“You said not to leave. It’s not safe,” she said cautiously. I’d gotten her to put shoes on, though not the high heels I’d bought her.
No, the girl was wearing a pair of loafers.
I had no one to blame but myself. After all, I was the idiot who’d bought them. She looked like a loafer and cardigan girl. High-end, luxury Italian leather loafers, of course.
Next time, buy her stuff that’s transparent, ya moron. Dress her in fucking cellophane.
She would look fantastic in some of that high-fashion see-through stuff, I decided. But I didn’t think she’d like it. So that was out.
“It’s okay if you’re with me,” I said, still holding out my hand. “It’s good that you are cautious. But I swear it’s okay.”
I waited as she stared at my hand as if it were a snake. I practically fucking held my breath as she reached out and tentatively placed her pretty little hand in mine. It was so soft and elegant in my big palm. I felt an instant shock of pure lust.
Jesus Christ, even her hand is turning you on? Get a grip, Tony.
I resisted the urge to tell her she was a good girl, even though I was proud of her. I just closed my hand over hers and led her out of the suite, down the stairs, and to a hallway that connected both sides of the mansion.
“Close your eyes.”
“Another head?” she joked as she closed her eyes obediently. I let out a sharp laugh, shaking my head. The fact that she could laugh, even as I noticed that she was shaking, amused me. It was just a slight tremor, but it was there.
“No. Something better.”
I took both shoulders and guided her the last few steps and through the door to the courtyard.
“Evangeline?”
“Yes?”
“You can open your eyes now.”
I heard her gasp a second later. I leaned forward, wanting to see the look on her face when she first saw the courtyard. She looked awestruck.
“Where . . . am I?”
“It’s the center of the house. It’s a full city block,” I added. I still had my hands on her shoulders. For some reason, I was unwilling to let go. I let my hands slide down her arms before stepping away.
I gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile.
“Come on.”
I took her hand again and led her down the steps to the stone floor. There were several seating areas in the courtyard, as well as large potted palms. The bases were wrapped with burlap to protect them until spring had officially arrived. An ornate greenhouse lined one wall, bridging the inside and outside of the house. The glass was as old as the house and nearly impossible to replace.
I knew, because I’d broken a few panes when I was a kid, running around the place like a little maniac.
“I thought we could eat out here,” I said, guiding her to a wrought iron table and chairs. She nodded dazedly and sat down when I pulled out one of the chairs. A candle was already lit. A moment later, old-fashioned string lights came on above us, creating a twinkling sky.
“What . . . why are you doing this?”
She stared at me wide-eyed as I sat across from her. I smiled. I was sure she was confused. But I wasn’t. I’d never been so crystal clear in my life.
“You said you missed going outside. I want you to be happy, Evangeline.”
I sensed that she was going to scoff at the idea of her happiness. But then she shook her head and said “Thank you” instead.
Good girl, I praised her silently.
Aunt Paulina came out, carrying a tray. She’d insisted on cooking and serving us when she heard what I had planned. I told her she wasn’t a servant. We had people to do that.
But she wouldn’t hear a word about it.
“And that’s that,” she had said. When Auntie said that, it was the end of the discussion.
I introduced them, standing up to kiss her cheek.
“Evangeline, this is my Aunt Paulina.”
“Call me Auntie,” she said, beaming at the girl sitting there with no clue what was going on. “Welcome!”
I knew she wanted to say ‘welcome to the family’ and squeeze the girl, probably scaring the shit out of her in the process. But Auntie was letting me have my moment. I appreciated that.
“Oh, thank you,” Evangeline said. “I’ve heard you are the one who makes the incredible food around here. Thank you.”
“Need to fatten you up,” Paulina said. She turned to me and pinched my cheek. “Both of you!”
She poured us each a glass of wine and left, giggling to herself. I chuckled as I sat down, not sure how Auntie was going to make it through the next hour. I didn’t plan on my surprise until after the meal.
“She seems sweet.”