Page 35 of Italian Baby Shock

She twisted in the chair and he felt her fingers in his hair, clutching at him as he continued to tease and to lick and to nip, using his fingers and then his tongue, circling and stroking that most sensitive part of her.

And he finally got what he wanted, her begging at the end, her fingers knotted in his hair, twisting in his grip as she tried to get that final friction that would send her over the edge.

But he denied her and denied her, wringing as much pleasure from her as he could until finally, with a light flick of his tongue, he gave her what she needed most.

Lark screamed, her body convulsing as the orgasm swept her, and he tasted it, salty and sweet and addictive. Then he held her in his hands as she sobbed and trembled through theaftershocks, and only once she’d quietened did he ease back, looking at her.

Her head had lolled against the back of the chair, her eyes shut and her mouth slightly open, the gleam of perspiration at her throat.

He waited a moment then dealt with her clothes, calmly pulling her dress back down and covering her, while she watched him from beneath long, golden lashes.

‘What about you?’ she asked eventually, her voice hoarse. ‘Don’t you want—?’

‘No,’ he interrupted gently. ‘That was for you. I don’t need anything in return.’

She stared at him a long moment. ‘You want me to say yes, don’t you?’

He could tell her it didn’t matter, not let her know how much he wanted it, but he couldn’t lie, not to her. Not now.

So all he said was, ‘I do. Very much.’

She was silent a long time, just looking at him. Then she said unexpectedly, ‘I don’t want another lover, Cesare. I want you. I want this.’

There was triumph inside him and a wave of satisfaction so intense it should have been a warning sign. But if so, it was a warning he paid no attention to, because he wanted more of this too.

‘Then what is your answer, little bird?’

‘Yes,’ she said softly. ‘My answer is yes.’

CHAPTER EIGHT

THINGSMOVEDVERYquickly after Lark had agreed to be his wife. Cesare Donati was a man who apparently didn’t let any grass grow under his feet.

He gave her some time to collect her and Maya’s most important items from her flat, and to hand in her notice to Mr Ravenswood, then a week or so later, Lark found herself on a jet back to Italy.

Mr Ravenswood hadn’t been too happy to lose her, though he’d been even more unhappy at losing the antiques since Cesare was now not going to sell them. However, he was mollified by Cesare promising to use his connections when it came to sourcing other items, and soon gave Lark a glowing reference.

Cesare had also organised for his staff to pack up her flat and clean it, which was a relief since she didn’t relish having to do it herself.

As far as the whole marriage thing went, Cesare had asked her what she preferred in terms of a ceremony since he didn’t much care, though he did warn her that since he was quite a public figure, media interest would be high. But she didn’t want to make a big deal of it since it wasn’t as if theirs was a love match and told him so.

He didn’t waste any time with that either and as soon as they’d landed, Emily was sent to the palazzo with Maya, while Lark found herself having an impromptu wedding ceremony in a tiny chapel near the airport.

Afterwards, she sat in the limo staring at the rose-gold ring on her finger as she and Cesare drove to the palazzo. Somehow he’dfound the time to get her the most beautiful ring. It was inset with tiny emeralds and was actually very beautiful.

She could hardly believe it. She was Signora Donati now and Maya had a little family. Perhaps she should have felt afraid or even had a hint of foreboding, but she didn’t.

This had been the right thing to do, she knew it.

Of course, what life would be like now she was Cesare’s wife was another story, as was what kind of marriage they’d have once they were settled.

He’d been true to his word and had had another agreement drawn up, and this time he’d had a third party look over it for her. There had been nothing in it to cause alarm. He hadn’t even bothered with a prenup about his wealth in the event of a divorce. There had only been mention of custody arrangements for Maya and a certain amount of money for her upkeep too.

Lark had signed the agreement without protest, though she still felt a degree of uncertainty.

She couldn’t stop thinking about the day he’d asked her to be his wife, and how he’d knelt before her chair, his hands stroking her, telling her that she was strong and beautiful, and that she’d been an excellent mother for Maya. And that she wasn’t alone any more.

The sincerity with which he’d said it, so totally unexpected, had made her heart clench tight in her chest and unexpected tears rise. She had no idea how he’d known about the doubts she’d buried so far down she’d forgotten they were there. Doubts about the kind of mother she was, and whether she’d made the right choice in bringing Maya up by herself. They were always there, those doubts, and somehow Cesare had seen them, had brought them to the light, and then had looked into her eyes and told her that yes, she’d made the right choice. That he was glad she had, and that Maya was happy and healthy andthat was the important thing. That she’d done a good job and he appreciated it.

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