“Oh God. I’m so sorry. I wouldn’t have asked if I’d known.”
I shook my head. “It’s okay. We were both in the military, and it happened when we were on active duty.”
“That can’t have made it any easier. How long were you together?”
“About six months, but it wasn’t the same as a relationship would’ve been as a civilian.”
“That doesn’t mean losing him didn’t hurt.”
“I know. His name was Thomas, and I cared for him a lot. I might have loved him, but things didn’t work out. Since then, it’s just been hookups for me. That’s all I can handle.”
“I’ve dated a few guys for a couple of months here and there but nothing really long-term, and I’ve never been in love, not until… I mean… not yet.”
His cheeks were bright red. Did he really mean he might… Fuck, we were playing with fire.
“Um… what’s another good question? Music? I know you claim not to like my pop divas playlist, but I’m fairly sure that was a lie.”
He was no longer looking at me, and he was twisting his fingers together over and over. I’d never seen him that nervous, not even when the stranger had come to the cabin, so I confessed a truth few people knew. “Country. My favorite genre of music is country.”
He looked up and narrowed his eyes. “You’re playing with me.”
“No. I’m dead serious.”
“Wow. Next time we’re in the car, I’ll put on my country playlist.”
“You, Mr. Velvet Jacket and Glitter Shirts, have a country playlist?”
Lane scowled. “Yes, I do. Haven’t you figured out that I have eclectic tastes?”
I had, and I loved that he wasn’t predictable. Every time I thought I understood him, I learned something new.
20
Lane
That night after dinner, Giorgio called some hacker friend of his named Emilio who got us hooked up with satellite internet since the cabin lacked Wi-Fi, along with all other essentials. I set up my laptop on the rickety coffee table, and we snuggled together in the best of the two chairs while watching the first three episodes of Jane the Virgin. It had been a while since I’d seen it, and I loved starting the story all over again.
As the third episode wrapped up, I realized Giorgio wasn’t watching it. He was watching me, and he had a look of wonder on his face.
“What?”
He cupped my cheek. “You. I’ve never met anyone like you, princess.”
“Didn’t I tell you not to call me that?”
“Do you really mind?”
I shook my head. “There isn’t anyone else like me.”
“I know. You’re really special, and… I don’t have an easy time talking to people. Sometimes I feel like my job is all I am, but with you… I feel like more.”
My chest tightened, and I felt like I was full of so much emotion I might burst. “That’s the most amazing thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
He kissed me then, soft and sweet, not like any of the kisses we’d had before.
When he pulled away, I reached out and paused the show. I closed my laptop, then held out my hand to Giorgio. “Come on. Let’s go to bed.”
We collapsed onto the bed, kissing, limbs tangled around each other. We took things slower and more gently than we had before. I loved the rough, harsh fucking we’d done, but this was just as good. We took time to explore each other until we couldn’t go slow anymore. When we’d exhausted ourselves, we fell asleep in each other’s arms. For the first time in ages, I slept soundly.
I worked on my art the next morning, and Giorgio actually read, though he also spent plenty of time watching me. Giorgio and I were discussing what we wanted for lunch when he froze. “I heard something.”
Neither of us spoke as we listened. I heard a thump, then rattling. Was there someone outside?
Giorgio brought his finger to his lips, telling me to keep quiet. When he tipped his head toward the bedroom, I got up and headed there as quietly as I could. I grabbed the marble statue because, no matter what he said, I didn’t intend to be weaponless. Then I sat on the bed and waited. I didn’t hear anything, but I was sure Giorgio was going to check out the noise.
The seconds seemed to creep by. I jumped when something thumped against the side of the house. The sound was followed by a muffled groan. What if Giorgio needed help? I wasn’t going to let some asshole hurt him. I stepped out of the bedroom, holding the statue, and made my way carefully toward the door. The front door was ajar. My heart thumped against my chest as I stepped outside.
I heard noise coming from the side of the house. I descended the porch steps and moved that way slowly. When I peered around the corner, Giorgio was fighting with a large man.