“You don’t know me.”
“We’re sitting in a car outside a very expensive brain trauma rehabilitation, live-in center. You’re working two jobs in order to keep your brother in this place. One of those jobs you don’t even like that much. I love family, and clearly you do as well. You gave me a mind-blowing blow job. In a car. I’m a very sexual person. I want my woman to be adventuresome and generous, both things you are. When some asshole went into your apartment, invading your space, taking away your security, you didn’t flinch or fall apart. You handled it. You’re comfortable with my crazy, big family. You’re not afraid of me. Baby, the list goes on and on. I’m giving you my word, I’m dead serious about you. I’ve never taken another woman to my home, to our territory, to the pizzeria, nor have I introduced her to my family. Not ever.”
“You scare me,” she objected.
He ran his finger over her lips. That mouth he loved. “It’s okay to be a little afraid, but you have no problem telling me or my brothers and cousins off. And you would have punched Darby right in the nose. I fucking love that. I forgot to include that on my list.”
A small smile curved her mouth. “I wanted to break it. What I really wanted to do was yank down his jeans. I believe in an eye for an eye. Trust me, his cock isn’t that big. I felt it when he pulled me down on his lap.”
He especially liked that she believed in an eye for an eye. She needed to believe that in order to be with him. There was so much about his life she would have to accept. “You haven’t said a word about how you feel about me.” Just putting it out there, giving her the opportunity to back out, was scary when he’d always been unafraid.
“Then you weren’t listening, Giovanni,” she said. “I gave you a blow job in a car while you were driving across town to go to see my brother. Do you think I do that with everyone I meet, because I don’t. I don’t want to be attracted to you, or even like you. Your family is too notorious, and I don’t even know if you’re good or bad yet.”
Relief made him want to kiss her, but instead, he got out, walked around to her door and took her hand as she stepped out. “Why did you give me a blow job? Especially after the stupid things I said to you in the club.”
“You’re hot as hell, Giovanni, and you take my breath away every time I look at you. I couldn’t believe how sweet you were to me. Your entire family came to help. I liked them all. No one was pretentious or condescending, especially not you. I felt safe with you. I still do.”
He knew when their shadows touched, the intensity of their mutual physical attraction was amplified, mainly because they each felt the other’s emotions. She didn’t understand that, nor would she until he told her about shadow riders, what they could do and why it was that she could hear lies.
“Are we done with that silly game, Sasha, because I never want to hear about it again.”
She was silent as they walked up to the front doors. He stopped moving, forcing her to stop as well.
“Woman, you didn’t answer me.”
“I’m considering. It seems a little too early to just put that aside. I think it’s letting you off easy. I always make it a point to keep my word, so I’m not just going to give it to you without thinking this over carefully. I might need some leverage, something to even the playing field.”
“I’m beginning to see the appeal of whips and handcuffs,” he groused, pulling her close to him.
She burst out laughing, the sound carefree and happy. Everything in him should have settled. She wouldn’t laugh like that unless she forgave his idiot game. After all that had happened to her, to sound like that … He tipped her face up to his and took her mouth. Immediately she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body into his. He loved the way she gave herself to him. Everything. She’d done it earlier as well, holding nothing back. That was on his list of things he loved about her. So many. Especially the way she kissed.
That uneasiness in him didn’t subside when he kissed her in spite of the fact that she was clearly over the game he’d invented. Of course, he wasn’t about to admit to her that he’d been the one to think it up because he was so damned bored playing the role of playboy that he was sulking all the time. He lifted his head slowly, turning slightly so he could angle his body to keep her between him and the facility’s front door and the street. He looked carefully around. His uneasiness grew.
Her fingers tightened on his jacket sleeve. “Giovanni?” Her voice trembled slightly. She kept it low, so it wouldn’t travel past him.
“I know, baby. He’s out there. He was following us. The boys set up a trap, but he didn’t fall for it. I thought we lost him though. I don’t see how he wasn’t spotted the way I drove here.”
“I wondered why you took such a roundabout route.”
“Let’s get you inside. I’ll tell Emilio and Enzo he’s still watching you. We’ll visit with your brother and ignore the asshole. Let the boys try to find him. If they can’t, when we get back to my home, believe me, there’s no way in for him. You’ll be safe there tonight. We’ll figure out what to do in the morning when we’re both fresh.”
“But …” She trailed off and then nodded.
“Good. Have fun with your brother. Take your time and put everything else out of your head. I want you to introduce me to him. He might not remember this time or next that I visit, but hopefully, he’ll come to accept me with you.” He was already texting Emilio as they went inside and shut the door.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Sandlin Provis was a good-looking man in spite of the head-on collision. There were very few scars and none of them were prominent. He had a small one up by his temple and another curving close to his cheekbone, but other than that, he looked as if he was in perfect health and always had been.
Giovanni could see the resemblance to Sasha the moment they entered the common room, where he was sitting quietly in a corner reading a book. His curly hair was the same nearly platinum blond his sister had. His eyes were that exact sapphire blue. The scruff on his jaw was mostly blond.
“Sandlin,” Sasha greeted, her voice filled with genuine love. “You look good tonight. I’ve missed you.”
The man looked up, blinking at her, and then a slow, almost childlike smile slipped over his face. “Hello.” He marked his place in his book and carefully closed it, his actions unhurried and deliberate. “Are you looking for someone?”
Giovanni was looking at Sasha and he saw the hurt and sadness in her expression, hastily covered by a smile. “You, Sandlin. I was looking for you. I would very much like to visit with you if you have time. My name is Sasha, and I’m your sister. I’ve brought a friend with me. This is Giovanni Ferraro.” She indicated him, but kept her gaze fixed on her brother.
He stood, using the same slow, deliberate movements that he had when closing his book. Giovanni stepped forward and held out his hand. Sandlin took it without hesitation. Surprisingly, his grip was strong.
“I’m the man who is with your sister,” Giovanni explained. “I wanted to come and see you so you’ll know she’s well looked after.”
Sandlin regarded him with an open, sweet expression. “That’s good.” He indicated the chairs closer to the fireplace. “Let’s sit over there. I like being close to the fire. It keeps me warm.”