A Dark Sicilian Secret

Vitt draped the damp towel he’d used on his hair on a towel bar. “You weren’t supposed to know,” he said.

She stared at his broad, muscular back, his skin lightly golden, loving him more now, in this moment, than she’d ever loved him. “I’m still surprised. And delighted. We’re really going to Capri?”

“Yes.” He turned, glanced at her in the mirror, his dark eyes locking with hers. “You said you’d never been.”

“You remembered.”

“I remember everything.”

Hot tears pricked her eyes but she wouldn’t cry. Not now. Not when she had to be strong. “Thank you.”

“The trip sounds all right?”

“Heavenly,” she said, meaning it, because all she wanted was to be with Vittorio. All she wanted was time with him. To make love with him. To have a life with him. “When do we leave?”

“Soon. I’ve a quick meeting in Catania, and then my driver will bring you and Joe to meet me at the airport. We’ll fly out at noon. Can you manage that?”

“Easily. What should I pack for the trip?”

“Nothing. I’m buying you a new wardrobe there.”

“You’re serious?”

“Your clothes are horrendous. And you are absolutely gorgeous and I can’t have my beautiful bride running around in mom-wear…even if she is the mother of my son.”

Her heart ached, and she swallowed around the lump filling her throat. “I don’t need that much. A few pretty dresses, yes, maybe a wrap to cover a new swimsuit, but I don’t need more than that, not when I have you.”

His dark gaze met hers in the mirror again. “You really are happy with me?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t feel as if I’ve forced you into this?”

“No.” She felt like she was dying on the inside. Her heart seemed to be coming apart, twisting, writhing, bursting into little bits of nothing. “So I’ll pack a few things and then see you at the airport.”

“In ninety minutes. My driver will be waiting downstairs for you. As soon as you’re ready, jump in the car.” He walked toward her, dropped a kiss on her lips, stroked her cheek and then again, smiling into her eyes. “Green eyes,” he murmured. “I love them.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re going to love Capri.”

She rose up on tiptoe to brush her mouth against his. His warm mouth sent a tingle down her back. “I know I will if you’re there.”

“See you soon,” he said.

“See you soon,” she answered, grateful she had the acting skills to hide the fact that her heart was breaking.

After Vittorio dressed and left, Jillian packed the few things she had into the battered green suitcase, an old suitcase that reminded her of a bruised avocado. As she packed, she tried not to think about what she was doing, or what was happening, or where she’d be going. Because she wasn’t going to Capri and she wouldn’t be meeting Vittorio.

Instead she was using the opportunity to leave Vittorio.

And she’d be leaving Joe here with Vitt.

Her insides writhed with pain at the idea of it, so she jammed her emotions down, suppressing them with all her strength.

She wasn’t going to think right now. She wasn’t going to feel. She was just going to put one foot in front of the other and do what she had to.

Suitcase packed, she carried it to the top of the stairs, knowing that Maria and Joe were waiting for her by the front door. But before she headed down, she went to the nursery, peeked inside for one last time.