Free Charmer's Death (Temptation in Florence Book 2) by Beate Boeker

from your mother. Didn't she foretell too, Carlina, that you would marry next year and have five sons? Quite a feat for twelve months.” She grinned and waved at them as she closed the door behind her. “I'll see you tomorrow.”
    Carlina could feel herself going bright red. Great. Just great. “Interesting enough,” she said with as much composure as she could muster, “destiny as predicted by my mother always coincides with her dearest wishes. For some reason, the cards don't dare to contradict.”
    He gave her one of his rare smiles. “How prudent of them.”
    “Hmm.” If he continues to look at me like that, I'll melt right in front of his eyes.
    “ I came early because I need your professional advice,” Stefano said.
    Carlina blinked. Professional advice? What on earth could he mean? He didn't want to buy a bra, surely?
    He zipped open his heavy leather jacket and took out a pair of battered nylons. “Can you tell me anything about these nylons?”
    Carlina touched them with her fingertips, but one look had been enough. “Sure I can,” she said. “These are run-proof nylons. They are exclusively sold in Florence by yours truly, who started selling them this very morning with immense success.” She grinned at him, but when she saw the bleak expression in his face, the happy grin slid from her face, and a cold feeling of dread filtered into her heart. “What's the matter? Why do you look like that?”
    He closed his eyes for an instant. “Damn. I'd hoped there would be no direct connection.”
    “ What do you mean?” Carlina wanted to shake him.
    Stefano pressed his lips together. “These nylons were used to strangle a man today.”
    That did it. Her knees, already wobbly from the way he had looked at her, decided to give in completely. She tumbled and would have fallen if he hadn't caught her arms with both hands. For an instant, she wondered if she should pretend to be weaker than she was, just to prolong the delicious feeling of being in his arms, when she heard his voice.
    “ I'd forgotten that nasty habit of yours.”
    Carlina straightened with haste and gave him an indignant look. “It's not a nasty habit. I'm just not used to people shooting bad news at me without any consideration for my feelings.” She took a step back and straightened her skirt.
    His eyes narrowed. “Do you want more consideration for your feelings?”
    The question hung between them, and all at once, she knew they were not talking about a bit of friendliness, about being polite. He was asking if she wanted the truth, if she was prepared to be a partner on equal terms, discussing things the way he discussed everything, open, occasionally ruthless, but always honest. Carlina swallowed. She did not want to be wrapped in cotton wool, did not want to be treated like a weak female, or even worse, be protected from nasty things by being kept in ignorance, but she didn't dare to tell him right now. It was too . . . intimate. “Well.” She squared her shoulders. “For a start, it would help if you made sure I was seated the next time you spring something nasty at me.”
    “I think you should sit down now.”
    She blanched. “What? Is there worse to come?”
    He didn't reply.
    “ Listen, Garini, I've had a long day, I'm tired and worn out and starving, and--” to her horror, her voice broke, “I've been looking forward to a relaxed evening, but it looks like that's not on the cards anymore.”
    His mouth twisted. “I'm afraid not.” He reached out his hand and caressed her cheek with one brief move of his thumb. “I'm sorry.”
    She turned away with an abrupt move, so he wouldn't see the tears in her eyes.
    “ Can you close up?” he asked. “I still think we should go somewhere and have dinner.”
    “ Right.” In silence, she straightened the worst disorder and closed Temptation.
    The wind had calmed down, and now the rain fell as if it was a curtain, straight and clear, with a continuous pattering sound. “Nasty