Not cornering her so she had no choice.
Not putting his desires above her own.
Once Ida had thought him similar to her grandfather, ruthless and self-focused. She’d been wrong.
Cesare looked almost as vulnerable as she felt.
Ida felt the flutter of paper against her leg as she rose, eyes locked on Cesare’s.
‘You trust me.’ Her voice was a wisp of air. ‘You care for me.’ Her words were firmer now. ‘You make me feel worthy of love.’ Something she hadn’t experienced for so long. ‘I can’t tell you how much that means.’
‘You don’t need to explain, Ida. You make me feel the same.’
‘I’ve never in my life felt as good as I do with you, Cesare.’ There, she’d admitted it, the truth she’d shied from for weeks. ‘Because I love you too. I’ve loved you such a long time, even when I tried not to.’
Suddenly his arms were around her, tender but firm. Those dark eyes that looked to Ida like paradise gleamed overbright. The smile curling the corners of his mouth made her heart want to fly.
‘Does that mean you’ll take a chance with me, Ida?’
She shook her head. ‘It’s not taking a chance, my love.’ How wonderful it felt to say those words. ‘I believe in you. I believe inus. I’ve never been more certain of anything as I am that we’re meant for each other.’
Cesare smiled down at her, letting all he felt show. Then, because words were superfluous, he drew her close and proved in other ways exactly how precious she was to him.
EPILOGUE
‘HAVEITOLDyou how gorgeous you look,tesoro?’
In the full-length mirror Ida saw Cesare approach, looking too scrumptious and tempting for a woman expecting a houseful of guests in a few minutes. She’d like to drag that formal black jacket from his wide shoulders, tug the silk bow tie undone and have her wicked way with him.
From Cesare’s smug expression he read her thoughts. Not surprising, since they were so attuned.
‘You’ve mentioned it once or twice.’ She grinned as he stopped behind her. ‘But I don’t object to repetition.’
He bent and kissed that sensitive spot at the base of her neck that made her skin tingle and butterflies swarm deep inside.
‘That dress looks magnificent on you.’ His teeth skimmed her flesh and she shuddered as delicious sensations shot through her. ‘But you look wonderful no matter how you dress. Or even if you don’t dress.’ Cesare made a sound at the back of his throat, a soft, purring growl of approval that liquefied her knees. ‘Especiallyif you don’t dress.’
Ida leaned back against her husband, letting him take her weight.
In the mirror she saw a woman in a form-fitting lace dress of seafoam-green that matched her eyes. A woman wearing such a look of such dazed delight Ida knew she needed time to make herself presentable before their guests arrived.
But then Cesare met her gaze in the mirror, sliding his arms around her to rest his broad palms on the tiny swell of her abdomen, and suddenly Ida didn’t care about the guests. Not the renowned interior designer who’d just offered Ida a part-time job. Or even Kate and Jo, who’d flown in for the anniversary party, arriving on the same flight as Francesco, who was driving them here to the villa now.
‘Happy?’ Ida asked, her voice husky.
‘It’s impossible to explain how much.’ He stroked his hand over the spot where their first child nestled. ‘You changed my whole life, Ida. You know that, don’t you?’
‘You changed mine too.’ And she didn’t just mean because her grandfather and his thugs were behind bars. ‘Sometimes I can’t believe how lucky I am.’
‘It’s more than luck, my love. You deserve all the happiness in the world.’
‘So do you. You’re the best man I know.’
The world blurred as Cesare spun her around and drew her tight against him, his head lowering.
‘I’ve just put on my lipstick!’
Too late. His mouth was on hers in a kiss so full of love and just-controlled passion that Ida didn’t even try to resist.
Finally, Cesare lifted his head and frowned. ‘I hear a car.’ He sighed. ‘You’ve just got time to refresh your lipstick.’
Ida breathed deep, inhaling the familiar scent of this man she adored.
‘Some things are more important than lipstick. I’ve decided on a more natural look for tonight. Besides, Dorotea will answer the door and take their coats.’
‘Which gives us another few minutes.’
He pulled her to him, and Ida laughed with pure delight.
Her instinct when they’d met all those years ago had proved correct. Marriage to Cesare Brunetti was everything she’d hoped for and so much more.