Free Navy Seal's Innocent Italian by Leslie North Page B

the hotel in town? “
    Alex bit her lip as she awaited Jake’s reply. That was exactly what she’d been hoping for, a chance to get to know more about Jake. Now she was being given a golden opportunity.
    “That is very generous, sir.” Turning to Alex, he could see the hope in her eyes, and he slowly nodded, “I would be happy to escort her to Colorado. You mentioned a hotel in town?”
    “Yes. I will make all of the arrangements for a car to meet you at the airport and take her to the hotel downtown where we are staying. Alex has some meetings in the downtown area, and then we will be heading up to my mountain retreat. Do you have a place to stay once in town?” Marco inquired.
    “Yes, sir. My buddy lives in Denver and he’d be more than happy to pick us up at the airport I’m sure. There’s no need for a car to do so.”
    “Really? You know the airport is quite a ways outside the city?” Marco asked with a raised eyebrow.
    “Yeah, that’s what I’ve heard. And I’m sure. I’ll give him a call after dinner and set it up.”
    “Fine. Alex are those plans good for you?” Marco asked, seeing the smile upon her face.
    “Yes. They’re great.”
    “Wonderful. Well, I really must head back to the office.  You two enjoy your dinner and Jake, I will text Alex all of the pertinent information for tomorrow’s flight. Thank you.”
    “Sir,” Jake nodded his head, watching the older gentleman return to the limo and secretly pleased with how well he had infiltrated Marco’s inner circle. The man should really be more cautious about the people he’s let get close to him.

Chapter 14
     
    After a dinner, Jake insisted on having the driver take them to Central Park. There, he rented a horse drawn carriage and Alex sat beside him, enjoying being with him and hearing him talk about the various things they saw.
    After a few minutes, the movement of the carriage lulled them both to silence. Jake reached his arm around her shoulder, and it was the most natural thing in the world for her to rest her head back and lean against him. “Thank you,” she softly told him.
    “For what?” Jake asked, the feel of her under his arm urging him towards more contact. Reaching out, he took her hand in his, using his thumb to soothe the back of her hand.
    “For today. I’ve really enjoyed myself, more so that I thought I would.”
    Jake was puzzled at her statement and asked, “Did you not expect to enjoy New York City?”
    Alex shook her head slightly, “No, I meant, I didn’t expect to enjoy spending time with a man so much.”
    Jake thought about that statement for a moment and then asked, “Why not?”
    Alex leaned against him a bit more, loving the security she felt in his arms, “I’ve not dated a lot. In Italy, my Papa is very old school and my marriage was arranged for me when I was still a very young child.”
    “That’s sound horrible. So, you’re engaged?” Jake asked, trying to mask his disappointment that the lovely woman sitting next to him wasn’t a free woman.
    Alex shook her head vehemently, “No! I’m not still engaged. Ricardo Palmisano didn’t turn out to be a very nice man.”
    “What?!” Jake pushed her away from him enough he could see her face, “He hit you?”
    “No! But I’m not so sure he wouldn’t have if things had continued. He became very demanding and controlling. He even threatened to have my instruments destroyed. My Papa was listening in on that conversation and had him thrown from the house,” she recalled with a smile.
    “Good for him! Although, I think I would have followed that up with a beating he wouldn’t soon forget!”
    Alex smiled at him, “My Papa isn’t a violent man, but I’m sure something like that went through his head. Anyway, he tore up the contract and the betrothal was over.”
    “You sound sad,” Jake offered, tipping her chin up so he could see her eyes. “Did you want to marry that man?”
    “No,” Alex answered shaking her head, “But my