‘While you’re here you’ll deal with Paolo. I’ll be busy with other things.’ It was true, but to Aurelio’s chagrin, it sounded like an excuse.
‘That suits me perfectly.’ Amber’s eyes were diamond chips, glittering hard and cool. ‘I’ll make sure you don’t even know I’m here.’
He nodded and turned away. ‘Paolo will be back soon. He’ll look after you.’
*
Amber waited till he’d left the room, then sank down onto a straight-backed chair, her knees quivering and her stomach churning. Her shoulders slumped forward, her arms crossing over her abdomen.
A flash of heat, a surge of protectiveness, welled.
She’d never felt so riled yet so impotent.
Or so despairing.
She’d had such high hopes. That she’d convince Aurelio they were meant to be together. Even now, with his brutal dismissal leaving a metallic taste on her tongue, and a mix of fury and hurt roiling through her, she couldn’t break free of the conviction theyweremeant to be together.
Because she’d fallen in love with him.
She’d let herself be swept off her feet, despite knowing he wanted only a fling. Aurelio had never lied to her. Yet, despite all her caution, he’d somehow ensnared her heart. For sheknewthis aloof stranger wasn’t the real Aurelio.
She just wished she knew what had happened to him to make him like this, so eager to see the back of her.
But that wasn’t all of it. Things were far more complicated than that.
She was having his child.