Page 43 of Broken Rules
Already Nonna had forgotten their conversation about Damien. Savannah pressed her lips together to hide her sadness. Then she leaned over and kissed her grandmother’s cheek. “There is no man, Nonna. I’m just so happy to see you, that’s all.”
“Oh, look!” Nonna exclaimed, peering around Savannah’s shoulder at the TV.
A trio of handsome, suavely dressed teenage boys took center stage on PBS, beltingO Sole Mioin deep, rich voices that belied their age.
Savannah smiled. “Enjoy your program. I have to get to work. Ellen will be here soon.”
“Who?”
“Ellen, she’s one of your nurses.”
A vague look entered her grandmother’s eyes. “I don’t know an Ellen.”
Savannah’s chest tightened against the all too familiar flood of sadness as she watched the mix of confusion and fear constrict her nonna’s features. Imbuing her own face with warmth, Savannah placed her hands on the arms of her grandmother’s chair and leaned close. “Nonna.”
Right away, her grandmother sat straighter and locked eyes with Savannah.
“Everything is all right. You’re safe and loved. Do you understand?”
Nonna’s eyes crinkled as a smile slowly spread across her face. She reached out, her gnarled, yet still elegant hands, cupped Savannah’s cheek. “Of course, I do. I’ve got you.”
Savannah kissed her grandmother’s warm cheek and squeezed her tight, savoring her familiar scent. Then she straightened. “I will see you either tomorrow or Thursday. Okay?”
“All right, my dear.”
“I love you. You’re my woman.”
Nonna smiled. “You’re my gal.”
Chapter Fourteen
Work had flown by.Nothing could bring her down from Cloud Nine—even Skeevie Stevie who had ordered frozen mudslides all afternoon—because she knew that Damien was at home in her near-the-beach cottage, waiting for her.
When she walked through the door, he surprised her with homemadecarbonara, nearly as good as her grandmother’s and another bottle of velvety smooth wine. After their early supper, he swept her into his arms and gently eased her down on the bed. Caressing, tasting, and teasing his way across her body, he unleashed her raw passion.
Afterwards, she stretched her arms over her head and elongated her naked body, while the sea breeze from her open balcony doors and his strong hands continued to caress her skin.
