AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Stunning, intelligent eyes regarded him with a hint of smugness. ‘You do realise you’ve just handed me leverage, don’t you?’
He allowed himself another smile. ‘No, I haven’t. Because I did my research too. And I’m fairly confident you don’t go around upsetting old ladies just for the fun of it.’
Her long lashes swept down, guarding her expression, but he didn’t need to see it to know his assessment was accurate. Of course, she came back fighting. ‘Since I’m going to be here barely a day, it shouldn’t be a problem. But...’ her head tilted imperiously, her eyes narrowing as she stared down her pert nose at him ‘...misfiring social cues or not, I won’t lie or cover up for what you’re doing. If you’re in hot water with your grandmother, you’re there of your own making.’
Amusement and attraction for this little lioness swelled within him. He nodded at the driver to open the door before he did something foolish, like drag her into his lap and devour those Snow White lips. ‘Warning duly noted.’
He watched her alight, her long, shapely legs outlined in the dress flattened to her body by the light breeze. When she lifted her hand to tuck away a curl disturbed by the same breeze, Seve swallowed a groan. He needed to keep his head in the game, not salivate over her like some hormonal teenager.
The towering front doors opening behind Genie helped him put aside the need rampaging through him. His grandmother rushed out, curiosity snapping in her dark brown eyes as she reached the top of the steps.
‘Severino! I was only informed of your arrival a few hours ago. Why didn’t you tell me you planned to come home?’ she snapped, but the warmth in her eyes belied her tone, soothing some of the ruffles inside him.
Going to her, he caught the hands she held out and kissed the soft, lined cheek she tilted towards him. ‘My plans changed unexpectedly,’ was all he said.
Her lips pursed but her gaze darted past him. ‘And you’ve brought a guest, I see?’
He turned to where Genie stood, her fingers clasped demurely before her. ‘Sí.This is Genie Merchant. Genie, meet my grandmother, Julieta Valente.’
The two women eyed each other for a long second before Genie held out her hand. ‘A pleasure to meet you, Señora Valente.’
His grandmother immediately waved her away. ‘I don’t respond to “Señora Valente”, child. Everyone calls me Lita, short forabuelita. And so will you.’
Genie looked startled for a moment, then she frowned before her gaze darted to his. At his nod, she glanced back at his grandmother. ‘I will.’ And after a moment, ‘Thank you,’ she tagged on.
The old woman smiled. ‘Buena.Now come, get out of the sun. I have refreshments ready in thesalon.’
For a moment, Genie wanted to protest.
To remind the man walking beside her with his arm tucked courteously around his grandmother’s that she wasn’t here for a social visit.
But she’d granted him twenty-four hours.
For her baby’s sake, those hours included rest and sustenance. And, as Seve had annoyingly and accurately pointed out, she wasn’t in the business of upsetting old ladies. And his grandmother was as darling as they came.
The diminutive woman packed a punch but every glance she cast her grandson was filled with warmth. The kind Genie hadn’t experienced in a very long time, if ever. So she bit her tongue and accompanied them down a gorgeous, warmly lit corridor, decorated on either side with art and artefacts bearing heavy South American influences. It was clear Seve took pride in his Cardosian home with the sheer number of renowned artists’ work that graced his walls.
Despite his wealthy status there was no Rembrandt or Monet flouting his prestige, just golden-hued tones that made one room flow into the other, ending in a sunlit salon where a veritable spread awaited them on a sleek table set to one side of the room.
A buxom woman introduced as Sofia, the housekeeper, waited alongside a butler. The two older women exchanged a few murmured words before she hurried off.
Lita took a seat in a wide rocking armchair that looked out of place in the opulent room.
‘Help yourself to some grilled shrimp, Genie. Sofia uses a dash of Cardosian spices that are simply heavenly. And serve your guest some Cardosian wine,cariño. We make the best reds in the world,’ she boasted with a pride-filled smile.
Genie opened her mouth but Seve beat her to it. ‘Genie can’t take wine, Lita. Or shellfish.’
Lita’s eyes widened, then her face started to fall before the coin dropped. ‘Santa María, that can only mean...’ Her gaze darted from Genie to Seve. A look passed between them before she clasped her hands over her heart.‘Sí?’
‘Sí, Lita,’ he confirmed with deep, solemn tones, his face betraying nothing but the news. ‘Genie is carrying my child. You’re going to be a great-grandmother in a little under seven months.’
The old lady jumped from her seat, completely belying her age by rushing forward to engulf Seve in a hug. He leaned down and allowed himself to be kissed on both cheeks.
And then Lita turned to Genie. Her effusiveness was a touch reduced but her smile was no less warm. ‘You’ve made an old woman very happy,carina,’ she said in accented English.
Genie opened her mouth to speak but, a little terrified she would say the wrong thing, shut it again and merely nodded.
Lita bustled over to the table, waving the butler away when he stepped forward. Muttering excitedly under her breath, she heaped a plate full of heavenly smelling food and hurried over to Genie. ‘You must eat, child. Valente mothers make fat, beautiful babies but we can’t rely on just nature to get the job done.’
