Chapter 4

He stayed away for two days. Forty-eight hours where he went through pure hell while he tried convincing himself that it was for the best. Besides, he needed to try and gather his composure and figure out what the hell was going on with him.

The intensity had boggled his mind. The touch of her hand on his had thrown him for a loop. He had had to force himself not to react to what he was feeling. It had been a good thing they had been invaded.

For the first time, he had not resented the interruption. It had saved him from making a fool of himself. She had just offered sympathy, that was all.

It was nothing to do with sex. He was not even certain she was attracted to him. This might be one-sided. She had not given him any indication that she was into him. She might be involved with someone, living with a man.

He knew nothing about her. Which was why he was avoiding going to the damn place. He needed a time out. To collect his thoughts.

But he was suffering. He would do anything just to see her, get a whiff of her delicate scent. Bask in her smile, feel the touch of her hand on his again.

“Oh Christ!” Swinging his legs off the bed, he went into the bathroom and turned on the light. He always slept naked, hating the restriction of clothing while in bed. Bracing his hands on the counter, he stared at his reflection critically and grimaced at the bloodshot eyes. He had been drinking steadily for two nights straight.

A visit to his old man had not helped because they had gone over the same song and dance. His father wanted a commitment.

“You have been here for a week now. What’s your plan?”

“You will be the first to know.”

“You are punishing me.”

“Make it all about you as usual, why don’t you?” Gary had snapped, taking out his frustrations on him. Meeting Sadie had put a crimp in his plans to leave and he was not certain what to do about it.

He had been hell bent on leaving as soon as the old man kicked the bucket, but now he was having second thoughts. He did not like being tethered. Not here.

He had left the house feeling more muddled and confused than he already was. And had gone to the corporate office where his uncle had been pleased to see him.

“We could assign an office to you, if taking your father’s, does not appeal to you.”

“I have not made up my mind yet and both you and dad pressuring me is not going to make me do so any sooner.”

“You are in a mood. Had a fight?”

He had wanted to tell his uncle that he had met a girl, and she had done a number on him. But he kept it to himself.

“Something like that.”

Now he was standing and staring at himself in the mirror. What did she see when she looked at him? His ink black hair was untidy and needed trimming. He was thirty-one. Did he look his age or had the years been kind to him?

He had started to live a life of debauchery even before he hit his sixteen birthday. In his household, he had been encouraged to whore and drink. That kind of behavior appealed to his father and his uncle George. Did it show?

Easing off the counter, he dragged his fingers through his hair and hissed out a breath. He had stayed away from her for two days and was suffering as a result. He had to see her. If the only thing he could do right now was look and hear her voice, then so be it. But he had to see her.

*****

“You are not sleeping.” Sharon Ellicott stepped inside her daughter’s bedroom after a discreet knock on the partially opened door.

“I had to get some paperwork finished before turning in.” She smiled at the middle-aged woman who had a tray in her hand. “You spoil me.”

“You had a hard day, and I was not able to come and relieve you today.” She placed the tray on the side table and took a seat on the edge of the bed where her daughter was sitting Indian fashion in the middle with papers strewn all around her.

“I know that Thursday is your day to help at the library. How was it?” Putting away the bills, she reached for the cup of tea and took a sip.

“Hectic. We are getting ready for Thanksgiving and there are several competitions being planned.” She gave her daughter an apologetic look. “I am afraid I will be going back for the rest of the week. Can you call Jolene to come in?”

Sadie shook her head, the motion sending her haphazard curls tumbling around her shoulders. “She has some courses to catch up on. I will be fine.”

“It’s Friday and it’s always so busy.”

“And I am coping,” she reassured her.

“I feel like I am abandoning you.”

“Nonsense.” Waving a dismissive hand, she reached for the plate of cookies and started nibbling. “I am fine.” She savored the strawberry cookie for a second, a contemplative expression on her face. “There is this guy.”

“Oh?” Immediately Sharon’s expression perked up. “What about him?”

Sadie laughed self-consciously and regretted mentioning him. “It might be nothing.”

“Doesn’t sound like nothing to me.”

“He has been in the shop twice already and we talked.” She laughed again, the sound breathless with wonder. “He is unbelievably cute, with all this black hair and piercing gray eyes and he is tall and muscular.

His shoulders are broad, and he has this way of looking at me as if he…” She shook her head. “But he has not been back, and I might be reading too much into something that’s not there. He is part Italian and just returned from that country.”

“You like him.”

“I like him. But…! Oh Mom!” She sighed softly. “It’s been a while since I have been interested in anyone that way. The breakup with Shaun was so painful. So much so, I made up my mind that I would never allow anyone that close again, not right now.”

Sharon placed a hand over her daughter’s and squeezed lightly. “That was a year ago and it’s time to get back out there. If that young man is good enough, I say go for it. Start out slow and work from there.”

She shook her head with a derisive laugh. “I am not even certain he is interested. Like I said, he has not been back.”

“I trust your instinct and I want to see my baby girl finding happiness. It’s my dream to see you married and having babies.”

Sadie laughed, eyes twinkling. “Mom, this guy is a stranger. It’s strange how you have us married and giving you grandkids.”

“One can but hope.” Leaning over, she kissed her daughter’s cheek. “Finish the snack and get some rest.”

“Thanks mom. I love you.”

“I love you too, honey.” She left and closed the door behind her.

Finishing the tea and cookies, Sadie put the tray away and gathered up the papers she had been working on.

She had to admit that he had made an impression. When he left abruptly two days ago, she had been disappointed. And had been staring at the door to see if he would visit. She might have misread the situation, but she was sure there was something between them.

She was by nature cautious and especially after what Shaun had done to her, it made her even more so. Shying away from the painful memories, she slid off the bed and went to the vanity mirror to deal with her hair.

Sitting on the stool, she stared at her reflection objectively. She was beautiful, that was something she knew without being vain. She had inherited her mother’s looks, and her father had often teased that God must have found favor with him as he was surrounded by the two most beautiful women in the world.

He had called her his princess and treated her like one. He had died three years ago, and she still missed him. She still expected him to walk into her room and ask about her day. The old house was demolished, and she was grateful for it because she did not think she could bear the memories behind those walls.

A freak accident. That was what the authorities had ruled his death as. A faulty electrical wiring had set the place ablaze. He was not supposed to be home. She had gone to work, and her mother was at school.

He was supposed to be at work at the accounting firm, but he had left early because he was not feeling well. The blessing was that he had died from a heart attack and not from the horrible fire. Some blessing, she thought bitterly.

Heaving out a breath, she tackled her hair.

*****

He came the next day. Sadie was just tidying up after the last customer, an elderly man who had sat at the table and engaged her in conversation while he slowly ate his croissant, loaded with bacon and cheese, and told her his life story and how active he had been in combat.

He had had two cups of chai tea and had eaten two more cranberry muffins before reluctantly leaving.

She was about to make herself some coffee when she heard the doorbell tinkle and there he was. Lord have mercy! The man was dangerously handsome and wearing all black.

Black sweater stretched across his wide shoulders and chest and the black jeans that highlighted his long legs. Black boots completed the ensemble, and his dark hair was windblown.

He stood there, just inside the doorway, his gray eyes meeting hers in a hypnotic gaze she could not break.

When he moved forward, she found the strength to greet him and was sure her smile wobbled. His masculine scent wafted up her nostrils and made her want to take a bite out of his strong neck.

“Hi.” His deep voice sent shivers all over her body.

“Hi, yourself.” She wanted to ask him where he had been and why he had not been in the last two days, but commonsense kept her from blurting it out. “The usual?”

“Before we get to that, there is something I need to say.”

He was married and wanted to have an affair. She was going to have to say no, as tempted as she was to say yes.

Mentally shaking her head, she cocked a brow in invitation.

“I like you.”

“Oh.” To hide the trembling of her hands, she shoved them into the pockets of her close-fitting sweater dress, the one she had chosen so carefully with the intention of dazzling him if he happened to turn up. “And?”

“And I would like to take you out for coffee.” He grimaced and laughed when she did, realizing his blunder. “Obviously not for coffee. For dinner.”

“When?” She busied herself with the dust rag.

“Tonight.”

“Oh.”

“I am sorry, is that too short a notice?”

She shook her head, “Where do you have in mind?”

He hesitated a second and wondered if she would think him too forward if he suggested his place and decided to go with it.

“I can cook.” Closing his eyes briefly, he shook his head. “Just so you know, I am usually very articulate.”

“I will take your word for it!” Her eyes danced.

“As I was saying, I would love to cook for you.” He lifted a hand. “I promise that you can trust me to stick with dinner and nothing else.”

She considered him for a second. “You are inviting me to your place.”

“If you don’t feel comfortable, we could go to a restaurant.”

“I am willing to trust you.”

He let out a breath. “Thanks. How about eight thirty? You get off at eight, right?”

“Yes. Eight thirty is fine.”

Plucking a card out of the holder, he scribbled the address and his phone number down.

Taking up another card, she scribbled her cell number on the back of it.

“Now that’s out of the way,” he continued after they exchanged cards. “How about hooking me up with the coffee to go and a pumpkin muffin. I have some shopping to do.” His white teeth flashed in a smile and had her knees going weak.

Sadie made the transaction and was about to say something when the bell tinkled.

“See you later.” He murmured, before stepping back from the counter and making his way out. The two women coming into the shop, stopped, and turned to watch him walk out and it took all of her will to warn them off. And to also ignore their longing sighs and comment about his long, lean body.

Pasting a smile on her lips, she greeted them and set about serving them.

Out in the parking lot, Gary placed the steaming cup of coffee inside the cup holder and just sat there. He had done it. He asked her out and she had not shut him down. She had agreed to have dinner with him at his place. It was a start, and he could hardly hear himself think over the loud pounding of his heart.

Perhaps he should have sprung for a more public place. How in the hell was he going to keep his hands off her? Picking up his cup, he took a swig of the brew, before putting it back. He would keep things casual, friendly.

He would wait for her to indicate that he should move faster. He was dying to kiss her, but he knew instinctively that kissing was never going to be enough. He wanted all of her. Wanted to feel the texture of her skin on his tongue.

Uttering an expletive, he closed his eyes and willed the monstrous erection away. When that did not work, he touched the start button and made his way from the parking lot. He would have to go shopping; he decided at the stop sign.

There was a market right here in the plaza, but for what he had in mind, he required something special. And it occurred to him as he moved forward that this was the first time he would be cooking for a woman.

Biting off a sigh, he called up music and allowed Puccini to calm his ragged nerves. He was falling in love for the first time in his life and he was frightened to death. He had a feeling this exquisite woman was going to change his life forever.

*****

He did ask her if she liked Italian. But who didn’t? The meal he had in mind was going to take some skills and fortunately, his mother had roped him into cooking and learning to prepare delicious meals.

His aunt had taken over the tutoring when he went to live with her. She had three robust sons, several grandchildren and her kitchen was always noisy and smelled of garlic.

A smile touched his lips as he entered the store he had discovered just recently. One that specialized in Italian products. Aunt Angelini had welcomed him with open arms and her sons had done the same. He would be forever grateful to them for making him feel so much at home.

When he left the states, he had practically run away, tormented by his past and the things his family was doing. He had simply packed up and left without even saying goodbye.

His uncle Graham had been the only one who knew of his plans and had kept them to himself. Gary knew that his father had given him hell, but his uncle had stood by him.

Memories of his time spent in the tiny village of Montepulciano had him feeling nostalgic. Things had been simple there and he had been looking forward to returning. But his plans had changed. He laughed ruefully as he exited the car and walked towards his building.

Plucking his phone from his pocket, he checked the time and placed a long-distance call which was answered immediately.

The melodious accented voice had him stopping for a moment. Redirecting his steps, he went back to the vehicle and got in. “Ciao Zia.” He greeted her warmly and sat there listening to her regale him with what had been happening in her large household since he left.

He had contacted them as soon as he arrived in the States but had not called since then. Being the type of person she was, she did not berate him for not getting in touch. She plied him with questions about his father and what was happening with him.

“He looked better when I saw him yesterday.” He listened again and smiled.

“Yes, I am doing my best to put the past behind me and no, I know it’s not going to be easy.”

He listened again and asked about the rest of the family. That part of the conversation took up several minutes well as he was filled in on what was happening with each of them. Angelini might not be the beauty of the two sisters, but what she lacked in physical appearance, she made up for in warmth.

Her personality was one of encompassing love. She spoke her mind and was patient beyond belief. Gary loved and respected her and appreciated her for not being judgmental. She was not capable of hatred but had never approved of her brother-in-law.

“I could see that he was not good enough for my darling sister, but our papa had the final say.”

“I met someone.” He was finally given the chance to put in his piece.

There was a pause, and he smiled as he waited while she assimilated the information.

“Is this woman good enough for you?” She demanded in her own inimitable manner.

“I am wondering if I am good enough for her.” It was early in the morning and the parking lot was practically empty. Gary watched as an elderly lady wrestled with one of the carts and was just contemplating going over to give her a hand when she managed to extricate it.

“What does she do? And please do not tell me she is some actress or some lazy rich American woman.”

He chuckled at her disparaging tone. “Neither. She owns a coffee shop. It’s called Coffee and Books and is very quaint and cozy.”

“She works for a living. That is good. What does she look like?”

He laughed again. “She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. She has this wonderful flawless cocoa brown complexion, and her laugh is very infectious. You would love her. I invited her to dinner at my place.”

There was silence again and he waited, instinctively knowing what was coming. “You just met this woman, and she has agreed to go to your place without a chaperone?”

“It’s just going to be dinner.” He assured her. “I did not want to go out in public in case I was recognized. She does not know who I am. I used my mother’s maiden name.”

“You should tell her the truth from the very beginning and not let her find out for herself.”

“My name is not something to be proud of.” The tinge of bitterness in his voice could not be mistaken. “I just want her to like me for the person I am. Eventually, I will tell her and hope that she will not run in the opposite direction.”

“The sins of the father are not inherited by the son.”

“Are they not?” He blew out his breath. “And it’s several generations to contend with. My family reined with terror in several cities for decades, that’s something I am finding difficult to shake off. The old man is trying to make amends in more ways than one, but it might be too late.”

“Nothing is ever too late!” His aunt said softly.

“I did not call you to talk about the difficulties surrounding my family. I have decided on preparing chicken scallopini and need your expert advice on what to buy.”

“Will you be pairing it with creamy risotto and a Caprese salad?”

He chuckled and felt the tension around his heart dissipating. “You read my mind. I am at this Italian produce store and want to know what to pick up.”

He listened as she reeled off a list of ingredients for him to purchase. “Call me when you are preparing the chicken.”

After promising that he would, he ended the call and sat there for a minute before heading towards the store.