Baby for the Billionaire(37)

“Nick, why don’t you go back in the living room. I’ll bring in the drinks shortly.”

He nodded, then turned and let her be, but if she thought she’d convinced him that nothing was wrong then she was in for a shock. He fully intended to keep an eye on things. Sally Blake had a secret and Sasha knew what it was. And that was fine as long as it didn’t impact Sasha too much.

But by her reactions, it did.

Sasha had a restless night until Nick growled and pulled her into his arms, where she promptly fell asleep.

But her thoughts returned as soon as she opened her eyes the next morning. Dear Lord, how could her father cheat Cesare that way? Not to mention the whole Valente family? How could he cheat his own family like that? It put her in a terrible position.

“How about meeting me for lunch today?” Nick suddenly said, doing up his tie. “You’re coming into the city anyway to talk to your suppliers.”

His words brought her back to the moment and Sasha rolled on her side and watched Nick finish dressing for work. He was so handsome. So virile. She loved him so much.

And she might have to give him up.

Oh God, this might be her last chance to spend time with her husband. Her world would fall apart soon enough.

She leaned up on one elbow. “I’d love to have lunch with you, Nick.”

He looked pleased. “Good. Leo will come back and pick you up in a couple of hours. He can drive you around while you do your business.”

“I can drive my own car.”

“Leo’s not doing anything until he takes me home again. You may as well make use of him.”

Her lips curved upward. “Make use of his services? Yes, I think I can do that.”

“Hussy,” he murmured, kissing her before he left.

She lay there in bed, just letting her love for Nick be a part of her. He was a part of her, and she would never doubt that again.

She had her mother to thank for realizing that. Going to her parents’ place yesterday had shown her Nick was not like her father.

Nor was her parents’ marriage the same as her own marriage. At first she’d been scared and had projected her fears onto Nick. Nick Valente would not do what her father had done. Nick was good and honest. He’d been open and aboveboard about everything. And despite Brenda’s phone call, Sasha was convinced the other woman had just been trying to make trouble. If Nick had called Brenda then it had been for an honest reason. She’d bet her life on it now. Nick was to be trusted.

Her father was not.

She kept those good thoughts of Nick close to her heart for the rest of the morning. Hopefully having only good thoughts would keep the bad thoughts at bay.

“You seem to be enjoying the view,” he said over lunch at the harborside restaurant.

Sasha turned to look at him with a smile. “Their menu boasts they have the most glorious view in the world. I was merely checking it out.”

“And?”

She surveyed the Harbour Bridge and Opera House through the large glass windows. “I’d say their claim is well-supported.”

He smiled, then, “So, what’s on the agenda for the rest of the day?”

“I’ve got a couple more places to visit before I finish up.”

He took a sip of wine. “By the way, how’s your mother today?”

She dropped her gaze to her plate so he wouldn’t see the panic in her eyes. She was sure he hadn’t believed her last night about her mother’s medical problems. If the positions had been reversed she wouldn’t have believed him.

Taking a breath, she looked up. “I only spoke to her last night, so I don’t think anything’s changed since then.”

His eyes had a speculative look. “Aren’t you concerned for her health?”

“Of course, but it’s nothing urgent. My mother will be fine.” Time to change the subject. “By the way, you didn’t tell me about the U.K. launch. Did it go well?” She’d been understandably preoccupied last night and had forgotten to ask him about it.

His gaze held hers for a second too long, as if he was considering why she had changed the subject. “It went very well by all accounts. We’re launching it on the Continent next.”

She was grateful he didn’t mention Claudine and any upcoming launch in France.

“It’s a gorgeous perfume, Nick.”

“I notice you wear it a lot.”

“It’s my favorite.”