“I’ll wait while you gather all your belongings. For the rest of the time you’re in Italy, you’re going to be my guest. Don’t worry about your rental car. If you’ll leave the key at the desk, one of my staff will return it to the agency. When we arrive at the house, you’ll have the rest of the day to get ready for this evening.”
“You’re far too good to me.”
He pressed his lips against her temple. “Why wouldn’t I be? For you to find your mother with my help after all these years brings me great happiness.” It’s a gift I couldn’t give my daughter, but I can give it to you. “You wouldn’t deprive me of it, would you?”
Slowly she lifted her head. One corner of her lovely mouth lifted. “No. Of course not, but I’m so nervous. What if—”
“Don’t go there,” he interrupted in a quiet voice, kneading her upper arms. “I can promise you that if she knew what was ahead for tonight, her fear would be much greater than yours.
“Papà told me that for years she has grieved because your case was sealed when she gave you up. Even if she could get a court order for information, she’s been afraid you would find it unforgivable, what she did, and would reject her out of hand.”
“Is this the truth?” Fear mixed with hope in Belle’s voice.
“Ask my father. He wouldn’t lie to me and is excited for the two of you to meet. It can’t happen soon enough for either of us.”
“Then he’s truly not upset?”
“Anything but. He believes this reunion will help solve certain problems in his marriage.”
“What do you mean?”
“Her sadness for having to give you up, and his inability to take it away.”
“Oh, Leon...” Belle’s heart was in her eyes.
Unable to deny the attraction, he cupped her face in his hands, but it wasn’t enough. He needed to taste her, and lowered his head, kissing her fully on the mouth. Right or wrong, she’d been a temptation from the outset.
As he coaxed her lips apart, wanting more, he drew a response from her that shot fire through him. What should have been one kiss deepened into another, then another. He should have been able to stop what was happening, but she’d aroused too much excitement in him.
“Belle...” He moaned her name, hungry for her. But in the next instant she tore her mouth from his and backed up against the door. He felt totally bereft. “Why did you pull away from me?”
“Someone has to stop this insanity!” she gasped, obviously trying to catch her breath. “I’m not blaming you. I could have resisted you, but I didn’t because...I enjoyed it.”
An honest woman.
“I could say I didn’t know what got into me, but that would be a lie,” she added. “The fact is I’ve never been this intimate with a man and I forgot myself.”
“You’re saying...”
“Shocking, isn’t it? At twenty-four?” she blurted. “When I didn’t try to stop you, I—I can understand why you kept kissing me. You enjoyed a happy marriage and miss your wife. As for me, I have no excuse, so let’s just agree that this was a physical aberration that shouldn’t have happened, and promise we’ll never find ourselves in this situation again. Promise me, Leon. Otherwise I can’t go through with anything, even if it means never meeting my mother.” She had fire in her eyes.
“I swear I’ll never do anything you don’t want me to do. Does that make you feel any better?”
“No.”
More astounding honesty. “While you pack, I’ll go out to the lobby and take care of the bill.”
She moved away from the door. “I don’t expect you to pay for me.”
“I know. That’s why I want to,” he murmured. She didn’t have a mercenary bone in her beautiful body. Just now her mouth had almost given him a heart attack. Belle Peterson had many parts to her, all of them unexpected and thrilling. After Benedetta died, he thought he’d never desire another woman.
He left the room and paid her account through Sunday, adding a healthy bonus that brought a faint smile to Rosa’s dark eyes.
Belle appeared sooner than he would have thought, carrying her shoulder bag and suitcase. Evidently her nervous anticipation over seeing her mother had made her hurry, but he had a hunch she’d always been a punctual person. Another trait he couldn’t help but applaud.
He took the luggage from her and ushered her out to his car. For the second time in two days he was taking her home. A great deal had changed since yesterday morning, when he’d gone to bed after being up all night with Concetta.
Leon no longer questioned why his assistant’s phone call to the villa had prompted him to get dressed and go down to the bank for an explanation. It appeared there’d been a grand design at work in more ways than one. Even so, the thought raised the hairs on the back of his neck.
AN HOUR AFTER getting settled in the fabulous guest bedroom she’d only glimpsed yesterday, Belle heard a tap on the door. She’d been drying her freshly washed hair with her blow-dryer, and turned it off to go answer. Dinner wouldn’t be for another hour.
“The signore sent me to find out if you need laundry service or would like something ironed for tonight,” said the maid standing there.
Belle had never had service like this in her life. Since she wanted to look perfect for her mother, she decided to take advantage of Leon’s incredible hospitality. But she couldn’t forget for a second that his life and the lives of their parents were unique in the annals of Italian history.
“Just a moment, please.”
She hurried over to her suitcase, which he’d placed on a chest at the end of the king-size bed. After opening it, she pulled out the short-sleeved, lime-colored suit with white lapels and white trim.
“This needs a little touching up to get out the wrinkles,” she explained as she handed it to the maid.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Thank you very much.”
While Belle waited, she finished brushing her naturally curly hair and put on her pearl earrings. Fastening the matching pearl necklace presented problems because she was all thumbs. Tonight would be the culmination of her dreams. Despite Leon’s compliments, the fear that she’d be a disappointment to her mother wouldn’t leave her alone.
She was glad she’d brought her low-slung white heels. When she’d packed for her trip, she hadn’t really imagined having an opportunity to wear them.
Before long, the maid brought Belle’s suit to the bedroom. “The signore said you should join him on the patio whenever you’re ready,” she announced.
Just the thought of him sent Belle’s heart crashing to her feet. She could still feel his mouth on hers, filling her with an ecstasy she didn’t know was possible.
Trying to pull herself together, she thanked the maid again. One more glance in the ornate, floor-length mirror after fastening the buttons, and she felt ready to join her host. Would he approve?
What if he didn’t? Did it matter to her personally?
Yes, it mattered. Horribly. Those moments of intimacy at the pension had been a revelation to her. The way he’d kissed her had brought every nerve ending to life. The fact that he was her stepbrother didn’t matter once they’d crossed the line. What happened between them had shaken her so badly she could hardly function right now, but she had to!
Not wanting