They were walking out when Julian stopped in the hallway and turned to face the end. ‘That’s Papa’s room.’
He pointed to the closed door like it was a forbidden kingdom. Nat bit back her disapproval. Was Alessandro really that clueless? A far-away room dominated by a closed door? What the hell did he think his son, his four-year-old son, would read into that?
She really did have her work cut out for her.
Nat gave the boy’s shoulder a squeeze. ‘Want that surprise now?’
Julian nodded enthusiastically, a wide grin firmly in place, and she returned his smile as they made their way downstairs.
‘Wait here, it’s in the car.’ Nat injected a conspiratorial note into her voice.
She was back at the door in a minute – thankfully. The heat seemed even worse after the cool ecstasy of Alessandro’s house. Sticking her head round the door she spied Julian waiting, anticipation lighting his dark features.
‘Shut your eyes,’ she requested. ‘Hold out your hands.’ Julian obeyed instantly. ‘No peeking,’ Nat warned as she adjusted the package and passed it gently into Julian’s waiting arms.
Julian’s eyes flew open. ‘A cat.’
He looked at Nat with utter wonder and squeezed the animal close, rubbing his face into her soft fur. Flo purred appreciatively. In his excitement Julian even forgot about the weird stiltedness between him and his father and called out to him.
‘Papa, Papa, look, a cat. Nat has brought her cat.’
Alessandro appeared in the same doorway as before, regarding the animal warily. ‘You didn’t say anything about a cat.’
Nat was pleased he’d kept his voice low and pleasant for Julian’s sake – not that he was interested in the adults with the ball of fur purring like an engine in his arms. She raised an eyebrow. ‘You’re allergic?’
‘No.’
Ah.She’d assumed after Julian had told her about his cat in London that bringing Flo wouldn’t be a problem. Peyton would probably take the animal but one look at Julian’s animated face told her the cat needed to stay. ‘We’re a two-for-one only deal.’
He grimaced a little but merely said, ‘The cat’s fine. Just keep it out of my room.’
Nat didn’t think that would be much of a problem. Flo wasn’t one for wasting her time on people who didn’t care for her. Especially not when there was a little boy who was obviously going to dote on her for all he was worth.
They watched him for a few moments. ‘I trust your room is to your liking?’ he enquired.
To her liking? That was a bit optimistic. ‘It’s fine. Thank you.’
He cocked an eyebrow. ‘Problema?’
Nat hesitated. But, hell – she had to live here. ‘Everything is very… white?’
‘There’s plenty of colourful things – paintings, rugs and so on – in the boxes. I just haven’t had a chance to unpack yet. This is the first weekend I’ve had at home since I started at St Auburn’s.’
‘So, you won’t object to me adding a bit of… colour? I can unpack the boxes if you like.’
‘I don’t expect you to do that,’ he dismissed.
She shrugged. ‘It’s the least I can do for free rent.’ And it wasn’t good for Julian to live in such a cold space, devoid of warmth.
Shooting a quick look at his son, he said, ‘You’re here for Julian, not to be a housekeeper.’
Nat shot him a pained expression. ‘If I have to live in this white palace for even a day, I’m going to go snow blind. Plus, it will be good for Julian to have some familiar things around him.’
He regarded her for long moments, his gaze conflicted. She supposed there might be a lot of painful memories in those boxes that he might not want her poking around in. But then he simply said, ‘As you wish,’ and turned away.
Nat was aided by Alessandro and Julian as she retrieved her meagre belongings from the car. Alessandro withdrew the minute the job was done and she had to admit to being relieved. His presence in her room was too… dominant and she found herself questioning her sanity – yet again.
Julian hovered while she unpacked, leaping at the chance to help her distribute her bits and pieces around the room. Then Flo entered and he sat on the floor with the cat nestled in his lap, happy to just observe as he petted the purring animal.
