CHAPTER TEN
SHE MADE IT through the next seven days. Even went as far as to pat herself on the back for her stellar performance. Even when her body threatened resistance and advocated surrender at every turn, Maisie ground her teeth and sallied forth.
She looked into Romeo’s eyes when he addressed her; didn’t move away when he approached to discuss whatever was on his mind, or dance away as she normally would’ve when they took turns teaching Lucca to swim.
Even when she began to suspect that Romeo was deliberately testing her resolve by standing too close when they watched a particularly stunning sunset, or when his fingers lingered a touch too long when he passed her a plate of fruit at the breakfast table.
In those times she forced herself to remember how transient this situation was. And that the end might come sooner rather than later. He’d opened up when she’d heard him having a heated phone call two nights after their escapade on the beach.
Lorenzo had finally come out and demanded a cash settlement to restore the famiglia’s dwindling power. Romeo had flatly refused.
The old man had retreated.
Whether that was merely a distraction tactic was something Romeo was investigating, but so far they had nothing concrete to indict him with. But if it proved not to be, then Lucca could be well out of danger before his fourth birthday next week. They hadn’t discussed what would happen afterwards and she’d presumed Romeo would want access to his son, but Maisie couldn’t see the man who’d been labelled the Weekend Lover, the same man who’d walked away from her so definitely five years ago, wanting to remain tied down through a marriage licence.
Her heart lurched painfully and she turned from watching Romeo and Lucca splashing on the other side of the pool. She thought of her little flat in Ranelagh and immediately hated herself for thinking it would be dull and dreary compared to this brilliant paradise. Compared to living under the same roof as Romeo.
Ranelagh was her home. One she was proud of.
She’d survived putting Romeo behind her five years ago. As painful as it’d been, she’d survived walking away from parents who would never love her the way she knew parents should love their child.
She would get through this when the time came.
‘Is this your new way of attempting to tune me out? Staring out to sea and hoping you’ll be turned into a mermaid?’ His low voice seared along her nerve endings, starting that infernal flame that would only build the longer he stayed close.
She looked around and saw Emily walking off with a tired Lucca. Once they’d settled into a routine, Maisie had come round to the idea of letting Emily help with Lucca. They got on well, and Maisie could indulge in honing her culinary skills without guilt.
Bracing herself, she met Romeo’s dark hazel eyes, the blazing sexual fire he no longer attempted to hide evident in his return stare.
‘How very arrogant of you to assume my every thought revolves around you,’ she replied coolly, although cool was the last thing she felt when he was this close, his arms braced on either side of the pool wall, caging her in.
‘When I’m with you, like this, I guarantee that every one of mine revolves around you,’ he supplied in a whispered breath.
Maisie suppressed a shiver. ‘If you’re trying to get me to crawl into your bed like a pathetic little sex slave, forget it.’
‘There’s nothing remotely pathetic about you, gattina. When you do crawl into my bed, I imagine you’ll be a fierce little warrior woman.’ He moved closer, his warm, chiselled torso sliding against her back in the water. ‘Don’t make me wait too long, though.’
Her fingers clung to the edge of the pool, her knuckles turning white with the effort. ‘Or what?’ she whispered fiercely. Daringly.
‘Or your wildcat ways will be met with a much more predatory force than would be wise for either of us,’ he breathed.
‘Romeo, don’t.’
It was then she felt the barely leashed dominance of his whole body. His powerful erection nudged her bottom, its hard and thick promise making her shut her eyes and bite back the helpless, hungry moan that rose to her lips.
‘You think sex between us will be emotionless?’ he queried in a harsh whisper.
She shook her head. ‘What else can it be?’
‘It wasn’t five years ago. You had enough passion for both of us, and more. And I gave you what you needed. This time, we’re husband and wife. You can let it count for something or you can let the transient nature of our situation stop you from demanding what you want. What we both want. Think about that, Maisie.’