‘Any,’ he answered simply. ‘All that matters to me is that we spend the rest of our lives together and that’s going to happen whether we marry or not.’
‘But I want us to marry. I…’ She closed her eyes as he gently kissed her.
‘We will,’ he promised.
She heard his utter determination and knew it would be done. When he decided on something, he delivered. And always for her. Now her anticipation flared as he pushed the robe from her shoulders and turned her so he could press feather-soft kisses across her back. His hands kept up the deliciously firm strokes, caressing ever more intimately until Lily circled her hips with increasing impatience, any last anxiety evaporating in the blistering heat.
‘Have I told you how much pregnancy suits you?’ He shaped her curves—warming, teasing, loving.
‘Every day,’ she murmured, utterly distracted by the flickering tease of his hands.
‘And you’re so ready for me.’ He nipped her skin approvingly and she heard the slide of his zip. ‘Zero to a hundred in seconds.’
She pushed back, taking him as deep as she could, almost passing out in the profound pleasure of being with him. ‘Ohyes.’
‘So fast. So perfect.’
They lost words, but gained grip. Sealed together, they moved in exquisite friction until they hit that finish line together.
‘Come on, shower.’ He scooped her up. ‘Then I’ll show you my big spreadsheet over breakfast.’
Chuckling, she let him carry her to the bathroom. ‘I’ve been such a fool.’
‘No, you haven’t.’ He ran the water and tested the temperature. ‘Nothing wrong with needing time to trust.’
‘I do trust you,’ she said. ‘Completely.’
He smiled. Vulnerability softened his edges, revealing the deep emotion he’d always hidden before. Lily kissed him then stepped under the warm spray while Massimo stepped back to strip.
‘Oh,’ she suddenly gasped.‘Ohhh.’
‘Are you starting round two without me?’ Massimo teased.
‘No—oohhh!’ She gasped and clasped her stomach. Her backache was worse but her whole middle had tightened and—‘Oh, I think my waters have broken.’
‘Seriously?’ He lit up and immediately yanked his pants back on. ‘I’ll grab the bag, call the helicopter. We’ll be at the hospital in no time.’
‘But I’d wanted us to be married before—’
‘Our baby is in a hurry, darling.’ He wrapped her in an enormous towel and kissed her nose. ‘Which shouldn’t be a surprise knowing us, right?’
‘But it’stooearly, isn’t it?’
Massimo held her shoulders firmly, his gaze calm and assuring. ‘It’ll be okay. Trust me.’
‘Yes. But we should have—oh!’ That vise tightened around her again.
Massimo could move incredibly fast. In less than an hour they were in the private hospital suite, but Lily was stuck on her regrets.
‘I should have—’ She winced.
‘Hold tight.’ Massimo held out his hands to her. ‘I’m not going anywhere.’
Three hours after their arrival at the hospital, Lily showered, immeasurably grateful to the nurses who helped her into the lovely silk nightgown that Massimo had produced from the seemingly bottomless bag he’d packed. When she settled back in the freshly made bed, Massimo had vanished. Their son was swaddled in the bassinet beside her. He’d arrived two hours ago, a little early but in perfect health and he was endlessly, utterly fascinating.
‘Where have you been?’ she murmured accusingly when Massimo walked back in a few minutes later.
‘Why aren’t you resting?’ he countered equally accusingly, but his severity lost all impact as he produced a beautiful bouquet of flowers from behind his back.
