Page 33 of Winter

Inca relaxed a little. Kevin had most definitelynotbeen male model material. “The handsome ones are always trouble,” she said, running a hand through Tommaso’s dark curls.

“That’s so very, very true.” Knox appeared at the door then and grinned at them all. “We are such a rare breed.”

Scarlett made a gagging noise and Inca laughed at them both.

Tommaso looked up, not seeming to take in the newcomers and instead turned to Inca.

“Please tell me you don’t go into the city alone?” His eyes were locked on hers. She smiled and nodded.

“Sure, sometimes.” She looked away from his intense gaze, feeling the burn of embarrassment creep onto her face. She moved away, but he caught her hand.

“I’m serious. Not at night?”

She nodded again, taken aback by his fierceness. He seemed to realize this and took a deep breath in. His smile was rueful.

“Sorry, but …” He looked at Knox for the first time and Inca quickly introduced them. Tommaso nodded at the paper. “You know about this?”

Knox’s face was resigned. “Too much. It’s bad. Guy’s a maniac.”

Tommaso nodded and turned to Inca. “You have to take this seriously. Please.”

Inca saw Scarlett’s eyebrows rise. She couldn’t tell whether her friend was impressed by Tommaso’s concern or …

“Hey.”

They all started a little. Olly was standing behind them, watching. Inca smiled at him.

“Hey, you.” She felt relieved that he’d broken the tension but, she noticed, Olly studiously ignored Tommaso as he pulled up a seat at the counter.

Luna hugged her brother from behind.

“Hello and goodbye, bro. I have to scoot.”

“Hello and goodbye. Loser.”

“Dillhole.” Luna grinned at him and waved at Scarlett and Inca before she left the teahouse.

Olly sipped his coffee. Tommaso pushed the paper at him.

“You see this?”

Olly glanced at it. “Same as most people round here. Mostlocalpeople anyways,” he added, a ribbon of petulance creeping into his tone. Inca shot him a warning glance. Tommaso smirked, shaking his head.

“All right, then.” He got up to go. “Inca, I’ll see you later?”

“Yes. I’ll see you later. Eight? My place?”

Tommaso nodded, smiling, then said his goodbyes. Olly watched him walk out, then turned back to Inca.

She glared at him. “What’s your problem with Tommaso?”

“Nothing. Just don’t like rich guys for whom nothing is a problem. Including laying claim to the people I love.”

Inca was annoyed now. “If I remember rightly, you didn’t wantthisperson anymore. And I’m not a possession to be laid claim to.”

She stomped out into the kitchen, annoyed. Taking a deep breath, she opened the back door and went outside for some air.

He watchedher from across the street, well-hidden back amongst the trees. God, she was so beautiful with that long dark hair caught up in a messy bun at the nape of her neck and her curves in that T-shirt and jeans. The swell of her breasts, the strip of golden skin between her T-shirt and her jeans …