Page 95 of Caruso
“I would have done the same.”
With a groan, I pull away and say with resignation, “We should meet them downstairs before they burst in here uninvited.”
“Do we have to?” The way she tightens her hold onme causes my heart to race. It creates a stronger bond between us that settles my heart a little.
“Can this really work, Tommaso?” She asks, a hint of uncertainty creeping in, and I nod.
“It will work all the time you want to stay.”
I trace my finger down her pretty face and whisper, “It is our job to make you happy.”
“I am happy.” She smiles against my lips, and as we kiss, it’s a lingering pleasure in the knowledge it will be one of many.
I decide that my brothers can wait a little longer.
One hour later, I heave a sigh and check my reflection in the bathroom mirror. Taylor is singing in the shower, and it causes me to chuckle. I could get used to this; sharing my space with her; listening to her sweet sound for the rest of my life, never leaving her for a second. But I’m not the only one who wants that pleasure, and I’m pretty certain they must be preparing to stage an intervention right now, so I pop my head around the shower screen and say with resignation, “Take your time. I’ll head downstairs and face them on my own.”
“Are you sure?” Her huge eyes are concerned, and I reach for her as if it’s the most natural thing in the world and crush our lips together. Desperate, hungry and happy.
She tastes of sweet beginnings, and the ache in myheart has dulled a little. She is healing me inside, and I never imagined that could happen—ever.
She is so sweet, the most decadent meal I have ever tasted, and the thought of handing her over to one of my brothers—Matteo, I’m guessing – isn’t a pleasant thought.
“I should go.”
She shakes her head, disappointment heavy in her eyes.
“We can make this work, Tommaso.”
Her hesitant smile earns another kiss from me and then, with a sigh, I pull away and growl, “As I said, take your time.”
Leaving her is hard, especially to face my brother’s smirks, knowing they were right about her.
I head toward the terrace. I’m guessing they are there. It’s a pleasant evening, the sun still hovering on the horizon.
I can’t believe it’s only been one day, and what a day it’s been! It doesn’t take long for your world to change if you open your eyes and see life a little clearer. This is the first day of the rest of our lives; it’s a comforting thought at least.
“There you are.” Giorgio is irritable and huffs, “You don’t call, you don’t report in and for all we knew you’d packed Taylor off with her friend and came here to hide out.”
“Who says Ihaven’t?”
His eyes disappear into his hairline, and Matteo sighs.
“Don’t mess with him, Tommaso. What’s the story?”
I sweep out a seat at the table and reach for the decanter of wine. We have enjoyed many meals together, many of them here at the Freedom Ranch. We love it here. It’s our home, if you like, and despite our bickering, we do kind of get along. That’s why I know this will work.
“Jason turned out to be just like all the rest of the lowlifes in Taylor’s world.”
“He hit on her?” Giorgio’s voice is ominous, and I shake my head.
“His tastes are for geriatrics now, namely his future bride, an eighty-year-old woman with money to burn. We interrupted his stag party.”
“Gross.” Giorgio shivers with distaste.
“What happened?” Matteo’s voice is measured, guarded and desperate for information, and I turn to him, my eyes gleaming.
“Taylor was destroyed. He wasn’t interested in her and told her she had always been just a kid. He encouraged her to follow in his footsteps and gave her the contact details of the agency he uses; they would hook her up with a wealthy man who would lavish money on her for little in return.”
