Brilliant sunlight slanted across Libby’s face and dragged her from sleep. She sat up, disorientated, and stared blankly at the clock, which showed that it was ten o’clock. She remembered now. Having finally made up her mind to accept Raul’s proposal she had fallen back into bed, hoping to catch an hour’s sleep before Gino stirred. But she had slept for much longer than she had intended. Gino should have had a dose of his antibiotic at seven, along with a bottle of milk and breakfast…
Heart pounding with panic, she jumped up and shot into the adjoining sitting room, stopping dead at the sight of Raul stretched out on the floor, building towers of wooden bricks which Gino delightedly knocked down.
Two sets of dark eyes focused on her: one pair flecked with amber, which lit up as she moved forward, the other pair as black as midnight and gleaming with sensual heat as they trailed over her wild hair and sunflower yellow nightshirt.
‘I can’t believe I slept so late,’ she burst out, hastily dragging her gaze from Raul’s mouth. She focused on Gino and was gratified when he greeted her with a beaming smile and crawled over to her with the speed of a missile. ‘Hello, baba,’ she murmured, her voice aching with love for the baby as she scooped him up and rubbed her cheek over his silky black curls. ‘Has he been okay with you? I mean, he’s only ever had me to care for him,’ she explained, when Raul’s eyebrows rose in silent query. ‘He was due his next dose of medicine at—’
‘Silvana gave it to him when he had his breakfast,’ Raul interrupted her. ‘The maid said you were fast asleep, so I sat him in his pushchair and took him for a stroll down by the lake.’
‘Oh.’ Libby stared at him, disconcerted by the idea of Raul taking Gino off without her. ‘I hope he was warm enough. It’s important to wrap him up while he has his cough.’
‘The thermometer on the patio was showing eighteen degrees Celsius at eight o’clock this morning,’ Raul informed her dryly. ‘As for Gino’s respiratory problems—I’ve made an appointment for him to see a specialist in Rome next week.’
Relief flooded through Libby. ‘Thank you. I’ve been so worried about him,’ she admitted. She bit her lip, wondering how to broach the subject of Raul’s marriage proposal. Part of her still wondered if she had dreamed the whole thing, and before she could say anything there was a light tap on the door and Silvana appeared.
‘I thought Gino might be ready for a nap,’ the nanny said with a smile. As if on cue the baby yawned widely.
‘I’m sure he is,’ Libby agreed, her heart lurching when Silvana took Gino through to the nursery, leaving her alone with Raul. She tensed as he strolled over to her, every nerve-ending in her body suddenly tingling when he slid his hand beneath her chin and tilted her face.
‘Did you sleep well, cara?’ As he spoke he lightly touched the give-away dark circles beneath her eyes, and Libby shook her head ruefully.
‘No.’ She did not explain the reason for her disturbed night, but the shadows in her eyes and the way she tugged her bottom lip with her teeth told their own story. An unbidden feeling of tenderness surged through Raul. She was so young, and so fiercely protective of her son, but there was a vulnerability about her that tugged on his heart. He had expected her to jump at the opportunity to marry a billionaire, he admitted wryly. But instead she had clearly been awake all night, debating the best thing to do for Gino.
‘Do you doubt that I will love Gino as much as if he were my own flesh and blood?’ he said softly.
Libby was drowning in the liquid warmth of his gaze. ‘No, I don’t doubt that,’ she whispered, unable to tear her eyes from his mouth that was so tantalisingly close to hers. She forced herself to concentrate and voice her doubts. ‘It’s just that we don’t know each other. We’re practically strangers.’
Raul heard the note of panic in her voice and once again felt the curious sensation that his heart was being squeezed. ‘That is something I intend to remedy over the next couple of weeks. I have arranged to work from the villa, so that I can spend some time with you and Gino, and I will only go to Rome when it is absolutely necessary for me to be at the office.’
‘I see.’ Libby wet her lips, and her heart began to pound when his head moved imperceptibly lower. ‘That will be…good.’
The electricity in the atmosphere crackled, searing them both, and Raul could no longer resist the lure of her moist pink lips. ‘Let me show you how good it will be between us,’ he said hoarsely. ‘I do not only want to marry you for Gino’s sake. There is something powerful between us—attraction, chemistry, it doesn’t matter what you call it—and it was there from the moment we laid eyes on each other. I challenge you to deny you feel it too.’
‘I can’t,’ Libby admitted shakily, but her voice was no more than a fragile breath, lost beneath the hungry pressure of his lips as he caught her to him and brought his mouth down on hers in a kiss that plundered her soul.
She did not even try to resist. This was where she wanted to be, Libby accepted silently as she wound her arms around his neck to mould her body even closer to his. Her lashes drifted down, her senses focused on the slightly abrasive feel of his skin against cheek and the firm, demanding pressure of his mouth moving on hers in a slow tasting before he pushed his tongue between her lips and explored her with a bold eroticism that made her tremble.
When at last he lifted his head she stared at him dazedly, shaken not so much by his passion but by the faint tenderness she glimpsed in his eyes before his expression was hidden by the sweep of his thick black lashes.
‘Will you be my wife, Libby, and allow me to be Gino’s father?’
She suddenly felt so emotional that for a moment she could not speak. Maybe every woman felt the same way when faced with a marriage proposal, she told herself. But it meant nothing; Raul meant nothing to her, or she to him. The only reason to accept was an orphaned baby boy. She swallowed the lump in her throat and said steadily, ‘Yes’.
His smile stole her breath, but to her disappointment he did not kiss her again, or carry her off to bed and make love to her as she had secretly hoped he would.
‘I have some calls to make, so I’ll leave you to get dressed, cara. Meet me on the terrace for lunch, and we can discuss the wedding.’
Two hours later Libby went to the nursery to collect Gino, and discovered that Raul had not wasted any time in announcing their engagement.
Silvana greeted her with a beaming smile. ‘May I offer my congratulations, Libby? Signor Carducci told me that the two of you are to be married, and that he intends to adopt the bambino. He will be a wonderful father,’ she said approvingly. ‘I have seen how much he cares for Gino. I hope that you will be very happy.’
‘Thank you.’ Libby settled Gino on her hip and made her way along the rabbit-warren of corridors to the main part of the house. As she walked down the central staircase she saw Raul’s aunt Carmina emerge from the dining room, and her heart sank when the older woman moved purposefully to the bottom of the stairs, clearly in a furious temper.
‘You must think you are very clever.’ Carmina launched into her attack as soon as Libby reached the bottom stair. ‘First Pietro, and now Raul—both seduced by your youthful body and no doubt your expertise between the sheets. I credited Raul with more sense than to get involved with his father’s whore,’ she spat viciously. ‘I can only think he has lost his sanity if he seriously intends to marry you.’
Libby was determined not to show that she was shaken by the vitriol in Carmina’s voice, but she instinctively tightened her arms around Gino. ‘I didn’t seduce anyone,’ she defended herself angrily. ‘Raul was perfectly sane when he asked me to marry him—and why shouldn’t I be his wife? You know nothing about me, and you have no right to make horrible insinuations about my character.’
‘You are a cheap tart who deliberately went after my brother-in-law because you knew he was wealthy, and struck lucky when you conceived his child,’ Carmina told her with icy contempt. ‘Pietro and I…’ Her voice quivered slightly. ‘We sho
Libby frowned. ‘But I thought that Pietro’s wife—your sister—died ten years ago? Surely if he had felt anything for you he would have told you in all that time?’
She bit her lip, feeling a pang of sympathy for Raul’s aunt, who had clearly been in love with Pietro. No wonder Carmina hated her when she believed Libby had been Pietro’s mistress. But even if she could reveal the truth Libby doubted Carmina would feel any happier that Pietro had had an affair with her mother.
‘I’m sorry,’ she murmured, and immediately realised that her apology had only fuelled the other woman’s rage.
‘You should not be here—you and your illegitimate son. The Villa Giulietta has been owned by the Carducci family for generations, and it will be a tragic day if a common whore becomes its mistress.’
Libby gasped in shock at the other woman’s rudeness. ‘Look, I realise you’re upset, but you have no right to talk to me like that,’ she said shakily. ‘Raul—’
‘Raul keeps his brains in his underpants, and all he is interested in is getting into your knickers. He has had hundreds of women, but he never keeps them for very long,’ Carmina said contemptuously. ‘Don’t get too comfortable here, Ms Maynard, because he will soon grow bored with you—and then he will replace you in his bed.’
Carmina swung round and swept regally across the hall, leaving Libby feeling sick as she stared after her. ‘She’s a poisonous old bat,’ she told Gino, and gave a rueful smile when he grinned at her, happily unaware of the unpleasant scene that had just taken place.
But she could not forget Raul’s aunt’s comments—particularly the one about how Raul would grow bored with her. The sexual attraction between them was white-hot at the moment, but how long would it last? And what would happen when it died? Would he take a mistress? Perhaps conduct a discreet affair at his apartment in Rome and return to the Villa Giulietta to play happy families when it suited him?
The terrace extended out from one side of the villa and overlooked the lake to one side and a long rectangular swimming pool, set amid a lush green garden, on the other. Tall marble pillars reached up to a roof formed from the entwined stems of ivy, jasmine and climbing roses, which created a fragrant shady bower.
Raul was seated at the table, idly skimming through a newspaper. His hair gleamed like raw silk in the sunlight, and although his designer shades hid his eyes, nothing could detract from the masculine beauty of his sculpted features. Libby was conscious of a molten sensation between her legs as she walked towards him. It was ridiculous to feel possessive of a man who, until a few days ago, she had never even met. But the idea of him making love to another woman was unbearable.
Could physical attraction alone be responsible for the way her heart skittered in her chest when he got to his feet as she approached and welcomed her with a sensual smile that stole her breath? What else could it be? she asked herself irritably. She might have been mad enough to agree to marry him, but it was only so that Gino would grow up with two parents. She would never be so stupid as to fall in love with him.
Gino grinned when he spied Raul, and held out his chubby arms to him, chuckling when Raul swung him high in the air. The bond between man and child was already undeniable. Lauren suddenly felt ridiculously shy, and could not bring herself to meet Raul’s gaze. ‘It’s so beautiful here,’ she murmured, looking around at the expertly landscaped garden and the view of the lake beyond.
He nodded in agreement. ‘I thought you might like to spend our honeymoon here at the Villa Giulietta, so that you can get to know the house and grounds properly. But of course if you would prefer to go away somewhere I will arrange it.’
Libby gave him a startled glance. ‘There’s no rush to plan the honeymoon, is there?’
‘Certainly there is. We are to be married in two weeks’ time. The necessary paperwork is already being taken care of.’
‘Two weeks!’ Shock caused Libby’s voice to rise several octaves. ‘That’s too soon.’
Raul had strapped Gino into his highchair and the baby was now happily chewing on a rusk. ‘I see no reason why we should wait,’ he murmured as he moved to stand in front of her.
Her body instantly reacted to his closeness; her breasts felt heavy, and her nipples tightened and pushed against the restriction of her bra. She was embarrassed by the effect he had on her, but she could not prevent her eyes from focusing on his mouth, remembering how he had kissed her earlier and longing for him to do it again.
‘We both agree that Gino’s needs are paramount. And he needs both of us,’ Raul insisted. ‘The sooner we marry, the sooner I can start proceedings to adopt him. Who knows? Maybe his first word will be Papa!’
Emotion washed over Libby. Papa was going to be such an important word in Gino’s vocabulary. She knew that marrying Raul was the right thing to do, but she couldn’t forget his aunt’s assertion that he had had countless mistresses. She stared at his handsome face and felt a sharp stab of jealousy at the thought of all the beautiful women he must have slept with.
‘If this is going to work, there will have to be certain ground rules,’ she said abruptly.
She flushed when Raul gave her a look of arrogant amusement. ‘What kind of rules?’
‘Well, fidelity for one. I think we should agree that we will both remain faithful within our marriage. Children are very perceptive, and I don’t want Gino to grow up thinking that it’s okay for his father to have affairs with other women. You are going to be his most important role model and you should set a good example…’ She tailed off, her face scarlet as she wondered if she had revealed too much of herself and her insecurities. ‘Your aunt says that you’ve had hundreds of mistresses, but none of your relationships last long and you’ll soon grow bored with me.’ The words spilled out in a rush.
Raul frowned. ‘When did you speak to Carmina?’
‘Oh, we had a run-in just before I came to find you.’ Libby grimaced. ‘She doesn’t like me, and she made it clear that she disapproves of you marrying me.’
Having already been subjected to his aunt’s views on his choice of bride, Raul was not surprised by the tremor in Libby’s voice. What did surprise him was how angry he felt with Carmina, and the surge of protectiveness he felt for Libby. ‘I’m sorry if my aunt upset you. She will not do so again,’ he promised grimly. ‘I will arrange for her to return to her house in Rome immediately. It is a move that is long overdue anyway,’ he explained, when she looked worried.
He studied her speculatively for a few moments. ‘As to my previous relationships—I am a thirty-six-year old red-bloodied male, and I have not lived like a monk. But I certainly have not had hundreds of lovers.’ Libby seemed to have developed a sudden fascination with the marble floor tiles and only reluctantly lifted her head when he cupped her chin and exerted gentle pressure. ‘I agree with the fidelity rule. We may not be marrying for conventional reasons, but I am prepared to make a serious commitment to you as well as to Gino.’
It was ridiculous to feel so relieved by his statement, Libby told herself impatiently. And even more ridiculous to feel a little pang of regret because he had underlined the fact that they were marrying for convenience rather than love. She was too old to believe in fairytales, and Raul was not her prince.
He was still holding her chin so that her face was tilted to his. He brought his other hand up and tangled his fingers in her bright silky curls, the expression in his eyes causing her heart to miss a beat. ‘I don’t think there’s a chance I will grow bored with you, cara. You are fiery and exciting and no woman has ever turned me on the way you do.’ He stared down at her and desire coiled in his gut. ‘I’m glad you decided to wear your new clothes,’ he murmured. Her dress was a simple sheath of pale blue silk which moulded her breasts and the slight flare of her hips. She looked elegant and at the same time sinfully sexy—and he had never professed to be a saint.
After his disastrous marriage to Dana he had been adamant that he would never marry again, and his desire for full control of CC was the major factor in his decision to marry Libby. But it was not the only factor, he acknowledged as he brushed his lips across hers and felt her instant response. There would be compensations to taking Libby as his wife. Heat surged through his veins when she opened her mouth so that he could slide his tongue into her moist warmth, and he gave in to the temptation to slide his hand over her silky dress and cup one soft breast in his palm. Only the presence of Gino prevented him from pushing her skirt up and taking her on the table, and he was breathing hard when he tore his mouth from hers.
‘Two weeks cannot pass quickly enough for either of us, cara,’ he said thickly, satisfaction surging through him when she stared at him with dazed eyes and ran her tongue over her swollen lips. ‘When you have had lunch I will take you to Rome so that you can choose a wedding dress.’
Chapter Seven
THE following days flew past with frightening speed. The wedding was only to be a small civil ceremony, and as Raul had taken charge of all the arrangements Libby felt strangely detached from it all—while at the same time it loomed on her horizon like a dark and ominous cloud.
‘Do you wish to invite any of your family or friends from England to the wedding?’ he asked during dinner one evening.
Since his aunt’s departure from the villa they had taken to eating on the terrace rather than in the formal dining room. Dinner by candlelight with the view of the lake spread before them was romantic, and Raul was no longer a coldly arrogant stranger but such a charming and attentive companion that Libby looked forward to the evenings when they were alone together.
To her relief he never made any reference to her supposed affair with Pietro—indeed, he seemed to go out of his way to avoid the subject, and encouraged her to talk about her childhood living in Ibiza.
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