Italian Doctor, No Strings Attached. Kate Hardy

a fifty per cent chance of passing it on to a child. Just as well I don’t ever want children.’

      Her voice was light, but he’d seen something briefly in her eyes before she’d masked it—something that told him that it was a little more complicated than that. Just as it was for him; if things had gone to plan, he would’ve been a father now. Sienna would’ve been on maternity leave with their first baby.

      It wasn’t going to happen now, so there was no point in dwelling on just how much he’d lost. ‘Noted,’ he said softly. ‘So if this thing between us takes us where I think it’s going—where I’d like it to go—we’ll be careful. Very, very careful.’

      She looked completely taken aback. ‘You want to …’ she paused, as if searching for the right words ‘… go to bed with me?’

      He could tell her in words, but he had a feeling that the way her ex had undermined her would mean she’d find it difficult to believe him. So maybe there was a better way of explaining. He shifted her slightly on his lap, so she could feel his arousal for herself. ‘Does that answer your question?’ he asked.

      Colour bloomed in her face. ‘Oh.’

      ‘Good.’ He caught her lower lip briefly between his. ‘But I’m not going to rush you into anything tonight. Let’s have fun getting to know each other.’

      For a moment, he thought she was going to back away. But then she stroked his face, a look of wonder in her eyes. ‘Yes.’

      He stole a kiss. ‘You won’t regret this, tesoro,’ he promised. He’d make sure of that. ‘And now, I’m going home. While I still have a smidgen of self-control left. Because, even though I’d really like to take you to bed right now, I think you need a little more time to get used to the idea.’

      She nodded. ‘I’m sorry.’

      ‘Don’t apologise. It’s not a problem.’ He kissed her again. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow. Buona notte.’

      CHAPTER FOUR

      THE next day, Sydney was smiling all the way in to work; butterflies were doing a happy dance in her stomach at the thought of seeing Marco. She still couldn’t quite believe that someone as gorgeous as Marco had even given her a second glance, let alone wanted a relationship with her. Especially now he knew the truth about her. Yet there had been no pity in his eyes when he’d looked at her, no disgust or abhorrence about how ugly her arm was. Not like the way it had been with Craig.