Reclaiming the Prince's Heart
After a third time, Rini moaned. “Someone is anxious to talk to you.”
“You’re right. I’d better get it.”
He kissed her one more time. “Come right back.”
She hated to leave his arms as she eased away from him and rushed to retrieve her phone from her purse on the dresser. Then she hurried back to the bed and checked the caller ID. Rini stared up at her with those intense gray eyes.
“It’s your grandfather calling. I’m sure it’s about tomorrow’s plans.” Luna clicked on.
Actually, it was Antonia who conveyed the message that Carlo would fly there in the helicopter and arrange for a car for them. He would be there at two to meet them at the police station. Then the three of them would fly home together.
They hung up and she told Rini what they’d talked about. Then Viola phoned.
Luna thanked her and clicked off. “Our dinner is ready.”
“Are you hungry?”
No. She wasn’t. But she didn’t want to tell him that for fear he would think she wanted to get back on the bed with him. Of course she did, but she didn’t want to come across too eager. She’d made herself totally available to him because she loved him and she was his wife. Maybe he was attracted to her, but she was still an unknown to him and his heart wasn’t involved yet.
“I’m hungry for anything Viola cooks. Come on. We’ll make plans for tomorrow since we’ll need to leave early.”
She couldn’t tell if it was the answer he’d wanted. Dr. Tullia had reminded her that Rini was assertive. If he didn’t want to eat dinner, he could tell her he’d rather stay up here with her. As she started for the doorway, he didn’t call her back or reach for her. She had her answer for now, but what would happen tonight when they went to bed? It would be their first night strictly alone as man and wife since the quake.
CHAPTER SEVEN
RINI FOLLOWED LUNA out of the suite and down the stairs. He’d hoped she would have said she wasn’t hungry, either. She had no idea how he’d longed for the two of them to spend the next twelve hours enjoying each other in ways he’d been imagining in his dreams.
Though he was convinced she didn’t pity him, he’d been lying to himself to believe she was truly ready to make love. He couldn’t bear the thought that she was playacting in order to prove her love to the husband who’d lost his memory. Rini might look like the man she’d married, but in his gut he knew he was still a stranger to her.
She was a stranger to him, too. He had to admit he felt somewhat uncomfortable about making love to a woman he didn’t know or recognize. Rini might not remember the man he was, but to take her to bed this fast didn’t speak well for him as a decent human being. Not with this woman. Not with the devoted wife who’d saved him from death. She deserved all the respect he could give her while they got to know each other again.
By the time they began eating dinner, he’d made a decision. For the time being he’d let the intimacy of their marriage grow at its own pace. Instead, he’d concentrate on learning Italian and work out his future. They planned to leave for the mine at six-thirty in the morning and stop on the way for breakfast. Later, they’d drive on to Rezana.
After thanking Viola for a delicious dinner complete with two different desserts he’d apparently loved, he asked Luna to excuse him. He explained that he wanted to spend time on the computer. “I need to familiarize myself with the mine and the maps.”
“That’s a marvelous idea. And remember that when you come to bed, the app on your phone will help you work on your Italian conversation during the night.”
“I haven’t forgotten your gift, Luna. It’s making all the difference.”
Though he wanted to kiss her neck, he resisted the impulse and left the table to go upstairs. Luna had sounded so pleased with his plans; he knew he’d done the right thing.
If pressed, Rini had little doubt she’d do her wifely duty, but he wanted her to desire him the way she’d portrayed in that photo of them. The picture of two people madly in love never left his mind. He prayed that one day he and Luna would get there again.
Two hours later he crept into the bathroom for a shower and shave. Luna lay on her side asleep. He could tell she wore a nightgown. It pleased him that she hadn’t put on her running clothes.
To his surprise he didn’t wake up until he heard her in the shower. Rini took advantage of the time to get dressed in casual trousers and a polo shirt. He’d found a valise in his study to pack some maps and graphs he’d run off the printer. It also held the title to the car. He was set.
When she walked into the bedroom, she looked a vision in a short-sleeved print blouse and white pants. Luna’s figure did wonders for anything she wore, and she smelled divine. The woman took his breath. “Buongiorno, sposa mia. Sei bellissima.”
Her luscious mouth curved into a smile. “E tu, Rini. Molto, molto bello.”
He knew what it meant. “Grazie.”
“I’m serious. You look wonderful, and already so different from the man Carlo and I flew home to San Vitano. I can tell you’ve been studying your Italian. Bravo, sposami. I’m speechless over the way you’re picking it up so fast. If you can speak this well already, the men at the mine won’t believe you have amnesia. Neither will Zigo.”
A chuckle escaped his lips. “I’ve memorized a few paragraphs here and there. We’ll see their reaction. Are you ready? My things are packed, but I don’t have any money.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got plenty. Day after tomorrow we’ll go shopping for everything that was taken from you and go to the bank.” She looked out the window. “It’s going to be another hot, lovely day. You usually wear sunglasses. If you want them, your favorite pair is in the top right drawer of the dresser.”