Bound to the Tuscan Billionaire by Susan Stephens

Author:Susan Stephens [Stephens, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-02-04T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

SHE WAS SO sure she had thought things through properly before leaving for Rome, but this was so much worse than she had imagined. Exchanging her tiny, cosy home for Marco’s vast, impersonal penthouse was like being stranded on a desert island. The impressive door had barely swung open on the all-too-familiar hallway with its Caligula overtones when Marco turned to go.

He gave her no explanation. Why would he? He’d been working on the flight, and when they’d disembarked he had been on the phone in the limousine. Some important business deal, she’d gathered, judging from his decisive speech and stern expression. They hadn’t spoken once during the trip, and were as distant now as if they were once again the billionaire and his part-time gardener.

She cringed with embarrassment when his driver put her shabby suitcase down in the hall before following Marco out. Her case looked like a boil on the pristine marble floor, and when she went to pick it up, a maid as starchy as her uniform whisked it away before Cass had the chance to touch it.

‘Your room is ready for you, signorina.’

‘Thank you.’ She felt the hallway was spinning. Everything was happening too fast. She followed the maid to the suite of rooms that would be her home for the next few months.

How had she agreed to this? Cass wondered as she stroked her stomach protectively. She knew that her health had made it necessary, but even so her heart sank as she looked around. She knew how ungrateful she must seem, but she didn’t need all this. She would happily swop these gracious surroundings for a few calm words with Marco.

‘If you need anything else, signorina...’

The maid was hovering by the door.

‘I won’t, but thank you.’ All Cass wanted was to be left alone.

‘If you change your mind, please call me on the house phone.’

‘Thank you,’ she said again, wondering what Marco’s staff made of her.

Nothing, she guessed. They probably saw lots of women arrive and leave without ever exchanging a friendly greeting with them.

When the door closed she turned full circle slowly. Everywhere was beautiful and light, and very spacious, but though it was all incredibly impressive, Marco’s magnificent penthouse had more of an air of an exclusive hotel than a home. People slept here, and occasionally ate here, but they never left a personal mark. There were no photographs, no trophies, no memorabilia at all. There was absolutely nothing to give a hint of the type of man who lived here. Maybe that was Marco’s intention. He had the reputation of being a cold, aloof man.

But not in bed.

That was all over now, she told herself sensibly. She was pregnant. He was suspicious. They were at an impasse. And for now there was nothing to be done about it.

The maid brought her a light supper of delicious salad and freshly baked bread. When the phone had rung earlier she had nearly jumped out of her skin, and had rushed

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