The Marriage Ultimatum (Contemporary Romance) Read online

  “Kind is an adjective I’ve never associated with Grandfather.”

  She shot him a look, wondering about the sarcasm she heard in his voice. “Maybe he’s happy to see you finally putting down roots,” Roxy said. “People do change.” God knew she had reinvented herself more than once.

  “Perhaps.”

  “Now I’m a camel,” Gregorio said across the way while moving his legs up and down in a slow roll as he continued pretending to be various animals.

  Matthew giggled and clapped. “More,” he ordered when Gregorio stopped.

  While she should have been angry that Gregorio’s ultimatum had led to Stefano’s take-it-or-lose-it deal, she didn’t fault the man for wanting his grandson to settle down. Pretending to love Stefano was a hard price to pay, but now she couldn’t imagine Matthew without his new family. A family that had enveloped him as if they had all known him since the day he’d been born.

  If she was completely honest with herself, she’d experienced more affection during the last six hours than she’d had known throughout her entire life, with the exception of her foolish love affair with Stefano.

  Only one person didn’t welcome her with open arms. Gian, who hovered on the sidelines with a glower darkening his features. “You think your cousin could stop giving me the evil eye?” Roxy reached for another helping of pezzanta, a spicy salami as part of their antipasto course “It’ll only make everyone else question our sudden marriage and our supposed star-crossed lovers line of bull.”

  “He’ll be gone tomorrow,” Stefano said.

  “Good, because I can’t stand the sight of him,” she said. “If he hadn’t interfered years ago, maybe things would be different.” She loathed Gian for making it impossible to contact Stefano, and now? The fact that he clearly still considered her a criminal made her blood boil. One day, she’d let him know just what she thought of him.

  But today was not the day.

  For now, she’d bask in the love flowing between Stefano’s other cousins that had extended to her, blanketing her with a sense of belonging.

  A security she had longed for as a child and had sought as an adult.

  On a night like this with the deep indigo Mediterranean night sky overhead, stars sparkling in tandem with the lights above her, and the palpable joy emanating from the guests, Roxy almost believed the illusion she and Stefano had created. Love, happiness, and family mattered here. For a little over two years she had been Matthew’s sole provider and guardian. Now he had gained an entire village of people eager to participate in his upbringing. Together, they’d all keep him out of harm’s way. That gave her a small measure of comfort.

  “Your family’s the polar opposite of mine,” she said. “They care.” Though his cousin, Elena, had been a bit too pushy for information about their love affair, which raised Roxy’s guard.

  “Grandfather’s approval and love isn’t unconditional.”

  “But it’s still there,” Roxy said. “My folks didn’t know or care where any of us were as long as we didn’t interfere with dad’s daily twelve pack consumption. We all left as soon as we could get out of that trailer park, and I’m certain we won’t be welcomed back.”

  “That why you ran away? Because you didn’t get enough attention?”

  She stole another glance at Gregorio, watching him lift Matthew from his lap and gently pass her tired, but happy, little boy to the family’s housekeeper. “Among other things,” she said, unwilling to spill every sordid detail during her so-called wedding reception.

  She had plenty of reasons not to return to West Virginia. She didn’t want to be the bane of her sisters’ lives again and in danger of one of their boyfriends copping a feel. Plus, her sisters hadn’t believed her when she told them about one of their boyfriends slipping his hand down her pants and groping her.

  “Being on my own provided more security than staying with them, but you have all this and rarely come home according to your cousin, Elena.”

  “I’ve been busy.” He lifted his glass and finished his drink, then clinked it against hers. “Working, saving my family’s company, and getting married.”

  Married, but only to protect his interests. And she’d done the same thing—to protect hers. Suddenly, the enormity of her deal with Stefano pressed like a boulder against her sternum. She’d done the right thing for Matthew’s sake, but now that she’d met Gregorio and Stefano’s family, their lie slapped her conscious. Not only that, but they’d have to perpetuate that lie by sharing a wing of rooms in the villa.

  Roxy pushed away from the table, then stood. “It’s been a long day. I’m getting Matthew and tucking him into bed.” Then she’d figure out how to get things squared away in the suite that Gregorio had taken them to earlier. A suite with only one very inviting bed. Naturally, since they were a married couple. But no way was she sharing that luxurious king-sized bed with Stefano.

  “Carlotta can take care of him,” Stefano said.

  “But…”

  “But nothing.” Stefano caught her hand and laced his fingers into hers. “You’re the guest of honor. You can’t leave.”

  Roxy remembered the wooden rocking chair next to Matthew’s new toddler bed. It would have to do for now. Making sure Matthew spent his first night with her familiar presence nearby would be her explanation for not sleeping in the same room with Stefano should anyone ask.

  “It’s his first night here,” she said.

  “It’s our official wedding night,” Stefano said. “I won’t let you insult my grandfather.”

  So much for Plan A. She looked at Stefano, felt the heat in his gleaming gaze and a current of electricity flowed from his skin into hers. She also felt the pressure of living up to his family’s expectations, especially Gregorio. “You’re right, but I want to give Matthew a goodnight kiss before Carlotta takes him to the nursery.” Quickly, she formulated a second, less comfortable plan to avoid Stefano.

  “We’ll both say goodnight.” Stefano joined her, his hand still linked to hers.

  He flashed her a smile that had her itching to kiss the dimple in his cheek. Sheesh. Her hormones had better take a long hike off a short pier, or she’d lose her resolve to keep things strictly platonic between them.

  “Excellent idea,” Roxy said. After all, no matter what happened between her and Stefano, their son would have two parents who would continue to love him after their marriage officially dissolved.

  With their hands linked, they crossed the veranda to Gregorio, Carlotta, and Matthew. Quickly, they gave Matthew cuddles and kisses. Stefano lingered longer with Matthew than Roxy anticipated. He truly adored their child. That called to Roxy in ways that were far more alluring than his physical attributes. Reluctantly, Stefano released Matthew into Carlotta’s arms. She scooted away with him amidst promises to read him a bedtime story. Though her English wasn’t perfect, Matthew readily understood Carlotta’s affection and she carried him away without a single protest.

  Roxy’s arms felt empty and her heart squeezed. For so long she’d been everything to Matthew. Now his world had expanded to include more people than she ever imagined, relatives and family friends whom would all play important roles in his life.

  Though she had wanted to give Matthew this chance at a full, rich life, a prick of tears stung the backs of her eyes while she continued blowing air kisses and waving goodbye. “It’s like he’s lived here forever,” she said.

  “He’s comfortable because you’re here.” Stefano wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

  “Si,” Gregorio said. “Without you, Matthew wouldn’t be able to adjust so easily to his new home.”

  Roxy caught a look in Gregorio’s blue eyes, one of regret and lost moments. Moments he’d have even less of now that he refused treatment for his disease. Stefano’s grip tightened and his chin rested lightly on her head. She heard him swallow hard.

  “Matthew is a very lucky little boy,” Stefano said after a long beat.

  Roxy allowed herself
to sink into the comfort of Stefano’s powerful arms and the broad expanse of his chest. “He is,” she said. Not just because of the love she had showered on him since the day she first held him. “Because he has two parents who care.”

  “Si,” Stefano said. “He’ll never know what it’s like to be alone.”

  There was a small, intense tick in time, but in that microsecond Roxy recognized what had called her to Stefano in the first place. Though outwardly confident and commanding, an aura of isolation surrounded him. She understood that well of loneliness, and neither of them wanted Matthew to experience that kind of pain. In that they had the same motivation binding them to their son.

  “Someone will always be there no matter what happens,” Roxy said. Her marriage to Stefano meant Matthew’s existence was no longer a secret, and she needed Stefano’s protection more than she wanted to admit. But she sincerely prayed that this new life blocked her brother from using Matthew as a weapon against her now that an ocean divided them.

  Gregorio raised his glass, called everyone to stop to pay attention, and then saluted them. “You have chosen wisely, Stefano.” He drank, then picked up a spoon and clinked the glass.

  Soon the sound of tinkling glasses echoed alongside the chorus of voices cheering them and teasing them to seal their vows with a kiss.

  Stefano turned her to face him, and his mesmerizing sea blue eyes held hers. A hint of the reckless rogue she had once tumbled into bed with danced in his dark pupils. The smile he flashed, devilish and full of sensual promises, had been aimed to disarm any resistance. She felt as if he was looking straight to the depths of her soul. That he could see her. The sounds around her evaporated. There was only him. Only her. And only the hot sparks of excitement licking through her that ignited a fire within.

  Roxy couldn’t say no. Heck, she could barely string two words together with his hands cruising up and down her back, caressing her curves and molding her to him. He lowered his head, then slanted his mouth over hers, a soft brush of his lips. Years evaporated. The memory of their weeks together intertwined with the sensation of finally being held now, because she was his woman, and not just the mother of his child.

  Secrets swirled into the mist, concerns floated away as Roxy twined her hands through Stefano’s hair, drawing him closer, molding herself to him. She wanted so much more than this simple kiss. She wanted more of him. More of his touch. More of his powerful possession. She wanted all of him, craved the intimacy of their connection with a visceral, almost painful longing.

  Over and over they kissed. She couldn’t think, her thoughts clouded by the memories and sensations Stefano’s sensuous mouth had unlocked. He had reawakened her, the center of her very being, a place where she had long ago clapped a lid. Now she answered with the same intense desire, feeling as if being with Stefano was exactly where she had always been destined to belong.

  Even as she lost herself in the magical, intoxicating moment, Roxy’s mind reeled with the ramifications of believing in fairy tales and pixie dust. A part of her—the woman who yearned for a man’s touch and affection and possession—wanted to surrender to the desire flaring between them. But her realistic side couldn’t let him that close unless they found a way to trust each other. Because without that, they’d never have more than a marriage on paper.

  Chapter 5

  Roxy’s lush body molded perfectly against Stefano as she opened herself to take his tongue inside her mouth, meeting his intimate stroking with a bold passion. She tasted like Limoncello with a hint of effervescence. Unique, fresh, and potent.

  He caressed the length of her back until he reached the sensual dip above her bottom, and brought her closer. Blood rushed through him, thundered in his ears, melting the span of years that had existed between their last night together and this one. What had brought him to want her with such intensity that surged again hot and hard? Though he’d never admit it to anyone, this woman had haunted him for three years, because she’d known him.

  Roxy had seen through his guarded attitude from the minute she had locked her silver eyes onto his all those years ago. God, how that had unnerved him at the time. Hell, even now he couldn’t fathom wanting anyone as much as he wanted Roxy. Though she had thrown the tabloids’ fascination with his love life into his face earlier, Stefano hadn’t been with a woman in several months. No time, and no desire. But tonight? Tonight he’d have a hard time tamping down the fire that had reignited from the moment he’d discovered her in Georgia. Now, finally, after days of wanting, Stefano feasted on Roxy like a man starved. And she matched his hunger stroke by delicious stroke.

  Clasping her with one hand, he tunneled his other hand through her silky hair, holding it at the base of her neck. He didn’t want to let her go. He wanted to feel her around him, hear her cry his name in ecstasy, and answer her with his own release.

  Cheering and laughter permeated his sex-starved brain. Stefano slowed their kiss until their lips were but a millimeter apart from each other. He released the hair he’d fisted, then brushed a wisp of strands from her brow. “No one will doubt we’re long lost lovers after that kiss,” he said when he regained his ability to breathe normally.

  Her pulse fluttered rapidly in the hollow of her neck and she touched it with trembling fingers. “As far as kisses go, yes,” she whispered. “Just bear in mind this was for your grandfather’s sake, not yours.”

  His Nonno’s cancer diagnosis had been the catalyst for Stefano’s insistence that Roxy say I do. That death sentence couldn’t become public knowledge until Stefano locked down his deal with Anderson. Meanwhile, despite being pushed into marriage—he wanted his grandfather’s final days to be happy, peaceful, and without any concern about the future. “Si,” Stefano said. “We’ve made Nonno a happy man.” And his grandfather’s current smile cemented Stefano’s resolve to ensure his primary agenda.

  “I have no problem engaging in PDAs where he’s concerned,” she said under her breath.

  He could see her nipples pearling against her dress’s fabric. “Your mouth says one thing, but your body can’t lie. You still want me.”

  Roxy was the mother of his child. A means to an end, but she’d felt so right in his arms. No way could she hide the fact that she wanted him equally as much. Years ago the sex between them had been fantastic, unbelievably phenomenal, and much, much more than he’d ever experienced.

  Dio. He missed being with her. A lot.

  “I’m capable of exercising self-control—you’d better do the same.”

  “No problem,” he said smoothly. Once he lost Nonno, he’d let her go, but he couldn’t stop the current thrum of need skimming beneath his skin, making him hunger for more of her.

  Didn’t help that all around him people were egging him on to their suite of rooms. “You have to pretend that we’re anxious to go to our bedroom.”

  “Sure thing,” she said for his ears only. “But after the door is closed, you get the couch.”

  Though the air was warm with coastal summer heat, the tone in Roxy’s voice could have frozen the entire Ionian Sea. “It’s been a long day,” he said to the group surrounding them. “Buona notte.”

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Buona notte,” she echoed.

  They moved away from the group that circled them and toward the villa where they hurried to their suite. Then Roxy hid in the master bathroom to change and took her time exiting, drawing out the inevitable.

  She emerged after half an hour, then tossed Stefano a blanket and pillow after walking to their expansive king-sized bed. “Satisfied?” she asked.

  She had turned her nose up at the lingerie he’d purchased for her only days ago, opting for a cream-colored crop top that settled above her belly button and red shorts that cut just below her sexy bottom.

  His groin tightened. “You sure you don’t want to share the bed?” he asked. “Seems like a shame to waste all that space.” And an even bigger shame to avoid doing the one thing he knew that they both wanted.<
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  Roxy turned off the light and crawled beneath the sheets. “The more space we have between us, the better.” She curled into a ball with the covers tucked firmly under her chin. “Sleep tight, Stefano.”

  More like sleep never, he thought as he glanced at the small sofa, then back at the bed. Oh, man. He wanted beneath those covers bad, but he’d never force himself on a woman. Not even one who physically desired him. Still, no reason he couldn’t try to make things go his way.

  With that in mind, unlike Roxy who had meticulously maintained her distance in the bathroom while getting ready for bed, Stefano started to undress next to the couch where she expected him to sleep for the next three months.

  “What are you doing?” she squeaked.

  He caught her wide eyes with his. A thrill of pleasure thrummed through him. No. She wasn’t oblivious to him after all. “What does it look like I’m doing?” he asked nonchalantly as he tossed his shirt onto a side chair.

  She bolted to a sitting position, still holding her sheets up to her chin. “Save your striptease for someone who cares.”

  Stefano shot her a sly grin. “You don’t have to watch.”

  Roxy pressed her lips into a razor thin line, then scooted beneath her covers again and pulled the sheet over her head. “Trust me, I won’t,” she said.

  Stefano undid the top button of his slacks, tugged down the zipper, and quickly removed them. “You might want to invest in a pair of blinders for the duration of our marriage because I’m not changing the way I sleep.”

  “How would that be?”

  Stefano shed the rest of his clothes, then moved around the living suite area naked as the day he was born. “Commando.”

  * * *

  The following morning, Roxy opened her eyes and blinked, taking in her surroundings. Her dreams had transported her back to Mountain Brook so vividly that she half expected to wake up in her loft apartment.