Chapter Thirteen

Massimo wasn't expecting the painful shaft of ice

which speared its way through his heart as he stood

watching her play with the baby he was outside

the charmed circle but had no desire to enter it. 

But maybe his breathing had altered fractionally or maybe

he moved, because both women turned round and saw

him. He saw the uncertainty which crossed Toyin's

face as she lowered the baby to rest against her shoul-

der, but her uncertainty was quickly forgotten as she

fielded the playful swipe of a chubby fist as the baby

urged her to play on.

'Massimo!' said Molly, getting to her feet and coming

towards him with open arms and a wide smile on

her face. 

Here you are. Awake at last! How lovely to

see you. And Toyin seems to have made a huge fan

of Oliver as you can see for yourself.' She tilted her

head. 'But you really are naughty why didn't you

tell us who you were bringing?"

Massimo felt his body grow tense, but he kept his smile

bland. 

"Because Toyin prefers to keep her status low-

key, don't you, Toyin? He sent her a mocking glance

as he gave his sister-in-law a hug. 'And besides, I can

see she's made herself perfectly at home. She has a

knack of doing that. Where's Nick?"

Gone to speak to the vicar and to investigate how

bad the roads are. Nobody else has arrived and they're

all supposed to be here soon. Molly scooped the baby

from Toyin's arms. Here, let me take him and put 

him down for a quick nap before all the fun starts.

You've been brilliant with him, Toyin thanks:

You're welcome, said Toyin. He's absolutely

gorgeous.

'I know he is-although I'm heavily biased

of course!" Molly gave a wide smile. I must say it makes a nice change to meet one of Massimo's girl-

friends-we only ever get to read about them in the

papers.'

But Toyin became aware of the silence which fell

like an axe between them the instant Molly carried

the baby from the room, She met the silvery glint of

Massimo's shadowed gaze, wondering if she was imag-

ining the unspoken undercurrents which suddenly

made the atmosphere seem so hostile.

I like your sister-in-law.' she said.

'I'm sure she'd be delighted to have the royal seal

of approval.' His voice grew rough.

 'But you didn't

think it might be wise to wait for me before coming

down to breakfast?"

From the way he was glowering at her, Toyin felt

as if she were in the dock. Yes, she probably should

have waited so they could come down to breakfast

together, but she'd needed to get away from him this

morning. Needed to get her head straight and her

senses back to something like normality. She'd been

terrified of being caught staring dreamily at him

when he opened his eyes, which had been what she'd

wanted to do. She'd wanted to stare at him and stroke

her fingertips over his skin and never stop, because

what had happened during the night had thrilled and

scared her in equal measure.

 The sex had been.

She swallowed. It had been unbelievable.