“No. And I don’t want her to.”
“I see.” And he took a sip of his drink. “I admire your need to protect your family, but that woman loves you. It’s not fair to keep a part of yourself from her. What are you afraid of? I’m seventy-five years old. I’ve lived a wonderful life. Not because of my company—that can’t keep you warm at night, it can’t ease your hurts, nor share your triumphs. Delores is the most important thing in my world.”
“My family is my world.”
“Isn’t Abby part of that family?” He patted Dante on the shoulder. “Take your charming wife home. I’ll let you know my answer by the end of the week.”
“You’re quiet,”Abby said in the car on the way home. “I’m sorry if my acting wasn’t up for the job.” She couldn’t hide the hurt in her tone. “At least I can strike off one part of my deal.”
“Sorry, yes. Thank you. You were magnificent. Delores loves you, and Paulo thinks I’m an idiot for leaving you in England for so long.”
“We passed the test then. It’s just you don’t appear very pleased. I thought you’d be happier. Isn’t this why you urgently needed me back in your life?”
“Hmm. Pardon? Yes. Yes, it was.”
Something was wrong. If their act as a besotted husband and wife had worked, Dante should be ecstatic.
“Then why are we not celebrating? You’ve got what you wanted. You’ve got your company and you’ve got me back in your bed. Why the long face?”
“Perhaps what I’ve wished for has changed.”
“Has it?”
He didn’t respond. He merely took her hand in his.
Chapter 11
Over the next few weeks, Dante was more giving of his time and body, his lovemaking leaving her wanting more like an addict craving her next fix. She couldn’t wait to hear the purr of his Porsche pulling up in front of the villa each afternoon. Her body recognized the sound and knew the pleasure that would follow as they indulged in heart-stopping, exquisite “afternoon delight.”
With him, her life was so blissful it seemed almost unreal.
The only blip on her radar was the same problem they’d always had. Dante refused to slow down. He worked long hours and kept her at arm’s length where his business was concerned.
Dante’s passion was work, and it irked her that he still didn’t trust her enough to share a very important part of his life. Why did he continue to shut her out?
She stopped chewing the pencil with an exasperated sigh. Abby told herself to stop procrastinating. She had a lot of work to get through this afternoon before her walk with Nana, and then her dinner at Il Casino restaurant with Dante. She shifted uneasily in her chair, tried to suppress the guilt that was making her feel slightly sick, and opened her laptop. She knewshe should tell Dante that she was still working, even though her bookstore was in Southport. Dante had never supported her desire to work. He was old-fashioned, wanting his wife at home.
Colin and the manager who’d been employed by Dante to oversee her “little bookstore” didn’t think to report to Dante about the online side of her business. The man obviously assumed she had told Dante, since she was running things as usual.
Her queasiness intensified. Dante hadn’t asked about the store so she hadn’t volunteered any information. Not telling him was wrong and she knew it. She looked furtively around the study, worried he was reading the screen over her shoulder. She suppressed shivers of unease.Relax. He was at work and wouldn’t be home for ages.
Today was like many days. Her grandmother rested during the heat of the day. Then they would take a walk through the vineyard in the mildness of the autumn afternoon. She needed something to do each day. She refused to sit waiting for Dante to spare her his time.
Her grandmother had been instructed to walk every day, and she was making remarkable progress. Right at this moment, Nana was busy teaching Rachele how to make pavlova, and with Dante out of the villa, Abby wanted this opportunity to check on business and ensure that the latest reviews had been loaded by her at-home book reviewers.
Abby chewed her bottom lip, angry with herself for not having the guts to tell Dante the truth. She knew why she waited to tell him. She hoped to prove how well she could cope with family, him, and her own business. Then perhaps he’d relent and let her continue to run the online side of On the Shelf, even when she had a child.
Her heart gave a small lurch. Child. She placed a hand on her stomach, wondering if, even now, a tiny spark of life was growing. Her body flooded with warmth at theidea of their child. She couldn’t think of a better house to raise a child in, full of love and family, or a better father for her baby. Dante would move heaven and earth to ensure their child was loved, protected, and provided for. She smiled. He’d likely spoil the children rotten.
“You look happy.”
Engrossed in her happy family vision, Abby hadn’t heard Nana enter. She beamed at her grandmother. “I am.”
“Dante looks happy, too. Or should I say satisfied.” Her grandmother ignored her blush. “I bet he’s disappointed you’ve got your appointment this afternoon. There’s no reason for him to come home early. Katarina told me she’s never known her son to spend so much time away from work. I told her he’s making up for lost?—”
“Damn.” Abby shut down her computer and gathered her papers. “Sorry to interrupt, Nana, but I completely forgot about my appointment.”
“Do you want me to go with you?”
