Read Online Catering to the Italian Playboy by Tamelia Tumlin - Free Book Online

view. “I can’t see it any more. Where’d it go?”
    “He’s up there.” Sophie pointed to the canopy in the trees.
    “But I can’t see it.” Alex’s chin wobbled. “I wanna see it too.”
    “Here, son, let me help you.” Max reluctantly dropped Sophie’s hand from his then lifted Alex up over the bars and held him tight so he wouldn’t bounce out of his arms.
    Son. This amazing little guy was his son! Pride swelled in Max’s chest.
    “There it is!” Alex squealed with delight wiggling to get a closer look. “I see it! I see it!”
    Max’s face broke into a wide grin and his arms tightened around the young child. “I see it too.”
    The bubble of pride expanded in Max’s chest. So far so good. No major mishaps on the zoo trip and the child seemed happy enough to have him tag along. Then Max’s smile faltered as self-doubt crept in. What if he did something to lose Alex’s trust? What if he couldn’t be the father Alex really needed?
    Sophie must have read his mind because she leaned over and whispered, “You’re doing fine. Don’t worry so much.”
    Max caught her eye and she shot him an encouraging smile, but not before he saw a glimpse of doubt mirrored in her wide green eyes. His breath caught. What if she was right? What if couldn’t do this?
    “Okay fellows. We’d better get a move on. The zoo will be closing soon and we still have a couple of exhibits left to see.” Sophie weaved her way through the crowd of onlookers and headed toward the door.
    “You heard her, little man. Time to hustle.” Max carried Alex as he followed Sophie outside.
    “But I wasn’t through. I want to see the sloth again.” Alex jutted out his chin when they stepped outside and wiggled until Max set him down on the concrete path.
    “Maybe next time.” Max took his hand again and fell into step beside Sophie as they followed the signs leading to the big cats.
    Doubt burrowed deeper in his mind. Would there even be a next time?
    Dusk settled over the park as they finished the last exhibit and headed toward the exit through Central Gardens. Something rustled in the bushes on Max’s left. He narrowed his eyes and squinted toward the tall shrubs. A light flashed. Then another and another.
    Damn!
    “Move it.” Max cupped Sophie’s elbow and guided her around the corner of another group of hedges.
    “What’s wrong?” Sophie asked with alarm.
    “Henchmen. In the bushes. Keep your head down and keep up with me.” He pulled her and Alex behind a large concrete Eagle statue out of the paparazzi’s view.
    “I wanna see the seals.” Alex tugged on Max’s hand and tried to step from behind the statue.
    “Just a minute, son.” Max eased his head out from behind the concrete and peaked around the corner. The bushes moved again.
    He scoured the area. Nothing else looked suspicious. Maybe the henchman in the hedges was the only one. If so it wouldn’t hurt for Alex to stay on the other side of the statue and look at the seals. Max gave the area another once over just to be sure. Good. All clear.
    “Stay right over there where we can see you.” Max pointed toward the large concrete area only a few feet away in the middle of the park where the seals barked loudly.
    “‘K.” Alex skipped over to the exhibit.
    Sophie made a move to follow him.
    “Wait.” Max drew her back against him, her soft body pressed against his and whiffs of lavender and vanilla wrapped around him. His pulse picked up speed. Why did that scent always play havoc with his senses? “I want to be sure no one else is around.”
    “But Alex–?”
    “We can see him just fine from here and I can get to him in two seconds flat if necessary. He’ll be okay. Just wait here for a few minutes. Give the camera guy time to get lost. I don’t think he saw us slip behind here.”
    Hesitation warred in her eyes before she finally nodded and leaned back against him. He could feel the warmth from her back against his chest. Soft feminine curves