Ava brought his mouth back down to hers.“A bed would be extremely nice,” she murmured throatily.“That’s usually where this happens first,” Federico said, nuzzling against her neck. “I don’t think we’ve been together in a bed before.”“Then it’s about time we did something about that,” she whispered, sliding her hands down his chest as she popped each button on his shirt.          Federico shrugged himself out of it, and, kicking it aside with his foot, scooped her up in his arms and carried her to a room several doors down. He shouldered the door open in a classical-hero sort of way that did serious damage to Ava’s heart rate. The mattress was soft, but he was rock-hard when he came down on top of her.“You’ve got too many clothes on, Federico,” she said, tugging at his be

          Federico’s cellphone started to ring and he took it out from his pocket and glanced at the display. “I’m afraid I’ll have to take this call,” he said. “Can you find your way to my study? I’ll meet you there in ten minutes.”           Ava gave a nod and slipped out of the room while Federico took the call, keeping his voice low as he spoke to Francesco. She heard him saying something about searches of the Royal Star diamond and that there was nothing leaked to the press about Christian. In the papers, there were some photographs of the party and a short piece about Christian’s role as royal patron, but thankfully nothing else, so far.             Ava took the scrapbooks she had made and after a few wrong turns made her way to his study. She stood outside for a moment, holding the books against her chest, trying t

          Ava spent the next few days watching Federico and Christian together, spending quality time like father and son should. It was so moving to see them together… Their dark heads bent close together over a puzzle or a book or a painting they had done, their smiles so similar.           Christian was starting to blossom, his confidence growing as each day passed. He clearly adored his father and Federico made no effort to hide his very deep love for his son.            She tried not to let it concern her but Federico hadn’t asked her to sleep with him again. She didn’t know if be happy about it or extremely sad… Was he trying to distance himself from her? It was so hard to tell.           When Christian was around, Federico was happy and smiling and chatted with her as an

           She looked at him as if she was going to say no, but then Ava gave him a smile tinged with sadness.“I guess we should make the most of the time we have left… So… Yes, Federico… Yes…”          Federico didn’t want to think about how each day was slipping through his fingers like fine grains of sand. All he could hope for was a few more days to keep Chris and Ava close while he sorted through his options.          Everything had happened so quickly and he was still coming to terms with it all. Not just his son’s existence but how his feelings for Ava were rising up to the surface after years of being shoved down.          He led her upstairs to his bedroom, closing the door softly behind them. She took a few steps in and set down

          His dark eyes meshed with hers.“Have you ever had an item of clothing in your wardrobe you don’t wear anymore but still don’t feel quite ready to discard it?”          She gave him an ironic look.“I’m sure you aren’t the one in your household to sort through your socks and underwear drawer. You have numerous servants who do that for you.”          His smile was a little crooked.“Yes… Perhaps you’re right. There aren’t many things I do for myself these days.”“Including choosing a wife?”          Ava wished she hadn’t let it slip out since she was sure she sounded as jealous as she felt. Federico held her gaze for an interminable moment.“As future King,