Luca gave a light laugh. ‘We’ve only just got married, Nonno. Give us time.’ He suddenly realised he didn’t want to share Artie with anyone. He wanted to spend time alone with her, getting to know her better. He wanted her with an ache that wouldn’t go away. Ever since he’d kissed her it had smouldered like hot coals inside him. The need to explore her body, to awaken her to the explosive pleasure he knew they would experience together. But he refused to even think about the cosy domestic future his grandfather hoped for him. Babies? A new generation of Ferrantellis? Not going to happen.
‘You’ve wasted so much time already,’ Nonno said, scowling. ‘Your father was married to your mother and had Angelo and you well before your age.’
‘Sì, I know.’ Luca tried to ignore the dart of pain in his chest at the mention of his father and brother. And his mother, of course. He could barely think of his mother without feeling a tsunami of guilt for how his actions had destroyed her life. Grandchildren might soften the blow for his mother, but how could he allow himself to think about providing them? Family life was something he had never envisaged for himself. How could he when he had effectively destroyed his own family of origin?
‘Luca is everything I ever dreamed of in a husband,’ Artie piped up in a proud little voice that made something in his chest ping. ‘He’s definitely worth waiting for.’
Nonno gave a grunt, his frown still in place. ‘Did you give her your grandmother’s engagement ring?’ he asked Luca.
‘Sì,’ Luca said.
Artie lifted her hand to the camera. ‘I love it. It’s the most gorgeous ring I’ve ever seen. I feel incredibly honoured to be wearing it. I wish I could have met your wife. You must miss her terribly.’
‘Every day.’ Nonno shifted his mouth from side to side, his frown softening its grip on his weathered features. ‘Don’t leave it too long before you come and see me in person, Artie. I haven’t got all the time in the world.’
‘You’d have more time if you follow your doctor’s advice,’ Luca said.
‘I’d love to meet you,’ Artie said. ‘Luca’s told me so much about you.’
‘Yes, well, he’s told me virtually nothing about you,’ Nonno said, disapproval ripe in his tone. ‘How did you meet?’
‘I met Artie through her father,’ Luca said. ‘I knew she was the one for me as soon as I laid eyes on her.’ It wasn’t a lie. He had known straight up that Artie was the only young woman his grandfather would approve of as his bride.
Nonno gave another grunt. ‘Let’s hope you can handle him, Artie. He’s a Ferrantelli. We are not easy to live with but if you love him it will certainly help.’
‘I think he’s the most amazing man I’ve ever met,’ Artie said, softly. ‘Take care of yourself, Signor Ferrantelli. I hope to meet you in person soon.’
The most amazing man she’d ever met? Luca mentally laughed off the compliment. Artie had met so few men it wasn’t hard to impress her. What he wanted to do was help her get over her phobia. Not just because he wanted her to meet his grandfather but because he knew it would open up opportunities and experiences for her that had been denied her for way too long. But would she trust him enough to guide her through what would no doubt be a difficult and frightening journey for her?
* * *
Artie turned to face Luca once the call had ended. His arm was still around her waist and every nerve beneath her skin was acutely aware of its solid warm presence. ‘I’m not so sure we convinced him. Are you?’
Luca’s expression was etched in frowning lines. ‘Who knows?’ His features relaxed slightly and he added, ‘You did well. That was a nice touch about me being your dream husband. It’s kind of scary how convincing you sounded.’ He brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face, his gaze darkening.
Artie disguised a swallow, her heart giving a little kick when his eyes drifted to her mouth. ‘Yes, well, I surprised myself, actually.’ She frowned and glanced down at the engagement and wedding rings on her hand and then lifted her gaze back to his. ‘I feel like I’m letting you down by not being able to leave the castello. If we’d gone in person to see him, or even better, married somewhere closer so your grandfather could have attended…’
‘You’re not letting me down at all,’ Luca said. ‘But what if I tried to help you? We could start small and see how it goes—baby steps.’
‘I’ve had help before and it hasn’t worked.’
‘But you haven’t had my help.’ He smiled and took her hand, running his thumb over the back of it in gentle strokes. ‘It’s worth a try, surely?’
Panic crawled up her spine and sent icicles tiptoeing across her scalp. ‘What, now?’
‘No time like the present.’
Artie compressed her lips, trying to control her breathing. ‘I don’t know…’
He raised her chin with the end of his finger. ‘Trust me, cara. I won’t push you further than you can manage. We will take it one step at a time.’
Artie swallowed and then let out a long, ragged breath. ‘Okay. I’ll try but don’t be mad at me if I don’t get very far.’
He leaned down and pressed a light kiss to the middle of her forehead. ‘I won’t get mad at you, mia piccola. I’m a very patient man.’
A few minutes later, Artie stood with Luca on the front steps of the castello, her gaze focussed on the long walk to the brass gates in the distance. Her heart was beating so fast she could feel its echo in her ears. Her skin was already damp with perspiration, and her legs trembling like a newborn foal’s. She desperately wanted to conquer her fear, now more
