Natasha took a sip of her wine. “That’s not what those red cheeks are saying right now.” She couldn’t believe he was embarrassed.
Antonio eyed her over his glass. “I thought we were changing the subject.”
Smothering a giggle, she held up her hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay, moving on. Or back to our previous conversation. Have you decided what you’re going to do about your housing?”
“I pretty much decided on buying.”
“As much as I want to represent you, I think I’d better pass it off to Brett. Don’t want anybody accusing me of favoritism.”
His brows knitted in confusion. “Why would it be favoritism?”
“Seriously? We’re dating. And if it’s one of my listings, that would be a whole other potential mess because I’d be representing you as the buyer and the other person as the seller.”
“Dual agenting isn’t illegal if both parties agree, Tasha.”
“I know that, but I’d be taking a risk that sometime down the line either one or both parties might wonder if I lowballed their selling price to help you out. Or I increased yours to help them out.”
“True, but everybody and their mamas know everybody else in this little town, so there’s no way to get around it.”
She scooped up the last bite of the fluffy mashed potatoes. He had a point. It was hard not to sell to a friend or family member living in a town like this one.
“When I’m ready, I’ll let you know, and you can decide then what you want to do.” Antonio nodded toward her plate. “Do you want to get dessert?”
“No, but if you want to order some, go ahead.”
“I’m good. If you’re finished, I can take you home and do what I’ve wanted to do all day.”
Check, please!“Take me home.” She started to ask what he wanted to do but decided she didn’t care, as long as they were together.
They made the drive in companionable silence, interspersed with soft conversation. As soon as they entered the house, Antonio pulled Natasha into his arms. “I’ve wanted you in my arms from the moment I woke up this morning.”
He held her close, his hands idly roaming up and down her spine. Natasha closed her eyes and listened to his heart beating. The strong rhythmic sound comforted her and made her feel safe. No words were exchanged. They didn’t need any. She slid her hands inside his suit coat and wrapped them around his middle.
At length he eased back. “There’s something else I’ve wanted to do.”
“What’s that?”
“Dance with you.”
She smiled up at him. “We haven’t danced since Grandma Nora’s party.” Come to think of it, he’d held her much the same way that night. “I can put some music on.”
“I’ve got my own playlist,” he said close to her ear, his voice low and sexy. “I just need to sync it to your speaker.”
No other man had made a specific playlist just to dance with her. She retrieved the speaker and waited while he synced it. A moment later, the first notes of Luther Vandross’s “If Only for One Night” filled the room.
He drew her into his arms again and tenderly kissed her. “I love you, baby.”
He started a slow sway, and they danced to song after song. From Luther and India Arie to vintage Earth, Wind & Fire and Michael Jackson, he’d selected songs that gave her a glimpse into his heart. “I love you, too, Tonio.”Forever.
Antonio could hold Natasha all night long. Being with her brought back all the dances they’d shared during middle and high school, in his fort and at the inlet. He recalled having to endure teasing from his buddies, who said Antonio was so into Natasha that no one else existed. They hadn’t been wrong then, and they wouldn’t be wrong now. His gaze went to the necklace she wore. She’d mentioned once that she preferred white gold over yellow, and he’d made sure both pieces of jewelry reflected her desires. He took in the barely visible diamond solitaire in the ring’s center and smiled in remembrance of how he had painstakingly searched through every ring in the case to find the perfect one. And one he could afford. Antonio hadn’t been able to keep his promise then and prayed he would get the opportunity this time.
Cherish each moment as if it’s the last one because you don’t want to ever look back and have regrets. Life is fragile, and just because she’s here today doesn’t mean she will be tomorrow. Never take that for granted. Say what you need to say, baby, then show her.His grandmother’s words sounded in his mind. He wasn’t going to take their love for granted, and he planned to show her.
“You’re quiet. What’s going through that head of yours?” Natasha’s voice drew him out of his musings.
“You. Us. Let’s sit.” Antonio paused the music, and they sat on the sofa. He draped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer until their bodies touched.
Leaning her head against his shoulder, she asked, “You care to share?”
