“I’m sorry. Too mushy?” I add quickly.
“No, not at all. I like corny love declarations.”
“Oh, so I’m corny now, huh?” I bring her flush to my body.
She rests her face against my chest and inhales deeply. “Yes, very much so.”
Desire is quickly spreading through my body, but I have to ignore my hardening cock for a while longer. There’s one more thing I want to do before I bring Chiara back to the guest house.
Taking a step back, I pull a little wrapped box from my jacket pocket.
Chiara focuses on the gift before she lifts her eyes to mine. “What’s that?”
“Something I got for you back in Italy and never had the chance to give you.”
With eager hands, she takes the package from me. I hold my breath as I watch her expression change from curiosity to utter shock.
“You got me the bracelet like Bisnonna’s.” She looks at me with bright eyes.
I nod. “Do you like it?”
She throws herself in my arms, wrapping her hands behind my neck and kissing me hard. I match her passion beat by beat until my erection is straining painfully against my jeans.
Breathlessly, she pulls back and says, “I love it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Goldi.”
“You know what? I’m feeling a little tired.” She smiles shyly at me.
I brush my lips against hers. “Me too. I think a nap sounds good right about now.”
39
Chiara
Duncan and Molly have gone to bed already, and it’s just Alistair and me on the back porch. Us and the stars. The air is chilly, but Alistair said starting a fire is too dangerous this time of the year. I’m snuggled up against him though, and a warm blanket covers us. Plus, the mulled wine is helping keep us toasty.
I look around and sigh. “No wonder you fell in love with this place. It’s lovely and so peaceful.”
“Yeah. I’m surprised you enjoy the quiet though. I thought you were a city girl.”
“I am, but lately, I’m enjoying places not blemished by noise and pollution more and more. I guess I’m getting old.”
Alistair chuckles, a low rumble that shakes his chest. “You’re only eighteen.”
I glance up, peering at his profile. “Does our age difference bother you?”
Looking down, he smiles. “Not at all, Goldi.”
“I’m afraid you’ll eventually get tired of me. Don’t you ever think about the future? What’s going to happen to us?”
“I do, my love. All the time.”
Heaviness presses on my chest, making me regret opening my big mouth and ruining the moment.
With his fingertips, he touches the space between my eyebrows. “What’s up with this frown?”
“I love you so much. I’m afraid this will be over soon.” I drop my gaze to his chest. “You must think I’m an immature, silly girl.”
He places his index finger under my chin and brings my face up again. “I don’t think that at all. You act more mature than many adults I know. That’s why it was such a shock to see you in my class at DuBose.”
“How old did you think I was?”
“Twenty-one, at least. Your confidence was such a turn-on. I think I fell for you the moment you offered me that ride.”
His confession makes me feel a thousand times better. I smile against his chest.
“You don’t think I also worry this is nothing but a dream? I’ve never loved anyone as fiercely as I love you, Goldi,” he continues.
My heart soars. I look up again.
“Really?”
“Yeah. And it terrifies me. I lost my best friend, and I almost lost my mother. I don’t think I can handle losing you too.”
The pain etched on Alistair’s face breaks my heart. I caress his scruffy cheek while I grasp for what to say. Nothing seems adequate. I can promise I’ll never leave him, but I can’t cheat death.
“Tell me about Jamie.”
