“Allora illumini,” I said, returning the narrow stare. “Since you seem to know better than me what I’m saying.”
Her eyes fell and she looked down. “Is it…because my stomach is so big?”
I took her hand and put it on my cock. “You can feel how much I want you. You’re more beautiful now than ever. But yeah, it is because your stomach is big.” Her eyes flew up to meet mine. “There’s no room to move in here, ah? Once we get home, I’ll fuck you or make love to you all night long. Whatever you want. My body is yours.”
Releasing her hands, I caressed her breasts through the fabric of the dress, and then bit down on her nipple. She jerked in my hands and made a noise that made me twitch in my pants.
“All right,” she whispered, coming down to kiss me—soft and languorous. “I am hungry.”
“Bene.” I helped her to her seat and then buckled her in. “The baby needs to eat.”
She smiled at me and I took her hand, bringing it to my mouth, kissing it.
A few minutes later, the driver pulled up to La Pergola, a restaurant inside the Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria. Apart from the cuisine being top-notch, the view of Rome was without borders. St. Peter’s Basilica was a specific focal point. Guido had called ahead to reserve a table on the terrace.
Upon entering, we were greeted by numerous associates of the hotel. “Buona sera, Signor Fausti,” our personal attendant nodded, gesturing the way. “Signora Fausti.”
We had eaten here a time or two before, and knowing what Scarlett enjoyed, I ordered ahead.
Scarlett ate in silence, devouring her food with an almost intense concentration. She brought her hands together as dessert was served. An entire tray was brought out, and she went straight for it with her spoon.
“Is the baby still hungry?” I said, watching her.
She stilled, the spoon close to her mouth. “Yes.” Another second ticked by. “Would you like some?”
“And take food from my child’s mouth?” I grinned. “Not a chance.”
Her cheeks flushed. Still, she continued to eat. Once she had enough, she sat back, relaxing. Though she had enjoyed dinner, her silence bothered me. It continued, even after she gazed out at the view. The mountains were dark shapes in the distance, rising high above the Eternal City.
I made eye contact with one of our men—he had come with the gifts—and he delivered the packages to our table a few minutes later. Scarlett didn’t look at them until I called her name.
She touched the smaller package with the card. “What’s this?”
“Open it.”
“Brando—”
“Don’t offend me.”
“All right.” She nodded. She took her sweet time unsealing the envelope attached. Her eyes read over the card.
“You bought us a house?”
“In England. Not far from Kensington Gardens.”
“How did you know? That I—I’ve always wanted to take long walks in the park there?” She hesitated. “With our baby.”
“I overheard you talking to Violet about it once.” I shrugged. “We were having some issues then. But I remembered. I thought we could visit sometimes. You can take the baby around in one of the three strollers Rocco bought.”
Rocco had baby fever, but I had shaken his hand when he had given her one that had big wheels and a body that reminded me of a carriage. Scarlett had called it a pram, and her eyes had brightened. She smiled the entire day and gave him more attention than I had liked. He even read to her stomach. I made sure to read longer to the baby that night.
Scarlett smiled, putting the card to the side, and opened the box. It probably wasn’t a surprise. She had a collection of jewelry from the same Italian jeweler. Still, she loved it all the same. It was a gold cuff bracelet with a center sapphire surrounded by diamonds. Placing it on her wrist, she admired it.
“Pastini’s birthstone,” she said.
“Apri la prossima.”
“Let me enjoy this one!” She laughed. “I haven’t even had a chance to thank you.”
