Page 36 of Expecting His Billion-Dollar Scandal
This was all going swimmingly but it was fair to say that disappointment was part and parcel of life. He should know. His father, embroiled in his own emotional world, had largely been a bystander in his life. Luca had learned from an early age to expect little from a guy who never attended sports days and had shown scant interest in the personal goings-on of his son. Disappointment, he had long ago concluded, did wonders for developing tough independence.
And she would need it because she would realise soon enough that long days doing nothing were not the norm and weren’t going to last for ever.
He frowned and restlessly raked his fingers through his hair, because her attempts at a bright, sympathetic smile were worse than outright annoyance that plans had changed.
‘Sure,’ she said cheerfully. ‘I get it.’
‘I will arrange for someone to show you around.’
‘No need. I can explore on my own. I might even do a bit of sailing. I could probably give a few courses to the instructors out here. You keep telling me to take it easy but that’s not what I’m used to. A little exercise will do me the world of good.’ She waited for a light-hearted response, which didn’t come so she shuffled off the bed, for some reason self-conscious of her body because of the sudden drop in temperature between them.
Freed to do what Luca knew he did best, namely bury himself at work, which would be a timely reminder this mini break was a means to an end, he found himself hovering and watching her through narrowed eyes as she took herself off to the en-suite bathroom, making sure to lock the door behind her.
‘Don’t take any risks,’ he warned gruffly, as soon as she was back in the bedroom, fully clothed in some khaki shorts and a white tee shirt.
‘Risks like what?’ She looked at him, perplexed.
‘You’re pregnant.’
‘I know. Go slow.’ Cordelia’s smile felt forced. Of course she was. It was a simple statement of fact but it felt like cold water being dashed over her. That shift in atmosphere—the sudden need to attend to work... Had Luca sensed something in her? Something tender and vulnerable? Something that wasn’t part of the package deal? Had she transmitted feelings to him by osmosis and had he reacted by pulling back the way he had?
It made sense.
‘I’m strong. I’ll manage and, don’t worry, I won’t take any risks. I may just have a nice stroll and explore what’s around.’ The smile broadened and felt more forced. ‘What time shall I aim to be back here?’
‘I would rather you had a personal escort.’
‘And I would rather do my exploring on my own without someone trailing behind me to make sure I don’t trip over any paving stones.’
‘Why are you suddenly being difficult?’
Tension spiked and, for a second, Cordelia was sorely tempted to come right out and tell him what was on her mind. Was he worried that she might be getting too emotionally involved with him when he’d specifically told her that love wasn’t on the menu? Was he afraid that she might start making demands he wouldn’t be able to meet?
Fear at where such a conversation might lead gripped her and she backed away from it fast.
‘Nothing. I guess I’m just a little disappointed that I’ll be spending a whole day without you.’
Luca visibly relaxed. He strolled towards her and smoothed his hand over her arm. She had skin as soft as satin.
‘Me too.’ He was tempted to dump the work but that wouldn’t do. Behaving out of character when he was around her was becoming a career choice and he didn’t like it, even though he could rationalise it well enough. She was having his baby so of course he was going to treat her differently! ‘I’ll meet you mid afternoon. I should have had everything wrapped up by then. Keep your mobile handy and I’ll call you. We can have tea.’
Cordelia thought that this was how awkward moments were navigated. Was this a prelude of things to come? Small, emotional inroads always taken under cover? Her love hidden away for fear that if he sensed it, he would back off? There was no point dwelling on it, she decided. She would go and have an enjoyable day. When she smiled this time, it was genuine.
‘Sure. No rush. If I don’t hear from you, I have the address and I can make my way back. Everything feels pretty close so I’m sure I’ll be able to walk where I want to go. See you later!’
She headed for the door and knew that he was following her through the villa to the imposing front door overlooking the lake. She didn’t want to do anything silly and tempting like spin round and fling her arms around him because she hated the way things had suddenly and inexplicably gone frosty, but instead she slipped on her boat shoes, glanced over her shoulder without making eye contact and gave a little wave.
She had her map.
She’d spent a lifetime longing to leave the Cornish coastline, to see the world. She was seeing it now and she couldn’t afford to live off her nerves, letting her imagination get the better of her and letting all the considerable wonders at her fingertips pass her by.
She would have to obey the rules of the game and if that meant keeping her love hidden away like a shameful secret, then she would do that.
Luca wanted to go to one of the windows to follow her progress to the shore.
Perhaps he had allowed that temporary blip in his good humour to show through, but wasn’t the occasional mood allowed? She’d also laughed off his concerns about her safety but, hey, wasn’t a little paranoia allowed on his part? She was carrying his child and accidents happened!
Luca was not accustomed to worrying about a woman. He wasn’t accustomed to imaginary scenarios about unlikely things that might or might not happen on a simple walk by a lake.
