The Italian's Unexpected Heir

She didn’t move her hand, taking comfort in the warmth of his touch. She turned her head, finding he was much closer than she’d thought. “What’s that?”

“I feel as though I failed my sisters. After our parents died, I was supposed to protect them—make it easier for them. And yet, I did the exact opposite.”

“Have you talked to them? Told them your secret?”

He glanced away. “I can’t. They’ll never understand.”

“Give them a chance. They might surprise you.”

His gaze met hers. “Why do you care?”

Her heart beat faster. She wondered if he suspected that she had feelings for him. Heat crept up her neck, warming her cheeks. “I don’t think you’ll ever be able to forgive yourself and make peace with the past without being honest with your sisters.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. But telling them is too big of a gamble. I couldn’t take it if they never spoke to me again.”

Sylvie reached out and gave his hand a quick squeeze. “They love you. That won’t change.”

“But I could have done more...”

“You did your best. And that’s all anyone can do.”

When he gazed at her, his eyes were filled with agony. His pain was so palpable that it sliced into her heart. No wonder he’d decided to sell the estate. He was trying to get away from the pain.

And in that moment all she wanted to do was to comfort him. Without thinking of how her actions could complicate their already messy relationship, she leaned to the side. And there he was. His lips were so close to hers.

He didn’t move. She didn’t even think he was breathing at this point. The breath hitched in her own throat. She tilted her chin upward and pressed her lips to his.

There was no room in the moment for things to move slowly because the air between them was charged with emotion—deep, raw emotion. And that came through in their kiss. His lips moved over hers with a need she’d never experienced before. And she was there for him, meeting his kiss with a need of her own. She had missed him. Even though they’d coexisted on the same estate, they’d never been farther apart. Until now.

She reached a hand out to him, wrapping her fingers around the back of his neck and then letting her fingers comb up through his thick, dark hair. She shouldn’t be doing this. She’d promised herself that whatever they’d shared was over. It was best to keep things simple, but they were not simple right now. Not at all.

In this moment things were hot and getting hotter. And all thoughts of reason had totally escaped her. She was caught up in comforting Enzo and perhaps herself, too. Because as much as she tried to tell herself that she would be all right if the estate was sold, the thought of losing her home again was dredging up excruciating memories of the past when she didn’t have a home.

But here in the fading sun with Enzo kissing her, the pain of the past and the worry of the future didn’t matter so much. All that mattered in this moment were he and she.

As their kiss intensified, she felt as though she were floating above the ground. She leaned back against the blanket, drawing him with her. He followed her until her back was pressed upon the blanket. He leaned over her, giving her his full attention—oh, what attention.

A whinny followed by the pounding of hooves caused Enzo to pull away with a frustrated groan. He stared over her shoulder, in the direction of Emperor.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

“Doesn’t appear to be. Emperor must be growing bored.” Enzo sat back and held out a hand to help her up. When she was fully upright, he said, “Sylvie, I’ve decided not to sell the estate. I tried to phone the buyer, but I wasn’t able to reach him. I’ll tell him when he arrives tomorrow.”

Sylvie shook her head. “Don’t do it.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Aren’t you the one who’s been waging a campaign to convince me to call off the sale?”

“Would you have changed you mind about selling the estate if there wasn’t a baby?”

Enzo averted his gaze and remained silent.

That was all the answer she needed. As hard as she’d tried to remind him what this estate meant to him—to his family—she’d failed. And now there was only one thing for her to do.

“You should sell the estate.” Speaking these words was like an out-of-body experience for her. “It’s what you intended to do all along. I don’t want you to keep it and later blame me or the baby because you feel trapped here.”

Enzo was silent for a moment as though absorbing her words. “And if I do sell the place, where will you go?”

“I’m moving to Florence. I’m taking that apartment above the florist.”