‘Do you want a beautician appointment before the opera?’ he muttered as he followed her into his sumptuously spacious lounge.
She turned to face him. ‘Is that what people do?’
He shrugged a shoulder. ‘You could have a rest if you’d rather.’
She half-smiled at his supposedly relaxed amiability. This was a very well-behaved Edo. He was offering her options instead of backing her into a corner, into her ‘choosing’ the onehewanted. But she knew what he wanted. The same as what she did. They’d not been alone like this all day and she’d not gone to his room last night, so it had been a while since she’d kissed him. She ignored the inner alarm sounding that she was in more than alittletrouble. That this was now more to her than a release, that it was a need to connect with him in a more than physical way. Oh, she worked to ignore that.
His eyes gleamed as he watched her gaze linger on his lips. ‘Rest?’
She could only nod.
* * *
There was no rest; in fact, they ended up rushing to get ready in time for the opera. Phoebe swept her hair into a high bun and rubbed on lipstick.
‘Thank goodness for this dress, it gives me enough drama, right?’
‘Yes, but would you like a little extra sparkle?’ He strolled towards her in his elegant suit and unfurled his palm.
She gazed at the stunning drop earrings. They were probably real diamonds, not crystals, and she couldn’t think. ‘When did you get those?’
‘I saw them online, thought you might like them.’
‘You online-shopped?’ She was stunned.When? Why?
‘From a Milanese jeweller, they were couriered here this morning. It’s not that big of a deal.’
She bit her lip. ‘You don’t have to buy me things.’
That wasn’t what they were doing. This was all—and only—happening because of the baby and he didn’t want this.
‘Not even for your birthday?’ he said softly.
She gaped and gazed into his guarded face.
He shot her a knowing smile. ‘You didn’t realise?’
‘I’ve lost track of the days.’ Her heart pounded and confusion tumbled through her. ‘I didn’t tell you it’s my birthday.’
‘I’m aware.’ A fleeting smile lit his eyes. ‘But I had your passport, and all the paperwork for our wedding, and I’m a details person.’
‘So you got me these as a birthday present.’
He nodded. Then she realised that this wholedaywas a birthday present.
‘Phoebe?’ He froze. ‘Why do you look like you’re about to cry?’
Because she was about to cry. He had no idea how barren her birthdays had been. It was partly why Ryan’s gift-giving had overwhelmed her. But in hindsight she saw it had always been a performance—he’d given her things in front of others. To impress everyone. But this was just Edo and her, and no one was here watching. She blinked rapidly, desperate not to embarrass either of them.
It’s not that big of a deal.
He’d not meant this to be emotional. Not meant it tomeananything. But she didn’t know how else to take it. Maybe he was just so wealthy that whisking dates across the country for food and culture and sex was just normal. Except Isabella had told her he never had guests to stay and she knew he worked all the hours and suspected he didn’t spend such time with any one person.
‘Why are you doing all this?’ she muttered.
She’d married him already. They were working out their physical chemistry. He didn’tneedto do anything more. These weren’t the actions of a convenience-only husband and it made her wonder—hope—for more. Even when she knew she shouldn’t. Because this was also a man who wouldn’t—couldn’t—open up to her.
‘I thought you might enjoy it.’ He looked wary. ‘You were listening to opera the day we met, it was blasting in your earbuds. You have delicate earlobes and I thought the earrings would be nice.’ He reached out and touched one. ‘You kept your paracetamol in a Botticelli coin purse, but you hadn’t been to Florence to see the original paintings.’
