‘But they’rehismemories too, Alessandro. He’s on the other side of the world, far away from everything that’s ever been familiar to him. Even his relationship with you is different now. He’s a child. Heneedshis things around him. And not just in his bedroom but all around him. And he needs to feel like this is home. Not some temporary, half-lived-in dwelling.’
She drew breath for a moment then plunged on again. ‘You wanted me to help. You wanted him happy and laughing again. Well, it starts here, Alessandro. And youneedto be part of it. Might there be some emotional fallout? Probably. But maybe that’s just what the two of you need. Besides, you might be surprised what he can handle.’
His jaw clenched as if he was biting back a response that was burning to get out. ‘Fine,’ he said stiffly as he stood. ‘If you think it will help.’
Nat, who’d opened her mouth to strengthen her argument, firmly closed it as he picked up his mug and bowl and moved towards her, heading for the sink, his abdominal muscles shifting enticingly with each footfall. She told herself not to look – she was mad with him,damn it– but it was compelling scenery. She gripped the mug hard in case she reached out and touched.
Pausing at the sink, he drained the dregs of his mug, which he then placed inside the bowl in the sink. Nat’s gaze followedhis movements, admiring the glide of his bronzed skin over toned muscle. It wasn’t until he was facing her that she realised he was saying something.
Clearly, it was her turn to be preoccupied.
Dragging her gaze from the strip of hair that arrowed down from his belly button, she murmured, ‘I’m sorry, what?’
She met his gaze but neither of them said anything for a moment, which stilled the breath in her lungs. Was he was thinking about last night and how she’d stared at him then, too? The slightest ghost of a smile touched his lips but thankfully he didn’t call her on her lack of attention.
‘I said when do you want to start?’
Nat’s brain grappled with the simple sentence, her annoyance at her own lack of control like a rusty nail in her brain. Bloody hell – it was just a chest! No reason to lose her mind. Every man had one. Rob had had one.
Except, of course, she’d never felt this inexplicable primal swell of lust at the mere sight of Rob. Not even in the beginning.
‘Soon. A few minutes.’ Briskly, she pushed away from the bench, the need to get the hell away from him and all his warm, male flesh becoming imperative. ‘And for God’s sake,’ she threw over her shoulder as she headed out of the room. ‘Put a shirt on.’
Fifteen minutes later they were all sitting on their haunches in Julian’s stark room with three boxes labelledChildin front of them. Alessandro – a navy T-shirt firmly in situ – took a deep breath preparing himself for the contents.
Maybe Nat was right. Maybe this was more about him. Maybe the boxes were a bridge too far for him at the moment and he’d been resisting them because of the emotions they werebound to stir. The guilt had been too much to bear as it was. But… her reprimand earlier was still ringing in his eyes. ThesewereJulian’s memories too. And if it helped reach him, then he’d have to justsuck it up.
Still, he worried.
What if Julian couldn’t handle what was in these boxes? What if it upset him too much? If he became inconsolable?
You might be surprised what he can handle.
Her words rattled through his brain and Alessandro flicked a quick look in her direction. She was looking at him earnestly, her eyes urging him to pick up the Stanley knife and just do it already. Rip the Band-Aid – or the packing tape, as the case might be – straight off. It was a nice change from the reprimand in her gaze earlier when he’d been distracted by those damn bows sitting snugly atop her shoulders.
He’d been fascinated the second he laid eyes on them, tryingnotto – after the incident in his bedroom with the towel – think about what would happen if he pulled one of those little bows.
How easy would it be? Just reach out and tug.
Would her whole dress just slide off? Would he get to see as much of her as she had got to seen of him last night? The urge to reach out and do just that had been so strong he’d had to curl his fingers into his palms to quell it.
Sitting opposite him at the table hadn’t helped. The bows had been in his direct line of sight – just taunting him. So, yeah, he’d been distracted. By his raging, unwanted erection…
‘Alessandro?’ she prompted quietly.
Dragging his thoughts off his undisciplined cock – which was now behaving – and definitelynotlooking at those bows, Alessandro slit the box open. There, on top, sat Julian’s old rabbit.
‘George!’ Julian snatched up the rather bedraggled creature that had obviously seen better days and gave it an enthusiastic hug. ‘I missed you, George!’
Watching the reunion, Alessandro felt utterly dreadful. Julian could have had George weeks ago. He hadn’t even been aware that the toy had been packed. Or even noticed that Julian had been without him until Nat had prompted him that day at the crèche.
Christ, he was making a total hash of this solo parenting business.
He glanced at Nat and she smiled at him – not gloating but happy nonetheless. ‘What else have we got in here?’ she said, addressing Julian.
Clinging to his rabbit, Julian peered inside expectantly as Alessandro dipped in.
By the time they’d emptied all the boxes, he’d pulled out clothes and toys and books and delightful wall hangings. The last thing to emerge was the exquisite mobile of stars and moons that had hung in Julian’s nursery. Made of brightly coloured glass, it formed a kaleidoscope-like blur when the pieces twirled.
