Page 88 of Mafia King's Secret Baby

“Caterina, you are so smart and brilliant, and you thought of a dozen ideas that I had no idea even existed,” I say in that same mock baritone again.

“Your brain is larger than your heart and that’s saying a lot because you are kind and sweet and thoughtful, and you’re a great mom. Would you allow me the honor of admitting my mistakes?”

There.

That’s a darn good grovel.

Elio’s looking at me like I have antlers popping out of my head. He’s doing something with his lips that makes it seem like he’s tucking them down?

Oh.

Oh goodness.

Elio Rossi is fighting off asmile.

“What!” I hold up my hands in mock outrage. “That was a good one!”

“Would you allow me the honor of admitting my mistakes?” he echoes.

“Come on. That’s a heck of a grovel and anyone who says otherwise is just wrong.”

“I would never say such a thing.”

“Well, you’re a terrible apologizer then.”

“Hmmm,” he murmurs, considering my words. I like how he seems to be genuinely thinking about what I said.

It makes me feel important. Like he takes my opinion seriously.

“Caterina,” he says in a low voice.

Instantly, my spine tingles as that voice ripples over my skin. “Yes?” I squeak.

“You are smart. Your thoughts in that moment were calmer than my own. You examined angles of the problem that I had not previously considered. I would be foolish to deny such wise counsel, and I am not a fool. Would you do the honor of letting me apologize to you, once more?”

I blink.

“Holy cow,” I breathe.

Elio’s lips twist, and now he’s genuinely smiling.

And I think I might explode with lust if he keeps it up.

“How was that for an apology, Caterina?”

“Yeah. Um. It was fine. Good. Fine. Good grovel,” I stutter.

“Interesting,” Elio stands, prowling closer to me. I scoot back, trying to get away from him, but my butt hits the countertop behind me.

Elio, however, doesn’t stop.

He moves forward, extending his arms until they’re caging me in, steel beams that come down on either side of me.

“What’s interesting?” I breathe.

He smells so good. Like sage and cedar and leather, something dark and stormy that melts my insides and makes me feel needy and hot.

Elio is studying me closely, his mouth just inches from mine. If I tip my lips up just so…