The Italian Groom

The Italian Groom
Jane Porter

Soon Meg's secret would show she was pregnant! However, she was determined to keep it to herself while she visited her hometown in California and came to terms with her future as a single mom.But there was no fooling Niccolo Dominici, darkly handsome winery owner and longtime family friend. In true Italian style, he insisted that he should take care of her and the baby. But Meg knew that marriage to Nicco didn't mean just in name only….

“This marriage. It’s not going to be easy. It won’t be impossible, it’s just not…natural.”

“No.” She laughed shakily. “It’s definitely not natural.”

“But that doesn’t mean we can’t make it work. We just have to try harder.”

“Niccolo, don’t you think this has gone far enough? I’d thought you’d back off from the marriage discussion by now. You’re not really going to go through with this.”

“Oh, yes, we are.”

“Maybe I’m misunderstanding you. Maybe you mean something in name only, an arrangement—”

“That would be convenient, wouldn’t it?” he interrupted. “You have your baby, you have your safety net. Sorry, Maggie, our marriage would be real.”

Shocked, she could only stare at him. A real marriage. Naked, beds, sex. Niccolo making love to her…

VIVA LA VIDA DE AMOR!

They speak the language of passion.

In Harlequin Presents

, you’ll find a special kind of lover—full of Latin charm. Whether he’s relaxing in denims or dressed for dinner, giving you diamonds or simply sweet dreams, he’s got spirit, style and sex appeal!

Latin Lovers is the new miniseries from Harlequin Presents

for anyone who enjoys hot romance!

Look out for our next LATIN LOVERS title in May: Claiming His Wife by Diana Hamilton

Harlequin Presents #2178

The Italian Groom

Jane Porter

For my grandmother, Elizabeth.

I adore you.

Jane

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER ONE

“TEN years, and you still haven’t changed.” Niccolo’s softly accented voice echoed with disgust, his sensual mouth flattening in anger. “You never would listen to reason—”

“Nic, I’m only asking for the spare set of keys to my parents’ house,” Meg interrupted, trying to ignore the churning in her stomach. “These are not trade secrets.”

One of his black eyebrows lifted. “Is that a joke?”

She fought her fatigue and impatience. It wouldn’t help to get into an argument with Nic. Nic would win. He always won.

Struggling to sound reasonable, she reminded him of the long-standing agreement between their families. “It’s always been policy to keep a spare key for each other, in case of emergency. It’s never been a problem before, and I don’t know why you’re making a big deal out of it now.”

“Because it’s not safe for you to stay alone at your parents’. The ranch is isolated. I’m ten minutes away if something should happen.”

“Nothing will happen.”

His voice fairly crackled with contempt. “Maggie, you attract trouble like pollen attracts bees. I’ve saved your skin from more scrapes—”

“I never asked for your help!”

“No, but you needed it.”

“You don’t know what I need, Nic. You just like to think you do.” She clenched her jaw, furious with herself for coming to the villa in the first place. If she hadn’t misplaced the key ring to her parents’ house, she wouldn’t be having this conversation with Niccolo Dominici, nor would she be receiving another of his famous lectures.

He made a choking sound and muttered something in Italian.

“What was that?” she demanded, knowing how he loved to resort to Italian when he wanted to say something particularly unflattering.