Chapter 29
Daniella
Afew hourshave passed as we ate dinner and showered before saying our good-nights.
Antonio’s retired to the couch and I have retired to hisbed.
Storms.
My worstnightmare.
Lightning flashes across the sky and seconds later the roar of the thunder makes my skincrawl.
Ashamed of being frightened, I lie here still, aside from my heartbeat that reverberates throughout my entirebeing.
Go get Antonio. He’ll keep you company. He knows thunderstorms scare you,remember?
Only, I’m too afraid to move. What if he laughs at me? Sends me back in here? I’d much rather hide under the covers all alone than be turnedaway.
Boom.
Another roar ofthunder.
I can hear the howling cry of the wind whip past the window as if it’s running, trying to seek its own shelter from the bloomingstorm.
And lightning again. This time, three flashes atonce.
Crash!
I leap up out of the bed and race for the door that separates Antonio andme.
Fuck!
I’m naked.Ugh.
I’ve gotta consider a nightgown or even a plain T-shirt from nowon.
I reach for my robe and slip it on, trying to tie it closed as I swing the bedroom dooropen.
Antonio flies in, his hand on the knob, at the same time the door opens.Oops. “Oh. I was just coming to check on you. Are youalright?”
“Oh, …” I stammer, not wanting to admit I’m scared. “And I was coming to ask you—well, it’s the window. I think it may be open a little. I can hear the windhowling.”
He walks over to the window. He’s shirtless and, through the flashes of lightning, I can see the tight form of hisbody.
Rippedeverything.
My breathing intensifies, but I’m no longer sure it’s because of thestorm.
He walks away from the window and back over to me as I take shelter against the wall by the door. “The window is closed. Are you sure you’re okay? Would you likeme—?”
Boom.
The sound makes me bolt into Antonio’s arms and he instinctively wraps them around me. “Daniella, you don’t have to be afraid. I’m here withyou.”
I lean into the plane of his chest and I can hear his heart beating just as fast as myown.
He lifts my chin and I meet his gaze, desire looming in his eyes. “Daniella,I—”
