulia in the doorway to Daniele’s room. “Daniele wants
to be tucked in by you tonight.”
I wasn’t sure I’d heard her right. It had been our ritual, one I’d cherished and
missed whenever I came home too late—a thing of the past. I moved to Giulia
then peered past her toward the bed. Daniele was already in his PJs and sitting
atop his comforter, stroking Loulou. Dogs didn’t belong in bed. It was an
opinion I stood by, but I didn’t have it in me to throw her out. “You want me to
read your bedtime story?”
Daniele nodded. It looked hesitant, but it was there. I met Giulia’s gaze,
wondering what she’d done. She gave me a hopeful smile. Warmth crowded in
my chest. I’d never felt this kind of… tenderness toward a woman. I leaned
down and kissed her briefly before I moved toward the bed.
Daniele’s brows puckered. I sank down beside him and grabbed the picture
book from the nightstand. I didn’t get the chance to open it.
“You kissed Giulia.”
I put down the book as I tried to pull myself together. I’d missed Daniele’s
voice, even if he asked difficult questions. I’d avoided physical closeness with
Giulia in front of him so far, worried it might upset him. “Yes.”
“Why?” He looked curious, not sad or angry. I moved a bit closer and
stroked his head.
“Because I really like Giulia.”
“You liked Mom too.”
Looking into his brown eyes, Gaia’s eyes, I couldn’t do anything but lie. “I
did.” There had been a time when this statement would have held true. I liked
her in the beginning until eventually only resentment remained.
“I miss Mom.” His admittance turned my mouth dry. Of course I knew he