Sweet Temptation by Cora Reilly

Giulia organized Simona’s first birthday party in January, baking a cake and
decorating everything with balloons. My family came over around teatime.
Simona had done her first steps by now and followed Giulia like a puppy.
She was too young to remember her mother. For her, there was only Giulia.
Faro and his wife and two children were invited as well. He joined me in a
quiet moment. “She got Daniele to talk again.”
I nodded, following Giulia with my eyes. She righted the sunflower in
Simona’s hair. My daughter’s dress also had a sunflower print. She looked
adorable, so I gave up protesting. “She did. She’s good with the kids.”
“And good with you,” Faro said with a suggestive grin.
I narrowed my eyes.
“Come on, Cassio. It’s like you fell into the fountain of youth, and you’re
less cranky than in the past. I’m happy for you.”
I didn’t say anything.
“Your father approached me.” From the change in Faro’s voice, I knew I
wouldn’t like what he had to say.
“What did he want?”
“He asked me to talk to you about having a child with Giulia. He thinks you
should be prepared for any eventualities.”
“The eventualities being that Daniele’s not my son?” I gritted out.
Faro shrugged. “It is an option, and not an unlikely one at that.”
“I don’t need another child, and I certainly don’t need you or my father to
meddle in my business.”
Faro raised his arms. “I didn’t want to meddle. That’s why I told you. But
your dad won’t give up anytime soon. He’s worried.”
“If he accepted that Daniele and Simona are my kids, he could stop