Paige was asleep when he came to bed, moving her hair from her face he covered her with the blanket. She had a habit of kicking them off and more than once he woke to find that he too was uncovered.
The next day she woke up and saw him picking out an outfit for her to wear.
"That's a little fancy to wear just for the doctor's office, isn't it?"
"I was going to tell you last night but you were asleep when I came to bed. After your appointment, we are going for lunch with my banker and his wife. I'm building a new hotel in Paris so it is more of a business meeting."
"Do you not already have enough hotels?" she asked, wondering why he had to have more.
"Yes, but this one will be the grandest one of them all."
Getting out of bed she went and showered while he waited for her downstairs. Having a light breakfast they headed out to her doctor's appointment. There they were taken in right away and was not made to wait.
As soon as she had her gown on the doctor came in, Gabriel sat in the chair, he insisted on being in the room with them, and he always got his way.
She laid there quietly as he examined her, Gabriel and the doctor did all the talking.
"I need to ask again about her size, she is hardly showing. Is this normal? Any women I have seen are showing more by now."
"Your wife sir has a small frame, the baby is fine. Every woman is different and how big, or big they don't get has no effect on the baby. I have had patients who were in their seventh month and not showing they weren't aware they were pregnant, just thought they were gaining a little weight."
"Can you give her a scan?"
"It's a bit early but yes, if that's what you wish. I will go set it up, just give me a few minutes," he said and left the room.
They waited in silence, she was not pleased about being talked about as though she weren't in the room with them.
A woman in a white lab coat walked in.
"Hello, my name is Rosa, I will be doing the scan, if you could just roll up your gown for me," she said, pulling a machine over to the bed.
Spreading the gel on her stomach began the procedure. Gabriel moved over to her side, his eyes glued to the screen.
After several minutes and when Rosa didn't say anything both Paige and Gabriel looked at her and saw she was frowning. Then she stood up.
"I'll be right back."
"Wait, is something wrong with my baby?" she cried out, grabbing Gabriel's hand.
"The doctor will be right with you," Rosa said and rushed out.
She turned to him, there was fear in her eyes and her voice cracked.
"Gabriel, what if something is wrong with the baby?"
It tugged at his heartstrings to see her so scared, he wrapped his arms around her. Stroking her back as he tried to reassure her.
"Do not worry my angel, I'm sure it's nothing."
The doctor came in followed by Rosa.
"OK now, let's see whats going on here." He fiddled with the buttons on the machine and asked her to lay back down and began the procedure again.
"I see something now, it's small but there is your baby," he said pointing to the screen.
Paige and Gabriel, they really couldn't see much except for a small spot which the doctor said was their baby.
"The baby, its ok?" Gabriel asked, holding her hand.
"Everything looks fine. I am so sorry for scaring you. I'm afraid this machine is so old and does not work properly."
"Then why not get a new one?" Gabriel snapped angrily.
"I have asked them on many occasions but they say there is no money in the hospital budget to buy one." He went and stood up, turning to Paige.
"You can get dressed now my dear and we will make another appointment for you, next scan you will be able to see so much more."
Gabriel told her he'd be right back and followed the doctor out.
"How much for one of these machines?"
"At least 350,000 dollars."
Gabriel took his checkbook out of his breast pocket and after filling it out handed it to a very surprised doctor.
"This is so generous of you Mr. Maestri."
"Generosity has nothing to do with it. Because of that piece of shit my wife was upset, worried that something was wrong with our child. I will not see her in distress again. Make sure it has arrived by her next scan. Good day doctor."
Turning away he went back to Paige.
As soon as he walked in she threw herself into his arms.
"I was so scared, Gabriel."
"Shh, its ok" he said.
His arms going around her in a protective gesture, he then kissed the top of her head, he felt her trembling.
"If you wish to go home I'll cancel my luncheon meeting."
She looked up at him. "This meeting is important to you, we'll go."
Cupping her chin he kissed her.
"You are one amazing woman. We will go but if you start to get tired we'll leave, OK?"
"OK," she answered, smiling up at him.
AT THE RESTAURANT: "Luigi, Victoria, good to see you both, it's been awhile. I'd like you to meet my wife, Paige. Darling, meet Luigi and Victoria Esposito."
After the introductions, they were seated and wine was ordered.
"None for me thanks," Paige said, placing her hand on the glass.
"Do you not drink dear?" Victoria asked.
"My wife is expecting," Gabriel answered for her.
"That is wonderful, how far along are you?"
"Just a little over two months," Paige said and looking at Gabriel she smiled.
"We were quite surprised when we found out you had gotten married, and to an American. But you are a lucky man, your wife is young and very charming," Luigi said, raising his glass to them.
Gabriel was pleased to see that though there was an age difference between Paige and Victoria they seemed to hit it off. The Esposito's were an older couple in their late fifties. The women chatted while the men talked business over lunch.
Gabriel paid the bill and they all walked out together.
"Your wife is charming and you must bring her over for dinner soon," Victoria said, then turned to Paige.
"I will send you some pamphlets on baby furniture. My friend owns a baby store and can get you everything you need for the little one. Take care now dear," she said, giving her a hug.
Gabriel opens the car door for Paige and making sure she was settled went around to his side and got in. Putting his hand on her knee.
"I was proud of you tonight, you won them over and I liked that you used some Italian words. You are catching on to our language quickly."
"Antonio is a good teacher."
Oh, how she wished she hadn't mentioned his name when she saw how Gabriel's mood changed. He removed his hand from her knee as if it was burning him, his teeth clenched together.
"Oh you just had to mention him didn't you?" he hissed.
"There's no reason to get so upset. I was only saying how he is helping me and that he is so patient with me."
"Because he wants to get into your pants," he said, turning sharply to look at her.
"Now you're just being ridiculous. Really, Gabriel, you have to stop being so jealous and possessive." She crossed her arms and looked out the window, he had to spoil a perfect night with his jealousy.
He drove for a while and finding a secluded spot turned off the car, removing the seatbelt he turned to her.
"Maybe you want to sleep with him," he said, putting his hand on her leg and moved up. "Maybe I am not enough to satisfy you."
Undoing her own seat belt she yanked his hand away and opening her door got out. Tears stung her eyes as she started walking away only to have him grab her arm and swing her around to face him.
"Let go of me," she yelled when he put her up against the car. "I said let me go you beast."
"Where do you think you are going?"
"As far from you as I can," she yelled.
"When are you going to learn to trust me? I don't want to be with anyone but yes, you do satisfy me. Sometimes you are too much for me the way you always want sex. Even now that you are angry and accusing me of wanting to be unfaithful you want sex. You are some kind of freak who gets turned on when we fight."
He pinned her against the car and himself, a grin appeared on his face.
"I do get jealous when another man looks at you with lust in his eyes. Yes, I do get excited when we fight, it gets my adrenaline pumping and you look so damn sexy when you're mad."
Putting his hands behind her head his mouth came down on hers, his tongue forcing its way into her mouth as his kiss deepened.
As mad as she was with him she soon found herself melting, his kiss had that effect on her. She was lifted up onto the hood of the car and he stood between her legs. She put her arms around him as he continued his attack on her mouth. His one hand on her breast he moved down to between her legs and pushing the panties over began rubbing her clit, making her moan.
"Ah, you are so wet for me my angel," he said.
Picking her up opened the back door to the car and laid her down, removing the panties. He got on top, kissing her neck and reaching down undid his pants and pushed them down over his hips. She was panting and moaning heavily which added to his arousal and he entered her slowly. She had her hands on his ass, pushing him down harder on her. He pulled out and surged hard and deep into her, each thrust getting faster.
"Gabriel, oh God don't stop, it feels so good," she moaned out loud.
His hand went softly over her neck, his lips covering her face with wet, hot kisses. Then it was like fireworks going off behind her closed lids. Streaks of light made everything so bright though her eyes were closed and her body rocked against him when she came hard and she screamed out in ecstasy with the best orgasm she had ever had. Half moans and half laugher escaped her lips and she hugged him close to her.
"That was so damn hot angel," he said, looking down into her flushed face.
"Will you ever learn to trust me?" she asked, brushing his hair from his eyes.
"I do not trust anyone."
Lifting her head she kissed him and laid back down.
"I will prove to you that you can trust me and someday you will. I trust you," she said, looking deep into his eyes.
He stared back at her and he felt a strange ache in his heart.
"We should go home now, it's getting late."
Sitting up he opened the door and getting out pulled up his pants and adjusted himself. He turned to see her sliding her panties slowly up as she kept her eyes on him. He sensed she was deliberately trying to be seductive and it was working, she looked sexy as hell.
She let him put her shoes on her, his hand was so warm on her leg when he slipped one shoe on then the other. Pulling her to her feet his arms went around her waist.
"You are a mystery to me."
"How?" she asked, her eyes looking at his lips. How she loved the feel of them and the way they made her wanting more.
"I don't know and it doesn't matter but I will eventually figure you out. Now let's get you home."