CHAPTER NINETEEN
Tommaso
Wasitanaddiction?I didn’t know, but as soon as Danica left, I wanted her back.
Ineededher back.In my house, in my arms, in the places that made me happy.Because when she was there, I was even happier.She didn’t invade my space; she enhanced it.She made my comfort zones more comfortable, and I craved to have her in them for more than just the fleeting moments she was.
But that wasn’t realistic.She had a daughter, a business, and a life outside of my ranch with the horses, donkeys, and Portia.
Last night couldn’t have gone better.No, we didn’t have sex, but we slept together.I held her all night long, felt her sigh, and fall into a deep sleep wrapped up in my arms.To me, that was more intimate than sex.That was allowing yourself to be vulnerable with someone else.That was putting your trust in another person so that while you slept, you knew you were safe.
I didn’t take that honor lightly, and given her past, I knew that if we did have sex, she would need even more patience than ever.
I was anxious to see her again and hated that it wasn’t until three o’clock that day that she and Sam finally came over.I was busy measuring the driveway with Cameron for the security gate, and he agreed that it wasn’t a terrible idea to put the gate further down than right at the top, in order to allow for people to come visit the horses.
“Is Francesca here?”Sam asked, rolling down her window, as she and Danica drove past Cameron and me.
Cameron frowned.“No, she’s playing with Amy and Cleo today.Sorry.”
Sam made a face of disappointment for a moment, then shrugged.“Next time.”
Amy was Trace Palmer’s daughter.He was a co-owner of the distillery with Cameron; and Cleo was Spencer Paxton’s daughter, who was also one of the four co-owners.While I didn’t know too many islanders, I had met all the distillery dads through Cameron, and could confidently say they were stand-up guys.Good bread, in my opinion.
Danica’s eyes met mine, and a small, knowing smile curled the lips that I longed to kiss again.I gave her a simple wave, and then she drove down toward the barn.
Cameron smirked at me.“What’s going on there?”
“No idea what you are talking about,” I said, handing him the tape measure end.“No idea.”
His whiskey-colored eyes glittered with amusement as he walked away from me across the driveway.“All right then.”
We worked for another twenty minutes, mostly talking about the materials I’d need and how soon he could get them to me, then Cameron headed home and I made my way down to the barn where Sam was busy brushing Raven as Midnight scampered around them.Danica was out in the yard with Mouse, brushing her there.
Mouse rarely ventured outside of her stall, let alone allowed anybody to touch her.So the fact that she stood there calmly, allowing Danica to brush her while the other horses munched on hay or nibbled grass, was truly shocking.
I didn’t go up to them but rather, stayed on the other side of the fence, just observing.Enjoying the sight of a woman I was growing to care for deeply, nurture a horse who desperately needed a connection.
Danica caught me watching them, and the same shy smile from earlier tipped her mouth.“Gabrielle wants you to come over for dinner tonight,” she said, causing Mouse to swivel her big, gray head my way.She didn’t startle though, just swished her black tail a few times before pivoting back to face into the field.
A prickle of unease raced up both of my arms.“Why?”
She smirked.“Because that’s what she does.She feeds people.It’s her thing.Her love language.She also wants you to meet Jagger and Maverick.”
“Why?”I asked again.I’d prefer to share a bed with Piñata than have dinner with a bunch of people I didn’t know.Not to mention, people who were close to Danica and would judge me.
“I get it,” she said, continuing to brush Mouse, and sending gray horse’s hair fluttering in the breeze like silver confetti.Mouse was in desperate need of a good brushing and a bath.She could also serve to have her mane braided.Would she let Danica do that for her?“But, she wants to meet you.And Maverick is looking for something to do.”She snorted.“He’s a retired pro-athlete millionaire like you, and he’s just looking for somewhere worthwhile to devote his time.”
“Footballer?”I asked.
“Hockey.NHL.He had a major back injury this winter and decided to retire.”
I nodded.“I do not do well with crowds.”
“That’s why I told Gabrielle that the kids would have to eat elsewhere.She’s going to order them pizza, and they’re going to hang out at Raina’s place downstairs.It’ll just be grown-ups.My cousins, Maverick, Jagger, and hopefully you.Seven people total.”
I could see on her face that she really wanted me to come, and the last thing I wanted to do was disappoint this sweet woman, even though I was already feeling nauseous about the whole situation.
“Jagger played football in college.But American football.He had to retire because of an injury too.So it’ll be just three injured athletes and four women who sell alcohol for a living.And Gabs knows you’re a vegetarian, so she’s making something without meat.”Mouse swiveled her head toward Danica, and Danica kissed her cheek.She sputtered her lips.“You need a bath, filthy girl.”
