* * *
By five o’clock the following morning, Lowri’s head was pounding. The combination of tiredness and stress had brought on a headache and she felt sick from the pain. She closed her eyes, willing the throbbing to abate. She didn’t have the time to be ill. Megan needed her and she needed to be here for her too.
‘Are you all right?’
Vincenzo’s voice sliced through the throbbing in her skull and she winced. Keeping her eyes tightly shut, she nodded. Surprisingly, he had insisted on staying and she had to admit that she had been glad of his company. Having him here had made her feel less scared, if she was honest.
‘Yes. I’ve just got a bit of a headache, that’s all.’
‘Maybe this will help.’
There was the scrape of chair legs as he stood up. Lowri opened her eyes a crack but the light made her head hurt all the more and she hurriedly closed them again. She heard the measured tread of his footsteps as he came around the bed and she tensed. With her eyes closed she had to rely on her other senses and all of a sudden they seemed to be working overtime.
She bit her lip when she felt his breath stir her hair. He was standing right behind her now, so close that she could feel the heat of his body all down the length of her back, and shivered even though she didn’t feel the least bit cold. When his fingers began to stroke her neck, she had to bite back a gasp.
‘Wh-what are you doing?’ she demanded shakily.
‘Massaging your neck. It’s what I used to do for Nonna—my grandmother. She suffered from migraines and I found that it helped if I massaged her head and neck.’
‘Oh.’
Lowri wasn’t sure what to do. Whilst part of her knew she should tell him to stop, she couldn’t deny that the gentle pressure of his fingers was having a beneficial effect. In the end she did nothing. She simply sat there while he massaged the tension out of the knotted muscles in her neck. When his hands moved to her head, she didn’t protest either. It felt so good to feel his strong fingers moving over her skull. Although he applied only the lightest pressure, she could feel his fingertips burrowing through her hair, warm and firm as he worked his way across her head from back to front.
Lowri sighed when she felt his fingertips start to stroke her brow. Maybe his only intention was to relieve her headache but she had to admit that she couldn’t recall ever feeling anything as sensual as this gentle massage. When his thumbs found the throbbing spots at her temples and began to caress them in a steady circular motion, she groaned.
‘Are you all right?’ His hands stilled as he bent forward to look at her.
‘Fine.’ She dredged up a smile, praying that he couldn’t tell how she really felt. Maybe it was the fact that her senses were unusually heightened, but she could feel ripples of awareness running through her. Her mind flew back to what had happened the previous evening and she realised with a rush of alarm that if Megan hadn’t interrupted them they would have made love. She had been willing to do so then and she would be willing to do so now too.
Lowri’s eyes flew open. She was so shocked by the thought that it was a moment before she realised that her head was no longer aching. Vincenzo’s massage had been highly effective even if it had given rise to thoughts that she knew would plague her in the days to come. She wanted to make love with Vincenzo and not just because she wanted to help Megan either.
‘How do you feel now? Is your headache any better?’
The deep rumble of his voice strummed along her raw nerves and she flinched. It was an effort not to betray how on edge she felt as she replied. ‘Much better. It’s more or less gone, in fact.’
She gave a tinkly little laugh and hurried on, not wanting him to grow suspicious. Vincenzo had agreed to her demand for another child purely because he wanted to help Megan. However, if he realised that her reasons for them making love had taken on a far wider objective, he might refuse to go ahead. Maybe she didn’t know him all that well but one thing was certain: he would run a mile if he thought she was trying to trap him into making a commitment.
‘You obviously have healing hands, Dr Lombardi,’ she said lightly, struggling to get a grip. She couldn’t afford to do anything that might make him reconsider his decision to help Megan. ‘Your patients must be delighted to be under your care.’
‘Offering my patients a massage isn’t something I normally do.’ He gave a deep laugh, so soft and sensual that Lowri felt her skin prickle with awareness. ‘I prefer to reserve my skills as a masseur for the people I care about.’
Oh, it was tempting! So very tempting to ask him if she was one of those people. Lowri just managed to hold back the words but the question glowed, neon bright, inside her head: did Vincenzo care about her?
It was a relief when the door opened as the nurse came in to check Megan’s obs. Lowri stood up as Vincenzo moved away and went to the window. It was raining outside, a heavy grey drizzle that blotted out the sky and made everywhere look so dark and dismal that she shivered. Although it was almost June they had seen little sign of summer yet.
All of a sudden she found herself wishing that she could take Megan away for a holiday. Megan would benefit from spending time in the sun but it was unlikely to happen. Even leaving aside the not inconsiderable matter of how much it would cost, she couldn’t take any more time off work, although if Megan did need to stay in hospital for any length of time, she would have to do so.
She sighed as she thought about the problems it was going to cause. She had used up all her holiday entitlement as well as a period of compassionate leave so she would have to ask for unpaid leave of absence. The thought of how hard it was going to be to pay all the bills without any money coming in was yet another problem she would have to deal with.
‘You’re looking very thoughtful.’
Lowri glanced round when Vincenzo came to join her. The long night had taken its toll on him too, she realised as she took stock of the shadows under his eyes and the darkness of stubble on his jaw. He could have left any time he’d wished and yet he had stayed with her throughout the night, and all of a sudden she wanted to know why.
‘Why did you stay, Vincenzo? You didn’t need to, so what made you decide to give up a night’s sleep?’
‘I thought it might help if I was here.’
The lack of emotion in his voice might have put her off but Lowri sensed that it was deliberate. He didn’t want to admit that he cared what happened to Megan. The thought warmed her, helped to lift the black cloud of despondency that had descended on her, and she smiled at him.
‘Thank you. I appreciate it.’
‘Prego!’
He dismissed her thanks but Lowri knew that he was pleased all the same. She turned back to the window, watching as the city skyline slowly appeared through the gloom. It was almost six and she would have to go and telephone the hospital to warn them she wouldn’t be able to work that day. She frowned, hating the thought of letting down her colleagues once again.
‘Tell me, Lowri. Something is troubling you, sì? Tell me what it is and maybe we can work out a solution to the problem.’
Maybe it was the new feeling of harmony that seemed to exist between them but she found herself blurting it all out. ‘I’m going to have to phone work and tell them I won’t be in. I hate letting them down but there’s nothing I can do about it. Megan needs me here.’
‘Of course. I’m sure they will understand.’
‘Oh, I’m sure they will too. That’s not the real problem, though. I’ve already used up all my holiday entitlement plus a fairly lengthy period of compassionate leave.’ She grimaced. ‘It means that I’ll have to apply for unpaid leave of absence if Megan is kept in for very long.’
‘And that will cause you some financial difficulties, I imagine.’
Lowri heard the grating note in his voice and immediately wished she hadn’t told him that. The last thing she wanted was him thinking that she was asking him for money.
‘I’ll manage,’ she said hurriedly
, turning away from the window. The nurse had finished now so she went back to the bed, praying that Vincenzo would let the matter drop. She didn’t want his money; it was the last thing she wanted!
‘I would be happy to help in any way I can.’ He came over to the bed, standing at the opposite side so that she was forced to look at him. Lowri adopted a deliberately neutral expression, hoping he couldn’t tell how mortified she felt.
‘Thank you but it won’t be necessary.’ She shrugged. ‘I have some savings and I shall manage.’
‘I’m sure you will. It appears to me that you are extremely good at managing your affairs, Lowri. However, why should you have to struggle when I can help you?’
‘Because I don’t want your money, Vincenzo! This has never been about money.’
‘I know that.’ His eyes met hers, held them fast so that she couldn’t look away. ‘Your only concern all along has been our daughter and I admire you for that. But please don’t cut me out. I want to help and not just because it would make me feel less guilty to be able to do something for Megan. What happens to her truly matters to me, in here.’
He laid his hand over his heart and she felt tears prick her eyes. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that he was telling her the truth and she was deeply moved by his honesty. How could she refuse and deny him the chance to do something for their daughter when it was so important to him?
‘I promise that I won’t try to cut you out, Vincenzo,’ she said softly. ‘If you want to help then of course you can.’
‘In that case, maybe you will consider an idea I’ve had.’
‘What idea?’ she said cautiously.
‘Dr Simpson stressed how important it is that Megan should avoid coming into contact with anyone who might be harbouring some kind of infection at the present time, didn’t he?’
Lowri nodded, wondering where this was leading. ‘That’s right.’
‘Bene. Well, it seems to me that the ideal place for her right now would be the villa.’
‘The villa,’ she repeated uncertainly.
‘Sì. My villa at Garda. The place you visited when you came to see me.’ He paused to give her time to absorb the idea before continuing. ‘My suggestion is that you take Megan there to recuperate. Not only will she be able enjoy the fresh mountain air and the sunshine, but she will be in a relatively germ-free environment.’
‘It’s kind of you to suggest it,’ she began, but he cut her off.
‘It’s not kind—it makes sense.’ His tone held an arrogance that immediately made her bridle.
‘Maybe it makes sense to you but I have already explained that I don’t want to take any more leave unless it’s absolutely necessary,’ she retorted.
‘And you don’t consider it necessary now? Not even after Megan has been rushed back into hospital suffering from some sort of infection?’ He stared coldly back at her. ‘It seems to me that you need to decide where your priorities lie.’
‘That is totally unfair!’
‘Is it?’ He shrugged. ‘I disagree. It sounds to me as though your job is more important to you than she is.’
‘Nothing is more important to me than Megan!’ she said, deeply hurt by the accusation. ‘However, we don’t all have the luxury of family money to fall back on. If I don’t work, we shall probably lose our home. Is that what you want, Vincenzo, that our daughter should be left homeless?’
‘Of course not!’ He sounded rattled by the suggestion and Lowri couldn’t stop the small thrill of pleasure that ran through her for having pierced his armour.
‘Then you must understand why I can’t accept your offer?’
‘No, I don’t understand. I don’t understand why you are willing to put Megan’s health at risk when there is no need.’ His tone was icy and yet beneath its chill she sensed a passion that filled her with heat. All of a sudden she knew that this was important to him even though she wasn’t sure why.
‘You and Megan can stay at the villa for as long as you like. I shall pay all your bills here and meet all your expenses while you are there.’ He looked her squarely in the eyes and she shivered when she saw the determination on his face. Vincenzo intended to get his own way about this no matter what she said or did and it was more than a little scary to realise it.
‘It will solve two major problems. Not only will Megan be able to recuperate and regain her strength but it will give us the opportunity we need to put our plan into action. If that doesn’t make sense to you, Lowri, then I don’t know what does!’
CHAPTER EIGHT
VINCENZO STOOD ON the terrace and watched as the sun set over Lake Garda. It was a sight that never failed to captivate him yet he found his attention wandering that night. Had he done the right thing by virtually forcing Lowri to bring Megan here or had he merely made a difficult situation more complicated?
He had never stopped to consider what he might be getting into when he had made the suggestion; he had seen it simply as the solution to their problems. However, now he found himself wondering about how it was going to affect him. How could he maintain his distance, as he needed to do, when Lowri was living under his roof?
‘She’s asleep at last. She was so excited when she saw her bedroom and all the toys you’ve bought for her that I didn’t think I’d ever persuade her to settle down. You really shouldn’t spoil her like that, Vincenzo.’
Vincenzo glanced round when Lowri came to join him. She was still wearing the clothes she had worn to travel in, lightweight cotton jeans and a pale blue shirt, and he found himself thinking how pretty she looked. Most of the women he knew dressed far more formally, choosing clothes that made a statement about their position in life. However, Lowri didn’t appear to be concerned about how other people viewed her and he found her attitude refreshing.
‘She’s had a tough time in the past two weeks. Having to go back into hospital was a real blow for her and she deserves a treat,’ he said, reining in his thoughts. That he was attracted to Lowri wasn’t in question but he must never forget that it was Megan who mattered. Maybe they had grown closer as they had sat at Megan’s bedside while she had fought off the infection, but the truth was that Lowri would never have contacted him in the first place if it weren’t for their daughter.
The thought was strangely depressing. Vincenzo swung round, refusing to dwell on it. ‘How about a drink? You’ve had a busy day and a glass of wine might help you unwind.’
‘I really should unpack,’ she began, and then shrugged. ‘Why not? I can unpack later, can’t I?’
‘Of course.’
Vincenzo went inside and took a bottle of Pinot Grigio out of the wine cooler. Maria, his housekeeper, had prepared a tray of nibbles before she had left and he took that outside as well. Lowri was still standing where he had left her and he paused, studying the line of her back, the tilt of her head, simply soaking up the sheer familiarity of her. She had been back in his life for a matter of weeks and yet it felt as though she had been an important part of his world for ever.
The thought alarmed him. Vincenzo could feel his heart pounding as he set the tray on the table. He uncorked the wine, aware that his hands weren’t as steady as they should have been. He was getting in way too deep and he needed to take several steps back. Although it was understandable if the past two weeks had brought him and Lowri closer, he couldn’t afford to let that influence him. So maybe he did want to help Megan, and maybe he was willing to have another child with Lowri if it meant they could achieve that objective, but was he really prepared to make a lifetime’s commitment to her?
He had sworn he would never marry again after his divorce. Even though he and Carla had entered into the marriage with their eyes open, it hadn’t worked. He had wanted a wife who would support his career and not make too many demands on him, and Carla had wanted the security that a wedding ring would afford her.
As a top-flight commercial lawyer, she had grown tired of being hit on by her clients and had found it useful to have a wealthy husband in
the background.
It had worked very well too until Carla had decided that she had wanted more from life. She had wanted a family and that had been something he had always ruled out. Their divorce had been inevitable after that, but had he really changed so much that he was ready to consider the idea? Could he see himself not only in the role of father to Megan and to this new baby they might have but as Lowri’s husband?
Vincenzo’s hands shook even more as he poured the wine. Whilst he was still determined to do whatever was necessary to help Megan, he knew that he needed to reassess the situation. He came to a swift decision, aware that he would be unable to think things through with the necessary clarity if he was around Lowri. Lowri made him feel all sorts of things; however, she didn’t make it easy for him to think!
‘I shall be returning to Milan in the morning.’ He handed her a glass and sat down. He took a sip of the wine, hoping it would steady him. He needed to be strong, needed to deal with this situation on his own and in his own way too.
‘Oh. I didn’t realise you were going back to Milan so soon,’ she began, then shrugged. ‘Of course. You must have things to attend to.’
‘I need to settle on a date for when I return to work,’ Vincenzo said as smoothly as he could. He took another swallow of the wine, calling himself all sorts of unflattering names when he realised that he was disappointed that she hadn’t tried to persuade him to stay. If truth be told, she must be as eager for some time on her own as he was.
‘Ah. Well, that’s good, isn’t it? You must feel that your arm has healed if you’re planning to return to Theatre.’ She smiled brightly as she raised her glass. ‘Here’s to a successful return, Vincenzo. I’m sure your colleagues will be delighted to have you back.’
‘Grazie.’ He responded to her toast, wondering wryly if his return would be greeted with very much enthusiasm. From what he had heard that day, his team seemed to have been coping extremely well without him.
He pushed the thought aside, not wanting anything to deter him. Returning to work would give him the breathing space he needed to decide how to handle this situation. He had a choice: he could maintain his distance and simply make financial provision for Megan and the new baby, or he could become a proper father to them with all that it entailed—assuming that Lowri would agree, of course.
Saving His Little Miracle (Mills & Boon Medical) Page 8