Page 9 of Tessa's Trust

Was that a direct hit? It felt like it. My foot tensed.

“You kick me, and we’re going to have a problem.” His gaze turned piercing.

I stilled. When Basanelli issued a threat, it came across clean. I had to respect that. Also, I had barely moved my foot. How did he know I wanted to kick him? “My guess is most women want to kick you,” I retorted.

“It’s possible, but I strongly recommend you don’t.” Then he just waited, watching me patiently. It was almost a dare.

Maybe that was how I earned the wild moniker. I could never refuse a dare. So, I kicked him. It was just with my snow boot, which wasn’t even a little pointy and glanced off his shin. Even so, it pushed his chair back a little bit.

Then I waited. Oh, the bubbly had most certainly gone to my head.

One of his dark eyebrows rose, and then his lids lowered to half-mast. He was fully Italian, and I’d expected something…more. Was I disappointed? Maybe. I didn’t want Nick to be a guy I could push around. Not that it mattered what kind of guy he was, but still.

“You’re all talk,” I said.

“What makes you say that?” His voice was velvet over steel, and an unwilling tremble ticked down my spine.

“I kicked you,” I said unnecessarily.

His chin lifted just enough to give him a predatory look. “I’m well aware you just made the colossal mistake of kicking me in the middle of McCloskey’s. I meant every word I said. You will regret it.” He crossed his arms, flexing pretty impressive chest muscles, and his smile sent butterflies winging through my stomach…mainly because it wasn’t a smile. What was that look? “You didn’t think I’d make you regret it right here, right now, did you?”

I kind of had. I figured he’d snap at me or stomp away. “Yes.” I forced a smile.

“Oh, no, baby,” he said so softly I leaned forward to hear him better. “I’m the most patient man you’ll ever meet. I have no problem biding my time.”

I lost the smile.

Chapter 4

The buzzer rang before I could think of anything to say to Nick, which was probably a good thing because I most likely would’ve challenged him, and right now, I felt more off-centered than I had in a long time.

With a slow, sardonic smile, he pushed away from the table, stood, and walked down to sit across from Kelsey Walker. A surprising spurt of jealousy ripped through me that I quickly quashed.

The rest of the evening proceeded quietly and calmly as I met a couple of new people but mainly spoke with men I’d known from high school. To be honest, by the end of the evening, I’d had a good time, but I certainly hadn’t made any romantic connections. I’d also had my prosecco glass refilled a few times, and when I stood, the room tilted. Smiling, I beat Bobbo to my coat, even though he was trying to take it from the hook.

“I’ve got it,” I said.

“That’s okay.” He wrenched it easily from my hands. “Turn around.”

Unable to come up with an argument, I turned and let him assist me with the wool jacket. “Thanks.” I pivoted and quickly buttoned it up myself.

“You bet. You coming home with me?”

“I most certainly am not.” I patted his beefy arm. “But I had a good time tonight, Bobbo. I have to say, I might try speed dating again someday.” Not that I was looking for a man, but the activity had beat staying home and watching reruns while eating ice cream, which was my normal Friday night.

He scratched his beard, his brows drawing down, and his blue eyes looking like that cute cat’s from the old Shrek movies. “Alrighty, then. You got a safe ride home?”

“I do,” I said. “My grandma’s here.”

“Good.” With that, he shoved both hands into the pockets of his overalls and strolled out the door. Wind and snow blew in until he shut it. I turned and walked over to where Nonna and Gerty sat at a table with two empty bottles of merlot in front of them.

“Ruh roh,” I murmured. “I can’t drive. Can you?”

They both shook their heads and then giggled. Wonderful. It looked like I was in charge. “All right, I’ll call Papa to come pick us up.”

“That’s not necessary.” Gerty hiccupped. “Nicolo,” she yelled.

My heart sank. “No, really. That’s—”

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