When he held her like that, when he looked at her with such tender desire in his eyes, desire and love didn’t feel so different. What resonated in her body seemed to calm the clamoring in her soul. When Raphael was near, everything in her lined up.
“Maledizione, but I have missed kissing these soft lips,” he whispered into her mouth, sending arrows of pleasure to scandalous places. “Tell me you missed me, cara mia. Tell me you lie awake like me in the middle of the night wishing for my body, like I did for yours.”
Vining her hands around his neck, she sank into his hard body. Soft groans rumbled from their mouths as, thigh to thigh, their bodies fit perfectly against each other.
Pia had no idea how far she would have gone, if he hadn’t pulled back. It took her a few minutes to realize through the sensual haze that Gio had spoken.
She burned with embarrassment. Yet her grandfather ignored her completely, as if the responsibility of it solely lay at Raphael’s feet. “Gio, it’s only—”
Engaged in some macho one-on-one with Raphael, her grandfather wouldn’t even look at her. “Pia, I would like to speak to Raphael alone.”
She’d never been dismissed like that ever in her life before. “Not if you’re going to discuss me,” she said, frustration bleeding through her words. “Nonno, I know you worry for me and I didn’t make it easy by trusting Frank but I can take care of myself and this is really not anyone’s business but—”
“That cheating man is not my concern, Pia. Knowing what is at stake, knowing my worries and my plans for you, what my godson does with you is. Raphael, this has gone on long enough. Will you do the right thing or shall I—”
“Calm down, Giovanni,” Raphael said softly, a hint of steel in his tone. “The status of our relationship was hardly crucial when you were lying in the hospital bed.”
“And now?” Gio taunted.
Raphael replied in that same cutting voice that sent chills up Pia’s spine. “Leave it to me.”
Pia stared from one man to the other, feeling as if she were standing on ground filled with land mines. A sudden grin transformed Gio again to that loving, but cantankerous old man. Dread pooled in Pia’s belly. “So, you two will be married soon?”
Words came to her lips but Raphael’s grip around her waist tightened.
“As soon as I can manage it, si,” Raphael replied, and Pia went utterly still.
It was as if someone had pulled the rug from under her. As if someone had punched her in the stomach in the dark.
Contrary to what would be expected of an eighty-four-year-old man who had just had two heart attacks in one year, Gio laughed heartily. “This year, Raphael.” His bushy eyebrows scanned Pia’s face. “You’ll be happy with him, piccola.”
Whatever protest Pia was about to make died at the transformation in his face. How could she do anything to ruin the happiness in his face? “Nonno, I’d like to wait until you’re better before we even talk about the plans.”
Gio nodded magnanimously. “I remember how glorious it feels to be young and in love, but remember what happened with Lucia and me.” He pulled Pia into his arms, gave her a kiss on her cheek, his eyes glimmering with tears. “Lucia would approve of who I found to look after you.
“Too much excitemente for an old man, si? I will go rest now.”
* * *
Who I found to look after you…
The words left a chill on Pia’s skin. There was something so very wrong with it but she couldn’t put her finger on it.
The moment Giovanni’s silver head disappeared behind the doors of the house, she jerked away from Raphael.
Just when she was beginning to accept that she wanted a relationship with Raphael, the idea of marrying him, the idea of being his equal, his lover, his wife sent her into a swirl of panic.
“Pia, wait.”
“No, Raphael. I need to—”
She tried to slip away, but he captured her wrist and tugged her closer. Her legs tangled with his, her chest rasping against his. The man had the most beautiful black eyes. And when they focused on her like that, she was afraid she would melt from within. That she wouldn’t be able to refuse whatever he commanded of her in that arrogant tone.