Free Italian Marriage: In Name Only by Kathryn Ross

child.’ To her dismay he moved closer. ‘You can’t sign properly like that.’
    ‘No…really, I—’
    But Antonio paid her no attention, simply bent and liftedNathan easily from her knee. She could smell the delicious aroma of his aftershave, and as his hand brushed accidentally against her body she imagined she could feel his touch burning through the thin cotton material of her jacket.
    She glanced at the documents in front of her, her senses in a kind of freefall of chaos.
    ‘That’s better.’ He held the child casually at his side.
    It wasn’t better as far as Victoria was concerned. She wanted her son back in her arms, wanted the reassurance and comfort of his little body close to hers. She hoped he would protest, but to her vexation he seemed quite happy.
    She took another fleeting look in their direction; in fact, they presented a relaxed portrait that was very much at odds with the reality of the situation. And it suddenly struck her that because Nathan’s hair was so dark they could probably pass for father and son. The thought stirred up the strangest of feelings inside of her—feelings that she couldn’t even begin to comprehend.
    What the hell was wrong with her? she wondered in agitation as she turned her attention back to the papers. Nathan didn’t need a father; they were perfectly happy as they were. And even if he did she wouldn’t choose someone like Antonio. He was a ruthless businessman, not father material. And anyway, in a few weeks time he would just be a distant memory.
    ‘So where do you want me to sign?’ she asked quietly.
    One of the lawyers came across and, turning some of the pages, he placed an X in the relevant spaces.
    Quickly she scrawled her name and stood just as the receptionist came in to tell them that the registrar was ready any time they were.
    Victoria could feel the knot of apprehension inside her tightening.
    This was it—once she walked through into the next room she would be giving herself to Antonio Cavelli.
    But only for a few weeks, she reminded herself fiercely, and not in any kind of real or meaningful way.
    He smiled at her and said something in Italian. The words sounded deliciously romantic and sexy, but of course she knew in reality they would mean something very different, something very practical or even dismissive. Probably something like, Let’s get this over with.
    She swallowed hard. ‘I’ll take Nathan now.’ She reached out for her son, but instead of handing him over Antonio gave him to his lawyer to hold.
    ‘You can have him back in ten minutes when we’ve exchanged rings and signed the registry.’
    ‘But—’
    ‘Don’t look so worried—Roberto is coming inside with us to witness the ceremony.’
    ‘Oh…OK…’ She smiled at the child as he held out his arms, wanting to go to her now. ‘In a moment, darling…be a good little boy.’
    Antonio noticed the tenderness in her voice, the way she reached out and stroked a hand over the child’s face.
    ‘Whenever you are ready, Mr Cavelli?’ The receptionist was holding the door for them.
    ‘Yes…’ Distractedly Antonio glanced back at her. ‘Yes…let’s get this done. We have a flight to catch.’

CHAPTER FIVE
    S HE was exhausted, yet she couldn’t sleep. Every time she closed her eyes she could see again the moment when Antonio had taken her hand in his to slip the wedding ring in place. And she remembered how she had felt when she’d looked up at him. The confusing myriad of emotional turmoil was still with her now, whirling around, plaguing her with painful bursts of feelings she couldn’t get a handle on.
    She twisted the gold band around on her finger; it felt cold and unfamiliar, a little like Antonio’s mood since they had been pronounced husband and wife. But then what did she expect? she asked herself angrily—they didn’t even know each other. Even a kiss on the cheek and a glass of champagne would be out of place in this scenario. And anyway, even when he