Dante drank wine and kept her glass topped up with water, and made easy, informative conversation. Beth learned his was a working estate, which included a vineyard, and he regaled her with stories of his childhood—how as a six-year-old he had tried to tread grapes in a bucket to make his own wine, much to his father’s amusement, and other episodes that despite herself made her chuckle.
She mentioned the painting hanging above the fireplace and he told her it was of his father, who had died at the age of fifty-two in a car accident. The paintings in the hall and on
the stairway were of his ancestors. Somehow the family portraits brought home to Beth just what she had let herself in for over the next three years....
Beth’s appetite had disappeared by dessert—mainly because she was beginning to warm to this relaxed, witty Dante in his home environment and could not relax herself. She found her eyes straying to his mouth, found herself swallowing hard as he unselfconsciously licked his lips.
When he suggested they have coffee in the main salon she pushed back her seat and stood up. ‘If you don’t mind I’ll give the coffee a miss.’ She deliberately patted her stomach. ‘I’m tired after all the travelling, the doctor and everything. I’d like to go to bed.’
His dark eyes narrowed on her. ‘Okay, I’ll see you to your room.’
Ascending the stairs with Dante’s oddly protective hand on her back, she asked herself how the cool, successful Beth of three months ago could have been dumb enough to get herself in this position. She turned at the door to her room and glanced at Dante, to say goodnight. But the hand at her back slid around her waist, and with his free hand he opened the bedroom door and backed her inside.
‘Goodnight, Dante,’ she said firmly, and put her hands on his chest to ward him off.
He caught her hands on his shirtfront in one of his much larger ones. ‘Surely our relationship warrants a goodnight kiss—?’
‘That’s not necessary,’ she cut in. His dark eyes met hers and she saw the gleam of desire in their black depths. She could not move.
‘It is necessary for me,’ he said huskily before his mouth captured hers.
It all happened so fast. One minute she was outside her room, saying goodnight, and the next she was inside, held against Dante’s long body, her hands flailing ineffectually at him. But with humiliating speed her resistance faded under the seductive persuasion of his lips. Her hands were no longer hitting him but clasping his broad shoulders, and a soft moan escaped her as his mouth drew her deeper into the kiss.
Dante raised his head, his glittering gaze skimming over her. His eyes lingered on the curve of her breasts revealed by the wrap-over neckline of her dress, and he slipped light fingers beneath the white lace bra to stroke and shape a burgeoning peak. ‘I like your lingerie, Beth, but I prefer you naked,’ he said throatily, and took her lush mouth with his again.
She linked her hands behind his neck as his tongue twined with hers, stoking the heat of arousal simmering inside her. Beth was aware only of Dante, of the heady taste of him, the pleasure of his touch driving every conscious thought from her mind.
So it was all the more shocking when suddenly his hands gripped her waist and he physically lifted her to hold her at arm’s length.
Limbs weak, she swayed towards him—but his grip tightened and her eyes widened, finally focusing on his harshly handsome face. She saw leashed passion in the dark eyes, but she also saw a determination in the hard line of his mouth that told her the ardent lover was gone and in his place was the autocratic Dante.
‘I want you, Beth, and I could have you now. Your body tells me that every time I touch you.... If it is any consolation it is exactly the same for me. The physical chemistry between us is dynamite,’ he said bluntly. ‘But we need to get a few things straight.’
Battling to control her wayward senses, Beth was mortified—and suddenly becoming aware the bodice of her dress was gaping wider to reveal her bra simply made it worse. Though knowing this fire in the blood, this instant attraction, was the same for him was some consolation. Speechless, she stared at him.
‘To make this marriage work we need some ground rules. The first one being obvious. We will have a normal relationship; I am not cut out to be celibate and neither are you.’
Beth tried to adjust the top of her dress.
‘No, not tonight,’ he said with a hint of self-mockery. ‘I can wait until we are married. The doctor told me you are a healthy woman, and that sex won’t harm you or the baby.’
‘You actually asked the doctor?’ Beth finally found her voice.
‘Of course. I intend to take good care of you and the child. Which brings me to my second point.’ Surprisingly, he let go of her waist and adjusted her dress by tightening the bow at her waist. ‘You are far too distracting,’ he said with a wry twist of his lips. ‘We have to put on a united front in front of friends and family, with all that entails. No flinching away from me would be a good start—especially in public, as I expect you to play the part of my wife to the full. I have also arranged a personal account for you at my bank.’
‘That is not necessary.’
‘Yes, it is, Beth. No argument. Tomorrow we are going to Milan to purchase a ring and a suitable wardrobe for you. I attend quite a few social functions, and once we are married naturally you will accompany me. I have to return to Rome tomorrow, but I will try to get back next weekend. If not I will be back to collect you the following Friday for your hospital appointment. The civil ceremony will be on Saturday. In the meantime you can rest and relax as you originally suggested. Is everything clear?’
‘Yes.’ Beth agreed. She was slowly becoming resigned to the fact that her life was going to be inextricably linked to Dante’s for years to come. ‘Now may I go to bed? I really am tired.’
‘Of course. Anything else can wait until tomorrow.’ Dante’s lips brushed hers. ‘Sleep well.’ And with a sardonic arch of a black brow he added, ‘If you can,’ and left.
Beth stood where he had left her and to her shame realised Dante was right. She was too weak to resist her sexy soon-to-be husband. Maybe she shouldn’t even try, a little devil on her shoulder whispered. One of her mother’s favourite sayings had been, ‘You’ve made your bed and you have to lie in it.’ Well, Dante had certainly made hers by getting her pregnant, so why not enjoy the experience while it lasted? How difficult could it be to play the part of Signora Cannavaro as he’d suggested—or more precisely ordered?
Her parents had brought her up well. As an accountant she had wined and dined wealthy clients, mixed with the best and the worst. Sophisticated society didn’t faze her at all. And with Dante’s track record where women were concerned she had no illusions. He would probably tire of her within months, if not weeks....
But she would still have her child to love and care for, and that was all that mattered to her. She doubted she would look at another man even when the three years were up.