Baby for the Billionaire(22)

“You could have called me on my cell phone,” she suggested quietly, following him into the room.

“I don’t know the number.”

Her little bubble burst.

“You only had to ask.”

“I know.”

It said a lot for their relationship.

“Anyway,” he continued, “I phoned Iris earlier and told her not to cook dinner. I thought I’d take you out to a local restaurant.”

Was this his way of apologizing?

“That would be lovely.”

He looked pleased, then, “I’m sorry I snapped at you last night, Sasha. I wanted to apologize when I came home from Alex’s, but you were asleep.”

So, he’d been at Alex’s place. Could she believe that now? Strangely, yes. She just wished she’d known that last night when she’d been upset and pretending to sleep.

“I’m sorry, too,” she found herself saying. “I shouldn’t have asked. I was worried for my parents’ sake, that’s all.”

“I understand. I should have understood that, too. I—” His cell phone rang. “Damn. I have to take this call.”

“Then you do that. I’ll go get ready.”

He was answering the call even before she’d finished speaking, but Sasha didn’t mind. She climbed the stairs, excited now about going out to dinner with her husband.

Thank goodness the wedge between them seemed to have disappeared. She’d hated that her parents had come between them. Hated that Nick had stormed out and left her wondering. And hated it even more when he’d come home and hadn’t taken her in his arms.

She was in the shower ten minutes later when the glass door opened and Nick, naked and somewhat aroused, stood there. “Move over, Mrs. Valente.”

She didn’t need to be told a second time. She willingly moved aside but only a little. Just enough to let him get up close and personal.

Later at the restaurant she and Nick were given a warm welcome by the owner, an Italian man called Angelo.

“I read in the papers that you marry, so tonight I’ll cook you both something very special.” He beamed at them, then hurried away.

“He seems like a nice man,” Sasha said, making small talk as she looked around the restaurant. “You must come here often.”

“I used to date his daughter.”

“And he’s still talking to you?” she joked.

His wry smile conceded the point. “It was very platonic. Angelo knew that.”

“He must think highly of you,” she said, then pondered the comment while the waiter poured their wine. Italian fathers weren’t known for being liberal when it came to their daughters, especially when it came to playboys.

Yet this man had trusted Nick with his daughter? It didn’t add up.

When they were alone again, Nick was the first to speak, “So, tell me about living in London. I know you said you lived with your aunt for a while, but you must have liked the place to stay so long.”

She was surprised by his sudden interest.

“I loved it. It’s such a vibrant city.”

His brow arched. “You don’t find Sydney vibrant?”

“Yes, but in a different way.” She lifted one shoulder. “I guess I was ready to spread my wings and try new adventures.”

“You evidently didn’t try too many new things,” he drawled, hinting at her virginity.

She shot him a smile. “I tried enough to keep me happy,” she said, then laughed to herself when she saw him frown.

Let him wonder.

Then he said, “Your mother must have missed you.”

She felt her smile dim. “I imagine my father did, too.”

His eyes shuttered at the mention of her father. “I’ve been to London quite a few times. I should have stopped in to see you. We could have seen a show together.”

“That would have been nice.”

She pushed aside the hurt that he hadn’t bothered, despite her knowing it was best this way. Having him drop by to see her would have been a painful reminder of the past.

Just then there was a commotion near the front door as people greeted each other with a lot of enthusiasm, giving Sasha the chance to concentrate on something other than the past. Italians really knew how to welcome each other. They were so warm and friendly and—

“Sasha?

She turned back to Nick. “Yes?”