Boss Meets Baby(73)

‘No.’ Lily took a step backwards.

‘You can’t back out now.’ Vito moved towards her, and lifted his hand to cup her breast. His thumb toyed with her nipple, and an answering ripple of delight spread through her body. ‘You are mine to take, whenever— I choose.’

‘You’re not going to make love to me out of anger,’ Lily said, trying to ignore the feel of his hand on her breast and the sensual pleasure his touch was giving her.

‘I’m taking back what is mine.’

‘I was always yours.’ Lily’s voice was small and steady, despite the turmoil of emotions and physical sensations that was assailing her.

Almost before her words were finished, he moved forwards and pulled her into his arms again. His mouth came down to kiss her, and as his tongue thrust between— her lips it was as if he was staking his claim in the most basic way.

Her treacherous body was responding to his. Despite her mind protesting that this was not right—that she had to stop him if she was to maintain any self-respect—her flesh was aching with her need for him. Deep inside she was vibrating with her desire to feel him lying on top of her, thrusting into her. Making her his again.

Suddenly he pulled away.

His breathing was ragged as he stood looking at her for a moment, his expression utterly impenetrable. Then he turned on his heel and walked out.

Lily stared after him—beset by conflicting emotions.

It was what she’d wanted, wasn’t it?

Then why did she feel so bereft?

Lily stood by the window, looking down at the canal below, wondering how she could make things better between Vito and herself. It was several weeks since they’d been married, and she was still having trouble adjusting— to it.

It was hard to believe it was actually real, especially as Vito had hardly come near her since the night he had stormed out of the bedroom. At first she’d assumed he was simply cooling off—she’d known how angry he was. But then the wedding had come and gone, with only the bare formalities discussed between them.

It had been a small, private ceremony, and the simple occasion had scarcely caused a blip in the passage of time. It was extraordinary that such a momentous life event had slipped past without greater impact. But then it had not been a normal wedding. And as the weeks had continued to pass it was painfully clear that it was not a normal marriage.

She almost felt like she was stuck in a time warp—with nothing really changing and every day the same. Vito had continued to share the bedroom, but he worked late most nights, often coming to bed after midnight.And, although weeks had passed, he’d never touched her.

She knew he was worried about his grandfather. His instinct that his grandfather’s health was not right on Lily’s first day back in Venice had proved to be correct, because Giovanni had soon gone down with a nasty chest-infection. But, from the little information Lily was able to glean, that appeared to have cleared up now.

She turned away from the window, planning to sit and read for a while before going out for a walk, when a movement from the doorway caught her eye.

‘Vito.’ She said his name in surprise. It was barely ten o’clock in the morning—he never came home from work during the day. ‘Is everything all right? Your grandfather…?’

‘Yes,’ Vito replied. ‘In fact that is why I am here. My grandfather’s health is much improved. This morning would be a suitable time for you to meet him.’

‘I’ll go and get my bag.’ Lily walked towards the door, then hesitated as Vito didn’t step aside to let her through. She held her breath and slipped past him, feeling the hairs on her arms stand up and her heart-rate increase, as she couldn’t help brushing lightly against him.

She tried to ignore the feeling as she ran up the stairs to the bedroom. She paused in front of the mirror to check her appearance, and was disconcerted to see her flushed cheeks and animated eyes.

Was it the simple contact of brushing against him that had caused the light in her face? Or was it the prospect of spending a little time in Vito’s company?

Whatever the case, she didn’t ponder it, and as she didn’t need to change her clothes she hurried back down the stairs. Ever since the first morning in Venice she had taken trouble with her appearance. She didn’t want to give Vito another opportunity to humiliate her.

The walk to Ca’ Salvatore didn’t take long, and as they arrived at the baroque palazzo Vito took her hand in his. A charge of energy passed between them and, as Lily felt herself tremble, she realised it was the first proper physical contact they’d shared since the night they’d nearly made love.

Vito had not touched her since then, and the fact that he had chosen this moment to hold her hand made it clear to Lily that his intention was to show all at Ca’ Salvatore that she was his. It was a reminder of how important— it was to Vito that his grandfather saw them as a proper couple.

He led her into the beautiful building and up to the second-floor room where Giovanni was resting in bed.

‘Nonno, there is someone I’d like you to meet,’ Vito said. He crossed the room to kiss his grandfather’s cheek. Then, putting his arm round the old man’s shoulders,— he helped him up into a sitting position.

‘We’re speaking in English?’ Giovanni asked, squinting— across the room short-sightedly. ‘Very intriguing. I’d better put my spectacles on.’