Amber stared at this big, beautiful, powerful man, so superior in physical strength, yet looking so utterly lost, and was overcome by the need to protect. Was this some latent nurturing instinct awakening with pregnancy? Or was it because Aurelio, who could infuriate her as easily as he made her sigh with pleasure or laugh over some light-hearted remark, had become precious to her?
The time they’d spent working together, each bringing their own expertise and enthusiasm to the project, had been as exciting and satisfying as their original affair. More so possibly, for there’d been something wonderful about sharing more than sex with him. About learning more of the man who made her heart race whenever he smiled at her.
She reached out and took him by the elbow, his flesh hot against her chilled fingers.
‘Come and sit.’
Amber ignored the designer chairs grouped by the window and led the way to the bed, sitting on the end of the mattress and pulling him down beside her. He sank without a word and Amber had the impression he didn’t really take in their surroundings.
But then she remembered her own shock at discovering she was pregnant. It had taken ages even to process the fact, much less start thinking about the future.
‘Are you okay?’
That dragged him from his reverie. His laugh was a short husk of sound, devoid of humour. ‘I should be asking you that.’ He sat straighter, turning to view her, his knee pressing into her thigh. ‘Are you well? Are you sick often?’
Amber shook her head. ‘This morning was the first time. I’ve been fine.’
‘You’ve been to a doctor? Everything’s normal?’
‘So far so good. And yes, I’ve seen a doctor.’ With such momentous news, she hadn’t trusted in a store bought pregnancy kit.
Warmth filled Amber at Aurelio’s concern for her. See? It was just the initial shock of the news. Things weren’t so bad after all. In fact, his response to her news was, she suspected, far better than most men’s. No demands for a paternity test, no grilling about her non-existent affairs. Aurelio De Laurentis had swept her off her feet and into an unplanned liaison, making her forget her usual caution. Right from the first there’d been something about him thatgotto her. A fizz of attraction, a crackle of energy, a sense that this man, amongst all the ones who’d made a play for her over the years, was different.
Hers.
That’s how it felt. As if Aurelio was hers and she was his.
‘That’s why you were so determined to work at the vineyard.’
Amber shrugged. ‘I’d won the contract so of course I wanted the work. But yes, the pregnancy was a factor.’
After he’d spurned her, part of her had wanted never to see him again. It had taken every ounce of courage and determination to front up that day and pretend to be strong.
Dark eyes held hers. ‘When were you going to tell me?’
There it was again, that hollow sound in his deep voice, like he was lost in a vast, empty space. It was…unsettling.
Amber rubbed her hands up and down her arms, cool despite the warm gown. In her peripheral vision was a broad, delicious expanse of bare skin and solid muscle that was Aurelio. Physical work in the winery had honed his body into impressive lines. All that taut muscle must explain why he didn’t feel the chill that enveloped her.
Or perhaps she had a premonition of impending disaster.
‘I don’t know. Soon. My only plan was not to dump the news on you as soon as I arrived. I was waiting for a suitable time.’
There could never be a suitable time to break such news. After all, they weren’t committed to each other, long-term lovers with a future.
Yet, after last night, after the glory of being in Aurelio’s arms again, tucked close against him even as they slept, Amber couldn’t help but hope there was a chance—
‘And you’re keeping the child.’
Aurelio’s words cut across her dreamy thoughts like a razor through soft flesh. She jerked upright, her heart racing. ‘I am.’
He nodded. ‘I couldn’t imagine you getting a termination.’
Heart still sprinting, Amber sank back a little, one hand propped on the bed for support. She waited to feel pleasure, something, at his understanding of her, and his acceptance that therewouldbe a child, but it didn’t come. His stony face, the sense she had that he was…disengaged, was too disquieting.
‘You’re shocked by the news.’ Stating the obvious, of course, but Amber felt the need for words. Preferably words from Aurelio. So far he hadn’t expressed any feelings whatsoever about the fact he was going to be a father.
She told herself it was far too early for that. He was still grappling with the news. Yet his unnatural stillness, his lack of strong reaction was almost more disturbing than if he’d protested and stormed about asking for proof the baby was his.