The Italian's Christmas Secret

One night, one bed...one baby!

When chauffeur Keira Ryan accidentally drives her car into a snowdrift, she and her devastatingly attractive passenger must find a hotel...only to discover they’ll be sharing a bed! Luckily, billionaire Matteo Valenti takes it upon himself to show virgin Keira just how to make the most of a bad situation—with the most sizzling experience of her life.

It’s nearly Christmas again before Matteo uncovers Keira’s secret. He may have resisted commitment his whole life, but now it’s time to claim his son and heir...

‘Can’t sleep?’

The Italian’s silky voice penetrated her spinning thoughts and Keira could tell from the shifting weight on the mattress that Matteo Valenti had turned his head to talk to her. She swallowed. Should she pretend to be asleep? But what would be the point of that? She suspected he would see through her ruse immediately—and wasn’t it a bit of a relief not to have to keep still any more?

‘No,’ she admitted. ‘Can’t you?’

He gave a short laugh. ‘I wasn’t expecting to.’

‘Why not?’

His voice dipped. ‘I suspect you know exactly why not. It’s a somewhat unusual situation to be sharing a bed with an attractive woman and having to behave in such a chaste manner.’

Keira was glad of the darkness which hid her sudden flush of pleasure. Had the gorgeous and arrogant Matteo Valenti actually called her attractive? And was he really implying that he was having difficulty keeping his hands off her? Of course he might only be saying it to be polite—but he hadn’t exactly been a model of politeness up until now, had he?

‘I thought you said you didn’t find me attractive?’

‘That’s what I was trying to convince myself.’

In the darkness, she gave a smile of pleasure. ‘I could go downstairs and see if I could get us some more tea.’

‘Please.’ He groaned. ‘No more tea.’

‘Then I guess we’ll have to resign ourselves to a sleepless night.’ She plumped up her pillow and sighed as she collapsed back against it. ‘Unless you’ve got a better suggestion?’

One Night With Consequences

When one night...leads to pregnancy!

When succumbing to a night of unbridled desire it’s impossible to think past the morning after!

But, with the sheets barely settled, that little blue line appears on the pregnancy test and it doesn’t take long to realise that one night of white-hot passion has turned into a lifetime of consequences!

Only one question remains:

How do you tell a man you’ve just met that you’re about to share more than just his bed?

Find out in:

Claiming His Christmas Consequence by Michelle Smart

The Guardian’s Virgin Ward by Caitlin Crews A Child Claimed by Gold by Rachael Thomas The Consequence of His Vengeance by Jennie Lucas Secrets of a Billionaire’s Mistress by Sharon Kendrick The Boss’s Nine-Month Negotiation by Maya Blake The Pregnant Kavakos Bride by Sharon Kendrick A Ring for the Greek’s Baby by Melanie Milburne Engaged for Her Enemy’s Heir by Kate Hewitt The Virgin’s Shock Baby by Heidi Rice

Look for more One Night With Consequences stories coming soon!

The Italian’s Christmas Secret

Sharon Kendrick

www.millsandboon.co.uk

SHARON KENDRICK once won a national writing competition by describing her ideal date: being flown to an exotic island by a gorgeous and powerful man. Little did she realise that she’d just wandered into her dream job! Today she writes for Mills & Boon, featuring often stubborn but always to die for heroes and the women who bring them to their knees. She believes that the best books are those you never want to end. Just like life…

Books by Sharon Kendrick

Mills & Boon Modern Romance

A Royal Vow of Convenience

The Ruthless Greek’s Return Christmas in Da Conti’s Bed

One Night With Consequences

The Pregnant Kavakos Bride

Secrets of a Billionaire’s Mistress Crowned for the Prince’s Heir Carrying the Greek’s Heir

Wedlocked!

The Sheikh’s Bought Wife

The Billionaire’s Defiant Acquisition

The Billionaire’s Legacy

Di Sione’s Virgin Mistress

The Bond of Billionaires

Claimed for Makarov’s Baby

The Sheikh’s Christmas Conquest

At His Service

The Housekeeper’s Awakening

Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.uk for more titles.

For the vivacious and beautiful Amelia Tuttiett—who is a great raconteur and always fun to be with. She is also a brilliant ceramic artist.

Thanks for all the inspiration, Mimi!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

One Night With Consequences

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

EPILOGUE

Extract

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

‘MR VALENTI?’

The woman’s soft voice filtered into Matteo’s thoughts and he made no effort to hide his exasperation as he leaned back against the leather seat of the luxury car. He’d been thinking about his father. Wondering if he intended carrying out the blustering threat he’d made just before Matteo had left Rome—and if so, whether or not he could prevent it. He gave a heavy sigh, forcing himself to accept that the ties of blood went deeper than any others. They must do. He certainly wouldn’t have tolerated so much from one person if they hadn’t been related. But family were difficult to walk away from. Difficult to leave. He felt his heart clench. Unless, of course, they left you.