Her words ended on a sob and the tears she had been choking back escaped. She tried to pull away from him but he drew her trembling frame more fully against him and, wrapping her protectively in his arms, he held her tight, keeping her safe as she cried out the hurt and anger. After everything Duncan had done, and the reaction of those she’d considered friends, the cruel rejection by the family meant to love and care for her must have been the ultimate betrayal and almost impossible to bear. Thinking of her alone and scared tore him apart.
He guessed she’d been bottling up the emotion for a long time and now it had been set free, like opening a dam and allowing everything backed up behind it to gush out. As he cradled her, he struggled to come to terms with the truth, the reality, the consequences… and with what her life must have been like these last four or more years.
His own eyes were moist and his heart hurt as he tried to comfort her while the storm ran its course. So many things now made sense. Her reluctance to touch and be touched, the absence of any close friendships, the lack of trust and the little habits at home like the supplements and washing her things separately. No wonder she had looked so hurt when he’d teased her about having a hygiene fetish. He smothered a groan. After all she had been through since being diagnosed, it was understandable she had developed a range of coping mechanisms.
When Jessica finally calmed, he eased back and cupped her face in his hands. Olive-green eyes were framed by tear-spiked lashes while her flawless, translucent skin was devoid of colour. Concerned for her, he dropped a light kiss on lips that still trembled.
‘Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes. OK?’
Her nod was weary, almost defeated. Reluctantly, he released her. He didn’t want to leave her, even for a moment, but he had a few things to do. When he returned, having undressed as far as his boxer shorts, prepared his bedroom with jasmine-scented candles and turned down the bed, she was sitting motionless where he had left her, her eyes closed.
‘Jessica?’
Long lashes flickered then he was staring into her eyes. She blinked, her gaze skimming over him, a flush bringing some warmth back to her pale face. Her reaction amused him, momentarily easing his concern for her.
‘Hi.’ He smiled as she swallowed and dragged her gaze back to his. ‘Are you OK?’
She nodded, remaining silent until his next moved shocked her out of her torpor. ‘Gio!’ Her cry escaped as he scooped her off the bed and lifted her in his arms.
‘Hold on,’ he instructed.
‘What are you doing?’ Despite her protest, she wrapped her arms around his neck. ‘Gio, I’m far too heavy.’
‘Nonsense.’
He carried her from the room, only pausing long enough for her to switch out the light. Walking down the corridor, he went into his bedroom, set her gently on the bed and drew the duvet over her before walking round the other side and sliding in beside her. To his surprise and delight, she turned into his arms and burrowed into him. He stroked the glossy curls that spread across his chest, each indrawn breath fragranced with a teasing hint of her scent.
‘Gio…’ Her voice was soft and sleepy, and it still held the lingering legacy of the emotions that had ravaged her just a short while ago.
‘Shh,’ he soothed, relishing the feel of her feminine curves and the softness of her skin. ‘It’s very late and you’ve been through a lot. Sleep now. I’ll keep you safe.’
It was Sunday afternoon and the closer they got to home, the more nervous Jess became. She knew what was going to happen. She wanted it. And yet she couldn’t help but be as scared as she was excited. Gio, too, seemed preoccupied and edgy as the electric tension continued to build between them.
She thought back to the night before and everything that had happened after their return from the wedding and the most incredible kiss she’d ever experienced. Telling Gio how her life had been turned upside down following the HIV diagnosis had been so difficult, but he had been amazing, his supportive reaction in marked contrast to those she had encountered in the past. But now her shameful secret was out, nothing would ever be the same between them again.
Spending the night in Gio’s arms had been wonderful. For the first time in a long, long while she hadn’t felt alone. And she wished she could wake up with him every morning, especially if it meant experiencing the delicious caress of his hands and his lips on her bare skin.
‘I want more than anything to make love to you,’ he’d told her, the throaty roughness of his voice resonating along her nerve-endings. ‘I have since the day I first saw you, and I’ve wanted you more each day since.’
‘Gio,’ she’d murmured in confusion, hardly daring to believe that the truth hadn’t put him off. He may have held her through the night, but…
‘Nothing you have told me changes anything?I only marvel more at what an incredible woman you are,’ he’d continued, his words bringing a lump to her throat. ‘Unfortunately, right now I have no protection.’
She had masked her disappointment. ‘OK.’
‘But we can improvise.’ The tone of his voice and his sexy smile had sent a tremor right through her. ‘We can’t make love fully now but I want to bring you pleasure and show what a special and desirable woman you are.’
And bring her pleasure he had. Oh, my! A shaky little breath escaped, warmth stealing through her as her body tingled at the memory of his kisses and caresses. How delicious to wake up like that every day. But she knew it was a fantasy. She was getting too far ahead of herself.
They’d spent the day doing normal things at the house, having a late breakfast and playing with the kittens before going to see how things were progressing at her cottage. The main supporting structure had been replaced and the thatcher was well on the way to creating a beautiful new roof.
Knowing that the cottage would soon be habitable again and discovering that Gio had arranged for the fields to be cleared and the fences renewed in readiness for Faye’s menagerie had brought mixed emotions. Pleasure at seeing the cottage come back to life. Surprise and gratitude at Gio’s generosity. But anxiety at the knowledge she would soon have to leave his house? and him. What would happen then? Gio was adamant about sharing responsibility for the animals but how would that work? And what did it mean for them?
Next, they’d spent a couple of hours on the boat, speeding across the waves. She’d felt so close to him and, now her secret was out, she hadn’t had to fight to avoid physical contact. Gio had taken every opportunity to hug and kiss her. But her nervousness had returned when they had stopped at the supermarket on the way back to the house and condoms had been added to the items in their basket.
Feeling jumpy and on edge, not at all sure what to do or say, Jess helped Gio put the shopping away and then played with Dickens and Kipling for a while before feeding them. As they curled up to sleep in a tangle of limbs, she felt even more anxious.
‘I think I’ll go and have a shower,’ she murmured, feeling as gauche and awkward as a teenager.
Gio looked up and smiled. ‘OK.’
He appeared so calm that had he not bought the condoms she would have wondered if she had dreamed everything that had happened when she had woken up that morning. And what she was anticipating would happen later. Unsettled, she went upstairs and, after undressing and tying up her wayward curls to keep her hair from getting wet, she stepped into the shower, welcoming the feel of the hot barbs on skin that still felt alive and sensitive from the caresses of Gio’s hands and mouth.
Eyes closed, she tipped her head back and reached out a hand for the chocolate-scented cleanser she loved to use, a squeal of shocked surprise escaping as, instead of encountering the plastic tube she was expecting, her fingers met male skin. Every part of her trembled as he stepped up behind her, the front of his body pressing against the back of hers, making her supremely aware of his arousal.
She heard the snap of the top on the tube she’d been reaching for and a moment later felt the touch of hands that were
slick with foamy cleanser. He began at her shoulders, working slowly and sensually down her back, lingering at her rear before sweeping down her legs in long, caressing strokes that turned her knees to jelly. One arm wrapped around her waist in support, and she leaned back against him, feeling boneless and on fire as he turned his attention to the front of her.
Jess bit her lip to prevent herself crying out as he devoted time to her breasts, the exquisite torture almost too much to bear. It had been so long since she had been touched like this… and yet never like this because the kind of explosive passion and intense desire she shared with Gio was way beyond anything she had ever experienced before.
When she thought she would expire from the pleasure of his touch, Gio turned the cleanser over to her and allowed her the same freedom to explore and enjoy his body. She turned round on legs that felt decidedly unsteady, the blood racing through her veins as she drank in the sight of him. It was impossible not to be struck by the masculine beauty of his body, the broad shoulders and the perfectly toned muscles of his arms and torso that made her mouth water. A brush of dark hair in the middle of his chest cast a shadow on olive-toned skin, tapering to a narrow line that her gaze avidly followed down over his abdomen and navel to where it nested the potent symbol of his maleness.
She refocused on his handsome face, seeing the needy desire, which mirrored her own, in his deeply blue eyes. Feeling both shy and bold at the same time, she began her own lingering caress of his body, working the foamy, chocolate-scented suds across his skin, hearing his indrawn breath and feeling the tremor and ripple of muscle as he reacted to her touch.
With an impatient exclamation his hands closed on her upper arms, drawing her back up and into a searing kiss. She clung to him, kissing him back with equal ardour, savouring the feel of wet warm skin under her hands and the sexy, sinful taste of him in her mouth. They were both breathing heavily by the time they broke apart. Gio snapped off the water before reaching for a towel and wrapping her up in it. With evident impatience he briskly ran another towel over himself. Tossing it aside, he took her hand and led her down the corridor to his bedroom, her legs so rubbery she didn’t think she could walk.
Some of her anxiety returned as she entered the room with him and saw the huge bed standing ready and waiting, the duvet turned back, the generous pillows plumped up. She knew how luxurious and incredibly sexy the gunmetal-grey sheets felt against her skin. And within moments she was experiencing them again as Gio gave her a gentle rub down with the towel before removing it and tumbling them both into bed.
Excitement and tension vied for prominence. She could feel the heat of his body even though he wasn’t quite touching her. Smiling, he gently removed the pins from her hair and fanned the tresses out on the pillow.
‘Do you think you are the only one who is nervous, fiamma?’ he asked, his throaty, accented voice sounding even more sexy than usual.
Surprised, she met his gaze. ‘You’re nervous, too?’
Her question was met with a wry laugh. ‘I listen to some of the young doctors talking in the scrub room and the canteen, discussing their conquests, and I realise what an oddity I must seem for having slept only with Sofia.’
‘Then I’m odd, too, because I’ve only ever had one relationship before,’ she told him. ‘And, to me, the fact that you have never been the kind of man to sleep around is a major strength, not a weakness. You are loyal and true. And you haven’t played Russian roulette with your own health or anyone else’s.’
She thought of Duncan, of how he had cheated on her, and his cavalier disregard for himself, let alone her or the other women. Gio was a treasure and it was the very quality he considered an oddity that made her trust him. Had he been another Duncan, she would never be here now, on the cusp of giving herself to him in the most elemental of ways.
As if by instinct, they moved in unison to close the last of the gap between them, and the instant he touched her, the instant her lips met his, the doubts that had seemed so real for a moment dissolved into nothing. They needed no words because their bodies talked for them. Jess found she couldn’t formulate a single coherent thought as Gio continued what he had begun that morning and in the shower, devoting his time and attention to her.
Every touch, every kiss, every caress of his fingers and brush of his lips and tongue built the pleasure layer by layer. She writhed against him, her body turning molten as his mouth worked down the column of her throat, setting every nerve tingling and every particle of skin on fire. He trailed down the valley between her breasts, bypassing flesh that yearned so badly for his attention and continuing down to her navel. She hadn’t known she was so sensitive there but the tantalising, teasing quest of his teeth and tongue had her body arching up to meet him, seeking more.
She must have spoken the word aloud because he chuckled, the huff of warm breath against her skin a subtle and teasing caress of its own. She moaned as he finally turned his attention to her breasts, the perfect pressure of his fingers driving her crazy.
‘Gio, please,’ she begged, craving the touches he teasingly denied her.
Relenting, his teeth gently grazed one sensitive nipple before his tongue salved the delicious sting. Then he sent her to the stratosphere as he took the peak into the warm cavern of his mouth. When she thought she couldn’t bear it a moment longer he released his prize, turned his attention to its twin and began the exquisite torment all over again.
Impatient, her eager hands traced the muscular contours of his shoulders before working down his back, urging him closer. She wanted to explore and savour him as he was doing to her, but she was so close to the edge she couldn’t wait a moment longer to know the joy of being united fully with him.
He took a moment to protect them and she pleaded with him not to wait any longer as he moved to make them one. She arched up to meet him, wrapping her legs around him, gasping his name at the delicious sensations as her body welcomed his and, finally, they were one.
‘Jessica…’
‘Yes. Please, Gio. Don’t stop.’
She had never experienced anything as magical and special as making love with Gio. It was incredible, earth-shattering and she never wanted it to end. He murmured to her in Italian as they moved together in a rhythm as old as time. She abandoned herself to him completely, as he did to her, and the mix of exquisite tenderness and fiery passion she found with him was a devastating combination.
When the inevitable moment arrived, Jess clung to him, burying her face against him, breathing in his musky scent, calling his name as they drove each other over the edge to a shattering release. As she spun out of control, she didn’t care if she never came down to earth again, just so long as she was with Gio.
Gio gazed at Jessica’s sleeping form, the wild fire of her hair tossed across the pillow and a couple of tell-tale little marks on her otherwise flawless, silky-smooth skin following the intensely passionate night they had shared. It had been the most incredible experience, beyond anything he had imagined. And it had scared him.
He wasn’t sure at exactly which moment during their sensual night together it had happened, but he had suddenly known with surety and not much surprise that he loved her. It may have happened far more speedily but, as with Sofia, they had begun as friends first and foremost. He and Sofia had been children and their emotions had evolved slowly, whereas with Jessica the friendship and the desire had hit in tandem.
The pain of losing Sofia had nearly killed him and he’d never imagined wanting another woman again. Then he had met Jessica. He not only wanted her in every way but he liked and respected her as a person and valued the special friendship they shared. So why was he feeling so unsettled? Things had happened so fast, he had fallen so deep so quickly and he knew that if he tied himself to her and anything happened, he would never recover a second time.
Could he take the risk on Jessica’s health? All he knew was that he couldn’t face the prospect of burying another woman he loved. It was a possibility he couldn
’t ignore when making a decision that would affect both their futures.
Waking up alone had been unnerving and when she went downstairs and found Gio making coffee in the kitchen, Jess’s unease increased. He greeted her with a smile, but she sensed a change in him. He was on edge, distant. And when he backed off physically, moving away when she would have stepped in for a hug, a cold chill went through her.
‘What’s wrong?’ she asked, fear building as he failed to meet her gaze.
‘Nothing. I…’
‘Gio?’
He ran a hand through his hair, a characteristic sign of agitation. ‘I’m just not sure what to think about this. It’s all happened so quickly.’
‘You regret it.’ Her heart sank.
‘No! Of course not. Neither of us was expecting this. The connection was there from the first and our friendship is special and important to me,’ he explained, his expression sombre, and Jess sensed a ‘but’ coming. ‘But—’ Jess allowed herself a humourless smile ‘?maybe we should slow things down, take some time. I’d never considered having a new relationship. I’m not sure I’m ready. Especially after what happened with Sofia.’
Everything in her screamed in protest. ‘I see.’
‘I need to be sure, Jessica. Not of you but of me. Losing Sofia nearly killed me and I can’t go through anything like that again,’ he finished, emotion heavy in his voice.
The awful thing was that she understood. She couldn’t argue against his words and the chance of something happening was greater with her with the HIV hanging over her head than it was with another woman. Wrapping her arms around herself, she tried to hold everything together, to not let him see how deeply the rejection had wounded her. Because that was what it felt like. And in that moment, the truth hit home with devastating force… she loved him. In every way and with every part of her being.
St Piran's: Italian Surgeon, Forbidden Bride Page 12
