Rebecca Winters - The Baby Bombshell - The Billionaire's Baby Swap / Dating for Two / The Valtieri Baby

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Valentina couldn’t wait to get started. Once they fastened the babies’ carry-cots in their strollers, they were ready to go. The whole property filled with statues, fountains and an ancient cloister enchanted her. Giovanni was better than any tour guide and incredibly patient as she asked question after question.

Eventually they reached a terraced garden that offered fantastic views of the Church of the Annunziata and the brilliant blue water of the Mediterranean below. “According to Gore Vidal, this is the most beautiful spot on earth.”

“It’s certainly one of them.”

They walked back to the car. Giovanni got out the hamper and carried it to a grassy spot while she pushed both strollers behind him. He spread out a blanket, and they let the boys lie down on their backs while she and Giovanni ate.

Her gaze swerved to him. “Tell me something. You don’t mind showing me around when you’ve probably done this before with your ex-wife?” Valentina didn’t want to be jealous of her; still, she couldn’t help that she would have loved to know him a long time ago.

“If she came here, it wasn’t with me. She preferred my apartment in Naples when I had to stay there for business. She often told me how isolated she felt here in Ravello.”

“Some people need a big city.”

His dark eyes pierced hers. “What about you?”

“I’m a lot like my brothers. We love being on top of the mountains looking down to the sea.”

She changed the babies’ diapers, then got out two more bottles. Together she and Giovanni fed them while they soaked in the heavenly atmosphere. When her cell rang, it startled her. She drew the phone out of her skirt pocket. It had to be one of her family. Her dad’s caller ID showed up. She clicked on. “Papà?”

“How’s my daughter?”

“I’m great. How are you?”

“Missing you.”

“I’ve missed you, too.” More than he could know.

“When am I going to see my grandson?”

“Very soon.”

“Carlo and Rinieri told me about the switch. They say he looks exactly like you. You always were our most beautiful baby.”

Tears filled her eyes. “Papà... I promise I’ll come to Naples.”

“Rinieri said he’d bring you and the baby tomorrow.”

Uh-oh. If Rini said that, then he was holding Valentina to her assurance that she’d only spend two days away to help the children adjust to the change.

“If all goes well, I’ll see you then. I love you, Papà.”

Until she hung up she didn’t realize Giovanni had gotten to his feet. His nearness and male potency assaulted her senses. “Is everything all right?”

She took a big breath. No. The thought of leaving him in the morning had disturbed her more than she wanted to admit. “Yes,” she lied. “It was my father. Rini told him he was flying me to Naples tomorrow so he could meet his grandson.”

His jaw hardened perceptibly. “So you’ve already talked to your brother?”

“No. But when I told him our plan about the babies, I said I would only be away a couple of days. Apparently he took me at my word and let my father know I’d be bringing Vito.”

He stood there with his powerful legs slightly apart. The light breeze disheveled his black hair. His coloring and olive skin made him too gorgeous. “I see. Naturally you don’t want to disappoint your father. In that case I’ll drive you back to Positano first thing in the morning. But until then, let’s enjoy the time we have.”

She lifted her eyes to him. “I am enjoying it.” Way too much. “So are the babies.”

He walked over to the hamper and pulled out a soda. “Do you want one?”

“Just water. Thank you.”

“Do you think our boys are going to handle another separation so soon?” He handed her the bottle and sat down by her.

“Probably not, but in all honesty, will there ever be a good time?”

Giovanni took a long swallow. “I’ve been asking myself the same question and the answer comes up no.”

They needed to make the decision to separate for good and get on with their individual lives, but the thought upset her too much. “Still, we don’t have to worry about it today. You’ve gone to a lot of trouble to make it possible for us to enjoy this fabulous time together.”

“Give me a minute to carry the hamper back to the car, then I’ll help you put the babies back in the strollers so we can leave.”

By nine that evening, the day out for the picnic had come to an end. They’d returned to the villa, where the babies had been bathed, fed and put to bed. After thanking Stanzie for the delicious packed lunch and the dinner she’d served upon their return, Valentina said good-night to Giovanni.

When she reached her room, she texted her brother.

Rini—I’ll be home tomorrow around ten. Spoke to Papà. I’ve told him to expect me and Vito tomorrow. Lov u.

She’d kept the message short. Rini would vet her on the flight to Naples.

Valentina looked around the bedroom and decided to get packed. Afterward she showered and washed her hair. A day at the Villa Rufolo meant she’d picked up some sun. It felt good.

Once she’d blow-dried her hair, she put on a nightgown and got ready for bed. A knock on the door prompted her to slip on her robe. She tied the sash and walked over to open it. Giovanni’s dark gaze drifted over her, sending her heart palpitating.

“I didn’t realize you were ready for bed.”

“We’ll both be up in the night. I thought I’d better catch as much sleep as I can.”

Lines darkened his handsome features. “When do you want to leave in the morning?”

I never want to leave.

“I texted my brother and told him I’d be back around ten.”

“Then we ought to get away by eight thirty.” She nodded. “Valentina?”

“Yes?”

“I had a wonderful time with you. It was an extraordinary day.” He stood too close.

“I agree. I’ve been hoarding the memories.”

“I don’t want it to end.” His voice grated.

She put her hands in her robe pockets in order to hide her nervousness. “I don’t, either, but now that the babies aren’t so upset, we know we have to make that final break.”

“Says who?” he challenged.

Valentina averted her eyes. “Says everyone. Conventional wisdom.”

“I’ve been doing things all my life to please other people. For once I want to do something I want to do.”

She let out a sigh. “When I was thirteen, one of my teachers was lecturing our class about the rules. She said you can do whatever you want in here as long as it doesn’t hurt you or anyone else. It made a lot of sense.”

“I had a teacher who said the same thing, but we’re talking about our children. They had a different start than most children. Why don’t we capitalize on what has happened?”

If her heart pounded any harder, he’d be able to hear it. She lifted her head. “What are you suggesting?”

“That we go on seeing each other.”

“It won’t work, Giovanni. If we don’t stop this now, Vito will always be looking for you. That’s not fair to him or Ric.”

“Even if it will make them happy?”

“They’ll be happy. Give them a few days away from us and they won’t remember us anymore.”

His eyes flashed. “You want to make a bet?”

“Giovanni—” She shook her head.

“Let’s give it two more days and then see how they react apart from us. I don’t want you to leave.” He unexpectedly cupped her face in his hands and kissed her lips.

His mouth on hers sent a bolt of electricity through her body. With a soft gasp she moved away from him. “We mustn’t do this. It won’t work. We have to say a final goodbye tomorrow.”

“You could rearrange the time with your father.”