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‘What do you mean by that?’
‘You know very well what I mean. It’s obvious you believe my needs are nowhere near as important as your own. I’m just an ordinary woman, trying to make her living in the best way I can, and I won’t be dictated to by a man who thinks he’s superior just because he’s inherited wealth and land and doesn’t have to depend on anyone for the fundamental things in life...like a home!’
‘You think I don’t appreciate what I have? That I take my good fortune for granted?’ Bastian’s glance was steely. ‘You have no idea how wrong you are. I work as hard as—if not harder than—any of my employees who need to put food on the table for their families because that’s what I learned from my father. His example taught me that a business is only as good as the people who run it—that we have to value those who work for us and let them know their contribution is essential to the success and wellbeing of us all.’
The passion in his voice made Lily realise how much her comment had got to him. She knew she’d sounded accusing and jealous of his good fortune and she hadn’t meant to convey that at all. That wasn’t the way she felt. All she wanted was to be treated fairly and not to be pushed aside like some annoying inconvenience.
‘I didn’t say that you took anything for granted. I take pride in working hard myself. It’s just that...’
Disturbingly, she somehow found herself face to face with him, and she tried hard not to be distracted by his arresting presence for long enough to finish speaking her mind and let him know how furious she was at what appeared to be his distinct lack of understanding in her case.
‘Couldn’t this necessity of yours to turn over the land to more organic olive groves wait a while longer? At least until the agreed length of my tenancy expires? Can’t you at least think about it?’
Breathing hard, she felt the uncomfortable sensation of sticky perspiration breaking out on her skin, making her feel damp. It was a particularly hot day, but the external temperature wasn’t the only reason for the enervating heat that had descended on her...
It was Bastian Carrera himself.
When he didn’t immediately reply she added lamely, ‘Honestly...you make me so angry.’
His smile was wry—taunting, almost. The fury he’d displayed just now had suddenly dissipated. Yet the residue of that heightened emotion seemed to be unaccountably turning into something far more threatening.
When she glanced back into those haunting, dark eyes of his she saw they were unapologetically sensuous.
‘That is just the kind of thing a lover would say.’
‘What are you talking about?’
She was too flustered to understand how or why events had taken a sudden one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn, but they had. However, deep inside she did know.
The tangible tension between them that was now electrifyingly real had simply had to find an outlet.
As if to confirm it, the Italian’s warm, slightly callused hand was suddenly on the back of her neck as he brought his face down to hers. There was no time to think about anything other than the urgent feelings that shockingly made her ache to know him in the most intimate way, to touch and explore him and see if he echoed her hunger.
When his lips voraciously descended on hers, to all but devour them, Lily had her answer. The uncontainable passion he expressed made her heart pound and her blood thicken with the viscosity of molasses. And, whilst her trembling hands held on to the banks of his shoulders as if they would never let go, he murmured something in husky-voiced Italian and slid his hot silken tongue into her mouth.
She groaned with pleasure. As the kiss became even more erotic it was as if the combustible route they were on was only going to lead to one destination...
As their insatiable contact deepened and grew hotter Lily’s knees gave way, and the short sharp breaths she released against his mouth sounded almost agonised.
Bastian instinctively caught her round the waist to stop her from falling and effortlessly lifted her into his arms. Then he turned and carefully lowered her onto the sofa. Lily’s heart beat like a war drum inside her chest. But it didn’t make her question the wisdom of what she was doing. Her senses were so captivated by the tantalising aroma of him, how he smelled and how he felt, that she knew it was already too late to turn back.
She was hypnotised beyond recall.
With held breath, she watched him hurriedly strip off his shirt. Before he came back to her she had a tantalising glimpse of sleek, tanned musculature that was everything a woman would dream of in a man. His silken toned biceps were like steel ropes beneath his skin, and he had a dusting of inviting ebony hair on his chest. With his deeply assessing brown eyes and a charisma second to none, Lily already knew he was impossible to resist.
Delving into the back pocket of his jeans, she saw him take out something and unzip his fly. In a wave of mercurial heat she realised he was going to protect himself. It shocked her that she hadn’t thought of the need to do the same—but then she was scarcely familiar with such a necessity, was she?
As he positioned himself astride her, his weight pressed her down into the sofa. She heard the leather crackle and settle. Staring up, she knew her gaze was helplessly fixed on him.
Even the simplest of words were hard to summon right then. All thought and sense of time was suspended. Bastian was nipping at her mouth and kissing her forehead, cheeks and eyelids in turn, before pushing her dress up to her middle and caressing her slim torso. His mouth captured hers in a commanding sexy kiss and she felt his hands tug her dress up even higher. When he expertly undid her cream-coloured bra to release her small pert breasts, she gasped.
The sultry air that played against her bare skin had an immediate effect on her. It made her feel like a whole other woman.
Never in her life had Lily behaved so wantonly. But she had always known it would take a very special man to free her desires—a man who would give credence to his senses and wouldn’t be afraid to express them.
Just a second later the Italian lowered his head to take a burgeoning nipple inside his mouth. When he grazed his teeth against her tender skin Lily moaned low and drove her hands into his hair to hold him there. It was the most erotic combination of pleasure and pain she’d ever experienced and she didn’t want it to end.
He lifted his head and a lock of hair fell across his forehead. Meeting her aroused gaze, he spoke with a gravelly husk as he asked, ‘Signora, will you let me take you?’
Her answer was an unequivocal whispered, ‘Yes...oh, yes...’
Reaching down to her panties, he eased them down over her hips and discarded them. Laying his hands against her silken thighs, he pressed them apart. In less than a heartbeat he’d eased himself deep inside her.
A sharp pain made her wince momentarily and catch her breath, but the discomfort very quickly subsided. It was as if she’d been waiting for him all her life. He was hard and hot and everything she’d wanted and yearned for but hadn’t known just how much until the very moment he claimed her.
Both the revelation and the visceral nature of the experience stunned her.
Bastian, too, was taken aback. His gaze was resting on her as though he couldn’t quite believe what was happening.
‘Sei incredibile,’ he murmured.
No more was said as their bodies started to move in the timeless motion that lovers the world over intuitively knew, and Lily instinctively wrapped her slender legs round his lean taut middle the better to accommodate him.
There was no thought of regret whatsoever.
How could she possibly regret something as amazing and sublime as this?
He had said she was incredible, but she would say the same about him—and more.
Never before had Bastian felt so turned on or so sexually hungry, as if he would go out of his mind if he didn’t have her. Recalling that he’d mocked his father when he’d asked if Lily had put him under a spell, he now knew she had done exactly that to him.
She was utterly exquisite, with her silky soft skin, her long-lashed green eyes and hot, tight centre, and he hadn’t missed the fact that she’d been a little too tight when he’d first taken possession. It had surprised him. Maybe the sexual intimacy between her and her ex hadn’t worked out?
But all that was forgotten as he sensed her come undone. The muscles in his arms bunched harder as he held himself still, pausing to give her time to enjoy the release. It appeared as though she was utterly overwhelmed by the experience—as if she’d never encountered a similar response with a man before.
Bastian couldn’t deny that the idea filled him with a surge of undeniable male pride. He was still entranced by the seductive sounds she’d made as he’d pleasured her, and this couldn’t help but heighten his desire. But any further thoughts vanished as the very palpable need in him to attain his own culmination grew undeniably urgent.
‘Look at me,’ he commanded.
Lily complied, her green eyes shimmering like crystal, her beautiful golden hair spread out on the cushions behind her. He thrust hard as his craving grew ever more demanding, and when it reached its crescendo she held him as he cried out.
Gasping to get his breath, he fell against her. He could honestly attest that he had never had such mind-blowing sex with a woman before. They seemed to have the most inexplicable connection despite having only just met.
When he raised his head again, to study her face, he was shocked to find that her eyes were swimming with tears. What did that mean?
Carefully disengaging himself, he deftly changed places wth her and pulled her firmly into his arms. In the aftermath of this extraordinary and unexpected spontaneous event his heart was racing as it had never raced before.
Concerned, he gently asked, ‘Why do you cry, mia dolce? Did I hurt you?’
‘No, you didn’t. I don’t know why I’m crying.’
Her soft whisper was as delicate as gossamer, and surprisingly she touched her hand to his cheek. Unable to resist taking it captive, he turned over the slender palm and touched his lips to her skin as though it was something infinitely precious.
What was the matter with him? He was behaving as though he had little control over his actions and that had to cause alarm. Lily’s fire had burned him more than he’d thought possible...
CHAPTER TWO
‘YOU HAVE TO LEAVE.’
His lover’s voice was suddenly unequivocally firm. Even as she spoke Lily was getting to her feet, tidying her disarrayed hair and straightening her dishevelled clothing. She even reached down inside her dress to pull out the bra he’d undone and despatched it into a pocket.
It was hard to deal with the knowledge of her being naked under the cheerful striped dress without wanting her all over again. Bastian knew a powerful urge to insist she came back to him and continued what they’d started to his satisfaction. But he knew he didn’t dare do any such thing. It would be like pouring fuel on a fire that already threatened to get out of control.
If nothing else he needed time to take stock, time to...
Rising to his feet, he dealt with the condom. Then he zipped up his jeans and snatched up his cambric shirt from the floor. Quickly pulling it on, he dragged his hand through his hair and turned to survey his companion.
‘We haven’t finished discussing your tenancy,’ he declared, uneasy with the subject because of what had just occurred.
‘You think I’ve forgotten that you want me out?’ she answered testily.
‘No. I didn’t mean that.’ Deliberately, he softened his tone. It was impossible to stay angry and frustrated with her when the woman had just taken him to heaven and back.
‘But you still want me to vacate earlier than I should and—and—’ Visibly squaring her shoulders, she stared back at him. ‘Like I said, I have rights, and I’ll explore just what they are with a solicitor if I have to. You’re not going to get rid of me quite so easily, signor.’
Of all the things she might have said, he’d never expected that. In truth, he had to admit that he admired her for taking such a stance.
‘Look, all I want to say is that I’m willing to come at things differently and give you a bit more leeway in the matter.’
‘What?’
Knowing he had stupidly let his guard down, after being careful about his dealings with women for so long, Bastian felt he had no one to blame for this awkward situation but himself.
Rubbing his hand round his jaw, he told her, ‘I mean you don’t have to leave straight away. I’ve been unexpectedly invited to go to Brazil on business, and I anticipate I’ll be gone for at least six weeks. In light of that, I’ve decided you can stay here until I return. When I get back we can review the situation. Is that more agreeable to you?’
‘I won’t deny having a bit more time to think about things and make some plans would be better.’
‘Good. Then the matter is settled.’
‘What about planting the new olive groves?’
‘That, too, can be postponed until I get back.’
‘I see...’
His beautiful tenant was stroking her hands up and down her arms as if they were chilled but, having just become personally acquainted with her warm embrace, he could attest to them being anything but cold when she’d wrapped them around him.
‘Did what happened between us just now cause you to change your mind, Signor Carrera?’
‘You can at least call me Bastian.’
On hearing his invitation, Lily immediately coloured. She knew that their being on first-name terms wasn’t going to make their situation any simpler.
‘Because if that’s the case I don’t want you feeling like you owe me anything.’
‘Having met you, I do not in any way imagine you are the kind of woman who would be as easily placated as that.’ Sighing, he unconsciously laid his hand over his heart in the now crumpled cambric shirt. ‘In any case, I like to think I’m a reasonable man. If I didn’t give your situation proper consideration after the intimacy we’ve just shared, and heartlessly demanded you leave right away, I would be letting myself down as well as you.’
‘Well... I’m glad you feel like that.’
‘But, whatever happens, don’t think I regret what took place between us because I don’t.’
In response, as if suddenly an intruding bright light had been trained on her, Lily’s green eyes flashed. ‘That’s as may be, but it won’t be happening again, signor. I can assure you of that!’
The comment made him smile. He walked to the door, and just before his hand alighted on the handle to open it he turned back, drawling lazily, ‘We will have to wait and see about that, signora,’ as if the matter was entirely open to debate...
Although determined not to dwell over-long on the fact that she’d just had the most incredible sex with a stranger, Lily knew it would be easier said than done. The unforeseen event had been completely out of character for her, and it was hard to believe it had happened.
She’d taken a huge risk in not thinking of protecting herself. Thank goodness her lover had used a condom. He’d obviously been prepared for such a situation, while she was so inexperienced it was laughable...
Still, in the shower she mentally revisited the excitement and pleasure Bastian had given her and gently touched all the places he’d helped to make tender. Combing out her hair in front of the antique mirror in the bedroom, she carefully scrutinised her reflection. She even looked like a different person, she decided. Somehow she seemed to have acquired the rosy cheeks and wide-eyed expression of a veritable ingénue.
Still a little dazed, she returned to her drawing board under the skylight. It would hardly help her, being so distracted, and the tingling in her body and the long-buried ache the Italian had stirred into life again would inevitably tax her concentration.
But at least she didn’t have to leave the villeta straight away. Her landlord’s decision to let her stay a little while longer gave her some much-needed breathing space in which to mull over her predicament and make some decisions.
* * *
During the next few days, as well as undertaking her paid work, Lily started to set aside regular time for her own stories and drawings. Unbeknownst to him, the handsome Italian had issued her with a challenge when he’d asked why she didn’t want to write and illustrate stories herself. The more she thought about it, the more she decided she would seriously consider the idea. Even if it didn’t work out, she ought to at least give it a try.
Lily reminded herself that it was her ex who had thought she was wasting her time doing her drawing when she could have a much better paid career. Bastian didn’t think that that way. Maybe her handsome landlord had unknowingly suggested the very thing she needed to hear?
For the first few days after he had departed for Brazil, Lily often asked herself why she had behaved so wantonly...as if she had no morals at all? But, recalling how it had been between her and the Italian—the instant connection, the impossible-to-resist sexual hunger their meeting had aroused—how could she regret it? More to the point, how would she handle the temptation of him when he returned? Could she risk having sex with him again without any consequences, even though she’d insisted that she wouldn’t?
In light of that, she thought that maybe she should arrange to put some more distance between them and move into the other house they’d offered her before he got back after all? Sighing, she decided to talk to his father Alberto about it. She’d become rather fond of the older man, and instinctively knew he would give her some good advice.
But four weeks after his son had left the country, Lily’s period was late. And after taking the pregnancy test she’d bought from the local farmacia in a bid to reassure herself, she made the startling discovery that she was pregnant...
* * *
July, August and September were winter months in Brazil, but the temperatures were similar to that of an Abruzzo summer. Being acclimatised to the heat, Bastian barely noticed it. Much more prevalent in his mind was the volatile situation he’d left behind him.
He was well used to women coming on to him, but that hadn’t been the case with his beautiful young tenant. Instead they had become shockingly intimate practically on sight. It was as though some greater power had been driving them that day—a power that they had responded to straight away and hadn’t even questioned. Any concept of right or wrong hadn’t entered their minds.
Maybe it was precisely the fact that Lily hadn’t pursued him in the way he was used to that was the reason he couldn’t put the stunning woman from his mind. Like it or not, his business with Lily was far from concluded, and he found himself counting the days until they could be reunited.
And this time things would be brought to a close between them—one way or another!
* * *
Lily had been busier than usual. Since she’d found out that she was pregnant she’d not only attended to her illustrations and worked diligently on her own children’s stories, she’d also started to make her new accommodation much more homely.
The new house was more spacious than the villeta had been, and just as beautifully appointed. To bring a touch of her own personality she’d draped the generous-sized couch and armchairs with silk shawls and the plumped-up cushions that she’d bought from a local market in the town. She also made sure that the large burnt orange ceramic bowl that she’d found in the kitchen was always filled with plenty of fruit.
It would help to remind her that she had to eat especially well now, due to the baby.
But what was done was done. She’d been responsible for protecting herself but she hadn’t, and this was the consequence.
She’d never properly contemplated the monumental change a child would bring into her life and the prospect was undeniably scary. Some would say her decision to have the baby as a single woman was an irresponsible one. But the idea excited her. Life suddenly seemed to take on much more meaning.
The challenge of writing her own stories as well as illustrating other authors’ work to help pay the rent had grown to encompass the unexpected miracle that was taking place inside her body. In truth, Lily was excited at the prospect of taking care of the child and raising him or her.
The only fly in the ointment was that she hadn’t shared her news with Bastian yet. He was still away. When he found out about it would he think she expected him to support her and the baby? The thought made her shudder. It had undoubtedly come as a shock to discover she was pregnant, but it was her decision to go through with it.
There was no way she wanted to be beholden to another man—especially after the mistake she’d made in marrying her husband. But sooner or later her handsome landlord would be home and, like it or not, she would have to tell him everything.
In the meantime, although she missed the villeta with its inspiring skylight and the vista of olive groves, the traditional stone house she was now renting from the Carreras was just as appealing. For one thing it was closer to the sea, and yet it was surrounded by the most idyllic countryside. Another plus was that every morning she woke to the sound of the waves lapping on the shore, and towards evening witnessed some of the most dramatic sunsets she’d ever seen.
As for Alberto’s advice about moving there when she’d gone to see him, he had been kindness itself.
‘You must do what your heart tells you to do, signora,’ he’d said. ‘Despite what my son may have told you, there is no need for you to panic about the situation. We can wait for you to decide. Whether you choose to leave the villeta in the time suggested or to move into one of our other houses, first and foremost we want you to be happy. We have not always been so fortunate as to have tenants as reliable and charming as you, Lily.’
He’d clasped her to his chest and kissed her soundly on both cheeks. She’d grown very fond of the man, and loved the way his brown eyes crinkled at the corners and sparkled when he was pleased about something. The warmth he conveyed was undoubtedly reassuring.
She wondered if Bastian shared his father’s quality to soothe and reassure...
* * *
He was agitatedly pacing up and down, his boot-heels making the dust motes fly up from the floorboards. Meanwhile his father sat upright in his favourite kitchen chair and patiently allowed his son to vent.
‘I cannot believe you let her move out just like that!’ Bastian fumed. ‘As I understood it she was going to say at the villeta until I returned from my trip. Plus, she said working under the skylight there helped inspire her to do her best drawing. What if that doesn’t come so easily to her in the new house?’
The younger Carrera came to a sudden standstill, dropped his hands to his denim-clad hips and glared.
‘Why are you suddenly so concerned as to whether the signora’s surroundings inspire her or not? You certainly weren’t before. We both know the villeta has to be demolished in order to convert the land. Isn’t that what you urged me to remember when you thought I was being too soft with her? I thought you wanted her to leave as soon as possible?’
‘I did... I do.’
Feeling ill at ease, Bastian impatiently pushed back the rebellious lock of hair that tumbled onto his brow. What was it about this woman that drove him to such levels of agitation? Again he recalled that feeling that she had bewitched him.