Stormy Passion (27 page)

“
Then my wife found out she
was pregnant. It was considered a miracle that I could even father
children since I had the mumps when I was younger, but it had
happened or so I thought.

“
I had always wanted a
large family. I was thrilled. I told myself from then on I'd be a
faithful husband. I showered her with gifts and tried to do
everything in my power to make her happy. I hoped she would change.
I knew she would.” He shook his head.

“
She didn't.” Adrian paused
and sipped his drink. Dani could see the pain deep in the
eyes.

“
She found out about the
affair, and one day when I was at work, she had an abortion. She
told me it was because of the affair, and she hoped it taught me a
lesson.” Adrian sucked in his breath and blew it out slowly. “I
found out sometime later that it wasn’t my child.

“
It did teach me a lesson.
I left her. After three years, she finally agreed to give me a
divorce. I dated other women, but it was the same thing every time.
They saw my money--they never saw me.

“
After awhile they all
became the same, and I worked harder...longer.” Adrian looked out
the window, lost in his thoughts. “Work became my haven. My safety
zone. Besides, I really wasn’t sure I could be faithful. I'd tried
marriage, and I had failed, miserably.” His gaze again rested on
Dani, and he leaned forward, placing his arms on his
knees.

“
And then you blew into my
life much like a storm. I didn't want you. I didn't need you. But
unfortunately, I couldn't get you out of my mind. And, believe me
sweetheart, I tried.

“
I could tell that
something was changing, but this time I wanted to be sure. I wanted
you to want
me
--not my money. Therefore, I didn't tell you
about it.”

Dani took a breath, then shifted in her
seat.

“
Wait.” Adrian held up his
hand. “A woman I dated two years ago tried the pregnancy bit on me,
but when the results came back from the blood test, the child
wasn't mine.”

“
You never asked me to have
a blood test.”

“
I know.”

“
Why?” she whispered.
“Since you'd been burned in the past, you had every right to think
the worst.”

“
For two reasons. First, I
went for a physical, and the doctor said my sperm count was up,
which was a hopeful sign. But the second reason is the reason I
married you, though I didn't realize it at the time.”

“
And that was ...?” Dani's
voice broke with emotion.

Adrian took her hand. With the pad of his
thumb, he rubbed the place her wedding ring should be, but she'd
outgrown the simple ring two months ago. Dani wondering why he
wasn't saying anything. She was on the edge of her seat waiting for
him to speak. Finally, he looked up at her with those big chocolate
eyes of his, and her breath caught in her throat.

“
Because I love you,
Danielle Massimino. From the minute you stumbled into the bedroom
with hiccups, I knew there was something special about you.
Something different.”

The tears, burning Dani's eyes, spilled over
onto her cheeks. “Are you sure?”

“
I'm positive,
sweetheart.”

Dani rushed into his arms, knocking him back
against the seat. She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him
more like an excited puppy than a woman. “You don't know how long
I've wanted to hear those words.”

The kiss suddenly turned more serious, and
Dani melted against him. It had been so long. His lips moved with a
languor that suggested that if she were not with child they would
be doing more. She kissed him with all her heart, and he clutched
her tighter.

Sighing, Dani opened her mouth to invite his
tongue. God, how she'd miss this closeness with Adrian. He was her
whole life, and she knew at long last she'd found where she
belonged ... in the arms of
her
Prince Charming.

“
Excuse me, Mr. Massimino,
but it's time to land.”

Reluctantly, Adrian pulled back and looked
over Dani's shoulder. “All right, I'll return my wife to her
seat.”

“
Adrian.” Dani felt her
cheeks grow warm.

“
She might as well get used
to seeing us like this because after the baby is born, I'm not
going to let you get two feet away from me.”

Finally, the plane's wheels touched down. She
hadn't gotten sick at all. Funny in all the turmoil and excitement
of the trip, she’d forgotten all about her motion sickness. For
that she was thankful.

However, the boat trip told an entirely
different story. Dani's happiness soon became misery as she hung
her head over the side of the boat.

After the boat docked, Dani couldn't make up
her mind whether to crawl off the boat or walk, but Adrian took
that decision out of her hands, by sweeping her into his arms and
carrying her to dry land.

Once her feet were firmly planted on dry
land, Dani felt better, so they headed toward the General Store.
She couldn’t wait to see Angus and Nettie.

“
I didn't realize that
motion bothered you. You should have said something to me earlier,”
Adrian told her.

“
It's not a subject I like
talking about. Normally, I would take some medication, but with the
baby I couldn't. I did so well on the plane, I thought maybe I’d be
all right. That is the first time I've ever gotten seasick.” She
laughed. “Now I can truthfully say that I've thrown up on every
kind of transportation there is. I guess I'm just not a good
traveler. It's funny. I didn't feel sick until the boat slowed for
that other vessel.”

“
It's probably the rocking
motion that got to you. At least that’s behind us. How do you feel
now?”

“
Better. My back aches a
little, but I'm sure it’s from the plane ride.”

A group of sea gulls swooped down in front of
them diving toward the ground and raising back up in the air. Sea
Horse Island seemed different. Maybe it was because people were
there milling around as they prepared for the upcoming season. As
she looked around, Dani realized that she now had a home. It was
fitting that they had come back to the place they had first
met.

“
I'm looking forward to
seeing Angus and Nettie,” Dani said as she opened the front door of
the store.

“
The Saints be had! Look
who's come home, Nettie girl,” Angus shouted as they stepped
inside.

“
Adrian. Dani. 'Tis good
tae see ya.” Nettie started toward them, then suddenly stopped and
stared. “Mercy me. Is this the surprise ye mentioned, Adrian?”
Nettie's eyes fastened on Dani's stomach.

“
Yes, it is.” Adrian said,
grinning broadly.

Nettie hugged Dani. “Don't need tae be askin'
how yer doin'. Can see for myself. Yer fit as a fiddle.”

Dani cheeks were so hot she was sure they'd
melt butter. One look at her belly told the whole world what she'd
been doing and with whom.

“
Yer beautiful, lass,”
Angus chirped in. “I was glad tae hear ye finally settled down,
Adrian, and with a mighty fine lass, too.”

“
I knew you’d be pleased,”
Adrian said. “We would like for both of you to be the godparents to
our child.”

Nettie nodded her eyes bright with tears.
“We'd be happy to.” She wiped at her eyes. “When is the little one
due?”

Dani finally found her voice. “Next
month.”

Nettie arched an eyebrow. “I’d be thinkin’
sooner than that by yer shape,” she said eyeing Dani’s stomach.
“What do the doctors know anyway? Come, help me fix some
lunch.”

Dani followed Nettie to the kitchen where she
stopped at the refrigerator and took a huge ham out. “How about
slicing some sandwich meat while I wash the lettuce.” She jerked
her head toward a knife rack. “The knives are there.

“
It's strange tae see ye
again, lass. I was just talkin' about ye the other night with
Angus, and, the Saints be had, Adrian called us out of the blue.”
Nettie tore strips of lettuce as she talked. “He didn't sound much
like himself on the phone. I've been a wee bit worried about him
ever since.”

Dani quit slicing. “Oh, Nettie, I don't know
what to say.”

“
Would ye like tae talk,
lass?”

“
I’m not sure where to
start.” Dani arranged the sliced meat on the platter. “It's just
that Adrian didn't meet me because he wanted to. I just kind of
showed up by mistake.” She sighed. “And we didn't date for years,
fall madly in love, then marry like normal people are supposed to
do.”

Nettie chuckled. “Do ye think most people
plan their love life, lass?”

Dani nodded.

“
Nay, 'tisn't so. Great
love is spontaneous combustion. Take Angus and me. He never planned
tae meet me, either. Instead he found me head first in a
hedgerow.”

Dani struggled to hide a smile.

“
Don't laugh, lass. 'Tis
true. See, I was riding my scooter when I hit a rock and flew over
the handlebars. Luckily, Angus was drivin' along and spotted me in
the bush.”

Dani smiled. “Adrian rescued me, too.”

“
See.” Nettie took the
platter to the table. “Took Angus a bit before he found out he
couldn't live without me.” She chuckled. “But he came tae his
senses, and the rest ... has been an adventure.

“
'Twill never be smooth
sailin', lass, but trust me. The voyage is well worth the
adventure.”

“
Owww!” Dani grabbed her
side.

“
What's wrong?”

“
Nothing. Sometimes the
baby hits the wrong thing.” Dani placed her hand on Nettie's arm.
“Thanks. I think I've been afraid to relax and let Mother Nature
takes its course.”

“
Now, yer at Sea Horse,
lass. Relax. Ye've come home.”

After lunch, Dani and Adrian went to the
beach house. As they approached, driving slowly in their golf cart
so many fond memories came flooding back into Dani’s head that all
the bad times faded into nothing when they pulled up in the
driveway. The ocean breeze gently blew the pampas grass, and a big
pelican sat perched on the deck rail as if he were waiting for
her.

“
It's such a beautiful
home.”

“
I'm partial to the place
myself,” Adrian drawled. “Come over here. I want to show you
something.”

Dani followed him. On the front of the house
were large brass numbers broadly proclaiming that they were at
699
Sandy Lane.

Dani laughed. “I guess you don't want any
more stray women making the same mistake I did.”

Adrian pulled her into his arms. “Not since
I've found the one woman I want.”

She placed her hand on Adrian’s cheek. Power
and virility radiated from him, and Dani’s pulse raced. “I love
you, Adrian.”

His mouth opened over hers, and the magic of
their first kiss returned. Sinking his hand into her hair, his
tongue plunged and caressed hers.

Desire flamed between them and then she felt
his need as it pressed against her. What heaven they would share
once the baby came. Adrian shifted his attention to her ear, kissed
her lobe, then whispered, “I want you, sweetheart.”

“
Oh, Adrian,” she murmured.
“I want you so much. Oh!” A sharp pain struck Dani so fast she
couldn't think. She clutched her stomach and clutched Adrian’s arms
as a rush of warm water poured down her legs.

“
What's wrong?”

“
The baby,” she gasped,
looking down at her soaked clothes. “I think the baby's
coming.”

Adrian swept her up in his arms. “It can't
come yet!” He started up the stairs. “The doctor said it would be
all right to come here.”

“
Babies comes when they
choose, Adrian,” Dani gasped. “Not when we choose.” Another pain
tore at her. “Oooo!”

Adrian opened the door, taking her straight
to the large bed. “Remember to breathe,” he instructed. He yanked
the cover back and laid her carefully down. “Maybe I should go get
Nettie.”

“
No! Don't leave me,
please.”

“
But someone's got to
deliver the baby.”

“
You can do it.”

“
Me
?” Horror
registered in his eyes. “I don't know anything about
this.”

“
Well, I don't either!” She
clutched at her stomach again. “Oh, God. Nobody told me it would
hurt this much.” Dani groaned again. “Hold my hand.”

She gripped his hand so tightly that Adrian
thought she'd break the bones. God, the pain must be terrible. And
he wasn't doing her a bit of good just staring at her helplessly.
“Listen, Dani, breathe. Remember the puppy training. Take short
breaths. That's it.”

“
The pain has gone now, but
it will be back.” Dani tried to remember her Lamaze training. “I'm
not sure exactly what to do, but I think I need to get out of these
clothes and into something loose. And we'll probably need towels,
sheets or something. Oh, Adrian. I'm so scared!” she
cried.

“
Shush, sweetheart.” He sat
on the bed and gathered her in his arms. “It's going to be okay.
You've got to remain calm and leave everything to me. I promise I
won't let anything happen to you. Let's get off these clothes
before you have another contraction.”

He moved to the closet and got one of his
blue chambray shirts. “How about this? I think it will do the
trick.”