Chapter 22
I was afraid to open my eyes. Memories of the last time Nero and I were together flashed in my mind. I squeezed my eyes shut, reliving his mouth on my neck, hand on my stomach, cock so deep inside me, sparking nerve endings I didn’t know existed.
He left me once because he was scared. Because he thought he was doing what was best for me. Who was to say all of those doubts and insecurities didn’t haunt him while I slept?
His arm wasn’t around me. I didn’t feel his body against mine. Tears pricked the backs of my eyes as my own insecurities forced me to jump to conclusions I wasn’t sure about. I couldn’t be sure until I opened my eyes. But if he was here, I would feel him. Sense him.
But to leave me in his bed, in his own house… he wouldn’t. Would he?
I stretched my leg to his side of the bed, and it was cold. Disappointment settled in my gut as I accepted another blow to my already fragile ego.
I guess the saying was true. You couldn’t teach old dogs new tricks. They were too set in their ways. Too accustomed to a lifestyle and rules they’d only ever known.
The scent of bacon teased my senses, and my eyes popped open. I blinked a few times, clearing my vision of sleep. The slightest sound of The Red Hot Chili Peppers drifted into the room. I tossed the blankets off me and slipped into my panties and one of Nero’s t-shirts that barely cleared my boobs. Hopefully, I didn’t stretch it out too much, but I didn’t feel like putting my dress back on. I followed the scent of bacon and the familiar voice of Anthony Kiedis to the kitchen.
“You’re still here,” I said.
Nero froze with the spatula in midair. “Oh my god, I didn’t even think…” He hurried over to me, concern and worry filling his dark blue gaze. He kissed my forehead. “I’m sorry. I wanted to surprise you with breakfast. I didn’t think you would wake up and think I left you. I wouldn’t do that again. I swear it.”
Relief flooded through me. “I know.”
“Do you? I need you to know I am not going anywhere, Lanes.”
“I told you I trust you, and I do.”
“But you didn’t. You woke up and thought I left you again.”
I could assure him I didn’t, but I didn’t want to lie to him. I never had before, and I wasn’t going to start now. “I did.” I forced a smile. “But you didn’t.”
“I’m an idiot.” He took me into his arms and squeezed entirely too hard, but it was comforting and warm, and I didn’t want him to let go. All the doubts I had fled, and I rested my head against his chest.
“You are not an idiot. I just got scared. Last night was so perfect. It almost didn’t seem real.”
“I thought I dreamt it. Then I woke up and I could smell your sweet vanilla scent, and feel you so warm in my arms. I didn’t want to let you go, but my stomach overpowered every other body part.”
I ran my hand over his length. “Even him?”
His hold on me tightened.
I inhaled and closed my eyes, savoring his warmth and letting go of my own insecurities. Nero was here. He didn’t leave, and he wasn’t going to. I opened my eyes and plucked the spatula out of his hand. “You’re going to burn the eggs.”
“That was cruel,” he laughed and followed behind me.
“Payback.” I winked then focused on the eggs.
A low whistle came from him, and I spun around. His eyebrows raised, and he nodded, his lips curving upward. “You look good in my shirt.”
“You might need to cut me out of it later,” I admitted.
“I’ll be happy to.”
I went to the stove, turned the heat down on the eggs, and gave them a good mix so they didn’t burn to the bottom of the pan. Nero wrapped his arms around my stomach, chin resting on my shoulder.
“I’m supposed to be making you breakfast,” he said before trailing kisses across my neck.
“I have control issues in the kitchen.”
“I’m quite enjoying myself,” he said, taking a playful bite from my shoulder. “I could just have you for breakfast. I do owe you the best orgasm of your life.”
My thighs quivered, remnants of his touch zinging through me from last night. After the shower, we’d dried off and cuddled in bed. My eyes had shut the minute my head had landed on his chest.
His hand glided across my stomach, his finger dipping beneath the top of my underwear. I smacked his hand. “While that is very true, and I’d very much like for you to make good on that promise, I need sustenance first.”
He nibbled my neck, then pulled away. “I guess it can wait.” He plucked the spatula out of my hand. “Go sit.”
“But—”
“Lanes, I am making you breakfast. Now take that sexy ass of yours and go sit.”
I pouted, but he was having none of it.
“As cute as that is, it’s not getting you anywhere.”
“Fine.” I turned toward the table. “But the eggs are pretty much done. You don’t want to overcook—”
“Lanes.”
I pressed my lips together and sat my ass down. He brought over a mug filled with coffee, and I happily accepted. I took a sip and smiled. It was made exactly how I liked it. “So, where were you last night?” Chris had said he’d gone to help out a friend.
He ran a hand over his hair. “Ron Noah was missing, so a few of the guys from the VFW went to look for him. We found him. Your dad took him home.”
My eyebrows drew together. “You were with my dad?”
He turned the burner off, grabbed the pan, and moved toward the kitchen island. “And Albert and Teddy.”
“How’d you get roped into that?”
He shrugged. “They’re my friends.”
“How does that happen? Don’t get me wrong. I love my dad and think he’s the best, but… he’s old and Albert is ancient.”
Nero placed a plate of cheesy scrambled eggs, sliced avocado, and bacon in front of me. He sat down with his own plate. “They were all friends with Gramps, and after I lost him, I showed up there. I’m not really sure why. Maybe because being near the people who loved him not because he was family, but because of who he was to them, made me feel closer to him. It took me all of twenty minutes to realize they were his family, too. After that, I just kept showing up. I had never been in uniform or been to war, but I understood them in a way I hadn’t expected. See, when they all came home from war or left the military, they felt lost. Unsure of what they were going to do next. It’s kind of how I felt at the time. How I still feel sometimes.”
“What do you mean?”
“I want greater purpose in my life, Lanes. I want to feel accomplished and not just Vine Valley Vineyards glorified bartender.”
“I told you that’s so far from the truth. You are so much more than a glorified bartender.”
He took a bite of bacon. “Honestly, I’m starting to see that now. You kind of opened my eyes to it. And while I’m not going to quit, because really, I love my job, I want to make more time for something else I love.”
I wiped my mouth with a napkin. “And what’s that?”
“Finish your breakfast, and I’ll show you.”
Curiosity almost had me shoveling food into my face, but I managed to eat at a normal pace. When I finished, I helped Nero clean up. As I placed the last plate in the dishwasher, he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the back door.
“Nero, I can’t go out there. I’m in my underwear.”
“I’m far enough from my neighbors. No one will see you.”
He hurried out the door and down the steps. My short legs did their best to keep pace. The crisp morning air brushed against my thighs and the cool grass beneath my feet calmed my mind. Nero peered at me, and there was trepidation in his eyes but also a childish excitement.
We stopped outside his barn. I glanced around, wondering what he was about to show me.
“I kind of have this hobby,” he said before opening the door and flipping on a light switch. The barn illuminated, and the smell of metal filled my nostrils. In front of me was a massive metal tree structure with pumpkins adorning each branch.
I gasped at the beauty, at the sheer size and technique. “Nero,” I managed, as I stepped closer to the elaborate tree full of twisting metal that formed intricate branches. The pumpkins weren’t just pumpkins, but jack-o'-lanterns with varying expressions, all haunting and beautiful.
“It still needs some work,” he said.
I spun so fast I nearly gave myself whiplash. “It’s perfect!”
“Really?” he asked, and for one of the few times in all the time I knew him, he looked completely and utterly unsure of himself.
“It’s stunning. Is this The Halloween Tree?”
He smiled, and the satisfaction that filled his face was just as beautiful as the tree. “It is.”
I walked around the structure, taking in all the little details and the pristine craftsmanship. “I had no idea you could do this.”
“It’s kind of my own personal secret. Except Char knows. She showed up one day.”
“When she told you to fight for me.”
“Yeah.”
“I need you to fight for yourself now. This is your passion,” I said, and he nodded. “I can tell. The work you’ve done. The quality. The detail. It’s how I am with my cakes. You have to let people know. You have to show this off.”
“I’m going to. This is for Albert’s scarecrow display. He has scarecrows of all the kids from the story and a mummy.”
“Of course.”
“I was going to make him keep my name anonymous.”
“No!” I shouted. “Absolutely not. Your family. The town. They need to see this. They need to know how talented you are. And it’s the perfect time. Your parents will be back from Italy for the wedding.” His parents had been traveling all over Europe since Gramps died. They’d come back for a bit but had taken off again at the beginning of the month.
“I said I was going to, but I decided against it. My name will be on the display with Albert’s.”
I threw my arms around him and pulled him close. “I am so happy for you. The town is going to lose their shit over this. Albert’s going to win and piss Odette off.”
He barked out a laugh, squeezed me tight, then took my hand, guided me around to the other side of the display. He excitedly pointed out all the little details, and I was more than happy to listen. I thought I knew everything there was about Nero Francis Grasso, but even he still managed to surprise me. I couldn’t wait to see what he’d surprise me with next.
It was a beautiful thing, discovering a passion, but watching someone else, someone I loved, discover theirs? There was nothing better.