Perhaps it was natural that she felt nervous, she thought, as she wandered restlessly around the room. She wished he would hurry up and come to bed. Unlike four years ago, it was unusual for him to take a business call late at night, but an urgent problem had needed his attention.
Her gaze fell on the photograph of the dark-haired young woman on Sergio’s desk. He had loved Annamaria and, recalling the soft tone of his voice when he had spoken about her, it seemed very likely that he still did. Biting her lip, Kristen did a reality check. Sergio had asked her to marry him for various reasons, number one being that he believed it would be best for Nico and number two because he desired her, but he had never mentioned love.
She sighed. After the way his mother had treated him as a child, it was understandable that he found it hard to show his feelings and perhaps it was unrealistic to hope that he would fall in love with her. She couldn’t blame him for guarding his emotions. But she had sensed over the past few weeks that he did care for her, and maybe in time his feelings would develop into love.
Maybe, if she told him how she felt about him...? Kristen’s heart lurched at the prospect of opening herself up to being rejected once again. Sergio had ripped her heart out four years ago, and she was still haunted by how her stepfather had let her down when she had needed his support.
She had two choices, Kristen realised. She could be a coward and carry on hiding her feelings for Sergio, or she could take charge of her own destiny and find the courage to tell him she loved him. Yes, she risked being hurt, but she had been hurt before and survived. Honesty was the best policy, but did she have the nerve to offer her heart to Sergio?
* * *
‘You look very pensive. What are you thinking about?’
She turned her head at the sound of his voice and watched him close the bedroom door. He looked incredibly sexy in black tailored trousers and a black silk shirt, and she was reminded of when she had seen him at the Hotel Royale in London. It seemed so long ago, but it was only a matter of weeks since she had gatecrashed his party and he had crashed back into her life.
‘I have something to tell you. I found out while you were away that there are no repercussions from our carelessness a couple of weeks ago. I’m not pregnant.’
‘I see.’ Sergio’s tone gave nothing away and Kristen had no idea if he was as disappointed by the news as she was.
He strolled over to her and she saw a familiar glint in his gaze as his eyes roamed over the sexy black dress. ‘Did I tell you how stunning you look tonight, mia bella?’
‘Several times.’ She knew she couldn’t allow herself to be seduced by the sensual promise in his voice, at least, not yet. ‘Sergio—I...I have decided to marry you.’
Sergio smiled widely, revealing his white teeth. ‘Fantastic!’ He felt elated. He had spent the past few weeks trying to win Kristen’s trust without putting her under pressure, and it seemed that his patience had paid off. ‘I’m glad that you want to be my wife, cara.’
He wanted to sweep her into his arms and carry her off to bed so that they could celebrate by making love. He had missed her like hell while he had been away and the news that she was ready to commit herself to him suggested that she had missed him too. Although she had not actually said so. Sergio’s elation dimmed a little as doubt crept into his mind. Kristen had said that Nico had missed him when he had gone to Hong Kong, but she had made no reference to her feelings.
‘It will be good for Nico to grow up with both his parents,’ he murmured. ‘I’m glad we have been able to resolve matters without a judge having to decide who should have custody of him.’