HE’D MADE LOVE to her voraciously into the remaining hours of the morning. There had been no time for any demonstrations of finesse. Bastian had been hostage to the kind of urgent primal need that could present itself when someone was faced with the threat of death, and he had instinctively sought an affirmation of life to counteract it. The fear that had eaten him up at seeing his father so ill again had been tangible. Consequently he’d been a little less gentle than he could have been when his body had claimed Lily’s.
Afterwards he’d apologised profusely, murmuring over and over again, ‘Sono cosi dispiaciuto...’ I’m so sorry. Then he’d kissed her from her head to her toes, as if to soothe any hurts he might have unwittingly inflicted and to let her know that he genuinely cared about how she felt.
Lily had been utterly swept away by him. Even in her most private dreams she’d never ever been able to conjure up a lover with the devastating touch of Bastian. But as she’d driven her fingers into his richly dark hair it had come to her that he was like a flint that could turn the merest spark of her desire into a conflagration, no matter what the situation or where they were.
It was as though their need for each other was unquenchable and there was nothing that could slake their thirst. Their shared desire was constantly simmering, ready to catch fire the moment they caught sight of each other.
Naked, and tangled in the single cotton sheet that was left on the bed after their passionate lovemaking, Lily turned carefully onto her side and met Bastian’s sexily drowsy gaze. As she looked at him she whispered, ‘We really ought to try and get some sleep. You’ve already been up most of the night at the hospital.’
‘I know,’ he murmured. ‘Forgive me for keeping you awake so long, tesoro.’
She didn’t miss the glint of regret in his deep brown eyes. Laying his hand against her belly, that he must surely see was becoming gently rounded, he asked, ‘You are feeling all right? I mean...the baby is doing well?’
‘We’re both doing just fine. Don’t give yourself anything else to worry about. You have enough to think about with your dad being ill.’
‘Si...but you and the bambino will soon be my family too, remember?’
Her insides turned over at the statement. Her mind immediately returned to his intention of legalising their union, and she knew the idea still made her nervous. In light of her previous failed marriage to Marc it was understandable that she was guarded about making another emotionally costly mistake.
‘And, speaking of the baby, in order to ensure you get the very best of care I’d like you to see a private obstetrician. Do you agree?’
‘Of course, but...’
‘You seem hesitant?’
‘It’s just that I’ve already seen a local doctor and I was quite satisfied with him.’
‘That may be so, Lily, but that’s not good enough for me.’
‘Do you really want to go to the expense of paying for private care when it’s not necessary?’
‘Frugality has dulled your senses, sweetheart. I don’t need to think about the cost. All I want is the best care for my fiancée and my baby. To that end, I will gladly pay a fortune.’
‘But—’
‘No more buts. I will make the necessary calls tomorrow.’
He drew her protectively against his warm, muscular chest and planted a kiss on the top of her head. Right then she had never felt more as if her wellbeing mattered. Given her history, that had to be a first.
Knowing that she’d given him the satisfaction he craved when he’d most needed it, she hoped it had helped him to set his fears and worries aside for a while. Sensing that he’d fallen into a gentle doze, she started to relax. As she closed her eyes and started to drift off to sleep herself, she was reassured that at least she and Bastian shared a strong physical attraction and he was more than willing to meet his parental responsibilities when he became a father.
Yet somehow, before she fell asleep, thoughts of her marriage to Marc drifted into her mind. Yes, she’d initially had high hopes of a secure future with the handsome broker, but if she’d loved him at all it had been as a friend, and not because theirs was a love match in any sense of the word.
During their first few meetings they’d shared a few chaste kisses, and Lily had been charmed by his politeness and thoughtfulness. But, if she was honest, she had been concerned about his lack of passion. She’d pondered that maybe it was because she didn’t know how to turn a man on and her lack of experience was too evident. And she’d mused on the fact that surely it was natural that a soon-to-be married couple should have more physical contact then they had.
The situation hadn’t improved—even though Marc had promised that their wedding night would be everything she’d dreamed it would be, and that he was holding back on physical contact till then so she would enjoy their special night even more.
But the fact was he’d knowingly deceived her. Their wedding night had turned out to be an unmitigated disaster. He couldn’t consummate their marriage, he’d confessed, because in truth he wasn’t attracted to her in ‘that way’.
It had seemed as if her worst fears had come true. Feeling like an out-and-out failure, she’d demanded to know why he hadn’t told her this before? Why he had led her to believe they could be happy together?
Breaking down, he had finally told her that he loved and respected her, but he was gay.
Glad that that bittersweet episode in her life was now firmly behind her, Lily reflected on the instantaneous hunger that she and Bastian had shared. Was it any wonder that her pent-up feelings and lack of physical attention had exploded into a demanding need she could no longer ignore, causing her to spontaneously have sex with him?
Nothing that anyone had told her, or that she’d read in any erotic work of fiction, could have prepared her for the reality of such a thrilling event. And, little did her lover realise, the event had far more significance than just the fact he’d made her pregnant...
* * *
Bastian’s heart thudded when he opened his eyes. Full daylight was streaming into the room and he realised that he wasn’t in his own bed but in Lily’s. A jolt of disappointment churned in his gut when he saw that she’d already risen and gone downstairs. Her scent was all over him, and more to the point he wanted her again. Why had she so quickly deserted him?
Glancing irritably down at his watch, he saw the time and at exactly the same moment remembered that his father was in hospital.
‘Damn!’
He could hardly believe he’d slept so long. He urgently needed to know how things were.
Reaching for his mobile from atop the bedside cabinet, he saw it was thankfully devoid of any new messages. Sighing with relief, he composed a quick text to the doctor, asking for an update, and then sent a longer one to his dad, telling him not to worry, that he was in good hands and that Bastian would come in and see him later that morning. He finished by asking if there was anything he wanted brought in for him.
After that he headed for the shower, and saw that Lily had left him a stack of pristinely fresh towels on the artisan chair positioned outside the door.
It didn’t take him long to freshen up, and as soon as he was done and dressed he went downstairs. Heavy-eyed, and still fastening his leather belt round his jeans, he scented the welcome aroma of coffee brewing. Finding his lover in the kitchen, dressed in a simple yellow cotton dress with her feet tantalisingly bare, he saw that she was busy frying some bacon at the stove.
The woman seemed to know instinctively just how to please him.
Stealing up behind her, Bastian caught her by the hips and turned her around to face him. ‘Buongiorno...’
Planting a warm kiss at the side of her neck, he saw the tell-tale bite mark he’d left behind last night and felt his blood start to heat at the memory.
Breathing in her beguiling scent, he smiled slowly into her eyes. ‘You were in a hurry to get up before me. I’d very much hoped we could get reacquainted before we had coffee this morning.’
She looked endearingly self-conscious, and a touch of crimson swept into her cheeks. It made him realise that one of the most appealing things about her was her modesty.
‘I got up early because I wanted to make us some breakfast. I hope you like eggs and bacon?’
‘I like whatever you care to give me, sweetheart, especially if it’s made by your own fair hands.’
She turned back to the stove, but not before saying, ‘I can see you’ve inherited some of Alberto’s charm.’
When he didn’t immediately reply, Lily set the sizzling bacon aside and wiped her hands on a nearby tea towel.
Her brow crumpled concernedly. ‘Have you heard anything...from the hospital, I mean?’
‘No, I haven’t. I sent a couple of texts but I haven’t had any replies yet. I think I’ll just go outside and ring—see if I can speak to the doctor personally. Can you put breakfast on hold for a couple of minutes?’
‘Of course. I’ll pop it in the oven. Take as much time as you need.’
When he returned it was with a great sense of relief. Dropping down onto a nearby chair, so that he could easily observe Lily as she worked in the kitchen, Bastian confided, ‘He’s not out of the woods yet, but his doctor told me he’s doing much better than expected. He’s sleeping right now, but I was told I can go in and see him this afternoon. Would you like to come with me? I’m sure it would please him.’
Lily flushed, as he had suspected she would. ‘Of course I’d like to see him, but...’
‘I see that yet again you’re searching for an excuse.’
‘It’s not an excuse. It’s just that it’s only natural he’ll want to see you on your own first. Perhaps I can come in some other time soon?’
‘What’s on your mind? Tell me.’ Straight away he went over to her and took her in his arms.
With a heartfelt sigh she replied, ‘I’m not family. I’m not even a close friend.’
‘I disagree.’ A lock of hair was drifting very close to her eyes and he gently swept it aside. ‘You are having my baby and we are soon going to be married. I can’t think of anything that epitomises “family” more than that.’
As if uneasy with this statement, she carefully stepped out of his hold and briskly wiped her hands on the apron she was wearing.
‘I’m sure you’re right. Now, why don’t you go and sit down and I’ll bring you your breakfast? After that we can decide when we’re going to leave for the hospital.’
* * *
She had changed out of her cheerful sun dress and replaced it with a much more demure blue tunic over white linen trousers. The only decoration she wore was the dainty gold cross and chain that had been an eighteenth birthday present from her mother.
Lily didn’t wear the jewellery very often, because it reminded her that her parent had long since moved away to Scotland, announcing that she wanted to live a new life and put the old one behind her.
Lily’s father had finally walked out on Lily’s mother after years of persistent arguments over his infidelities, leaving her to raise their daughter alone, and she had very few happy memories of their life together. The irony was that her mother was living in her new place with another man and was helping to raise his child from a previous relationship.
Had it never crossed her mind that her own child was bereft of her love and care? Lily doubted it.
It wasn’t surprising that people were cynical about the possibility of having a relationship that stayed the course. To her mind, both her parents had deserted her long before she’d experienced any kind of stability. Was it surprising that her nature had developed into such an insecure one?
However, she put all thoughts of her past aside as she and Bastian took the elevator to the topmost floor of the hospital, where the private suites were situated. After walking down an elegant corridor that was decorated with artistic prints, to her surprise he caught her hand as he opened a door labelled ‘The Da Vinci Room’.
He hadn’t said very much during their car journey, but she sensed that despite his putting on a brave face worry and fear about his dad were never far away. However, his trademark dazzling smile had started to form even before his gaze met his father’s.
Still looking a little frail after his unexpected health scare, and attended by a tall, slim uniformed nurse who had clearly just taken his temperature, Alberto almost did a double-take when he saw Lily enter the room with his son. However, his attention was soon diverted as Bastian approached the bedside.
‘Hey, it’s good to see you looking so much better. I see you no longer have to wear the oxygen mask? That has to be a good sign.’ The younger man enveloped him in a careful but loving hug, so as not to dislodge the wires and tubes he was attached to, and added mischievously, ‘I’m told you’re driving the medical staff crazy with all your demands! No doubt they assumed a man of your age would be much more manageable and not give them any trouble.’
His father’s eyes crinkled in amusement. ‘I do not give anyone any trouble. I am like a teddy bear.’
Bastian laughed.
Surveying her patient, the nurse briskly interjected. ‘I will leave you alone now, and give you some privacy with your son, Signor Carrera—but not for long. Your doctor is coming to take some more tests in half an hour.’
After attaching her latest recorded assessment to a clipboard at the end of the bed she left the room, shutting the door noiselessly behind her.
Alberto immediately swung his gaze to Lily, who had positioned herself further away from the bed, mindful of not being intrusive.
The older Italian gave no sign of noticing her slight unease and warmly invited her, ‘Come and sit closer to me, tesoro... I did not expect your visit, but it gives me much pleasure to see you.’
‘Bastian said I should come. I hope you don’t mind? I was worried about you...’
Taking her hand in his, he smiled. ‘I am doing much better than they expected, my doctor tells me. Now all I want is to be back at home with the people I love and care about.’
‘I know your son feels the same, signor... I mean, he wants you to get well and come home soon.’
Stealing a shy glance up at her landlord, who was now sitting on the edge of his father’s bed, the strong muscles in his thighs highlighted by his black jeans, she was reassured to have him smile back at her.
Then, focusing on the other man, he said, ‘As well as wanting you home, I have some good news to share with you.’
‘Oh? What is that, son?’
Before the younger Carrera replied Lily’s heartbeat was already racing as she realised what he was going to say. They hadn’t even discussed telling his father about the situation yet. To reveal it now, at his hospital bedside, didn’t just mean she was committed to going through with it—it meant there could be no going back...
‘Lily and I are going to be married.’
For a long moment all the colour seemed to drain from Alberto’s face. Then, quickly recovering, he started to beam. ‘You’re serious? When did all this happen?’
‘Pretty soon after we met.’
‘But this is the most wonderful thing I have ever heard! Already I can feel my weakened heart mending.’
Drawing Lily’s hand to his lips, he kissed it as though it were some priceless treasure, then put it down beside him on the bed as if to keep her close.
‘We felt an attraction at our very first meeting,’ Bastian explained. ‘And our feelings grew stronger each time we met.’
His tone sounded surprisingly assured. It didn’t seem to contain so much as a shred of doubt.
‘Quite soon it blossomed into something deeper. Now we want to make a life together.’
Feeling unexpected warmth flood into her chest, Lily found herself wishing his words could be true. That they were going to be wed because they’d fallen in love and couldn’t for a single moment envisage living their lives without each other.
‘I can hardly believe my dearest wish is going to come true at last,’ Alberto remarked, lightly squeezing her hand. ‘I confess I began to think you would be a single man for the rest of your life, Bastian. I know it must have been hard for you getting close to women growing up without your mother. If she’d lived she would have been a wonderful example to you of how loving a woman can be. But Dolores always said you would meet the right woman when you were ready...that God would take care of things...and now Lily has come into your life. I should never have doubted it.’
‘All that is well and good, but you mustn’t over-excite yourself. The last thing I want is for your blood pressure to go sky-high and for you to have to stay in hospital even longer.’
‘It won’t be like that, son. Not now that I have something unexpectedly wonderful to live for—I guarantee it. But...tell me...what made you decide on marriage so suddenly?’
Lily almost held her breath as she waited to hear Bastian’s answer.
‘We are going to have a baby,’ he said quietly, spearing his hand through his hair and giving her a lop-sided smile. ‘Lily is pregnant.’
* * *
It was tough saying goodbye to his father, knowing he’d only just embarked on what was probably a long road to recovery after suffering a second heart attack. Bastian could will him better as much as he liked, but he knew that no one was ever guaranteed the outcome they desired.
Still, the older man had been noticeably cheered by news of the coming baby and the couple’s intended marriage. He’d always had a soft spot for Lily. So now his son had to put his mind to organising a wedding that was in keeping with the family’s status and also ensure that his bride-to-be wasn’t so overwhelmed by the idea that she ran away rather than face it and enjoy it.
As much as he wanted to get to know Lily properly, she was still somewhat of a mystery to him. But the practicalities of their union were looming large, and suddenly overshadowing everything else. However, Bastian couldn’t deny that he’d started to develop some unexpectedly powerful feelings towards her. They had slammed into him like a bullet train and he was afraid to explore what they might mean.
Putting his fears aside, the next morning he took Lily to his house in the hills. The day was warm with an accompanying mild breeze as the car climbed the steep roadway to take them to the panoramic vista that he loved. He’d named the house he’d had built there Buona Stella—Lucky Star—when after several years of consistently dedicated work he’d started to make his mark on the Carrera family fortunes. He loved coming here almost as much as he loved going home to his dad’s place.
The air was drenched with the scent of aromatic herbs and spices and a medley of plants and flowers native to the country he was so proud of. There was even a winding path that led to an olive grove. But most of all the house itself was breathtakingly lovely, and imposed itself graciously on the landscape as though it had always been there.
He’d spared no expense in making it even more beautiful. Constructed in traditional stone and marble, it had been brought it up to date with plenty of modern features, such as state-of-the-art bathrooms, two spacious living rooms with access to the latest technology, and a cinema room so that he and his guests could watch and discuss films together. He’d even installed an impressive library, because books had always been one of his passions too.
But his fiancée was unusually quiet as she dutifully followed him from room to room, and that disturbed him. He wished he knew what was on her mind.
‘Let’s take a pause for a few minutes.’
Guiding her to stop just outside the entrance to the kitchen, he let his gaze finally settle on the lovely features that he never grew tired of, his lips curving into an encouraging smile.
‘Talk to me. I’d like to know what you’re thinking.’
‘You mean about the house?’
He raised a quizzical eyebrow. ‘Yes. Would you be happy living here when we marry?’
Hectic colour instantly flooded her cheeks. ‘I’m sure any woman would love to live in a place like this.’
‘So why am I doubtful and thinking you’re not exactly pleased about the prospect?’
‘I don’t know why you think that.’ Her upper lip trembled a little, and she folded her arms over her cream cotton sweater as if wanting to protect herself against some potential slight or hurt.
‘Perhaps I’m concerned that you still don’t trust what I say, Lily?’
‘Trust develops over time, doesn’t it? We’re just—we’re just starting to get to know one another.’
‘That’s true... Leaving that alone for a moment, since we should be discussing the wedding, I need to know if you’ll be inviting your parents to the ceremony. You haven’t mentioned them at all.’
Her green eyes widened in surprise. ‘Does it matter to you if they come or don’t come?’
‘As a matter of fact it does. Besides, what parent wouldn’t want to be at their daughter’s wedding?’
‘It’s pure fantasy, if you believe that. Not all parents are as loving and caring as your dad, Bastian. My dad walked out on my mum when I was nine. I didn’t know it until later, but he’d been regularly cheating on her with other women. That’s why they were always arguing. One day he just got up and left. Presumably he’d had enough of the rows. After that...’
Shrugging a slim shoulder, she glanced away, as if she couldn’t bear to entertain the hurtful memories it evoked.
‘After that, my mum just got on with her life as best she could. She took care of me, but she never expressed much joy or pleasure in anything. No doubt my dad’s infidelities must have scarred her. Then, when I was eighteen, she met a man who was temporarily working in London. He was an engineer and he came from Edinburgh. When his contract came to an end he went back to Scotland and my mum went with him. So as for my relationship with my parents...we hardly stay in touch. A couple of years ago, when I told them I was marrying a stockbroker, all my mum said at the time was, “Good—at least I know he’ll be able to take care of you.” The truth is I’m sure she was glad I’d finally be out of her hair. Does that answer your question as to whether they’ll be coming to our wedding or not?’
Feeling as if he’d stumbled into a hornets’ nest, Bastian stared at Lily, feeling stunned. ‘I’m not like your father was, Lily. I’m not someone who cheats on the woman in his life and I never would.’
‘I can only hope that that’s true. I wouldn’t like to go through what my mum did.’
Frustrated that he couldn’t immediately convince her, he remarked, ‘You say your father left when you were nine? Isn’t that when you went on that school trip and woke your teacher in the night to tell her you couldn’t sleep?’
‘So?’
‘I think your dad’s leaving affected you much more than you care to admit, Lily. Am I right?’
She nodded mutely and a lone tear slid down her cheek. It was quickly followed by a steady stream.
Bastian could hardly bear to see her cry. In less than a heartbeat he had her in his arms. Pushing his strong supple fingers into her hair, he brought her head down to his chest.
Touching his lips to the silken strands on her scalp as though she were a distressed child, he murmured gently, ‘It will all be okay, tesorino. It’s perfectly natural to cry and express your grief. It’s better to let your feelings out than to bottle them up inside. It sounds as though your parents were too caught up in their own troubles to give you the support you needed. But that can change, you know?’
Sniffing, she pushed back her hair and glanced up at him. ‘Can it?’ she asked croakily. ‘They don’t even really know me. I’m not sure if they even want to.’
Laying a hand against her dampened cheek, he said, ‘I doubt if that’s true. I cannot imagine a mother or father who wouldn’t love a daughter as beautiful and talented as you are, Lily. You should talk to them again. You need to tell them about the baby as well as the wedding.’
‘You really think so?’
There was still a suggestion of doubt and uncertainty in her voice.
‘You don’t need me to tell you what to do,’ he breathed. ‘You just need to start having some faith in making your own decisions.’
‘You’re right.’ Flushing a little, as though suddenly backed into a corner, she motioned towards the open doorway. ‘Would you like to show me the rest of the house?’
‘Of course.’
Gesturing for her to go ahead of him, Bastian followed her, wishing he could knock down that wall she’d erected around herself and get her to see what he suspected was a very competent and able woman underneath. See that there was no need for her to believe she was any less important than anyone else.
When they went through to the kitchen at last, she took him aback when she exclaimed, ‘Oh, Bastian, this is wonderful. Who wouldn’t love to cook in a space like this? I’m sure your mother would have adored it if she’d lived.’
The comment stunned him with how apt it was. His father had often told him how much his wife had loved cooking, and Lily’s thoughtful remark emphatically cheered him.
Without hesitation he drew her against him, delighting at the way her feminine curves felt against his body as he captured her lips in a warm, heartfelt kiss.
Startled, she didn’t hide the pleasure in her lustrous green eyes. ‘What was that for?’
‘I thought about my mother a lot when I had this area designed. I didn’t know her, but sometimes I feel like I can sense her presence... I like to think that she was giving me some guidance.’
‘Well...’
She moved her fingertips down over his shirt, and although her touch was infinitely gentle he could still feel her heat radiating through the material.
‘One thing’s for sure...she would have been very proud at the way her son has turned out.’
Expelling a sigh and smoothing his palm over her hair, he remarked huskily, ‘If you keep on saying such nice things to me we won’t get round to discussing the wedding at all.’
‘Oh? Why’s that?’
‘Because if matters follow their usual course we’ll give in to something even more pleasurable and everything else will be forgotten.’