Baby Mine

by Tressie Lockwood

  In clear embarrassment, Gianni struggled to his feet. He brushed non-existent dirt from his pants legs and then straightened. “You can attack me all you want, Renzo, but the truth about this woman is clear.”

  Renzo cast his uncle another warning glance, and Jada almost laughed at the way the older man moved out of reach of his nephew while fishing in his pocket for something. A handkerchief appeared in his palm, and he wiped a spot of blood from his lip. Jada’s sensitive stomach turned and she redirected her gaze.

  “Leave us,” Renzo commanded.

  Gianni began to protest, but Renzo glared. The door opened and closed, and they were alone. Renzo moved to sit and drew her down beside him. He reached out and raised her chin. “Tell me about this other man.”

  She hesitated, feeling resentful, but decided to answer. “There’s nothing to tell. Just like I said, we went out a couple of times. I didn’t sleep with him.”

  Renzo studied her face for a few minutes, saying nothing. At last, he leaned forward and kissed her lips. “Today, my family will host a wine-tasting. We’re introducing a new line, and I want you there with me.”

  “You know I can’t drink, right?”

  “You don’t have to.”

  He stood and moved to his desk to shuffle through some papers. Jada remained where she was, wondering if that was all the discussion they would have on the subject. Renzo didn’t appear ready to challenge her claim she carried his child or question how extensively she’d dated Antonio. Gianni might have expected more of a reaction against her from Renzo, but she was glad the arrogant asshole had been shot down. The question she kept asking herself was why Renzo would continue on with her as if nothing happened. Maybe he just wanted a baby more than anything.

  Jada strode to the door. “I see you’re busy, so I’m going to go.” She pulled at the doorknob, but Renzo was suddenly behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. He stroked a hand over her belly and left it there, inches above her pussy. Desire curled in her core. Renzo kissed her neck and nuzzled behind her ear. Pleasure radiated throughout her body, and she sank back to his chest, shutting her eyes. Why couldn’t she stop longing for him and craving his touch?

  “Mia bella bambina,” he whispered.

  A shudder passed over Jada, and she gasped when he pinched the button open on her pants and pushed a hand down inside them. She caught his wrist just before he thrust her panties to the side, but he refused to be stopped. Two fingers brushed her clit, and she almost howled in ecstasy. Renzo slid lower until he met with her moist opening. He seemed to test entry, and when he found her already wet, he slid his digits deep.

  “Renzo, you shouldn’t do that,” she said in a raspy tone.

  He wrapped an arm across her chest to hold her in place and worked his fingers in and out of her pussy. She whimpered, trying with all her might to maintain control, not to fall into the sensual pleasure he gave her. The task proved impossible. She humped his hand, and each time he pushed in, the heel of his palm brushed her clit. Her orgasm approached fast, and before long she didn’t care about anything other than reaching that wonderful peak.

  “Like that, cara?” Renzo’s hot breath heated her ear.

  “Oh, yes. Yes!”

  He picked up speed, and Jada arched her hips into his thrusts again and again. She held on to his arm, willing him not to stop, while she shut her eyes and moaned. Her inner muscles contracted, and she cried out as she came.

  Renzo pulled his fingers free and raised her in his arms. He set her on his desk atop the papers he’d been looking through and worked her pants down over her hips. Not allowing her to free her legs from the clothing, he wrestled his own pants open with one hand and thrust his hard cock into her pussy. Because of the restriction, she couldn’t spread her legs wide enough, but the result was an amazingly tight squeeze for his erection inside her. She dug her nails into his arms and took every deep stroke. Moaning and squirming, she begged for more, but Renzo slowed.

  “Look at me, Jada,” he commanded.

  She stared up into his eyes and didn’t look away as he continued to pump between her legs. “Renzo.”

  “Pull your blouse up. Let me see those luscious breasts. I want to watch them bounce while I fuck you.”

  She did as he instructed and arched her back to give him just what he wanted. Her swollen breasts bounced with each of his thrusts, and his grunts soon filled the office. When he pushed in deep and held himself there, warmth spread over Jada’s insides. Renzo pulled back just enough to get his thumb between them, and he rubbed her clit until she came a second time.

  After they cleaned themselves up, Jada headed toward the door again.

  “The tasting is at four,” he informed her before she could leave. “Please be ready by three. I will be at my company office until that time.”

  Jada sighed. “I’ll be ready.”

  Chapter Six

  To Jada’s surprise, the wine-tasting event was held at Renzo’s family vineyard in a massive structure built just for preserving bottles of wine. Barrels were stacked floor to ceiling in every direction. When the doors opened for guests, she stood to the side and watched Renzo in his element, greeting people, shaking hands. Even a news crew showed for the event. While she pondered the importance of the tasting, Zita wandered over to her.

  “You look confused,” the younger woman commented.

  Jada smiled. “I guess I am. Is this really such a big deal?”

  “It’s a new wine Renzo developed. Everybody wants to be in the know about the Mariani family. Not just because of the wine.”

  Jada dragged her gaze from Renzo, who had been joined by Nicoletta. She had to admit the bitch looked good at his side, like a natural. “What do you mean?”

  “Our wine is high end, but we don’t just make that alone. We make beer and other spirits. Our company is one of the top five in the world.”

  Jada stared. “You’re kidding.”

  She shook her head. “It’s mostly due to Renzo’s market sense. He’s brilliant. That’s also why there’s security. He and every one of my family members are worth a fortune.” She pointed out various men in suits who seemed to have no interest in sampling the new product. Each was built like a linebacker, and now that she realized they were security, she guessed they came packing. Thinking back, Jada tried to recall if Renzo always had someone with him, but she didn’t think she’d spotted anyone like the men here today. The thought of someone always watching unsettled her.

  “Do you have a personal bodyguard?” she asked Zita.

  “Everywhere I go.”

  That she spoke the words so matter-of-factly told Jada the woman was used to it, but from their last conversation, it sometimes made Zita feel stifled. Jada didn’t blame her, and then she began to consider her own baby. What would happen if people found out Renzo was the baby’s father? Was that why he insisted on being involved in the child’s life, because he didn’t want anyone trying to use his son or daughter to get money out of him later? She shivered and, not for the first time, questioned her stupidity of getting pregnant by this man.

  A server came around with glasses of wine on a tray. Zita nabbed one, and Jada reached for another without thinking. The heat from Renzo’s glare brought her back to her senses, when her gaze strayed toward him. She placed the glass back on the tray.

  “Um, do you have any grape juice or water?” she asked the server, and he smiled and nodded. Within moments he’d returned with a glass of grape juice, and she thanked him.

  “You’re pregnant,” Zita murmured as if she didn’t know it.

  “It was unintentional. We—” Jada had no idea why she thought to explain herself. She didn’t care what Renzo’s family thought of her.

  Amusement danced in Zita’s gaze as she downed the last of her wine. She shrugged and turned to stroll in the direction where the server had disappeared. Jada considered Zita’s amusement at the way she stumbled over an explanation. From what everyone kept telling her, women arrived
by the truckloads on a regular basis trying to claim he got them pregnant. Their passion had lit up Venice, but she wondered if she was just another lover for him, while she had fallen hard for the man.

  For the next hour or so, the wine flowed. Jada had overheard someone explaining that once a container had been opened, the wine had to be drunk within a certain amount of time. Air would change the flavor, so all the barrels in the storehouse were kept sealed. No one seemed to complain about drinking as much as they wanted, and Jada wished she could have sampled it. Maybe before she left, she’d request a bottle to take with her for after she gave birth. Renzo probably wouldn’t mind the gift.

  “Why are you over here alone?”

  She looked up from her glass and met Renzo’s reproving gaze. Her heart did a somersault. “You’re working, and I didn’t want to get in the way.”

  He gestured with the glass he held. “As you can see, all of my family is here, and they’re mingling among the guests and friends that have come to support us. You will be a permanent part of my family, so I want you among them, at my side.”

  Her juice went down wrong, and she coughed while Renzo thumped her on the back. The concern on his face almost made her tear up. “Sorry about that. I don’t know what you mean. I’m having your baby. That doesn’t mean—”

  “Come on.” He took her hand in his and placed it on his arm while he led her around the room. They chatted with a few people, but Jada missed every one of the introductions because her ears rang with the words he’d spoken to her. She tried every which way to interpret what he said without the conclusion that Renzo expected they would be involved with each other from now on, but she failed. The moment they got time alone, she would demand he make it clear what he wanted from her. She’d already determined that she was going home the day after tomorrow.

  Jada excused herself to go to the restroom and was glad the building housed one. She stood at the sink and wished she could splash water on her face to cool her skin, but that might ruin her makeup, so she didn’t try. Behind her, the door opened, and Nicoletta strolled in. Jada stifled a grunt of annoyance.

  “Oh, I didn’t know you were in here.” The dramatic hand to the chest made Jada roll her eyes.

  “Of course not, or you wouldn’t have come in.”

  Nicoletta seemed to force a smile. “How are you enjoying the tasting?”

  “Fine.” Jada didn’t want to encourage conversation. She nabbed a paper towel to dry her hands, but Nicoletta blocked her way. “Did you want something?”

  “You know this is how it always is with Renzo. Tastings, meetings, people around him all day, every day. And he is away on business more often than he’s at home. It never stops. He never slows down—for anyone.”

  Jada shifted her weight onto one leg and folded her arms under her breasts. “Is this some kind of warning against getting involved with him, because I have to admit you’re boring the hell out of me.”

  Red tinged the woman’s hairline, straight up from her neck. “I’m saying I’m used to this kind of lifestyle, but maybe you aren’t.”

  “This is the way you’re trying to get rid of me?”

  Nicoletta licked her lips. “I heard you’re pregnant and Renzo thinks it’s his.”

  “Don’t even go there.”

  The bitch went on. “Do you want your baby to love a man who will never be there for him? Who will probably send him off to a private boarding school by the time he turns ten? A school in Europe, mind you.”

  Jada froze.

  The triumph in Nicoletta’s eyes said she knew she’d struck a nerve.

  “You know what? Don’t worry about what’s between me and Renzo. You’re just mad because he doesn’t want you. Nobody will decide what happens with my baby, including Renzo. Now step aside before you get more than your feelings hurt up in here.”

  Disbelief colored Nicoletta’s expression, but she dropped back a step so Jada could get past. Fuming, Jada marched from the restroom in search of Renzo. To her relief, the event seemed to be ending, and people drifted toward the exit. Her lover stood in the midst of a small group of men, each trying to talk over the other in their loud conversation. None appeared to be angry, and she put it down to just the way they were.

  Jada headed toward the exit. She would catch up to Renzo later. Maybe someone outside could give her a lift back to the house, because the grounds were extensive. She stepped into the early evening air with the sunlight showing no signs of relinquishing the day just yet. Ettore stood next to a BMW, and she started toward him, but a beautiful Asian woman strolled over and hooked her arm with his. A coy smile and a few whispered words in Ettore’s ear, and the man was soon escorting the woman into his car. They pulled off, and Jada sighed.

  “Ma’am, may I offer you a ride?”

  Jada turned around at the voice behind her and smiled at the man who must be in his late twenties or early thirties. He wore a suit, but it appeared lived-in a bit, yet there was an appeal to him with his boyish good looks. “Sure. Thanks.”

  An imposing form blocked the sun for both of them. “Ms. Thompson has a ride.

  Jada peered up into the angry eyes of one of the men handling security that Zita had pointed out. Before she could tell him she didn’t need him, he wedged himself between the rumpled friendly guy and her, somehow propelling her toward a waiting vehicle without even touching her. Once Jada settled in the back and he in the driver’s seat, she frowned at him. “I was just fine getting a ride from that guy. He didn’t look like the type to hurt anyone.”

  The guard threw the car into gear and started down the road. “No one at the tasting was that type. We made sure of that.”

  She sat back, folding her arms over her chest. “Then what was the big deal?”

  He gave a prompt answer. “Mr. Mariani assigned me to look after you, and that man who wanted to get you alone in his car is a reporter.”

  “Oh.”

  Renzo didn’t want her talking to the press? Did that mean he was ashamed of her or didn’t want anyone to know about her? Then again, he had come to get her during the event and insisted she stay beside him. Anyone looking on must have picked up on her importance, even if it indicated they were just lovers. She was too early to show, so no one could jump to the conclusion she was pregnant. Considering how Zita complained of being overprotected by her family, she wondered if that was it. Either way, Renzo had thought to get a guard to escort her back to the house although they weren’t that far away. The fact warmed her inside, but not enough that she wouldn’t confront him regarding his intentions the first chance she got.

  * * * *

  Jada didn’t get a chance to talk to Renzo until the next afternoon. She had thought he would come to her room later, but Marie informed her Renzo returned to his office after the tasting, and it wasn’t unheard of that he would stay late in the night working. Jada had to admit she missed him, but the fact that almost twenty-four hours had passed since she’d seen him when they were staying in the same house solidified what Nicoletta had said. She understood working long hours. The lawyers in her office did so whenever a big case came up, and sometimes she did as well, but when the baby came she had no intention of neglecting him or her with work.

  Marie found her in the library going over her notes for the two cases she was assisting the lawyers on. Since she’d been sitting in one position for a couple hours, she welcomed the interruption.

  “Ms. Thompson, Mr. Renzo called to say he will be here in two hours to take you to dinner.” She laced her fingers together and hesitated.

  “Thanks, Marie. Was there something else?”

  “He wondered if there was a reason you weren’t answering your phone.”

  Jada checked. Her cell was off. She recalled powering it down in a snit the night before, and she must have forgotten to turn it on again. Oops. She suppressed a laugh. “I’m guessing he didn’t sound very pleasant when he made that comment.”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “T
hanks, Marie. I appreciate you passing on the message.”

  Rather than complain about him not asking if she already had plans, Jada showered and dressed for dinner out. She needed to talk to him anyway, and it might be better away from interruptions from his family.

  Some time later, Renzo arrived in a sleek black Porsche, but Jada caught her breath at the glimpse of the man more so than the car. His dark hair lay slightly damp on his head, and he wore a dark suit that complimented his muscular build and made her want to jump into his arms. She kept her cool when he strode up and held out his hand. “Ready?”

  She placed her hand in his. “You already showered?”

  “I did at the office,” he acknowledged. “I keep clothes there for last minute plans, and my private restroom has a shower.”

  “Must be nice.” She folded into the low-riding car and buckled in. Renzo slipped into the driver’s side, and soon they sped down the highway toward whatever restaurant he’d chosen for the evening.

  In the well-appointed restaurant with low lighting and real flowers on each table, Jada perused the menu. Searching everywhere for prices, she frowned and decided this place was so exclusive, they didn’t print them. Several couples occupied the various tables around the room, giving the impression of a lover’s hotspot. Jada turned to Renzo determined to flesh out their relationship and make him see that her best choice was to return home.

  “Renzo,” she said, not sure where to start.

  “Marry me.”

  She blinked. “What?”

  He reached across the table and took the menu from her hands to lie down. When he held on, she tried pulling away, not wanting him to see how he shook her with his words. Maybe she’d heard wrong.