Rising Stars. Maisey Yates

baby’s tiny handprints, which she knew he’d love.

      He sobered. “You give me a gift every day, Callie,” he said softly. “By being my wife.”

      She’d looked at him, her heart in her throat. Then her smile faltered. “I just wish I’d heard from my family today.”

      Eduardo’s eyes darkened, and he gave her a tight smile that didn’t meet his eyes. “Do not worry, querida. I am sure you will hear from them soon.”

      But she hadn’t, not in all the months since then. She’d sent her parents and her sister a letter every week, filled with photographs of Marisol and of their life in Europe. She’d told them how the baby was growing. She’d told them about Marisol’s first tooth, the first time she’d turned over in her crib, the first time she’d sat up by herself. She’d described everything that had happened over the seven months of her baby’s life. Callie had even poured out her feelings about Eduardo, her former boss, whom she’d once tried to hate but now loved. She wanted to undo the damage she’d once done, and let them see Eduardo as he really was: a good man.

      In response to all her carefully written letters, she’d gotten only cold silence.

      She tried not to let it bother her. When Eduardo was home, he gave her and the baby his full attention. He’d needed to take business trips again, to the Arctic and Colombia and elsewhere. But whenever he traveled to a destination he thought his family might enjoy, he brought Callie and Marisol along, traveling on the private jet with a full staff and Mrs. McAuliffe in tow. It was amazing.

      They’d spent Valentine’s Day in Paris, in a royal suite at a five-star hotel with a view of the Tour Eiffel. After the baby was asleep, Eduardo had surprised Callie with a romantic, private dinner for two in their suite. She shivered, remembering champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries and hot kisses that had lasted for hours.

      Most recently, they’d gone to Italy. In Venice, he’d rented a palace overlooking the Grand Canal and they’d shared a romantic gondola ride; in Rome, Marisol had had her first taste of lemon gelato, which she’d savored by letting it dribble down her chin.

      Such adventures they’d shared as a family. Growing up on her parents’ rural farm, the farthest Callie had ever traveled as a child was to the county fair. She’d never have imagined she’d someday have a life like this. International. Glamorous.

      Now, the afternoon sun lowered behind the swaying palm trees as Callie sat beside the gorgeous infinity pool back at their villa. She turned her face toward the blue sky. Taking a drink of cold, lemon-flavored water, she closed her eyes, stretching out on the lounge chair, relishing the warm Spanish sun on her cheeks.

      Seven months of marriage and she still wasn’t pregnant. But Eduardo never seemed to tire of trying. He wanted her pregnant. Each night, after they made love, he held her till she slept before he slipped away to the nearest guest room to sleep alone. She hated waking up alone. But that was a tiny thing, nothing really, compared to the multitude of joys in her life, with her baby and husband she loved.

      But she still missed the family she’d left behind in North Dakota. It was a heartache that never quite went away.

      Her letters hadn’t worked, in spite of her best efforts. Her eyes flew open and she stared up at the blue sky. Maybe it was time to do something drastic.

      “Callie.”

      She heard her husband’s voice across the pool. Lifting her head, she smiled as she watched him walk toward her, wearing only swimming trunks that showed off his tanned, magnificent body. She could not look away from his hard-muscled torso, powerful arms and strong thighs. The sensual way he moved seduced her—without him even trying!

      “I like seeing you by the pool,” he said appreciatively. Lifting a dark eyebrow, he looked over her pale body in her tiny bikini. “You look hot, in all those clothes.”

      She giggled. “You always say that. You told me I looked hot when it was pouring rain in London in January. I was shivering like a drowned rat and you started taking off my clothes!”

      “I’m always available to help take off your clothes.” Taking her hand in his own, he said innocently, “Care for a nice refreshing swim?”

      Eduardo had a look in his dark eyes that made her suspect their “nice refreshing swim” would soon lead to rampant nakedness for them both. The heat in his gaze left her breathless. Her husband didn’t seem to see any flaws in her post-pregnancy figure. He called her beautiful, gorgeous, and irresistible, and once she was naked in his arms, he told her so with his body.

      “All right.” Smiling, Callie let him pull her to her feet and lead her into the pool. The bobbing water felt cool against her bikini and sun-warmed skin. Once in the deep end of the pool, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

      His lips felt hot and hard against hers. She clung to him as he kissed her, relishing the feel of his hard, muscled body towering over her petite frame. She loved him so much. And though he hadn’t spoken those three words back to her, she was convinced it was just a matter of time …

      He pulled back with a shiver. “Oh, querida,” he said hoarsely. “I’m going to miss you.”

      “Miss me?” She blinked. “Where are you going?”

      As they held each other in the pool, the water bobbing against her breasts, he stroked her cheek with a scowl. “Marrakech. To complete a business deal.”

      “Morocco? For how long?”

      “Hard to say. The man is unpredictable. The negotiations might last a day—or a week.”

      “A week? A full week at the villa without you? I can’t face it.”

      “I’ll miss you, too.”

      She took a deep breath. “But it might be the perfect time for me to visit my parents. I’ll just take the other jet while you’re gone …”

      He frowned. “What?”

      She met his eyes. “I’ve been writing my family every week for four months. It’s not working. I need to go see them.”

      Eduardo stared at her. Was it just her imagination, or did some of the color disappear behind his tan? “Absolutely not.”

      “Why?” She tilted her head, folding her arms. She’d expected a fight and was ready for it. “You won’t exactly miss us. You’ll be in Morocco.”

      “Maybe I’d like you and Marisol to come with me. Marrakech is beautiful in April.”

      “That wasn’t your plan a minute ago.”

      “Plans change.”

      As the cool water of the pool bobbed around them, they glared at each other. Above them, the wind blew through the palm trees, and she could hear the roar of the distant ocean as seabirds cried out mournfully across the cloudless blue sky.

      And Callie broke. “I miss them, Eduardo.” She unfolded her arms, blinking back tears. “I don’t know what else to do. I miss them.”

      He set his jaw. “I thought you were happy here—”

      “I am. But I miss them. Every hour. Every day. It’s like a hole in my heart.” She put her hand over his chest. “Right here.” Tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked up at him. “I can’t stand the silence. I feel lost without them.”

      Eduardo stared at her for a long moment. Then, closing his eyes, he exhaled.

      “All right,” he said in a low voice.

      “All right?”

      He looked down at her. “Not McLinn. But your parents and your sister—yes.”

      “I can go see them in North Dakota?” she breathed, hardly able to believe it.

      “But I don’t want you and Marisol so far away from me. And I need