Three months later...

–Sam, sorry to bother you, but there's a call for you on line one... Someone with a deep voice and a very sexy foreign accent.

Sam froze. "Someone with a deep voice and a very sexy foreign accent..." Those words made her shudder and her groin moisten. She silently admonished herself for being so ridiculous and looked up from the document she was reading to look at the secretary of the research department at the University of London.

–Did you accomplish anything over the weekend? Or should I say "anything"?

Sam shuddered once more, but smiled at Gertie.

–I haven't had the chance. I spent the whole weekend with Milo, working on his kindergarten nature project.

The secretary smiled, and said:

"You know I still have hope, Sam. You and Milo need a wonderful man willing to take care of you."

Sam gritted her teeth and continued smiling to avoid commenting on how nice Milo and she were without a man in the house. Still, she couldn't wait to answer the call.

–Did you say on line one?

Gertie winked and disappeared. Sam took a deep breath and answered:

–This is Dr. Samantha Rourke speaking.

There was a silence, then a deep, sexy, memorable voice was heard.

– Ciao , Samantha, I'm Rafaele...

What had been a hunch became reality. He was the only person, apart from her father, who called her Samantha, unless in moments of passion he had called her Sam. Suddenly, a mixture of rage, guilt, desire, and tenderness took hold of her.

Sam realized she hadn't answered when he spoke again.

–I'm Rafaele Falcone... Do you remember me?

She gripped the phone tightly, and said:

–No... I mean, yes, I remember you.

How could I forget that man when every day I saw a miniature replica of his face and his green eyes?

" Well ," he said. "How are you, Sam? Are you a doctor now?"

"Yes," she replied, her heart racing. "I got my doctorate after..." she stammered, finishing the sentence silently. "After you came into my life and ruined it." She fought to maintain control and said, "I got my doctorate after I saw you for the last time. How can I help you?"

Once again, nervousness gripped her. "What if I help him by telling him he has a son?"
–I came to London because we have set up a Falcone Motors headquarters in the United Kingdom.

"That's great," Sam said.

Suddenly, she understood the magnitude of the situation. Rafaele Falcone was in London, coming to find her. Why? Milo. Her son, her world. Rafaele's son.

At first, Sam thought he'd found out, but decided that if her suspicions were true, he wouldn't speak so casually. Still, she had to get rid of him. And fast.

–Look... I'm glad to hear from you, but I'm very busy right now.

–Aren't you curious to know why I contacted you?

Fear gripped her as she thought of her adorable son.

–Yes, I suppose so.

"I was going to offer you a job at Falcone Motors," he said coldly. "The research you're currently conducting falls within the area we want to develop."

Hearing his words, Sam couldn't help but feel panic. She had worked for that man once, and nothing had been the same since.

"I'm afraid that's impossible," she said. "I've committed myself to working for the good of the university."

"I see," he replied after a few seconds.

Sam realized he expected her to have fallen at his feet, if only for the job offer and nothing more personal. That was the effect he had on most women. He hadn't changed. Despite what had happened between them.

...