Page 8 of Vinny

She looked down, seeing his cowboy boots first. Legs, encased in well-fitting jeans, were long and muscular. As her eyes traveled upwards in curiosity, his waist was narrow but his chest and arms were just as powerfully built as his legs. The square jaw with the tiny chin dimple had her suck in her breath. Then her eyes reached his. They were twinkling with mirth as she had been caught ogling the man in front of her.

Suddenly unsure of herself, she realized her hand was still lifted in a knocking position. “Uh, I was just…it was…breakfast. You really shouldn’t…um...”

“Annalissa,” he said softly. “You don’t have to be afraid of me.”

Her gaze shot back up to his and he noticed that with a tiny lift of her chin, she drew herself up, defiance in her eyes.

“I’m not afraid. I was just wondering…” she began to falter again.Dammit, it shouldn’t be so hard to just say what I’m thinking.Trying again, she said, “I wanted to thank you for breakfast, but it was…um…kind of…presumptuous. But nice. Um…I didn’t know this door was…open…or rather…unlocked.”

Sighing, she looked back down.God, I’m such a wimp. He must think I’m a stupid child who can’t even speak.

Vinny watched in fascination the woman standing in front of him, struggling to ask him why he barged intoher room.She has everyone taking over her life and I just fell right in with the rest of them.

He reached out and lifted her chin with his fingers, hoping she would not be afraid. “Annalissa,” he said softly. “You’re right. It was very presumptuous of me and I apologize.”

Her eyes widened, sending shock waves through him. Looking into her large, green eyes, he felt a punch to his gut.Stop looking at her as though she were a woman. She’s the mission.The internal struggle was in full swing and he knew it was still early in the day. He had to get through the entire day, keeping his hands to himself.

“Oh, Vinny,” she exclaimed. “You shouldn’t apologize. The breakfast was lovely.”Looking down at her feet, she could not help but notice his large boots standing in front of her tiny, pink-tipped toes. Sucking in a huge breath, she lifted her gaze back to his smiling one. “How did you know I liked scrambled eggs and bacon?”

Laughing, he confessed, “Of everyone around you yesterday, Parker seemed to be the one most in tune with you, so I asked him.”

Her mouth dropped opened at his simple act of kindness. Giggling, she said, “Todd usually orders what he likes and then fusses when I don’t eat.” Leaning forward as though sharing a secret, she added, “I hate poached eggs.”

“Duly noted,” he smiled. “I’m glad Parker got it right.”

Smiling shyly, she backed up and turned to move over to her suitcase. He watched her every movement.Delicate, and yet with purpose. He realized she was painfully shy, but not standoffish.And obviously tired of everyone around her taking over.They only had today together, but he found himself wishing for more.I wonder if I could see her when we get back to Richmond? Friends, maybe?Looking at the talented musician who would soon be traveling the world, he scoffed to himself.Yeah, right. What would she need a friend with a womanizing reputation like mine for?Filled with a strange sense of recrimination, he wished he had more to offer her, but felt lacking.

Watching as she walked over lovingly caressing her harp case, he pulled himself up to his full height, determined to offer them both his protection as long as they needed it.

“We’ll head to the limo in about fifteen minutes,” he said, as she turned and graced him with a full smile. It rocketed straight to his heart.

Finally settling into the first class seats on the straight flight from Los Angeles to Dulles, Vinny and Annalissa both heaved a sigh of relief at the same time. Looking at each other, smiling, they acknowledged hating the crowds and security lines.

“I always dread that, don’t you?” she asked. “Just trying to push through the crowds.”

“With my size, I usually just glare and people move away,” he admitted.

She looked over at the man filling his seat and the long legs stretched in front of him. “Come to think of it, you did manage to get us through the crowds without me getting squished. I don’t think that’s ever happened before,” she grinned.

“Then maybe you should keep me around as your crowd mover,” he joked.

Her smile reached her eyes, as she admitted, “I’d like that. I’ve never had that before. Usually Todd and Gordon are either meanly pushing people away or they walk ahead talking which leaves me to find my own way.”

He forced his smile to stay on his face, but what he wanted to do was get up, go back to the hotel, and punch those two.

She sat in the window seat, nervously wiping her hands on her jeans. She had worn her nice jeans, slip on shoes to make it easy to get through security and a lightweight sweater, not knowing if she would be chilly on the plane. She should have known that being a few inches away from Vinny would have her warm. Way beyond warm.

“Nervous?” he asked.

“Not too much. Just take off and landing,” she said, looking over at him. Looking down, she saw that he had turned his hand over, palm up, and gave her a questioning look. He was offering his hand. Not grabbing hers. Letting it be her choice.

Reaching out hesitantly, she placed her left hand on top of his upturned right one. He closed his fingersaround hers gently. Not squeezing. Smiling, she looked back out of the window as the plane taxied to the runway.

“Don’t worry,” he assured. “Nothing’s going to happen. I’m sure this flight will be as uneventful as all my other flights.”

He felt the slight pressure of her fingers as her grip increased during takeoff. Aware of her delicacy, he was also aware of the strength in those fingers.Of course. She uses her fingers every day as she plays the harp.Like her. Delicate and yet with strength underneath.

Hearing a deep sigh as they were airborne, he turned to see her smiling at him again. Releasing her hand regretfully, he asked, “Why Easnadh? Do all harpists name their instruments?”

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