Free Manacled in Monaco by Jianne Carlo Page A

time. He’s my son and I haven’t got a clue as to what TV shows he watches, if he likes to read, what he does in his down time. Do you know how that makes me feel?”
    She turned around in his arms and her caramel eyes held pools of moisture. “You want to know him.” Gentle fingers caressed his cheek. “You like him.”
    “It sounds corny, but yes, not only do I like him, I love him. He’s my son Sarita, part of me, and it’s like a whole new world has opened up. I watch him and it’s like watching me at ten.” He closed his eyes and hugged her tighter. “He’s our son, you’re his mom, I’m his dad. What else matters?”
    “This is so scary. For so long it’s just been me and Tony. I don’t have the lifestyle you do, Rolan. We live simply. And I don’t want that to change. I want him to have normal values. I’ve read about you in the papers, the Playboy Mansion, all the movie stars. I won’t let you change him that way.”
    “And I don’t intend to. Think about it, you’re not exactly living in the lap of luxury. I am, and I can afford to provide the best of things for the two of you. I want to.” He read the mixture of fright and temptation in her wonderful eyes. “Let me spoil you. Let’s take a chance and focus on forming a real family, you, me, and Tony. We already know we’re compatible sexually. Give us a chance.”
    “I’m so damned confused. Give me a little time, Rolan. Let things sort of sink in.”
    “Done, Sarita honey, you think all you want and I’ll start the ball rolling.”
    Unable to resist, he ate at her mouth, nibbling the plump bottom lip, sinking his teeth into the sweet flesh, licking it until she moaned, doing that little throaty thing he loved. Focused on getting a taste of her breasts, he tugged her tank top down, fiddled with her bra, exposed pearl pink nipples and areolas, and sighed in wonderment.
    “Jesus. I can’t get over how much they’ve grown. They were pretty before, but now they’re provocative as hell. How about a T-shirt instead of this tank top? It drives me nuts knowing that other men can see your cleavage.” Dipping his head, he drew one taut point into his mouth and grazed it with his teeth. She leaned into him and burning desire surged. He had to be inside her. Now.
    “Mom, stop that.”
    Rolan groaned.
    “Cut that out, you two. Hey you, get your hands out of Mom’s shirt.”
    He leaned his forehead against hers. “I guess this goes with the territory.”
    Setting Sarita away from him, Rolan swiveled, shielding her, and contemplated his bristling son. While a parent’s role might be foreign to him, Rolan knew that establishing clear lines of authority early in any relationship laid the groundwork for the future.
    “Number one,” he said, raising a finger. “You do not speak to your mother like that. Number two, get used to it. We’re getting married and married people are affectionate with each other. Three, you can address me as Dad, and four, I will not tolerate any snarky remarks. Five, we’re leaving for Monte Carlo in about half an hour. Go get ready. We’ll be out for at least a couple of hours. I’ll meet you on deck in twenty-five minutes, precisely.”
    Emotions washed over the boy’s features, his eyebrows lifted, then slashed together, and finally merged into a straight line. He nodded when Rolan delivered his last command, whirled around, and took off as if he were the lead car in the Grand Prix.
    “Does he ever walk?” Rolan’s lips curved.
    “Not if he can run, even when he first started walking.”
    Pangs of remorse and guilt made his shoulders slump, and he turned around to face Sarita. “Do you have photos, videos, anything?”
    “Doc Cavanaugh’s hobby was photography. I have zillions of pictures of him, a lot in black and white. He did some slides, too. We couldn’t really afford a video camera, but when he started Little League the coaches filmed him.” She shifted, and amended her words. “They videoed