37 #5
Jerome laughed loudly again at her quick answer which deftly deflected his compliment. Then he pointed to a large double-gated entrance, which opened up to a sweeping gravel driveway, leading to a very grand house.
“It’s just here.”
Dani’s eyes widened as she stopped just outside the gates. Whoa! His house was huge.
“Well, thanks for the ride, it was… entertaining.” Jerome suddenly felt uneasy.
It felt like he should be inviting her in for a drink, as though tonight and the ride home were part of some sort of date.
While Dani was driving their conversation had been fun and, on the whole, light-hearted but now that they were stationary the atmosphere in the car had shifted.
It was more intense. His focus was solely on her and not his surroundings.
He could sense she was feeling uncomfortable too.
Her driving had distracted her but now she couldn’t even look at him.
He took a deep breath, in an attempt to rein in the wave of emotions that washed over him.
It’s just the tequila, loosening your tongue and letting down your guard, he chastised himself.
“It’s only fair. You’ve given me a couple of lifts in the past,” Dani joked. He smiled at her. She was using humour again to lighten the atmosphere, she was good at that. He’d crossed the line again and Dani was trying to put their complicated, bizarre relationship back on an even keel.
“Ah, so this is payback, then?” Jerome’s face softened but his eyes glittered as he spoke.
He really didn’t want her to leave.
Dani laughed softly.
“So I can cash in on another lift in the future, then?” he added.
“Sure, anytime.” Dani tried to make her comment sound breezy but even she caught the slight waver in her tone.
She tried to think of some witty comeback, just to prolong this rare unguarded moment that they were sharing, but her brain seemed to have halted as she gazed into those mesmerizing hexagonal eyes.
She just didn’t want him to leave.
“Do you know your way back?”
Dani arched her eyebrows and then tapped the screen on the dashboard.
“Ah yes. The Sat Nav. Send me a message when you get home. Just so I know you got there okay?”
“Er, I don’t have your number.”
Jerome reached into his pocket and retrieved his phone. “Tell me yours and I’ll send you a missed call.” Dani gave him her number and then, after a few seconds she heard her phone ring, then stop.
“Well, I’d better let you go. Thanks again.
” He unbuckled his belt and then reached down into the foot well of the car.
“Don’t forget to try this.” He lifted the half-full bottle of tequila he’d brought with him and set it on the seat, then he opened the door.
It was still drizzling. He stepped gracefully out of the car, then stooped down to look at her.
“Drive safe.”
“Always.”
“Goodnight, Dani.”
“Buone notte.”
Dani watched Jerome walk briskly through the gates and down to his home.
He turned to wave at her before he entered the dark house and she waved back, though she was sure he couldn’t see her.
He’d be tucked up in bed next to his cold, beautiful wife, before she even got home.
Leggy blonde bitch. The thought depressed her.
Dani set off towards Harewood with a heavy heart.
She really liked him, he was just so perfect.
She chuckled at his reaction to Gia and Ray.
That was going to take some getting used to on his part.
Was he so old fashioned? Maybe it was the Italian in him.
And his scar, another indication of his Italian heritage, a fiery temper.
Somehow that made him even more alluring.
Once Dani got home, she stepped into the kitchen and took a small tumbler off the draining board.
She poured herself a small measure of the tequila and took a sip.
The amber liquid slipped down her throat and warmed her body as it moved down.
Joseph was right, it was smooth. It was delicious.
She pulled out her phone from her bag and opened it with a swift slide of the screen.
Dani saved Jerome’s number to her contacts and then opened up the message option.
What was she going write? Something simple.
Arrived home safely
That was short and to the point. Dani touched the send option and sighed.
She really needed to get a grip. He’s married.
Dani picked up her glass and drained it.
Time for bed, it was the weekend and it was going to be another crazy few days.
Her phone beeped to signal a message had come through.
Dani’s heart raced as she swiped the screen open.
Good to know. Did you try the tequila?
Dani screwed her face up with glee. He’d answered. Why wasn’t he asleep? Dani quickly typed out her reply.
I did. It’s divine.
Dani kept her eyes on the screen. Was he going to reply? Then the phone rewarded her with a ping.
I couldn’t have put it better myself ?
Sleep well
Dani’s face split into a huge grin. He sent her a smiley face! She quickly typed her response.
Dormi bene
Jerome looked down at his phone and grinned. How on earth was he going to sleep well?