Page 22 of His Innocent's Passionate Awakening

‘I’d love to meet you,’ Artie said. ‘Luca’s told me so much about you.’

‘Yes, well, he’s told me virtually nothing about you,’ Nonno said, disapproval ripe in his tone. ‘How did you meet?’

‘I met Artie through her father,’ Luca said. ‘I knew she was the one for me as soon as I laid eyes on her.’ It wasn’t a lie. He had known straight up that Artie was the only young woman his grandfather would approve of as his bride.

Nonno gave another grunt. ‘Let’s hope you can handle him, Artie. He’s a Ferrantelli. We are not easy to live with but if you love him it will certainly help.’

‘I think he’s the most amazing man I’ve ever met,’ Artie said, softly. ‘Take care of yourself, Signor Ferrantelli. I hope to meet you in person soon.’

The most amazing man she’d ever met? Luca mentally laughed off the compliment. Artie had met so few men it wasn’t hard to impress her. What he wanted to do was help her get over her phobia. Not just because he wanted her to meet his grandfather but because he knew it would open up opportunities and experiences for her that had been denied her for way too long. But would she trust him enough to guide her through what would no doubt be a difficult and frightening journey for her?

* * *

Artie turned to face Luca once the call had ended. His arm was still around her waist and every nerve beneath her skin was acutely aware of its solid warm presence. ‘I’m not so sure we convinced him. Are you?’

Luca’s expression was etched in frowning lines. ‘Who knows?’ His features relaxed slightly and he added, ‘You did well. That was a nice touch about me being your dream husband. It’s kind of scary how convincing you sounded.’ He brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face, his gaze darkening.

Artie disguised a swallow, her heart giving a little kick when his eyes drifted to her mouth. ‘Yes, well, I surprised myself, actually.’ She frowned and glanced down at the engagement and wedding rings on her hand and then lifted her gaze back to his. ‘I feel like I’m letting you down by not being able to leave the castello. If we’d gone in person to see him, or even better, married somewhere closer so your grandfather could have attended...’

‘You’re not letting me down at all,’ Luca said. ‘But what if I tried to help you? We could start small and see how it goes—baby steps.’

‘I’ve had help before and it hasn’t worked.’

‘But you haven’t had my help.’ He smiled and took her hand, running his thumb over the back of it in gentle strokes. ‘It’s worth a try, surely?’

Panic crawled up her spine and sent icicles tiptoeing across her scalp. ‘What, now?’

‘No time like the present.’

Artie compressed her lips, trying to control her breathing. ‘I don’t know...’

He raised her chin with the end of his finger. ‘Trust me, cara. I won’t push you further than you can manage. We will take it one step at a time.’

Artie swallowed and then let out a long, ragged breath. ‘Okay. I’ll try but don’t be mad at me if I don’t get very far.’

He leaned down and pressed a light kiss to the middle of her forehead. ‘I won’t get mad at you, mia piccola. I’m a very patient man.’

A few minutes later, Artie stood with Luca on the front steps of the castello, her gaze focussed on the long walk to the brass gates in the distance. Her heart was beating so fast she could feel its echo in her ears. Her skin was already damp with perspiration, and her legs trembling like a newborn foal’s. She desperately wanted to conquer her fear, now more than ever. She wanted to meet Luca’s grandfather, to uphold her side of their marriage deal but what if she failed yet again? She had failed every single time she had tried to leave the castello. It was like a thick glass wall was blocking her exit. She could see the other side to freedom but couldn’t bring herself to step over the boundary lines. The castello was safe. She was safe here. Other people on the outside were safe from her.

What would happen if she went past her self-imposed boundary?

Luca took her hand and smiled down at her. ‘Ready? One step at a time. Take all the time you need.’

Artie sucked in a deep breath and went down the steps to the footpath. So far, so good. ‘I’ve done this before, heaps of times, and I always fail.’

‘Don’t talk yourself into failure, cara.’ His tone was gently reproving. ‘Believe you can do something and you’ll do it.’

‘Easy for you to say.’ Artie flicked him a glance. ‘You’re confident and run a successful business. You’ve got runs on the board. What do I have? A big fat nothing.’

Luca stopped and turned her so she was facing him, his hands holding her by the upper arms. ‘You have cared for your father for a decade. You quite likely extended his life by doing so. Plus, you’re a gifted embroiderer. I have never seen such detailed and beautiful work. You have to start believing in yourself, cara. I believe in you.’

Artie glanced past his broad shoulder to the front gates, fear curdling her insides. She let out another stuttering breath and met his gaze once more. ‘Okay, let’s keep going. I have to do this. I can do this.’

‘That’s my girl,’ Luca said, smiling and taking her by the hand again. ‘I’m with you every step of the way.’

Artie took two steps, then three, four, five until she lost count. The gates loomed closer and closer, the outside world and freedom beckoning. But just as she got to about two-thirds of the way down the path a bird suddenly flew up out of the nearby shrubbery and Artie was so startled she lost her footing and would have tripped if Luca hadn’t been holding her hand. ‘Oh!’ she gasped.

‘You’re okay, it was just a bird.’

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