are different,’ he told her now, trying to keep his voice low. ‘I don’t need to work so hard. I have people who do it for me. Believe me, Megan, you can come up with all the excuses in the world but none of them hold any water.’
‘How do I know you’re not saying this simply to get me to change my mind?’ she demanded fiercely.
Lord, how beautiful she looked on this Christmas morning in her button-through red dress, which fitted her narrow waist and flared elegantly over her hips and thighs. She had gorgeous legs, long and slender, and he couldn’t help remembering the times she had wrapped them around him as they made love. He could even imagine the feel of her against him now and he made a half move towards her, his heart hammering against his ribcage.
But the glare in her lovely eyes stopped him. ‘We shouldn’t be having this conversation,’ he said. ‘I want this day to be as perfect for you and Charlotte as possible.’
‘Some hope of that,’ she hissed beneath her breath but he ignored it and turned to his daughter instead, who was skipping from one present to another, unsure of which to play with first. It filled his heart with joy and pride to watch her, and he knew in that moment that he was never going to let her go. He would fight Megan tooth and nail if necessary.
All of a sudden Megan glanced through the window. ‘Charlotte, look,’ she said urgently, ‘it’s snowing.’
They all three went to watch as big white flakes settled on the lawn and then melted again just as quickly.
‘Can we go outside?’ asked Charlotte excitedly.
‘Of course, sweetheart,’ answered Megan, thankful for the distraction. But Luigi came too and he and Charlotte tried to catch the falling flakes. He was a little awkward at first, playing with her, but after a while he began to relax and ran around the garden while she chased him.
But all too soon the snow stopped, there was not even enough to cover the ground, and they all trooped back indoors. By this time they were thoroughly late for breakfast and Cook tutted as she served their meal. ‘I bet it’s ruined,’ she complained.
‘It’s not your fault, Edwina,’ said Luigi, trying to placate her. ‘We didn’t want to miss the snow, did we, Charlotte?’
Charlotte, suddenly shy again, shook her head, staring with wide blue eyes at the plump motherly woman who was standing arms akimbo watching to see whether their bacon and eggs were edible.
Megan took a mouthful and smiled. ‘It’s perfect. Thank you very much, and I’m sorry we held you up.’
The woman suddenly beamed. ‘That’s all right, lass, it is Christmas after all.’
The whole day passed in a whirl of talking and eating and playing and Megan began to feel that it might not be so bad after all living with Luigi. He was undoubtedly making an effort. The question was, would it last?
It was not until Charlotte was in bed that Megan and Luigi were finally alone.
‘Have you enjoyed your day?’ she asked as she curled up on a chair in Luigi’s den. ‘Has Charlotte worn you out? Did you find it easy coping?’
‘If you’re asking whether I’ve changed my mind the answer’s no,’ he retorted sharply, his eyes narrowed on her face. ‘I’m even more determined now. This is the ideal place for a child. She’s had the time of her life, surely even you can see that?’
‘She enjoys herself every day,’ flashed Megan, not having expected such a sharp rejoinder. ‘A palace or a cottage, it makes no difference. What wouldn’t be good for Charlotte is you spoiling her. You’ve bought her far too many toys, and as for the computer, how old do you think she is, for goodness’ sake?’
Luigi shrugged. ‘I simply instructed my toy department to pack up whatever they thought suitable for a nearly four-year-old.’
‘You did what?’ exclaimed Megan disgustedly. ‘You didn’t even choose one thing yourself? How appalling is that? Did you issue the same instructions for my presents? Damn you, Luigi! You can take the whole lot back after the holiday. I don’t need them and I don’t want them.’
A muscle jerked in his jaw, telling her that she had hit a raw nerve, but she didn’t care; it was true. What sort of a cop out was that?
‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ he snorted. ‘You’re overreacting. How the hell am I supposed to know what a young child likes?’
‘You could have made it your business to find out. Or would that have been too much trouble?’ she demanded coldly. ‘It seems to me that you’ve grown too big for your boots. It’s easier to pay someone else to do your chores. I don’t think I want to hear any more of this. I’m going to my room. I should have known that Christmas would turn out to be a disaster.’
But she hadn’t even reached the door before Luigi was on his feet barring her exit. And when she tried to push her way past him he enclosed her in his strong arms. ‘I refuse to spend the evening alone,’ he told her tersely. ‘You’re not walking out on me.’ And before she could even begin to struggle, before she could even guess his intentions, his mouth possessed hers.
It was Megan’s undoing. It sent a whole storm of sensations spiralling through her and although she knew that she ought to push him away she did nothing, she actually revelled in the feelings he created. He always had been a fantastic lover and it took her no more than a few seconds to realise what she’d been missing. Lord, if this kept up she would be begging him to make love to her. What sort of a Christmas present would that be?
And, excitingly, it did keep up. She hadn’t the willpower to stop him. Every vein and artery went on to red alert, responding and leaping out of control. She kept telling herself to fight him, to put an end to this joy, but how could she? Her body was starved. She hadn’t realised it until this moment but it was now telling her that it wasn’t natural to go so long without the attention of a man.
That the man should prove to be Luigi was ironic to say the least, but better the devil you know came the immediate thought, and Megan returned his kiss, parting her lips to allow him entry, moving her body against his, feeling the source of his own passion. He groaned deep within his throat and took advantage of the fact that she wasn’t rejecting him.
Just this one kiss, decided Megan, then she would carry on up to her room. Easier said than done. That one kiss lasted for an infinite period of time. That one kiss turned into a full-scale sex alert.
‘You’re still the sexiest woman in the universe,’ Luigi said in a hoarse passion-filled voice. ‘I must have been crazy to let you go.’
Not half as crazy as she felt at this moment, decided Megan, her hands on the back of Luigi’s head, her fingertips digging in, unconsciously revealing the fact that she didn’t want this moment to stop.
Luigi’s hands slid down to her bottom and pulled her firmly against him, his deep groans revealing the desire that raged in his tautly honed body. When she didn’t object he swung her up into his arms and carried her over to the soft leather sofa.
Megan lay there and looked at him, her breathing unsteady, her grey eyes luminous and filled with a sexual hunger that she hadn’t felt in years. Ought she to put a stop to it, or let nature and their animal hunger take its course? Would she live to regret it, or would she view this occasion as a fitting end to their tragic marriage?
