Page 9 of Winter

“God, I’m so sorry … I thought you were Tommaso …” She felt the heat rush up her body and suddenly she felt like a whore. The man in front of her was as physically divine as his twin but somehow, danger radiated from every pore. His eyes were hooded, dark with menace and anger. Inca felt a frisson of fear.

“Hey.”

Both of them turned to see Tommaso watching them, a strange smile on his face. Inca felt a wave of humiliation.

“I’m sorry. I mistook your brother for you.”

Tommaso grinned. “Again.”

Inca flushed, but Tommaso wrapped his arms around her. “Don’t worry, Inca; it’s no big thing. Is it, Raff?”

Raffaelo said nothing, just stared at his brother, an unreadable expression on his handsome face. Tommaso smirked. “I should officially introduce you. Inca Sardee, my brother Raffaelo. Inca owns the Sakura teahouse in town.”

Inca held a trembling hand out to Raffaelo; for a horrible moment, she thought he was going to ignore it, but then he took it and nodded.

“Good to meet you.” His accent was a lot thicker than his brother’s, his voice deeper and softer. Inca was surprised. Was his glowering demeanor actually shyness? She dismissed the idea the next moment when Raffaelo stalked out of the room. Tommaso laughed softly.

“My brother isn’t the most social of people.” He kissed Inca’s forehead.

“You are very different,” Inca said, and Tommaso nodded.

“People are always surprised at that, but yes, we are. Now, can I make you some breakfast?”

After breakfast, Inca told him she had to go home. Tommaso walked her to her car. “Can I see you again?”

Inca hesitated. He was undoubtedly gorgeous and an incredible lover, but the scene this morning with Raffaelo had given her pause. She smiled at him. “Tommaso … I like you, and last night was mind-blowing. But I don’t know if I’m really suited to the whole ‘wrong way around’ thing. Maybe we should just get to know each other as friends and then see where it goes?”

Tommaso looked vaguely disappointed but took the rejection in good heart. “Whatever you think is best … but don’t expect me to stop trying.” He gave her a wicked grin which made her burst out laughing.

“Mr. Winter, I knew you were trouble.” Tommaso kissed her before she got into her car, and when she drove away, she saw him watching her.

Inca triedto park the car out of the way and sneak up to her apartment, but she failed miserably. Scarlett was waiting for her in the back hallway between the stairs and the tearoom. “Where thehellhave you been?”

Inca gave a shocked laugh. “Okay, Mom, calm down.” She dumped her bag on a chair and took off her coat. Scarlett narrowed her eyes at her.

“You were wearing those clothes yesterday … oh my God. You slept with Tommaso Winter.”

“Ssh,”Inca frowned at her friend. The door to the teahouse’s main room was open and Inca glanced nervously around it to see if anyone had heard. Scarlett scowled at her.

“Do you know how worried we were?”

Inca rolled her eyes. “Dude, I’m twenty-eight years old. I don’t need your permission to stay over at a billionaire’s place.” She grinned at Scarlett, but her friend shook her head.

“No, I know. It’s not that. Inks, didn’t you hear about the new murder?”

Inca stopped. “What?”

Scarlett nodded. “Two women now. Olly was called to the first up at the reservoir. Then, while they were there, they found the other one.”

“God, that’s horrible.” Realization dawned. “Oh, God. I am sorry, Scarlett. I honestly didn’t know or I would have called.”

Scarlett sighed. “As long as you’re okay.”

“I am, truly.”

Scarlett grinned. “So? Details, please.”

“Yeah,” Inca said dryly. “Because that’s what’s going to happen now.”