Navy Seal's Innocent Italian (9 page)

Brianna wandered into Trent office just before dinner to see him packing up his briefcase, “Going somewhere?”

Trent looked up with a smile, “Yeah, but just for a day or two. Will you be all right here by yourself?”

Brianna laughed, “By myself. Between the nurses that come to look after my mom, the housekeeper, the nanny and the various friends that drop by all the time, I hardly call that being by myself. I will be fine.” She watched him for a moment and then asked, “Does this trip have anything to do with Marco?”

She already knew it did, having eavesdropped on his conversation with Shawn the night before. She’d already given the information to Marco, who was planning on catching up with Trent in Toronto.

Trent looked at his wife, wondering why she was asking so many questions, “I know you don’t approve, so why don’t you now ask, and I won’t have to answer.” Trent smiled to lessen the harshness of his words, but it didn’t help. He watched Brianna’s face drop and then close down.

Sighing, he came around the desk and pulled her into his arms, “Where’s Faith?”

“Sleeping. Now that her ear is feeling better, she’s back to normal.” Brianna snuggled into his embrace, inhaling his scent and reminding herself that she still needed to take things easy for a few more weeks.

Trent kissed the top of his wife’s head, mentally calculating the days left before he could take her to bed once again. He loved Brianna with all of his heart, but after the scare during the birthing, and then again when their baby had been abducted, it would be a long time before he considered having another child with her.

“You’re not going to tell me?” Brianna asked, gazing up at her husband’s strong face and watching his eyes shutter.

“Yes. I know you don’t understand, but I can’t let Marco have another opportunity to hurt you or Faith. I just can’t.”

Brianna nodded her understanding, “I just wish you would try to talk to him one last time. I could call him for you…”

“Don’t. Bri, I know you don’t understand fully, but hearing him accuse me of Serena’s death was hard. A part of me was already feeling guilty for not having talked to her more and being so callous. A part of me still wonders if I could have saved her and gotten her some help.”

Brianna wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him close, “You can’t do that to yourself. You did what was healthy for you. You didn’t ask her to kill herself and you certainly weren’t responsible for her pregnancy. She was twenty-five, not four. You have to let it go, just like Marco needs to let it go.”

“Thank you Dr. Coldwell. Maybe I should have you sit down and talk to Marco.”

“I would do so willingly. Just tell me when.”

“I was joking. I don’t want you anywhere near that man! Promise me that if he contacts you, you’ll hang up on him and then tell me.”

Brianna nodded her head.
Next time.
“Sure, but I can’t see that happening, can you?”

Trent smiled at her and then put her away from him, “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. Why don’t we go eat before Faith wakes up? I swear that little girl knows when we’re about to sit down to eat and wakes up screaming every time.”

Brianna laughed, “She does have perfect timing, doesn’t she?”  Before they could reach the dining room, the soft cry of a baby waking up reached their ears and they looked at each other before bursting into laughter. “I’ll go, you get started and I’ll bring her in here to feed her.”

“Sounds good.” Trent watched his wife head back towards the nursery, wondering again what he’d done to deserve a woman like her.
He was going to end this thing with Marco and then he could focus on what was important in his life – his beautiful wife and daughter.

             
                                                                      *****

Marco finished making plans to head to Toronto, speaking with an insider in the company and assuring himself that Trent Coldwell was indeed expected the next afternoon. The man had been very informative, providing him with the hotel where Trent was staying, as well as the meeting time with the board of directors.

Trent’s offer was so over the top, Marco didn’t have a chance in meeting it, but he was hopeful that if Trent and he could talk things over, maybe they could partner together on this project and begin to rebuild the friendship that had existed prior to Serena’s death.

Marco placed a call to his home, hoping to speak with Bruno and get an update on the Daramark situation. He’d
left a message for Petro, but the man was currently in a meeting and so he simply left a message.

Mrs. Panturo answered the phone at the estate in Verona, and Marco slipped easily into Italian, inquiring as to her recovery from the arduous trip and how things were at the house.

“Everything is fine here. How is Miss Moretti getting along?” she inquired politely.

“So Bruno filled you in on things, did he?” Marco asked with a smile in his voice. He’d missed spea
king to Mrs. Panturo. Quite a bit actually.

“But of course. Bruno and I have no secrets. You on the other hand, are full of secrets.”

Rather than a teasing tone to her voice, Marco heard censure and asked, “What is it you think I’ve done now?”

“I hope nothing. But Marco, it is time to let Serena go. You and I both know she was no angel. Continuing to blame Trent for her poor choices isn’t right.”

Marco was slightly shocked, but also happy that she felt comfortable enough to speak her mind to him, “I thought you were in agreement with taking the Coldwell baby?”

“I was,” Mrs. Panturo offered slowly, “But when it was no longer talk, but reality, it just didn’t settle right. It wasn’t right to deprive Mrs. Coldwell of her newborn. You know it wasn’t, and I want you to stop this feud you have going with Trent. Come home and leave the man in peace.”

Marco smiled at the heat in her voice, “You seem very passionate about this topic.”

“Marco, you are a better man that this and I don’t like being disappointed in your behavior. Come home to Verona and let Trent get on with his life.”

“Mrs. Panturo, I’m already ahead of you, so you can stop being mad at me. I realized before I reached Rome that I couldn’t continue to blame Trent for Serena’s lack of judgment, nor my own ability to control my child.”

“I’m glad, Marco. So, when may I expect your return?” Mrs. Panturo was smiling now, happy that Marco was done with seeking revenge.

“I need to make my peace with Trent, or at least attempt to. He’s going after my business with a vengeance and I need to stop him before he ruins me. His wife, Brianna, is helping me and I’m hoping to speak with Trent tomorrow when he goes to Toronto. If all goes well then, I will be home shortly thereafter.”

Mrs. Panturo murmured her well wishes and then asked, “Will you be leaving Miss Moretti in the states?”

“Most certainly. She appears to have met a young man who just happens to be moving to Colorado. That is where she decided she wanted to put down roots, and I am hopeful that things will work out well for the two of them. I will stop to see her before heading home, but expect me before the new week starts.”

“Very good. I look forward to your return.”

“Do you now? Have you missed me, Mrs. Panturo?”

“Louisa. My name is Louisa. Don’t you think it’s about time you started using it?” she asked, ready to test the waters and see if she and Marco could ever get beyond employer and employee.

Marco didn’t miss the significance of her giving him leave to call her by her first name. Pausing, he thought for a moment, and then asked, “Louisa, when I return, would you consider going to dinner with me?”

“I would like that.”

“Good. It’s a date. I’ll call and let you know when to expect me.” Marco hung up the phone, looking forward to going home for the first time in a long time.

Jake and Alex landed
in Denver shortly after 7 p.m. Jake smiled at Shawn as he exited the jet and headed across the tarmac. “Hey, it’s good to see you,” Jake told him, slapping him on the back before turning to introduce him to Alex.

“Shawn, meet Alexandra Moretti.”

Alex smiled at the big man and shook the hand he offered, “You can call me Alex. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“How was your flight?” Shawn inquired as their luggage was being loaded into the back of his SUV.

“Good,” Jake answered.

Shawn saw the blush that rose in Alex’s face and wondered just what had happened at thirty-thousand feet. He shared a look with Jake and then suggested they get in the car and find her hotel.

Alex insisted on sitting in the backseat, and it gave her a chance to observe Jake and Shawn as they caught up on each other’s lives. Before she knew it, they had entered the heart of the city, and were pulling up in front of the hotel where Marco had reserved rooms for them. Marco had insisted on getting a room for Jake as well, not wanting Alex to be left to fend for herself in a strange city the first few nights.

Looking around at the tall buildings and all of the people, she made a mental note to thank Marco the next time she saw him. She would have hated being in this place by herself.

“So, I’ll pick you all up first thing in the morning and we’ll go find you some wheels,” Shawn said as he got back into his vehicle.

“Sounds good, man. Thanks for the ride.
”

“Don’t mention it, Pretty Boy,” Shawn replied, chuckling as Jake made a not so nice gesture in his direction.

Alex turned to look at Jake and inquired, “Pretty Boy?”

Jake blushed and then escorted her back inside the hotel, “That’s was the nickname my crew gave me in the military. Before I enlisted, I had longer hair and some of the guys saw a picture of me and the nickname resulted.”

Alex observed him and then asked, “How long?”

Jake watched her and then replied, “Below my collar. It’s pretty curly once it starts to grow out.”

Alex was envisioning him with long hair, and had a sudden urge to see him grow it back out so she could run her fingers through it. “Have you thought about letting it grow long again?”

“Every day for the last ten years. I hate this military cut.”

“Good. I look forward to feeling… I mean, seeing it longer.” Alex blushed, hoping Jake hadn’t caught her slip, but of course he had. The man had ears like radar dishes.

“Honey, you can run your hands through my hair anytime you like. Just say the word.” When her blush only intensified, Jake laughed and the
n took her hand in his as he headed for the check-in desk.

After checking in, he could see Alex beginning to wilt and suggested they order in for dinner, rather than going out. She readily agreed and they settled on pizza.  While they waited for it to arrive, Alex returned to her own room and took a shower, washing away the travel weariness of the day.

She couldn’t decide what to wear afterwards and was still standing in front of her open suitcase when the knock came on her door. Wrapping her robe tightly around herself, she opened the door to see Jake standing there, pizza in hand.

She took in his appearance and noted his wet hair. He had evidently taken advantage of the time to shower as well. She stepped back to allow him room to enter, but he stayed where he was, his eyes roving over her figure and his self-control wavered.

“Aren’t you going to come in?” Alex asked, missing the desire that had flared to life in his eyes.

“Alex, hon, you were planning to get dressed for dinner, right?” he asked, his voice hoarse and gravelly.

“Yes, I just couldn’t decide what to wear.”

“Anything but that robe. In fact, the more clothes the better.” Jake waited until her eyes lifted to his own and then he said, “Close the door and get dressed. Only open it again once that is accomplished.”

Alex suddenly felt very exposed, and very vulnerable. Nodding her head, she stepped back and closed the door. She quickly donned a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt, forgoing any sort of bra or panty in her haste.

She hastily pulled her hair up into a ponytail and then opened the door again. When she saw the relief of Jake’s face, she bit her lip and stepped aside. Jake entered the room, still lecturing himself on the need for self-control.

They ate the pizza in relative silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Jake was trying to tell himself he had agreed to go slow with her. Alex was going over all of the reasons why she shouldn’t sleep with Jake tonight.

When the pizza was gone, Jake removed the trash and then they discussed plans for the next day. Alex placed a call to Marco, leaving a message on his phone telling him they had arrived safely. She didn’t have any interviews scheduled for the next day, so it was decided she would hang out with Jake and Shawn.

Jake pulled her with him to her door, and then kissed her like she was the last meal on earth. He used his teeth and his tongue to nip and smother her full bottom lip, sending desire coursing through her body. When he pushed her up against the wall, she couldn’t help but tip her pelvis forward, brushing against his hardness and moaning at the feel of him against her body from shoulder to knee.

Jake could feel himself losing control of the situation, and when she delved her hands beneath his shirt, he grabbed them and pushed them against the wall by her head. She struggled to free them, but he silenced her with another devastating kiss until she stood pliant in his arms.

“Let my hands go,” she pleaded.

“No. I’m barely hanging in there. If you start exploring, I won’t be able to stop.” Jake nibbled his way down her throat, biting the top of her shoulder gently as she pushed herself against him.

“What if I don’t want you to stop?” Alex sighed, tipping her head to the side to give him better access.

Jake lowered his head to her own, holding still while he breathed deeply for several minutes. She was trying his patience something fierce. When she struggled to pull her hands free once again, he looked her in the eye, “Stop before you hurt yourself.”

“Please,” Alex cajoled him.

Jake shook his head, standing firm on his prior decision, “I’ll make you a deal. If you still feel this way tomorrow,
I will reconsider my time frame. There’s no hurry here…”

“Unless you count the fact that I feel like I’m about to go up in flames. Jake, I’ve never felt this way before and it hurts!”

Jake closed his eyes for a moment, praying for control. Pulling her body against his, he gentled his kisses, and let his hands rub up and down her back, bringing her desire down to a manageable level. Sure, he could get her off and ease the passion burning inside of her, but the selfish part of him wanted to save it for himself.

When she relaxed in his arms once again, he kissed her once more on the forehead and then stepped back. “Goodnight.” He met her eyes for a moment and then let himself out of the room.

Alex stayed where she was for several minutes, taking slow deep breaths and promising herself that the next time he worked her up, he was going to finish what he started. Even if she had to tie him to the bed!