A Facade to Shatter(49)

It was the oddest thought when all she could see were tall jagged peaks, fields of sugarcane and ocean.

Soon, however, they were on the coast again and driving up a road that led to a stretch of beach dotted with sprawling homes. Eventually, they arrived at one and were met by a man who came and got their bags and took them into the house. Zach lead her into the house and over to the stunning floor-to-ceiling windows that were actually sliding-glass doors. Once the doors were completely open, the house gave way to a sweeping lanai, which was tiered so that part of it sat in the infinity pool. Beyond was the beach, so white and sugary and inviting.

Lia could only stare at how beautiful it was. She came from an island, but one that was completely different from this island. They were both stunning, but Maui was a new experience.

“It’s gorgeous,” she said when Zach came up beside her again and stood there in silence.

She glanced up at him, and her heart flipped. They were married. Dio, she had a husband. She could hardly credit it. Even though he’d told her only a few days ago they would marry, she’d never quite gotten accustomed to the idea it would really happen. She’d been waiting, she could admit now, for that moment when he would decide he didn’t want her, after all. When he would send her back to Sicily and the wrath of the Correttis.

Her family might be angry with her when they learned the truth, but at least they would be satisfied she’d gotten married and wouldn’t be bringing scandalous shame onto the family by having a baby without a husband.

She wondered if Alessandro knew about the marriage by now. She’d sent a quick email to Rosa when they’d left Las Vegas, and then she’d sent another one to her grandmother. Nonna wasn’t online for endless hours, like so many people, but she was technologically proficient and would get the missive soon enough. And she would surely tell the head of the family the news.

Lia decided not to worry about it. What was done was done.

“We won’t be bothered here,” Zach said. “It’s too far out of the way for your typical paparazzi. They’ll find easier quarry to harass.” He stood with his hands in his pockets—he was wearing khakis and a muted aloha shirt—and looked gravely down at her. “How are you feeling? Do you need to rest?”

He was still hung up on the fact the doctor had said she needed more rest and less stress in her life. Everything had been fine with the baby, as she’d predicted. But the doctor had given him something new to worry about.

“I slept on the plane. I’m fine.”

“Then you should eat,” he said. “I’ll go see what we have.” He started to turn away, but she put a hand on his arm to stop him. Sparks sizzled into her nerve endings, as always, when she touched him.

She wanted to melt into him, like butter in a hot pan. He looked down at where her hand rested on his arm, and she remembered that she’d meant to say something. That it was odd and awkward if she did not.

“You work so hard to avoid me,” she said. “It’s not necessary.”

That wasn’t what she’d intended to say, but it was too late to take the words back. They hung in the air between them, hovering like candle smoke.

His eyes were dark, fathomless, as he looked at her. Studied her like something he’d never encountered before. Her pulse skittered along merrily, and she forced herself to drop her hand away from the bare skin of his arm.

“You noticed,” he said softly. “And here I thought I was so subtle.”

Her head snapped up as pain sliced into her. Yes, she’d known he was avoiding her—but to hear him admit it dragged on the same nerve that had made her question her worth since she was a little girl. It should not hurt so much, but it always did.

She knew her worth was not determined by others, and yet she could never quite appease that lonely little girl inside who was still looking for acceptance.

“I noticed.” She dropped her gaze, swallowing against the ridiculous lump in her throat, and his fingers came up to slide along her cheek. His touch made heat leap and tangle in her veins. If this heat were a light inside her, it would glow wherever he touched her.

“You pushed me away, cara. I was respecting your wish.”

“I—I don’t know what my wish is,” she said truthfully. “I just know that you confuse me.”

His gaze sharpened. “Why are you confused, Lia? I think you know what I want.”

It took her a minute to answer. “I do,” she finally said. “But I don’t know why.”