Too Cold To Love

by Doris O'Connor

  "You're not going to let this go, are you, pasticcino?"

  She shook her head, unable to trust her voice. When he looked at her again the familiar mask was back, his eyes guarded.

  "Giorgio is helping because I asked him to. God knows he owes me plenty, and besides, he has some sort of score to settle with your sister. I reckon he doesn't want anyone else spoiling his fun in that regard."

  "But."

  "But what? He's a man, she pissed him off, and if you ask me, he cares more about your sister then he's letting on. Whilst his reasons may be far from honorable, I'm not averse to using them to keep her safe – for you."

  Elise's heart skipped a few beats at the last few mumbled words Marco ground out. His grim expression was in direct contrast to the barely concealed emotion in his voice. He abruptly got up, sat her on the edge of his desk, and turned his back on her with another low growl. When she put one tentative hand on his shoulder he spun round and put his own hand up to stop her from getting closer.

  "Don't – unless you want me to fuck you senseless on this desk right now and to hell with your objections." Elise swallowed against the lump in her throat, as her treacherous body ignited with the images in her head. Somehow she forced the words past that lump of want and need.

  "But that still doesn't explain why you helped her in the first place. I thought you were going to turn her in. Why would you do that? For me?"

  She held her breath willing him to say something, anything, to break the unbearable tension between them. Her heart beat a hopeful staccato against her chest bone at the expression on his face.

  "Don't flatter yourself with any sentimental notions, wife. You're just that, my wife, and heaven help me, I take my wedding vows seriously."

  "But I thought you were filing for divorce the minute this is all over?"

  His harsh laugh cut right through her, and her heart shrunk in on itself.

  "And break my daughter's heart? Not likely, woman, besides I'd rather have you where I can keep an eye on you."

  "I see." Elise cleared her throat. She was not going to let him see how much those words hurt, no fucking way. "So we're back to that, are we? Women can't be trusted, let alone me. What do I have to do to make you see I'm not like that? And what on earth makes you think that I'm going to stay with you? You can't make me, Marco."

  "No, I can't. But if you can break Mimi's heart so easily, well that's all the proof I need that you're just the same."

  Oh she could slap him, she really could. "I would never do that to Mimi; you know that."

  Marco looked at her for the longest time before he stalked away from her. He turned around at the door.

  "Well that makes us even then, doesn't it?"

  "Even, what on earth are you going on about now?"

  "I'll never forgive you if you hurt Mimi, and you'll never forgive me if I hurt your sister."

  The pain in his eyes sliced through her heart.

  "Perfect basis for a marriage, wouldn't you say, cara mia!"

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Elise couldn't help but smile at Mimi's bouncing around. The little girl had been in a high state of excitement, ever since she had gotten up impossibly early that morning. Even so, she missed Marco who had left for work even earlier. Elise had thought to stop him, but he'd been in such a foul mood for the last two days, she simply pulled the covers over her head and listened to his footsteps when he stopped outside Mimi's room briefly. The soft thud of the front door and the faint rumble of his Land Rover signaled his departure for the day.

  Mimi's disappointment was palpable, but Elise managed to reassure her that daddy would be even more surprised, and that yes, he would make it to Nonna G's later.

  But she couldn't shake the niggling suspicion that he might well not show up. She'd left him a note before they had departed for Mamma G’s, but he'd been so unapproachable since that day in his study, she wouldn't be surprised if he didn't bother to read it. He certainly hadn't bothered to respond to the several voice messages she left him since.

  "Ok, that's it. Spill Elise. Every time you think Mimi is not looking you have a face like a wet weekend. What is going on?"

  Stella Giovanni's ice blue eyes were drawn together in a frown, her arms crossed, and Elise sighed. Oh bother, how was she going to wriggle out of this now? The woman gave the Spanish Inquisition a bad name when she was in this mood.

  "Nothing is going on, Mamma G. Marco has just been busy with work, that's all. I'll try and ring him again in a minute."

  "Elise, you have rung him three times since you got here, and every time it's gone to voicemail. What on earth makes you think he would answer it this time? Did you have a fight?"

  "Not exactly, no, that would at least clear the air I guess." Elise sighed.

  "Let me guess he's still in a tizzy over Jemima, right?"

  When Elise nodded Stella rolled her eyes.

  "Oh for goodness sakes, I shall have words with him. That man is so stubborn he would cut his nose off to spite his face, he really would. He needs to lighten up."

  "Urm Mamma G, I think he's entitled to not lighten up over this. Just let him be. The whole thing with Jemima has caused enough trouble already. He did everything he could. I just hope she's safe and has learnt her lesson."

  Stella stopped her hand halfway to her mouth with one of the fairy cakes Mimi made for Marco's birthday, and her suddenly frosty gaze collided with Elise's.

  "Ok, start at the beginning, what has that boy not told me?"

  ****

  Marco looked at the note Elise had left for him on the hallway table and swore loudly. He crunched the damn thing up in his hand and threw it halfway down the hall. Merda, he needed to hold his little girl in his arms right now, not have to drive half way across London to collect her from Mamma G. The last thing he needed was a grilling from his aunt, and if he saw Elise now… He wasn't sure whether he was going to strangle her or… or what exactly. When was she going to stop throwing him fucking curveballs? Every goddamn time he thought he had her figured out, it turned out he didn't know her at all.

  Why hadn't she told him? It all made sense now, of course – her nightmares, her insistence that she didn't want kids, her instant rapport with Mimi. No one should have to live through what she had, and now that bitch was going to use this against her – over his dead body. The sooner he got Jennifer out of their lives the better. Maybe then, he could get his head round this thing with Elise.

  The ringing of his mobile made him groan. Dio Santo, if that was Elise again...

  He flipped the thing open with a resigned sigh.

  "Ciao. Mamma G, don't start on me. I've just got home and found the note."

  ****

  Elise listened to Mamma G's conversation with mixed feelings. This whole thing was supposed to have been a surprise. It wasn't every day a man turned thirty, and the whole Giovanni clan had turned up in force. Mimi had been practicing for days, not to mention been baking for days. It was amazing where one could find icing sugar at the end of a long day.

  "Marco, just get your butt over here fast.... Ask me no questions and I tell you no lies."

  Stella smiled at her, her blue eyes thoughtful.

  "He's coming, and by golly you're right he's not in the best of moods. He'll best cheer up I tell you. I'll not have him ruining Mimi's big moment."

  "I'm sure he won't, Mamma G. He would never do anything to hurt Mimi.You know that."

  The elderly woman made a very un-lady like sound in the back of her throat before schooling her features into a smile.

  "Francesca, my dear, where are my favorite grandchildren?"

  Elise sighed and made herself busy ensuring everyone had their drinks filled up, keeping an eye on Mimi and breaking up several fights between the numerous Giovanni offspring.

  Not for the first time she wondered how Marco could stand these family gatherings. No wonder he hadn't been that keen to turn up. Especially as everyone seemed to take great delight in asking her
when she was going to add to the brood. Seriously, as if there weren't enough Giovanni children here already.

  "Take no notice of them." A laughing Kitty smiled at her, cradled in her husband's arms. "You should have heard the grief Alex and I got, and that was for being pregnant. There is no pleasing them I tell you. You'll get used to it."

  Elise made herself smile. Alex and Kitty's obvious affection settled in her stomach like lead. The fierce stab of longing and envy made her realize just how much was missing from her own marriage. As if she needed a reminder. Damn it, I'm not going to cry.

  "Hey, Elise, sorry is that a sore point? I never thought, and I didn't mean to pry. Noah, No!" Kitty dashed off, and Elise had to smile through the threatening tears when little Noah stuffed the last two cakes in his mouth whole in an effort to hide them from his mother.

  "Great, he will be bouncing around all night now."

  Alex's amused chuckle made her look up at him. "Count yourself lucky Mimi is so easy-going. There is never a dull moment in my house, not that I'd have it any other way. Are you sure you're okay, Elise? You look a little peaky, probably why everyone has been pulling your leg about babies."

  Before Elise could respond Marco's tense voice behind her made her spin round.

  "Who's been talking about babies? I told you before I'll leave that up to you and your sisters. Someone else announced they're pregnant by any chance?"

  Marco's arms went round Elise's waist, and made her even more aware of how tense he was. He kissed her shoulder and murmured something in Italian that made Alex smile.

  "No, just poor Elise here getting the brunt of the pregnancy jokes. It's your own fault, Marco. She looks as though she hasn't had a decent night's sleep in ages. I know you're newlyweds, but take it easy, eh."

  He laughed and dodged the punch Marco aimed at him with ease. With a wink to Elise he joined Kitty, swinging little Noah on his shoulders, to keep him away from the cakes.

  Marco's furious voice in her ear made her jump.

  "What the hell has been going on, wife? Where's Mimi? I want to get out of here."

  "You can't. This is your birthday party, and damn it, Marco, you will bloody well stay here and at least pretend to be enjoying yourself. Mimi has a surprise planned for you, and God help me, Marco Giovanni, you will not spoil this for her. Heaven only knows why, your family loves you, and you will smile and let them celebrate."

  Elise was too aware of him. He looked sexier than any man had a right, with that stubble and the brooding look he did so well. His eyes raked her up and down, a small smile on his lips.

  "There is no need to shout at me, woman, but if you insist on this charade, I guess I ought to greet you properly." He pulled her flush against him. His mouth branded hers in a bruising kiss which sent all of Elise's senses into meltdown mode and left her hanging onto him for support.

  Three hours later Elise's nerves were shot. Marco had kept her by his side the entire time, using her as a buffer between him and his family. He'd drunk far too much for Elise's liking. Something was very wrong with him. Even Mimi's heartfelt rendition of Happy Birthday, sung in English and Italian, had done little to improve his mood. He picked his daughter up with shaking hands, and held her for such a long time Mimi had been squealing to get down. The tension had been radiating off him in waves, and the look he threw across at her made Elise take an involuntary step back. He'd grabbed her round the waist and raised his glass up to the room.

  "A toast to my beautiful wife, without whom my life would be so different right now. A woman of so many talents, I couldn't possibly name them all."

  He downed his glass in one angry swallow and claimed her in another harsh kiss, his hands digging painfully into her arms.

  She'd hissed at him to let go of her, and her gaze had fallen on Mamma G across the room. Stella had looked absolutely furious with both of them.

  Thankfully the party was now coming to an end. Tired children were being bundled into their cars, and Elise shut the door on Alex and Kitty, who were the last to leave.

  Marco cradled a sleeping Mimi on his lap.

  "We should get her home. Mamma G, can you call us a taxi?"

  "Nonsense, you can stay here.Let me show you where. Marco, bring her up, you're not in any fit state to drive, and Elise looks exhausted. God knows there are enough empty rooms in this place. Follow me, both of you."

  Stella guided them to one of the upstairs bedrooms and ordered Marco to put Mimi down on the toddler size bed. She gestured for them to go through the connecting doors into the next room.

  "There you are. You'll be able to hear her if she wakes up. Make yourself at home." In the blink of an eye she slammed those doors shut, the loud click of the lock like a slap to the face.

  Her angry voice could be heard clearly through the heavy doors.

  "Right, you two. Now I have no idea what's been going on, but you'll stay in there until you have sorted yourselves out. I'm taking Mimi back to your place, Marco. There is food and water in the en suite. Talk to each other for pity's sake, and if I'm not satisfied you have it sorted by morning, so help me, you'll stay in there another day. No one will hear you, so don't even think about screaming, and those are fire doors, Marco, so none of your macho bullshit will work on them. Ciao."

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Elise looked at the shut doors in complete disbelief. This couldn't be happening. Mamma G had lost the plot, clearly; that was the only explanation. Risking a quick peek at Marco did little to help alleviate the legions of disbelieving butterflies in her tummy.

  He looked furious, every muscle in his body tensed, his fists balled at his sides as though he was going to attempt to punch himself through those doors. Fire doors no less, Stella had said. Oh that was just fine and dandy then.

  I am locked in with a man who looks as though he'd rather commit murder than be in the same room as I. Great. Fanbloodytastic.

  What the hell was he doing now? As if the strings of Italian swear words weren't bad enough, he was now eyeing that door as though...

  "Marco, don't be a complete idiot. She said they were fire doors."

  "Do they look like fire doors to you? They're clearly not; any fool can see that."

  Oh for pity's sakes, you'd think he just turned three instead of thirty.

  "Do excuse me, Mr. High and Mighty, arrogant male wotsit. I know no such thing. As I'm not superwoman I couldn't possibly tell you. But, silly me, I forgot the amount of wine you consumed tonight gives you x-ray vision of course."

  "Now you're being ridiculous, woman."

  "I'm being ridiculous? Says the half-drunk idiot about to dislocate his shoulder because he won't believe Mamma G. Why else would she have said they were, for her own amusement?"

  Elise took a step back from all the glittering fury in those blue eyes when Marco advanced towards her, and her heart rate went into overdrive. Get a grip woman; you're in control of your hormones, not the other way round. So, he looks sexy as hell when he glares like that. He is still being a complete plonk head!

  "Mamma G is an incurable romantic busybody who thinks that by locking us in here we're simply going to fall into each other's arms. And as appealing as the thought of having you under me may be, we both know it's not that easy."

  He threw her such a heated look, her body warmed all the way down to her toes. Oh damn the man and her treacherous body's response.

  "No, you couldn't possibly have to talk to me or be in the same room for more than five minutes, could you? She said we need to talk, Marco, not be at it like rabbits. Or has your hearing left you at the same time your reasoning fled, with your wine-soaked brain cells."

  Another step brought him so close, his body heat consumed her. He shook his head at her and stalked back to the door.

  Bleeding hell, being so casually dismissed by him, yet again, really hurt, but she was damned if she let him see that. It would give him far too much power over her, and their relationship was one sided enough as it was. Hah, relationshi
p, that was a joke.

  Elise watched in stunned disbelief as Marco sized up the door, took a run at it with his shoulder and bounced clean off it. She had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing at the expression on his face, when Mr. Macho idiot picked himself up off the floor awkwardly holding his shoulder. The blessed door, she noticed, hadn't even wobbled.

  She couldn't stop her mouth from twitching when he put his hand up to stop her and muttered,"Stand back, this is clearly going to take more force than I thought. I don't want you getting hurt."

  However, the sight of him taking a longer run at it, before shoulder charging it like some enraged rhino, only to once again bounce off it and end up in crumpled heap, had her erupt into uncontrollable fits of laughter. Slightly hysterical laughter, granted, but once she started,she didn't seem able to stop.

  Marco, in the meantime, sat on the floor swearing in Italian, before he clambered to his knees and slowly straightened up. The boyish look of hurt pride he threw in her direction brought another fit of the giggles. However, when he picked up one of Mamma G's prized possessions, a rather hideous antique chair, Elise finally sobered up.

  "Marco, you can't. You know that was her mother's, and she wants Mimi to have that one day."

  Marco visibly shuddered sizing the chair up. He winked at her. "Well, in that case it is a father's duty to protect his only daughter from a monstrosity such as this."

  "Marco, if you break that chair trying to get through those doors, Mamma G will never forgive you. Besides, knowing her she will find something even more hideous to replace it. You really cannot do that to Mimi, and that is after she breaks your head with what's left of this, this, what the hell is this anyway?"

  "Hmm, a chair designed for hunchback midgets, perhaps? A medieval torture chamber, disguised as art work? A bidet, gone horribly wrong?"

  Marco's slightly amused voice made Elise's lips twitch again.