The Valtieri Marriage Deal Read Online Free Page B

trying to talk himself out of something that scared the living daylights out of him, because if this was what it felt like, his life would never be the same again.
    ‘Luca?’
    He realised she was looking at him, and he put away his dark thoughts and dredged up a smile. ‘Hi,’ he murmured, and, leaning over, he brushed her lips with his. ‘Did you sleep well?’
    ‘Mmm. Fabulous. What about you? Are you OK?’
    ‘Great. Fantastic,’ he told her, realising that it was true. He felt better than he had for months—years—and it was all down to her. He kissed her again, then dropped his head against hers and sighed softly. She’d been so responsive, so passionate and tender and honest, and it had blown him away.
    Made him forget all sorts of things he had no business forgetting—including one rather vital and critical thing that he just couldn’t believe he’d overlooked.
    He lifted his head and met her soft, sleep-hazed eyes. ‘Mind if I ask you a personal question?’
    ‘No,’ she said slowly, as if she wasn’t too sure.
    ‘Are you, by a miracle, on the Pill?’
    Isabelle’s eyes widened, and she stared at him in consternation. She was—only to regulate her cycle, but it worked just the same. Which was as well, since she’d forgotten about contraception completely. Forgotten everything, even how tobreathe at some points. And the Pill would only protect her from pregnancy. Oh, what an idiot.
    ‘Yes, I am,’ she said, and his eyes drifted shut, his relief obvious. He muttered something in Italian, then opened them again and grinned a little wryly, making her heart flutter.
    ‘Sorry. I just—forgot about things like that, last night, which is crazy, because I never forget, but—it was amazing.’ His voice softened and he reached out for her with his hand. ‘You were amazing. Incredible.’
    ‘So were you,’ she said, feeling colour mount her cheeks and the now-familiar heat invade her body, but she ignored it, her brain, brought to its senses now, suddenly remembering all the other things she’d forgotten in addition to the pill she really must remember to take later on. ‘Um—I don’t really know how to say this, but—well, you don’t need to worry about getting anything from me.’
    ‘Oh, Isabella.’ His fingers touched her cheek gently. ‘Don’t worry, you’re safe, cara. I wouldn’t do that to you.’
    She felt a wave of relief, then common sense dawned again. ‘Luca, what’s the time?’
    ‘Nearly four.’
    No! She swallowed hard. ‘I have to go soon.’
    ‘I know. My car’s not far away. I’ll get it while you pack.’
    He gave her a tender, lingering kiss, and then got out of bed. She watched as he pulled on his clothes—the shirt with no buttons, the crumpled suit, damp from the bathroom floor, and she wanted to cry. ‘I’ll see you outside in fifteen minutes,’ he said, kissing her again, and closed the door softly.
     
    He drove her to Pisa airport, and as they turned in he said, ‘I’ll park and come in with you—get a coffee or something.’
    ‘No. I couldn’t bear to say goodbye in public,’ she said, wondering how she’d even do it in private, and so he pulled into the drop-off zone, cut the engine and turned to her, his eyes shadowed by the streetlights.
    ‘Hey, don’t look like that,’ he murmured.
    ‘I can’t help it. I don’t want it to end,’ she said, unable to lie to him. ‘It’s been so special, Luca. Thank you.’
    ‘Don’t thank me—and it doesn’t have to end,’ he said softly, as if he’d read her mind, and she shrugged.
    ‘Of course it does—and, anyway, we said just one night.’
    ‘Can’t I change your mind?’
    She shook her head. ‘It’s silly getting involved. Long-distance relationships never work.’ Relationships, full stop. And it might be better to let it go than to ruin the memories with reality. At least this way she could treasure them unsullied.
    ‘There are ways,’ he said, oddly reluctant to let her go