Leon was giving her plenty of time, but now that she was ready, she felt feverish, waiting for him to come. Belle was the only one of her roommates or the girls at her work who hadn’t been to bed with a man. Now it was her turn.
The mechanics of the act were no mystery to her, but it was a whole new world she was about to enter. Those few kisses they’d exchanged had already thrilled her, so much she couldn’t wait to find out what it would be like to spend the night with him.
They hadn’t talked about the consequences of sleeping together, but she’d made a vow to accept children lovingly. How would he feel about another child if she conceived? Or was Concetta enough for him?
This marriage had happened so fast, Belle was full of questions about the sexual side of their relationship. Only he could answer them. Why didn’t he come? They needed to talk.
After another five minutes, she walked down through the hallway and called to him from the stairs.
“I’ll be right there.”
When he joined her in the bedroom five minutes later, he’d showered and was dressed in a T-shirt and lounging pajamas. The sight of his black hair disheveled after being washed had an appeal all its own. Her gaze dropped lower, to that well-defined physique she’d longed to touch all day. He was standing only a few feet away. She could reach out and touch him. Marriage had given her the right, but she needed a signal from him.
“Is there anything you need before I go back up on deck for the night?”
The question, asked in that deep voice, sent her down a dark chute with no bottom. The pain was so acute she couldn’t hold it in. “I thought this was to be our wedding night.”
His sudden grim expression chilled her, reminding her of the side of his nature that could be forbidding at times. “Under normal circumstances it would be.”
She shook her head, causing her hair to swish across her shoulders. “These aren’t normal? I don’t understand.”
For a moment she thought she saw a bleak look enter his eyes, but it might have been a trick of light. “You don’t have to keep up the pretense any longer, Belle.”
“Excuse me?”
“Your gratitude has been duly recognized. The truth is, I don’t expect your sleeping with me to be a part of it.”
She sucked in her breath. “Well, pardon me if I misunderstood. I thought this morning we took vows to become man and wife. You know—the kind who sleep together.”
Now that she was all worked up, she couldn’t stop. “You think you’re so different from your father, but you’re just another version of the same male. He was right. You don’t love me. That I can handle. You’ve taught me that love at first sight is an absurdity, after all. I learn something new every day.
“Everyone knows real love takes years and years to develop. It’s your lie about feeling desire for me that cuts to the quick, Leonardo di Malatesta. You faked it until I believed it, but now that it’s crunch time, you’ve brushed me off the way I’ve been brushed off all my life.”
“Belle—” A ring of white had encircled his hard mouth.
“I’m not finished. Do you have any idea how hurt I am by your rejection? How humiliated I feel after putting everything I am and feel out there on the line for you?
“Cliff was right about my being pathetic. Thank you for underscoring what I’ve always known about myself. But until just now I was looking forward to being with you tonight, to being in your arms.
“I thought my stepfather hurt me when he told me to get out of his garage and never step in it again. But you’re the true master at turning the knife. Now that you’ve drawn blood, please leave my bedroom. We’ll never talk about this again.
“In the morning I want to go back to the villa. Never fear, I’ll go on being your wife and a mother to Concetta. I’ll be there for your family day and night. You want to sleep in the same bed to keep up the pretense and avoid gossip? I’ll do it. I’ll stand by you at work, at home, until death. I owe you that. I made vows to do that.”
She took a deep, painful breath. “But don’t you ever touch me in bed, not even by accident.”
* * *
Leon hadn’t been sick to his stomach in years. But at two in the morning he slipped over the side of the boat and found a private spot. After being violently ill, he shook like a man with palsy. Until she heard him out, he wasn’t going to make it through the night.
He decided it would be better to make noise on his way below deck so he wouldn’t frighten her. Once he reached the bathroom, he brushed his teeth and drank some water. Then he tapped on the closed door. “Belle?”
“What is it?”
“We can’t go on like this. I have to talk to you. May I come in, or do we do this through the door?”
“It’s your boat.”
It didn’t sound as if she’d been asleep. He opened the door and a dim beam of light from the hallway fell across the bed, where her dark hair was splayed across the pillow. She was an enticing vision. How to begin repairing the damage?
Leon reached the end of the bed and sat on it. “When I came down here earlier, the last thing I wanted to do was go back upstairs for the night. But because of the speed of our marriage, I didn’t want you to think that I’d ‘purchased’ you so I could claim my rights. I wanted to give you time to get used to me.
“Today was pure enchantment for me. I wanted it to go on and on. I was terrified that if you knew how much I’d been counting the minutes until we could go to bed together, it would frighten you. So I backed off. But to my despair, I unwittingly made the wrong decision, and I fear it has cost me my marriage.
“You have no idea how sick I was when I realized you’d overheard the conversation with my father. When we went into lunch, I knew the things he’d said had affected you. I felt helpless to do anything about it until I could get you alone. But when I came down the stairs to join you after your shower, I saw a woman who looked like the proverbial lamb going to slaughter.
“I thought of your bravery in leaving the orphanage to go to a strange home and adapt to someone else’s lifestyle. You were so strong to do that and be able to handle it. Tonight I saw your strength in the way you faced me head-on, no matter what you might be feeling inside.
“Your trust in me was so humbling, I didn’t want to do anything wrong. You have to understand I would never deliberately hurt you. How could I do that?” He tipped his head back. “There’s something important you need to know, Belle.”
“What is it?”
“This is about my mother. She had some last words for me before she died. I’ll never forget them.”
Belle stirred in the bed. “What did she tell you?”
“She said, ‘You’re so much like me, Leon. If you expect to ever truly be happy, then follow your heart.’ Her advice sank deep inside me and helped free me from certain expectations, because I knew I had her blessing. When the time came to ask Benedetta to marry me, I didn’t hesitate.
“Last night I asked you to marry me for the same reason. The only reason. I love you, Belle. I’m a man desperately in love. You’re the most beautiful thing in my life. When we said our vows this morning, I kept thanking God for you in my heart. I can’t explain why I fell so hard for you. The French have an expression for it—coup de foudre. A bolt of lightning. That’s what it was like for me.
“Immediately I needed an excuse to keep you here for good. But the truth is, if there’d been no excuse—no baby, no Dante, no mother to find—I would have followed you back to New York until I could get you to fall in love with me.”
Leon moved to the door, petrified he wasn’t making any headway. “As God is my witness, I love you. That’s what I came to say.”
He walked into the hallway and was about to shut the door when he heard the rustle of sheets. “Don’t leave me.”
Afraid he was
hearing things, he turned around in time to see Belle move toward him. “Don’t ever leave me.” In seconds he felt her arms around his neck. “I’m madly in love with you, too, Leon. I love you so much it hurts. Don’t you know that’s why I said those cruel things to you?”
He came close to expiring with joy. “I do now.” He picked her up in his arms and carried her back to bed, following her down with his body. The second their mouths fused, they began devouring each other.
* * *
Belle awakened the next morning before her husband. She lay halfway across his chest, with their legs entangled, and watched him in sleep. He was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen.
She loved his powerful legs, which kept her where he wanted her, even in sleep. The top cover lay on the floor, along with her robe and his clothes. She hadn’t known pleasure like they’d given each other was even possible. It was too intoxicating to describe.
Unable to hold back, she kissed his eyelids and nose, the cleft in his chin. It was embarrassing how much she wanted him again. “Darling,” she said against his compelling mouth, “are you awake?”
His hand roved over her back.
Delighted with that much response, she kissed his throat and worked her way to one earlobe. She slid her fingers into his black hair. Belle was on fire for him. “I love you,” she cried, out of need for the fulfillment only he could give. Her dark prince had to be the most satisfying lover alive.
His eyes opened at last. They were smoldering like wood smoke. “Buon giorno, esposa mia.”
She smiled. “It will be a very good morning when you’ve made love to me again.”
He rolled her on top of him so he could look up at her. “You’re a shameless beauty. How lucky can a husband be?”
“Was last night as wonderful for you as it was for me?”
Belle heard him take a ragged breath. “Couldn’t you tell? I ate you alive last night.”
She smiled. “I’m still alive,” she said breathlessly.
“I know. Come here to me, bellissima.”
It was several hours later when they surfaced. Leon kept a possessive arm around her hips while they stared into each other’s eyes. “Where do you want to go today?”
“I want to stay right here. Is that all right with you?”
He laughed out loud. “You don’t know much about men, but I have to admit I’m thankful I’m your first and only lover.”
She traced the line of his mouth with her finger. It could go soft or hard depending on his mood. Right now there was a sensual curl. “I could look at you for hours. Do you think I’m terrible?”
He laughed again. “As long as I get to do the same thing.”
Heat rose to her cheeks. “I think it’s fun to be married. After being with you like this, I realize I grew up lonely. It worries me that I might be too needy. Promise you’ll help me not to get that way.”
He smoothed the hair away from her temple. “I think you’re perfect just as you are.”
“That’s because we’re on our honeymoon. But when you have to go to the bank, I don’t think I’ll be able to let you leave. Concetta and I will be miserable until you get home. Will you hate it if I bring lunch to your office sometimes?”
“What do you think?”
“I think you will.”
After another burst of laughter he kissed her passionately.
“Leon?” she said, when he finally let her catch her breath. “I’ve given the idea of the cell phone store a lot of thought. The truth is I’d really like to be a full-time mother to Concetta. In order to do that, I couldn’t manage a store, too.”
He kissed a certain spot. “Especially if we decided we wanted to have another baby.”
“You’d like that?”
“I want one with you. Concetta needs a sibling. My life was rich because I had Dante.”
“You were lucky to have a brother. When do you think you’d like to try for a baby?”
Leon’s shoulders shook with silent laughter. “Whenever you think you can handle it.”
“If we tried pretty soon and were successful, that would make the babies maybe a year and a half apart. That would be perfect.”
“Whatever you say, squisita.”
“You’re laughing at me.”
Leon grew serious. “No. I’m laughing because I’m so happy. The dark period I went through with Benedetta’s illness and death took its toll. At the time I couldn’t imagine feeling like I do right now. You’ve brought sunshine back into my life.”
“You don’t have time to hear all the things you’ve done for me—not before I feed you. While you lie here and miss me like crazy, I’m going to fix you breakfast in bed.”
She tried to get up, but he pulled her back. “Don’t leave me, Belle.”
She pressed a hungry kiss to his mouth. “I’ll only be as far away as the galley.”
“That’s too far.”
“Now you know why I’m already dreading you going to work. I’ve decided I think it’s scary to be married.”
He took her face between his hands. “I’ve decided I adore you, Signora Malatesta.”
CHAPTER NINE
Three months later
USING THE FRONT door key she’d been given, Belle let herself and Concetta inside the palazzo. She’d put her adorable baby in the stroller. “Mom? We’re here!”
No answer. That was odd. After Sullisto had left for the bank, her mother had called asking her to come over. Luciana wanted help putting the finishing touches on the birthday party she was planning for Leon’s father that evening.
“Mom? Where are you?” She walked through the house, pushing Concetta. “Hmm, maybe she’s out in the garden picking flowers. Let’s go find your grandmother.”
Belle was dying to talk to her mom and was thankful for the excuse to come over now. Leon had arranged for an early business meeting so he could get home in good time for the party, so she was free.
The housekeeper saw her in the hallway. “Buon giorno, Belle. Your mamma is still in the bed.”
Uh-oh. That didn’t sound like her mother. “Grazie, Violeta.”
Belle pushed the stroller through the house to the master suite. She opened the door. “Mom?”
“Come in the bedroom, darling.”
Curious, Belle hurried on through and found a slightly pale version of her beautiful mother lying against the pillows. “You’re sick, aren’t you.”
“Not the kind I can give to Concetta. It’s a good kind.”
A good kind of sick?
What? All of a sudden Belle got it. She gazed down at her mother. “You’re pregnant!”
“Yes...”
Belle sank down on the side of the bed. “Does Sullisto know?”
“No. He thinks I’ve got a bug of some kind.”
“You do!” They both started laughing and then Belle hugged her mother in happiness. They stared hard at each other. “After all this time...” Belle looked at the baby. “Did you hear that, Concetta? In about seven months you’re going to get a new aunt or uncle.”
The two of them laughed for joy again before Luciana’s eyes filled with tears. “It took finding you, darling. That’s what the doctor said. You don’t know how much I’ve wanted us to have a baby together, even if I am forty-two. You know, to cement things. This morning Sullisto almost didn’t leave for work. I had to beg him to go.”
Belle could relate, which was a change for her where Leon was concerned. But this wasn’t the time to confide in Luciana. “How long have you had morning sickness?”
“For a few days. I’ve sworn Violeta to secrecy.”
“Until tonight?”
“Yes. The doctor gave me some antinausea medicine. It’s already starting to work.”
“Sullisto’s going to jump out of his skin with joy.”
“I believe he will.”
“I know he will. He loves you terribly, Mom, but being a Malatesta he wants everything to be perfect.”
Her father-in-law had calmed down somewhat since Belle and Leon had come back from their honeymoon on the sandbar. But whether he’d forgiven his son for disobeying him a second time was something no one knew.
“Ah, you’ve already discovered that after being married to Leon. So tell me what’s on your mind, darling, and don’t say it’s nothing.”
Belle bit her lip. “When Concetta and I came over this morning, there was something I wanted to talk to you about, but now I can’t.”
“You mean that you’re pregnant, too?”
Her breath caught. “Oh, Mom... I think I am, but I haven’t done a home pregnancy test yet. That’s what I wanted to discuss with you.”
“I’ve suspected it since our family picnic the other day, when you couldn’t eat.”
“I didn’t realize you’d noticed. If I thought I was carrying Leon’s child...”
“Then he doesn’t suspect yet?”
“No. I’ve had a few bouts of nausea, nothing terrible yet, but lately I’m so tired.”
Her mother’s delightful laugh filled the room. “You need to test yourself right now. There’s a kit in my closet, hidden behind the shoes.”
“You’re kidding!”
“No. I bought two just in case. But the first one worked.”
“I’ll be right back.”
“While you get the official word, I’m going to entertain my granddaughter. Come here, Concetta, and give your pregnant grandmother a big kiss.”
Belle found the kit and went into the bathroom. A few minutes later she squealed for joy. Though she was barely learning the rudiments of Italian from her husband and the staff, she didn’t need to read the words to understand what the color meant. She ran into the bedroom to show her mother.
“Congratulations, darling! Now that everything’s official, we’ll make our announcements tonight.”
A Marriage Made in Italy Page 15
