Page 15 of Winter

“Hunter, you look worried. It’s okay, it’s just a dress.”

Hunter shook his head. “You just be careful around him. I don’t want you getting hurt or nothing.”

She leaned over and grabbed his hand, squeezing it.

“Hunter, why would Tommaso Winter want to hurt me?”

“I don’t trust him.”

Inca gave a frustrated laugh. “You don’t even know him.”

“I seen him watching you.”

“You’ve seen Tommaso watching me?” A little thrill of pleasure ran through her and she tried not to smile.

“He watches you. He said things.”

“What things, Hunter?”

Hunter flushed, shifted in his chair. He didn’t look her in the eye. “I told him to leave you alone. He says he could have you if he wanted you.”

Inca didn’t know what to say. “I’m sure you’re wrong, Hunter. He doesn’t mean any harm. He’s just new in town, getting to know everyone. You are very sweet to worry about me, but it’s okay.”

Later, she asked Scarlett if she minded covering for her. Inca picked up the box. Scarlett looked disappointed. “You’re taking it back to him, aren’t you?”

Inca nodded. “It’s too much, too soon.”

“Be careful on that road. More snow is on its way in.”

Inca steeredher car carefully along the steep hill leading to the Fletcher—no, the Winter mansion now, she grinned to herself.How very apt. She cursed as her car’s back wheels slid out from beneath her and she wrestled the wheel until she straightened up, heart thumping.

She pulled up in front of the big house and, box in hand, carefully climbed the icy stairs. She rang the doorbell and waited, shivering.

The door was yanked open and the familiar man stepped out, staring at her. For a moment, she thought it might be Raffaelo, but then his smile stretched across his face and she relaxed.

“Inca! God, come in. I’m sorry; you just took me by surprise.” He guided her inside and took her coat.

“As you surprised me,” Inca said gently, trying not to be distracted by the way his green eyes locked onto hers, or the soft way his fingers brushed the inside of her arm as he took her coat.

Tommaso smiled at her, leaning in to brush his lips against hers. “Didn’t it fit? I had to guess your size.”

“It’s not that,” she said, and couldn’t help the moan that escaped as his lips found her throat. “It’s just too much.”

Tommaso stepped back to look at her. “It wasn’t a thank you for sleeping with me gift, if that’s what you think.”

Inca laughed. “I know that. You are very generous, but I can’t accept it.”

Tommaso considered for a moment. “Fair enough. Look, now that you’re here, you must stay for dinner. The weather’s getting bad. Raff and I were in the kitchen; come meet him properly.”

Inca felther stomach churn with nerves as they walked hand-in-hand to the kitchen. Tommaso introduced her to Debbie. They already knew each other vaguely and so the conversation was easy. Then Raffaelo made an appearance.

Inca’s chest tightened when she saw him and all she could think of was seeing him on her street, gazing up at her apartment. He seemed to notice her reticence when she greeted him.

“You are well?”

She nodded, and wondered why his accent was so much thicker than Tommaso’s. During dinner—which was a mouthwatering lobster bisque followed by lamb so tender it fell off the bone—Tommaso led the conversation, but Inca found that Raffaelo had thawed a little.Ironic,she thought, glancing out of the window. Outside, the weather had worsened, and now all she could see was a whiteout.

Raffaelo noticed her glance. “Did you drive here, tonight, Ms. Sardee?”