Secrets and Seduction Las Vegas (Sexy Italian Imports Book 1) (43 page)

The last eight months had flown by. Antonio finished another book, and Valerie temporarily handed her patients off to Jarrodd last week. Between setting up a nursery and taking classes in labor, delivery, and parenting, neither Valerie nor Antonio spent much time worrying about all the craziness that used to be their lives. Things were perfect—incontrovertibly and absolutely happily ever after.

They walked back to the dining room and rejoined their guests. Antonio helped Valerie sit, refilled coffee and Mimosas for their guests, and brought more dishes into the kitchen.

His mother, Maria Daniato, looked almost cross-eyed at Valerie. “You’re going to have the baby, aren’t you?” Maria was a beautiful woman with soft, salt and pepper hair cut in a fashionable bob. And she couldn’t be kinder or more helpful, full of wonderful advice about parenting.

Everyone looked at Maria then smiled at Valerie.

Valerie readjusted herself on the chair. “Maria, I hope so. And soon. I’m a blimp.”

Jules sighed. “You’ve never looked better, Val. Pregnancy agrees with you. You’ve got a certain glooooowwwww.” She waved her hands, magician-like.

Valerie laughed and heard a snort from Antonio’s father, Vito. This was what Antonio would look like in thirty years. Very handsome, very distinguished with gray at the temples of his black hair. He seemed to be quite amused at Jules’ crazy behavior.

“Vito,” Valerie asked, “is there anything else I can get you?”

“No, Valerie, dear. You sit there. You’re going to have a very busy day. Mama’s never wrong when she predicts the labor.”

Valerie suddenly understood and her gaze shot to her mother-in-law. “You mean, you think I’ll have the baby today?”

Maria smiled at her. “I think you should start to the hospital right now. That pain in your back?”

Valerie was unconsciously massaging her lower back.

Maria nodded. “That’s the baby.”

Valerie was skeptical but smiled. “I hope you’re right.”

Maria leaned forward, wrinkling her brow. “We’ll stay and watch the house while you’re gone. I’ll make some meals and freeze them so you’ll have plenty when you get home.”

Maria, Vito, and Dante had been staying at the penthouse since they arrived in Las Vegas. Antonio had chosen to keep it for out-of-town visitors. He was still a very private person and preferred to have the house for just the two of them.

Dante stood. “I’m going back to the penthouse. There’s a woman who lies out by the pool every day at noon, and it’s time I met her.”

Valerie gave him the eye. Since he’d moved to Los Angeles five months ago, he’d made a name for himself. In the art community and in the tabloids, dating every beautiful star and model he could get his hands on.

“Aren’t you seeing someone, Dante?” Valerie gave him a subtle reminder.

He made a face at her. “A couple of someones, but they’re a four-hour drive away.”

She shook her head. He was incorrigible. Whenever they got together, they enjoyed sniping at each other. She opened her mouth to tease him but felt a sharp pain across her stomach and let out a surprised, “Ouch!”

Everyone turned to look at her, and she smiled. “Just a…ouch!” she squeaked louder as the pain shot across her stomach and stayed a little longer.

Jules jumped up. “I’m going home before I faint!” She did look a little pale. She hugged Valerie from behind and told her she’d be praying for her, then she left, fanning her face with her hand.

Dante walked to Valerie’s side and kissed her cheek. “I love you, little sister. Be safe, have a beautiful baby.”

Her eyes filled with tears. It was the nicest thing he’d ever said to her.

He squeezed her shoulder and smiled. “I’ll go tell Antonio he’s about to become a papa.”

“Thank you, Dante.” She grasped his hand for a second. “I love you, too.”

Dante left the room, and in less than a heartbeat, Antonio was at her side, kneeling on the floor. “Baby?”

Valerie nodded. “Baby.” Then she felt a sensation unlike anything her body had ever underwent, and she let out a squeal as her water broke, drenching the chair and puddling on the floor.

Antonio stood. “Let’s go upstairs, and you can change. Then we’ll head to the hospital.” He looked at his mama.

Maria smiled from ear to ear. “I’ll clean up. You two go, have our grandbaby.”

Antonio picked Valerie up in his arms. “You’ve gotten a little heavier.”

She softly punched his chest. “Your fault, macho man. No birth control can stop you from planting your seed.” She teased him to hide the nervousness that made her heart thud.

He laughed as he carried her upstairs and set her down in the bathroom.

“I’m going to rinse off quickly.” She pulled off her dress. “Would you please call the doctor? Oh, and my parents?”

“Doctor, yes,” he said, dialing. “I’ll call the parents after we’re at the hospital. I’d rather not deal with them until absolutely necessary.”

She laughed, and within five minutes was freshened up and ready to leave. Her pains came closer together. Too close. “We should probably hurry. Your mama was right, I’m closer to being a mama myself than I thought.

His face paled, he grabbed her suitcase, and helped her down the stairs. They hugged and kissed his parents and went into the garage.

Lifting her up into the passenger seat of the SUV, he buckled her seatbelt for her, went around the hood, and jumped in.

He seemed nervous. “We’re just five minutes away.”

She smiled. “Antonio, can you believe it? In a few hours, we’ll have a baby.” She felt a strong contraction and started her breathing. “Maybe sooner than that.”

“
Dio
.” Heading down the driveway, he cleared his throat. “I never thought I’d be this edgy.”

“You’re usually calm. My solid rock.” She ran her fingers through his long hair. He still kept it shoulder length. She liked it that way. And he kept his perfect body all this time too, despite all the frosting they ate during her pregnancy. They’d turned one of the extra bedrooms into a fitness room and office for him, so while he wrote he could work out and plan the next chapter of his book.

They arrived at the hospital, and he pulled into the emergency entrance, ran around the front of the truck, and picked her up, carrying her in through the doors.

He set her in a wheelchair. “I’m going to go park the truck. You get checked in, and I’ll be right back.”

She was whisked away to an intake desk, and before she finished giving them her information, he was back carrying her suitcase.

The labor pains intensified, and in minutes they were in the birthing room. He helped her undress and put on a gown, and Dr. Kelly peeked her head through the doorway. “Ready to have a baby?”

In unison, Antonio said, “Yes,” and Valerie said, “No!”

The doctor laughed then gave her an exam. “Get ready, Valerie. You’re at seven centimeters. It will be any time now.”

“Really?” Antonio sounded uncertain. “Isn’t this supposed to take hours? Days?”

Dr. Kelly teased, “If you’d like, I can slow it down for you?”

Valerie laughed, loving her sarcasm. She reminded her of Monica. “I felt back pain all night. It must have been the baby.”

The doctor nodded. “Probably. You had it easy. The next hour will be rough, so don’t forget to breathe.” She took Valerie’s wrist and checked her pulse.

Valerie grabbed Antonio’s arm. “Would you please call my parents? Ask them to call Monica and Ryan?”

“Of course, love. I’ll be back in a second.”

When he went out into the hall, Dr. Kelly patted Valerie’s hand. “Things worked out well for you. Congratulations.”

She smiled. “Thank you. It’s been a wild ride this last year, but I wouldn’t wish for anything different.”

“You had to work for it.”

“I did. And I’m glad I never gave up. He’s phenomenal.”

“You’ve been blessed.”

A contraction seized her, and she resumed her breathing. Antonio came back in and took her hands, assisting with the breathing technique. “Your parents are on their way.”

Dr. Kelly walked to the door. “You’ve got everything under control.” She winked at Valerie. “I’ll be back in a while. Call the nurse if you need me.”

Antonio focused on Valerie, brought her a cool, wet washcloth, and braided her hair. He massaged her back when she complained of pain and got ice chips for her when she was parched.

“Would you sit behind me? Hold me?” She heard the fear in her own voice.

He climbed on the bed, his legs on each side of her, and pulled her back against him. Then he wrapped his arms around her. “I’m here, love. You have nothing to be afraid of.” He ran his hands softly over her rock-hard belly, held her close, and helped her through the contractions, breathing in rhythm with her breaths.

“I could never have made it through this without you.” She felt weak, shaky.

“We started this together, and we’ll finish it together.”

She groaned. “You’re always the comedian.”

He kissed her neck. “Just think. In a few months, we can start the process all over again.”

“Oh, heaven help me! A few months? Make that a few years—if at all.”

He nipped her ear. “You know you don’t mean that. We’ll have a dozen babies, and you’ll still want more.”

“More of you, yes. More of the whole baby thing? I’m not so sure.” Another contraction took her concentration, and they breathed through it.

He checked his watch. “They’re a minute apart now. Are you ready to have our baby?”

“I think I’m ready…oh, jeez, I feel like I want to push!”

He pressed the nurse call button. “Hang on, Valerie, let’s get the doctor in here first. Pant to stop the urge to push.”

She did, but the urge was still there. “Baby wants to be born. Right now.”

“Breathe, sweet. You are doing so well. I’m really proud of you.”

“You mean because I haven’t screamed and demanded pain meds?”

“You are strong, Valerie. In body and mind. You’ve been in labor since last night, but you cleaned the house this morning, made breakfast for a crowd, and were the perfect hostess.”

“Up until my water broke.”

“Yeah, that was a little tacky. And in the dining room? Seriously?”

She laughed then caught her breath as her urge to push overwhelmed her. The doctor arrived and checked her progress. “You’re ready. Go ahead and push with the next contraction.”

Antonio climbed out from behind her and took his position to brace her and help her push. After only a few minutes of pushing, Antonio’s sucked in a choppy breath. “Valerie, I see our baby’s head.” His voice was quiet, reverent.

“Push again.” The doctor coached. “You’re doing great.”

Valerie grabbed Antonio’s arm and pushed out, low in her belly. The contraction stopped, and she sagged back.

“Breathe, he told her. “Take some deep breaths.”

Instantly, the contraction came again, and she sat up.

“One more push!” Dr. Kelly said. “Antonio, come and help me.”

Valerie pushed, and Antonio caught their baby as it made its way into the world. The look on his face held complete astonishment. He looked at her, his eyes full of unshed tears. “We have a son!”

The doctor suctioned the baby, and the little guy started wailing.

Antonio laughed. “Listen! Valerie, my God!”

The doctor gave him instructions, and he set the baby on Valerie’s stomach, in her eager arms.

She held him. Warm and softy, he was beautiful. Black hair, red and goopy all over, but the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen in her life.

Antonio cut the umbilical cord and walked to the side of the bed, touched his son, and kissed Valerie’s forehead. “I’m in heaven.”

“I am too, love. It’s a dream come true.”

They held the baby together in their arms. The little one’s crying stopped, and he opened his eyes.

“Oh, Antonio. Look at him.”

He laughed softly, the emotion making his voice a choking sound. “He’s perfect. Our little man.”

The doctor called out the date and time for the birth record.

Antonio smiled at Valerie. “Do you realize what day it is?”

At first, she couldn’t recall why it was special then it came to her. Last summer. The blackmail adventure. “Was it a year ago?”

He nodded. “We met a year ago today in the park.”

So much had happened in such a short time. “You took my picture that day.”

He caressed her back. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

“Antonio.” She snuggled her baby tighter in her arms and looked up into the expressive brown eyes of her amazing husband. “I’m so glad you found me.”

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Sneak Peek at Lies and Love in Los Angeles

Book Two of the
Sexy Italian Imports
Series

Chapter One

Run now, Lindsey, and don't look back!
Her inner voice screamed at her, but she ignored it, planted her strappy high-heeled sandals on the marble floor, and blithely sipped her champagne. Across the Getty Museum's modern circular entrance hall, a remarkably handsome man returned her stare. She smiled, a friendly invitation, not too flirty… But then it hit her like a green flash, and her lips flattened as her bravado deserted her. Crap, this had to be the artist whose work highlighted tonight's fundraiser. And whose career she was about to demolish.

He turned and spoke to someone. This was her chance to slip away, but just one minute longer couldn't hurt. Raising her glass to her lips, she watched him out of the corner of her eye.

His wavy black hair looked so soft, her fingertips tingled with the need to touch it. A little long, it brushed the collar of his exquisitely tailored suit. Definitely Italian, both the suit and the man in it. His nose was perfectly aquiline, his skin a shade darker than hers. And tall, over six feet.

His gaze met hers and when he nodded, her face warmed at being caught gawking like a moonstruck fool. But she couldn't look away. Those gorgeous brown eyes made her tingly in all the right places. She could get lost in them, let the rest of the world fade away until just the two of them existed. She sighed. The possibilities were tempting, and she could definitely find time in her busy life to date a man like him. If only he wasn't Dante Daniato.