Ida shook her head. ‘Not brave. Just desperate.’
Heat flared in that liquid dark gaze, tugging at her heart.
‘I knew you were remarkable,’ he murmured. ‘Right from the beginning there was something about you that made me weak for you. But I never guessed the half of how amazing you are.’ His expression was full of admiration and something so powerfully tender that Ida’s soul soared. ‘I don’t understand what I’ve done to deserve such incredible loyalty. Such sacrifice.’
To Ida’s amazement Cesare’s deep voice wobbled on the last word before his jaw clamped tight.
‘After what you’ve done for me? You gave me hope in dark times. You gave me...’
Her words faded as she struggled to explain how he’d turned her life around, giving her not merely security but happiness such as she’d never known and a renewed determination not simply to hide from her grandfather, but also to build a positive future.
‘I didn’t give anything you didn’t deserve.’ Still holding her hand to his chest, Cesare skimmed his knuckles along her cheek and a seam of longing opened up in her heart. ‘Even when we married and I told myself it was just sexual desire I felt, Iknewyou were important to me, Ida. Maybe that’s why I reacted so badly. I didn’t want to be vulnerable.’
Cesare grimaced. ‘Learning the truth, learning aboutyou, has made me question everything I was so sure I knew. The old mantra of duty over passion, strategy and success instead of love, none of that worked any more.’
His palm cupped her face. ‘You mean so much to me. I love you, Ida.’
Shock made her stiffen and instantly Cesare released her, his mouth flattening.
‘It’s too early, I know. I shouldn’t have blurted that out. Blame it on shock.’ In one swift movement he was on his feet, stalking away then spinning on his heel to look back at her, his chest expanding on a huge breath. ‘I only realised what this feeling was today, when I thought I’d lost you. But you’ve had enough for now. This can wait.’
‘No, it can’t!’ Ida didn’t feel tired now. There was enough energy sparking through her to light up a whole city. ‘I just wasn’t expecting—’
‘I know it’s hard to believe after the way I behaved. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.’
He was flagellating himself over the past when none of that mattered. Ida’s hands curled in her lap and something crackled. She glanced down to see a paper on her lap, smoothed flat by her restless hands.
And then she didn’t hear anything else Cesare said.
There was a roaring in her ears like a high-speed train and she shook all over as if from its vibration.
‘Cesare?’ Her voice when it came was thin and high. ‘You were going to do this? For me?’ When she lifted her head, she looked into eyes so intent she felt his stare as a tangible, stroking caress. ‘You were going to give him a controlling share of Brunetti Enterprises?’
Even reading the words in black and white, it seemed impossible.
‘If it meant getting you back.’
‘Cesare, you couldn’t! It’s your family firm. The thing you worked for and loved all your life. It’s tradition and history and family.’
Ida knew those were as vital to him as the blood flowing in his veins. His pride in his family’s achievements, his concern for those dependent on the company and his focus on innovation and success were part of him.
Yet he didn’t say it had been a ploy to trick her grandfather. Instead, a slow smile edged the corners of his mouth. Not a confident grin. For remarkably, Cesare looked anything but self-assured.
‘I’ve found something I love more.’
Ida’s hand went to her throat where her heart thrashed as if trying to escape.
‘I still want what’s best for the company. I’ll still do all I can to protect it and nurture it, but I’ve learned that a business is just that. It’s not my life and I don’t want it to be. Given a choice between saving you and the company, it had to be you.’
He went on, seemingly oblivious to her shock. ‘Even after you signed the divorce papers I couldn’t bring myself to give them to my lawyer. They’re sitting in my desk drawer.’ He read her stunned expression and nodded. ‘Yes, even then,tesoro. Though I didn’t understand why. I just knew I suddenly wasn’t ready to end our marriage and I needed to know why.’
Cesare paced towards her and with every step the glow in his eyes dissolved the last vestiges of doubt. ‘My priorities have shifted. I’d rather have love.’ His voice was whisky and gravel and utterly compelling because she heard the raw ache there. It matched the sweet shaft of pleasure-pain inside her. Again Ida saw that vein throb at his temple. ‘If you give me a chance. With time...’
Remarkably Cesare seemed to run out of steam, as if the persuasive words he’d once wielded so easily were now beyond him. He lifted his shoulders and spread his hands as if inviting her to take a chance on him.
Inviting.
Not demanding.