The Sicilian's Secret Son

His head lowered and Annah hated herself for closing her eyes and raising her mouth to receive his kiss. For craving his touch even when she was mad at him. Maybe she was overreacting to the puppy. She’d felt off-kilter ever since Luca had told her that shocking story.

Suddenly, he cursed and straightened. He eased her away from him, and she opened her eyes, torn between disappointment and relief.

He stared down at her for a moment, tight-jawed, then took her hand and led her in a different direction through the trees. They emerged at the swimming pool, near the hot tub where they’d fooled around late last night after everyone else had retired. By the time he sat her down in a chair beside the pool, she wasn’t sure whether the brisk walk or a sudden case of nerves had rendered her breathless.

Luca pulled his chair round so he faced her. ‘Tell me what I have done wrong, cara.’

She took a deep breath to calm herself. ‘Ethan will miss that puppy when we go home,’ she said after a moment.

‘Is that a bad thing? He will look forward to returning.’

‘Exactly.’ Luca frowned, and she bit her lip. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I don’t mean it like that. I know Sicily will become Ethan’s home as much as England. It’s just...’ She looked down at her hands.

‘Just what?’ he prompted.

She gave a helpless shrug. ‘It’s not just the puppy. I can’t compete with all of this, Luca.’ She swept her hand at their surroundings. ‘It’s amazing. Sooner or later, Ethan will realise it, too. What if he chooses this over England? What if—?’ Her throat closed. Swallowing, she forced herself to voice her greatest fear. ‘What if he chooses you over me?’

Luca reached for her hand, lifted it to his mouth, and kissed her fingers in that very Italian way of his. ‘This is not a competition, cara. We both want what is best for our son, yes?’

‘Of course.’

He leaned forward, forearms on his thighs, her hand clasped between both of his. ‘What if Ethan did not have to choose between England and Sicily?’

She frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

‘What if he had just one home—a stable home with both parents?’

‘You mean...here?’

‘Yes.’

Her heart rate sped up. ‘You’re suggesting Ethan and I live here...permanently?’

‘As a family.’

She stared. ‘You and I...’

‘Would marry.’

Shock jolted through Annah’s body. Her mouth went dry, her jaw slack.

Was he serious?

‘Yes,’ he said, making her realise she’d voiced the question aloud.

‘Luca...’ She fell silent, her brain grappling with the enormity of what he suggested. ‘I... I don’t know what to say...’

‘Say you will think about it.’

His thumb stroked circles across her palm, sending hot streaks of sensation through her. Making it hard to concentrate. ‘It... It seems so drastic.’

Luca’s eyebrows drew down. ‘Giving our son a stable home and family life is drastic?’ His dark eyes sharpened on hers. ‘Do you like the idea of shipping him back and forth between two countries?’

‘No, but—’

‘Then why would you not at least consider an alternative?’

She took an unsteady breath. ‘You’re talking about a marriage of convenience, Luca.’