Amedeo, Her Italian Billionaire(68)
Still. For the duration of the marriage, he was going to be as real a husband to Violet as he could be. He wanted her to know that there are trustworthy men in the world. That she should open her heart again and learn how to pick a good guy. Her future husband will thank him even if he doesn’t know why.
Even with losing his father, Amedeo’s life had been a fairytale. He missed having a father around, but Dante had stepped in at some point and been the man of the house. He would be forever grateful to his brother for that.
His mother had been a rock and they’d all grown up to be successful. She’d taught them to work hard and to reach for their dreams.
He leaned back in his chair, still swirling the ring around his finger. He decided maybe he could entertain getting married again, but he’d be sure of what he was getting into this time. No Tory. No one who was high maintenance. Someone who appreciated what he did.
“You look like you’re solving the world’s problems,” Violet said from the doorway. She leaned against the doorjamb, a fluffy robe wrapped around her.
He smiled at his pregnant wife. The sight of her, carrying his child inside of her, filled him with joy. He was going to be a father. He was going to make his father proud. “I’m not.”
She pushed off the door then came to sit the chair opposite him. “Then what?”
He shook his head. “I need to have some secrets.”
She laughed. “You have as many as you want. I just hate to see you so concerned.”
“I’m not, really. Just reflecting on the day. How are you feeling?”
“Still pretty boneless from the spa. Thank you again for that. The whole situation was made better by Kalia being there.”
“I’m glad you two had a good time. Not to be a buzzkill, but any more messages from your stalker?” he said.
She shook her head. “Nothing since the flowers. The length of time in between the threats is making me a little crazy. I’m not sure if I should be worried or not.”
“Not worried. Cautious.”
She nodded. “Right.”
She rubbed her tummy absentmindedly. His eyes were drawn to her burgeoning belly. His child. Inside of her. He’d been a little fascinated when Gwen had started showing. This time it was more personal. This was his child. Half his DNA.
He pondered what the child will look like. He will love it no matter what, he was sure.
“I’m going to ask Salvatore to look into the message and the florist. He can track down who did it so we know for sure who the threat is.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry.”
He waved a hand. “It’s done, Violet. You’re not a child who has to be scolded. We all make mistakes.”
She snorted then looked down at her stomach.
“This baby is not a mistake. It’s a surprise, yes, Violet, but please don’t refer to our child as a mistake.”
She nodded. Her hand stilled in one spot on her abdomen. She got a faraway look.
“What’s wrong?”
He stood, striding over to her. Was she in pain? She grabbed his hand then put it on her stomach. He felt something underneath his palm.
“The baby’s moving,” Violet said.
Amedeo’s heart couldn’t have been any fuller at that moment. For him, this was his first meeting with his child. He knelt down and put both hands on her stomach. “Wow.”
“The baby’s been doing that for a day or so, but I wasn’t sure so I didn’t say anything.”
Amedeo kissed her stomach. “Hello, little one. I’m your dad.”
He looked up into Violet’s shimmering eyes. She smiled despite the tears. “That’s so sweet.”
He kissed her on the lips, overwhelmed by the play of emotions across his heart? Did he love her? Or was he just caught up in the moment of feeling his child move. He didn’t know, but he deepened the kiss.
She grabbed his shoulders, then ran her hands down his naked chest. His body came alive. Her breath came out in pants when he released her lips.
“That was amazing,” he said. “Thank you.”
Then he stood, grabbing her hand.
“Where are we going?” she said.
“Back to bed.”
“Uh, I need food.”
He laughed when he turned around to look at her. She had her bottom lip stuck out. “Okay, I’ll find something for you to eat, but then I want you naked.”
She smiled. “Feed me and I’ll follow you anywhere.”
He led her to the kitchen and found some leftovers to heat. She ate them happily. He thought about his child. How his life was going to change. How much he thought he wanted Violet in it.
Or did he? Was he too wrapped up in the emotion of the situation? Could he separate out his feelings? He couldn’t imagine that he’d fallen in love. He’d wanted to see Violet again after that night, but he hadn’t been thinking anything long term. Just another roll in the hay.