Page 64 of Now and Forever

“Home.”

“I’ll see you there for dinner. Tonight, it will be at six thirty.”

“Good to know.”

His cheeks rose. “Communication.”

* * *

Dario kept his word.At a little after six, he entered our bedroom, finding me in the closet, dressing for dinner. His body filled the doorframe, and his dark eyes smoldered as he watched me pull up my hosiery. The stockings were the kind that went up to my thigh. While I didn’t always wear hosiery, I’d learned that it makes a dress classier and my legs sexier.

I took my time, slowly pulling the silk nylon up. Once I had both stockings secured, I stood and lowered the skirt of my dress. “You’re home.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Remind me to be home in time for that show every night.”

“It’s hardly a show. You see better shows from the windows of your office.”

Dario took two or three long strides and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling my hips toward his. With his free hand, he traced the side of my face with his long finger. “What are you doing to me, Catalina?”

I opened my eyes wide.

“It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I never thought it would be, and in only a few days, I’m spellbound.”

That was the second time he’d said it wasn’t supposed to be like this. I couldn’t let myself think about the meaning behind his words.

He went on, “Today, I feared that behind the door of that hotel room, you were drugged and ready to be taken out of the country.”

I laid my hand on his shirt, feeling his solid chest and the beating of his heart. “I drank coffee, ate cake, and spoke with a friend. Again, I’m sorry I worried you.” I took a step back. “Did you find out why Elizondro was at Emerald Club last night?”

“He showed off wads of cash and spoke with a few VIP members. One was a member of the Federal Trade Commission. We can’t exactly ask the commissioner what they discussed. I’ve made it clear that Herrera isn’t welcome back, not without an invite from Dante or me, and that’s not about to happen.”

“Does Dante come up to our apartment often?”

A smile came to his lips. “Funny you should mention that. He did before I was married.”

“Don’t let me stop him. Contessa mentioned he used to eat dinner here.”

Dario laughed. “He’s a cheap SOB. He’ll drop a C-note or two on a glass of bourbon but won’t hire his own cook. I’m glad you don’t mind.”

I smiled. “Because he’s coming to dinner tonight.”

“He’s already downstairs giving Contessa hell.” Dario shook his head. “Don’t worry. She loves it.”

With his hand in the small of my back, Dario led me out of our room, downstairs, and into the dining room. The table was set for three. Before we sat, Dario went to the buffet near the far wall and poured a glass of bourbon. His gaze came to me. “Would you like a glass?”

“No, thank you.”

“She’s not a bourbon drinker,” Dante said, coming from the kitchen with a serving platter in his hands. “Pork loin.” He set the platter down. Unlike Dario’s formal attire, Dante was dressed casually in faded blue jeans and a black t-shirt that hugged his muscles.

“Who’s the new waiter?” I asked in jest.

Dante pointed at me and spoke to Dario. “I told you she’d be fine with me coming up here.” He turned to me. “You don’t want a single man to die without homecooked meals, do you?”

I clutched my hands to my heart. “I didn’t realize it was that dire one floor down.”

“Oh, you should see my refrigerator. Empty.”

“Stop,” Dario said, lifting his glass and looking at his brother. “She agreed. You won’t starve.”

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