The Bounty Hunters: The Marino Bros.: Box Set (54 page)

“Hey, B . . . Izzy!” he called. Crap! He’d almost slipped. She seemed not to notice, and he could always claim he was about to call her babe.

“So you got everything taken care of?” she nodded towards the truck as he shut his door. She was acting strangely, and not making eye contact. He began to worry. If she’d seen the case would she guess what was inside?

“What’s the matter?” He wasted no time. He felt like he wouldn’t have enough of it with her.

“Um, well when they came with the tow truck, this is going to sound stupid,” she interrupted herself shaking her head in embarrassment, “I just got worried you might not come back. Stupid right?”

“You’re not stupid,” he smiled taking a step towards her. He had the urge to pull her into his arms.

“But then your bag was here, so I knew you’d be back, just . . .” Her voice trailed off as she tried to find the right words. She’d been worried he’d leave right away. She liked him a lot. Knew he had friends he’d been going to see in Gatlinburg and thought he might change his mind about sticking around for a few days. She hadn’t realized how incredibly lonely she’d been until she’d met him.

“What is it, Izzy?” he asked glancing at his bag quickly.

“I know you have friends you are planning on seeing . . . It’s just, well, despite how we met, it’s been, um, nice having you around,” she finished lamely not knowing how to express the myriad of emotions that engulfed her.

Taking her chin in his hand, he lifted her face to meet his eyes. “It’s been really nice.” His voice was gruff, thick with passion and emotion. Her eyes dilated in response to his words. The attraction they felt for each other was there, always there. “I called my friends,” he got closer. “Told them I wouldn’t be making it after all,” he lied.

“You. . .” Her words were lost by his kiss, and she threw her arms around him. She had no idea what this meant. Knowing he was just on a vacation to visit some college buddies, her heart could not help but soar. She had just a bit more time with this incredibly handsome stranger before she faded from his memory, and he walked out of her life.

When the kiss ended, and Blaze looked down on Bella, he thought he saw her green eyes shimmer, but she blinked before he could be sure, “I didn’t ask, but if it’s okay, and from that kiss I think it is, I’d like to stay a few more days, Izzy.”

“My name is Isabella,” she blurted. She didn’t know what possessed her to tell him, but she somehow wanted him to say her name, her real name.

He smiled down on her knowing this was important. This was her trusting him just a bit more. “Isabella,” he tested her name out loud. “I’m Italian. I like it. Isabella, my Bella,” he added shortening her name and elongating it. The smile she gave him told him she was happy, very happy with his response. “You are beautiful Bella.”

“Blaze. I am glad you are staying. I know you’re just passing through and you’ll be gone soon, but even if it’s just a few days, I want you to know I’m fine with that.” She didn’t want Blaze to think she’d try to hold on to him longer, she was prepared to take only what he was willing to give. She couldn’t make any promises and it was only fair to be as truthful as she could.

“I’m glad, Bella.” Her smile was radiant. “I’ll have to go home in a few days, but I’d like to spend that time with you. Better than swapping old baseball stories and complaints about old professors over cheap beer.”

Bella didn’t know what to say. Hearing him say her real name thrilled her, but she also felt something crack a little in the region in her heart. She knew this wouldn’t end well for her, but knowing her life would be difficult for at least a few years, she would make do with a few days, and cherish these memories for a lifetime if needed. She was going to seize this opportunity, and like her mother had told her before she died; she was going to follow her heart on this one.

Fireworks

B
laze was so
confused by his feelings, and to shake off his mixed up emotions, he pulled back from her and teased her. “I hope you don’t get mad. But I brought way more than was on your list.” He needed to think about this more later.

She smiled and arched one eyebrow at him suspiciously. “What did you do?” she asked, noticing the very large cardboard box in the back of the truck for the first time.

“I bought you a refrigerator. And please don’t worry, it wasn’t too expensive. I’d be spending more at the hotel I was going to stay at.”

“You didn’t!” she remarked, shocked at first. “You didn’t have to do that. You’ve got to let me pay you for it. I was going to buy one soon anyhow.”

“Nope. No way, and please don’t argue with me on this. You needed it. I’m here staying with you free of charge, and I insist.” He shook his head vehemently and began to walk towards the back of the truck with Bella on his heels.

“But, how are we going to get it in?” she mused aloud.

Blaze burst out laughing, thinking of something Gio might have said if he had heard her make that comment. Bella was looking at him strangely, obviously not getting the joke. “It’ll be easy, I’ll pull the truck right up to the porch. With the gate down over the steps, I’ll just slide it straight in.” Again he laughed, and again she gave him a strange look. He continued, “You keep the door wide open, and I’ll push until it’s all the way inside.” Her eyes went wide, and she burst out laughing finally understanding his meaning when his voice dropped down to a husky octave.

“Oh, my god! Pig,” she laughed. “But that does sound like it would work.”

“It’ll work all right,” he winked at her. “We will try it now, and later.” Bella shook her head and blushed at his double-entendre.

“I’ll get the door, and clear a path, and you bring the truck around. But for that juvenile behavior, I might not let you slide it in so easily.”

Now it was Blaze’s turn to be shocked. He stared at Bella and she was blushing from root to tip at her own joke, but God she looked adorable, and he loved her teasing him in return. This was something he could get used too.

“We will see about that. I am pretty irresistible. But, Bella, let’s get the refrigerator inside first and then we can see just how hard you can try to resist me.” She was shaking her head, and smiling. “I bought food too, and some of it needs to be refrigerated,” he added to hurry them up. He was suddenly anxious to get Bella inside.

*     *     *

They had the
fridge and all the food unpacked within the hour. Bella was flabbergasted by all he bought. He’d even showed her what he purchased for tomorrow, which was the Fourth, and she hadn’t even recalled what day of the week it was let alone the month. Her days had all blurred together. The Fourth of July, she hadn’t even thought about that day. It was her birthday. She’d be twenty-five, and she would get to share it with Blaze even though she didn’t plan on telling him it was her birthday.

She was also shocked by the man’s generosity, and insisted she pay for some of the groceries. He wasn’t staying long from what she gathered, and knew he shouldn’t, though she didn’t mention it. He’d never eat all the food he bought in two or three days.

Blaze didn’t push his luck. Money was no object for him; he did very well as part owner in The Marino Bros. Bail and Bonds. But, he couldn’t tell her that. His only answer was he would take forty dollars, no more.

Bella knew he had paid much more, but acquiesced. She didn’t want to make it an issue, but she also didn’t want him to feel like she couldn’t take care of herself. She had money, yes she needed to stretch it, but what he purchased would last her weeks. Plus, she planned on starting her own garden, and maybe get a few chickens, and hens to save and conserve what she had.

When he showed her the grill, she just laughed. He was way too generous. But, when he fired it up and made her delicious cheeseburgers for dinner, while she tossed together a fresh salad, she wasn’t about to complain.

After dinner, bellies sated, they went outside to enjoy the sunset, and to pass a bit of time. Blaze suggested a glass of wine, and surprised her yet again. He had purchased six bottles for her. He cracked one open, and they sipped the delicious pinot and talked into the darkness.

*     *     *

Blaze was thrilled
with her confidences. She was opening up, talking about her mom and her aunt, and letting him know how tragedy had struck her not once, but twice this past year. He knew it was three times, but he didn’t expect her to mention the robbery. He confided in her about the loss of his parents as well.

He was surprised when he choked up a bit in the telling, as it had been so long ago. She came and sat beside him on the porch and they shared a tender kiss.

Eventually they got around to discussing their past experiences. After pouring another glass of wine for each of them, he spoke first. He’d told her about Nicole, about finding her sleeping with someone else. He admitted it didn’t bother him when he caught her with a woman, but it hurt so badly because she was a close friend to them both.

Bella told him about Anthony. The initial attraction had faded quickly, and even though she dated him over a year, she knew rather quickly he was not the person she could spend her life with. He was too immature, had no direction, and needed to be constantly surrounded by people and attention. She liked quiet times, just two people being together.

Blaze didn’t know why he asked his next question. It just came out. “What kind of man do you see yourself with in the future?” He needed to know, and he didn’t know why. He was beginning to think of a future with her possibly in it. It terrified him.

He could see the buildup of moisture in her eyes, and knew this would be a hard question for her. He was sure she was picturing her life alone.

When she didn’t answer, he asked another question hoping it would encourage her to tell her tale. It didn’t. She shook her head, and looked down, wiping the tears from her eyes.

“I’m sorry Bella. I probably shouldn’t have asked. I don’t know what this is between us, but, I do like you. I like you a lot. I just want to get to know you better.” He didn’t want his questions to hurt her, but he could see they had.

“Please stop, Blaze. I’m enjoying this time with you very much. More than you will ever know . . . but there is probably no future for us. You don’t even live in this area, and this is where I’m making my life.” Her voice got stronger as she spoke, and she was able to meet his eyes eventually. She didn’t want to mislead him. She wanted to be as honest as she could.

It pained him; she was using the past tense like he was gone, and already preparing for him to leave her life even though he understood why. It still bothered him, but he wanted to give her hope.

“Bella. I’m not that far. I think I’d like to keep in touch, maybe we can. . .” She was shaking her head.

“No, please, can we just enjoy the here and now, and let the future take care of itself.” Getting up and brushing the debris of the porch off her pants, she’d had to stop him. She didn’t want to give him false hope. She knew she was falling for him, and didn’t expect him to fall for her and make promises she couldn’t let him keep.

“Okay, Bella.” Blaze knew when to quit, but he was surprised at how hurt he felt. She had turned from him, and was rubbing her hands up and down her arms. The night air had a chill tonight, and he hadn’t realized the wind had picked up some. He smelled electricity in the air, and a second later, he felt the first plop of rain. Then a clap of thunder roared, and lightening sizzled directly overhead in the night and brought lightness to the dark.

Bella jumped at the booming crescendo. These summer storms came up suddenly in the hills, and they still frightened her as if she were a child. She turned around and flung herself against Blaze. He immediately grasped her, shocked at first, and held her close as he steered her inside. He could feel her heart beating in her chest. “Are you afraid of storms, Bella?” How easy it was to call her by that name. It was how he always thought of her, and she was beautiful. His Bella.

“Yes.” She shivered against his chest, hanging on for dear life.

“Can I do something to make you forget about the storm outside?” he whispered into her hair.
And the storm inside your heart
?