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Thank goodness, she thought, because she was squirming with how turned on she was.
‘Why?’
‘Because whatever our feelings are, or are not, we do always seem to end up in bed.’
‘We do,’ Nico agreed, and took a long drink of red wine. He held it for a moment in his mouth, then swallowed it down. ‘But not now, because we have a lot to sort out.’
‘I’m not ready to sort it all out.’
Tears were filling her eyes again. She did not want his practical solutions, she wanted his adoration—his relief that she was back in his life. Aurora wanted his love.
‘Please, Nico, I’m not ready to thrash things out with you.’
‘Then eat.’
She nodded.
‘But I mean it, Aurora. No sex till we’re sorted.’
‘Good!’
She took a mouthful of her own wine and swallowed that lie.
For the first time in her life Aurora left dirty plates at the table. She was simply too drained and exhausted as she searched out the nanny. Her room was miles away!
‘He’s a delight,’ the nanny said as Aurora took over bathing Gabe. ‘Why don’t I warm him a bottle?’
‘Thank you,’ Aurora said.
It was nice to sit in a chair and feed him, with this kindly woman watching on. She had missed her mamma so much these last few months.
‘I hope you’re settled in okay?’ Aurora said.
‘And you.’ The nanny smiled. ‘And little Gabe. It’s our first night here for all of us.’
‘True.’ Aurora gave a tired laugh.
‘Your cheek…?’
‘It wasn’t Nico,’ Aurora said, in an effort to clear the air. ‘He would never, ever do something like that.’
‘I know,’ the nanny agreed. ‘Or I would not have taken the job.’
‘I worked for someone who did, though,’ Aurora said.
Oh, heavens, she was like a leaky tap all of a sudden, but it dawned on her how much tension she had lived with these past months. All the energy spent watching the gathering storms.
Poor Louanna, Aurora thought. And Antonio and little Nadia.
She looked down at Gabe, whose eyes were heavy and sleepy. He gave her a soft smile, at the very edge of his lips and looked at her with his trusting eyes.
Poor Nico.
It hit her then, fully, just how appalling it must be to be beaten by someone you love—someone you should be able to trust.
It was no wonder Nico did not want anything more to do with love.
‘Go to bed,’ the nanny said when she saw Aurora’s tears. ‘I’ll take care of little Gabe.’
