The Baby Bombshell: The Billionaire's Baby Swap / Dating for Two / The Valtieri Baby

“I’ve been attracted to you from the first day we met, and it frightens me.”

“Why?”

“I never felt this way about Matteo. This is so different. I know my love for the babies has a lot to do with the strength of my feelings for you. What I can’t figure out is how to separate what’s really going on inside of me. All I know is, I’m a mom now and I need to concentrate on that without letting personal feelings complicate everything. Let’s go to sleep.”

“I’ll try,” he murmured.

The children woke up once in the middle of the night. They fed them in bed, then put them back in their carry-cots. Once all was quiet, he pulled Valentina against him and buried his face in her hair. “Don’t think of moving away from me. Not now, not ever.”

“You mustn’t keep saying things like that to me.”

“I can’t help it. I didn’t have a mad passion for Tatania. I’m afraid you take the honors in that department.”

She squeezed her eyes together. “It’s because I’m Vito’s mom. You’re reading too much into it.”

“I agree it’s because of that and a myriad of intangibles. But I can hear your next argument. Both of us have come out of unsatisfying relationships and being together is filling a void. I can add several others. I need the woman who mothered Ric for two weeks to become his nanny so I can go to work without worry. And you’re a Montanari. Binding our two families will build a dynasty and—”

“Stop!”

“Relax, Valentina. We’re partners. Until you want to touch me so much you can’t stay away from me, I’ll keep my hands and mouth off you.”

* * *

Valentina lay there awake for a long time. Giovanni was a man of strong feelings and instincts that had propelled him to the kind of success most men could only dream of. To tell her he was madly attracted to her had to be an exaggeration. It was probably more of the idea that he was happy after being unhappy for so long. That described her state of mind. He’d created this fantasy world.

With the children being so content now, everything seemed perfect. It would stay that way until the real world intruded. The phone call from his father was only the beginning. Before long she’d be hearing from her family. Pretty soon everything would fall in on them, but until that happened she wanted to stay here in his arms.

When the babies started fussing, she fed them and went to the galley to make breakfast. Giovanni loved food. Because of his energy, he didn’t gain weight. A little while later she called him to come and eat.

They ate at the pull-down table while the babies watched from their carry-cots. He acted so happy and was so much fun to be with, she never wanted this vacation to end. When they finished eating, she cleaned up the kitchen while he took the babies up on deck.

Their day turned out to be glorious, but the climb to the castle at the top wore her out. After a delicious fish dinner in the town, it felt good to get back to the cruiser and relax. Before long it was time to feed the babies and put them to bed.

Giovanni flashed her a compelling smile. “Now that we’re alone, how about a game of tressette? Sit on the banquette by me.” He produced a deck of cards.

Valentina eyed him with a smile. “I don’t think I’ve played it.”

“I’ll teach you.”

Once they got going, she didn’t want to stop. “I’m going to beat you if it kills me!” But she never did and he chuckled with absolute glee. “You’re cheating. You have to be!”

“I swear I’m not.”

“Let me see your cards.” Something was wrong. “Show me the palm of your hand.”

He stared at her through veiled eyes. “Now, why would I do that?”

“You are cheating!” She grabbed his hand, but he was so strong she couldn’t pry his fingers apart. Laughter rolled out of him despite her frustration. “You’re terrible!” She tried again and found her shoulder against his chest.

His free arm went around her and pulled her closer. “I lied,” he murmured near her ear. “I’m sorry, but you’re so much fun I couldn’t help myself.” He undid his other hand so she could see cards he’d kept hidden. “Forgive me?” he asked and released her.

She felt his warm breath on her cheek, increasing her desire for him. To her chagrin she didn’t want him to let her go.

Until you want to touch me so much you can’t stay away from me, I’ll keep my hands and mouth off you.

Valentina had been the one to start this intimate tug-of-war. She’d reached for his hand, not the other way around. Aware that she’d given herself away, she got up from the banquette. “It’s time to check on the children.”

Giovanni followed her below and they got ready for bed. Valentina looked down at them. “They’re so sweet. I never knew how much I would love being a mother.”

Giovanni lounged against the door. “I’m still reeling from the joy of fatherhood. I felt a deep sadness when Tatania told me she didn’t want anything to do with it once she’d had the baby. But neither she nor Matteo could have any comprehension of what they’re missing.”

She turned to him. “I’m not sorry for what we’re doing. We owe them everything we can do to give them the best start in life, even if the world says scathing things about us.”

“Your children have a warrior for a mother. It’s a privilege to know you, Valentina. Now let’s get in bed.”

His words stayed with her long after he’d wrapped his arms around her. Giovanni had a way of making her feel cherished. If she’d never met him, she would never have realized a man like him was out there in the cosmos. Twenty-eight thousand baby switches a year worldwide. What were the odds of it happening to her and Giovanni?

The next day they headed toward home. En route they went ashore at several places for a meal. Giovanni swam while she took pictures of him. By evening they’d cruised close to Ravello, but anchored near the pier to spend one more night on board. Once the babies were down, he turned on another Pavarotti track.

Valentina wanted to prolong this moonlit night because tomorrow he’d have to go to work. It wouldn’t just be the babies who would miss him. But he would always come home at the end of the day because he was a devoted father.

She lay down on her stomach on one of the banquettes. “Could we sleep up here tonight? It’s glorious out. We’ll keep the doors open to listen for the children.”

“You’re reading my mind.” He walked over and threw a light blanket over her. She watched him lie down on the banquette opposite her. They turned to each other, supporting their heads with their arms. “Have you ever gone camping?”

“No. Carlo used to go and I’d beg him to take me. He’d always say, ‘next time.’”

“Would it interest you to go with me?”

“I can’t think of anything I’d like more. We’d carry the babies on our backs in those fun-looking pouches. You’re talking a campfire and a tent, right?”

Giovanni sat up suddenly. In the darkness, the sight of his arresting features excited her to the core. “Where did you come from?” His voice sounded husky.

“I’ve been wondering the same thing about you.”

“Some of my happiest memories were out camping and fishing with my friends. I want to teach the boys to love the outdoors.”

“Whenever you want to go, I’m your man.”

A broad smile broke out on his handsome face. “What a man!”

She laughed.

“Being with you makes me want to become a house dad so we can do everything together.”

“That would work for about a week, then you’d need the stimulation of applying that amazing brain of yours to the business you love. My mother understood that about my father. She was a very smart woman.”

“You must miss her a lot.”