“I have never seen any woman knitting in Monagasco.” His voice is full of authority. “Under the age of eighty.”
I snort a laugh and step into his body. His arms go around me, but just as fast he lifts me off my feet. I’m in his arms, and my legs loop around his waist. I’m holding his neck and the floodlights on the corners of the villa light us while casting deep shadows.
“What if I promise never to let you second guess your decision?” His voice is thick. I hold his cheeks, staring down at this beautiful man I love.
“You can’t promise something like that.”
“I just did.”
I sigh and lean forward into our hug. I don’t want to think anymore. Turning my head to the side, I speak softly in his ear. “Take me to bed or lose me forever,” I tease.
“I can’t believe you just quoted Top Gun,” he laughs.
“Me either, but you’d better do it.”
8
Decision
Cal
Warm yellow light from the bathroom illuminates the master bedroom. Zelda sits on the edge of the white mattress looking up at me. Her blue eyes are so round. I touch the top of her cheek with my thumb. She’s been more honest with me than she’s ever been, and my anger has faded away.
She’s afraid she’ll get bored. It almost makes me laugh, considering my past. But none of that is what she needs to hear. I remember her question on the yacht the night of the Rose Gala. So many things she said to me in those days are so clear now.
“What do you see when you look at me?” I say lightly, repeating her words back to her.
She exhales a laugh and wrinkles her nose in an adorable way. “I didn’t really think through that question before I asked it.”
My thumb moves to her chin and the off-center line running down it. “I told you all the things I love about you.”
“You basically said I look bucktoothed, have a weird voice, and an off-center line in my chin.”
“Bullshit!” I shout, pushing her back on the bed. I trap her under me, and she squeals a laugh as she tries to twist away. “Stop struggling. I won’t let you go. Now answer my question.”
She exhales dramatically and stills. Those blue eyes move around my face, and I can’t imagine what she might say.
“I see something I never thought in a million years would happen to me.”
That’s better. “And what is that?”
“A really good man who loves me. Not a criminal or a low life.”
Moving to the side, I rest my head on my hand as I study her face. “Does this mean you’re coming back with me?”
“Cal,” she sighs, rolling i
nto my chest. “You’re a prince. Princes go with ladies, debutantes. Not redneck hicks with bruised knees and bare feet who say fuck all the time.”
“Mm… my favorite thing.” I kiss her shoulder, sliding the thin strap of her dress down her arm.
She shrugs out of it, and I continue down to the swell of her breast. A little shiver makes me smile. Her fingers thread in the sides of my hair, curling, warming up.
“The best part?” she says softly. “The part that makes no sense? I actually like my life. It’s easy. Simple.”
I take a momentary break from her perfect tits. “Then why did you come after us?”
Her lips quirk, and she hesitates before answering. It’s just long enough for me to say it with her. “Ava.”