by Annie West
‘I can do that.’
Gina shook her head. She needed to be busy. Preferably not watching him.
‘Gina. Look at me. Please.’ There it was again, that hint of desperation that had made a fool of her before. She told herself she wouldn’t be taken in by it again. Yet she hesitated.
She felt his tall frame at her back and despite her reservations felt her body tingle, anticipating his touch.
It didn’t come. He simply stood, waiting.
Gina huffed out a sigh. Since when had Massimo made anything easy? Except sex of course.
‘Very well.’ Still avoiding his eyes, she swished her long skirt aside and hoisted herself up onto one of the stools at the granite countertop, resting her feet on the foot bar.
But he made no move to make coffee. Instead he took the stool beside her, spinning hers around till they were facing. He widened his legs so they wrapped either side of hers, heat and muscle imprisoning her. Their eyes locked.
Immediately Gina felt claustrophobic. Panic fluttered high in her throat and she looked away.
‘Are you all right? Talk to me, Gina.’
The hoarse note in Massimo’s deep voice took her by surprise. As did his question. She’d expected him to ask about what had passed with his mother.
‘I’m okay.’ Time to draw on her acting skills, for pride’s sake.
‘Liar.’
The single word jerked her head up.
‘Of course you’re not okay. I can see that. But whatever the problem is we can deal with it.’
‘We can?’ Again, not what she expected. ‘What exactly do you intend to do?’
‘Whatever it takes to make you feel better.’ He shrugged, those broad shoulders hemming her in. Except this time she didn’t feel claustrophobic. She felt...protected. Maybe because he’d taken her chilled hands, gently rubbing warmth and comfort into them with his strong thumbs.
‘I can look after myself, Massimo. I fight my own battles.’ Except at the moment it was herself she fought – the confused self who wanted to surrender everything to this man.
‘I don’t doubt it. You’re a marvellously strong person. You wouldn’t have got where you have if you weren’t. But wouldn’t it be easier to have someone at your side, helping you face any troubles?’
The idea was tempting, so exactly what she’d believed she’d signed up for when they’d married, that for a second Gina was silent. Then she remembered. ‘Don’t you mean someone who can tell me what to do? Someone to direct my life?’
He sighed and his fingers tightened on hers. Then he let them go, sitting back and running his hand through his hair, pushing it back off his brow.
Strange how his withdrawal hurt, even though it was expected.
‘I’m sorry, Gina. I—’
‘You already apologised.’
‘Not for this. I’m sorry for bringing you into a situation that’s quenched all the brightness out of you. I thought I was doing the right thing...’ He shook his head. ‘I should never have forced you to come here, not without explaining. I’d thought after last night I could make you happy again.’
He looked so grim that to her surprise her wretched heart tugged. Where was her anger? Her disappointment? She was so mixed up.
‘You did make me happy. You’re a marvellous lover.’
‘Is that all?’ His eyes captured hers and Gina stared back, not quite believing what she saw.
‘Massimo? What are you saying?’
‘What I should have said in Venice.’ His mouth flattened. ‘No, what I should have said years ago except I was too proud and stupid and scared. That life without you isn’t any life at all. I love you, Gina. I want you back.’
Shock slammed her back so fast she almost slid off her perch, till Massimo’s large hands steadied her. But instead of keeping hold of her, he withdrew his touch as soon as she was steady. As if giving her space to think. Yet not too much space. His long thighs still surrounded hers.
‘You love me?’
His mouth settled in a crooked line that hinted at both humour and pain. ‘Go on, say it. I’ve got a strange way of showing it.’
A furtive spark of hope ran like fire through her middle. ‘Except in bed.’
The crooked line of his mouth became a lopsided smile. ‘That’s one thing between us that never changed, did it?’
She felt an answering smile, tight and wry, curl her lips, even though her brain was a whirling mess of contradictory ideas.
‘I hate seeing you upset, Gina. I want to put things right so you’ll be happy.’
Gina shook her head, wonderingly. ‘Maybe they can’t be put right.’
‘I’d still like to be with you, trying. I know life has ups and downs. We can’t always be happy. But I want us to be together. I want to be your husband, properly this time. For the rest of our lives.’
A gasp gathered in her mouth and her eyes widened. ‘Then why were you so cruel in Venice? So...judgemental?’ The recollection of his words had haunted her since.
‘Jealousy. Frustration. Pride. Hurt. You name it.’
Gina blinked up at him but for once Massimo’s expression was unguarded. It was like browsing an open book and what she saw there made her heart catch.
‘You mean it!’ She felt dazed, wobbly with shock.
‘Of course I mean it.’ He grabbed her hands. ‘It took me a while to realise, though. I spent too long being offended that you didn’t see things the way I did. But I never stopped loving you.’
‘I’d never have guessed.’ It wasn’t meant as a barb, but it spurred him on.
‘I know. I was callow for all I thought myself so mature. I made a mess of everything.’
Gina thought of what his mother had said, about some terrible revelation affecting his family and her having a complete meltdown. Clearly things had been worse with his family that she’d imagined.
‘It was a difficult time. Your father needed you.’ She hesitated, then pushed out the words that had haunted her conscience for seven years. ‘I was jealous myself, of your family. They called and you went straight to them, without taking me. You’d think I’d have been more understanding. I’d always wanted a close family.’
Instead her mother had never been particularly maternal and Gina didn’t know her father. She’d wanted, more than anything, to belong, but when Massimo put his family first in a time of crisis, instead of supporting him, she’d taken offence, believing it proved he didn’t really love her.
Massimo squeezed her hands.
‘You wouldn’t have wanted mine, at least not then. They were a mess. In the beginning I didn’t take you with me because I didn’t want you to see them at their worst. I thought it would be too overwhelming. It was just as well you didn’t accept my ultimatum later to give up your career to live with me in the family home.’ He shook his head. ‘It was stupid of me but in my defence I was desperate.’
‘You were? You always seemed so much in control.’ Had that been a front?
His laugh was bitter. ‘That’s a joke. I was out of my depth but determined not to go under.’
‘Tell me, Massimo.’ Years ago she’d asked him to explain why it was so vital he give up his career and stay with the family. He’d refused. Would he now?
Slowly he nodded. ‘I went home because of my father’s heart attack. But when I arrived I discovered there was much more. It’s not pretty.’
Gina said nothing, just waited.
‘It turns out the heart attack happened while he was having sex. With his secretary.’
She couldn’t stop the gasp that escaped. ‘I had no idea.’
‘Not many did. It was hushed up. Apparently the affair had been going on for quite some time. He’d deluded himself into thinking she cared for him rather than his money. He’d been spending lavishly, luxury business trips away, jewellery. He even bought her an apartment. He was so besotted he stopped taking an interest in the business and spent his time filching from it to buy more and more extravagan
t treats.’
Massimo paused and rolled his shoulders as if relieving stiffness there. ‘Not only was the old man fighting for his life, we discovered he’d all but bankrupted the business that four generations of my family had built. The business that was to provide for my younger siblings and support my parents in old age. They were on the cusp of losing everything, including the house. On top of that my mother had a breakdown. She loved him, you see. She had no idea of his double life.’
Gina curled her fingers around Massimo’s, remembering his mother’s sense of guilt and her determination to apologise. ‘Your poor mother.’
‘It was tough on her. But she’s come through it all okay.’ His mouth tugged up grimly at one side. ‘She even forgave him, eventually. She nursed him back to health, though he never fully recovered. He’s a changed man, for the better, despite his health issues.’
‘No wonder they needed you.’
Massimo lifted his shoulders. ‘There was no-one else in the family able to take control. Plus it turned out that the two most trusted managers in the company had taken advantage of my father’s distraction to dip their fingers in the till too. The company was on the brink of going under.’
Gina leaned towards him. ‘Why didn’t you tell me, Massimo?’
‘Because I was young and stupid. You hadn’t even met my family and I was wary about airing all that dirty laundry straight away. I suppose I was ashamed. I wanted to fix things before you knew the worst but it turned out that took years.’ His mouth flattened. ‘It would have been easier if I’d already told them about you, but they’d had such set ideas about who I should marry, it seemed better to give them a fait accompli. Except when I got there they weren’t up to any more surprises. Stupid of me. They’d have coped. They only had to meet you to know what a treasure you are.’
‘And then I refused to join you.’ Gina felt ancient guilt cut her down to size.
‘In retrospect I can’t blame you. I’d taken it for granted you’d drop everything to be with me. When you didn’t I got scared, especially when I recalled how my father had lied to my mother and abused her trust—’
‘You thought I’d been unfaithful?’ Horror filled her.
‘No. But my ego was such I thought you’d just do what I wanted, no matter the consequences. That’s when I started demanding, not asking. I realised later it was unreasonable to expect you to walk out on your first major movie role. But at the time I couldn’t see straight.’
‘Oh, Massimo. I wish I’d known. I feel dreadful. I was so worried about not becoming a doormat, and I was scared of your family too.’ She swallowed hard, tasting misery on her tongue. ‘I should have gone to you, even if it was only to argue things through. But I was scared. I worried maybe they were right and I was inferior wife material. It was cowardly of me.’
His eyebrows climbed his forehead. ‘You, inferior? Never in a million years.’ Massimo shook his head, incredulity clear in his expression. ‘My parents were messed up, cara, but they’re not stupid. They could never think that.’
Gina lifted one shoulder. ‘When I realised you hadn’t told them about me I thought you were ashamed of me.’
His crack of laughter reverberated around the room. ‘Ashamed? You’re the most talented, beautiful, wonderful woman I know. I was blessed to have you in my life.’ Massimo’s expression sobered. ‘I just hope I can persuade you to come back to me.’
‘That’s really what this is about? A reconciliation?’ Strange how her voice managed to sound even, despite her breathlessness.
His bright gaze caught hers and clung. ‘Is it such a bad idea? I know I’ve got a lot to learn about being a decent husband. I made so many mistakes—’
Gina pressed a finger to his lips. ‘We both made mistakes. I should have trusted you more instead of letting fear get the better of me. I had a chip on my shoulder about not being good enough for the Contis and—’
‘Not good enough!’ He dragged her hand from his mouth but didn’t relinquish his grip on her wrist. ‘You’re the love of my life, mio dolce amore.’
Suddenly she was blinking back tears. ‘Oh, Massimo. I love you too. I never stopped caring for you, even when I pretended I didn’t. When I think of the time we’ve wasted...’
‘Sh, little one.’ He cupped her cheek. ‘It’s all right. Especially since you love me.’ The grin that broke across his face was so brilliant it made her smile through her tears. ‘It’s exactly what I’ve wanted to hear, for so long.’
‘But all those years...’
Massimo shook his head. ‘What’s done is done. Besides, I know I for one wasn’t as mature as I’d thought when we got married. I had to learn about give and take, and respecting my partner as well as loving her.’
‘And I had to learn about trust.’
‘And believing in yourself,’ he added. He paused and drew a breath so deep his whole chest expanded. ‘The question is, do you believe in us? Is there a chance we could start again?’
Gina smiled up into the face of the only man she’d ever loved, her heart bursting with joy. ‘We already have, haven’t we? And if we take things one step at a time—’
‘We won’t make the mistakes we did the first time. And when we make other mistakes we’ll sort them out together.’ His deep voice made it sound like a vow. She felt his sincerity in every syllable.
An instant later he was standing before her, bending down to loop his powerful arms about her and lift her into his embrace.
‘Massimo? What are you doing?’ She was breathless, putting her hands around his neck.
‘Taking the first step.’
He turned towards the door and was soon striding down the corridor.
Gina laughed, buoyed by excitement and hope. ‘And of course that first step is towards the bedroom.’
Massimo stopped and looked down at her. Gina’s heart stuttered at what she read in his face. ‘We deserve to celebrate, my love. But believe me, I intend to be with you, no matter where our path leads. We’re staying together.’
Gina nodded her agreement. ‘Always.’
Massimo bent his head and captured her lips in a tender kiss, carefully sealing that Always between them.
EPILOGUE
* * *
‘It’s a triumph. Such a masterful piece of directing. And your performance...’ The film critic leaned towards Gina, ensuring she heard him over the noise of the opening night party. ‘Just superb.’ He kissed his fingers so enthusiastically she grinned.
‘She is, isn’t she?’ Massimo’s deep voice, smug with pride, rumbled from beside her and his arm slid more snugly around her waist, pulling her close against him.
Gina thanked the critic then said to her husband, ‘He’s talking about the performance, Massimo.’
Massimo regarded her minutely. ‘The performance, yes. And the woman too. Just superb.’
The look he bestowed on her wasn’t what you usually saw at red-carpet premieres, surrounded by the cream of Rome’s beautiful people. It was something you might, but only if you were extraordinarily lucky, see in private. And only then if you’d found the one person in the world who understood, appreciated and loved you completely.
Gina had found just that.
The knowledge was still wondrous, though she and Massimo had been together since Fashion Week in Milan, over a year ago. It hadn’t all been smooth sailing, but they’d learned to talk through differences, to share and listen, and as a result their relationship grew stronger every day.
As she stared up at him, her heart softened, and her knees too, making her grateful for his proprietorial grip.
Dimly she was aware of the critic chuckling, murmuring something more, then excusing himself.
Massimo lifted her hand, brushing his lips over her knuckles. ‘My beautiful, talented wife.’
She should take issue with the way he sidetracked her when she was supposed to be talking to people about the movie. But how could she when he made her feel so good? ‘What am I going to
do with you, Massimo?’
His lips tickled her ear. ‘Take me to bed?’
Gina jumped as he nipped her ear lobe and darts of fire shot to every erogenous zone in her body.
‘Massimo!’ It was Giulia’s voice, cultured and clear, that broke their intimacy. ‘Haven’t I taught you to behave better than that? Stop distracting Gina and let her shine. This is her moment.’
Massimo straightened and Gina saw her mother-in-law had cornered them, discreetly blocking them from the crowd beyond. But despite admonishing her son, Giulia’s eyes were bright with amusement. In anyone less refined that flicker of an eyelid might even have been a wink.
‘She is shining. Can’t you see?’ Massimo’s tone was light with laughter but there was a depth to his words, a sincerity, that filled Gina with warmth.
‘Of course I can. Now, stop being selfish and let her circulate. I see Angela and Matteo De Laurentis just there. Why don’t you join them? It would be the perfect photo opportunity to promote the film.’
‘And the Conti label,’ Massimo murmured. For Roberto, the House designer, had produced a fabulous gown just for Gina. The gossamer-fine fabric was in green shot through with a deep blue that perfectly matched her eyes. The dress clung to her figure before falling in delicate folds to the floor. It left enough bare skin to show off the flawless sapphire pendant Massimo given her and Gina had spied plenty of envious stares.
‘It’s an honour to have you wearing the label, my dear.’ Giulia pressed her fingers round Gina’s. ‘And a joy to have you in the family.’
‘Thank you. That means so much to me.’ It still stunned Gina how easily she’d become part of the Conti clan. How much fun Massimo’s siblings were and how welcome they’d all made her.
Massimo and Gina were crossing the room towards their friends when Massimo paused, pulling her to a halt. She looked up to see him frowning.
‘You did want to wear the dress, didn’t you?’ It was unlike Massimo to sound unsure and his uncertainty tugged at her heart. ‘Roberto was so eager to make something special for you but I didn’t want you feeling obliged—’