Free Dangerous Beauty: Part Two: A Mafia Princess by Michelle Hardin Page B

immune to the charms of Cesare Valente. She was only a woman, for Christ’s sake. Even when Cesare wasn’t flirting, he was still flirting. It was the tone of his voice. Carter was convinced that the man couldn’t help it. He was a victim of his own sexiness. Women constantly hung all over him, and he had literally thousands of girlfriends. The poor guy couldn’t get a moments rest, but Carter had always made herself available to him whenever he needed a hug or a kiss— and sometimes both.
    Carter ran her hands through her hair and shook it out in a way that rivaled the models in Pantene commercials. Cesare smiled, biting his bottom lip. Carter knew it was just another one of the sexy reflexes he couldn’t control, but she liked to imagine he did it for different reasons. God, he looked so freaking hot sitting back on the couch like that.
    “Lovely Carterina, I thought we had already had the discussion in which I explained to you why I cannot be your sugar daddy.”
    Carter’s jaw clenched as she fought back a shiver at the sound of his sexy, accented voice. She sauntered over to him and sat in front of him on the coffee table.
    “I have absolutely no idea to what discussion you’re referring, Cesare.” Carter crossed her legs and continued her flirtation. “I don’t think that particular memory has returned,” she lied. God, how she loved teasing Kyle and Mickey’s dad. “But there’s no need to repeat the discussion. Let’s just move forward from here.”
    Cesare let out a low, sexy chuckle and leaned further back. One of his long arms extended over the back of the couch— she both loved and hated these sexy reflexes of his. He was confusing! Did he find her sexy, or did he find her annoying, Carter would never know! He brought a hand up to his face, running it over his five o’clock shadow, and then licked his lips. Ugh! This was pure torture for Carter.
    “You remember the discussion, Carterina.”
    Carter shook her head vehemently. “No, I don’t, Cesare,” Carter said with a mischievous smile on her face.
    “You do. But you’re going to pretend you don’t because you’re a very naughty girl, aren’t you?”
    Carter groaned. She was positive he had no idea that everything he said to her sounded suggestive. “You really don’t make this easy for me, Cesare. It’s all your fault that I’ve chosen to repress that dreadful conversation,” Carter whined.
    Cesare laughed. “How is it my fault, Carterina?”
    “You keep being …you know …yourself …and stuff,” Carter stammered, playfully tugging at his pant leg.
    Cesare laughed and moved his leg. The men in the room were thoroughly enjoying watching Cesare sweat. They thought little Anastacia’s crush on Cesare was hilarious. If the real Anastacia had been as enamored with him back in their younger days, Cesare probably wouldn’t hate her so much now.
    “I’m happy to see you are feeling better,” Cesare said. Carter hoped her brown skin would hide her blush. “Come here and give me a hug.”
    Carter climbed onto the couch next to him and hugged him. He smelled amazing and his body was so incredibly strong. Sweet Lord in Heaven— Jesus! She could feel every one of his muscles through his shirt. Carter sighed.
    Then Cesare did something that he knew would make Carter faint like some fan girl seeing her favorite boy band for the first time. He gripped her chin, turned her face to the side, and pressed his lips to her cheek. When Cesare chuckled at the look on her face and the way her body tensed, she was positive her complexion didn’t hide the furious blush that spread across her face.
    “Oh, hell no!” a deep voice boomed from the entrance to the living room. Carter knew exactly who it was, too.
    She gripped Cesare’s shirt frantically. “Oh no, Cesare! He’s coming to pull us apart again!” she cried frantically.
    Cesare laughed.
    “Carterina Stone! Hell, no!” he yelled. She felt big hands grip her waist and yank her up