by Amy Ruttan
Olivia snickered. “I didn’t donate. My Max did.”
“Well, then, remind me to thank Max,” Shay snapped, instantly detesting this woman.
“Bringing a nurse to a society function, mi amore. How classless.”
“Why? She has every right to be here, and Shay also happens to be my wife—Principessa Affini.” Dante smiled down at her, with pride on his face, the way Tim had beamed down at Beatrice when they were in the back of the ambulance. Shay’s heart swelled and she held on to Dante’s arm.
“Your...your wife?” Olivia asked, stunned.
Dante grinned at her, but it was cold. Calculating. It made Shay shudder, and then he reached down and touched her belly, the first time he’d ever done that.
“We’re having a baby.” Dante took her hand and kissed it. “We’re so happy. Aren’t we, cara?”
“Yes,” Shay said breathlessly. Her heart skipped a beat. Maybe he did want more. Maybe this wasn’t like her parents’ marriage. Maybe it was real and she was just too blind to see it. Why couldn’t they be happy?
Olivia smiled, but it was forced. “Well, I see you got what you always wanted. A little nobody who will bear your fruit and drudge beside you in that sham of a hospital.”
“Don’t you dare speak about my wife like that. You have no right!” Dante growled, and a few people nearby stopped their chatter and looked. The last thing Dante would want was the press to hear about this and report on it. Shay knew how much he detested any publicity.
“Dante, it’s okay.” Shay tugged on his arm. “She’s not worth it.”
“You’re right, cara. She’s not. Good evening, Olivia.” He grabbed Shay’s hand and led her in the opposite direction, out of the corridor. She could barely keep up with his pace as he weaved through the crowds. Once they were at the exit, Dante waved down a water taxi. His face was like thunder as he helped her down into the boat and gave the captain strict instructions to the Lido as he climbed on board and sat next to her.
“Is everything okay?” Shay asked.
“Fine.” Dante scrubbed his hand over his face. “I’m sorry Olivia said those things to you. She’s mean and spiteful.”
“It’s okay, but I have to agree with you there.”
“No, it’s not okay. You’re my wife. It’s most definitely not okay.”
“Who was she?”
“A former acquaintance.” He turned to her. “She means nothing to me. You mean so much more to me, cara.”
Tears stung her eyes and he slipped his arm around her and held her close.
Shay wanted to believe him, because he meant so much to her too.
CHAPTER TEN
THE LAST THING Dante wanted Shay to know about was his past with Olivia, but when he saw Olivia at the gala he’d become so angry. The way Olivia had looked down on Shay had angered him. No, it’d infuriated him.
His fight-or-flight instinct had kicked in and he’d wanted to fight.
And now he was angry at himself for engaging with Olivia. For not walking away and for her showing up and spoiling a magical night.
And it was a magical night. Shay looked so stunning in that dress. The moment he’d seen her standing off to the side, pregnant with his child, his first thought had been She’s mine.
When he’d seen her there, he’d no longer wanted to be at that gala. He’d wanted to take her home and take that dress off her. He’d wanted to hold her in his arms and kiss her. She’d never looked so beautiful before.
He’d wanted her so badly, but he’d known they had a duty to do and he wasn’t sure if she wanted him the same way that he wanted her. So he’d tamped down his ardor, but it had been so hard, and then Olivia had shown up, angering him. Directing pointed barbs at Shay, who was a thousand times a better woman than Olivia ever was, and he couldn’t help but wonder what he’d seen in Olivia in the first place. They were polar opposites in personality. Shay was caring, kind and Olivia was self-centered and selfish.
The ride home in the water taxi was silent.
Shay didn’t press him with any more questions.
Which was a relief. If she pressed him, he’d lose control and it wouldn’t take much. His grasp on the reins of his emotions were wearing thin.
He didn’t want to get into it. He didn’t want Shay to know about his secret shame. The way he’d been duped by Olivia.
Once they were back at the villa, though, she made him a cup of espresso and sat down at the table with him.
“Tell me about Olivia,” she said gently.
He shrugged. “There is not much to tell. She’s a former acquaintance. We had a falling-out years ago.”
“Obviously there’s something. It was like you’d seen a ghost. You two were lovers?”
“We were. Long ago. It’s not important.” Dante loosened his bow tie and unbuttoned his collar.
“How long ago?”
“Long.” He cursed under his breath. She deserved to know the truth, but he didn’t want to talk about Olivia. “I don’t want to discuss it, cara. It’s a painful memory best left in the past.”
“Okay. I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about, cara. It’s my fault.”
“How?”
“For getting involved with a woman like her. She’s a user,” he said bitterly. “She wanted to be with me because I was a prince. She just wanted to be a princess.”
“Ah, so that’s why she seemed so ticked when you referred to me as your Princess.”
“Sì, it was a dig.” He sighed. “You see, not many people knew I was a prince until my father started selling off Affini land and real estate. Then it was outed that there were two Affini men who were bachelors, set to inherit a vast fortune. She wanted in, so she took advantage. That’s why I get so angry seeing her.”
Shay’s eyebrows rose when he said vast and he braced himself for the fact that she would ask how much was vast, but she didn’t ask him that. It was as if she didn’t care about his money, but he found that hard to believe. Most women he met in his circles cared only about money and status.
Whereas Shay seemed to care most about helping those who couldn’t help themselves. Even though Shay had admitted she came from the poorest of the poor in New Orleans, money wasn’t what attracted her. Doing good and being passionate about saving people’s lives was what mattered to Shay.
And he couldn’t help but admire that; but he still wasn’t sure that he could trust her.
He wasn’t sure that he could ever open his heart up again.
And he hated himself for that. For being so hard-hearted.
“I’m sorry she hurt you so bad.”
Dante cursed under his breath. “Sì, I was hurt, but I’m angry that she showed up tonight. And that she treated you so badly.”
“I’m okay. She can’t get to me. I’ve heard worse. Although it killed me that she’s so beautiful and tall. Elegant.”
Dante brushed his hand across her cheek. “You are more beautiful, cara.”
She deserved so much better than him.
Shay placed her hand on his shoulder, rubbing it and trying to console him in that sweet, simple way she did.
She was an angel.
He’d forgotten.
He smiled down at her. And then he touched the swell, where their baby was, and her eyes filled with tears. “I’m happy. What I told her was true. I’m happy about the baby.”
“You’ve never... You’ve never touched the baby before,” she whispered as she placed her hand over his. “I liked when you did earlier at the gala and I like it now.”
“I have felt the baby, but you were asleep when I did.” The baby pushed back. A strong kick against his palm. Last time it was a tiny poke.
“This baby takes after its daddy, that’s
for sure—he kicks me enough to annoy me,” she said, trying to make light, and he chuckled.
“I know,” he said, and he tilted her chin to make her look up at him. Those beautiful dark eyes of hers, those soft pink lips—he’d forgotten how truly beautiful she was. He leaned in and kissed her. It was as if he were tasting ambrosia. He wanted more and he knew that if he pursued this further one kiss would never be enough.
“Dante,” she whispered against his lips. “What’re we doing?”
He didn’t respond; instead he scooped her up in his arms and kissed her again. “I believe I’m taking you upstairs, cara.”
Shay didn’t say no, instead she kissed him back, those long slender fingers of hers brushing the hair at the nape of his neck as he carried her up the stairs to his bedroom. He’d never made love to a pregnant woman before and he wanted to be careful with her.
He didn’t want to hurt her.
And most of all, he wanted to take his time.
He set her down on the floor and cupped her face to kiss her again. He couldn’t get enough of her kisses. He undid the zipper in the back and helped her out of the black lace dress while she kicked off her shoes. The dress pooled at her feet as he kissed her neck, knowing how that spot had made her moan with pleasure before.
She let out a sigh, her arms wrapped around him as he trailed his hands down her bare back, undoing her strapless bra. Her hands undid the buttons to his shirt and slipped inside.
He loved the feel of her hands on his chest. Those soft, delicate hands.
Shay finished undoing the buttons of his dress shirt. Then he shrugged himself out of his jacket and let her peel off his shirt.
“I’ve missed you,” she whispered as he held her close.
“Sì, cara. I’ve missed you too.”
She led him to the bed and sat down on the edge as she guided him down with her. They sat on the bed, kissing and touching. Just as they had that night in Hawaii. Only this time it wasn’t the sounds of the Pacific Ocean and palm trees swaying outside the bedroom, but the sounds of the Lido at night. Of a cruise ship blaring a horn as it came close to the lagoon.
It was the night sounds of Venice, but he drowned them all out, because all he wanted to hear tonight was Shay, moaning in pleasure and calling out his name.
* * *
Shay hadn’t expected the kiss, but she didn’t stop it because she wanted more than anything to be with him. She wanted that kiss. For just one brief moment she wanted to be happy.
To remember a time when she had thrown caution to the wind and experienced real passion. To that one perfect night.
Even if that one perfect night had led to an unplanned pregnancy and them being in this situation now. She’d always sworn to herself that she didn’t want to have a sham marriage and she should push Dante away. Only she couldn’t.
Right now, she wanted to feel.
To taste passion one more time.
His mouth opened against hers as she kissed him, his kiss deepening. His hands were hot on her bare back, holding her tight against him. And then he pushed her down on the mattress, lying beside her.
She’d never wanted someone as badly as she did Dante.
Even though they’d been apart for months, that hadn’t changed. And she’d known that the moment she’d laid eyes on him that day in the hospital.
She desired Dante above all other men.
She craved him and that thought scared her because she knew he didn’t feel the same about her. She was treading a dangerous path.
The kiss ended and she could barely catch her breath, her body quivering with desire. He trailed his hands over her body.
“Shay,” he whispered. “I’ve missed you.”
He wanted her, just as much as she wanted him. A tingle of anticipation ran through her. She remembered his touch, the way he felt inside her, the way he made her feel when she came around him.
No words were needed, because she knew they both wanted the same thing.
“So beautiful,” he murmured, pressing a kiss on her shoulder. His hands skimmed over her again.
When he kissed her again, it was urgent against her lips as he drew her body tight against his. Their bodies pressed together and warmth spread through her veins, then his lips moved from her mouth down her body to her breasts.
She gasped in surprise at the sensation of his tongue on her nipple. Her body arched against his mouth and the pleasure it brought her, her body even more sensitive to his touch thanks to the pregnancy hormones.
“I want you, so much,” she said, and she was surprised that she’d said the words out loud, but it was the truth.
Dante kissed her and she was lost, melting into him. “I’ll be gentle, cara. Please tell me if I hurt you or the baby. I don’t want that.”
“You won’t hurt me. I just want to be with you again, Dante.”
He stroked her cheek and kissed her again, his hand trailing down over her abdomen and then lower. Touching her intimately. Her body thrummed with desire. She arched her body against his fingers, craving more. Wanting him.
Their gazes locked as he entered her. He was murmuring words in Italian, just as he’d done before, and that made a tear slip from her eye.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “Did I hurt you?”
“No, I’m just remembering. Good things.” She kissed him. “Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”
“I won’t.” He nipped at her neck and began to move gently. Slowly. He was taking his time. She wrapped her arms around him to hold him close as he made love to her. He kissed her again and then trailed his kisses down her neck to her collarbone. It made her body arch and she wanted more of him. She wanted him deeper and she wrapped her legs around his waist, begging him to stay close, but she couldn’t get him as close as her body craved, because of her belly.
“Cara, let me help you,” he whispered as he rolled her onto her side. He helped lift her leg and entered her from behind, her leg draped over his. His hand on her breast as he made love to her.
Her body felt alive. She had never thought a feeling like this would be possible. She had never thought that she would ever get to experience it again with him.
Even though her relationship with Dante was not real and had an expiration date, she couldn’t help but care about him. Deeply.
Maybe love?
She shook that thought away. There was no room in her life for love. Just her work, just her baby.
Their baby.
And this moment.
She wanted to savor it. He quickened his pace and she came, crying out as the heady pleasure flooded through her veins. Dante soon followed and then gently eased her leg down. She rolled onto her other side to look at him.
Dante was on his back, his eyes closed. She slid close to him and laid her head against his chest. He slung his arm around her, his fingers making little circles on the bare skin of her back.
“Cara, that was...”
“I know,” she said.
He kissed the top of her head and held her close. She didn’t want to leave this bed. She didn’t want to leave his side. And that thought terrified her.
She was just like her mother.
Shay was falling in love with a man who didn’t love her back. A man who’d married her because there was a baby on the way.
Only she couldn’t let that happen.
She wouldn’t spend her life pining for a man who didn’t want her.
She had to put a stop to this. To bury her emotions in her work.
Only she was so comfortable in his arms that soon she forgot about all her worries and fell into a deep, blissful slumber.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
SHAY WOKE UP in Dante’s arms. As she had every day for the last week. And every day she kept tell
ing herself this couldn’t happen again.
She was weak, and he only had to whisper cara and she melted into his arms.
Not that it was strange to wake up beside him. She was getting used to it. During their couple of nights in Tuscany she had slept beside him and that hadn’t fazed her one bit. And now, for the past seven days she’d enjoyed waking up in his arms. His breath on her neck as he slept.
It was almost natural, as if she were meant to wake up beside him.
And with that came the truth that she could no longer deny: that she was deeply in love with Dante.
Maybe always had been, and she was mad at herself for falling in love with him. She’d promised herself that she wouldn’t fall in love with someone unless they reciprocated it. Sure, Dante lusted after her, but did he love her?
She didn’t think so. Yet the way he’d been so protective of her last week at that gala, the way he’d told her that he was happy, the way he’d made love to her every night gave her hope. And that was scary.
She couldn’t trust hope.
She slid out of bed and quietly got ready for the day. Just as she had when she’d first moved in with Dante and headed to the hospital to run a triage simulation set in the mountains.
* * *
Today was a day that she could be at the hospital and it was the perfect place to hide. Which was why she was here setting up a triage situation.
Tarps? Check.
Rope? Check.
She went over her list on her computer pad as she laid out all the equipment. She had ten different patients in the form of mannequins who were all suffering from various ailments, but as she stared at the checklist on her computer pad she couldn’t think about the various trauma that she could be facing during a volcanic eruption.
All she could think about was her own personal volcanic eruption that had happened last night. Thoughts of Dante and his lovemaking were taking over her every waking moment.
This was exactly what she didn’t want to happen.
He was starting to invade every part of her. And on cue their baby kicked as if to remind her that was true.