Luca flatly refused to return Jacey’s job at Genesis. It was a sore point between them that had her practically climbing the walls of his mansion. There was only so much time a person could spend in his private gym, elaborate game room, and home theater. She longed for a real project to sink her teeth into again.

“I can’t believe you!” she seethed, meeting him at the door to his seven-car garage when he returned home from work one evening. “I agreed to marry you, and you still won’t un-fire me from Genesis?”

He chuckled and cuddled her close. “It’s only been two weeks, princesa.” He swooped in for a lingering kiss. “You need your rest. The doctor said so.”

“There’s that R word again. It feels like jail, Luca,” she groused, fisting her hands in his shirt and tugging him down for another kiss.

He eagerly indulged her. “Whatever it is, it’s working.” His voice turned gravelly. “You look well again, carina.” He laughingly laced his fingers through hers to imprison her hands. “I couldn’t be happier about how much better you’re feeling.”

She was also eating better and growing stronger, thanks to his five-star chef, Collette.

“I mean it. I can’t sit around forever,” she protested. “You can’t expect me to, either. I proved I have a lot to offer while working for you at Genesis. We made a great team whether you ever choose to admit it or not.”

He rested his forehead against hers. “I think marrying you proves how I feel on that topic.”

“I’m a girl. I would prefer to hear the words.”

He grinned. “We make an incredible team, Mrs. Calcagni.”

Make not made? As in the present tense? It was one of the nicest things he’d ever said to her. She was still getting used to her new name, but she loved the way it sounded in her husband’s caressing Spanish accent. “Well, your partner in crime is way past ready to take on a new challenge. Seriously, Luca! I’ve slept at least a hundred years, and I’ve gained three pounds.”

“Three whole pounds, eh?” He tipped his head back to study her. Worry flashed briefly across his features.

She made a face at him. “Before you start your whole growly bear routine, I’m following every line of what my dietician says I should be doing. That does not include stuffing my face and turning into an elephant.”

He raised his brows. “I don’t growl. I’m too civilized.”

“Maybe not, but you sure can strike like a cobra.”

He looked more amused than offended. “I’m a CEO, cara. Not a girl scout.”

No. He was definitely not a girl scout. She muffled a laugh at the picture that conjured in her brain. “Back to the topic of my career, Mr. Calcagni. I believe you made some specific promises on the subject when I agreed to marry you.”

“I did and I fully intend to keep those promises. Soon. Just not tonight” His jaw took on a stubborn clench.

She poked a finger at his chest. “There’s no use continuing to fight me on this. I will wear you down.”

“As much as I enjoy seeing you in full battle mode, that won’t be necessary,” he assured, eyes glinting with wicked humor. “If you’ll just give me a few more days, I think I might have the perfect solution for what comes next for you.”

No amount of wheedling on her part would make him explain himself further.

It took two more weeks for Luca’s promise to come to fruition. And it came in the form of a singing audition.

“Please tell me I’m not dreaming.” Jacey gripped her phone so hard while staring at the email invitation that it was a miracle it didn’t shatter in her hand. She’d been practicing for days in the makeshift studio Luca had put together for her in a soundproof room on the lower level. She’d finished writing Without You, score and all. It was the song she planned to audition with when the time came; she just hadn’t imagined her time would come so quickly.

“Nashville bound,” she sang as she packed an overnight bag the evening before, turning the words into a jingle.

Luca lingered around the house the next morning.

“It’s Monday,” she reminded. “Aren’t you heading to the office?” Normally, he would have departed an hour earlier.

He leaned across her suitcase to brush his lips over hers. “No, cara. I was able to rearrange my schedule the next few days. I’m going with you.”

“That’s nice.” She grew still, unsure if it was. It was one thing to put herself out there during an audition. It was another thing entirely to have Luca present while she put herself out there. All her hopes and dreams would be at stake. What if she failed?

She dawdled in the bathroom over her makeup, growing more irritated by the second at his last minute change of plans. Why hadn’t they discussed it in advance? Didn’t he trust her? Or was he afraid she would try to disappear again?

He knocked on the door. “Are you about ready in there? We’re scheduled to take off in less than an hour.”

Less than a— She threw the door open, aghast. “You told me to be ready by eight. What were you thinking? There’s no way we’re going to get to the airport in that amount of time, get ourselves checked in, get through security—”

“It’s a good thing I have a pilot’s license then.”

Are you kidding me?

His gaze heated as he took in her snapping eyes, but he merely treated her to one of his mocking expressions. He lounged in the doorway, arms crossed and looking way too good in his cream cashmere sweater and black slacks.

She waffled between wanting to slap him for giving her a near heart attack and wanting to run to him and drag his head down for a kiss of gratitude. “I would have been fine flying commercial.” Alone.

“You’re pregnant.”

“Last time I checked, that’s not a crippling disease.” She snapped her makeup kit closed, eyeing herself in the mirror and trying to be satisfied with what she saw. She’d gone for the dramatic look. A red sequined showgirl top, black leather pants, and a temporary eyelid tattoo that extended over her left check with black scrollwork. It might need a little touching up after their arrival, but she wanted to be ready for anything the moment she stepped off the plane. They were scheduled for a late meeting over snacks and beverages with Luca’s contact in the recording industry.

“You lost two pounds last week,” he pointed out in a voice strained with concern. “According to the doctor, you should be gaining about a pound per week. Not losing.”

He caught her as she tried to sweep past him through the doorway. His long fingers enclosed her waist and did crazy things to her belly. “Auditions can be stressful. I figured someone needed to come along and make sure you eat and drink properly. Heaven knows, you can’t be trusted in that area.”

Whatever! She wrenched free of his grasp and stomped to the bed to stuff her makeup kit into her carry-on bag. “I’m trying my best. You know I am.” She couldn’t help it if she was too sick most mornings to keep much of anything down. She tried to make up for it by eating more in the afternoons, but Luca was entirely too right. She was still underweight, and it worried her as much as it was worrying him.

“Yes, well, it’s a husband’s job to worry about his wife, so get used to it.” He lifted her bag the moment she zipped it shut. “Allow me, princesa.” He glanced down at her silver platform heels. “Do you really have to wear those things?”

She whirled to place a finger over his lips. “Not another word about my delicate condition. I’m healthy and fit, and my image is just as important as my voice if I’m going to nail this audition. Which I am.”

He kissed her finger and lowered it to her side.

She couldn’t read his expression, and that bothered her. She would have appreciated a little more well wishing. Or even another round of bickering. Anything but his insufferable silent hovering. She needed to focus on her art, not on every minute she spent resting or on every bite she put in her mouth. Or chose not to put in her mouth.