up a smile I don’t altogether feel. “Hey, before we get to work selecting the final pet pieces for Harrods, would you mind if I haul that folding table stored in the hallway cubby up to my bedroom?”
“Not at all,” Freya exclaims around a fresh bite of celery. “We’re not using it for anything. What are you working on?”
“Well, I was thinking of unpacking my scrapbooking stuff. I came upon all these old photos I’d taken ages ago that never made it into a book, and I guess I’m suddenly feeling the itch to get them sorted.”
“By all means!” Freya replies, her eyes wide and excited. “I’m still waiting for the photo you gave me of Hercules’ twin to get back from the framers. I think it’ll look great here in the kitchen, don’t you?”
I laugh softly. “I told you that you didn’t need to frame it. It’s not a professional picture, just an old mobile shot.”
“Nonsense! I love it!” Freya tuts. “It will have a place of pride in this room. It will feel like Hercules is always watching over us.”
“With disdain,” I add flatly while taking a sip of my tea.
She giggles and then eyes me curiously. “What on earth could be inspiring your creative juices, I wonder?”
I grumble at her, but she’s saved by the bell when my mobile chirps beside me. I pull it up to see it’s a text from Santino, and Freya waves me off with a giddy smile.
I take my mobile out the back door into the garden and open the text.
Santino: Good morning.
Tilly: Hello to you.
Santino: You thinking about me?
Tilly: You wish.
Santino: Well, I’m definitely thinking about you.
Tilly: Anyone ever tell you that you come on a little strong?
Santino: Nope. This is a first. There’s a lot of things I do with you that I’ve never done with anyone else.
Tilly: Like?
Santino: It’s probably a little too much information since we’re taking things slow, so it’s best to keep it mysterious.
I bite my lip at that response because knowing Santino, whatever it was is naughty. An ache throbs between my legs at just the thought of that. Jesus, this attraction is intense. Which is good. It’s fun and exciting, and it makes me feel alive. And while I want to stand firm on taking things slow, I don’t want to lose what I remember being so incredible about Santino.
His dirty mouth.
Tilly: Don’t tease me like that, Sonny. I’m a big girl. I can take it.
Santino: Very well then. You’ll be pleased to know that I had to jerk off last night after you left and your sexy lips were all I thought about as I did it.
Nothing could wipe the smug grin off my face right now. Biting my lip, I pull my mobile up to reply.
Tilly: I might have you beat.
Santino: Do tell…in graphic detail if we’re being so candid this lovely Monday morning.
Tilly: Well, it was two times for me. Vibrator. It’s the only thing that’s seen me through my very long dry spell.
Santino: Christ, I’m going to need to jerk off before going to work.
Tilly: Sorry.
Santino: Don’t be. Dinner Wednesday? I’m overrun with work right now so I can’t do sooner.
Tilly: Wednesday should work.
Santino: Good. We need to talk about some stuff.
Tilly: Like?
Santino: Like telling your brother we’re seeing each other.
Tilly: Pass.
Santino: Trouble…
Tilly: Can’t we just enjoy ourselves for a little while first? He’s literally a descendant from one of the earliest cavemen. He’ll ruin everything. Let’s just hold off for now.
Santino: How long are we talking?
Tilly: Not long…just until we…maybe…stop using battery-operated devices.
The next few days, I wind up having to work extra hours on more ridiculous contract negotiations for Zander Williams. The kid is infuriating me. He was supposed to be here and playing for us already, but now he won’t be able to start until the transfer window opens in January.
Normally, this is the kind of mess I would work on at all hours of the night, but the past couple of nights, I’ve been busy on the phone with Tilly. I actually can’t even remember the last time I talked this much to a woman I wasn’t sleeping with. This taking it slow business is more intriguing than I would have expected.
As I finish changing for our date tonight, Vaughn’s name comes up on my mobile. “Hiya, Vaughn.”
“Santino, where are you? You’re not in your office.”
“I’m home.”
“Home? It’s only six o’clock,” he replies in a confused tone.
I flinch because I like to be the last one