An Innocent, a Seduction, a Secret

A beautiful woman appeared, holding a tray with refreshing drinks. Sebastio introduced her as Angelique. Edie smiled her thanks and savoured the tart lemon juice.

The bedroom was massive. Wooden floorboards and white muslin drapes flowing in the breeze. Open shutters and French doors leading out to a balcony where the view took in the sea and, in the very far distance, the coastline of Argentina.

Sebastio felt an inordinate amount of satisfaction to see Edie here. Her back was to him, pale and slender in her dress. Her neck looked fragile. He felt a spurt of something very alien—protectiveness.

He’d never brought another woman here. This was his place, where he’d come after the accident. Where he’d been raw and broken. Where he’d endured long days and where his thoughts had got very dark. Days he didn’t like to remember.

Maybe that was why he’d brought her here? To eclipse those memories? Maybe finally it was time.

And the fact that he’d done it told him that she was different. That maybe she had a place in his life.

The thought of letting Edie go sent a tendril of panic through him. Not a pleasant sensation. But perhaps he didn’t have to let her go... Although he’d never taken a mistress before...

She turned around at that moment, as if sensing his circling thoughts, and immediately he wanted her. He could see the faint outline of her breasts under the thin dress. The curve of her waist.

He went over and put his hands either side of her body. He bent down and relished that split second before his mouth touched hers...and then the way she responded with such sweet sensuality.

He pulled back, his blood humming. He wanted nothing more than to take her over to the bed but she did look tired. And pale.

‘Have a shower and a nap, Edie. I’ll wake you later, when dinner is ready.’

She smiled. ‘That sounds like a good idea.’

Edie’s smile faded as she watched Sebastio walk out of the room. The driver of the Jeep—Pedro—had just delivered their luggage and she went over to hers, taking out the pharmacy bag.

She went into the bathroom and locked the door, barely noticing the white marbled luxuriousness.

She wasn’t sure how much time passed before she had the nerve to do the test. And then there was more waiting as she sat on the closed toilet seat.

After the allotted time Edie picked up the test and held her breath as she read the result.

* * *

Where was she?

Sebastio felt a spurt of frustration as he searched for Edie. She wasn’t in the bedroom, sleeping. She wasn’t downstairs.

He went upstairs again and checked the bathroom. No sign.

He was about to leave when he saw a white paper bag in the bin. Without even knowing why it had caught his attention he bent down to pick it up and something fell out...

CHAPTER NINE

EDIE STOOD ON the edge of the sea and felt the waves lap at her feet. She didn’t even remember leaving the bathroom or coming down here. She’d gravitated here instinctively, in shock. Reeling.

She was pregnant.

She couldn’t deny she felt panicked, because this was hardly the ideal situation in which to be pregnant.

But all she could think of was what her doctor had said. ‘If you are pregnant, Edie, then it’s is a very good sign. It means your body has recovered from the treatment and your fertility hasn’t been irreparably damaged.’

She put her hands on her belly. Hard to believe there was a little kernel of life growing inside her right now. But here was the proof that she was well and a miracle of sorts had happened.

New life.

She would have to tell Sebastio, of course. And she dreaded his reaction. But just for now, for this private moment, she would allow the pure joy she felt to suffuse her whole body. No matter what happened, she would love and care for this baby. Even if she had to do it on her own.

A fierce wave of love and protectiveness washed through her. She couldn’t stop smiling.