Sequel to the Within His Reach series.
~
She tries to leave the past behind.
He can't seem to escape it.
The two lovers move to Italy in the hopes of a safer life. But when the greater powers living within the orchards and vineyards make themselves...
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I trail after Nico as he walks down the thin path. I try to keep a slight distance from him, worried that he's going to try something inappropriate in the stables. As his steps start to become slower and slower, surely trying to make me walk next to him, I slow down as well. He thinks I'm daft.
I could do this for days.
"Oh come on, Kitten." He groans, turning and looking over at me. I stop my feet from moving the half-inch step. "You can't still be mad at me!" He adds, running a stressed hand through his hair as he stares back at me. I raise an eyebrow at his comment. I can't? Try me bitch. I cross my arms over my chest.
"Who are you to say what I can and can't do. If I can't be mad at you, you can't keep any more secrets from me. They're the sole reason why I'm mad at you from the start." I say, watching his face fall. He lifts one of his large hands and rubs it over his face. A deep sigh leaves his lips as he looks back at me again, letting his hand drop. I keep staring at him as he tries to persuade me with his eyes.
Something snaps in them, his defensive mannerisms dropping along with his shoulders. I untangle my arms from my body as a small smirk tug on my lips.
"Fine. Come on. I'll answer your questions." He sighs, holding an arm out for me to take. My mouth slowly turns into a smile, my eyes narrowing as I can't contain my grin. I walk down to him, cheerfully hooking my arm into his. "Now I can decide that you can't be mad at me." He adds, sending me a cheeky smile. I roll my eyes.
"Fine. For now at least." I mutter, watching his deep dimples indent his cheek. I missed seeing those. They're one of my favorite things about him. A visual representation of the happiness I can bring him, amongst others.
I think the biggest give-away is the part of him in between his legs.
I blush at the thought. That might also be correct...
"What are you thinking about?" He asks, interrupting my foul thoughts. I turn my head to him with a confused expression. "You're blushing." He adds, grinning down at me. I chuckle and drag a hand through my hair, walking down towards the stable with him. I press a hand to my cheek, feeling the slight warmth radiating from it.
"Nothing. It's probably the cold." I lie. He raises an eyebrow, narrowing his eyes slightly. He doesn't believe me. But he doesn't push the matter either. He only nods his head, using his other hand to open the large wooden stable door. I enter before him, basking in the warmth of the electric heater in here.
"You get Stella. I'll get Flavio." He says, nodding his head towards her little box. I nod back, grabbing her reins hanging from her hook. My finger caresses the little tag on her reins. Apparently, Nico made it when he was younger. That's one of the facts I gathered the first week here.
I enter her box, glancing over the wall separating the two horses. Nico leans his head against Flavio's, closing his eyes as he revels in the feeling of the warm fur. His hand strokes along the neck of the majestic creature, comforting him. I smile at the sight, turning to Stella. I pet her carefully, moving away a strand of hair covering her eyes.
