Read Online Dante's Temporary Fiancée by Day Leclaire - Free Book Online Page A

scenting the air. She found Rafe and the women in a low, heated conversation. Since it was in Italian, she could only guess what they were saying. Nonna appeared to be offering the strongest opinion, and Larkin could make a fairly accurate guess what that opinion might be. They broke off at the sight of her and smiled in a friendly manner, though Larkin picked up on the tension that underscored their greeting.
    She pretended not to notice, returning their smiles with a broad one of her own before zeroing in on Rafe. “I just want to thank you for giving me a place to stay when I lost my apartment. If you hadn’t, I think Kiko and I would have been wandering the streets all night.”
    â€œWhat is this?” Nonna asked sharply.
    â€œI’ve been trying to tell you—” Rafe began.
    â€œNo.” He was cut off with an imperious wave. “I wish Larkin to tell me.”
    â€œI wasn’t allowed to have a pet in my apartment building. The landlord found out about Kiko last night and kicked me out. Thank goodness Rafe insisted on walking me inside. If it hadn’t been for him…” She shrugged. “Obviously we didn’t have the time to find a place that would accept a dog, so Rafe thought the smartest option would be for Kiko and me to use his guest room for the night. I’m just relieved that he has a Brutus fence.” She offered a quick grin. “Turns out it’s also Kiko proof.”
    Rafe grimaced. “After last night, I don’t know whether to be disappointed or relieved.”
    â€œLast night?” Elia asked sharply.
    His eyes narrowed on Kiko in open displeasure. “Full moon,” he said as though that were all the explanation necessary.
    â€œWould it be okay if I fed her now?” Larkin hastened to interrupt. “I have some kibble for her, but she needs a little bit of raw beef mixed in.”
    â€œNo problem.” He crossed to the refrigerator and rummaged through the contents. “Before you joined us, we were talking and Nonna and my mother would like to take you out today so you three can get to know each other.”
    With his head buried in the refrigerator, Larkin couldn’t get a good read on either his voice or expression. “I thought I might look for a job,” she temporized.
    â€œTime enough for that on Monday.” He emerged with a small packet of steak and carried it to the cutting board. “In fact, I might have something for you at Dantes.”
    â€œOh, I don’t think—”
    â€œPerfect,” Elia declared with a friendly smile. “This engagement is all so sudden it’s taken my breath away.”
    â€œThat makes two of us,” Larkin answered with utter sincerity.
    Elia’s smile wavered. “Then this should give us time to catch our breath, yes?”
    Larkin’s gaze swiveled in Rafe’s direction where he stood at the counter slicing up the raw meat. “Not unless Mr. Organize and Conquer plans on changing his personality by the time we get back.”
    The two Dante women glanced at each other and then at Larkin before breaking into huge grins of amusement. “It would seem you know my Rafaelo surprisingly well, given the short amount of time you have known him,” Nonna commented.
    â€œPerhaps that’s because he doesn’t bother to hide that aspect of his personality,” Larkin replied.
    â€œIn case you three haven’t noticed, I’m standing right here,” Rafe said.
    He combined Kiko’s kibble with the slices of meat. The dog sat at attention, watching his every move. When he placed the food on the floor, she approached it cautiously, sniffing at the floor and around the bowl before attacking the contents.
    â€œThat’s a most unusual dog you have,” Elia said with a slight frown. “If I didn’t know better I’d swear she was part—”
    â€œDefinitely not,” Larkin hastened to say.