Awaken to Pleasure - By Nalini Singh Page 0,64

she'd made a bargain with JacksonSantorini .

Ostensibly, she'd gained stability and safety for Nick. In reality, she'd gained the rock-solid loyalty and love of a very special man along with Nick's happiness. He'd called her miaamore . My love.

You are my heart, TaylorSantorini .

She could barely believe it and yet she knew it was true. JacksonSantorini was a man of honor. He would never lie to his wife. Tears threatened. He loved her. Her husband, the man she'd adored from afar for so long, loved her. She had done well out of their bargain.

What had her husband gained?

A wife who loved his touch and a child who worshipped him. It seemed like a fair trade but it wasn't.

Not when she was keeping her feelings locked up behind a wall of practicality and sense, too scared to trust someone with that final piece of her heart in case they abandoned her.

She'd marriedJacksonbecause he could keep Nick safe. But, what did she feel for him? She knew that she wouldn't be able to function if she lost Nick. Mouth dry, she asked herself the question she'd been avoiding, afraid of the answer - what would happen to her if she lostJackson? Her mind went black with pain so intense it was unbearable.

And she knew.

If she lostJackson, a piece of her soul would die and even Nick wouldn't be able to reach her. With his tenderness and protective possessiveness, her husband had become forever a part of her. Now, all she had to do was show him that truth. He wouldn't believe her confession easily, this man who'd been betrayed so publicly. He might think that she felt she had to respond to his declaration, or that she was grateful. Or even that she was emotional after the past week and a half.

And yes, she was emotional, but not in that way. His care of her since they'd lost their baby had opened her eyes to the strength and loyalty inside of her big Italian husband. He would never stop loving her, not even if she failed to keep her part of their bargain. Most importantly, he would never abandon her, consigning her to an emotional wasteland. That certainty made her secure enough to tell him that he was the most treasured part of her life.

ConvincingJacksonthat she loved him without reservation or fear would take determination. But, he was going to believe her because he was hers for life. For the first time since her miscarriage, she felt true joy, knowing that other babies would grow from their precious relationship.

Jacksonfound himself walking up the steps to their home barely after two that day. Though he'd intended to stay away until at least five, givingTaylorspace, his protective instincts had refused to stop clamoring for a look at her. He even had an excuse prepared for why he was home, though it made him feel about ten years old.

The door opened before he could reach it. A softly smilingTaylorstood there, arms folded across her chest. "Now, how did I know you'd be back early?"

Her teasing question released the tension across his shoulders. He'd been afraid that she'd find his protectiveness overbearing, when it was anything but that. She was so important to him that he couldn't bear to see her hurting. "No kiss for your husband, mia moglie ?" Reaching her, he leaned down.

She met him more than halfway, her lips a whisper against his, a welcome home that he'd been starving for."Hello, mio marito .And yes, I'm okay."

Loving her for understanding his need to care, he hugged her around the waist and nuzzled his face into her neck. "I promise I'll leave you in peace for the rest of the day. I just came to get a kiss."

She chuckled. When he pulled back, to his surprise, she took his hand and tugged him inside the house.

He went, more than happy to accommodate her. She led him to the kitchen, where two cakes sat cooling. After sitting him down, she made coffee and then cut him a slice of cake. When he reached to take the saucer it was on, she shook her head and came around to sit on the chair facing him. Then, putting a bite of cake on her fork, she held it out, a smile in her eyes. Grinning, he let her feed him, something taut in his heart soothed by this sign of her healing.

"Jackson?"

"Hmm?" He accepted another mouthful.

"I did some thinking this morning."

He looked up at the