by Day Leclaire
“I assumed as much.” He put a hint of steel in his own voice. “You’re evading the question, though. Why did you come here to do your husband hunting?”
“The usual reasons, I guess.”
“Ah, cara,” he murmured. “If you play games, so shall I.”
She held up her hands. “Okay, okay. You can drop the phony accent.”
“It’s not so phony. I’m first generation American, raised to take pride in my Italian heritage.” Unable to resist touching her, he hooked her chin and tipped her face up to his. “You strike me as a direct sort of woman. Tell me why you’re really here.”
“To find a husband.”
“And?”
“Look, maybe this would be easier if we knew each other’s names.” She offered her hand, forcing him to release her chin. “I’m Hanna Tyler.”
He took her hand in his, not in the least surprised by the firmness of her grip. “Matteo Salvatore.”
“I’d hoped learning your name would make me feel more comfortable.” Her mouth tilted to one side. “For some reason it hasn’t.”
“It’s the forced intimacy of the situation. You have one night to find a partner. You arrive masked so the participants appearances don’t distract and you can find personalities that mesh, rather than relying on physical appeal alone. On top of that, you’re expected to expose your most secret longings to complete strangers. Somehow I suspect you’re not comfortable with that.”
She sighed. “Is it that obvious?”
“It is to me.” He frowned in thought. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll leave my mask on for now and you tell me why you’ve come and the sort of man you hoped to find.”
“That hardly seems fair,” she commented drily. “You know what I look like, but I’m left in the dark.”
He smiled at her inadvertent pun. “If we’re able to reach an understanding, I’ll take it off and we’ll go from there. If at any point you want to end the conversation, say the word and I’ll walk away. You’ve opened up to a stranger, someone you’ll never see again and who will never reveal a word of what you’ve said. You can’t even be embarrassed if our paths should cross, since you won’t know it’s me. Perhaps it’ll be easier that way.”
She gave his suggestion careful consideration. “So I’m supposed to tell you my life story?”
“No strings attached. No judgements. No expectations. You’re in complete control.”
She looked directly at him and in that moment, Matteo knew he’d lied to his brothers. He had found love. He’d found it where he’d least expected and least wanted it. He was a Salvatore, destined to love only one woman for the duration of his life. And because of that, he’d do something he’d never thought a sane man would do.
He’d meet and marry a woman all in one night.
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A Note from Day Leclaire
Welcome to the first book in The Salvatore Brothers Series. I wrote HOW TO: Hide a Baby long before The Dante Legacy series, and this book was probably the inspiration for all things Dante.
I would also like to add that the inspiration for turning these sexy brothers into a full-blown series came from a reader who emailed me begging for more Salvatore stories. I really do listen to you and welcome suggestions and comments. And who knows? Maybe your idea will prompt the story you’ve been longing for me to write. If you have a character you’re longing for me to give his or her own story, drop me a line at [email protected]!
In the meantime, I wish all of you a baby to cuddle, whether your own, a niece/nephew, or a much adored grandbaby! And if you don’t have any babies in your life, then I wish you the next best thing—a loving pet you can provide with a “forever” home!
Love,
Day
Meet Day Leclaire
I love family first and foremost, which is why writing a family saga is so much fun. Maybe you can tell that from my books since they always feature the warmth and joy that comes from having a close-knit family. I also love animals and have taken in rescue dogs and cats and fostered dogs for the local animal shelter. And of course, I love writing. All I need is a functioning brain (batteries not included), a pen, and paper, and I can write anywhere. Please don’t let a conversation with me lag because my imagination takes over and I. Am. Checked. Out!
USA Today bestselling author, Day Leclaire is the author of more than 60 novels and has received an impressive eleven nominations for the romance industry's most prestigious award, Romance Writers of America RITA© Award. Day lives in Charlotte, NC and spends her days obsessively writing while vaguely remembering to pay attention to her adorable husband, busy son and daughter-in-law, two tiny grandchildren, and two even tinier Teddy Bear dogs. Not to mention a whole lot of dust!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read The Salvatore Brothers: HOW TO: Hide a Baby. I hope you enjoy this romantic series about six, hot Italian-American brothers and how they find their soul mates. I love hearing from my readers. For a personal response, please contact me at [email protected]. And be sure to visit my website. Would you like a free book? Sign up for my Newsletter for your copy, as well as the latest exclusive updates and specials.
You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter.
Dedication
To Frank Matthew Smith,
my one and only.
All my love,
Mom.
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Please Note
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Copyright © 2021 by Day Totton Smith. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. ISBN 13: 978-1-939925-07-7
Copyright © 1996 by Day Totton Smith. Original title: Temporary Husband. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. ISBN-13: 978-0-373-03338-6
Cover Design by Melyssa Noujoks, 2021
Visit Day Leclaire at: www.DayLeclaire.com for her latest updates and releases!
Thank You.
