Free A Fragile Heart (BBW Billionaire Light Romance) by Juliet Michaels

younger than me and intent on her modelling career. She always had eating problems and often seemed to be suffering with sickness. I suspected that it was bulimia but she always denied it.”
    Guy sat up, keeping his arms around Elena, but looking away now, out into the night, over the dark sea, as though he found it hard to talk. There was a long pause before he continued speaking.
    “We'd been married three years. I was going away on business to Dubai and I thought she seemed even thinner and paler than usual. I said that she should book herself into a health spa while I was away, or I could arrange for a consultant to see her. She said she was fine and would sort everything out herself, that it was nothing to worry about. Well, my trip turned out to be longer than I’d expected and I was away for nearly two weeks. When I got back she was really frail looking and I   lost my temper with her, saying I was going to book her into a private clinic myself, whether she liked it or not ... But told me I was too late, the reason for the latest bouts of sickness had been that she was pregnant, and while I was away she’d had an abortion."
    “Oh Guy, how terrible,” Elena said, shocked. “Why on earth did she do that?”
    “Because she ‘couldn't stand the thought of getting fat,’ as she put it. She thought that having a baby would ruin her body, disfigure her somehow. She killed our child without even telling me, Elena ... I was going to be a father.”
    Elena held him close, wishing   she could find the right words to say.  
    There was so much more to this man's past than she’d ever imagined. Tonight he had obviously wanted to tell her about Olivia. At the same time she was afraid that she might blunder in with too much sympathy and make a mistake, so she kept silent, listening to the gentle lapping of the waves, wondering if he might go on with his story.
    “So,” he continued, “you can see that marriage didn't work out for me. I've just concentrated on work since then, which seems to be the answer.”
    “I'm glad you told me.”  
    Getting beneath Guy's protective shield was like peeling one layer from an onion, only to find yet more and more beneath.  
    I only hope it doesn't make me cry if I finally get to the heart of it , thought Elena.  
    There it was – marriage had been a disaster for him and he obviously wasn’t looking for any long-term involvement.  
    At least he was being up-front with her, and she knew a little more where she stood.   If only she hadn't fallen in love with him and could be more casual.  
    Try to live for the moment , she thought to herself. Just enjoy what we have now, and don't think any further.  
    “We'll be in the Bay of Naples tomorrow,” Guy said. “Have you ever visited Sorrento?” He obviously wanting to change the subject and lighten the mood.
    “No, I've never been to Italy before, full stop,” Elena replied, deliberately keeping her own voice light and enthusiastic.  
    “Well, we could have a few days ashore, if you like? I know a good hotel and we could do some sight-seeing. Plenty of culture and there are some nice shops, too. I want to buy you something.”
    “No more presents, Guy. You've given me more than enough already. This is all so new to me. I'm bowled over by it. So just let's enjoy exploring Italy,” Elena replied.

Chapter Thirteen

    With the Santa Maria moored out in the bay, Dimitri used the motor boat to drop Guy and Elena at the harbour of Marina Grande, and Carlos accompanied them to the hotel with their cases. Elena was no longer intimidated to find that the hotel was very elegant and grand, and that Guy had reserved a suite of rooms with a balcony overlooking the sea. She felt that she was becoming quickly adjusted to this luxurious lifestyle.
    The manager welcomed Guy warmly, shaking his hand and ushering them to the lift with a flow of greetings. Elena was surprised to hear Guy replying in fluent Italian and wondered if he had any