Free Propositioning the Rich Italian by Stephanie Morris Page A

understand the dilemma perfectly. She heard the love in his voice for his sister.
    “Although as much as Amalía may gripe, I think my sister is just waiting for the right person to come into her life so she could get married and fill some of her own baby strollers she been eyeing lately.”
    Tierra had a feeling Amalía just needed to find a man who could challenge her, love her.
    Antonio came along and challenged her in more ways than she ever thought imaginable. She listened as he told her about Carlo, Giovanni, Leonardo and Macéo, talking about them until she was half asleep against his chest again. She stirred slightly as he reached around her to let the water out of the tub before lifting her again. Even though she could be considered a small woman, she appreciated his strength. She wasn’t entirely sure her own legs would support her. He wrapped a towel around her, then wrapped one around his waist and carried her back to the bedroom.
    She watched as he paused to blow out the candle, leaving them in the dark, before carrying her to the bed. He joined her,   pulling her into the side of his body where she was most comfortable. Her head instantly came to rest on his, and his arms surrounded her. She didn’t know when she actually fell asleep, but she knew she could stay in his arms like this forever, and the thought scared her.

    * * * *

    The corners of Antonio’s mouth tilted upward as he studied Tierra. For the first time in his life, he held a woman through the entire night. Actually, it had been more like burrowing since that was pretty much what she’d done. If he moved one inch away, she moved two inches closer. He wrapped both arms around her, and he’d been watching her sleep ever since he awakened half an hour ago. Only one word came to mind while he watched her, beautiful. He didn’t mind waking up to her like this. She didn’t make much noise other than the natural breathing sound, exhaling heavily on occasion. He looked at the clock on the bedside table and smiled. More time passed than he originally thought. It was almost noon. Surprisingly, she hadn’t awakened yet. She must have really been exhausted after last night. It bothered him that he hurt her. The pain had been evident on her face, but it still hadn’t ruined the moment. He’d been her first lover, and the way he saw it, her last.
    It had been meant for him to be captivated by her beauty and enter the bar of the restaurant, a place he used to go all the time three years ago, to drag his brother Carlo out, when he decided to wallow in self-pity. Carlo’s accident had done a number on him. Antonio hadn’t been in the bar since he convinced Carlo it wasn’t the way to solve his problems. Still, Antonio hadn’t been able to resist the temptation he felt when he spotted Tierra. Now he knew it had been the right decision. After last night, there was little doubt Tierra might be the woman he wanted in life—beyond two weeks. The only thing he had to do was convince her of the same. She stirred next to him, moving closer, before opening her eyes slowly. He smiled when she looked up at him.
    “Buongiorno.”
    “Buongiorno,” she whispered, her voice still husky with sleep. She rolled onto her back, still maintaining contact with him.
    “What time is it?”
    He smiled as he brushed a runaway strand of hair out of her face. The feel of her soft skin so addictive he didn’t think he would ever tire of touch it.
    “It is a little before noon.”
    Her eyes widened. “Did I sleep long?”
    He nodded. “You were tired, or I would have awoken you.”
    She gave him a shy smile. “Thank you. I think I might be suffering from a little jet lag.”
    He stroked her cheek with his hand. “That’s understandable.”
    She reached for the sheet before sitting up against the headboard. He sat up beside her. “Are you hungry?”
    She nodded. Her stomach chose that moment to grumble, indicating the six-course meal she enjoyed last night was gone.