Page 49 of Winter

When Tommaso returned, after the initial joy at seeing her, he noticed the tension between his lover and his sibling. Inca saw him weighing up the two of them and their relationship.

“So, did you have a good time in the city?”

“Yes, thank you.” Raffaelo gave him a rundown of their day, but Tommaso still seemed on edge. And when he and Inca were alone, he asked her about it. “What’s going on with you and Raff?”

“What do you mean?”

Tommaso looked annoyed. “I’m not blind, Inca. There’s tension. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was between lovers.”

Inca sighed. “I would never cheat on you, Tommaso.”

“But you’re attracted to Raffaelo.”

Inca hesitated. “Yes. A little. I don’t know why. A schoolgirl crush. But Iloveyou.”

Tommaso sat in silence for a while, studying her. Inca went to him. “I meant it. I love you, Tommaso. There is no one else. It’s just a little blip.”

“Thank you for being honest, mio caro.”

“I’m sorry, Tommaso.”

He pulled her onto his lap and began to kiss her neck. “Perhaps we should invite him to share our bed.”

Horrified, Inca pushed away from him. “Tommaso!’

He shrugged, something dark in his eyes. “Why not? It wouldn’t be the first time we have shared a woman.”

Inca almost slapped him. She felt sick. “God, Tommaso—is this how you repay my honesty?”

“You Americans are so uptight. It’s not a big deal. Come on. Tell me you haven’t thought about being fucked by my brother?”

Jesus. Inca gathered her purse and her things. “I’m leaving, Tommaso.”

His hand snaked out and gripped her arm. “Don’t be silly. I was just joking.”

Inca ripped her arm away. “Not funny.”

She stormed out of the mansion, down to her car and got in. Still fuming, she drove into town and went to the Sakura. Tish was just closing up and Olly was talking to her. He greeted Inca with a smile, which faded when he saw her strained face. Tish made her excuses and left.

“Spill it,” Olly said but Inca shook her head.

“It’s just a row. All relationships have them.”

“Don’t I know it,” he said wryly. “Molly and I split.”

Inca sighed. “Oh, Olly, I am sorry. She was lovely.”

Olly cleared his throat and met her gaze. “Not lovely enough.”

Inca looked away from his gaze and dropped her head in her hands. “Please, Olly, don’t start that now. I can’t do this.”

“I’m sorry, Inca, but I have to say it.”

“No.” Inca was fierce then. “You made your choice months ago.”

His eyes were sad. “I know. I will do anything,anything, to prove to you how much I love you, how much I’vealwaysloved you.” He wrapped his arms around her.

She looked deep into his eyes then pulled away and stood, her face in her hands, and when she dropped them, there were tears. He went to her immediately.