Steele 05 - Irresistible Forces

sharpened her gaze to look at the single guest who had just entered and the curious onlookers surrounding him.
    She heard Franco’s sharp intake of breath at the same moment the crowd dispersed somewhat and Dominic stood there, a younger version of both Franco and Marcello, but definitely more of Franco. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind who he was and his relationship to the honoree.
    Unease flickered inside her the moment her and Dominic’s gazes connected and he began walking in her direction. “My prayers have been answered,” she heard Franco say in a voice so low she barely heard him.
    She continued to hold Dominic’s gaze as she studied his face. How did he feel about her being there, especially after their last conversation? Was he questioning what right she had to be standing with his family? But more important, was his presence an indication that he was willing to make peace with his grandfather at last?
    She knew only Dominic held the answer to both of those questions and as she studied his features, she found nothing that would give her a clue as to what he was thinking.
    Deciding she was making herself a nervous wreck, she just stood there as he came closer, as his gazed pinned her to the spot. She didn’t have to force herself to hold his gaze. He was a man who deserved attention and he was definitely getting it.
    The room was still quiet. It seemed that someone had even ordered the band to stop playing. Then she recalled all the people she had been introduced to that night. They were all friends and acquaintances of Franco, people who probably knew of the long-standing dissent between him and his grandson. Like her, they were waiting to see why Dominic was there, and hoping and praying that since it was Franco’s birthday, Dominic’s presence was a positive and not a negative.
    He finally reached them and respectfully, he gave his grandfather his full attention. Speaking in fluent French, he said, “Happy birthday, Grandfather. And I hope my presence here tonight is taken as an indication that I want to put the past behind me and move forward.”
    He then glanced at Taylor and the look she saw in his eyes made her heart beat faster. He hadn’t touched her, had yet to acknowledge her presence, but the look in his eyes was the look he always had in them for her. Dominic then turned back to his grandfather, and, still speaking in fluent French, said, “And thanks for the safekeeping of the woman who has my heart.”
    His words would have meant everything to her if she hadn’t known he was merely saying them for show, she thought miserably. He couldn’t very well have said, “Thanks for the safekeeping of the woman who’s having my baby,” could he? At least not in front of an audience of about three hundred individuals.
    She heard Franco’s emotional response. “Thank you for coming, grandson of my heart. We must talk later.”
    Dominic nodded. And then he came to stand in front of her and she forced her heart rate to slow down. Instead of saying anything, he took her hand and lifted it up to his lips and gazed deep into her eyes. “You look beautiful tonight,” he said in English and it was then she remembered that he didn’t know she spoke French and decided to answer him in his grandfather’s native tongue to make him aware that she had understood what he had said to Franco.
    “And you’re looking rather handsome yourself,” she responded. She saw the surprised lifting of his brow and then the smile that touched the corners of his lips.
    Instead of saying anything else, he moved on to his parents. She saw what amounted to tears in his parents’ eyes and she knew for Marcello and Megan, Dominic’s presence here tonight was the beginning to putting an end to the discord that had begun when they had been bold enough to fall in love.
    Then Dominic was back in front of her, reaching for her hand. “Will you dance with me Taylor?”
    She was about to tell him that there was no music, when suddenly as if on cue, the orchestra started up again. “Yes, I’ll dance with you,” she responded, and she then found herself led out onto the dance floor.
    He’s only being kind to me because of the baby, she reminded herself when he took her into his arms. But still, she couldn’t stop the gratitude she felt in knowing that he had taken the first steps in putting animosity behind him and making up with his grandfather.
    The moment Dominic pulled her into his arms, her body seemed to