“Stop! You’re making a huge mess. I amnottaking contraceptives.”
He dropped the second drawer on the floor with a crash and raked a hand through his hair. “And I should simply believe you? You lied about wanting a baby before.”
“Nonsense. If you’d only listened to me, gotten to know me properly four years ago, none of this would have happened. I could have had a child by now.” She almost screamed in frustrated anger. “I want children.” She gulped back a sob, knowing that was now unlikely. “Back then, didyou think for just one minute that maybe I was afraid to have a child?”
He said nothing. His nostrils flared, his chest rising and falling hard.
“I was nineteen and unsure of myself. I didn’t think I could cope. You worked all the time, every minute of the day. I barely saw you. Late nights at work, trips away…” She sank down defeated on the edge of the bed. “That’s why I wanted a job. I wanted to work for you, with you, then at least I’d see you.” She looked up at him, willing him to see the love in her gaze. “I wanted to be with you. That was all.”
His facial expression softened. “You wanted to be with me? That’s why you wanted to become an employee of the Lombardi Group. You didn’t really want a career?” He stared at the mess he’d made then slowly turned to look at her. “Why didn’t you tell me this back then?”
“Because I was young and stupid. I was too scared to tell you how I felt in case you didn’t love me.” She tried to laugh it off. “And I would’ve been right.” Her head lowered and she looked at the floor. “You didn’t love me.”
He moved quietly and kneeled at her feet. He took her hand and placed a kiss on her palm. “It would seem we both had some growing up to do while we were apart. I’ve been an idiot.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the online side of my business. I wanted to but there never seemed to be an appropriate time, what with Nana and then you taking me to bed every minute of the day.” She cupped his cheek. “You must want this child pretty badly.”
A flicker of unease floated across his pupils and then disappeared. A sensual smile curved his lips, making her heart flutter and her body heat.
“It couldn’t simply be because I find you irresistible, mio fiore.”
He was changing the subject. Yet whenhe ran his thumb over her bottom lip, she didn’t seem to care. He stood up and held out his hand. “Come. It’s a beautiful afternoon. Let’s get a picnic basket from Rachele and head into the vineyard to our sycamore tree?—”
“—down by the pond,” she finished, a rush of scintillating memories assailing her.
“You remember.” He pulled her against him. “Making love to you in the sunshine is one of my fondest memories. Let’s go make some more.”
She rose on tiptoes and pressed a teasing kiss to his lips. “You change out of your suit and I’ll go get Rachele to pack us some food.”
He patted her bottom as she moved around him. “And wine, Abby. We’ll celebrate a new beginning.”
Abby made her way downstairs, her feet growing heavier with each step. She should tell him the truth about her condition, but she didn’t want to spoil this moment. Finally they’d both acted like mature adults. They’d spoken the truth to each other, something that there hadn’t been a lot of in their past relationship. He hadn’t exactly pledged his undying love to her, but she’d seen feelings for her in his eyes. He felt something. She wanted the chance to find out what those feelings were before she brought his world crashing down around him.
Besides, the doctor said she might be capable of conceiving. They wouldn’t know until they operated. Why spoil such a day with unknowns? When she had the concrete truth, then she’d tell him. Perhaps by then he’d tell her why having children required such urgency. Her heart faltered and she almost missed the bottom step.
Now more than ever she was petrified of what he would say.
Chapter 13
Marcia had asked Abby to accompany her into Florence to go shopping. Abby needed to pick up a few things for her grandmother and had readily agreed. They were about to enter Monalisa’s Baby Wear when Abby spotted Delores waving from across the cobblestone street. She waved back.
“Ciao, Marcia and Abby. How lovely to run into you.” She placed kisses on each of their cheeks before pointing at the store. “Marcia, you’re not pregnant again, are you? You Lombardis do love to breed. You’ll be next.” She winked at Abby.
Abby kept her smile plastered on her face.
“Delores, pleasure to see you again. Would you like to join us for lunch?”
“Sorry, I haven’t got time. Paulo and I fly out to Malta this evening, once the deal is signed with Dante. We’re off for a break. The start of our retirement. I suspect Paulo will drive me mad within three days.”
Marcia chimed in. “I’m sure you’ll think of something to keep him occupied,” and winked suggestively. They all laughed. Abby thought it lovely that Delores still laughed about sex at her age.
Delores stayed and chatted, catching up with Marcia’s family news, and then on a flurry of more kisses left. Marcia sighed loudly. “She’s such a lovely lady. It was so sad she never got to have her own children.”
“Could she not have them?”
Marcia shook her head. “No. Paulo’s infertile. Such a shame they weren’t younger. There are so many alternatives for childless couples nowadays.”
“Such as?”
