Believe (San Francisco Brides Series Book 2)

by Juliano, Celia

  She woke with a start and surveyed the room. The sky, a rectangle in the window, was still grey, the trees stood sentinel over the quiet. She was in the bedroom, in the bed. Lorenzo must have carried her in last night. He appeared at the door, a faint burnt odor followed him. Blinking, she looked at him, already dressed, a rare sight in dark jeans and a tee shirt. She pushed her hair behind her ears.

  “Morning. I made some toast. I tried for French toast, but it got overcooked.”

  “Thanks. I think you need cooking lessons.”

  “You could teach me.”

  “I don’t have that much patience.”

  “You’re merciful.”

  “Where did you sleep?”

  “Right there,” he said, motioning to the spot next to her as he set the tray with toast and tea down on the nightstand. He wasn’t mad, then. But since he’d said what he had, she was worried about trying to question him about what she wanted to.

  Lita picked at the blanket. She didn’t want to argue, and she didn’t know how to ask him about what Lee had said, and why Lorenzo was late from work, without hurling it out in angry accusations.

  “I better go clean up the mess I made,” he said.

  She nodded, but he was already gone.

  ***

  Lita crunched her toast and sipped her tea. None of this was how it was supposed to be. All this stress was making her period late again. Maybe she should go to the doctor again. She rose and looked through the suitcase Lorenzo had packed. Where were her pills? She turned the whole suitcase inside out—no pills. She tensed. She didn’t want one more thing to talk about, and he might want to go home if she said anything. It was only two days, no big deal. She’d just double up on her pill when they got home. She’d done it before.

  A swim would be relaxing. She tidied everything and grabbed her swimsuit, taking it into the bathroom with her, so she could get cleaned up and dressed.

  Half an hour later, Lita walked into the pool. The warm water enveloped her. She dove under, twirling. The movement and warmth loosened her muscles and brought a smile to her lips. She came up for air and gazed out at the trees and ocean in the distance. The sun sparkled off the water, dazzling as the diamond on her finger. She looked at her rings. She swallowed.

  “Mind if I join you?”

  She turned. Lorenzo stood by the pool, sexy in just swim trunks, his lean, built, tan body making her insides quiver.

  She shook her head. He walked down, into the water where she stood.

  “I remember the first time I came down here, to Monterey. Do you?” she said.

  “Of course.” He edged closer to her.

  “I still don’t know how Lee convinced Jane to be a chaperone or why the teachers let her.”

  “Not too many volunteers to take a bunch of teenage boys on a school trip. You know Lee could convince Jane into almost anything if he tried. He knew she’d be a terrible chaperone. He forgot to think about how you’d act.”

  “He hoped I’d stay with Aunt Cass. Was I really that bad?”

  Lorenzo raised an eyebrow as he stood next to her, an arm stretched out on the water. He chuckled. “Young men away from home hoping to meet some cuties and you’re there prancing around trying to make Lee and me walk around with you or take you swimming?”

  “And then your girlfriend showed up with her friend.” Lita made a sour face and Lorenzo laughed.

  “I was only sixteen,” he said.

  “You haven’t changed much.”

  “You haven’t learned much.”

  “I know more than I want to,” Lita said, moving toward the stairs.

  Lorenzo took her hand. “Please stay.”

  Lita looked at him. He’d never said that before. She faced him. He smiled, his dimples smoothing away her worries. He pulled her into him. She smiled, ducking her head to the side, shy to admit how much she wanted and needed him. He chuckled.

  “Lita.” His serious tone made her gaze at him again. “It’s always been you. No other girl or woman has ever meant as much to me as you do.”

  Lita shifted in his arms. It had always been Lorenzo. She’d thought they could never be together, so she fought to get over her feelings, tried to replace him with similar men, but nothing ever worked. Yet, being together didn’t erase problems, didn’t make either of them forget the past. “Why did you come over to our house so much? You had Uncle Enzo and his family.”

  “You two were fun. Besides, I learned early my father hated Uncle Enzo. If we went there, he always made sure we regretted it. Then he’d tell us how we were all he had, since his parents and sister had died. We were his family.” Lorenzo stared into the distance, absently fingering Lita’s hand.

  “He yelled at you a lot?”

  “He did more than yell.”

  “Your mom too?” Lita whispered, holding his hand. Her chest hurt for him.

  “He hit her. I don’t think anyone in the family knew. He was a sneaky, smart bastard. He knew how to keep us both under his thumb,” he said.

  Lita held him tighter. She caressed his back, cold in the warm air.

  “The family might have suspected, but I never told.”

  Lita kissed his collarbone. “I won’t tell.”

  He glanced at her. “I don’t want to be like him, Lita. Do you understand?” He swallowed hard and closed his eyes.

  “Yes.” She wasn’t really sure what he meant: did he not want children, afraid he’d be a bad father? Or was he just not ready? He opened his eyes. He needed understanding now, not more questions. “You’re not like him. You’re a good man. I love you,” she said.

  She twined her arms around his neck and studied him. He gazed at her, his eyes intense but soft. She leaned into him and kissed him, keeping on until he held her tight and returned her touch. Her chest lightened, she floated in the feeling of his firm body, his almost fierce, forceful embrace; she reeled with love.

  “I love you,” he whispered as his fingers fondled her hair.

  She sighed with the sharp draw to him as they kissed, the warm water floating around them, a cocoon. Their fingers, slow but sure, eased off every covering. Lorenzo’s presence sheltered her. On a low, wide stair, he pressed himself into her. She could see nothing but Lorenzo’s strong face over her, staring at her with such love her tears flitted down, like a lover’s fingertips tracing a path on smooth skin.

  “Lita,” he murmured before he sank into her, entered her, filled her.

  She closed her eyes and focused on the feeling of his pleasure in her, smiled as their bodies flowed together, and pressed her hands into his sweltering back as their breathing steadied. She let out a tiny sob when he pushed himself up, but she smiled again as he scooped her into his arms and drew her to his chest. He loved her. He’d shared himself with her. She could never doubt it again as long as she remembered the look in his eyes and the feeling of his steady strength encircling her.

  “You’ll stay?” he whispered. He twisted a strand of her hair around his fingers.

  “I’ll never leave you.” She danced her fingertips over him and sang a bit of “Kiss the Girl” until he did.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Lorenzo leaned, sitting, against the front of his desk, his arms crossed. He looked forward to getting home to Lita tonight. They’d only been home a couple of days from Carmel. It hadn’t been long enough. He shifted his legs.

  Carla, a real estate developer working with Gianni, was too close to him. He had to force an impassive expression. Her musky scent repulsed him. Gianni better show up soon. She slid into one of the chairs in front of his desk, brushing her hand against his knee. He grimaced.

  A light knock sounded. Lee, followed by Lita, came in. He stood. Carla’s hand was still by his leg. He walked forward. He’d never wanted to hit Lee before, but he had an urge to whack that smug grin off his face. And Lita…Shit.

  “Lita’s here to surprise you,” Lee said.

  Lorenzo kissed Lita. She turned, so he only kissed her cheek. Sh
e held a picnic basket. He took it from her. Her complex vanilla scent eased the tightness in his features. “You know I had a lunch meeting with Gianni and Carla.”

  “Aren’t you sweet,” Carla said, rising and addressing Lita in a derisive tone, like she was talking to a little kid.

  “She is.” He slipped his arm around Lita’s waist. Her back was tense. “I’ll stay here.”

  “But we have a meeting.” Carla glanced at her pointy red nails.

  “You and Gianni can talk over lunch. I think I’ve contributed all I can to the discussion. If you have any other questions, make an appointment. Gianni should be here soon. You can wait in the front office. Sue can make you a latte if you want.”

  “Fine. I’ll meet with Gianni like we’d planned.” She put emphasis on “we’d.”

  He stepped aside, pulling Lita with him, giving Carla a wide path. Lee watched her, his arms crossed, scowling.

  Lita tried to wriggle away from him. He gripped her waist tightly.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt your meeting.” Her voice was as tight as her posture.

  “I’d rather have lunch with you. Lee, isn’t Janetta waiting for you?” Lee’s frown deepened. Lorenzo had noticed Lee’s attraction to Janetta, which Janetta seemed to be shutting down. If Lee was going to try to mess with his marriage, Lorenzo wasn’t going to play nice.

  “Yeah.” Lee kissed Lita’s cheek. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  Lita nodded. Once Lee was gone, Lorenzo let her go and shut the door, locking it.

  “Are all your meetings that cozy?” She stood by the door.

  He put the basket on the coffee table in front of the sofa across from his desk. He faced her. “Is that what you really want to say?”

  She blinked, tears brimming. He stepped to her and caressed her cheek.

  “No. I don’t want to be like that, snarky.” She grasped his hand and leaned into his chest. “She’s so…pretty and confident. And you and Lee…it’s like you’re not friends anymore.”

  “The only woman I want is you. You have everything to be confident about, kitten.” But she wasn’t. She snuggled into him. He kissed her hair. “As for Lee…”

  “I feel like it’s my fault. I could have handled things better. If I could explain to him—”

  “No. It’s not you.” He let out a breath. He’d have to be nice to Lee, try to rebuild something, for her sake, at least. He fingered her hair. He did miss his friend. “It’ll be okay.”

  “It doesn’t feel okay.”

  “I know.” He knew how to make her feel better than okay. But this time, he’d try a different approach. “You want to talk?”

  She picked at his jacket. “I want to know how you feel.”

  He twined his fingers in her hair and tugged gently. She glanced up. “You know how I feel, kitten.”

  A longing breath escaped her. Her cheeks flushed. She darted her eyes, first to the desk, licking her lips. Then she glanced at the basket. “I…I brought lunch.”

  That wasn’t what she was hungry for. He kissed her, increasing the pressure as she wriggled and ran her hands over his chest and back. Grasping her waist, he picked her up and walked them to the desk. He sat her on the edge.

  “Lorenzo.” Her voice was part desire, part admonishment. She sat still, but ducked her head, like she did when she felt shy or unsure.

  He slid his hands up her thighs, watching her. The flush in her cheeks travelled down into her neck and cleavage. He pushed out a breath and shifted, his erection demanding attention. He fingered her. “No panties.” He smiled. She’d known what she came here for, what she was hoping for by wearing nothing under her cute, full skirt. “Look at me.”

  She raised her face slowly and met his gaze. She didn’t smile back at him. Instead, tears threatened in her embarrassed glance.

  “Tell me if you want me to stop,” he said. She nodded. “You have to look at me and do what I say.” Her muscles loosened under his tight grip. She softened into him as he began kissing her again. When he sucked her neck, she let out a low moan. He slid a finger into her wetness. “Only come when I say you can.”

  “Yes,” she whispered, her voice thick with arousal. She excited him more than anyone could. She’d always been able to make him laugh or smile. Now she could make his body flood with heat from one word, one movement.

  He gripped her smooth thighs and pushed them apart. “Put your arms around my neck.” She did. She needed him. He needed her. Being with her was right.

  They gazed at each other. He pulled himself out. She eased toward him. He entered her, inch by inch. Her lips parted. He kissed her, deepening his embrace and his penetration. Sliding his hands down her legs, he pulled them around him. A hot shiver teased his spine at her wrapped around him, the trust in her gaze.

  “You know how I feel?”

  “Yes,” she whispered still meeting his gaze. She’d never been able to hold his gaze this long, always she’d get nervous or shy.

  “Tell me.” He wanted, needed to hear her say how he felt. She needed to believe it.

  “You love me.” Her voice was quiet, but sure. He continued stroking inside her with slow movements. “You only want me. I’m beautiful. I’m everything to you.” Tears danced down her cheeks.

  He kissed her tears, her eyes, her nose, her lips. “You believe it?”

  “Yes, Lorenzo. I love you, I love you, I love you.” She caressed her lips over him teasing her tongue along his neck.

  He sped his pace. “Now, kitten, come now.”

  She cried out, squeezing her legs tighter around him, her intense contractions gripping his shaft. He came. They came together. He exhaled and pressed his forehead to hers.

  “Mmm,” she whispered, her sweet breath warm on his lips. “You know how to give a girl an appetite.”

  He chuckled. That was his girl, his kitten, his angel, his wife. Never in fifteen years he’d known her had he been bored with her. She brought life to him, perspective, purpose. “Let’s eat, then. Can’t have my kitten hungry.” He kissed her and helped her off the desk. They smoothed each other’s clothes and he held her hand, guiding her to the sofa. She sat, demure now, and unpacked the basket. He’d do anything for her.

  “When was the last time you and Lee played tennis? You used to every week.”

  “I’ll ask him later.” He sat next to her.

  She kissed his cheek. “I want my brother back, I want the family to be happy for us.”

  He nodded and rubbed his neck. For her, he’d try. But he didn’t believe his efforts would succeed. He didn’t want to think about what that might become in their marriage, a sore spot, a growth like the one that had killed his father. He straightened his tie.

  “I know, Lita.” She edged closer. He kissed the top of her head. Nothing would come between them. But Uncle Enzo might be right. Love might not be enough.

  ***

  Lee huffed as he hit the ball. Lorenzo ran, but he missed his shot. “Good game.”

  Lee nodded as they walked off the court. They’d both played with silent focus. Lee seemed to be hitting the ball with extra energy, and the angry glint in his eyes told Lorenzo why. Lee wiped his brow with his arm and put away his racket.

  “I’m getting out of practice. We should get back to this.”

  Lee glared at him. “I only did this for Lita. So I can be there for her when you break her heart.”

  Anger simmered. He stared at Lee. “I love her. Be there for her—great. She wants her brother back. I want her to be happy.”

  “Then leave her now, before she gets in deeper.”

  “We’re both all in. I’m never leaving her.”

  “Like your father wouldn’t leave your mother?”

  His neck and jaw tightened. Lee knew a lot about his parents. He’d been the only person Lorenzo had trusted with some of the truth, until he trusted Lita with everything.

  “You’re worse than he was, in a way. You seem like you care, but you’re hurting her. It’s only
a matter of time before I can prove it.”

  Lorenzo shook his head. He knew why Lee was being such an asshole. He’d act the same if he had a little sister and he knew her husband had lived the kind of life Lee knew he had.

  “I get it. What you don’t get is that I love Lita. She’s my wife and that’s never going to change.”

  “We’ll see. If you love her, you’d check yourself. If you love her, you wouldn’t want her to be married to someone like your father.”

  “Right,” he said to Lee’s back as he walked away. Lorenzo picked up his things and stared at the tree in the park. Its leaves rustled in the light breeze. There was beauty all around him. That’s what he wanted to share with Lita, what she’d made him see. But seeing that made him feel again. It was easier not to feel. Especially when your best friend thinks you’re a cold bastard.

  He strode down the sidewalk, toward home. He needed to change before work. That wasn’t all he needed to change.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “What? Did I get flour on my dress?” Lita said, glancing down at her pastel pink vintage cocktail gown. Lorenzo had been staring at her as she bustled around the kitchen after church. Everyone was coming over soon for an early Easter dinner.

  “No, you’re perfect.” He strode to her and kissed her.

  She sighed, for a moment wishing no one was coming and they could spend the day alone. Those two days in Carmel earlier in the week hadn’t seemed like enough.

  “The ham smells good,” he said. He seemed to be making more of an effort lately to compliment her.

  She was working on accepting the praise, and accepting that sometimes it made her feel awkward. “Thanks. I hope I’ve remembered everything.” She ran through the menu: ham, scalloped potatoes, chopped salad, fruit salad, biscuits, stuffed mushrooms, creamed spinach, and tiramisu for dessert. Everything was made, or in the oven. “Let me check the table.”

  She hurried into the dining room, her high heels clicking across the wood floor of the foyer. She’d set the table earlier with a damask cloth that had been Aunt Angela’s and the family china and silverware. Drinks were on ice. In the connecting living room, the second set of pocket doors open, bowls of nuts and candies stood on the coffee and side tables. Little porcelain bunnies and eggs peeped from the mantle. Lorenzo walked behind her and embraced her. She leaned into him.