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She grinned in the dark ‘Say that again’

‘Don’t push your luck’ He slid down beside her ‘Roll over and I’ll cuddle you till you relax’

Exactly what she wanted, yet it wouldfor more Couples cuddled, not short-term lovers Hadn’t he justwith thisrelationship? Friends, single parents sharing raising a child, whatever They didn’t do cuddling naked in bed That was too loving and close, too wonderful to be happening

‘Think I’ll get up and read for a bit, distract ive in to those te arms

‘Elene?’

Mattia would hate for her to say as on her e between them ‘Go to sleep I’m fine,’ she lied

Out in the faes, felt her eyes water when the screen showed blank Not even the usual banter from her sisters, but they’d be at work Homesickness overwhelet used to it When she returned here, keeping busy would be an antidote to so people around who loved her unconditionally Pressing her mother’s number, she held the phone to her ear and waited, and waited Okay, not at ho Mum, her phone was probably still on the bench

Swiping the back of her hand across her face, Elene reached for a cushion and hugged it to her breasts Breasts that not so long ago were responding to Mattia’s hands and tongue, tightening and aching with need She shouldn’t have left his bed She’d had to, or fall deeper It was going to be hard enough stepping aithout adding other memories of tenderness to the picture

Next week she’d fly out of Naples, bound for Wellington and all the packing that needed to be done Only days left forhers—if they continued after their discussion tonight Silly woether When she returned she’d never leave her rooet into bed with Mattia They’d never againfor the kettle to boil Hoas she going to be able to return to all those memories?

Mattia quietly observed Elene as she bounced a grizzly Ais in her other hand She looked shattered

‘Been busy?’ He nodded at the logo-covered bags she was dropping onto the kitchen table

‘I’et started they don’t stop I swear there isn’t a shop on Via Toledo we didn’t go into’ She jiggled her huot louder

‘Give me Aimee so you can take a load off your feet’ He reached into the fridge for the wine ‘Pour yourself one of these while you’re at it Dinner is prepared for cooking so we can eat whenever’

‘That’ll be when o to sleep’

‘I’ll run her a bath’ Though his girl wasn’t fond of getting wet, once she was in and playing with her toys she usually calmed down

‘Good luck with that She’s been wound up all the way ho with Nonna and her cousins’ The glass shook in Elene’s hand as she poured a small drink

Worry hit Mattia ‘Are you all right, other than tired?’

She huffed out a breath ‘Yes I didn’t get ht’

‘You didn’t choose the most comfortable of places to crash’ He’d found her on the couch ast the cushions when he’d co ‘Why weren’t you in bed?’

Another huff ‘I was restless’

So in his ear was serious so he left Elene to wind doith her hile he dealt with madam ‘Come on, little one Let’s play splish-splash’

Pushing boats through the water and tickling Aimee on the ribs quickly quietened her and Mattia relaxed Until he lifted her out and began to dry off the bath water Then the crying started again ‘Guess we’re going out to the deck next’

‘I’ll heat the puht help’

It did for a while, but as soon as Mattia tried to wipe her face and hands Aiency siren, little one’ Back to pacing the deck

‘Lettie’

Within minutes the shrieks had dulled to occasional snorts and hiccups ‘The mother touch,’ he noted ‘I’m impressed’ He also loved how do beside Elene as they settled their child He glanced around the deck at all the toys spread around Could he get Anna to leave it as it was so it always felt like a family home?