Page 46 of Italian Baby Shock

It would hurt him. He’d probably be furious, but there wasn’t any other way. Not if she wanted to keep this little life she’d made for herself and Maya.

‘Little bird?’

Cesare’s deep voice, full of warmth and tenderness, came from behind her and she caught her breath, wiping frantically at her eyes.

Then she turned, forcing a smile on her face. ‘What is it?’

He stood in the doorway, casual today in a black T-shirt and worn faded jeans, and she loved him as much in casual clothes as she did when he was in a suit, perhaps even more so.

He looked relaxed, his beautiful mouth curving in a smile he kept just for her. He was so beautiful. Everything about him, from the exquisite planes and angles of his perfect face to his eyes, a deeper blue than even a summer sky.

But even more than his physical beauty, she knew the beauty of his soul. He thought he kept it hidden from her, but she saw it all the same. She saw it in his eyes every time he looked at Maya, even now with wonder, as if he couldn’t believe she existed.

He was a good man. He didn’t believe it, she knew, but he was.

‘I’ve invited Aristophanes to stay for dinner,’ he said. ‘You don’t mind?’

‘No,’ she said, her voice husky. ‘Of course I don’t mind. He’s most welcome to stay.’

A faint frown crossed his brow. ‘Are you all right?’

No, she wasn’t all right. She was desperately in love with him and she didn’t know what to do. Or rather, she did know what to do, she just didn’t want to do it.

Sooner rather than later. You’ll only make it worse for yourself by waiting.

She would, but she couldn’t do it now, not with his friend here.

But even later, after Maya was in bed and Aristophanes had left, she could hardly bring herself to say the words she needed to say. And what made it worse was after they’d both sorted through Maya’s birthday cards, and organised all the new toys she’d got for her birthday, Cesare pulled Lark close in the hallway and ran his hands over her, making it clear what he wanted.

There was no perfect time to tell him of her decision, but...she could have one last time with him, couldn’t she? She could never resist him and one last night to touch him, kiss his beautiful mouth, have him inside her wasn’t so much to ask, was it? He’dbeen talking about having another child and she couldn’t think of anything she wanted more than to have another of his babies.

Except how could she bring another child into the world whose parents’ relationship was so fraught?

Especially when you already have one who might be hurt by your decision.

No, and there were no good solutions either. Everywhere she turned someone was going to be hurt, no matter how hard she tried to limit the damage.

‘I want you,’ Cesare murmured in her ear, as he kissed his way down her neck, his hands stroking down her sides. ‘Let me take you to bed, little bird.’

And abruptly Lark was tired of thinking about it, tired of the pain shredding her heart. She wanted him, wanted this, and if it was the last time, so be it. She’d take it.

‘Yes,’ she whispered and let herself relax against his chest as he picked her up and took her upstairs to their bedroom.

As he set her down next to the bed, his hands already at the zip of her dress, she abruptly pulled away. Her heart was beating far too fast and she was desperate for him in a way she hadn’t felt before, but she wanted to do this her way.

‘No,’ she said huskily, turning to face him. ‘Let me undress you first. I want to touch you.’

He smiled, the beauty of it making her ache. ‘Be my guest.’

He never denied her anything when it came to sex, yet part of her wished he’d deny her now, because this was only going to make it harder for her.

Still, she stepped up close to him, taking the hem of his T-shirt in her hands and drawing it up slowly, exposing his flat, chiselled stomach and smooth olive skin. Then she lifted it higher and he raised his arms, helping her get the fabric off the rest of the way.

Dropping the T-shirt on the floor, she then let her hands wander over his bare chest, feeling the hard muscle beneath his warm satiny skin and the crisp prickle of hair.

He felt so amazing. He always did.

Leaning forward she kissed her way along his pecs, her fingers trailing down to his narrow hips, then toying with the buttons of his jeans. He made a delicious sound of male satisfaction, one of his large warm hands cradling the back of her head as she continued to kiss her way down his rock-hard torso, undoing his jeans then sliding her hands inside.

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