Page 91 of Dangerous Intent

I walked a tightrope. One slip, one misstep, and I could lose her—not just to the danger that stalked us, but to the doubts creeping into her eyes whenever the shadows of my world brushed against her. I’d seen the same doubt in my mother before she left, and I couldn’t shake the fear that history would repeat itself.

No matter how much Lissia said she could handle who I was and what I did, eventually there would be a breaking point. Would I be able to handle that?

Entering the villa through the sliders off the beach, I gazed around at the holiday decor, which could only be described as an elf had vomited all over the place. The vibrant reds and greens were not exactly what I had imagined when I asked Lorenzo to make the room festive.

Lissia seemed to appreciate the effort, though, even if she would have preferred silver and white ornaments and sparkling lights.

In the sleek kitchen, Lissia fumbled around, wearing nothing but a black bikini that barely covered her breasts or her ass cheeks. She poured a healthy amount of the prosecco Lorenzo had delivered when we arrived into one of the expensive crystal flutes with a splash of orange juice.

He didn’t know we were trying to have a baby.

As Lissia chugged the sparkling liquid, I approached her, taking the glass from her and setting it on the stone counter.

“Is this wise?” I asked.

“I got my period this morning.” She reached across me and retrieved the flute. “Now all that prosecco doesn’t have to go to waste. Isn’t that great news?”

“I see.” I studied her sullen expression.

“It’s okay.” She took a long sip. “We can enjoy our trip and keep trying. Maybe we’ll have better luck next month.”

She gazed at the floor, doing her best to shield me from her disappointment.

“It’s okay if you’re sad.” I tilted her chin. “We can talk about it. Whatever you’re feeling, you can tell me.”

She turned away, sipping her prosecco with a smile too bright, too sharp. A mask I knew well, but today, it didn’t fit her quite right. I wanted to strip it away, but how could I help her carry a weight I didn’t fully understand?

“There isn’t anything to talk about. We didn’t know where I was in my cycle when I came off the birth control, but now I do, so I can keep track. You know, count the days until I’m ovulating and all that.” She patted my cheek. “In the meantime, we’ll have plenty of sex. Oh, unless…”

“Unless what?”

“We’ve never had to deal with my period before.” She bit the corner of her bottom lip. “If you don’t want to when I’m…”

“I’m not afraid of blood.” I brushed my lips along hers. “Trust me.”

“No, I guess you aren’t given your line of work.”

“Are you okay?” I caressed her cheek, studying her face and trying to gauge her mood. “I know you’re disappointed.”

I was a bit disheartened learning she wasn’t pregnant this month.Strange…

“A little sad but not disappointed. I love my life. I love us.” She kissed me. “We’re just getting started.”

“I like that attitude.” I wanted her to stay positive and not get discouraged about not being pregnant. It would happen when the time was right.

“Can we go to the beach?” She set her glass on the counter. “It’s a beautiful day.”

“Are you going to wear that?” I motioned to her barely-there bikini.

“Yes.” She laughed. “It’s a bathing suit. I’m at the beach.”

“It’s kind of revealing, isn’t it?” I ran my hand along my jaw. “You’re practically naked.”

“It’s a good thing we’re on a private beach then.” She picked up the menu Lorenzo had left us off the counter. “Look, we can have lunch delivered.”

“We’re still talking about the bikini.” I trailed my gaze down her flawless body. “Or lack thereof.”

“Private beach.” She held her hands in the air. “What’s the problem?”