Chapter Ten #2
Then there was Jade, twisting him up in other ways.
He had been thinking of her all day, finding more and more that his work was a distraction from her instead of the other way around.
His fascination with her was about more than sex, though.
Yes, he wanted her. Always. But he found himself frustrated because there was a part of her that remained out of his reach.
Sex seemed the only way to truly break down the barriers between them and that’s what had happened in the bathroom before they’d dressed to come out this evening.
He didn’t usually abandon restraint but she’d been looking delicious all freckled and wearing only those slashes of lace and a flush of arousal.
His desire to make her his had been so primitive, it had shaken him. He’d feared he’d gone too far, but she assured him he hadn’t. They’d kissed and he’d felt for a few seconds as though they were completely attuned.
She was his wife. Becoming very precious to him.
Then the kick. And the lurch back to You don’t know what you’ll do for someone you love. What would he do? What kind of man would he become if he let himself love as deeply as his heart was primed to do?
Jade’s foot hit his own, bringing him back to the dance floor.
He reflexively steadied her, pushing off his brooding as he noticed her stiff expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
Him. He was what was wrong. She’d been quiet all evening. Ever since he had felt the baby kick and pulled away.
“I recognized someone,” she said with her mask of indifference firmly in place. “A woman Giselle was trying to partner with. I’ve never met her myself, but there’s bad blood there. Plus, her father is well-acquainted with mine. I’d rather not deal with her if I don’t have to.”
He scanned their fellow dancers and noticed a woman watching them. “In blue?”
“Yes.”
“I was in meetings with her husband today. He’ll expect me to introduce you.” Luca liked Damian. It was a pity the wife was such a poison pill to Jade. “Do you have a headache? Or do we have an early start tomorrow because I have meetings in Milan?”
She lifted her lashes, mouth pouted ruefully. “Do you mind taking this one? I don’t want her thinking she put me on the run.”
“Done.” He guided her back to their table to collect her wrap and clutch.
The other couple followed them so they had no choice but to speak to them.
“Luca.” Damian was midthirties and dominated the green energy field throughout Europe. “My wife Carmel. She wanted to say hello to your wife.”
“Jade, right?” Carmel offered her hand. “You worked for Giselle Smythe-Camden? I’m Carmel—well, Kalymnios.” She leaned into her husband with a smitten look up at him. “I used to be Davenport. I own Davenwear Athletics.”
“I’m a fan of your yoga wear.” Jade politely shook her hand.
“We can’t stay, I’m afraid,” Luca said firmly. “I have meetings in Milan tomorrow. We have an early start.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. I was hoping to buy you lunch,” Carmel said. “I know you’re the only reason Giselle stayed afloat,” she added. “I’d love for you join my team if you’re interested.”
“Oh.” Jade was taken aback. “That’s very kind, but I’m not in fashion anymore.”
“Says the woman wearing couture,” Carmel noted good-naturedly.
“I mean professionally. Also…” She waved at her baby bump.
“Understood. But I’m happy to accommodate maternity leave. I’ll reach out with an offer in a few days. You can always turn me down.”
“If you insist. Thank you.”
They pried themselves away and Luca said in the car, “I can have my assistant decline on your behalf.”
“No, I’ll look at it,” Jade said to the window. “I might as well.”
“You’re not indulging her for my sake, are you? Because I can work with Damian without dragging you back into those toxic circles in London.”
“No.”
“Is the grant writing not challenging enough? Or is this…” Dio, he hated to even say it aloud when they’d come so far.
“I was hoping that you had begun to settle into this life. To trust me.” Was this because he’d withdrawn earlier?
Was she skittish and wanted a foothold in her home country as a fallback?
That thought was such a kick in the stomach, he could hardly breathe.
“No, it’s…” She tilted a chagrined look at him. “This sounds puerile, but I’m mad at myself for putting up with Giselle as long as I did. I had it in my head that if I could make my father happy, if I was able to elevate her business to its potential, I’d prove something to him. To all of them.”
“You don’t have to prove anything to anyone, least of all him.” If they were too blind to see how extraordinary she was, to hell with them.
“I’d still like to,” she mumbled. “I told you I was being childish.”
“Are you, though?” He picked up the fist she had defensively tucked into her lap, easing it open. “Or do you want to prove to yourself that you could have accomplished much more than you were allowed to?”
She swung him a look of surprise that turned into a pained frown. “That.”
“I understand completely.” And if Carmel’s pursuit of her meant she saw Jade’s true value, he heartily approved.
“This could be your office,” Luca said as they followed a stepping-stone path to a structure on the corner of the property they were viewing.
So far, the villa was checking every box for them.
Despite being older than they’d wanted by about two hundred years, it was completely updated to modern standards.
The location was convenient to the city.
It was three levels with a gorgeous primary suite, an elevator and a guest room that was already fitted for a wheelchair.
The outdoor pool was solar heated, the gardens scrupulously tended, and now this charming, one-room guesthouse.
The cottage was made of the same yellow stone and red-tile roof as the villa.
It had windows in every direction, each with a planter box full of geraniums. There were double doors onto a patio that was a grotto of greenery with a trickling fountain.
Inside, it was big enough for a bed, an armchair, a kitchenette, a gas fireplace, and there was even a small powder room.
“You don’t think it’s too far from the house?” She was thinking of when the baby came.
“Better here than London,” Luca said drily.
Jade had told him on the drive here that she was planning to take the job Carmel had offered.
There would be an initial visit to London, to meet everyone at the office and get her feet wet, but after that it was a consulting position.
Carmel was giving her a year to turn in an updated strategic plan.
Once she made her report, they would discuss an executive position to oversee the implementation.
Jade liked Carmel. She was serious about her work, but didn’t take herself too seriously. Plus, the compensation package was very generous. Way more than Giselle had thought Jade was worth. It was heartening, filling her with pride.
So many of her old worries and stressors were gone. Her mother was in a stable situation. Jade was taking a job that excited her. She was expecting a baby she wanted very much. She was married to a man she was starting to love, one who was offering her a veritable castle.
A pang of longing struck and she turned away to hide it.
“You don’t like it?” Luca asked. “I was about to suggest we make an offer. You don’t have to work out here. Pick one of the rooms in the house.”
“No, I love it.” She made herself smile, then confided, “I get nervous when things are too perfect. Nothing good lasts. Things happen. You know that as well as I do.”
He flinched.
“I’m sorry.” She moved across to touch his arm.
It felt made of marble despite the lingering heat of the day baked into their skin.
“That was thoughtless of me. I was talking philosophically. I only meant that life always throws curveballs when you least expect it. For me, I’ve learned to be afraid when I want something because the more I want it, the more likely I am to lose it. The more it will hurt when I do.”
Like him. She wanted to be closer with him. She wanted to know if he felt the way she felt, but she was afraid to ask. Afraid it would push him away.
“I don’t like to be hurt,” she said, downplaying how deeply her fears went.
“No one does, but…” His brow pulled into a troubled line. “And you’re right. There are no guarantees, but I want you to know you can count on me.”
Could she? When he seemed ambivalent about the baby?
“Sometimes…” She hesitated to speak her concern aloud. What if she caused the sort of rift she dreaded most? But she had to get it off her chest. “Sometimes I think that you’re disappointed that we’re having a boy.”
Wasn’t that what all men wanted? She was convinced her own father might have liked her more if she’d been a boy.
“No,” Luca dismissed firmly. “That’s not true.” He grimaced and ran his hand over his jaw, looking like he wanted to walk away, but he turned back to her. His gaze flickered over her with indecision.
“What then?” Her skin prickled with apprehension. “Because I can tell something is bothering you about the baby and…” She splayed a protective hand on her bump, heart clutching. “You didn’t want to be a father, Luca. I know that.”
“I do, though. It’s…” He looked to the villa where the property agent was inside, making calls. She had told them to take as much time as they needed. “It’s the type of father I might become that worries me.”
“In what way? Was he…like mine? Abusive?”