The Secret Kept from the Italian

He wasn’t immune to the flash of disappointment he saw in Maisie’s eyes when he pulled away from her, or didn’t stay the night, or didn’t say the words he knew she was waiting to hear.

Tonight was, he hoped, a way to remedy that. He was trying, he wanted to try, and he hoped Maisie realised that, because it was all he had to give.

‘I’m ready.’

He turned at the sound of her quiet voice, and then drew his breath in sharply at the lovely sight of her. Her evening gown was a column of royal blue, emphasising her lush, lithe figure perfectly, and making her hair, worn loose about her face and shoulders, look like a golden-red crown.

‘You look like a queen.’

‘And you look like a king.’ She smiled uncertainly, and Antonio reached for her hand. Ella was already down for the night, the babysitter he’d engaged happy to listen for her. The evening was theirs.

‘Come,

’ he said, and she did.

Antonio started to relax once they got to the engagement—a fundraising gala sponsored by one of his clients—and they began to circulate. Maisie, despite her nervousness, was a natural at chatting and socialising, her warmth and friendliness shining through. As ever, he was proud to have her on his arm—and he wanted her to know it. To feel it.

And even though he didn’t have the words, he thought she did feel it; he felt it himself in the smiles she slid his way, the way her eyes lit up, sparkling jade.

‘You were magnificent,’ he told her when they were alone later, the babysitter dismissed, the apartment quiet and dark all around them. He drew her into his arms and she rested her head against his shoulder, both of them relaxed in the embrace.

‘It seems so surreal,’ Maisie said softly, her forehead pressed against his shoulder.

‘What does?’

‘Parties, limos, even the villa I live in.’ She paused, took a breath. ‘You.’

Antonio tensed. He’d been expecting this conversation, had known it would become necessary, but he still didn’t welcome it. He didn’t feel ready. ‘Me?’ he answered carefully. ‘What do you mean?’

‘I just...’ Maisie let out a shuddering breath. ‘I don’t know what’s real, Antonio. What to trust. What to believe.’

‘Is it so very difficult?’ He tried to keep his voice even. ‘We’ve been happy, haven’t we, Maisie, these last few months?’

‘Happy...yes.’ She lifted her head to gaze at him seriously. ‘But happiness is fleeting, wonderful as it is, and I honestly don’t know whether our happiness has any sure foundation.’ She scanned his face, searching for an answer that Antonio didn’t think she’d be able to find. ‘Does it, Antonio?’ she asked quietly. ‘Are we...are we working towards something more? Something bigger than just this moment?’

His chest felt tight, a pressure growing that made it hard to speak. ‘We’re trying,’ he said at last. ‘Isn’t that enough?’

‘I thought it was. I want it to be. And sometimes it has been. But...’ Maisie let out a soft, sad sigh. ‘You still feel so distant to me sometimes. Almost as if you’re intentionally cutting yourself off. And it makes me afraid, which might be my weakness, because I know what it is to lose somebody, and I don’t want to again.’

‘You won’t lose me, Maisie,’ Antonio said, his voice rough with emotion. ‘Not that way.’

‘But another way?’ she persisted softly, and Antonio couldn’t answer. So he kissed her instead, tenderly, thoroughly, and thankfully Maisie let herself be kissed.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

‘A DAY FOR ME?’

Maisie blinked at Antonio uncertainly, the whole idea entirely novel and unexpected. She was lying in bed, the sun streaming through the windows, while he stretched out next to her, a cat-like grin on his undeniably handsome face.

‘Yes, for you. Why not? You work so hard, taking care of Ella, and you deserve to be pampered. I’ve arranged some beauty treatments and a full body massage for you at a local spa.’ His grin turned teasingly wolfish as he added, ‘Of course, I could give you the full body massage myself...’

‘You could.’ Maisie scooted up in bed, her mind still whirling. Last night she’d felt close to Antonio, despite the way the conversation had ended—with kisses rather than words. She told herself kisses could be enough, and today he seemed smiling and relaxed, which made her smiling and relaxed too. ‘I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a whole day to myself.’

‘Exactly.’

‘But Ella...’

‘Can manage without you for the day. I’ll take care of her, and I’ll bring her back to the villa and put her to bed. It’ll be good for me. For us.’