course I’d get you a ring.”
She stared at the ring, almost afraid to touch it. “The stone is huge.”
He was silent for a moment then laughed under his breath. “You’re complaining about a large diamond?” he asked in disbelief. “That’s a first.”
“I’m not complaining,” she quickly said. “I just didn’t expect it. When I think about us getting married, I haven’t thought about diamonds, or even rings.”
“Then what have you been thinking?”
She bit her lip, reluctant to reveal the fact that she was wondering if it was such a smart thing to marry Max. She shrugged, not meeting his gaze. “More about how all three of us will adjust to family life.” She hesitated. “Wondering how you and I will adjust to being married.”
“I think we’ve demonstrated we won’t have any problems,” he said, sliding his hands over her neck, making her feel as if her collarbone was a sensual hot spot for the first time in her life. It amazed her that he could make her feel so sexy with just a touch.
She closed her eyes for a second. “In bed,” she said in a voice that sounded small to her own ears.
His hands stilled. “What do you mean?”
“Well, it may be a rumor,” she said, trying to keep a light tone, “but I hear married couples tend to spend a lot more time out of bed than in bed.”
“Damn,” he said. “So you may actually have to join me for dinner most nights and we’ll have to do things together.” He walked around her chair and bent down over her, meeting her gaze. “Sounds rough, but I think I can do it. What about you?”
She smiled reluctantly. “Probably,” she said.
“But you’re still bothered.”
“You have to admit this isn’t the typical romantic wedding. We don’t even have a honeymoon planned. For that matter, how did you find out my ring size? I didn’t know yours.”
“While you were sleeping,” he said and added, “in your bed. Say what you want, but sex between us will take away a lot of your doubts.”
The notion filled her with a combination of anticipation and anxiety. Would she have any leftover reactions to that last experience with Tony? So far, Max seemed to push everything from her mind, but him.
“So try on the ring. Maybe you’ll like it better on your finger,” he said casually and plucked the ring from the box and slid it onto her hand.
It fit perfectly. It sparkled like a bright star. “It’s beautiful,” she said and wiggled her finger. “Does it come with a crane?”
Lilli woke up the next morning full of anticipation and hope. She was just two weeks from her delivery date, two weeks from when she would hold her baby in her arms. The excitement inside her seemed to build with each passing hour. And she was getting married in just two days.
Glancing at the diamond ring that felt heavy on her finger, she fought the slivers of trepidation that stabbed at her. She felt as if she were on the precipice of falling completely in love with Max. What if she spent a lifetime waiting for him to love her and he never did? What if he fell out of lust with her and left her? Or worse yet, what if he never allowed himself to love her, but stayed with her even though he was miserable?
Lilli shook off the thoughts. She had every reason to hope everything would work out well. The sun shining brightly outside seemed to invite her to take a short stroll along the driveway that led to Max’s home and then down the block. The fresh air cleared her head and the sunshine gave her a boost of optimism.
Returning from the stroll, she spotted a car parked in the driveway. It was a Jaguar, so she knew it didn’t belong to any of her friends. Mallory drove a BMW.
Curious, Lilli entered the house and overheard a woman talking with Ada, the assistant housekeeper. “I left some of my things here several months ago. I just want to pick them up.”
Recognizing the woman’s voice as Kiki, Lilli stiffened. She turned away to quietly climb the stairs. She didn’t want a confrontation with the woman.
“Oh, look, the sweet mother-to-be. Don’t run off. It’s been too long. We should visit for a little bit,” Kiki said.
Lilli reluctantly stopped and turned. “Hello, Kiki.”
Looking as svelte and perfect as ever in a fashionable black-and-white sheath, Kiki moved past the housekeeper. “Omigoodness, you look like you’re ready to go any minute. Positively glowing,” she said. “Babies are pure magic, aren’t they? They make the impossible seem possible. I mean, look at how your life has changed.”
“I just want what’s best for my baby,” Lilli said.
“Of course you do,” Kiki said. “I was surprised that I never heard back from you after we met at the charity auction. Did you lose my card?”
“Yes. I think I did,” Lilli said.
“You seem like a smart woman. I thought you might take me up on my offer. But rumor has it you’re placing your bets somewhere else.”
Lilli and Max hadn’t announced their decision to marry, so Lilli refused to confirm or deny any implications. “I should go upstairs. I have a doctor’s appointment this afternoon.”
“You can at least show me the nursery,” the other woman said with a fake pout. “I’ll go upstairs with you. I need to pick up a few things I left here.”
Ada stepped forward. “I’m sorry, Miss Lane, but I’m not sure Mr. De Luca would be comfortable with you going through his private quarters. If you’ll wait, I can call him.”
Alarm shot across Kiki’s face. “That’s not necessary. I’ll give him a call myself. It’s just so awkward to ask a man to return lingerie,” she whispered. “But it was La Perla. One of my favorites,” she said with a sigh. “One of his, too, as I recall. Oh, well. Lovely seeing you. You can still give me a call if you change your mind about anything, but don’t wait too long.”
Watching Kiki leave, Lilli told herself not to trust the woman. Kiki was clearly desperate and would do anything to get Max back. She shouldn’t let the woman generate any doubts about her decision to marry Max. Her rebellious mind, though, hung on to Kiki’s description of lingerie. She remembered the photo of Max and Kiki in the newspaper just recently. Perhaps she had underestimated their relationship.
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