Too Cold To Love

by Doris O'Connor

  Elise told herself that he may have won the battle, but she was going to win the war. Only problem with that brilliant theory of hers was the fact that he kept on winning those battles. He was a man on an unstoppable mission it seemed, and he would not listen to reason. Agnes thought it was all highly romantic, the way the man steam-rolled over every one of Elise's objections. It was all a sign of how much he loved her apparently. Yeah, as if!Though his tendency to watch her out of half-closed eyelids made Elise extremely nervous and all too aware of him as a man.

  And now they were going to this family do, where he was going to announce that they were about to be married. Next week in fact. He had informed her of that very casually over breakfast this morning, throwing her one of those looks over the newspaper he had been reading, whilst wolfing down the full English breakfast Agnes had prepared. Elise, on the other hand, had completely lost her appetite which probably went a long way to explaining why she felt so faint right now.If only she could find a way to get out of this, but Jemima had been so desperate back at the coffee shop. And Elise didn't even want to begin to imagine what Marco would do if he ever found out the truth. Damn Jemina. Not for the first time Elise wished she hadn't promised their mother to always look out for Jem.

  She risked another glance at his profile whilst he was concentrating on his driving, mindful of the butterflies in her stomach. How Jemima could say he wasn't handsome was beyond her. Maybe she was just a glutton for punishment, but he did that mean and moody look so well, and the rare genuine smiles, reserved for Mimi only, made her wish he would smile at her like that just once.

  One large, warm hand closed over hers, making Elise jump.

  "Quit fiddling pasticcino. Mamma G will love you. Well, she'll love the fact that I'm getting married anyway."

  Elise could feel his gaze on her, which did absolutely nothing to quell the army of butterflies which had firmly taken residence in her stomach.

  "Smile, and look as though you're in love with me. We're here."

  ****

  Marco watched Elise deep in conversation with Kitty across the room. The two women had hit it off immediately. Elise was cradling one of the twins in her arms, and the soft expression on her face drew him in. Out of her garish clothes she was beautiful, stunning in fact, in the strappy, yellow, little summer dress, which hinted at luscious curves. His fingers itched to explore those curves. It was going to be a long wait until their wedding night. Not that he had told her yet that he had every intention of consummating their marriage. She was still under the illusion that this was just going to be a marriage of convenience. He smiled grimly; it was certainly going to be one of his conveniences.

  "Hey, Marco, you could scare small children with that look," Alex chuckled, as he, too, glanced across to Kitty and Elise. "Suits her, doesn't it?"

  Marco groaned, earning himself another amused chuckle from his cousin.

  "Never thought I see the day again a woman has got you so wound up in knots," Alex said.

  "She hasn't. You have with talk of babies. We're still not sure what's up with Mimi. I'm hardly going to add to the brood of Giovanni with that hanging over me, and besides a man has got to get to enjoy his wife for a while."

  Stella Giovanni's voice rung out loud and clear from behind them.

  "Of course you're going to have more babies, Marco. There is nothing at all wrong with Mimi; she just needs a mother's touch. You'll see, she'll blossom now that you're getting married. Already she seems so much happier. Just look at the two of them."

  Sure enough little Mimi, having toddled over to Elise whilst they had been talking, was tugging on her dress putting her arms up for a cuddle. Elise smiled down on her and, deftly transferring Alex's baby daughter over to Kitty, picked Mimi up. One of the layers of ice round Marco's heart melted a little, hearing his daughter's delighted giggle. Whatever Elise was she certainly had a way with Mimi.

  Elise looked across at him. Her smile faded, and he made himself grin at her, mindful of his audience.

  ****

  Elise hugged Mimi a little closer to herself, feeling Marco's intense gaze on her. One would be forgiven for thinking that Alex and Marco were brothers, so similar where they in looks. Marco wasn't quite as tall as his cousin, but he had a commanding presence that exuded a quiet power and authority. Alex in contrast was open and friendly, winking at Kitty, standing next to her.

  "Aren't we the luckiest women around? The Giovanni men are a sexy bunch are they not? I never get tired of just looking at Alex."

  Elise made a non-committal sound, far too aware of the said Giovanni men walking towards them. Alex smiled at her as he enveloped Kitty in a bear hug, before kissing her deeply. Marco pulled Elise into his hard frame. His voice was an angry whisper in her ear.

  "Relax, will you? Remember, we're madly in love."

  She forced herself to relax into his embrace, Mimi still in arms, and Marco said something to her in Italian which made the little girl giggle. Elise blinked away the sudden tears, and putting Mimi down, excused herself to find the bathroom. Or at least she tried. She made it as far as the hallway, before Marco caught up with her. He grabbed her arm and propelled her out into the garden and away from prying eyes.

  "What's up with you now?"

  Oh why could he not just leave her alone? She was not going to cry in front of him.

  "Nothing, I need to spend a penny that's all."

  She tried to sidestep him, but he just moved himself in her way every time.

  "Will you let me past, for pity's sake!"

  "No, Mamma G is watching, and I want to know why you felt the need to turn on the waterworks. I'd like to think it's because you're so overcome with emotion at our upcoming nuptials, but we both know that's not the case, so spill. What's rattled your cage?"

  He took a step closer to her. His hand toyed with a strand of her hair, which had come loose out of the messy bun. His blue eyes scanned her face. Elise tried to step away, but Marco simply grabbed her around the waist. His face grim, he pulled her flush against his body.

  "Let's pretend I can't keep my hands off you, shall we?" And before Elise could stop him, his mouth descended on hers.

  She gasped at the first contact of that firm mouth, allowing Marco's tongue access. He wasted no time exploring her. Heat curled low in Elise's core as long denied needs slammed into her, and the tears started falling in earnest. It had been such a long time since she had been held by any man. Marco pulled back. His hands framed her face as he scowled at her, his voice a low murmur.

  "Why are you crying?"

  Elise drew a shuddering breath and shook her head.

  "It's nothing, Marco. It's not as though you care anyway, so kiss me already and get this over with."

  Something hot and dangerous flashed in Marco's eyes, and he muttered, "I have no intention of just getting it over with,pasticcino, ever. In fact now would probably be a good time to tell you that I have every intention of taking you very slowly and any which way I can, just as soon as we are married." He pulled her in even closer, bringing her lower tummy in direct contact with his obvious arousal.

  "You cannot be serious!" Elise stared up at him in shock. Dread crept up her spine at what she saw in his eyes. "But I thought…"

  "You thought wrong, lady. I told you, you owe me, and I can't think of a better way to repay me then by having you in my bed."

  "You will find me a very unwilling participant then." Elise spat the words at him. She straightened her spine in an effort to make herself taller, but all it achieved was bringing her breasts in direct contact with his chest. She bit back the moan as her nipples reacted in an embarrassingly obvious way.

  Marco chuckled, a harsh cold sound, as he ran one hand under her dress, cupping her moist heat with a knowing smile.

  "I beg to differ, lady!"

  Chapter Five

  Elise approached the glass fronted foyer of Parkins Solicitors with a certain amount of trepidation. The summons had been curt and brief, as w
as Marco's habit.

  "Meet me at 11.00. Don't bring Mimi, and wear something sexy and elegant. We'll be eating out."

  The nerve of the man! She hadn't seen much of him since Sunday. He left the house early every day, returning long after Mimi went to bed. She could hear him across the hall saying good night to his daughter. More than once his footsteps stopped in front of her door, giving Elise palpitations, before they moved on to his room next to hers.

  He confused the hell out of Elise with his actions. After that humiliating scene in the garden, he'd stayed irritatingly close to her the rest of the afternoon. He'd kept one hand on her at all times, and by the time they finally bundled a sleeping Mimi back into the car, Elise wanted to scream in pent up frustration. He took Mimi up to bed himself, leaving her to clatter about in the huge kitchen trying to fix herself a hot chocolate before bed.

  Her nerves were in such tatters that she spilled the hot milk all over her hand when she sensed Marco's quiet presence behind her. He swore loudly when she yelped at the pain, dropping the milk all over the floor and his polished Italian loafers.

  "For God's sake, woman, you're a menace."

  But he grabbed her hand and made her hold it under the cold water until she thought she would have frost bite. And his hands applying the burns cream and dressing to the large reddened area of her poor, abused fingers had been gentle and steady, even if his eyes were frost itself.

  He made her sit down and prepared a new hot chocolate, adding a large dose of brandy to it. When she was going to refuse, he stared her down until she took it.

  "Don't argue, woman. You're as white as a sheet. Drink that; it will help you sleep, and for God's sake stay out of the kitchen. You are no use to me injured."

  "I am no use to you, period. Why are you doing this, Marco? Why force me to marry you? Surely you have more than enough willing women lined round the corner…"

  She grimaced, remembering the fierce scowl on his face as he wielded the mop with such force Elise feared it would break. He didn't answer her, just carried on clearing up the mess on the floor, frowning at the state of his shoes.

  "I'm sorry about your shoes," Elise made herself say. "Guess you'll be adding them to the bill I have to pay off."

  Marco sighed, fixing her with an intent gaze before he stepped into her personal space once again.

  "They're just shoes; forget it. How's the hand?"

  Elise flexed her fingers experimentally. "I'll live. I am forever dropping things. I'm used to it."

  "I noticed. The likes of you ought to carry a government health warning. I suggest you try tobe more careful in future. I have no wish to spend half my married life mopping up after you."

  "Then let me go. I can stay as your nanny. Hell, I can even work in the office. Just don't make me…"

  "Make you what, pasticcino?"

  Elise fought back the tears once again as he cupped her chin in his hand and tipped her head up to make her look at him.

  "I can't marry you. You're asking too much."

  His face turned even frostier, if that was possible.

  "On the contrary, my darling." The tone of his voice made the endearment feel like slap to her face. "You can, and you will. I find myself in need of a wife, and I have no time, nor the inclination, to find myself another one."

  "But…"

  "But nothing, you and I will rub along well enough for now, and you'll want for nothing as long as you stick to the plan. As for all those willing women you seem to think I have, I wouldn't make the mistake of marrying one,I can assure you. This is a business deal. My solicitors will hash out the details, and you will stick to it!"

  "And what if I don't?"

  The grip on her chin turned painful as he brought his mouth down hard on hers. He forced his tongue inside her clenched lips, branding her with an intensity and brutal ruthlessness that made Elise cling to him for support, as he shifted his hands to her back side, lifting her off the chair. He pinned her to the huge American-style fridge. The cool metal surface on her back made Elise gasp. Marco deepened the kiss, grinding his hips into hers, until she'd lost any ability for coherent thought and reacting purely on instinct wrapped her legs round his back, eliciting a low groan from Marco. Her heart went into overdrive; moisture soaked her panties, and his grip on her grew painful, when she ground her hips into the hard, long ridge of his cock, straining against the flies of his trousers. When he eventually broke the kiss they were both breathing heavily, and his face was unreadable, his voice a low, carefully controlled whisper that sent shivers down her spine.

  "That would not be wise." And he released her as abruptly as he'd grabbed her and stalked out of the kitchen. Elise stood trembling like a leaf and wondering what that had been all about.

  "Can I help you?"

  Elise jumped at the efficient voice of the middle-aged receptionist behind the desk of the airy foyer. She'd been so engrossed in her musings about Marco she hadn't realised she had actually wandered into the offices of the prestigious firm of solicitors. Elise suddenly felt very grateful for Marco's order to dress up. She would have felt very out of place in her favoured jeans in this place that reeked of success and money.

  The receptionist looked at her expectantly.

  "Urm, yes sorry. I have an appointment with Robert Johnson I believe."

  "Name?"

  "Elise Donovan."

  The receptionist frowned, looking through the appointment book and then her computer screen. "No, I'm sorry. I do not seem to have you here. Mr. Johnson is fully booked this morning. When was the appointment for, please?"

  Oh this was embarrassing. What was Marco playing at? Elise pulled her phone out of her bag to check the message. Definitely said 11.00 am on here, and the large chrome clock on the wall behind the receptionist stated it was almost that time now.

  "It is supposed to be for eleven?"

  "No, I'm sorry, Miss Donovan. Mr. Johnson has another client booked at that time, and ah here he is now. Excuse me, please."

  The receptionist dismissed Elise, smiling behind her, and Elise found herself grabbed by a strong arm as she made to leave.

  "Denise, would you please tell Robert that my fiancée and I are here."

  Marco bent down to drop a kiss on Elise's forehead, drawing her in closer to his side, and Elise had to smile at the expression on the receptionist's face before she quickly recovered.

  "Yes, of course. Miss Donovan, I am so sorry. I didn't realise you were with Mr. Giovanni. Robert is ready for you, Sir.Please go straight through."

  "Did she keep you waiting? I will have words if she did." Elise looked up at Marco's annoyed voice and immediately wished she hadn't.

  He'd had his hair cut short, making him look even meaner. The expensive business suit clung to his broad shoulders, the deep blue of his shirt bringing out the storm in his eyes as they focused on her, before frowning towards the rapidly paling receptionist.

  "No, no, she hasn't at all, Marco. My fault entirely. I should have made it clear I was with you."

  Elise smiled at the poor, terrified looking woman, and her shoulders relaxed a tad, when Marco mumbled. "If you are sure, pasticcino."

  "Yes, absolutely, Marco!"

  He turned them around with one last menacing glare towards reception, and before she could blink they were in a large office, facing what she presumed to be the solicitor.

  "Robert."

  "Marco, good to see you. And you must be Elise. Let me congratulate you on your impending marriage."

  Robert Johnson's smile was kind and his handshake firm.

  "Cut the crap, Robert. This isn't a love match, and you know that. Have you got the papers drawn up?"

  "Yes, they're all prepared, Marco. But are you sure about this?"

  "I do not pay you for your opinion, Robert. I pay you to get the job done. Will my marrying Elise ensure that my ex-wife can't get her mitts on Mimi?"

  Robert glanced towards Elise with an apologetic smile before addressing Marco.

>   "Well, that depends on the hearing, but the Private Investigator you hired has got more than enough ammunition for us. Your marriage will ensure you are the stable parent, so, yes, it should be a formality, but is all this really necessary? She hasn't tried to take Mimi away, after all."

  Marco jumped out of his seat, pacing the office space with barely controlled fury.

  "You bet it's necessary. I'm not taking any chances for the bitch to get her claws into my child again. She's done too much damage already, and I'm done paying her off. Let one of her lovers pay for her for a change."

  Oh my. It seemed Marco Giovanni hated his ex-wife even more then Elise had thought possible. Whatever had the woman done to him?

  "I want her destroyed, Robert. Do you hear me? Drag her through whatever court you have to. Just get her out of mine and Mimi's life forever."

  Elise couldn't help it. She got up and put a hand on Marco's arm. The pain in his eyes as he focused on her, took her breath away, before he masked it behind a cynical smile.

  "And just to make sure I am not making the same mistake twice, give my fiancée her prenup to read. It will remind her what will happen if she thinks she can cross me."

  Chapter Six

  "… et les Brochettes d'Agneau a la Greque,silvous plait."

  Elise smiled at the expression on Marco's face as the waiter bowed to her. "Tresbien, Madame."

  "Merci beaucoup, Garcon."

  Marco's banker, whomthey'd met up with for lunch at the expensive French restaurant, laughed.

  "Ah touché, Marco, the lady speaks French it seems."

  Marco smiled, his eyes never leaving Elise's face. "My fiancée is full of surprises it seems, Henry."

  "Oh I could never speak French.That all just sounds so complicated. You must be terribly clever, Elise."

  The auburn haired arm candy Marco's banker arrived with giggled, and Elise suppressed a groan. It was going to be a long lunch listening to the inane small talk of Candy. Seriously Candy? What kind of a name was that? Elise glanced at the wedding ring on Henry the banker's finger and wondered if Mrs. Henry the banker had any idea her husband was flaunting his mistress in one of his best client's faces. Not that Marco took any notice of Candy's obvious assets.