Page 66 of Giorgio

She was just adding some books to the shelves at the front of the store when she heard the bell tinkled, announcing the arrival of a customer.

She had sent the staff home after an exhausting afternoon of book signing and pastry tasting, which had spilled over into almost seven. She had called Julian to let him know she was running late and would be there shortly.

“I’m sorry, we are already closed…”

“I am looking for a specific title.” The achingly familiar Italian accented voice had her going still. “It has to do with a guy and a girl who met when the guy mowed her down with his vehicle. A rather bizarre turn of events that led to them getting attracted to each other.

But the foolish guy sent her away, thinking that he was doing her some good. And now…” He paused and waited until she turned around slowly. His hungry dark gaze wandered over a face that had haunted him for six months.

“And now?” She whispered huskily.

“And now, he is hoping she will forgive him for being such a stubborn ass.” His eyes swept down to her bosom in the sapphire blue sweater, lingering on the shape of her breasts outlined in the material before going further down to her – he went rigid with shock as he stared at the protruding abdomen.

She was still slender, but it was obvious that…

His eyes flew to her face, his expression accusing. “I am assuming it’s mine.”

Her chin lifted. “I am not going to grace that with a response.”

“You are carrying my child and you never called and said anything?” He felt the excitement of seeing her turning into full blown anger and hurt. “Were you ever going to say anything?”

“No. I wanted you to come to me, but not as an obligation. I wanted you to want to be with me, not because of this.” Her hands strayed to her stomach.

“I had a right to know.” He bit out.

“You sent me away…”

“So, this was punishment?” He could not believe she had done something like this! “If I had not come back, what would you have done? Give the baby your name? Leave me out of its upbringing?”

“It is a boy She told him softly. “My due date is the middle of June.”

His eyes strayed to her stomach, and he felt his heart contracting. “I am having a son?”

“Yes.”

“You had no right…”

“Are you going to stand there slinging accusations all night? Is that why you came?”

“I can multi-task.” He told her grimly, but his anger was abating because just seeing her, especially seeing her heavy with his baby reminded him how much he was aching to hold her. Turning around, he locked the door and came forward swiftly to stand in front of her.

She stood still, waiting for him to make the first move and he did. Lifting his hands, he cupped her small face, fingers trembling. “We are going to talk about this some more.” He promised hoarsely. “But for now…,” bending his head, he rubbed his lips over hers.

“Can you ever forgive me?” He whispered.

“As long as you promise never to send me away again, then the answer is yes.” She was trembling, her body molding itself to his. She could not believe he was here. She had dreamed of this moment so many times that it was etched on her brain.

She had told her brother that he would eventually come, but there were several times she wondered about it.

Now he was here, and he looked as if he had lost some weight. Leaning back, she studied his face. Her fingers explored his cheekbones and tangled in the hairs on his face. “What happened? You are thinner.”

He chuckled at her uncanny knowledge of him. “I was ill.”

“Ill?”

His hands cradled her face gently. “I need to be with you. I am staying at the La Monde and would like you to come with me.”

“I have to call my brother.” She whispered.

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