‘Is that what I’m doing?’ she murmured. ‘I wouldn’t know. I have zero experience.’
‘That’s true.’ He moved closer, so their hips met, his arousal pressing to her, and fierce heat flashed in her body.
‘He bores easily.’
The question shaped in her mouth, but she found it almost impossible to ask. Shyness stole through her, even as they lay together, naked, far from strangers, so she couldn’t simply ask him about the other woman, about what their relationship was. Or was it that Olivia didn’t want to hear the answer? Was it that she couldn’t bear to hear the answer? And if so, why was that? Where was the cold dispassion she’d been banking on? When was the last time she’d been with Luca and not felt as though a part of her were burning alive? And why did she suddenly want to grab hold of him with both hands and never let go?
Stricken, she could only stare at him, as her brain kept throwing questions at her, forcing her to face reality, to answer them, to acknowledge that what was supposed to be a straightforward marriage agreement was suddenly so much more complex.
A buzzing pierced the room, so Olivia glanced at Luca’s bedside table first, where his phone sat with a dark screen, then over her shoulder to her own bedside table. Her sister’s face filled the front of the device. She reached for it gratefully. Saved by the bell.
‘It’s Sienna,’ she said crisply. ‘If it were anyone else, I’d leave it...’
His eyes sparked as though filing away that piece of information, but Olivia was already rolling away, disappointment curdling inside of her at the distance between them.
‘Hey, Sisi.’
‘Libby! What the heck is going on?’
Familiarity was a new kind of warmth, running over Olivia, at the sound of her childhood nickname. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Are you actually engaged to Luca Giovanardi?’
Olivia sat upright, her eyes bolting to Luca’s.
‘Why do you ask?’
‘Because it’s in the papers. Mum’s beside herself, which, I have to say, is actually kind of funny, but then, you did look ridiculously beautiful in the photos and you know she hates that.’
‘What photos?’
‘Have you not been online today?’
‘No, I—’ She glanced at the time and pulled a face. It was later than she’d realised. ‘Haven’t had a chance.’
‘Well, there are enough gossip pieces about you and Luca Giovanardi to keep you busy a while. Speculation that you’re engaged—even married.’ Sienna’s voice lowered to a hushed, earnest tone. ‘I know about dad’s stupid will, Libby. You really did it, didn’t you?’
What else could I have done?She didn’t ask it, because the answer was simple. Leave them living in destitution. Leave her mother paying the price of her father’s cruelty for the rest of her life? Or worst of all, leave it to Sienna to get married before the deadline and improve their fortunes? None of those options were possible. This marriage was all Olivia could do, and yet she didn’t resent it. She sure as hell didn’t regret it.
‘What else are the papers saying?’
‘Let me see.’ Olivia could imagine Sienna clicking open her iPad. ‘There’s a ton of pictures, all very nice. A bit of background on Luca, some scandal with his father a long time ago, his very, very varied dating past, including photos of—phwoar, did you know he used to date Elizabeth Mason?’
Olivia tried not to conjure images of the stunning American actress—and failed, so all she could see was Luca and Elizabeth, and what a beautiful pair they’d make. Jealousy gripped her, hard.
‘There’s a close-up of your hand—nice ring, by the way. And—Oh. This is a new article.’
Olivia tensed. ‘What is it?’
‘“In response to fierce speculation that one of Italy’s most eligible bachelors has been removed from the market for good, Luca Giovanardi’s grandmother Pietra has released a short statement confirming the marriage.‘My grandson has finally found happiness, and with a woman who is quite his perfect match. I am very pleased for them both.’”’
All the air whooshed out of Olivia.
‘You are married?’ Sienna squeaked. ‘Tell me this isn’t true?’
Olivia scrunched up her face, aware that Luca was watching her intently. ‘It’s true.’
‘Oh, Libby. Darling, you didn’t have to do this.’