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I hung my head, my breathing ragged. Now Jessie knew the shame of who I really was. Tears burnt my eyes—how could she ever care for a man like me?
‘For years, as I made my fortune, as I became wealthy, desired, I thought I had escaped.’ I shook my head. ‘But then you came into my life and you terrified me. Because for the first time, I wanted more. The crash made me realise I deserved to be punished. Then you came back... And...’ I turned, forcing myself to look at her. She stood behind me, her face a picture of sadness. I didn’t understand it. where was the disgust I had expected and deserved? ‘I used you, the way I used so many women,Principessa,’ I said simply, the endearment like acid on my tongue, because it reminded me of that reckless playboy. The man who had used sex and persuasion, flattery and money, and had believed that would be enough to win a woman like her. ‘But with you it wasalwaysdifferent. I hope you can believe me.’
I was suddenly exhausted, the emotions swirling in my stomach, my breath trapped in my lungs, my throat burning. ‘You must know, the baby died inside you, because it was mine.’
‘Oh, Renzo...’ She shook her head, and another tear fell. She swiped it away with her fist. Then to my utter shock, she stepped to me, wrapped her arms around my waist. And pressed her cheek to my chest ‘That’s nonsense,’ she said, the determination I adored thick in her voice. ‘Just like it’s nonsense that you were to blame for your mother’s death.’
She lifted her face to mine, the faith in her eyes soothing the painful memories—and alleviating some of the paralysing guilt. ‘Or I was to blame for my mother deserting me.’
I placed my hands on her shoulders. If I were a better man, I would push her away. But I couldn’t do anything but draw her closer—and absorb her forgiveness. Her understanding. I wasn’t convinced I deserved her, but I knew I was far too selfish a man to ever let her go.
She tightened her hold, then she blindsided me again. ‘I love you, Renzo. And I would love to stay with you.’
I leant down to press my face into her fragrant curls, so overcome I couldn’t speak.
I could feel the soft swell of her breasts flatten against me. And the desire to take her to bed, to lose myself in her again...and again...and again...was so fierce, so powerful, so all-consuming, the blood surged into my groin. But the giddy desire was nothing compared to the soaring emotion lifting my heart into my throat.
I nodded, fiercely, then lifted her face to press kisses to her cheeks, her throat, her forehead.‘Ti amo, cara,’I said, my English having deserted me entirely.
A bright smile spread across her face and burst in my heart. ‘I’m hoping that means what I think it means,’ she said with a chuckle.
I lifted her into my arms, to spin her around, delighted by her laughter.
There would be struggles ahead, I knew this. We were both bruised and battered souls, defensive and scared to trust because of our pasts. But as I allowed myself to bask in her love, I knew I would do everything in my power to earn her trust. To deserve her. Forever.
As I placed her back on her feet, I could wait no longer to capture her lips—and brand her as mine. She kissed me back with equal fervour, the sweet sobs of her surrender firing my need.
But as we undressed frantically, and fell onto her bed together—the urgent touches and fierce kisses unleashing the reckless passion which had always been a part of our relationship—I was already anticipating the riches she would bring into my life.
And as I thrust into her at last, and she welcomed me into the tight sweet clasp of her body, I knew I could not wait to start unwrapping every single one.
EPILOGUE
One year later
Renzo
‘YOUARETHEmost beautiful little girl who has ever lived,mia piccola principessa Giorgia.’ I grinned down at the tiny baby in my arms, who was staring back at me with her mother’s blue eyes, and breathed in the precious scent I had come to adore of baby powder, sour milk and... I took another sniff. Hmm, apparently, I was going to have to practice my new nappy-changing skills again very soon.
‘Renzo, you can’t keep picking Gio up every time she makes the slightest sound or she’ll never learn to go to sleep on her own.’
I glanced up at the tired murmur from our bed, to catch Jessie yawning. Her face was flushed, the simple cotton nightdress she had been wearing ever since returning from the hospital a week ago had fallen off one shoulder, but despite the censure in her tone I could see the smile in her eyes.
‘You are the most beautiful little girl apart of course from your mother,mia piccola principessa. As she is the originalPrincipessa,’ I said, smiling back at my wife.
‘Flatterer,’ she said, yawning again.
She looked utterly adorable. Of course. And unbearably sexy.
I tramped down manfully on the familiar surge of lust. It would be a while before we could enjoy that part of our relationship again. I forced myself to recall the horror of watching her go through twelve hours of agony to bring our daughter into the world.
As usual it did the trick.
I walked to the bed, careful to slow my stride so that my limp did not jolt my daughter, who I still held securely against my bare chest. I wasn’t ready to put her down, especially as she had started to fuss.
There would no doubt be the chance for me to torture myself some more, in a moment, as I watched Jessie feed her—a sight which I had discovered in the past week had to be one of the most deliciously erotic, wonderfully satisfying and yet utterly frustrating sights known to man.
‘I think she is hungry again,’ I offered, as I perched on the bed.
