Page 15 of Baby Mine

Jada peered up into the angry eyes of one of the men handling security that Zita had pointed out. Before she could tell him she didn’t need him, he wedged himself between the rumpled friendly guy and her, somehow propelling her toward a waiting vehicle without even touching her. Once Jada settled in the back and he in the driver’s seat, she frowned at him. “I was just fine getting a ride from that guy. He didn’t look like the type to hurt anyone.”

The guard threw the car into gear and started down the road. “No one at the tasting was that type. We made sure of that.”

She sat back, folding her arms over her chest. “Then what was the big deal?”

He gave a prompt answer. “Mr. Mariani assigned me to look after you, and that man who wanted to get you alone in his car is a reporter.”

“Oh.”

Renzo didn’t want her talking to the press? Did that mean he was ashamed of her or didn’t want anyone to know about her? Then again, he had come to get her during the event and insisted she stay beside him. Anyone looking on must have picked up on her importance, even if it indicated they were just lovers. She was too early to show, so no one could jump to the conclusion she was pregnant. Considering how Zita complained of being overprotected by her family, she wondered if that was it. Either way, Renzo had thought to get a guard to escort her back to the house although they weren’t that far away. The fact warmed her inside, but not enough that she wouldn’t confront him regarding his intentions the first chance she got.

* * * *

Jada didn’t get a chance to talk to Renzo until the next afternoon. She had thought he would come to her room later, but Marie informed her Renzo returned to his office after the tasting, and it wasn’t unheard of that he would stay late in the night working. Jada had to admit she missed him, but the fact that almost twenty-four hours had passed since she’d seen him when they were staying in the same house solidified what Nicoletta had said. She understood working long hours. The lawyers in her office did so whenever a big case came up, and sometimes she did as well, but when the baby came she had no intention of neglecting him or her with work.

Marie found her in the library going over her notes for the two cases she was assisting the lawyers on. Since she’d been sitting in one position for a couple hours, she welcomed the interruption.

“Ms. Thompson, Mr. Renzo called to say he will be here in two hours to take you to dinner.” She laced her fingers together and hesitated.

“Thanks, Marie. Was there something else?”

“He wondered if there was a reason you weren’t answering your phone.”

Jada checked. Her cell was off. She recalled powering it down in a snit the night before, and she must have forgotten to turn it on again. Oops. She suppressed a laugh. “I’m guessing he didn’t sound very pleasant when he made that comment.”

“No, ma’am.”

“T

hanks, Marie. I appreciate you passing on the message.”

Rather than complain about him not asking if she already had plans, Jada showered and dressed for dinner out. She needed to talk to him anyway, and it might be better away from interruptions from his family.

Some time later, Renzo arrived in a sleek black Porsche, but Jada caught her breath at the glimpse of the man more so than the car. His dark hair lay slightly damp on his head, and he wore a dark suit that complimented his muscular build and made her want to jump into his arms. She kept her cool when he strode up and held out his hand. “Ready?”

She placed her hand in his. “You already showered?”

“I did at the office,” he acknowledged. “I keep clothes there for last minute plans, and my private restroom has a shower.”

“Must be nice.” She folded into the low-riding car and buckled in. Renzo slipped into the driver’s side, and soon they sped down the highway toward whatever restaurant he’d chosen for the evening.

In the well-appointed restaurant with low lighting and real flowers on each table, Jada perused the menu. Searching everywhere for prices, she frowned and decided this place was so exclusive, they didn’t print them. Several couples occupied the various tables around the room, giving the impression of a lover’s hotspot. Jada turned to Renzo determined to flesh out their relationship and make him see that her best choice was to return home.

“Renzo,” she said, not sure where to start.

“Marry me.”

She blinked. “What?”

He reached across the table and took the menu from her hands to lie down. When he held on, she tried pulling away, not wanting him to see how he shook her with his words. Maybe she’d heard wrong.

“I said marry me,” he repeated. “If you like, I will get down on one knee right here, right now, and I will slide the ring I have in my pocket onto your finger.”

“Ring…in your…pocket?” She yanked her hands free. “Wait, hold on. Damn it, why can’t I drink at a time like this? You know this isn’t the old days where because I’m pregnant you feel like the right thing to do is to marry me, don’t you? Renzo, I can take care of myself, and I can definitely take care of the baby.”

“I don’t doubt it for a second.” He made a gesture with his hand, and a waiter appeared out of nowhere. Renzo spoke in rapid fire Italian, and the waiter answered in the same language. When he returned moments later, he held a bottle of wine. He poured two glasses and put one in front of Jada. She glared at Renzo, but he smiled. “Non-alcoholic.”

She sipped the drink and found he spoke the truth. The cool liquid was both refreshing and delicious. She appreciated the fact that Renzo had chosen not to imbibe as well. Reiterating her stance, she said, “We don’t have to get married, Renzo. You can see our son or daughter whenever you like.”

---