page20 (1/2)

She didn’t look like a woo out and find a new love She lookedresigned? As if she thought this hat he wanted?

How often had he reacted to Maria without looking before? How ?

Not this time

‘Maria’ The word came out low, and surely she must hear his desire in it? Well, he’d tell her, just in case They’d spent too long s, it seemed ‘Maria, the only woman I ever want to be with is you’

The surprise on her face was al in behind it He couldn’t have that

‘Believe me, I have no interest in other women, no desire for anyone except for my wife Except for you’ He reached out to tuck a strand of her dark hair behind one ear, cupping her cheek as he did so ‘You have to know you are—and have always been—the most beautiful woman in the world to me’

‘You’ve neveryou never told me that’ Maria stumbled over the words ‘Before’

Because he was an idiot Clearly

‘I should have’ He should have told her every day, and would from now on, if it meant she’d stay ‘Because it’s true You’re so beautiful you take my breath away You always have’

Her cheeks flushed with colour, onlyher more beautiful to him

‘So, if I stayyou want us to’

‘I want us to have a e, as well as a partnership,’ Seb finished for her ‘I want us to have it all’

Maria could feel the hope rising within her—that sa day With each day of their honeylorious weeks they’d spent together out in the Seychelles,the two of the things fros, no calls, no emails Just them

It had been one of the happiest ti Sebastian anew as her husband, rather than just a friend of the fa, for hours, just because they could Spending whole days lazing about on the beach, or splashing through the water, asking questions and listening to the answers

And at nightthat had been a whole different world to explore It had been the one aspect of their e Maria had been most nervous about After all, she knew that their fah ti well together, even if they hadn’t seen much of each other over the last few years But beyond a few simple, often observed kisses, they’d never had a chance to test the more physical aspects of their compatibility

But she needn’t have worried From the moment they’d been alone, the first time Seb’s lips had met hers, she’d known there were absolutely no concerns at all on that score

She bit her lip just re all at once, pleasure taking over in a way she’d never experienced before

Or since, in fact

Oh, sure, they’d had sex since they’d returned from honeymoon, but it had always come in second place since then Seb would be too busy at work, co his eed to conceive Frankie, at least, but ever since the honeymoon was over, Maria had co

Thehis work emails on his phone And in soain since

But he was seeing her now Here, in front of the fire in the suite they’d shared, their son asleep in the next room, he couldn’t take his eyes off her

He’d said he thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world, and somehow, finally, she believed it And heaven knew she’d never seen a eous man than Sebastian Cattaneo However hard she’d looked

But it was too soon So he’din the snoith Frankie That wasn’t enough for her to give in, to let herself get her hopes up about for ever That way, she knew from bitter experience, led only to disappointment and heartbreak

More than once before she’d thought it would be different After their honeynant with Frankie and Seb had been so attentive she’d thought she’d scream if it wasn’t so adorable Even when Frankie had been born, and Seb had actually ed to make it to the hospital from the boardroom in time to be there and hold her hand—just

But every tiht she’d won his attention—and ain, running off to deal with some sort of work crisis, or to discuss future plans for the business with his father Anything except stay with her and enjoy their family

It could still be the saht of that She needed to protect her heart—and her future

If she stayed, it would be on her own terms, and without any false expectations She could mandate that Seb spend time with her and Frankie, she could insist on partnership terms, but she couldn’t make Seb fall in love with her

Which s to make her happy She had Frankie, of course, and Seb’s fa she craved was a ive her that, too, if he wanted