“Again?”
“For good. I once thought I loved her, but she’s manipulative and sly. She doesn’t have the potential to be loving, faithful, or loyal to anyone. She’s all about her.”
“You just let her kiss you in Venice and then you left together.”
“I didn’t let her kiss me. She just snuck one off. Then she told me that she had something important to tell me and asked for some privacy. What choice did I have? She is the type of girl to make a scene.”
“And what was so important?” Mandi asked, realizing that she was still naked in Sergio’s arms while putting him through an inquisition on his ex.
“She told me that she is pregnant and the child’s mine,” Sergio commented.
Mandi squirmed for him to set her down. He acted like that was not a big deal, but it definitely was to her. It was a significant complication in an already complicated situation. “Do you think it is?”
“No, I don’t. The time doesn’t add up and she was with Benjamin during that time anyways. She’s still convinced that it is during a time that I made a poor judgment call.”
“What did you do?”
“We hooked up for a weekend. I’d been confused and was just trying to do anything to get her back,” Sergio said. He looked embarrassed at the thought of having to disclose such a vulnerability to Mandi, but she didn’t actually mind. It made him seem a bit more emotionally attached, kind of like that day at the orphanage.
“What’s the plan for finding out?” Mandi asked. She knew there were many ways to find this out quickly and quietly; however, she didn’t know if it could be done before a child was born. That’s what concerned her.
“She’s agreed to get testing and apparently the oby-gyn can do it once she’s twenty-four weeks along.”
“How far away is that?”
“Still one month.”
“What will you do if she is pregnant with your child, Sergio?”
“I’ll do what’s right by the child and Olivia, but I won’t marry her. They will be well provided for and I will have a relationship with my child.”
“What does that mean for us, for our chance?” Mandi asked. That was the big question and it may have been too early to ask it, but she felt she had to.
“I don’t know for certain, but there is one thing I do know. I want more than this stupid arrangement. I want to be lovers and if I were to have a child today I’d want it to be yours, not Olivia’s.”
“So, there is still an us?” Mandi asked, realizing they were still standing on the top of the loft stairs having a very serious conversation.
“I hope so. I’ve always been aware of you and attracted to you in a certain way. I hadn’t thought much about it because I didn’t see you for so long, but when I saw you that night of the auction I was immediately drawn to you—quicker than I’ve ever been drawn to anyone before. It caught me off guard and it scared me. Then when you said you didn’t want a relationship…”
Mandi quieted Sergio with a kiss. She didn’t want to go there again and relive that moment. There’s been so many great ones and that one certainly wasn’t.
“No, let me finish,” Sergio said. Mandi smiled and looked at him, waiting for him to continue. Her arms were wrapped around his neck and she didn’t want to let go. “It didn’t take long for me to realize how much I could love you this week. You are one of the most incredible women I’ve ever met and make me feel happier and more relaxed than I’ve ever been before. I can’t have enough of you. When I’m not with you, I think of you, and when I’m with you, I want to be wholly consumed by you. I can’t concentrate on work. I just want to spend all my time with you, be with you, sleep with you, eat with you, shower with you, and of course, make mind-blowing love with you. I’m out of control, and it’s not like me. It’s scary.”
“I’m scared too. This is new territory for me, but I don’t want to resist exploring where this can lead.”
Mandi leaned in and kissed Sergio, sealing the deal that they were going to give this relationship a go and deal with any obstacles that may come their way together—even the possibility of Olivia being pregnant with Sergio’s child.
Chapter 21
Between jet lag, the emotionally charged Italian vacation, and the gallery Mandi was busy. It took her a full week to get back in the groove of things, but she couldn’t have been happier. Sophia had found that she really liked working at the gallery and decided to stay on, which was great for Mandi. She could see her best friend more and have some relief for the part of her day that really excited her—Sergio’s visit.
Sergio was so attentive to Mandi, making sure he devoted time to her each and every day. With that came endless passion and intimate moments that rocked both their worlds, leaving them breathless and so happy. It was hard to believe that their relationship was only a few weeks old because Mandi and Sergio were so connected. They naturally understood how each other thought about things and were very alert to their surroundings. They’ve known of each other through Sophia for so long, that becoming lovers and getting intimately close so fast seemed natural.
One morning Sergio came over to Mandi’s and surprised her. She hadn’t been thinking she was going to see him until later that evening, but such wasn’t the case. She welcomed him in happily, immediately longing to feel his body pressed against hers. Sergio didn’t mind either and before long the two ended up in her bed, their limbs entwined around the others and feeling the intense sensations that came from an orgasm that was mind numbing.
“What a great way to start my day,” Mandi said, grinning sexily and looking at Sergio with her messed up hair tousled about her face.
Sergio leaned in and tucked a strand of hair behind Mandi’s ear, caressing her cheek afterwards. “I couldn’t agree more. This is how every day should start.”
“Good plan. I’m game if you are, Sergio.”
“I’ll warn you though. This type of morning exertion makes me rather hungry. I’m craving pizza now.”
“Pizza?” Mandi questioned.
“Yes, pizza. In fact, I think I’m going to take the day off to go and enjoy some pizza. You should join me,” Sergio replied. His smile was mischievous and playful, practically irresistible by Mandi’s standards.