Claiming His Pregnant Wife

by Kim Lawrence

  There were some advantages, she reflected, to looking like a survivor in a disaster movie. If youre trying to make me feel nervous dont botherI can take care of myself.

  Yes, I can see that. I have been staggered by your resourcefulness. His brows lifted. No smart comeback? You must be tired.

  Im fine.

  Despite the claim she lost the battle to stay awake a few minutes later.

  A hand on her shoulder woke her. Disorientated, she fought her way back to wakefulness, blinking as the dark features of her rescuer swam into focus.

  She shot upright in her seat. I fell asleepwhere?

  Erin opened her gritty eyes fully and saw they were driving through the hotel gates. She stifled a yawn and turned to look at her rescuer; the breath snagged in her throat as his incredible good looks hit her afresh.

  She wondered who woke up and saw that face each morning. She knew there had to be someonethis was not a man who slept alone!

  Her eyes slid to his left hand.

  No, Im not married, he said without looking at her.

  Maybe not, but he was spookily perceptive.

  Which makes it all right for you to be interested, cara.

  The guilty colour flew to her cheeks. Im not interested!

  His smile was insolent and so confident that she could have screamed. Of course youre not, he drawled.

  My God, you really do think youre Gods gift! she choked in disgust, while privately conceding that he had more justification for thinking it than most men. Im not looking for a holiday romance.

  Im not offering you one.

  He drew up beside a Mercedes and, switching off the engine, ignored the red-faced doorman who was waving his arms energetically.

  I think hes afraid youll lower the tone.

  The possibility appeared not to bother her chauffeur. His long, curling lashes brushed the angle of his cheeks as his gaze slid speculatively over her slim figure. I scrub up pretty well, he revealed modestly. Maybe Ill show you some time.

  Erin, conscious of her heart thudding hard behind her breastbone, tried to appear amused by the comment. It wasnt easy when in her head she was seeing him standing naked under the jets of a shower.

  Outside on the forecourt a second uniformed figure had joined the near apoplectic footman. Each appeared to be urging the other to approach the truck, but neither seemed too eager to do so. Erin welcomed the diversion.

  I think they, she said nodding out the window, are trying to get your attention.

  His dark eyes remained on her face. You have my attention.

  And I so wish I didnt!

  Erin swallowed. A wave of heat enveloped her as their gazes meshed. Lucky me.

  As it happens it was lucky for you that I happened by today.

  Oh, gosh, yes! She felt stupid for realising that, far from flirting with her, he wanted compensating for his time. A mortified flush spread over her skin. Of course Ill pay you for your time and the petrol. My wallet is in my roomif youll just wait Ill

  He caught her arm. Im not sure you could afford mebut, no matter, you can have this one on the house.

  She shook her head, very conscious of his cool fingers on her overheated skinHer skin wasnt the only thing overheated; her imagination was working overtime. Was the sexual tension she was feeling real or a figment of that imagination?

  Look, Ive taken a big chunk out of your day. Im sure there were other things that you needed to do and

  You think I need the money. The realisation seemed for some reason to amuse him.

  Her eyes slid from his.

  Dont worry, Im a modern man, my male pride can take your pity. Tell you whathow about a compromise?

  What sort of compromise? she asked suspiciously.

  You buy me dinner.

  Dinner! Her startled eyes flew to his.

  He nodded. Yes, dinner, at a place of my choice. Thats settled, then.

  Settled ? I didnt say yes.

  And you didnt say no. Ill be in touch about our date.

  Its not a date, she protested weakly.

  Look, I dont mean to hurry you, but I think Im about to be thrown out. He leaned past her and opened the door. He was so close that she could smell the shampoo he used. She closed her eyes as a rush of hormones made her head spin.

  When she opened them his face was still close. Their eyes locked and Erin felt things that were way too complicated to be explained by hormones alone.

  Yes, she whispered in a voice that seemed to be coming from a long way off. Yes, I will buy you dinner.

  Taking her chin in his hand, he brushed his lips against hers. The contact was so soft that she barely felt it, but she melted inside.

  My name, cara, is Francesco, and Ill be in touch very soon. He nudged the door so that it swung open and leaned back in his seat.

  Conscious of his eyes, Erin fumbled with her belt and jumped out, her knees trembling as she walked towards the building.

  Hes going to forget you exist the moment he drives away , said the voice in her head.

  In retrospect it would have been better that he had.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  T HE minor road Francesco now found himself on was narrow and congested. It was fifteen minutes and several miles later before he found a convenient spot to pull over, a bus stop just on the edge of a village.

  There was no breeze and without the air-conditioning running the heat inside the car began to build. Ironically it had been hotter in London when hed landed than it had been in Rome when he had left. He shrugged off his jacket and wound down the window of the car. It was the first spot of fresh air hed got since disembarking from his private jet.

  Flexing his broad shoulders to relieve the tension that had crept into the muscles, he ran a hand down the curve of his angular jaw, frowning as he felt the dark growth that already cast a visible dusky shadow over his lower face.

  As his long brown fingers tugged at the knot of his silk tie he withdrew the phone from his pocket, but before he had flicked it open his attention was captured by raucous cries outside.

  He turned his head automatically in the direction of the noise; his dark, curling lashes brushed against perfectly sculpted cheekbones against which his olive-toned skin pulled taut.

  His dark glance was disinterested as he looked across to the bus shelter, where a trio of youths were gathered around a girl.

  From where he sat Francesco could not see her face, but he could see that she had red hair, the fiery copper-type red that looked like burnished gold in sunlight.

  He inhaled sharply, his nostrils flaring in self-derision as he recognised his total inability to control the flood of images that invaded his head. Vivid images that drew his thoughts inexorably backwards until the world around him became less real than that searing kiss. His breath deepened and slowed as the memories took hold.

  Erins soft body was in his arms again, warm, pliant and supple. It was so real he could smell her hair and feel the thud of her heart through the hand he cupped over one small but perfect breast.

  Her half-closed passion-glazed eyes, drowning blue and filled with total surrender as she looked up at him, her parted lips a seductive invitation as, warm and sweet-smelling, her breath fluttered against his mouth

  Their date was not going well. During the preceding hours he had thought about kissing her, but not like this! This unpremeditated kiss had been generated partly from sheer frustration. His plan, if such a crazy idea could be couched in those terms, was unravelling before him and, instead of reacting like nine out of ten women, Erin had laughed and acted as though the whole situation were some kind of joke.

  Hysteria he could have risen above, but not the infectious giggles that had emerged from her lovely lips as shed watched him resort to kicking the tyres of the truck.

  He had wrenched open the door, furious beyond reason. Youre a jinx! he accused, thinking longingly of the Mercedes he had driven out of the city only the previous week.

  Francesco was seriously beginning
to regret suggesting the temporary exchange with Ramon, who would be enjoying the benefits of the air-conditioned luxury of that top-of-the-range model.

  Considering the situation he now found himself in, Francesco was forced to ask himself if the man who cared for his string of thoroughbred Arabian horses had not had a point when he had questioned his employers sanityHe could think of several people in the financial circles he moved in who, if theyd been able to see him now, would have had no doubts about it.

  Francesco Romanelli, they would have declared, has finally lost it! The only person he could imagine applauding his crazy actions was Rafe, his twin, who, had he still been alive, would have said About time! Though even he might have raised an eyebrow at the extent to which his twin had embraced his new image.

  His harsh accusation made Erin stop laughing. And youre about as much fun as earache, she told him frankly.

  It took a few moments before he recovered from the shock of being spoken to this way, with none of the respect he automatically took as his due, before he responded.

  And that was when he kissed her.

  He slid into the drivers seat, leaned across and took her face between his hands. You want fun? Fine! And he lowered his mouth to hers.

  The moment their lips touched he lost all control. Nothing that had gone before had prepared him for the searing heat that exploded inside him like a fireball, spreading and consuming him, wiping away every vestige of rational thought and leaving only primal need and hunger.

  Nothing that had gone before had prepared him for Erin Foyle!

  He could hear her voice in his head, huskily erotic. She said his name as it was wrenched from deep in the heart of herrepeating it over and over, making the syllables sound like a throaty plea as she wound her fingers into his hair, her head thrown back as he kissed the curve of her pale throat.

  When they broke apart, both breathing hard, she looked like someone in a trance, her incredible blue eyes glazed and dilated as she looked up at him.

  Experiencing a wave of overwhelming tenderness, he cupped her chin, drawing her face up to his, stroking the curve of her soft cheek with his forefinger. The hunger was still there like a prickle under his skin but at least he had it in check.

  I didnt mean to scare you, cara mia . He had done a pretty good job of scaring himself.

  She smiled and expelled a shivery little sigh. Im not scared. Im Her voice faltered as she gave a shaky laugh and pressed her hand to the one he held against her face.

  He looked at her fingers, small and very pale against his darker skin.

  What are you?

  All right, I am a little afraid, but not of you, she added quickly. Im scared of the way you make me feel. Her eyes fell from his and she looked embarrassed. God, that is such an over-the-top thing to say to a total stranger.

  Were not total strangers.

  Her feathery brows lifted. I dont even know your surname.

  It is Romanelli. He paused, but there was no flicker of recognition on her face. Francesco Luis Romanelli.

  Well, Francesco Luis Romanelli, Im Erin, Erin Foyle. Ive not the faintest idea what Im doing here. Why Im talking to you this wayWhy Im not having hysterics because youve just told me weve run out of petrol. She studied his face as though she expected to find the reason for her aberrant behaviour written there.

  After a moment the furrow in her smooth brow relaxed as an impish smile that deepened the dimple in her left cheek spread across her face.

  Francescos hand fell away as she leaned back in the worn leather seat chuckling softly as she drew her knees up to her chin.

  Whats so funny?

  I was thinking about when you walked into the hotel tonight looking likeI thought that waiter, horrid, stuck-up man, was going to have an apoplexy. We have a strict dress code, sir. She shook her head. Silly man!

  Looking like what? he probed, totally hooked by the smile that tugged at the corners of her wide, sweet lips. He hungrily examined the soft contours of her expressive face, finding it hard to believe that twenty-four hours earlier he had never set eyes on her.

  So modest, she mocked.

  What do you mean?

  Are you fishing for compliments?

  He shook his head, only half concentrating on her words as he looked at her mouth.

  You strode in there looking like a dark, enigmatic antihero, who hides his sensitivity under the surly, brooding exterior. She laughed at his expression. Of course, I know you dont have an ounce of sensitivity because you were quite awful to me yesterday.

  Yet you are here?

  Well, you did rescue me.

  From the results of your own stupidity.

  Yes, you did touch on the subject of my stupidity yesterday and I agree, in retrospect, that exploring alone that far off the beaten track might not have been the best idea I ever had. But Im glad I did.

  You are? He was amused by her defiance.

  She nodded. If I hadnt I wouldnt have met you.

  Perhaps we were fated to meet? He half expected her to laugh at the suggestion, but she didnt.

  Perhaps

  So you came with me tonight out of gratitude?

  No, not gratitude, she denied huskily. I did promise you a dinner, though I never actually thought Id see you again.

  But you wanted to?

  Her eyes slid from his. Im here, arent I? Are those exactly the same clothes you were wearing yesterday?

  This shirt is clean. Francesco closed his fingers over her hand and brought it up to his lips. And Ive showered.

  But you smelt quite incredibly good yesterday, too.

  Do you always say exactly what you are thinking?

  She looked startled by the question. After a thoughtful pause she shook her head. No, its just with you. Thats really strange, dont you think?

  Not nearly so strange, Francesco thought, as a man who could command a private jet simply by picking up a phone pretending to be the owner of a truck that most people would have been embarrassed to be seen in.

  This is probably the most irresponsible thing Ive done in my life, she admitted. I suppose youve done a lot of irresponsible things?

  You sound envious.

  A little.

  Your friends didnt look happy when you came with me.

  They werent; they think I have lost my mind, she admitted frankly. They suspect you prey on silly, impressionable female tourists like me. They think your intentions are dishonourable.

  Your friends are rightmy intentions are entirely dishonourable.

  She blushed a little, but did not drop her gaze from his. Im relieved to hear it. They were actually green with jealousy.

  Perhaps, he suggested, playing devils advocate, they had your best interests at heart. You know, I didnt intend it to be like this. His frustrated scowl encompassed the borrowed beat-up truck.

  I feel quite insulted. I thought running out of petrol was some elaborate plan to seduce me, she pouted. Behind the teasing words and smile her eyes still held that dazed, bruised quality.

  I did have a plan to seduce you, but it wasnt this.

  Was your plan nice?

  It depends how you feel about candlelight and silk sheets. And a meal served by an internationally renowned chef who had been flown in from Paris for the occasion on his private jet.

  Oh, that was very sweet. Why are you laughing?

  Ive never been called sweet before, he admitted.

  Well, you are very , in a wolfish sort of way. You know, there is an upside to this situation.

  There is?

  Ive never made love in a car. Actually, Ive never She stopped and spoiled the bold invitation by giggling nervously as if surprised by her own audacity.

  He caught hold of the small hand and pressed her palm to his lips. The shudder that rippled through her body was visible. He imagined how she would respond to a more intimate touch and realised that he was shaking with anticipation as much as she was.

  This is not a car, he said, thinking about how s
he would taste when he ran his tongue down the valley between her breasts.

  No, theres much more room. And you shouldnt be embarrassed, she added, her expression growing earnest. Im not the sort of girl whos impressed by flashy cars, Francesco, and what would you need with a flashy car? You work with horses and you couldnt fit a bale of hay or something in the back of a Porsche.

  How do you know I work with horses?

  You mean you dont?

  It was at that point that Francesco chose to lie, telling himself shed laugh when he revealed the real truth. And it wasnt as if it were an outright lieas often as his hectic schedule would allow he tried to spend time training the horses on his estate, which had been in his family since the thirteenth century. He had come there more frequently of late, feeling the need to escape from conversations that stopped abruptly when he walked into a room.

  Anyway, its a well-known fact men who drive those sort of cars have something to compensate for.

  Is that so? he said, thinking of the several gleaming models, including a Porsche, sitting idly in his own garage.

  You dont think I have anything to compensate for? You wouldnt prefer me if I had money and could afford to take you to a smart hotel?

  There was a long silence while she just gazed up at him. I like you just the way you are.

  Unable to resist any longer, he bent forward, framed her face between his hands and kissed her with the same combustible results!

  Dio mio! he groaned, dragging his head away. Were here for the world to see!

  Undeterred by the lack of privacy, she continued to press hot, hungry kisses to the damp skin of his throat while her trembling fingers fumbled with the buttons of his shirt.

  We should wait.

  Just thinking about you makes me ache deep inside, she confided huskily.

  Francesco groaned. Do you have any idea what youre doing to me?

  Her breasts strained against the silk of her blouse as she gave a shuddering sigh in response to his throaty confession. Do you know how totally beautiful you are, Francesco? She traced a line down his sweat-dampened skin from his throat all the way to the waistband of his trousers. Of course you do, but Im trying not to think about all the