The maffiaboss who saved me

Chapter 23

Nora POV

It’s 10AM and I’ve been awake for an hour already. I’ve just read a few chapters in a book but decide it’s time to get ready. When I get in the bedroom I open the closet and search between my new clothes.

“This will do.” I say to myself as I get into the bathroom with high-waisted, dark blue trousers and a white t-shirt. I pull my hair into a high, messy bun and pull out some strands of hair around my face. Then I put on some light make-up and put on the clothes, sticking the bottom of my shirt in my pants and pulling on it a bit so it is loose. I check myself one last time in the mirror before I leave the bathroom and go into the kitchen to get myself a glass of pineapple juice. I take my juice with me to the couch and open my book once more to kill some time while I wait for Colin to pick me up. After some time I scare from the buzzing of my phone.

Colin: “Be down in 5 minutes. X”

I jump off the couch to go brush my teeth and when I get back I put on my new black blazer jacket and white sneakers before I grab my purse and go downstairs. When I open the front door I see Colin standing next to his black SUV and a smile appears on his face when our eyes meet. I close the door behind me and walk towards him, right into his arms as he pulls me into a tight hug.

“I missed you.” He sighs and he places a kiss on top of my head.

“I’m glad you’re back.” I blush and look up to him to see him turning a shade of red too on his cheeks.

“Come on, let’s get in the car and go to brunch.” Colin lets go of me and opens the door to the passenger seat so I get in and after he closes the door he gets in the driver’s seat. He pulls up in the traffic and then he rests his hand on my thigh, leaving it there for the whole ride to the restaurant. After thirty minutes we park in front of a large white, modern building. Colin gets out and walks around the car to open the door for me.

“Thank you.” I say as I get out of the car. He places his hand on my lower back and we walk to the entrance where a man in a black suit opens the door for us.

“Reservation on Davies.”

“Follow me please.” The man nods and turns around. We follow him to our table for two, next to a window overlooking the forest that’s surrounding the restaurant. The man leaves the table as soon as we both take our seat and a young lady arrives with the menus. When I look up at her she smiles at me and then her gaze goes to Colin, only to linger on his face. She goes through the recommendations but seems to only tell them to Colin instead of the both of us. Colin doesn’t seem to notice it and only looks at me but I can’t help feeling a dash of jealousy.

“Do you need a moment to decide?” She asks, her body turned to Colin and only giving me a short look.

“Don’t you want to look at the menu first?” She asks me surprised as I hand her back the menu.

“I’m going to let him decide, he knows what I like.” I fake a smile and I’m pretty sure she heard the snappy undertone in my voice because her face speaks volumes. I hear Colin smirk softly before she turns back to him.

“We will take the deluxe brunch, extra bacon, an espresso for me and a green tea with mint for the young lady.” Colin tries to suppress his laughter.

“Coming right up.” The waitress fakes a smile again and walks away.

“What are you grinning at?” I laugh and look Colin straight in the eyes.

“Nothing.” He shrugs with a smile on his face, twinkling in his eyes.

“I sounded jealous, didn’t I?” I blush ashamed. Colin leans forward and takes my hand in his.

“Were you?” He asks me and it makes me blush even harder.

“Maybe.”

“Don’t be ashamed of it. I would probably get protective too if it was a man and he was staring at you the way she was staring at me.” He admits and somehow that makes me feel good.

“You would?” I grin and he chuckles. While we wait for the food to arrive we talk about how the past few days have been for us. I tell him what I have done and that I visited the hotel again to see Mrs. Miller and her son. The food arrives just as I ask him about his trip and he seems relieved that the waitress interrupted us. She places all the dishes on the table, trying to avoid our gazes in the meantime.

“This looks so delicious.” I gasp excited and I lick my lips.

“You know what I said about that, baby doll.” Colin raises his eyebrow.

“Oh, yes I remember. It makes you want to kiss them.” I say in a sassy tone and his jaw clenches. I grab a strawberry and bring it to my mouth, slowly placing my lips around it before I take a bite of it and I notice Colin inhaling deeply.

“Don’t make me take you back to the car.” He warns me and I snap out of my teasing mode.

“You’re right, that would be such a waste of good food.” I smile and he shakes his head laughing. We both fill up our plate and chat around while we enjoy this amazing food.

After we’re both finished one of the waiters comes to collect the dishes and offers some coffee.

“One cappuccino and a mint tea please.” Colin tells the waiter before he turns his attention back to me.

“How about a night out tonight at Bocadero? Bring Eliza with you, my brothers will be joining us too.”

“That sounds good, I’ll text her to let her know.” I grab my phone to send her a text and put it back in my purse.

“And then there’s something else I want to talk to you about, Nora.” Colin leans a bit forward and lays his hand on mine. I look at him nervously, not knowing what he’s about to say.

“Since the first time I saw you I was drawn in to you and these few days that I’ve been away I had time to think things through. I’m just going to get straight to the point. I like having you near me and I’m excited for next week that you’re going to be near me during work. But I want more, I want to have you by my side after work too. How do you like the idea of moving in with me?” I see the hopeful look on his face but I’m stunned. We get interrupted for a moment as the waiter arrives with our drinks. He places it on the table and leaves again.

“Colin, we’ve known each other for a week. And don’t get me wrong, I really like spending time with you and being around you does things to me that I haven’t felt in a very long time. But what if it doesn’t work out? Are you going to put me back on the street?” I feel overwhelmed by the idea. Not that I don’t like the idea, it would be pleasant to spend more time together.

“Nora, you know that I wouldn’t throw you out like that. And besides, if that makes you more comfortable, you can take the spare room. You don’t have to sleep in the same bed with me if you don’t want to. I know that it’s not a burden for Eliza to let you stay with her, but the two of you sleeping in the same bed is taking its toll on you, I can see it on your face.” He says with sincere concern in his voice.

“I have to think about it.” I squeeze his hand and give him a reassuring smile which he returns with a smile of his own.

“Don’t rush it, I just wanted to give you the option.” I relax at his words and take a sip from my tea.

“So is there anything else you want to do today?” Colin asks and drinks his coffee.

“Well... I would like to visit Earl in his bakery, just to see how he’s doing.”

“Then to Earl we go. I’ll get the check and then we’ll drive to the bakery.” Colin smiles and it makes me so comfortable and happy that nothing seems too much for him. Dan on the other hand never wanted to go to Earl with me, it wasn’t fancy enough for him. Colin gets up and walks to the counter to pay and when I get up and look out of the window I take a closer look at the edge of the forest. I blink a few times to make sure I’m not imagining anything and I gasp when I realise there’s a man in a black suit and sunglasses disappearing into the woods.

“Is everything okay, baby doll?” I feel Colin’s hand on my back and jump up a little.

“Yes, everything is fine. I thought I saw something outside but I probably just imagined it.” I smile and turn around to go to the car. Colin just frowns when he stares out of the window and shrugs before he follows after me.

Back at the car, Colin opens the door for me to get in before he gets in the driver’s seat and heads off to Earl’s. During the ride he rests his hand on my thigh as usual and I lay my hand on top of his. He turns his hand and strangles his fingers through mine, giving me butterflies once again. After fifteen minutes we arrive at the bakery and Colin parks in front of it. He opens the door for me to let me get out and strangles his fingers through mine again when we go inside. It’s quite calm for a saturday afternoon and Earl isn’t standing behind his counter. When I look around I see him sitting at a table, facing me and he smiles when he notices us.

“Oh hi there!” He says enthusiastically and then I see the woman who’s sitting in front of Earl turning her head.

“Chelsey?” I ask her surprised and walk towards her. She gets up and pulls me into a hug.

“What are you doing here?” I ask her and her face turns red and she looks at Earl.

“I invited her. She’s been here a few times and we really get along together.” Earl says with a wide smile on his face. I raise one eyebrow when I notice the look on Chelsey’s face and start to smile too.

“Is there something you need to tell me?” I grin and she sighs.

“Oh you know me too damn well, Nora! I’m too old to take much time for things and Earl has been so sweet for me and Henry. He offered us to come live with him.” She explains herself and I gasp excited.

“That’s great! I’m so happy for you.” I pull her into another hug and look over her shoulder at Earl.

“You’re the best.” I form silently with my mouth and he nods. Chelsey lets go of me and turns to Colin.

“Thank you sir for all you’ve done for me.” Chelsey takes Colin’s hands in hers and he smiles.

“You’re more than welcome, Mrs. Miller. I’m glad you found a new safe haven.” He tells her and shows once again what a beautiful soul he has.

“Let’s celebrate, drinks on me.” I say and Earl walks to his counter.

“Make some of your delicious juices, Colin needs to try one of those.” I tell Earl and he starts making them as I take place at the table together with Colin and Chelsey. Earl sits down too after he placed the drinks on the table. Colin sips from his glass.

“This is really good, sir.” He compliments Earl.

“Thank you, it’s a family recipe.” Earl whispers and we all start laughing. We just sit there with the four of us and talk for about an hour until Colin taps his hand on my thigh and looks at me.

“Shall I take you home so you can get ready for tonight?”

“Good idea.” I smile at him and get up.

“Enjoy the rest of your day together and tell Henry I said hi.” I say to Chelsey.

“I will, dear. Enjoy your night.” She smiles. Colin and Earl shake hands before we leave and get back to the car. After we have driven for about five minutes I notice a white SUV is following us and I start to shift in my seat nervously.

“What’s wrong, baby doll?” He squeezes my thigh. I look again in the side view mirror and notice the SUV taking a left turn and I relax again.

“Nothing, I just need to pee really bad.” I lie, although it hurts me to lie to him.

“We’re almost there.” He smiles and I smile back. A few minutes later he stops at Eliza’s apartment building and lets me out of the car.

“I’ll pick you up at 10pm.” He pulls me into his arms and kisses the top of my head.

“Okay, I’ll make sure we’re ready.” I kiss him on his cheek.

“Drive home safe will you?” I look up at him and he looks confused.

“Why would you say that? You’ve been in a car with me, Nora. You know how I drive.” He laughs and I try to smile.

“I don’t know, just be careful okay?”

Colin nods and lets me walk away to the door. As I unlock the door I look over my shoulder and watch Colin pull up in traffic, relieved that the white SUV is nowhere to be seen.