My Body-Mine by Blakely Bennett Page A

could never love another person as much I had loved Luke or that I even sought to.
    Keeping the thoughts to myself, I said, “I honestly don’t see how sending her away will help but I’m not Janice.” Sliding over to the corner of the couch so I sat close enough to touch Marcello’s arm I said, “What is it you want from me, Marcello? And please don’t say ‘everything.’ ”
    He chuckled but the light didn’t reach his eyes. “ Di dare amore una possibilità .”
    “ Which means?”
    “ To give love a chance.”
    “ That takes time,” I said.
    “ Yes, and that we have. Come sleep with me tonight.”
    “ Wouldn’t it be better if you came to my—”
    “ Get ready for bed and come to me.” He lifted the tumbler of scotch and drained the contents. As he glowered over me, I felt his palpable sadness.
    “ Okay,” I said and rose up to kiss his full lips.
    Heading to my room I wondered why he seemed so sad.
    * * * *
    Later, dressed in my short, pink robe, I knocked on the door of Marcello’s bedroom. I found him sitting naked on an easy chair in the corner, his eyes closed.
    “ Were you waiting for me?” I pulled off my robe and settled onto his lap, my head against his broad chest.
    He wrapped me in his arms and buried his nose in my neck. “I have to go away,” he said.
    “ Oh?”
    “ My mother isn’t doing well and I want to make sure the facility she’s in is giving her the best care. I leave tomorrow for New York.”
    “ I thought you told me she was in a retirement facility.”
    “ Yes, but they are moving her to the assisted care unit this weekend.”
    “ I’m so sorry. If I had realized we could have talked another time and—”
    “ Not at all, Jane. I wouldn’t have waited, regardless. I’m not thrilled we’ll be apart but I must go see my mother settled.”
    “ Of course. Please tell me what I can do to help you. Would you like me to rub your back? I know how tight your shoulders get when you’re stressed.”
    “ That sounds wonderful.”
    We cuddled for a few more moments; then Marcello rose to his feet, lifting me in his arms. He carried me over to the bed and dropped me down. I laughed and rolled away. He looked like a panther, ready to pounce.
    “ You can’t get away from me,” he said, capturing my foot and causing me to laugh harder.
    “ I thought I was taking care of you,” I said, pretending to struggle.
    “ Oh you will, no doubt.”
    When he finally cracked a smile, I felt vastly relieved. He easily covered my body with his, kissing his way up my neck. The bristle around his mouth tickled, causing me to shy away, my cheek pressed to my shoulder, to keep him from my throat. He quickly switched sides, attacking and making me giggle more.
    “ Stop,” I laughed, punching his shoulder with my closed fist.
    He did stop; his expression suddenly serious. “ Amore mio , I should have told you how I feel in a different way. I know you still need time to heal and I didn’t want to scare you off.”
    “ I’m not scared,” I said, touching his cheek. “It’s more a worry that I won’t be able to reciprocate in the way you need.”
    “ I’m a patient man, especially when I know what I want.”
    “ Patient? I’m not sure I’d use that word to describe you.”
    “ What you see as impatience is more frustration that comes with the knowledge that you ignore the quickest remedy for your pain.”
    “ Like?”
    “ Divorcing Luke.”
    I breathed an audible sigh. “Do we have to talk about this again now?”
    “ No. What I really wanted to say is that I love you and that I’m very happy you’re in my life. I will miss you while I’m gone.”
    “ Thank you,” I said, drawing his head down so we could kiss. I couldn’t tell him I loved him, knowing my affection for him existed at a different level. I wouldn’t lie but I could speak with my body, confirming the connection we shared with my passion. Caught in the tidal wave of lust that he could so easily inspire