Page 6 of The Killer Cupcake (Poison Cherry #3)
Carmine pulled the Cadillac to a smooth stop in front of a magnificent shotgun mansion painted periwinkle blue, its three stories rising like a monument to defiance.
Wrought-iron galleries dripped with emerald ferns and cascades of purple bougainvillea, while orange trees heavy with fruit in the dappled shade of ancient live oaks.
"A few rules," Carmine said, his voice taking on a deadly serious tone.
Carmelo nodded and waited, suddenly alert.
"Janey is my wife and a gracious hostess, but never—and I mean never —accept any treats or candies from her hands. Never accept a drink she hasn't shared from first. And never, under any circumstances, cross the line with her." His pale eyes bore into Carmelo's. "These aren't suggestions."
"I wouldn't disrespect you. I'm grateful that you're hosting Kathy and me here."
Carmine's chuckle was dry as autumn leaves. "You really have no idea who they are, do you?"
Carmelo shook his head slowly. "No."
"Stick to those rules and you'll be fine. Repeat them back to me."
"No treats, no drinks unless she shares them first, be respectful," Carmelo recited.
"Good boy." Carmine got out of the car, reaching for his cane with practiced grace. "Remember—Elliot women are like beautiful storms. Magnificent to behold, but they'll destroy everything in their path if the men frighten or anger them. So be kind to your Kathy. Trust me. Janey is watching.”
Carmelo grabbed his bag and followed, his mind spinning with questions. As they walked up the long, shaded walkway lined with blooming jasmine and sweet trees, the ornate front door suddenly flew open with dramatic flair.
And there she was.
Kathy appeared like a vision, framed by the doorway as if she'd stepped out of his dream.
She wore a pristine white summer dress that cinched perfectly at her narrow waist, with a delicate milkmaid collar and romantic puff sleeves that made her look like something from a fairy tale.
Her dark hair was pinned back from her face in elegant victory rolls that caught the filtered sunlight, and her smile— my God, her smile —was bright enough to illuminate the entire world.
She hurried down the steps with grace and urgency, and Carmelo dropped his bag without a second thought. They met somewhere in the middle of the walkway, between the jasmine and the fountain, between the past and the future.
Time stopped.
She was in his arms before he could draw another breath, her soft curves molding against him as if they'd been carved from the same piece of marble.
Her lips found his with desperate love, and he kissed her back with eight months of longing, eight months of dreams, eight months of believing this moment might never come.
The world disappeared. There were no rules, no segregation laws, no disapproving families or dangerous enemies. There was only Kathy's warmth against him, her familiar scent of vanilla and roses, the way she fit perfectly in his arms as if she'd been made specifically for him.
"I missed you so much," Kathy whispered when their lips finally parted, her voice breaking with emotion. Tears streamed down her beautiful face as she held onto him like he might vanish. "Every day, every night, I missed you until I thought my heart would stop beating if this day didn’t come soon.”
"I missed you, too, Kat, so damn much," he said, his own voice thick with tears he couldn't control.
No matter how hard life hit him—punches in the ring, grief and strife in his family—no pain had ever hurt enough to bring him to tears except for the loss of his beloved mother and her.
"I dreamed about you every single night. "
The midday afternoon light filtered through the live oak canopy above them, casting dancing shadows across their reunion while a gentle breeze carried the scent of magnolia and sweet oranges.
"Okay, lovebirds, let's take this inside before the neighbors start charging admission," Carmine drawled as he walked past them with the aid of his silver-topped cane, though there was something almost fond in his gruff tone.
They reluctantly released each other just enough for Carmelo to reach down and retrieve his bag, though neither wanted to break the spell.
They had a full week ahead of them—it was Monday and the match wasn't until Saturday.
No one knew or cared where he spent his personal time.
He was a man, she was a lady, her own person, and here they were together.
Not since those stolen moments in the attic had they enjoyed such blessed freedom.
He slipped his arm around her shoulders, marveling at how perfectly she fit against his side, and together they walked up the remaining steps into what felt like the beginning of their real life together. Not the one he kept from her, back at home.
That secret was the only stain on their perfect union. And he’d do anything to keep her from ever discovering it. Not until he had a chance to make it right.
Behind them, the fountain spewed large droplets into the glistening water in the ceramic bowl around it. The birds sang a gentle song, and the orange trees glowed like beacons in the gathering new day, all of beauty bracing for the next crisis to rise.