Awaken to Pleasure - By Nalini Singh Page 0,47

sunbathed while her far too energetic husband struck out for a longer swim. As she watched his strong body cut through the water, she realized that she'd never been as happy as she was at that moment. Simple joy suffused her entire body, as if particles of happiness were trapped in the tropical sunshine which gilded her skin.

This was a memory she'd always cherish, she thought with a drowsy smile, setting down to wait for her husband in the joyful sunshine.

Coming back to real life the next day was a shock forTaylor. Especially since the first thing she saw was a large envelope from Lance's firm.Jacksonpeered over her shoulder as she picked it up from the pile of mail collected by their security people. Heart in her throat, she walked over to the big living room window.

Jacksoncame to stand behind her, hands on her waist. "It's postmarked a week and a half ago."

"It's been forwarded from my apartment." She tore it open and pulled out a letter and attached legal documents. "He's filed for a priority date for the custody hearing ... oh my God, he's really claiming that I'm an unfit guardian and Nick's in danger!" Panic started to gather in her body.

Jacksontook the papers from her, one arm still around her waist. "Idiot." The single short and derisive comment calmed her at once. After a quick scan of the documents, he gave them to her to hold. Without further discussion, he picked up the phone and punched in Lance's number.

"Mr.Hegerty ,it's JacksonSantorini ." A pause. "I'm fine. My wife isn't doing so well. It seems you've filed a suit for custody of her brother." A longer pause.

Taylorstood wide-eyed, wondering what was happening.Jacksonsounded very calm and collected but there was something faintly dangerous about his tone.

"I understand, Mr.Hegerty , but I take my wife's unhappiness very seriously. Do you understand?" Now she knew what it was about his voice that disturbed her. He sounded exactly like a mobster - a cool, slick, dangerous mobster. Then he said, "My family doesn't take it too well either.Santorinis lookafter their own ."

She just about collapsed at that ominous tone.

"Yes, you think that over. Call me within the next three days or we'll take measures of our own." He hung up.

"Your family? I thought you didn't really see them?" She needed a moment to ground herself before she found out what was happening with Nick.

He gave her a narrow-eyed look. "Italians have big extended families. When I turned eighteen and was free to make my own choices, I went to live inItalywith my paternal grandparents and uncles, who had always kept in touch with me. They are my true famiglia . In fact, they are already pestering me to bring you and Nicolas for a visit."

"And they'd be ... unhappy if I was?" She swallowed. "They're not ... um..." How did she ask if they were part of the criminal underworld without offending her new husband?

It looked likeJacksonwas smiling faintly. "I might've forgotten to mention that some of them aren't exactly upstanding citizens." He released her.

She sat down on the window seat. "I ... see. What did Lance say?" She could only deal with one thing at a time. Her husband's underworld relatives would have to wait.

"He blustered, but I know the lawsuit will disappear soon. Then, if necessary, he will consent to the adoption."

"You sound very confident."

"I am. We've already got legal motions in progress if he doesn't. Worse comes to worst, we'll just tie him in legal knots for years." He touched her cheek. "Don't worry,Taylor. I'll keep my part of the bargain."

His eyes turned almost black. "Come, I need to claim you again."

It was such an old-world way of speaking, such a masculine statement that she couldn't fight it, her body going soft and welcoming at the rich darkness of his tone. Something about his words disturbed her, though it was hard to hold the thought when he took her into his arms. Yes, they'd made a bargain, but that wasn't the only reason she'd married him. Then he decided to take her against the wall and all she could concentrate on was his big body, hot and hard and demanding.

The next morning felt like the true start of her new life. Nick had arrived home about an hour after their return, and was now on his way to school. She'd bitten her lip and letJacksonlead him away, because it was clear that Nick needed her husband to