Page 72 of Above ’N’ Beyond

He cleared his throat, and Jax made a closed-mouth snorting sound, as if he, too, were clearing his throat. “You look beautiful.” His eyes dipped appreciatively down, then up her body. “I’m sorry I didn’t call you earlier. I was helping Tony with something.”

Gnocchi cavorted around Jax on the porch, landing harmless nips on the bigger dog’s flanks.

“That’s okay,” she said. “Really. I mean, I get it. If last night was a one-time thing, that’s okay. I just don’t want anything to be weird between us, particularly with you living under me.” She grimaced at her inadvertently suggestive words. “You know what I mean.”

“No. I don’t.” He took her by the arm and pushed her gently back inside as he closed the door behind all of them.

“What are you—”

“Shhh. I promise not to meow.”

He pinned her against the door, shoved his hands through her hair, and kissed her. Soundly. Deeply. Hotly, until her internal temperature soared, and her heart hammered louder than when Lou pounded out chicken breasts for chicken piccata.

As abruptly as the kiss started, it ended. Jimmy drew away, his chest heaving, the vein in his strong neck pulsing rapidly. “There’s nothing weird about living…under you.” He grinned. “Can I give you a lift?”

“Huh?” Hadn’t he just done that?

“To Paola’s. That’s where you’re headed, right?” She nodded. “Jax and I were invited, too.”

Hearing his name, Jax stepped between them, demanding to be petted, and Bella happily obliged. “Paola invited Jax?”

Jimmy shrugged. “Who am I to say no to your aunt?”

“So true.” She forced a smile she didn’t feel. “Let me put Gnocchi in his crate.” When she picked him up, he wriggled rebelliously, somehow knowing he was about to be left behind. “Sorry, baby dog.” Bella gave him one last kiss before latching the crate.

Jimmy opened the front door, then closed it again, turning to face her. A look of indecision crept to his face.

“Change your mind about going to the party?” she asked. “We could be rebellious and stay in tonight.” She slid her hands up his chest, hoping to convince him there were other, significantly more fun ways to spend the night.

“I wish.” He smiled briefly, then tugged a red jewelry box from his pocket. “I want to make up for leaving the way I did this morning.” He handed her the box. “Sorry. I didn’t have any wrapping paper.”

Bella’s mouth fell open. “That’s okay.” Seriously, because he was giving her jewelry, so who cared if the box was wrapped? She flipped open the lid. Inside was an antique gold pendant with different-colored enameled flowers surrounding a large amethyst. She picked it up by the chain, examining it more closely. “Oh, Jimmy. It’s beautiful.” And it was, the colors perfectly matching the flowers on her dress.

In reality, she wouldn’t have cared if it was the ugliest piece of jewelry in the world. Jimmy had given it to her, and that was what mattered. It said he cared about her. Maybe more than cared? So much warmth whispered through her at the thought, she worried she might be glowing.

Then again, was he only giving it to her because he was living here rent-free?

“You really like it?” He took it from her hands and undid the clasp.

“Like it? I love it.” Regardless of the motive behind his gift, she really did. She turned so he could put it around her neck. “Did you get it from one of the antique stores in town? I’ve always admired the jewelry in some of those stores.”

“Uh, yeah.” He cleared his throat. “We should go, or we’ll be late.”

When he opened the door again, she stopped him. “Wait.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. “Thank you. This was a very thoughtful gift.”

“You’re welcome.” He smiled. For some reason, the smile seemed forced. “Let’s go.”

Five minutes later, they were greeted at the front door of Paola’s house by Bettina, who wore her typically dour expression.

“Everyone is in the living room.” Bettina beckoned them inside while arching a brow at Jax, who was in the process of giving her shoes a thorough sniffing.

Jimmy snapped his fingers. “Jax, heel.”

Jax abandoned his quest for whatever was making the woman’s shoes smell so appetizing. “Good boy. Now.” He pointed a finger at Jax. “I want you to be on your best behavior tonight. When I tell you to shake hands, you shake hands. Got it?” Jax dipped his head down then up. “And if I tell you to kiss our hostess, you plant one on her cheek. Got it?” Again, Jax dipped his head but instead of raising it, he peered up at Jimmy as if he didn’t like that last command. “Jaaax?” Jax huffed then raised his head.

Bella giggled. “I swear he understands exactly what you’re saying.”

“He does. Kind of.” Jimmy touched his hand to the small of Bella’s back, urging her into the living room.