His eyes glinted with amusement and something else that made Kristen catch her breath as his gaze roamed over her bikini-clad body. Despite the fact that she had slipped on a chiffon shirt which matched the bikini, she felt at a disadvantage when he was fully dressed, especially when a quick glance downwards revealed that her nipples were clearly visible, jutting beneath the clingy Lycra bra top.
She pulled the edges of the gauzy shirt together in an attempt to hide her treacherous body from him. ‘Why have you not told your father the truth about us? He is still under the illusion that we intend to marry. But I suppose it suits you not to clarify the misunderstanding,’ she ploughed on without giving him the opportunity to speak, ‘just as it suited you to bring Nico here. I understand now why you were so determined to bring him to Sicily.’
‘Do you?’ Sergio’s face was enigmatic but his voice was cool as he drawled, ‘Why don’t you enlighten me?’
‘Luisa told me that your father refused to name you as his successor jointly with Salvatore until you produced an heir. How convenient for you that you discovered your son, especially when Tito’s health is failing. Luisa said she has heard that Tito is now preparing to upgrade you to CEO of the Castellano Group, the same as your brother.’ She gave a bitter laugh. ‘And to think you convinced me that you wanted to be a proper father to Nico. I should have remembered that you usually avoid commitment like the plague. Thank goodness he hasn’t had time to form a close bond with you. I’m going to take him back to England before you have a chance to hurt him.’
She swung away from Sergio but, before she could take a step, he gripped her shoulder and spun her back round to face him. ‘What nonsense is this?’ he grated. ‘I would never harm a hair on Nico’s head.’
‘No, but you could break his heart. He has really taken to you and doesn’t stop talking about his daddy. He won’t understand that he comes second in your life, and that the company is the only thing you care about. You brought Nico to Sicily because your father wouldn’t name you as his successor until you produced an heir.’
‘And you know this because Luisa told you? You believe the word of a member of staff who does not even work at my father’s house, and who is well known for her habit of spreading gossip, which in this case is completely unfounded.’
Sergio had not raised his voice, but somehow his quiet tone was infinitely more dangerous. His jaw was rigid with tension and Kristen realised he was furious.
She bit her lip as it belatedly occurred to her that she might have been too ready to jump to conclusions. ‘Do you deny it?’
‘Of course I damn well deny it. My father stipulated years ago that when he dies, or when bad health prevents him from carrying out his role as head of the company, Salvatore and I will take over from him and we will have equal responsibility. It is true that Tito made some minor alterations to his will recently, and perhaps that is where the rumours have arisen from. But it is not true that my position within the company is dependent on me having an heir.’
His dark eyes glimmered with anger as he stared at Kristen’s startled face. ‘I brought Nico to Sicily because I want the chance to get to know my son. I know what it’s like to grow up without a father. It might suit you to deny it, but Nico will benefit from having a male role model. He needs his father, and I...’ he swallowed convulsively ‘...I love him already,’ he said roughly. ‘I will never let him down the way you seem to think I will.’
Shaken by the fervency of Sergio’s words, Kristen found that she believed him and felt guilty for accusing him without first checking the facts. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said huskily. ‘I just wanted to protect Nico. I was stunned when your father mentioned a wedding. But I suppose it’s understandable that he assumes we are going to get married.’