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I clear my throat, searching for a lighter tone. Teasing is safer than the truth. “Well, we’re married now! Aren’t we meant to be sharing a bed like proper spouses?”
She looks away hurriedly, bites her lower lip.
“What?” I frown, folding my arms across my chest. “My room is pretty neat, I swear. You’d like it. I’m willing to throw in a couple of drawers for your stuff, and share half my closet space. You should know, I’ve got tons of clothes.”
Her eyes widen and a blush steals over her cheeks. My stomach drops as I realize my mistake—too much, too soon. I’ve overstepped with my joke, pushed for more intimacy than she’s ready to give, as I had anticipated.
“I didn’t mean—Forgive me.” I run a hand through my hair, frustration simmering under my regret. “You have your own room, of course. I was just joking and thought—”
“It’s alright,” she says softly. Her hand brushes my arm in a fleeting touch, sending sparks along my skin. “Now that I know you were joking, it was kind of funny. Willing to throw in a few drawers?” She chuckles.
The thought of Caterina sharing my bed, my life, is no laughing matter. It’s the deepest longing of my soul, a dream I’ve clung to for over a decade. But I can’t have her on my terms, can’t take everything at once.
“Your room is private,” I say, gently steering us back to safer ground. “You’ll have everything you need to recover and settle in. And Emiliana’s room is right next door if she needs you during the night.”
“You’ve thought of everything.” Her smile holds a hint of wonder and warmth, melting something inside me. “Thank you, Mikhail. For taking such good care of me all these days. I don’t know how I can repay you.”
“You owe me nothing.” I brush a stray curl behind her ear, unable to resist her nearness. Her skin is soft and fragrant undermy fingers, a sensory memory of happier, more reckless times. “You’re home now. Where you both belong.”
She blinks rapidly and looks away. She’s still not prepared for such change.
“Come,” I say, giving her my hand. “Let’s go get you settled in.”
We walk through the mansion, and Caterina takes it all in. Most women would be enamored by the size of it, the richness that fills it. But not Caterina. Where she comes from, she’s seen enough of the charade.
We reach her bedroom door and enter. While she was recovering, I had it set up with everything she could need. Her bedroom is more of a suite than a room. There’s a walk-in closet, a sitting area to entertain guests, a full-fledged bar and a mini-pantry. She gasps as she takes it in. Her clothes are already arranged in place, and the walls are lined with books and DVD’s.
“Coffee?” I ask, making an espresso for both of us when she nods.
“Wow.” She takes a sip. “There’s everything in here. I’d never have to leave.”
I chuckle, happy to have pleased her. “As long as you don’t turn into a hermit vampire.”
“You never know.” She bares her teeth, gives me a playful roar.
“Well, you should say hello to Emiliana before making yourself comfortable. Perhaps you can introduce us properly too. She’s been anxious to see you, and I’m afraid I haven’t seen much of her, being by your side,” I propose.
“There’s no need to rush,” she says, and I can tell she’s trying to sound casual. “We have all the time in the world to get acquainted.”
I frown, seeing through her flimsy excuse. “You don’t want me to meet her.”
“That’s not true.” She grasps for another explanation. “I just want to make sure the timing is right. For Emiliana’s sake.”
“You don’t need to protect her.” My eyes flash with a protective fierceness. “And hiding us from each other won’t make this easier. If we’re going to be a family—”
I break off just as color floods her cheeks. I stare at her, stunned into silence.
A family. What did I just say?I need to go slower, I remind myself.
Caterina doesn’t say a word. “You know what?” I mutter, taking a step back. “You’re right. I think I’m just excited to get to know the little one. I can meet her later, whenever you think I should.”
“Thank you.” She exhales, breaking into a smile again. “Now, show me how to use this entertainment system?” She points at the state-of-the-art television and projector system I’ve had set up.
***
Over the next few days, I drop by her room whenever I can, hoping to spend time with Caterina and meet Emiliana properly. But each time, Caterina finds an excuse to avoid introducing us. Emiliana is excused because she has homeworkto finish, or she’s about to go out with friends, or she must take a nap.
I don’t want to pressure Caterina, but her continued evasiveness stings. Does she not trust me with her daughter? Is she afraid I’ll vanish from Emiliana’s life too, the way I did from hers?
