Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

A lexandra

He made me wear a goddamn mask, for God’s sake, a blindfold.

“You do realize I’m claustrophobic. Right?” I wasn’t. It was nothing more than a creative lie, but Nico didn’t know that.

“I think you can handle a half hour or so.” His voice was full of an entirely different kind of lilt, which seemed odd to me.

We were in a truck this time, a big black Dodge Ram that also didn’t seem like him in the least.

I folded my arms as he zoomed along, not even allowing the windows to be open. He didn’t want to give the secret away. I’d been pleasantly and erotically surprised when he’d been true to his word, now wearing well-worn yet body-hugging jeans. It was funny to me how damn good men looked in denim.

They could grab their size off the rack and slide into them, never grunting or groaning in trying to get their body shoved into a size too small. Once in a pair, they looked perfect. And with Nico, it appeared as if the jeans had been made for him directly. They hugged the contours of his muscular butt as if he’d come screaming out of his mama in them at birth.

What the thick material did to the front of his jeans between his legs had to be illegal. It had to be.

He was also wearing the cowboy boots he mentioned and not the kind meant to wear inside or only once or twice. He’d really broken them in over a long period of time, the leather and stitching gorgeous, but worn.

“You’re a very mean man. Has anyone ever told you that before?” I asked as he made a sharp turn. I had to brace myself and I knew in my heart he was doing it on purpose.

“More times than I can count.” His laugh was full of energy. What was he up to? “Just sit back and relax. Peek and you will be punished in front of at least fifty people. I don’t think you’d like that.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“You’re really saying that to me of all people?”

“I’ll get you for this.”

“You can try. Others have and all have failed.”

A challenge. I did so like a challenge. A couple of minutes passed and I bit my lower lip before sliding my hand to his thigh.

I was surprised when he didn’t react at all. But when I started to crawl my fingers toward the thick bulge between his legs, he responded by grabbing my hand.

“Tsk. Tsk. You aren’t allowed to touch the merchandise.”

“So you’re merchandise now?”

“I can be anything I want.” Now he was teasing. However, there was a slight shift in his tone. I could almost feel it.

I pulled my hand away, several questions running through my mind even if I didn’t want to ruin the evening. There was so much at stake, so many concerns we both had. And the guilt really was eating him alive. Was it true there’d been no one else in his life? I had no way of knowing and I suspected the subject was off limits.

He continued driving for what seemed like a long time, well over a half hour. I already had my head back in the seat, doing my best to grab even a remote hint of light from under the blindfold, but he’d tied it too tightly.

When he started to slow down, I gripped the steering wheel. He was chuckling beside me, acting as if this was all just a game. At some point, he and I would need to sit down and have a long discussion about the future, but I knew that also wasn’t now.

He stopped the engine and sighed, not moving or attempting to remove the blindfold.

“What are we waiting for?” I asked, although the sound was rather demanding.

“Patience isn’t one of your virtues, is it?”

“No, it is not, just like it’s not with you either. Can I take this off now?”

“Not yet. Do not touch or I seriously will spank that butt of yours so hard you won’t be able to sit for a week.”

His threats were laced with additional lust. He couldn’t deny it.

“Okay. But you better hurry.” My demand was falling on deaf ears and I knew it.

He finally opened the door a few seconds later, not telling me I could get out. I guess he was providing the whole date treatment by being a gentleman.

I was right, the handsome hunk helping me from the car. He took my arm at first, but quickly shifted his arm around my waist.

“I’m not running anywhere,” I told him.

“I never know what to expect with you. Let’s face it. You could be an escape artist.”

He was trying so hard to be light. Maybe we both were. Was this supposed to be so complicated? Terrifying?

“You overestimate my abilities,” I told him, the sound more like I was cooing.

“No, I’ve learned not to underestimate them. Period. We’re almost there.”

I heard nothing at first, the quiet far too eerie. Why weren’t there any traffic noises? Where the hell had he taken me? We were definitely off his property. Maybe a park of some kind. That wasn’t like him either.

A dozen more steps and I heard something. What was it? I couldn’t tell.

He took a deep breath. “Have you figured it out?”

“Not yet.”

Why was he laughing at me?

Another sound immediately pushed me into stopping. I craned my neck. Horses. I heard horses whinnying. “We’re at the corral. Aren’t we?”

“Possibly.”

He went through all that to hide that we were going to go riding? I wasn’t certain how to react, but I was so touched I was floored. I had nothing to say immediately. That said something.

The more we walked the louder the horses became and when I was certain he’d opened the gate, he still refused to remove the blindfold. I felt the brush of horses and their sounds put a huge smile on my face. But he kept walking.

Now I was so excited I could barely contain the bubbling feeling inside. With all his generosity, his money spent to keep me warm, safe and dry, he could have no idea this simple ride meant more than anything else ever could. Because he’d broken down his barriers to allow it to happen, making the celebration special. I almost couldn’t breathe.

He guided me about another hundred feet then stopped both of us. Now he placed his hands on my shoulders. “Before I remove your blindfold, I did want to apologize, but don’t let it go to your head.”

“That’s right. You’re never wrong.”

He swatted me on the butt. “Careful, little girl. I am sorry for how I reacted. I wasn’t happy to see another man pay attention to you.”

“Romeo meant no harm.”

“I know that and I was confronted with emotions that conflicted with the man I’ve become. I hope this in a small way makes up for my ridiculous behavior. However, you need to keep in mind that you belong to me.”

Why was it that his utter possessiveness gave me goosebumps?

“We’ll see.” I was still teasing him, but as soon as he untied the black strip of material, I held my breath. I found it difficult to focus at first, my eyes covered with shadows.

But someone was walking in our direction. Romeo.

He had reins in his hand attached to the most beautiful horse I’d ever seen. With a bow on its saddle.

“What is this?”

“I couldn’t think of a better celebration present for you finishing your third year of medical school. Her name is Sassy, her personality just like yours.”

Positive emotions were something I’d pushed aside for so long. I hadn’t wanted to succumb to them given my work schedule. Yet over the last week, I’d been more emotional collectively than I had in my entire life. It had been exhausting, living on the edge something I wouldn’t recommend for anyone.

But this was something so unexpected, so outwardly sweet that I was floored completely. There were no words that came to mind, no way of embracing the way I felt. Between being allowed to finish the year at college and being forced to live in another country with an insufferable man, I’d never expected to feel this way.

Romeo was beaming, the two men obviously burying the hatchet. I was happy about that, more so than almost anything. I couldn’t walk around on additional eggshells forever.

I slowly turned my head, studying my godfather, Don of one of the most powerful Cosa Nostras in the world. But I couldn’t see him that way any longer. He was a stranger still yet a man with needs, brutal and ruthless. Seeing the tender, giving side of him wasn’t just about throwing money at a problem either.

He was showing me his softer side, the little bit of creamy marshmallow. I was suddenly overwhelmed, my chest heaving. I could tell I’d scared Romeo to death. He took a step back, pressing his open hand against his chest.

I simply threw my arms around the horse, allowing the tears to fall. Was it silly? Maybe. Was I showing my age? Likely. Who cared? The horse responded, nuzzling against me, whinnying as if with happiness. Even her tail was whapping back and forth like a whirligig.

I heard Nico laugh, the sound more joyful than I’d heard before. He was pleased with my reaction. Of course I couldn’t stop there. In my exuberance, I turned around, not only throwing my arms around his neck but jumping into his arms.

He stiffened, the display of public affection shown in front of his men obviously a huge no-no, but he finally softened. As he slipped his arms around me, holding me tightly against him, the moment was the first time I almost felt as if everything would be okay.

About twenty seconds later, the rational side of me took over and I pulled away, slightly embarrassed. Heat rose on my face as I took a step further away, breaking the connection. “Remember, I can’t ride.” My statement seemed strange perhaps given the gift.

“That’s what both Romeo and I are here for. Sassy is especially bred to be a gentle lead. She will be a perfect companion. Trust me, we’ll have you riding like an expert in no time.” Nico’s words were completely confident.

I remained unsure. “Now I know why you wanted the jeans. My first riding lesson?” I’d shifted into the teasing zone, doing my best to be mindful that we weren’t alone.

He shook his head. “You’re going to need to trust me. Your first lesson will be riding with me to my favorite location on this estate.”

I know my mouth dropped open. “I… I’ll fall off. I can’t do it.”

Both men laughed. Really?

I threw Romeo a rather nasty look and he tossed up his hands, shrugging as if he wasn’t to blame.

“You can do anything you set your mind to, Alexandra,” Nico said. “I’ve seen that in action. We will go very slow and I’ll have ahold of the reins as well. You need to break out of your comfort zone and learn to trust me.”

Trust wasn’t something that came easily for me as I suspected it didn’t for him. There was no getting out of this. I could easily tell that. Fear crawled up and down my spine like a den full of spiders, but I was also excited. Everything with Nico was exciting. I felt more alive than I had in my entire life, even given the horrific circumstances.

I had no idea if I could do this, but he was right. If I set my mind to it, I could do anything. Right?

Shit. Shit. Shit.

“Can you trust me?” he asked, and doing so in front of one of his employees meant I honestly couldn’t say no.

But I hesitated. “Yes, I can. I’m just… scared.”

“Mr. Marciano can pick the best horses, perfect for every individual. You can trust him with your life, Alexandra. He saved my family once from a terrible fire all by himself. He will do anything to protect the people around him.”

I glanced at Nico, who seemed rather embarrassed. Another hero moment in my mind.

The endorsement was certainly glowing given the sparring the two of them had done before. “If you can walk through lava, I’ll try, but don’t say it’s going to be easy or that I didn’t warn you I’m clueless.”

There was way too much amusement in Nico’s eyes. He was having a good time with my discomfort.

Romeo seemed pleased, removing the big bow. “I’ll save this for you. Just a hint. Sassy adores scratches behind her ears.”

“I’ll keep that in mind when I’m falling off her back during the ride.”

“Let Romeo help you onto the horse while I grab our late lunch.” Nico winked at his employee. Did that man really think I was going to be hungry after my stomach and entire body clenching in fear through the entire ride? He was nuts.

“Fine.” My jaw was so tight my gums ached, which meant my words were clipped. I was about ready to toss my cookies, but sucked in my breath instead. It wouldn’t be very ladylike. Would it?

I was fidgeting, enough so my body was shaking. Romeo reached over, placing his hand on my arm. “You got this. Sassy knows you’re nervous. Just look into her eyes. Bond with her. I promise you that you’ll be shocked how she responds.”

“If you say so.” I did as he suggested, touching her muzzle as I looked into her eyes. Remembering the tip he’d given me, I started scratching behind her ear. She instantly responded, her eyes getting heavy. It was crazy how excited I was, almost instantly calming down to some degree. “She’s beautiful.”

“She is.” He allowed me the time to bond, enjoying the moment with her more than I thought I would.

“Let’s get you on her back. The saddle is also designed for a beginner. You won’t fall off.”

He didn’t know how clumsy I could be. But there was nothing I could do at this point. I allowed him to help me onto the horse. I felt like dead weight, trying to remain limber when everything felt stiff.

But I did it. I was sitting on her back. She wasn’t quite as large as the horse I’d been on before, but I was still petrified at first. Sassy moved her head, offering a strange little noise as if acknowledging I was scared.

“Be good to her, Sassy. You’re going to become best friends.” He walked away, leaving me alone briefly.

I almost had a heart attack, but Nico was suddenly right there, a huge smile on his face. In his hand was an odd-looking picnic basket, more like a saddlebag than anything. He seemed to notice I’d wrinkled my nose.

“I’ll have you know this carries more goodies than you think it does.”

Another horse flanked my side, brought closer by Romeo. In comparison to Sassy, the horse was huge, all black and gorgeous. “Jesus.”

“Ember. She’s a beaut.” Romeo stroked her mane. “I think you’re ready, Mr. Marciano. Is there anything else you need?”

“No, Romeo. I think we’re good. We’ll be gone two or three hours.” Nico attached the bag to the saddle, hopping on in a showing he’d grown up around horses. He grabbed Sassy’s reins, his expression one of pride.

Which was ridiculous. I was going to fall right on my butt. He’d see. We wouldn’t make it to the clump of trees and I’d make a fool of myself.

“Nice and easy. We’re just going to walk, talk, and enjoy the countryside,” he told me.

“You talk? I mean chitchat like friends?”

At least he was thoroughly amused by my statement. Meanwhile, I was still shaking like a leaf.

I held my breath as he guided us from the corral, Romeo opening the gate for us.

And we were off.

He was either going to be completely disappointed with me or we might have a good time. The might was huge.

And I knew better.

I was toast.