Page 75 of London
No, that wasn’t right. She wanted more—so much more. She’d been the one who’d vowed never to give up her independence again. Now, all she wanted was to be in her lover’s arms day and night, forever.
After parking her car where Gerard left his, she carried Pirata and her heavy bag down the street and up the stairs to Gerard’s apartment. Letting herself in with the new key he’d given her, she set Pirata gently on the floor. When she switched on the light in the living room, the beautiful fish awoke and started to swim, no doubt looking for their next meal. Pirata’s ears pricked and he moved slowly toward the aquarium. The predatory glint in his eyes as he licked his whiskers didn’t escape Linda.
“Don’t even think about it. These fish are your friends, not your food.”
As she’d expected, Pirata ignored her.
After feeding the fish and the cat, she dumped kitty litter into a foil baking pan. She dissolved into a fit of giggles at Pirata’s affronted gaze, but he sniffed it before settling in the kitchen to eat.
She yawned and sat on the sofa. Feeling a lump, she raised her butt and felt beneath her, dragging out the shirt Gerard had worn earlier in the day. God, it seemed as if that had happened a lifetime ago. Burying her face in the fabric, she inhaled deeply, basking in his scent. The smell soothed her nerves better than any sleeping pill could’ve done. Still holding the soft fabric to her cheek, she lay on her side and stretched out her legs. She watched Pirata washing himself, once more mesmerized by the colorful fish. The truth was simple. Home was wherever her lover was. Closing her eyes, Linda drifted to sleep.
Epilogue
Christmas Day was almost over. Linda couldn’t remember ever being this happy. She’d gone overboard with the holiday decorations, purchasing a tree so large that it had taken three of them to carry it inside. Her house resembled a fairy tale land with twinkling lights and snowy windows. But it was more than that. It was the people and the pet that had made this a magical home.
Earlier in the day, Chantalle, Cecile, and Mrs. Adams had arrived, and they’d exchanged gifts. The women had adored the second statue Linda had made of Gerard’s hands, the one they’d used as the logo for his new pediatric cancer clinic.
The best part of the experience had been the look on Gerard’s face when he’d opened her gift. She’d scoured London’s antique shops and had finally found a snow globe identical to the one broken in the robbery. She knew she could never replace that particular one, but seeing the joy on his face and the sheen in his eyes had told her all the long hours searching had been worth it.
Afterward, they’d sat down to enjoy the traditional Christmas dinner she and Mrs. Adams had prepared—turkey, stuffing, roasted potatoes, Brussels sprouts, gravy, and Yorkshire pudding. For dessert, the housekeeper had made mince pies, Christmas pudding, served with hot buttered rum sauce, iced cookies in holiday designs, and Linda’s favorite, pumpkin pie. Linda had insisted she eat with them and had thanked her for all of her hard work by presenting her with earrings she’d crafted to go with the brooch she’d brought the woman from Romania.
Gerard had sat at the head of the table. He’d made an amazing recovery and only had slight difficulty fully extending his left arm. According to his physical therapist, he was making progress every day. He’d looked gorgeous in a midnight-blue shirt and dark slacks. A red pocket handkerchief neatly tucked into his breast pocket had added a touch of holiday color.
On Gerard’s right and across from her, Giovanni had savored his meal with the unique appreciation for food held by all Italians. Until she’d met Gerard, Linda had considered her brother to be the handsomest man in the world. Now, he ran a close second.
Whereas Gerard was fair, Giovanni was dark, with eyes the color of rich chocolate, caramel latte skin, short raven black hair, and dimples similar to hers that had enslaved her from the moment she’d been old enough to know it. Built like a wrestler, he worked hard at maintaining his muscular physique. Despite the day, he wore all black—his favorite non-color.
Chantalle, dressed in green velvet, a color that looked smashing on her, had been seated next to Linda, while Cecile, in a gorgeous Christmas print suit, had occupied the seat next to Giovanni, who’d flirted shamelessly with her. Mrs. Adams in a lovely chocolate brown dress, a lacy Christmas apron at her waist had taken the chair next to her. The woman had been up and down like a jumping jack, catering to them all, but she’d enjoyed every minute of it.
For the occasion, Pirata sat on a chair next to her. The cat had eaten like a starving urchin. Despite that, when Mrs. Adams had scraped icing from a cookie and waved it under Pirata’s nose, he’d obligingly used his sandpaper tongue to lick it off.
Now, four of them sat in the living room, enjoying rum punch or eggnog, a fire burning in the hearth adding to its holiday glow. After cleaning the kitchen, Mrs. Adams had gone off to visit friends, while Gerard’s mother and aunt had left to return to their own Christmas cottage, laden with enough leftovers to last them a week. Chantalle had taken the carcass to make soup. She would be hosting a traditional French meal on New Year’s Day.
Linda fondled the pearl and silver necklace Chantalle had given her the first time they’d met. How her life had changed in six short months! She smiled indulgently at the three wonderful males in her life. On the floor beside her, Pirata, the shameless little beast, was attending to his toilette, oblivious to her scrutiny. He still wore the puffy red scrunchie she’d put around his neck to mark the occasion.
Gerard sat on the sofa next to her. Giovanni, in the arm chair nearest them, sipped his rum punch.
“I’m so glad you were able to join us for the holidays,fratello. It’s been wonderful having you here.”
“So am I.”
Giovanni’s low voice, with its subtle accent, drove most women crazy. Despite the age difference, Cecile would probably dream of the handsome rascal tonight.
“This is one of the best Christmases ever,” he continued. “That sculpture you gave me of my bike is unbelievable. The things you can do with a chisel and wood are indescribable.”
“Thank you. I’m glad you like it.”
“Like it? I love it. Besides, I couldn’t wait to see you, and get to know the genius.” Dimples winking, he leaned over and punched Gerard softly in the shoulder. “The only other options I had were either to babysitPapàand his paramour, or go to Count Giuseppe’s in Monaco withMamminaand Fabrizzio,” he said, referring to their latest step-father. “That alone would’ve ruined my holiday mood, but Giuseppe’s daughter fancies herself in love with me. Believe me, half-naked, mooning teenaged girls basking in the sun aren’t my type.”
“Ah, but I’m sure they used to be,” Gerard joked, raising his glass of punch to him.
The men had bonded like brothers from the moment they’d met last week. When she thought about it, Linda realized Giovanni had spent more time with Gerard than he had with her. She was thrilled to see the two most important men in her life getting along so well.
“He really is a genius,” Linda said, gazing adoringly at her lover.
As always, when she praised him this way, Gerard was only one step away from blushing. While she could never call him modest, he wasn’t one to brag either. People did it for him.
“Your mother’s speech at the opening yesterday was beautiful,” Linda said, reaching for his left hand and squeezing it. “I loved it.”
