Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“But not as happy as you would be if we slept with each other.”
I smiled, trying to lighten the atmosphere. “I doubt there will be much sleep involved, Little Bee. I have too many plans for you.”
Her cheeks flushed.
“I’ll order your supplies. And take you into town for your aprons, a bike, and whatever else you need.”
“I’d like a swimsuit. I don’t know how to swim, but I’d like to use the pool.”
It was my turn to gape. “Jesus. You don’t know how to swim?” I’d pulled her into the pool. It was the shallow end, but I hadn’t thought of the possibility she couldn’t swim. It must have scared her, but she never showed it. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pulled you in that way. I didn’t know.”
She shrugged. “You were there, so I wasn’t scared. But maybe I could practice.”
“I’ll teach you,” I offered again, pleased at her trust.
“Okay.”
I stood. “We’ll go into town after lunch, and you can get a suit and whatever else you need. You can wander a bit if you want while I check in at the gallery.”
She stood in front of me, a small smile on her face. “Aren’t you worried I’ll try to run? Or tell people I’ve been kidnapped?”
I touched the end of her nose affectionately. “I think we’re past that now, Little Bee. I’m trusting you.”
She grinned. “Careful, old man. Maybe I’m lulling you into a false sense of security.”
I pulled her close. “One of these days, I am going to disprove that old man theory.”
She giggled and ducked under my arm, heading to the door. “Only if I say yes.”
“When you say yes,” I corrected.
I watched her go, a feeling of relief and an odd sadness in my chest. She was staying. This was good. She knew the rules, and she hadn’t seemed upset. When we went ahead in our relationship, because I knew it would happen sooner or later, she understood it would end.
It always did for me.
Why the thought of something ending that hadn’t even begun made me sad, I had no idea.
It made no sense, yet I felt it.
Chapter Eleven
DANTE
We drove back into town, and I took Brianna to a shop that Gia’s daughter owned. It had lots of women’s fashions in the window, and I knew Simona would take care of Brianna.
Simona was pleased to see me, and we greeted each other in normal fashion, bussing each other’s cheeks. I noticed the sparkle of discontent in Brianna’s eyes when I drew back, and I wondered if she felt jealous seeing me kiss another woman. I stored that information away for later. I introduced them, faltering slightly as I tried to put a label on Brianna. I settled for guest, and Simona shook her hand, saying her mother had said I had a lady friend staying for a while.
In Italian, I told Simona to make sure Brianna got everything she wanted. “Don’t let her look at prices. If she asks, lie and cut it in half at least, or tell her I get a discount.” I knew her shop was expensive. “She needs a bathing suit and some personal items. Maybe a dress or some other light wear. Anything she smiles at, tries and likes, or even catches her eye—it’s hers. I’ll be back later and settle.”
“No problem.”
I turned to Brianna. She was looking over my shoulder, and I followed her gaze. A pretty sundress hung on the end of a rack, diaphanous and light. It was yellow and feminine. “Try it on,” I encouraged her. “You’ll need a couple of nice dresses. I’m going to go and tend to a few things at the gallery. Will an hour be enough?”
“More than enough.”
“The shoe store is next door. The pharmacy is across the street. Use the card or the cash. Someone can help you with the language.”
“I can go with her,” Simona assured me. “You attend to your business.”
“I’ll meet you back here.”
Brianna nodded, looking nervous. I bent and kissed her, wanting her to relax and enjoy herself. “I’m trusting you,” I whispered.
“I know.”
“Get back at me and spend a lot of money,” I replied. “Get some more of those sexy overalls you wear. They drive me crazy.”
She scoffed. “That’s a pretty short drive.”
I was laughing as I left.
I sorted through what needed to be done at the gallery quickly. It was a small space, selling mid-level pieces. Not the larger, more elite galleries I had in other locations. But it was a great cover for living so close, and I liked being able to employ the locals. I handed my manager some paperwork on acquisitions coming in and checked on the new inventory. There were a couple of nice paintings and one particularly fine piece of sculpture I’d located from an estate sale. They would fetch a good price and look appealing in the gallery for a while.