Page 65 of Ruthless Secrets
I settle myself down on the blanket. “So…is this a date?”
Marco shrugs as he pops a grape into his mouth. He leans back on his elbows, the picture of ease. “Do you want it to be?”
As I take him in, lounging on the blanket looking so handsome it hurts, I want nothing more than to say yes.
It would be soeasyto say yes, especially when there’s no denying the intense sexual energy between us. But that’s not enough to go on, and while he might be Zoe’s father, I still don’t really know who Marcois. It’s not just about what I want anymore. It’s about what’s best for Zoe, and I’m not sure if Marco is what’s best for her. At least, not yet.
I fiddle with the hem of my dress. “I don’t know.”
As soon as I let myself consider taking things further with Marco, I feel that gut-wrenching pain in my stomach that I felt when I found out about Adam and Jess, and I’m not sure I could survive such pain again.
“There’s no pressure, Clara.”
I shouldn’t be entertaining this idea.
There’s no denying that Marco is exceptionally charming and very likeable, but that could all just be a front to get me to comply with his demands.
Sam warned me that the De Lucas are dangerous, and what happened with Zoe is proof of that.
The last thing I should be doing is getting myself mixed up with Marco and his family, but that’s a little hard when I share a child with him.
Then again, he has proven that he would do anything to protect his family, which is a very attractive trait…
“Maybe we could see where this goes?” I suggest before I can overthink this even more.
Marco chuckles, and the sound sends a shiver down my spine.
“I’m good with that. But there is one thing I want you to know.”
“What’s that?”
“Now that I have you and Zoe in my life, I’m not going to ever let you go.”
He’s looking at me with such intensity that my breath catches in my throat.
I know hearing such words coming from Marco De Luca should frighten me, but they don’t. In fact, they do quite the opposite.
Something about his words has my blood heating. It’s like the decision of what happens between us has nothing to do with me, and I like that.
I like that a lot.
Chapter Fifteen
CLARA
Goingon a first date with the father of your child that was conceived on what was supposed to be the night of your wedding with another man is not something I thought I would find myself doing. But here I am.
I went on a date with Marco De Luca, and I had the best time ever.
We stayed out by the waterfall for hours, talking and laughing and eating copious amounts of food. I would have been even more impressed if Marco didn’t admit that Delilah, the housekeeper, was actually the one to prepare all the food. Regardless, it was still the most fun I’ve had in a long time, and I wish it didn’t have to end.
But when Lila sends Marco through a picture of Holly and Zoe in the pool, the ache in my chest starts to build, and that’s when we decide to call it a day. Being away from Zoe never gets easier, but it does make the moments we have together so much more special.
By the time Marco and I get home from our little adventure, it’s bath time, so I take Zoe straight upstairs to start her evening routine. I decide to join her in the bath, wantingsome added bonding time with her, seeing as we were apart for most of the day. After we’re both clean, I quickly throw on a cami and shorts set and then work on getting Zoe ready for bed.
I take my time, making sure to cover her skin in lotion and brush her dark hair. Thankfully, I have enough milk left to feed her myself before bed which I’m glad for. My supply hasn’t always been consistent, so I’ve had to hybrid feed Zoe, but whenever I can, I choose to breastfeed. It’s important bonding for us, and I dread the day when I can no longer do it.
I get us settled on the bed among the pillows and pull down the thin strap of my top to give Zoe access to my breast. Every time I look at my daughter’s face, my heart seems like it’s going to explode. I thought I knew what it was like to love another person, but then when Zoe came into my life, I realized how wrong I had been.
