Page 69 of A Perfect Pairing
Less than an hour later, the call ended with the Hunter and Gray families having pledged donations that covered the remaining estimated costs, less the amount Antonio had allotted from his own savings. “I don’t even know how to thank you two for this. If you ever need anything—and I do mean anything—you only have to call.”
Cedric clapped Antonio on the shoulder. “Never doubted it. We’ll be down in a couple of weeks to take a look.”
“I’ll set up a meeting with the mayor and town council. Just let me know what dates work best for you. My grandmother’s going to want to adopt you,” he added with a laugh.
“Works for me,” Lorenzo said. “We made dinner reservations for later, if you and Natasha aren’t too tired from the drive.”
“I’m good, and I’m sure she’d be fine with it, but I’ll ask.” The three women entered as soon as he finished his statement. “Come here, baby.” Antonio held his hand out to her. “We’ve got good news.” He shared the details of the conversation.
Natasha brought her hands to her mouth. “Oh my goodness. That’s fantastic. Mama Nora is going to be so excited, and I know the rest of the town will be as well.” She leaned down and hugged him from behind, then whispered, “I’m so proud of you, baby.”
Desiree and Randi agreed and said they couldn’t wait to visit. Antonio promised to take them to Napa. “The guys made dinner reservations. Are you cool with that, or do you want to take a raincheck?”
“I’m absolutely cool with it. Gives me a little more time to chat with Desiree and Randi.”
He nodded. The weekend was turning out to be better than he expected. Antonio hoped the rest went just as well.
CHAPTER 26
Natasha had the time of her life at dinner and getting to know the Hunters, especially their amazing wives. Randi, who was a former firefighter and fire investigator, had just started a career as an ATF agent. Desiree owned a bath and body shop and promised to send her some goodies, including some edible massage oil. She couldn’t wait to try that out with Antonio, based on the stories the women had shared. With her owning a business, Desiree had allowed Natasha to pick her brain, and the woman had graciously offered some sound tips that Natasha planned to follow.
She’d picked up another two clients and was seriously contemplating talking to George about decreasing her work hours. She finished her shower, dressed, and went back to the master bedroom, which spanned the entire second floor. Natasha spotted Antonio standing on the balcony, leaning against the railing. Instead of approaching him immediately, she took the opportunity to study the man she’d fallen in love with all over again. Everything about him turned her on, from his giving heart, his intelligence, and his sexy body to his smoldering gray eyes and intoxicating smile.
Natasha eased farther into the room. As if sensing her presence, Antonio turned, and his gaze made a heated path down her body and back up. He slid the door open, bringing in a gust of cold air, then closed it behind him. She shivered and ran her hands up and down her arms. “How can you stand out there in shorts and a tee? It’s freezing. And didn’t you take a shower? You know what the old folks say about catching a cold because your pores are open.” The daytime temperatures had been in the seventies, but they had dropped when the sun went down and now hovered near forty degrees. The cabin, however, was warm and toasty. They’d turned on the gas fireplace and dimmed the lights to their lowest setting, creating a romantic ambience.
“I didn’t notice,” Antonio said, coming toward her with a smile. “Nice blanket. Did you get it from one of the shops in town?”
“No. I hand crocheted it.” She skipped the part about it being after that kiss at Ms. Ida’s when they were barely on speaking terms.
“I like it.”
“Thanks.” Natasha had been cold when she first came out of the bathroom, but being near him heated her up, so she placed it on a chair. She frowned. “Are you okay?”
He nodded. “Just thinking.”
“About the memory care facility?”
“That and other things.” He stopped in front of her, leaving mere inches between them.
His intense gaze made her pulse skip. “I’m still in awe of what they did and how their families committed without even talking to you.”
“They trust Zo’s and Ced’s judgment, so for them it was a no-brainer. I admire them.”
“I think they’re amazing.”
Antonio caressed her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “And I think you’re amazing. Beautiful, talented, intelligent, and mine.”
Natasha’s heart started beating double time.
“I love you, Tasha. I love you so damn much it scares me sometimes.”
Her words stuck in her throat, and she couldn’t stop the tears from cascading down her face.
He laughed softly and gathered her in his embrace. “I have to tell you, this is not how I envisioned the conversation going. Why are you crying, baby?”
“Because.” His confessing his love and exposing his vulnerabilities at the same time made the tears fall faster. In his arms, she felt sheltered and loved, and she couldn’t imagine being any place else.
“Because what?” Antonio cupped her face in his hands and kissed the tears. “Sweetheart, you’re killing me here. You know I could never handle your tears.”
