Harbour of Refuge Read online

  Girl knows how to play them. Halyn rolled her eyes and caught Enzo watching her, not Mila. A twinkle appeared in his eye as he winked at her.

  “So you want me to come for dinner?” He leaned towards her. “What’s on the menu?”

  Halyn crossed her arms and watched the scene before her unfold. Back and forth they parried until it seemed he was getting an Italian dinner and Halyn would be accompanying him as his date.

  Mila glowed as she said farewell and hastened out of the door. Humph. Not even a goodbye for her best friend.

  Alone in the store with Enzo, Halyn shook her head. “You know you didn’t have to do that.”

  “What? Get a free meal? I wonder if she realised she just promised an Italian a real Italian dinner.” He grimaced. “Can she cook?”

  Halyn laughed. “Don’t you think it’s a bit late to be wondering that?”

  His smile made her knees weaken. Damn him! He inched his way down the counter until he stood opposite her, then leaned over and kissed her lips. A gentle, tender kiss.

  “Thank you for protecting me.”

  She lowered her gaze. He lifted her chin and insisted on eye contact. “I just know Mila, so be prepared to have a lot of people there.”

  “Are you saying my time of being here in town without people following me around is coming to an end?”

  “If you go there? Yes.” She went to the door and turned the sign to ‘closed’ before heading back to the till and counting out the money. “Thank you for the invite, but I—”

  “Wait, you’re going to leave me to fend for myself? She’ll eat me alive.”

  She snorted. “She’d sure like to try. I have a feeling you can more than handle yourself, Enzo. I’ve seen you work a crowd.”

  “What does that mean?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing.” It wasn’t her business how he acted.

  “Come with me,” he offered.

  “I don’t think you want me with you. All those women who will be after you might not approach if I’m there.”

  He didn’t speak, just stared at her.

  Finally it sank in. “Oh, you…you don’t want them after you?”

  “Nope. Why would you think I would?”

  “You had four women on your arms at the party in Monte Carlo.”

  “Tonight I’ll have one. Don’t need any more than you. Don’t want any more.” He moved closer to her and nuzzled the side of her neck. “Don’t let me be raw meat in a shark frenzy.”

  “So you need me to save you?” She would ignore the fire in her veins. She would.

  “Please.” He nipped her earlobe. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

  Her heart pounded out of control as her mind created all kinds of scenarios in how such an offer would play out. She swiped her tongue over her lips.

  “Promise, Halyn. All kinds of worth it.”

  Okay, it was official, he could tempt the devil into giving up his kingdom. She sunk back into Enzo’s strong body. “I’ll go with you.”

  “An angel.” He skimmed his hands over her hips. “You, sweetheart, are an angel.”

  “Not really, because I plan on collecting.”

  “And here I thought your friend was upset because of your small-town values. What happened to them?”

  “Make no mistake, I still have them, I just don’t have a problem with sex and like it.”

  “No sex until marriage, what about that?”

  She couldn’t stop herself stiffening even had she tried. “If that were the case, we wouldn’t be having this conversation would we? Because Monte Carlo wouldn’t have happened.”

  “I, for one, wouldn’t change Monte Carlo for anything.” His whisper warmed her from the inside out.

  Patting his arm, she manoeuvred free to finish counting her money. They closed up the shop, then walked through town to her bank where she dropped off the deposit before they headed for their vehicles. As he had the previous night, Enzo followed her home.

  He waited for her after her shower, making himself at home on her bed. Seeing him there as she walked from the master bath drew her up short. Damn man didn’t have the right to look so good. He reclined against her headboard, shoes off, legs hooked at the ankles as he thumbed through a book she had by the bedside. She loved her bedroom, but this man improved on it considerably.

  “Comfy?”

  He peered at her from over the top of the book. “Getting there. I’d love you beside me, without clothing on.”

  Sounded pretty good to her too. She shook her head with a sigh. “Have to get going.”

  “Can I change your mind?” He put down her mystery and prowled towards her.

  Probably. “No. Besides, you were the one who agreed to go.”

  He boxed her in against the wall and nuzzled her neck. “You smell so good, Halyn. I just want to lick here”—a flick of his tongue—“and here”—another flick—“and here.”

  She whimpered as his teeth grazed along her skin. So weak, she was so weak. Halyn tilted her head to the side, granting him easier access, and he took full advantage. He was so hard, so there. She gripped the sides of his shirt and clenched to keep herself upright.

  “We have to get going.” The words were forced out, along with a slight mewl.

  She really didn’t want to go. Well, not to the dinner. She wanted to go along with what he was doing.

  Chapter Six

  Enzo tracked the woman who walked from the car ahead of him. He’d spent a wonderful time over the past week with Halyn, when she hadn’t been working. Each day in her presence made him respect her even more. She was funny, giving and she did have her small-town values, which he admired about her.

  Family was everything to her, and she always made a point to ask him how his was doing. They’d gone for dinner at Gio’s and it had been a joy to watch her interact with his niece and nephews. Jaydee seemed to like her, as well.

  He’d woken alone in his hotel room this morning with Halyn on his mind, as usual. This time, he’d thought of her with children. His children. Their children. He smiled at the thought then blew out a breath and ran his hand over his face.

  “Everything okay?” Gio asked him.

  “I don’t know. I can’t help but envision her with children.”

  Surprised when Gio didn’t laugh at him, he slanted his gaze to his older brother. Gio had a pensive expression.

  “What?”

  “Nothing. I just wondered when you would realise it.”

  Enzo frowned. “Realise what?”

  “This woman has come to mean something to you. And just so you have a heads-up, Mama knows.”

  “What? Why would you tell her that?”

  “Who said I told her anything?”

  “Jaydee wouldn’t, she doesn’t bother herself with gossip.”

  Staring at his wedding ring, Gio shrugged unrepentantly. “Perhaps you shouldn’t have answered the phone with her name when it was actually Mama on the line.”

  Damn, he’d forgotten about that. “And so of course she went to you and asked.”

  “She does know you’re here for your race. Figured you’d be staying with us. So, yes, she called.”

  “Do I want to know what you said?”

  Ahead of them, Halyn window-shopped, appearing entirely comfortable with them walking behind and talking. She looked as though she was in her own little world.

  “I told her she needed to talk to you. Don’t forget, you all showed up at Jaydee’s door and I wouldn’t want that for Halyn, especially if they find out she lives in this town and isn’t here for the festivities.”

  Enzo remembered that. It had seemed like a good idea at the time, but now that he knew Jaydee, he felt bad. It had to have been hard for her when all of them descended on her as they had.

  “That is why you’re my favourite brother.”

  Gio snorted with disbelief. “Whatever.”

  They continued walking along the storefronts. His race was tomorrow, he’d already me
t with his team and had the afternoon off today. Gio had opted to come with them and walk around while Jaydee stayed home with the babies—she didn’t really care for this kind of thing.

  They meandered along and Enzo watched as Halyn talked to his brother with ease, continuing to browse. After noticing how often she looked at a necklace, he sent Gio on ahead and stayed back to purchase it as a gift for her. With the gift box comfortably in his pocket, he hastened to catch up.

  Halyn glanced over her shoulder at him with a smile. “Where’d you go?”

  “Wanted to look at something.” He reached out and brushed his knuckles over her cheek.

  That was it. She didn’t pry anymore. In fact, she went back to her conversation with Gio. He listened in, amused, as they talked about the differences between having siblings or not.

  They took a break to sit for some ice cream. He hardened as he watched her lick her treat off her plastic spoon and moan in delight. He shifted in the chair.

  “Good?” he asked.

  “Delicious. How’s yours?”

  He flicked a glance down at his waffle bowl full of chocolate mint ice cream with fudge drizzled on top. “Hits the spot.” He lifted his chin in her direction. “What’d you get?”

  In went another spoonful. Her eyes darkened and he swore he heard a rumbling purr escape from her throat.

  “Cake batter-flavoured yogurt with the sprinkles and chocolate-covered candies you see. Want to try it?”

  Immediately he leant forwards. “Please.”

  She offered him a bit and he took it. It slid down his throat smoothly. “Damn, that’s good.”

  “I know. I like frozen yogurt better than ice cream.”

  He dipped his spoon in and held it out to her. “So you don’t want to try this?”

  She shook her head. “No, thank you, I’m good.”

  “Your loss.” He ate it, ensuring to groan aloud.

  “Tell me, Halyn, how long have you lived here?” Gio asked.

  And just like that, Enzo realised he’d been kicked from the conversation. He was thrilled his brother was making her feel comfortable, however he was also jealous—he wished to be her focus. He didn’t mind so much, he liked watching her talk, she was so expressive in everything she did.

  * * * *

  Enzo took Halyn home a little later and walked her inside. She toed off her shoes and stared up at him.

  “Do you have time for some coffee or do you have to get back?”

  “I have a little time, but I don’t need any coffee, thank you. Come sit with me.” He took her to the living room and sat on the couch before drawing her down beside him. Tucking her close, he breathed deeply and closed his eyes. “Can you come tomorrow?”

  “I don’t know. It’s a busy day for us. I’ll be watching you, though. I’ll have the television on so I’ll be able to see some.”

  He wished she could be there but he understood. It was her livelihood, and she couldn’t ignore that fact because he wanted her closer to see him.

  “Okay,” he said.

  “Mila will be there.”

  He chuckled. “I think that’s more likely to scare me than anything.”

  The dinner they’d attended at Mila’s house had been almost chaotic, as Halyn had warned him. The second they’d arrived, he’d wanted to back out and just spend time with Halyn. But he hadn’t. He’d grinned, taken pictures and signed autographs.

  “She is a force all her own, that’s for sure.”

  “Does she always flirt like that in front of her boyfriend?”

  “Yes. Don’t ask, I can’t explain it, she’s always been that way. I guess it doesn’t bother Joe.” She shrugged.

  Pushing Mila and her crazy ways from his mind, he readjusted them so Halyn almost lay upon him on the sofa.

  “When do you leave?” she asked, snuggling closer.

  Dragging his hands up and down her back, he thought about his schedule. “We have three days of racing and I’ll leave the day after we finish. So, four more.”

  “Where do you go from here?”

  “We’re going down to California for a demo show, then off to Mexico.”

  “You stay busy. Lots of travelling.”

  “Yes. Is that a problem?”

  Her head popped up and she stared at him. “Why would that be a problem for me?”

  He could hear the confusion in her voice. “I don’t want this to end, Halyn.”

  Her chuckle sounded forced and she pushed off him, sitting cross-legged at the other end of the couch. “What are you saying, Enzo? You want to start dating?”

  He furrowed his brow. “Why is that so hard to believe?”

  She lifted a shoulder a fraction and shook her head slightly. “I guess I don’t see you as the type who would want to settle down. I saw you in Monte Carlo. You love the spotlight and it loves you. The women, the cameras, all of it.”

  “What people see isn’t always necessarily the truth, Halyn.”

  “In your case?”

  “I smile and play to the crowd, doesn’t mean I want to fuck every woman who comes within arm’s reach of me.”

  She observed him for a few moments, not speaking, just watching. “I don’t want to be a story. I don’t need my parents to see my face splashed upon a tabloid with some disgusting headline.”

  He nodded, he could understand that. “I’m not as popular as, say, a quarterback for the NFL, Halyn. I’m not in the news much. Yes, in my sport I’m well known but not so much throughout the rest of this country. Not unless they follow racing.”

  She captured that plump bottom lip of hers and nibbled it as she sat there. He wanted to take it in his mouth and suck on it. Stroke his tongue deep inside, before lowering her back and…

  He cleared his throat and refocused on her. “We can keep it quiet, but I can’t promise you anonymity. Especially since the dinner with Mila the other night. And if people care to think on it, I’ve been by your store daily.”

  “I don’t know how you are on the road, Enzo but I can’t do an open relationship. I don’t share, so this won’t work if you feel the need to sleep with other women when you’re away. I just need this out in advance. I expect fidelity in a relationship.”

  He moved closer to her and placed his hand over her mouth. “I expect the same. I don’t date more than one woman at a time, this I promise you. I may flirt and smile with women, but what you saw in Monte Carlo was me unattached. With a girlfriend, I’m completely different.”

  She flicked her tongue against the palm of his hand and he moved it. A slight grin lifted the corners of her mouth. “In that case, Enzo Cassano, consider yourself saddled with a girlfriend.”

  He grabbed her and set her on his lap, her knees by his hips. “I’m already sure I like you riding me.”

  She gave a wicked smirk and pressed him back before moving down to his groin. At the first touch of her hand on his zipper, he groaned.

  “No riding tonight, but let me see if I can’t give you something to take back to your hotel room.” Her words floated like a thread of decadent, dark velvet.

  Halyn slowly undid his pants and freed his rapidly hardening member. She licked across the swollen head, cleaning off the beaded pre-cum. His scent, musky and masculine, created a throbbing in her clit. When she opened her mouth and took him in, his groan filled the air.

  She circled her tongue around the crown before sliding down his shaft. Up and down she moved, creating suction and a rhythm. He dug his hands through her hair, wrapping his fingers around her curls and beginning to thrust up into her mouth.

  Eyes closed, she enjoyed him. Lapping at him, sucking on him until his moans grew louder, she bobbed her head on his cock, alternating how hard she drew on him. She gripped him at the base, fisting him as she sucked.

  His hold on her tightened and his thrusts grew more frantic. She allowed him to get close before she backed off again, drawing out his pleasure. It didn’t take too long before he gave her a grunted warning. She sucked h
arder and soon he came in her mouth. Only when he released no more did she remove her mouth. Licking her lips, she sat back and stared at the man who reclined on her couch, his cock free of his pants, and desire in his eyes.

  He reached out and drew her to his chest, brushing his lips over her temple. Then before she knew what had happened, he’d flipped their positions and removed her pants. Her panties went next and he settled himself between her spread legs. The moment he put his mouth on her, nothing else mattered.

  * * * *

  When she woke the next morning, her entire body ached. She sat up and turned on the bedside light before drawing the covers over her naked body. Alone. She glanced at the clock, which read five-thirty. When had Enzo left? She hadn’t a clue. All she knew was it had been late. Or early, depending on how you looked at things.

  She stretched, moaning as her sore muscles complained. Her knees had carpet burn and her skin felt a bit raw from the abrasion of his facial hair. Between her legs, on her breasts. She shuddered as her body throbbed. Lord, she was pathetic, wanting more, feeling wet even after the mere thought.

  Ignoring the desire to lower her hand and bring herself some release, she rolled free of the bed and headed for her shower. She took her time, then dressed leisurely. Then she went for breakfast and left for work early, hoping being there and dealing with shop stuff would keep him from her mind. It wouldn’t do her any good to be walking around aroused all day.

  Once the race had started, she turned on the television and watched whenever she wasn’t helping a customer. She kept an eye out for the distinctive colours of Enzo’s boat. Her heart seized a few times when the boat was launched airborne.

  “Why aren’t you down there watching?”

  She looked over to see Mila standing beside her. “What are you doing here? I thought you were going to be down there?”

  “I came to get you.”

  “I have to work, Mila. I can’t go.”

  “Nonsense. You have two employees here who are more than capable to run it for you.”

  She shook her head. “It’s not right for me to tell them they have to work and then head out to watch. I can watch fine from here. Besides, I’ll be there on the final day. That’s my day off.” She gestured to the door. “Go on, enjoy yourself.”