“In time I realized he couldn’t have loved me the way I needed to be loved, otherwise he would have stayed in Domodossola and married me. My father wouldn’t have prevented our marriage if Dego had insisted on it. At that point I stopped living in a fantasy world. It taught me a huge lesson.”
Nico rubbed his forehead. “I hear everything you’re saying,” he commiserated, “but as you told me, your father hasn’t stopped pressuring you to marry someone he has picked out for you. Palace security knows every move you make and keeps him informed where I’m concerned.”
Her head reared, causing her molten hair to float against her shoulders. “He can pressure until doomsday, but I’ll do what I want.”
“I believe you, but if you defy him, he could cut you off in a way I’m not sure any princess would be prepared for.”
“When that day comes, I’ll deal with it. Since I now have a greater understanding of how you feel, I won’t put you in a position that will make you feel guiltier than you already do.”
He grasped the hand closest to him. “You have no comprehension of how I feel,” his voice grated. “Guilt has nothing to do with it. The reality is I don’t want to make things more difficult for you.”
She stared into his eyes. “Do you want to be with me, Nico?”
“You know I do.”
“I feel the same way. Can’t you tell?” Her voice throbbed.
“Yes.” He caressed the side of her face. “If you don’t have any plans for Monday evening, I’d like to take you to dinner. Your choice. I want to know what Princess Fausta does when she mixes with the commoners.”
Her eyes lit up an electric blue. “You’re on.”
“I’ll wait for you out in the parking lot after you go off duty.”
“Perfect.”
After she’d given his hand a long squeeze he felt through his whole body, she let go and got out of the car. He watched until she’d disappeared inside the palace. On the drive back to his apartment, he didn’t know how he was going to wait until Monday evening when they’d be together again.
Realizing he needed a few groceries, he stopped at a local mercato. Once he reached home, he showered and got ready for bed before phoning the patients who’d called his service earlier.
With that accomplished, he sat down at the computer in his bedroom and checked any emails that had come in. He’d been paying investigators to find out how and why he’d ended up in an orphanage at the age of two. For the last year he and Enzo had covered northwestern Italy, parts of France, Switzerland and the country of Domodossola with no clues.
Frustrated that nothing had turned up yet, he’d hired other investigators to cover northeastern Italy, including pockets of Austria, Slovenia and the country of La Valazzura. If those searches didn’t come up with something substantive, he would be forced to look farther south in Italy.
After going into the kitchen for a snack, he went in the living room, where he’d pre-recorded a soccer game between his alma mater, Torino, and Florence at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. The team had quite a few losses. They were probably going to lose this one too. He didn’t really care because he couldn’t concentrate. His conversation with Fausta was all that filled his mind. She’d suffered trauma of her own.
Right before the end of the match, his phone rang. He picked up and said hello.
“Nico?”
That breathless voice couldn’t belong to anyone else. His heart thudded too hard. “Fausta—are you all right?”
“I am now.”
“Be honest with me. Is there something wrong?” Certainly the news that they’d been together all day had reached her father’s ears.
“Yes. I had such a wonderful time today, I can’t settle down, so I thought I’d bother you. What are you doing?”
“I just finished watching a boring soccer match and my old college team lost. Your call has saved me from severe depression. After our conversation in the car, if you had invited me in your apartment this evening, I wouldn’t have said no.”
“Now you tell me!”
Her answer was totally unexpected, filling a hungry place inside him that had never been fed until she’d come into his life.
Her quiet laugh enchanted him. “Do you mind if I pick your brains for a minute?”
She was a constant surprise to him. “Fire away.”
“I haven’t been able to get the visit to the orphanage off my mind. How many children does it house?”
He hadn’t been expecting that question. “Anywhere from thirty to thirty-five.”
“I want to make a donation that will be meaningful. I realize the place needs all kinds of supplies, which I plan to provide. But I’m also thinking about individual gifts that will thrill the children.”
Touched beyond words by her generous nature, he sank down on the couch. Visiting the orphanage today had given him ideas too about lending his services to them every time he came to take care of Enzo and his wife.
But the possibility that the investigators might find his mother or father soon stopped him from making a commitment he might not be able to keep. If he tracked down his parents and one of them wanted a relationship, he would relocate if he had to.
“Fausta—it’s enough that you want to do this, but your family does too much charity for you to incur such an expense for one facility.”
“This will come from my own personal fund, so let me worry about that. Try to imagine what you think the children would want in today’s world. What would mean the most to them?”
He took a deep breath. “I’ll reflect on it and tell you on Monday when we have dinner. Have you decided where you want to eat?”
“Yes. It’s down in the university district. I’m sure you’ll love it if you haven’t been there before. Now I’m going to get off the phone and give you room to breathe. See you Monday.”
His hand tightened on the phone. “Fausta?”
“Si?”
The last thing he wanted to do was hang up. “Thanks for the phone call.”
“You’re a busy doctor. I promise I won’t make a habit of bothering you. Buona notte.”
CHAPTER FIVE
THE DOMO GRILL featured a live band made up of university students while the clients danced.
The place was always crowded. Over the last few years Fausta and her friends had spent many an evening here. She knew the owner and most of the staff. They treated her like they did everyone else and made her feel totally comfortable.
“If it isn’t the deliziosa Fausta! I see you’ve brought another lucky admirer with you. When is it going to be my turn?”
“Buona sera, Fabbio. We want your signature chicken Parmesan sandwiches with basil and melted provolone, and beer,” she said to the fun-loving, cheeky waiter.
“Local or imported?”
“Local,” Nico declared before she could speak for him. When the waiter moved away Nico said, “The guy meant it.”
She laughed. “Maybe, but I happen to know he has a wife and baby at home. Fabbio is putting himself through college by working two jobs. I’ll leave him a big tip.”
His eyes played over her. “Want to dance?”
This was one time she couldn’t wait to get in her partner’s arms. She smiled. “I thought you’d never ask.” Fausta had purposely chosen this cantina so they could get closer to each other.
They got up and walked over to the packed dance floor. Every woman in the place fastened her eyes on gorgeous Nico in his silky blue sport shirt and trousers. No man compared to him. He put his arms around her and pulled her close. She’d wanted this for so long. After Dego had left four years ago, she never expected to desire a man again.
Fausta inhaled the scent of the soap he’d used in the shower. They moved around other bodies as best they could to the soft rock music. This was heaven with her head against his sha
ven jaw, his hand splayed across her back as if she were precious to him.
She knew she’d fallen fathoms deep in love with Nico. The man was perfect to her and the fire for him was growing out of control. When he eventually danced them over to their booth, she didn’t want to let him go, but she had no choice. They sat down and started to eat.
His penetrating eyes watched her. “The food and beer are excellent. I can’t believe I haven’t eaten here before now.”
“If you’d attended college in Domodossola, this would have been one of your hangouts.”
“No doubt.”
She finished her sandwich. “Have you decided what kind of gifts I can have sent to the orphanage?”
“After holding you in my arms, I confess the mention of orphanage donations is the last thing on my mind.”
Heat filled her cheeks. “I keep thinking about that place.”
“All right—since the students attend public school, I think it would be wonderful to set them up with a few computers that can be used at playtime this summer. The nun we met at the orphanage was using one, but I’m sure that’s the only one. It would mean a company will have to go out to install them.”
“I had thoughts along those lines too, Nico, and plan to arrange for everything. If I bought ten of them, that would allow three or so students on a computer. They could take turns. Time on the computer could be a real incentive to do well in school. What do you think?”
Her generous heart was a constant revelation. “I think I would have given anything to have one when I lived there.”
“Good. Then that’s what I intend to do. I’ll also purchase ten special desks to house them and ten printers and paper so they can print off what they like. I’ll arrange for several technicians Lanza and I have used setting up shelters to spend several days downloading the software and showing them how everything works.”
“You don’t need to do that too.”
“I want to. Someone has to show them how. The little children will love to do playtime on them. There are coloring and painting programs for them. The older ones can do science experiments and study the planets.”
His penetrating eyes bore into hers. “Your gifts will revolutionize the orphanage.”
“Exposure is everything. Besides having fun, they need to be conversant with technology. It will help them get good jobs and go to college if that’s what they want.”
“You’re an extraordinary woman, Fausta.”
“Why do you say that?”
“It’s evident you love children, but it reveals the measure of your character that you want to do something to better their lives.”
“I don’t hold a candle to you or your kindness, Doctor Barsotti.”
He shook his dark head. “We’re not talking about me.”
“I am. When Angelo said that Enzo had made you an exception to all the rules, he knew what he was talking about. Whoever your parents were, they created a special child.”
Nico scoffed.
“It’s true!” she declared. “Angelo chose you from the other children in the orphanage to work for him. Enzo picked you out of all the other workers to befriend. It wasn’t just your looks that reminded him of his grandson. Both men wanted to adopt you. You carry an aura that sets you apart.”
His expression grew solemn. “What am I to say to all that?”
“Nothing. I’m as impressed by you as everyone who so far has had the privilege to be your friend, and I wanted you to know.”
“If you’ve finished eating, why don’t we leave here and take a drive.” He put some euros on the table. “It’s a beautiful night.”
Yes! Fausta couldn’t wait to be alone with him. Dancing with Nico had only increased her hunger to get closer to him. “I’m ready.”
They left the grill and walked to his car in the parking lot. He drove out to the street and headed for the foothills where there was an overlook with the city spread below them. Nico pulled to a stop and turned off the engine. She felt him turn to look at her.
“If I do what I want to do with you, I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop.”
She angled her head toward him. “If you don’t do what I’m dying for, I won’t be able to stand it.”
In the next breath Nico reached for her and lowered his compelling mouth to hers. At the first contact she moaned with desire, needing him like she needed air to breathe. Her arms wound around his neck and she clung to him as they tried to feed their needs that were bursting out of control.
“I’ve wanted to do this since the first time we met,” he admitted, kissing every feature of her face.
She pressed a hot kiss to his mouth. “I’ve wanted this even before we met.” Being with him like this was better than she’d imagined.
“What do you mean?”
“After I was hired, I saw you in the cafeteria several times before you even knew I existed. Mia told me who you were. From then on I hoped we’d meet.”
“I remember seeing you too and couldn’t get you out of my mind.”
“When you came in Tommaso’s room, I almost had a heart attack from excitement.”
“You weren’t the only one,” he half growled the words and cupped her face, kissing her with increased passion. “You’re the most beautiful thing to come into my life, Fausta. I’m afraid you’re becoming far too important to me.”
“Nico—don’t you know that’s how I feel too?”
Once again he swept her away, filling her with ecstasy. Then suddenly he lifted his mouth and turned his head. “Another car has pulled behind us. If I don’t miss my guess, it’s one of your bodyguards taking pictures.”
Damn them, she cried inwardly.
“We’re getting out of here.” In one quick movement Nico let go of her and turned on the engine. Within seconds he took off so fast she heard the squeal of tires.
Fausta knew they were headed for the palace and didn’t try to stop him. He wasn’t used to being surveilled and she didn’t blame him for being frustrated. When they drove around the palace to her private entrance, he turned off the engine and looked at her. In the semidarkness, his eyes blazed. “Are you free Friday evening?”
Her heart pounded with sickening force. “I’ll make sure I am.”
“Good. I’ll pick you up at six and drive you to my apartment, where I plan to cook for you.”
His home was the one place where she could be truly alone with him. Joy of joys. “I’ll help.”
“It’ll be enough just to have you there with me. Now I think you should get out, so we don’t provide any more entertainment.”
She looked over her shoulder and saw the headlights. “Agreed.”
He leaned over to give her another hungry kiss before she slid out of the car. All the way past the guard and up the stairs to her apartment she rejoiced that Nico had made the decision to fight for her. She’d known he’d been born exceptional and he was proving it!
* * *
Thursday proved to be a hectic day with overbooking that prevented Nico from walking over to the pediatric ward in time to see Fausta before she went off duty.
Upset because it meant he wouldn’t be seeing her until Friday, he phoned her later. To his chagrin, he had to leave a message on her voice mail. He told her he was sorry he’d missed her today because of complications with his schedule. But he would wait for her outside the hospital after work and drive her to his apartment.
She returned his call later, apologizing for not being able to phone him until now. They chatted for a moment about Mia and Felipe, who were planning to get married. How lucky for Felipe that he could marry the woman of his dreams with no complications.
Unfortunately a permanent relationship with Fausta wasn’t grounded in reality. He knew it deep in his soul and couldn’t go on pretending something that wouldn’t happen. When Friday night came, he k
new what he had to do to stop what he’d started by pursuing her in the first place.
“See you tomorrow, Fausta. Buona notte.”
“Sogni d’oro, Nico.”
When he went to bed, his dreams weren’t sweet. They were dark. In the middle of the night he woke up in a cold sweat, disturbed that he was putting Fausta in jeopardy with her family every time they were together.
She wanted a man who would fight for her, but at what price to her? If he were to ask Fausta to marry him, would she be able to handle making the ultimate sacrifice that could mean being cut off from her family? She said her father was a reasonable man, but so far she hadn’t fully tested him.
Family was sacrosanct to Nico and had to be to her and her family. Nico didn’t want her to have to give up everything in the royal sense in order to be with a man her parents could never approve of. He was tortured by the thought of not seeing Fausta in the future, but he didn’t see how they could be together.
Underlying his torment was another more immediate concern. He would never stop trying to find his parents. Nico had to have come from somewhere and felt in his gut he was getting closer to discovering his origins.
In the end he made coffee and planned out some new strategies on the computer using maps until it was time to get ready to go to his office at the hospital. He’d leave the office early enough to hurry home and get dinner started before he picked her up.
* * *
“Mmm... Something smells delicious.” Nico had just let Fausta inside his miniscule apartment in the university area of the city, the kind most students rented.
“It’s my own version of manicotti casserole, one of the few easy dishes Angelo’s wife showed me how to make while I lived with them. But the panfocaccia comes from the paneterria on the corner.”
She chuckled. “Here I thought you’d spent all day cooking.”
How to Propose to a Princess Page 6
