The Italian's Unexpected Heir Read online

  His gaze searched hers. “Sylvie, I’m in no position to start something serious. I—”

  She placed a fingertip to those kissable lips. “I’m not asking you for anything permanent. I’m just asking you for the here and now. Let tomorrow take care of itself.”

  Hesitation showed in his eyes. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  The fact he cared that much meant a lot to her. And it was enough. Throughout the trials and tribulations of her life, she’d learned to be cautious with her heart.

  She sent him a reassuring smile. “You won’t hurt me. You’ve always been so sweet and kind.”

  Silence greeted her very honest words. All of this openness had her heart racing. What was she going to do if this all blew up in her face? After all, she was no temptress. She was not experienced in the ways of men. For all she knew, she could be making an utter fool of herself.

  “Do you want to continue this back at the hotel?” His deep voice was thick and rich like the tiramisu dessert they’d indulged in at the dinner before the awards ceremony.

  When her gaze met his, she saw desire burning in his eyes. Her insecurities were temporarily subdued. Her insides melted. Her core quivered with its own desire.

  She didn’t trust herself to speak. Instead, she lifted up on her tiptoes once more and pressed her lips to his. She deepened the kiss, opening her mouth to him, showing him that she didn’t want this most exciting, most romantic night to end. In fact, this was just the beginning.

  And then she pulled back. She laced her fingers with his and then started walking in the direction of their hotel. His thumb moved over the back of her hand. His roughened skin from working with his hands all day made his touch feel a little different, a little more exciting. Everything about Enzo was exciting.

  The quick walk passed in silence. And then they came to a stop in front of the first hotel room they came to. It happened to be hers. Her heart raced as anticipation pumped through her veins. At last, she was going to find out what all her friends were talking about when they mentioned their boyfriends and got that dreamy look in their eyes. Not that Enzo was her boyfriend. She wasn’t sure what to call him because friend didn’t begin to cover their increasingly complex relationship.

  She turned to him and asked, “You haven’t changed your mind, have you?”

  Both of his dark brows rose high on his forehead. Had she said something wrong? Doubts circled in her mind. Her head lowered. His silence increased her rising anxiety. She worried her bottom lip. She’d done this all wrong—

  He placed a finger beneath her chin and lifted until their gazes met. “Why would you think I’ve changed my mind? You’re the most beautiful, most amazing woman I’ve ever met. I just can’t believe you want me, too.”

  “I do.” Her voice was so soft that she wasn’t sure she’d actually vocalized the words, but there was a look of acknowledgment on his face.

  How could he not know all this time that she’d wanted him? She thought it was written all over her face every time she looked at him. It must be obvious she was utterly and totally inexperienced. She couldn’t help but wonder why he’d want to make love to her when she didn’t know what she was doing. She thought of asking him, but her mouth was dry and her mind was having trouble communicating with her mouth.

  But luckily this time, she didn’t have to do anything because it was Enzo who leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. His kiss, though gentle enough, was full of desire. It whipped up her pulse and stirred her own embers of desire.

  Tonight she would become a woman in every sense of the word. And her friends would no longer be able to hold anything over her head. Tonight she would find out all about lovemaking with the most amazing man in the world.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Tuscany, six weeks later

  HE HAD A SECRET.

  A secret he’d shoved to the far recesses of his mind.

  A secret he’d held on to for too long.

  Enzo paced back and forth across the spacious balcony. A frown pulled at his face as a stress headache settled in his forehead and wrapped around his head, tightening like a vise.

  He’d known for many years that one of the Bartolini siblings wasn’t a true Bartolini by blood. His chest tightened just like it did every time he replayed the tumultuous events in his mind. The reason he’d never said anything—never admitted the painful truth—was that he thought he was the illegitimate sibling.

  He raked his fingers through his hair as he blew out a breath. He’d totally made a mess of things. And after everything that had happened with his mother’s journal and the reading of his parents’ will, he still hadn’t gotten his act together.

  His mistakes continued to mount. Even though it had been weeks since the Paris trip, Enzo was still kicking himself for letting things get out of control with Sylvie. And rightly so. Sylvie had been a virgin. A virgin. The word echoed in his mind.

  She should have saved that special moment for someone whom she loved. The evening should have included flowers and champagne as well as a bunch of other romantic platitudes.

  Guilt settled on his shoulders like a big soggy cloak. Instead, the evening had been all about him and the vineyard. It should have been about her and how special she is. How had he missed all of this? He’d searched his memory, trying to recall if she’d told him that she was a virgin. But he was certain she hadn’t mentioned it.

  And yet, their night of passion had happened and now he could barely face her. He felt like she was expecting something from him. And yet, he didn’t have anything to offer her. His life was a mess.

  And to top it off, tomorrow was his birthday.

  Nothing about this week felt festive. And that was fine by him. He wasn’t in any mood to celebrate his birthday or anything else.

  Enzo stood on the balcony of his family’s grand estate, which had recently been remodeled into a boutique hotel. It was hard to believe that it had been less than a year since his parents stood in this very place. Now they were gone and with them went his illusion of the family he’d been a part of.

  Since their deaths, the changes were falling like dominoes, one right after the next. Nothing was like it had been. Everyone was making life-changing decisions. And now it was his turn.

  It should have been the biggest decision of his life. And yet, it felt predestined. The decision should have taken time—lots of time. It would have been surprising to make a momentous decision like this so quickly. However, this decision had been made for him before he even knew there was a question.

  One evening was all it’d taken to change everything. That wasn’t much time at all in the grand scheme of things. However, he’d drug his heels about making it official.

  And now, with his decision at last vocalized, the Monday-morning sun rose in the sky just as it had always done. It was oblivious to the monumental changes going on in Enzo’s life. And so he went about life just as he had been doing. He’d already been out in the fields inspecting the vines. It wouldn’t be long now and they’d be able to harvest the grapes.

  His first season in sole charge of the vineyard and it was going to prove to be their biggest and best year. His father would have loved to see all their hard work come to fruition. If only that horrific car accident hadn’t stolen both of Enzo’s parents away.

  If his parents were still here, Enzo’s family wouldn’t have been blown apart by a deep, dark secret that his parents had been harboring for many years. It was a secret Enzo had thought he knew the answer to. But when DNA results revealed his youngest sister, Gia, was not a Bartolini by blood but rather a result of their mother’s affair, he’d been utterly floored.

  He’d seen the way the news had stunned Gia and ripped her heart apart. But he couldn’t have been prouder of her when she pulled herself together and went in search of her biological father. Not everyone could do such a thing. He wasn’t sure he
could have done what she did...

  “Enzo, I have the mail.” Sylvie, the estate’s wedding planner, stepped onto the balcony.

  He didn’t turn around. “I don’t want to look at it now. Just toss it in the office.” Then, realizing he’d forgotten his manners—manners his mother had instilled in him—he said, “Thank you.”

  Sylvie stepped up next to him. “You might want to see these two things.”

  Her words stirred his curiosity. “Why’s that?”

  “They’re from your sisters.”

  A smile tugged at his lips. Through it all, they’d still remembered his birthday. When Sylvie held out two pieces of mail, he readily accepted them.

  The first was a postcard. It was from the island of Lapri. The front of it had a picture of a dog licking gelato with the beach in the background. Okay, so a postcard wasn’t exactly a birthday card, but it was the thought that counts. He flipped it over, already knowing it was from Gia.

  Having a great time. The villa is almost remodeled. I’ll have to find another house to work on. G

  That was it? His gaze searched the card again. No birthday wishes. No I miss you. No I’m coming back. Not even a Love, Gia. Just a little note and an impersonal, unfeeling G.

  His good mood deflated like a balloon stuck with a sharp needle. A big whoosh and his mood was back to its prior melancholy state of being.

  Enzo blew out a deep sigh. This confirmed that their close-knit family was forever fractured. Nothing would ever be as it had been. If only he hadn’t held on to that secret—the one he wasn’t supposed to know anything about—maybe then things wouldn’t be so different.

  “Aren’t you going to open the other one?” Sylvie’s voice drew him from his thoughts. “It looks official. It has a crest on it and everything.”

  Enzo lifted the cream-colored envelope and saw the purple seal on the back. It was from his other sister Bianca. He noticed that the envelope was weighty, like there might be a card inside. A little smile played at the corners of his mouth. Bianca was always good at remembering his birthday.

  He recalled the one time she’d planned a surprise for him. It was a birthday party in the garden. The only problem was she’d only invited her friends—her girlfriends. And most of them had crushes on him. Bianca had a good laugh, but he’d never been so glad for a party to end.

  He slipped his finger under the flap—

  “Stop!”

  He hesitated and turned to Sylvie. “What?”

  She wore a look of horror, as though he was about to destroy something sacred. “You can’t just rip that open.”

  “Why not?” It was an envelope. Sure, it was of much finer quality, but still, it was an envelope. “If I don’t open it, how will I know what’s inside?”

  “Wait. Don’t move. I’ll be right back.” She rushed back inside the villa.

  He thought about going ahead and opening it, but he didn’t want to upset Sylvie. She was going to be upset enough when he told her his news. There was no need to make this day any worse. He just didn’t know why Sylvie was making such a big fuss over an envelope.

  A minute later she returned, holding up a silver letter opener. “Here you go.”

  He took the letter opener that was older than he was and handed down from his grandparents to his parents and now to him. The metal tip slipped easily through the fold and he yanked. The paper tore in a straight line. Nice and neat, just like Sylvie wanted.

  He withdrew the card. As his gaze took in the words, he realized it wasn’t a birthday card but rather an invitation. Neither sister had remembered his birthday.

  “What is it?” Excitement rang out in Sylvie’s voice.

  He didn’t want to discuss it. Instead, he wordlessly handed the invite to her.

  She took it and began to read. Oohs and ahs accompanied each line she read. “This is amazing. You must be so excited to be invited to your sister’s wedding. Can you believe you’ll be related to a real-life prince?”

  Enzo cleared his throat. “I don’t care who marries my sister as long as he makes her happy.” By the raised brows on Sylvie’s face, he realized his voice had been gruffer than he’d intended. “I’m sure Prince Leo will make her happy. She certainly seemed excited enough when she moved to Patazonia.”

  “Oh, she was.” Sylvie wore a dreamy smile.

  He didn’t want to talk about his sister, especially not the new life she’d been thrust into by their parents’ unreasonable will, which had pushed all three siblings to compete against each other for ownership of this estate. Maybe if it hadn’t been for the unusual will and ridiculous requirement, his family would still be together—

  He halted his thoughts. That wasn’t the truth. It was his fault. He should have tried harder to protect his sisters—to keep them all together.

  You’re the big brother. You have to watch out for your sisters. Keep them safe.

  His father’s words echoed in his mind. How many times over the years had his father told him that? Too many times to count. And now when it was urgent for him to do just that, he’d failed them.

  Not only had he failed his sisters but he was also about to disappoint Sylvie. And just like his sisters, she wouldn’t see this news coming.

  * * *

  What was going on?

  As Sylvie continued to study the distinct frown on Enzo’s face, the more confused she became. He’d been acting strange ever since he got home from the wine competition—which he’d won. But instead of being excited, he’d been moody and quiet. And worst of all, he’d pulled away from her.

  Whereas they’d started off as friends, joking and laughing with each other, they now acted like mere acquaintances. Gone was the warm, easy companionship.

  When he’d invited her to Paris, she’d thought it was the start of something serious between them. Boy had she been wrong. So very wrong.

  Within a couple weeks of returning from Paris, everything looked dismal. Not only had Enzo put up a wall between them, but with his decision to close the boutique hotel, the wedding business was dwindling. People had been drawn in with the package deal. Now with just a wedding venue and no lodgings, well, the competition was drawing away business.

  Maybe if she hadn’t acted spontaneously in Paris—if she hadn’t forced their relationship to the next level—she’d be able to convince Enzo to reopen the hotel. But with the mood he was in these days, that wasn’t going to happen.

  If it wasn’t for that one unforgettable night, things would be different. Heat rushed to her cheeks when she recalled the night he’d won the prestigious competition. It had been a very special night for her, too. Perhaps they’d celebrated a little too much and then one thing led to another until she’d wound up in his arms all night long. She’d let herself believe he cared for her—like she cared for him.

  But then they’d returned to Tuscany. It was like their passion had all been a steamy, stirring dream, but a dream nonetheless. And though that had been weeks ago, she was still trying to figure out what had happened.

  They just needed to address the elephant in the room. The air needed clearing because she had important business to discuss with him. And this time she wouldn’t let him come up with an excuse to walk away—like he’d done so many times before.

  “Enzo—” she waited until she had his full attention and then she continued “—we need to discuss the future of the wedding business. I have some ideas to go over with you.”

  This was it. This was further than she’d gotten in the past. She straightened her shoulders and met his gaze, letting him know she meant business. Would he stay this time and hear her out? Or would he make an excuse again?

  When he started for the door, he said, “Maybe later. I need to get back to work.”

  In the past she’d let him escape. Maybe she should have spoken up before now. Maybe she shouldn’t have let thing
s drag on to this point. But it was so hard when the first time you make love and you think it was great—special even—and the guy thinks otherwise.

  At first, she’d cried into her pillow at night. But time had helped soothe her wounded heart—or was it her pride? Perhaps a little of both. Either way, she wasn’t going to be ignored. No one deserved that, not after what they’d shared.

  She rushed over to the doorway before he could escape inside. When she stepped in front of him, his widened gaze settled on her.

  “Sylvie, this isn’t the time.” His tone was gruff. “I have things to do.”

  She settled her hands on her hips. “Not before we talk.”

  He sighed. A moment of tense silence passed before he said, “Okay. What do you want to talk about?”

  “You.”

  This got his attention. His gaze connected with hers, sending a jolt of awareness zinging through her body, but she refused to acknowledge it. Not now. Not like this.

  “What about me?” His tone was cool and distant.

  “I want to know why you’ve been acting different since we slept together—like we’re strangers.”

  For a moment there was some sort of emotion in his eyes, but in a blink it was shuttered behind a wall of indifference. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  Her back teeth ground together. He wasn’t going to do this to her. During the years of caring for her mother, she’d learned to be a fighter—fighting to keep a roof over their heads, fighting to have her mother admitted to a new clinical trial, fighting to make their lives as normal as possible. Through it all, she’d learned how to speak up and not back down.

  Frustration bubbled up within her. “Don’t do this. Talk to me. I don’t understand what went wrong. I... I thought we both wanted that night. Didn’t we?”

  He continued to stare at her. If he thought she was going to turn away, he had another think coming. She was the best starer in her primary school.