I am Emily Rose

Chapter 10: Secrets

Elanor's P.O.V

As I stare into Riccardo's eyes, I can feel my blood boil, no run cold, no..... I don't know how I feel. To say that I am shocked would be an understatement. Why? Can't we just be happy?

"Riccardo Bernardi.... Please, I beg you, don't take her away from me. I have tried so very hard to keep her safe up til now. If Franco knew about us, we would die a horrific death." I can't help the tears that start to fall from my sorrowful eyes. He doesn't speak, he just stares at my trembling form standing in front of him. I take a quick look behind him to make sure that Emily was inside the house and that she couldn't hear us.

"Ama... I mean, Elanor... I am not here to hurt anyone, nor am I here to hand you over to your husband. I am here for my wife. This, you knew was coming. I will not rest until she is back at our home and living comfortably. You can understand how I feel about her."

"Riccardo, I don't think that you understand the magnitude of this situation. Rosa does not remember anything from her past. "Emily" now has new memories and is happy with the way things are now. Don't you see how this will traumatize her all over again?"

He stares at me as though I'm speaking another language.

"What do you expect me to do? Leave? Go back to Italy? Alone?"

"Ricc..."

"Not gonna happen... Elanor. Never!"

With that, he turns on his heel and goes into my house, looking for Emily. Oh my God! What will happen to us?

Riccardo P.O.V

As I leave "Elanor" outside, my blood boils with rage. I'm a ruthless mobster. Why the f**k are her words affecting me? No, Rosa belongs with me. That's just the moral of my story. We will have our happy ending.

"Hey! Are you OK? I am so very sorry about my mother. I can't understand...."

"Emily, relax... we just had a nice talk about the ground rules. You know what she expects from her new son-in-law and all that other bullshit."

I wrap my arms around her and rest my head on her shoulder to take in her scent. She smells just as gorgeous as she looks.

"Woa! Son-in-law? Ha! I wasn't even sure if we were dating!"

"Well, a guy can hope for the best, right?"

We chuckle a little together at my joke, not so much a joke.... She looks beautiful when she laughs. The sound does something inside of me, like a man that's never heard the sound of genuine laughter, never experienced the feeling of being truly happy.

Elanor walks in and gives us a dirty look. She's wiped away her tears and is now ready to put on a show. I know that she won't give me away, it would jeopardize everything she's worked so hard to cover up.

Emily's P.O.V

The rest of dinner was really awkward. My mother tried her best not to look Riccardo in the eyes, and she seemed nervous. He was more laid back, making conversation and talking about his construction business. After dinner, we said our goodbyes to my mom. She hugged me like she was never going to see me again and whispered to me to be careful. I'm not sure what she meant by that. I can't shake the feeling that someone is not telling me something....

The drive home was in comfortable silence. I felt tired and confused at what transpired this evening. I'll call my mom tomorrow once everything has calmed down and ask her what happened between her and Riccardo.

Once at Riccardo's house, we sit in the living room, he takes off his jacket and goes to the bar, "Can I offer you a drink?" I'm not a big drinker. After tonight, though, I suppose I could have one.

"Um, yeah... sure. Thanks" He hands me what looks like neat brandy on the rocks.

"I'm sorry, that is all I drink. I'll get Martha to buy you some wine or whatever you'd like to drink."

"Oh, no it's fine, thank you."

We sit together on the large leather sofa. Riccardo puts his large hand on my knee and starts to rub circles with his fingers.

"So, dinner was interesting...." I'm nervous and trying to make conversation.

"Well, I suppose your mother wasn't expecting a hot Italian to pitch up with her daughter...." He smirks, and I can't help the giggle that escapes my lips. He can be so funny sometimes.

He continues to rub circles on my knee and slowly leans closer to my ear, "I think she's afraid of the damage that I can do to your body..." His hand moves slightly higher up my leg, his fingers tracing the hem of my dress. I can feel heat rush to my face, I'm probably blushing again. He takes his hand away and I miss the warmth. I grab his hand and put it back on my knee. Riccardo smiles and leans closer. He slowly brushes his lips over my ear and I feel shivers run down my spine.

"I really want to kiss you right now.."

"What's stopping you?"

With that, he claims my lips in a passionate kiss. I give him entrance, and he slips his tongue over mine. He grabs the back of my head and deepens the kiss. I fist the collar of his shirt to bring him closer than he already is. I feel lost in his arms, my body heating with every stroke of his tongue on mine, I feel dizzy with passion.

He pulls away from my lips, stands and stretches his hand out to me, "Let's go upstairs signora..." The huskiness of his voice and the desire in his eyes tells me that he wants to take the next step. Am I ready for this? My mind is telling me to slow down, but my body is screaming for his touch.