Free Saving His Little Miracle (Mills & Boon Medical) by Jennifer Taylor Page B

waiting for him to answer. He cleared his throat, struggling to control the alarm he felt. He had wanted Lowri that night, wanted her more than he had wanted any woman before or since. It was little wonder that he felt so confused.
    ‘No. It was too early for dinner when I left my hotel.’ He gave a little shrug, affecting an insouciance he wished he felt. However, he refused to let her know how disturbed he felt. He didn’t want anyone to have that kind of power over him, to influence his thoughts as well as his feelings. Like Lowri did.
    ‘In that case would you like to eat with me?’
    She treated him to a smile but he could tell how nervous she was and it helped him get a grip. Maybe he had wanted her that night but it was all in the past and it was what happened from here on that mattered more. Maybe they were going to make love; however, it wouldn’t be the result of their desire for one another but because of their need to help their daughter. The thought steadied him.
    ‘That is very kind of you. I would be delighted to eat with you so long as it isn’t any trouble.’
    ‘It isn’t,’ she assured him, standing up. She smoothed down the lightweight sweater she was wearing with a pair of well-worn jeans, immediately drawing his attention to the swell of her breasts and the curve of her hips.
    Vincenzo sucked in his breath when he felt his body respond in time-honoured fashion. He couldn’t afford to start noticing things like that, he told himself sternly as she left the room. He had to remain detached, disinterested even when they set about creating this baby.
    He groaned. How on earth could he remain detached when he was going to make love to her, when every curve, every dip and every hollow would be his to explore and caress?
    He closed his eyes, trying to block out the pictures that filled his head but it merely brought them into even sharper focus. He could recall every centimetre of her body in exquisite detail, from the lush curves of her breasts to the erotic delicacy of her ankles. Her hair had been longer then, falling past her shoulders in a curtain of pale brown and gold. His hands clenched as he recalled its softness as he had threaded it through his fingers and pulled back her head so that he could skim kisses down her throat...
    His eyes shot open and he made himself breathe deeply. In and out, half a dozen times, and then half a dozen more. He had to stop thinking about that night. It had been a one-off and it wouldn’t be like that again. The first time they had made love he had just finalised his divorce and although he hadn’t loved Carla, the ending of their marriage had affected him. It had seemed to highlight the emptiness of his life and he had felt very low afterwards.
    As for Lowri, well, she had been through an equally traumatic experience. She had told him about her ex and Vincenzo had understood how hurt she must have felt. Was that why there had been that instant rapport between them? A feeling that they had found the one person who would understand?
    He tried to convince himself that it was the key to what had happened, that it explained why making love with her had been so different, so intense. However, deep down, he sensed there had been more to it than that, a lot more.
    He took another breath, held it until his vision blurred, until he couldn’t see anything and especially not those intimate and disturbing pictures. Deep inside he knew that if he allowed that thought to take hold, he would regret it. He and Lowri had met at a time in their lives when they had both needed support and solace and that was all it had amounted to. To imagine it had been more than that would be a mistake. For both of them.
    * * *
    Lowri placed the plates on the table then checked that she had set out everything they needed. She’d grilled some salmon steaks and served them with new potatoes and a green salad. There was fresh fruit for pudding and coffee after that...
    She bit her lip, realising