“Miss Nardone, you promised me a dance earlier and I’ve come to collect,” I say.
She gazes up at me with wide eyes that are a deep ochre and brighter than any harvest moon. They are enchanting and it briefly crosses my mind she could be a descendant of witches.
I’m certainly under her spell.
“It would be my pleasure,” she says.
Her voice warbles the tiniest bit and I smile to offer her my unspoken support, as well as my arm. She takes it without hesitation and her grip on me is strong. And her hand trembles. Yet, no one would know unless they were touching her.
I face Nardone and cock my head. “Did you want to join us, signore? Or would you like to continue enjoying the evening air?”
The middle-aged Italian studies me with an intensity that’s similar to a surgeon, right before he takes his knife to your skin. I meet his gaze head-on until he waves a hand, his movement aggressive and more capricious than a simple dismissal.
“You two go inside and I’ll follow shortly.”
I dip my head in acknowledgment. “Very well. Come along,signorina,” I say to Carina. “Let me see if you are as beautiful on the dance floor as you are off of it.”
A blush stains her cheeks, but she doesn’t look away. I tug her gently and lead the way down the path which will bring us to the door. Once we are out of earshot, I lower my voice and draw her closer, bringing my lips close to her ear. The scent of her wafts under my nose and I inhale, not only in appreciation but also to speak.
“Did he hurt you?”
Carina jolts in my hold. For a moment there’s a shadow of vulnerability which covers her face and I have the urge to stop and demand an answer. The very idea of her father striking her sets me off, giving life to violent thoughts.
She shakes her head. “You got to me in time.”
Her gaze finds mine and searches. For what, I’m not sure. This woman, although young, has a shrewdness and strength I seldom see in people. Carina will eventually grow out of any naïveté, and when she does…
God help any man who stands in her way.
“Thank you.” Her whisper is softer and lighter than the breeze that flows around us. “I shouldn’t have talked back, but I just…”
“Equality and justice are not given to the faint of heart,” I say.
She stops and it prompts me to do the same. “What did you say?” she asks. I repeat it and Carina tilts her head, her inquisitive expression turning me on.
Even heroes get hard-ons.
“That’s…profound and very true,” she says. “How insightful of you, signore.”
“It’s Rafael, and I’m not just a pretty face, you know.”
She laughs and it’s pleasant, not grating on my ears with shallowness. “I’ll give you that.”
“Just wait until you see what I can do on the dance floor.” I waggle my brows at her. “Are you up for creating a little chaos?”
Her gaze is sly and it sends a jolt to my cock. “Always.”
“Well, shit. Let’s give these assholes something to talk about.”
“Are you included in that group?”
I give her a solemn nod and then wink. “I’m the largest one.”
Her laughter fills the atmosphere and I think it might be the most enjoyable sound I’ve ever heard.
Carina
The Present...
