Chapter 37
Andera’s Pov.
I don’t know much of Italian, but I’ve been around Rosa long enough to know that Bella means beauty.
He called me beautiful.
I withdrew my hand from him, feeling suddenly uncomfortable with my old apron and flour–stained cheeks.
His onyx eyes didn’t stop searching my face. There was something with him I couldn’t quite put in place. He had this rugged
beauty. With an earring on one ear and a tattoo that snaked up his arm.
“Via” Rosa’s voice startled me. “You didn’t even unload your bags before jumping out of the car.” She chided.
Her brother. The one she went to pick from the airport. Mortification washed over me. This is the first time I’m meeting with
Rosa’s brother and I look a mess.
“I wanted to see the friend you won’t stop talking about.” He grinned at her. Then his gaze settled on me again. “And what a
beauty she is.” his eyes were so dark, but I swear I could see the pupils dilate.
“Leave her alone Carol, Andera is my friend” Rosa warned and moved past him into the house, she grabbed the doorknob
“Aren’t I coming in?” Carol asked.
“No. Go and move your bags from the car first.” she closed the door in his face. I let out a breath
“Andera, are you okay?” Her brows drew together in concern.
“Absolutely” I rushed to answer. Rosa frowned, not quite believing me.
“Your cheeks are flushed.” She observed and then continued, “Listen to me, Carol is a charmer; he is good at what he does.”
“And what is it he does?” I questioned, my eyes darted back towards the door Rosa had shut against her brother as if I could see through it. Rosa followed my line of sight and she cursed something in Italian.
“Using women. Stay away from him, Andera. He’s my brother, and I love him; I also love you, too. Carol cannot commit to a
woman. He’s never kept his head in a spot, and he has a gift of taking women into letting their guard down.”
I shook my head, suddenly feeling defensive
“I didn’t even say a word to him. I admit your brother is a handsome man but that doesn’t mean I’m planning to get close to him
or date him. Chill Rosa.”
“Did you just call me handsome?”
I nearly jumped out of my skin. How did Carol sneak up on us like that without me noticing, did he walk through the wall? Rosa
hissed at him.
+20 Bonus
“I asked you to take your things inside the house”
Carol stalked towards her, his eyes alternating between me and his sister. I didn’t miss the way he looked at my hips, or when he licked his bottom lips. I turned my eyes away, feeling too exposed. I was wearing shorts that stopped a few inches below my ass
cheeks and a tank top.
Carol placed his arm around his sister’s shoulders. “I already did that little sister. You two were just so immersed in your gossip about my handsomeness that you didn’t notice when I walked in” his focus found me again “You haven’t said a word to me,
Andera”
I straightened, refusing to be tongue–tied.
“It’s good to meet you,
Carol.”
“Likewise” he responded with a dip of his chin.
Rosa spoke next “Where e are: my two little munchkins? Their favorite aunty misses them.” Rosa looked up the stairs, already
suspecting that Timmy and Tiffany would be in their room.
I smiled.
“Okay, first off. You saw them both yesterday, so saying you miss Tim and Tiffy is kind of silly, and secondly, you are their only
Aunty!” I said in my Bossy voice; I could have well been giving a speech.
A small laugh ripped from her throat. I was finding it hard to keep my body from shaking with the laughter inside me.
In a second, Rosa and I fell into a cackled laughing fit. I pressed a hand to my stomach to steel myself,
“Why are we laughing?”
Rosa wiped her eyes, they were glistering with mirth
“You tell me
Carol’s eyes rested on his sister for an explanation. On his face was a real smile.
“I don’t get the joke,” he said softly.
Rosa turned to her brother. “You don’t need to. I’m going to check up on the kids.” She headed for the stairs, not before throwing
me a look. I nodded my head in understanding
Don’t let your guard down around Carol. Got it.
en into
I did think Carol was a fine man; he’s handsome in a way most women loved, with his bad boy charm, but I have never b been that. I preferred professional men, who would wear suits and ties and have a big office desk with a large company. My shoulders
slumped when I realized what or who I was thinking about
I prefer men like Thane. Would I ever get him out of my head?
+20 Bonus
Twins, Hun? Mustn’t be easy” Carol had made himself comfortable on my couch, with his legs spread wide, his hands resting on
his knees.
Thane would have sat down with the grace of an emperor. Legs crossed in his arrogant, proud way, knowing that no one in the room could hold a candle to hi
“Andrea?”
“Yeah. My twins. They are wonderful, Rosa has always been here to help me so it makes things easier.” He studied me for a while. “You and my sister are close”
It wasn’t a question, but I nodded
“She’s my best friend. Rosa had always been there for me ever since my father found me. You must know the whole story”
“Yes, I do”
And then we went silent.
It was uncomfortable and awkward. I wished Rosa would come downstairs already. I didn’t like the way his eyes darting to my exposed legs, and I couldn’t leave him on his own; that would be rude, wouldn’t it?
hy his eyes were always
The smoke alarm went off
“Fuck. My cake,” I had forgotten.
I sprinted to the kitchen and turned off the oven. The smoke clogged my throat.
I wore my oven gloves to pull them out. There was nothing to save. Both cakes had burned.
I sighed; I was really looking forward to having it for dessert, but now, an hour’s work has been reduced to a burnt offering.
“You’re not going to eat it, are you?”
Carol’s voice came behind me. I spun around to find him leaning by the door.
“I might” I answered honestly.
To my surprise, he started laughing, loudly. I joined him, too, it seems today is World Laughter Day.
“We could make another one if you’re so into cakes”
“We?” I asked while laughing.
“Yes, I know a thing or two about baking cakes.”
“Now do you?” Carol didn’t seem like the kind of man who would cook.
“Are you doubting me, Ms Andera Campbell?” He moved closer to me. I couldn’t help the laughter that escaped my lips.
1 flung my hand wide in the air, ges
turing to the flour, baking powder, and eggs on the kitchen island
“Show me what you’ve got, Carol De Luca”
