AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The girl’s family, the Donatis, are an important business connection for my father. Dad asked that I make an effort to set her up for a good time. She’s a hot Italian girl. You speak Italian, or enough Italian to get by. She speaks English, or enough English to get by.” John shrugged. “One plus one equals my allowance in the bank for November.”
In exchange for the blind date, John promised to recruit additional donations from local businesses, amajor boost in publicity thanks his politician father. It felt only mildly skeezy. Ok, alot skeezy.
The aggravation of the tight blue pants on his athletic legs and laced up dark blue jacket with gold cording straining over an open white shirt were worth it for the cause. Or, so Brand kept telling himself. It all depended on the final count of the donations.
Despite his irritation with the costume, he enjoyed the feel of the costume rapier sword hanging from his leather belt. It reminded him of the toy sword fights he and his brothers had enjoyed growing up. His simple black mask covered a reminder of those days, asmall, faded scar above his left eyebrow. The black knee length boots provided by the costume store, however, were annoying as hell. As a first generation American, he took utter delight in cursing in Italian … and the stupid boots were adolore nel culo!A pain in theass.
Brand moved to stand at the foot of the stairs, greeting people as they entered the party and directing them toward various friends, reminding them to contribute to the charity the party supported. Just then he spotted a beautiful Juliet, being dragged into the house by a red sequined siren who quickly disappeared into the crowd of people. John hadn’t led him astray. This girl was hot and looked about as thrilled with the prospect of a blind date as he did. Brand’s throat tightened. Time to change hermind.
Brand motioned for the band to change up the tempo of the music to something less heavy metal and more romantic. Taking his time, he studied the olive-skinned angel standing in his foyer.
Her beautiful black hair curled gently around the lower half of her face and long, elegant neck. He couldn’t make out many of her features, but the sweeping curve of her cheekbones, disappearing behind an elaborate mask suggested true beauty, while her chin hinted at a stubborn nature. She looked around, taking in the decorations. An amused smile tugged at her burgundylips.
She wore a gown in the Renaissance style, one that complemented his own getup. In her case, she looked as though she’d just stepped from an oil painting by da Vinci, Michelangelo, or Raphael. Or maybe the lush, opulent figure of a Titian. He couldn’t wait to get to know her, maybe strip away that mask and some of hergown.
“Signorina Juliet?” If she was Italian, by God, he’d give her his best efforts. His father, Dom, had tried to instill a love of the language of his forefathers in Brand, but his efforts to master the Italian language were abysmal atbest.
“Signor Romeo?Tu parli Italiano?”Her voice came across low and sultry.
“Sì,”he said casually before slipping back into English. “Well, no. Not as well as my father, but I try. Welcome to my home,signorina.”He offered her an arm and led her to the bar. “It’s nice to meet you. May I offer you a drink?”
“Sì… Yes, just a cola, please.” She switched into English, her rich, quiet voice the only thing betraying her hesitance with the language.
Brand strained to hear her above the music, motioning to the bartender for a bottled cola, metal twist cap still in place, and returned his attention to Juliet. She twisted the cap off and took a grateful sip. Her eyes, enhanced by dazzling smokey eye shadow behind her ornate mask, settled on the Halloween statue that he and Soren had spent a significant amount of time anchoring in the corner to avoid crushing the dancing coeds. The brothers had decided it would either be a dismal failure or a huge success depending on the lighting and the amount of liquor involved.
“ Is that …cavaliere senza testa?How do you say in English?” The incredulity in her voice melted away her uncertainty as she took in the ten-foot statue shrouded in dark cloth.
“The Headless Horseman.” Score! The black cloaked figure with the carved pumpkin under its arm opened the door for conversation, and Brand leapt at it. “It was one of my favorite Halloween movies growing up. Would you like to tour the garden? There’s more to see outside.”
Her smile broadened into a full grin, and she accepted the arm he extended oncemore.
Stepping throughthe patio doors, Mia inhaled the cool night air and savored the feel of Brand’s lean, muscular arm pressed against hers. Astaff member, dressed as a 1920s bellhop, guided a small group of guests into a high hedge. Acluster of party goers remained behind, hugging the warmth of the firepit.
“I always plan a few surprises when we have guests over for a party. Tonight, there are living statues in the maze,” Brand whispered quietly in her ear, hoping the other guests would be unable to hear. As if on cue, screams and then laughter erupted from within the maze. “I do believe they’ve just met the werewolf shaving her legs.”
Mia’s laughter, once started, was hard to contain. The seriousness with which Brand spoke of his hirsute werewolf left her giggling. “You’re very silly, Romeo.”
“You’re very beautiful, Juliet.” The glow from the cast iron firepit illuminated the strong cut of Brand’s chiseled cheekbones and firm lips. His dark brown hair lifted softly in the breeze. “I’m glad to get to know you. May I?” Without waiting for an answer, he dipped his head and kissed her, leaving Mia breathless. The smile continued to play along the edges of his mouth. “Tell me about yourself, Juliet.”
No real names tonight, Carina’s irritating voice barked in the recesses of her consciousness. Mia wished she hadn’t promised. She really liked Brand and wished she could get to know him better—truly get to know him as herself. Well, she’d be as natural and honest as possible tonight. Tomorrow could take care of itself.
“Let’s see … my favorite Halloween movie is The Shining. Ihave a soft heart for children and those who need help, especially with speech.” Mia unconsciously pressed her hand to the base of her throat, near her heart. “I very much like studying in the US, and I think I am very lucky to be here tonight.” The unspoken “with you” lingered betweenthem.
“What are you studying while you attend Cal?”
“Right now, Iam studying Education, and I plan to one day teach special needs children. Iam only in the US for the year, but I am hopeful that someday I will return.”
“I hope I’ll get to be there to watch you succeed.” A look of genuine desire lit his beautiful brown eyes for just a moment before the jokester returned. “Now, on to more pressing matters. You say your favorite movie is The Shining? Have I got some twins for you to meet….”
Brand knewthat impertinence and persistence pay off in the right circumstances, and in this case, both paid off with Juliet. He had taken that kiss from her, and it was the most delicious, chaste encounter he’d everhad.
While they walked the maze, taking turns between laughing and being momentarily frightened, he knew that she was special. But to hear her speak of her passion to help those in need proved she was extra special. They passed a troupe of fellow visitors and squeezed close. His rapier, previously the coolest part of his Romeo costume, caught on the body of her dress, digging a small hole into the fabric.
Her shriek, short, but powerful, shocked Brand to the core. The plastic of the sword, though duller than the real thing, was still sharp. Asmall trickle of blood escaped down the side of her dress.
Way to go, Salvatore! You just scarred the woman of your dreams.
“Forgive me. I’m so sorry. There’s a small first aid kit hidden at the center of the maze with a bandage we can use.” He snatched the offending sword from the ground and secured it to the other side of his leather belt. Taking her through the short cut, he helped her hold her dress away from the cut to avoid staining the fabric.
