” More drinks came and we chatted. Ragu seemed decent enough. He is well mannered and it was I who gets fresh with him. I felt I can trust him n...t to spill the beans when he finally gets to bed me.I then feigned very drunk and asked him to send me home like he did to my husband.When we reached the front door I pretended to be so drunk to open the door and I handed him the key. As soon as I entered the living room I sprawled onto the couch as Ragu closed the door behind him. He then tried. Maisie glanced up, Alessandro sat sprawled across a worn leather couch, engrossed in his phone, while Gemma had curled herself against an embroidered pillow in the remaining space at the other end. ‘I thought you said you were going to set up for the game, Gem. What gives?’ Carolina said, sounding annoyed. ‘Sorry.’ Gemma looked up and shrugged. ‘Must’ve slipped my mind.’ ‘Too busy dropping stitches?’ Carolina nodded towards the knitting on Gemma’s lap. ‘Never mind. I’ll go and get us some food. It felt strange and wrong. But kinda good at the same time. “I’m not sure if I’m ready for you to play with that…” I mumbled. Feeling ashamed to deny him what he obviously wanted. He pulled back from me a little. “That’s ok honey. I wont push you until your ready.” I smiled up at him. Feeling a strange sort of love for this man that I had known nearly my whole life. “Thank you Mr. Hardy” I said to him. “Please,’ he said. “Call me Michael.” I smiled at him and a shiver went up my spine. “Ok” I. Please. I have another one anyway.” He had two phones? “I don’t think I should—I mean…are you sure?” she asked, the hand clutching the phone hovering over the nightstand. His eyes had closed and he never answered. She debated as to whether she should leave it by him anyway. Anna Maria patted her arm. “Put the phone away. I’ll have one of the boys get him another one.” Abigail nibbled her lower lip. “Oh, I don’t know. He just doesn’t remember and I feel uncomf—“ “Nonsense,” Anna Maria.