Clutching the arms holding her, she stared blankly down at the young man carrying her, noting the long, deep auburn hair; the chiseled features; and then the wide, deep black eyes with flecks of some lighter color in them. Eyes very like Julius Notte's, she thought absently, though this man's were larger, with an almond shape.
"Grab her shoe," he growled, never taking his eyes from hers, and it was only when she heard his voice that she realized it was the one called Christian.
Flushing under his intense stare, Carolyn glanced over his shoulder in time to see a man with short, black hair bend to collect her shoe and follow them, and then Christian was setting her down.
He didn't just set her down though, but eased her to the ground, holding her close as he did so that their bodies rubbed against each other in a long, slow, full-body caress that left her flushed and breathless and completely flummoxed. Her feet finally landing on the cool tile gave her something of a jolt and had her tugging free and then dropping to sit with a little bump on the bench he'd set her in front of.
"Thank you," Carolyn breathed, looking everywhere but at him. Her gaze slid over the other band members, noting their resemblance to each other and their differences.
Zanipolo had long hair like Christian, but his was tied back in a ponytail; it was also black like Raffaele's, whose hair was shorter. She suspected Santo's hair would be black as well if he let it grow; at least his eyebrows were black, she noted, taking in the thick metal rings on each of his fingers as he ran one hand over his bald head.
The rings looked more like some modern kind of brass knuckles in silver than actual jewelry. Her gaze slid to Giacinta then, a pretty, petite blonde and the only one of the group not wearing all black. Her outfit was a short red skirt and white tank with an open white blouse over it.
Spotting her shoe in Raffaele's hand as he approached, Carolyn held out her hand, but Christian took it to examine.
"It's broken," he said with a frown.
"Yes." Carolyn risked glancing his way, and felt another flush rise up through her. Biting her lip, she looked away and briefly considered taking the next shuttle back up to the villa for new shoes. But she was already late, and really, she was so flustered and embarrassed all she wanted at that moment was to get away from the man presently holding her sandal.
That left one option, Carolyn decided, and quickly removed the still good sandal. She then stood, snatched the broken sandal from Christian's fingers, murmured, "Thank you," and hurried away through the main building on bare feet, aware that every member of the band watched her go. She could feel their eyes burning into her back. They probably thought her a crazy lady for rushing off barefoot like that, but she didn't care. She-"
Carolyn?"
Sliding to a halt, Carolyn glanced around to see Marguerite and Julius crossing the lobby toward her.
"I'm so glad you made it. I was starting to worry," Marguerite said, giving her a hug in greeting. She then turned her toward the front of the building saying, "We were just going to check and see that Gia and the boys made it down all right."
"They have. I rode down with them," Carolyn said, resisting her pull.
"Oh." She smiled. "Well then, come, and I'll introduce you to them."
"Oh, no, I-"
Carolyn grimaced and held up her shoes.
"My strap broke and I can't wear them and I'd really rather just go sit down. Besides, they introduced themselves to me," she added in a babble, beginning to back away. "I'll just go sit down. You two-"
She paused and gave her head a shake as the strangest ruffling sensation went through her head. Then forced a smile. "I'll go save us a table."
"Don't be silly," Marguerite said, suddenly beaming.
"We'll all go down together. We can talk to Christian and the others on their break. Or perhaps even before they start."
"Right," Carolyn muttered, suddenly aware that she'd probably have to meet them all again if she stuck with Marguerite and Julius. The idea made her ridiculously uncomfortable and she found herself frowning and trying to come up with a reason to leave. They were almost to the open air bar when she suddenly realized she was carrying the perfect excuse.
"You know," she said, coming to a halt, "I think I should probably go back up to the villa and switch my broken shoes for-"
"Don't be silly, Caro. You're here already," Marguerite said with a gentle smile. "Everything will be fine."
Carolyn stared at her silently as her eagerness to escape the possibility of having to again face Christian eased and a soothing calm slid over her. Then she smiled and nodded and allowed Marguerite to lead her into the open-air bar, wondering what on earth all the fuss had been about. Christian had helped her after her shoe broke.
She was making a mountain out of a molehill. Everything would be fine.
"She is your lifemate," Raffaele said quietly.
Christian tore his eyes away from the lobby as his parents and Carolyn were swallowed up by the crowds.
Turning, he considered the group eyeing him silently, his cousins and band mates. They'd known each other all their lives, but had only played together the last ten years or so.