Damaged Before Christmas

Chapter Thirteen

Antonio was kissing me and as much as I fought with myself as half of me wanted to pull away and let him go while the other half wanted to let him in and be completely at his mercy. His arms wrapped around my waist as he deepened the kiss. I didn't kiss him back straight away as the shock of him actually kissing me had me standing against him like a statue. My hands were resting on his arms which were solid of so many muscles. I felt his muscles through the sleeves of his jacket. I heard him moan as he tightened his hold around my waist.

"Iona," Antonio whispered when he finally stopped the kiss. He didn't step away from me instead he moved one of his hands until it rested against my cheek. "I wanted you since the first time that I saw you."

I opened my mouth to say something but he took the opening and kissed again and thrust his tongue into my mouth. His tongue duelled with mine as he explored the inside of my mouth and fought with my tongue for control. I moaned into his mouth and found that I was moving my hands further up until I got them at the back of his head.

Oh my goodness his hair was so soft as I tangled my fingers through his hair and giving it a good tug towards me. Antonio groaned as he stepped closer into me. My brain was screaming at me to stop the kiss but my traitorous body was screaming for me to give in to this glorious specimen of a man.

Antonio finally broke off the kiss as we both needed oxygen desperately. We were both breathing hard as we just stood in each other's arms before Antonio took a step back and releasing me. I suddenly felt cold as I wrapped my arms around myself trying to keep the warmth that I felt in his arms. I watched as Antonio ran his hand through his already messed hair from where I had grabbed it. He broke eye contact with me and turned and walked out of my home closing the door firmly behind him.

I stood there looking at the door wondering what was going on now since he just left after giving me the most amazing kiss that I have ever had without saying anything. After what it seems like hours of me just standing there going over everything that was said and done tonight.

I sighed before turning from my front door and walked down to my bedroom. I climbed into my bed with the smell of Antonio on my jammies and tried to get settled. When I finally fell asleep I tossed and turned as my dreams gave me no peace as they were filled with scenarios that featured Antonio. I think I dreamt of everything that could've gone wrong tonight. Did he suddenly decide that he didn't want me the way he had told me repeatedly? or did he think that I wanted him too much that I wasn't worth it anymore?

The next morning I woke from my restless dreams to find the bed in an absolute mess with the sheets all over the place and the duvet on the floor. I didn't feel rested at all since my brain had me going everything that had happened since I came to this town and met Antonio.

I threw my legs over the edge of the bed and sat up on the bed. I ran my hands over my face before deciding that I wasn't going to dwell on the thoughts I had of him anymore. I walked into the bathroom and jumped in the shower. Once I was clean and dried I walked back into the bedroom and found clothes that would keep me cool enough for my shift at the bakery. I decided on pale skinny jeans that would tuck nicely into the new snow boots that I had to order as soon I arrived in town. I pulled on a lose Christmas t-shirt that I had been saving for Christmas day.

Once I was dressed I went into the kitchen to make a cup of tea before I did anything else as I couldn't think straight without it. I switched the kettle on and got a mug from the cupboard and grabbed a teabag from the box on the counter. I leaned against the counter waiting on the water to boil. As I waited for the kettle to finish my thoughts turned yet again to the kiss that I shared with Antonio and realised that I would have to talk to him about it.

I jumped when the kettle clicked off letting me know the water had boiled. I poured the water into the mug and dunked the teabag a few times before throwing it in the rubbish before adding a good couple of heaped spoonfuls of sugar and milk. I closed my eyes as I brought the tea up to my nose and took a deep breath in of the aroma before taking a sip.

I was taking another sip of my tea when I heard my phone go off in my pocket. I put the mug down and pulled my phone from my pocket. I looked at the screen and saw that Holly was phoning me. I frowned as she doesn't call me when she was at the bakery. I swiped and lifted the phone to my ear.

"Hey, Holly, what's up?" I asked trying to sound upbeat.

"Iona, so glad I've got you in," Holly half-shouted down the phone. She sounded stressed to the max.

"Holly, what's wrong? You sound stressed out," I asked her once she managed to stop talking.

"I know you're not meant to be in until later but any chance you can come down and help me out?" Holly asked.

"Sure, I wasn't doing anything. Give me five minutes and I'll be there," I said as I walked around the flat gathering what I needed like my purse and keys.

"Thanks, oh heads up. Antonio is here as well as it's really busy and people are asking about the new coffee we have on sale." I stopped as soon as she said her brother's name.

I wanted to tell her that I had suddenly remembered something, anything to not go and face Antonio but I couldn't let her down and I had already given her my word that I would be in early to help out.

I sighed and pinched the bridge across my nose. "I'll be there shortly, I'm leaving now," I said before disconnecting the call and walked out the door.

I walked into the bakery and saw the place completely mobbed with bodies. I went onto my tiptoes to try and catch a glimpse of Holly. I saw her busy with customers and looking frazzled as she moved with grace and fast as she served each customer. She looked over to where I stood and smiled at me and a glanced towards the back of the store.

I looked towards where she was indicating and the man who haunted my dreams and my waking thoughts stood looking at me. I felt my cheeks heat as I dropped my glance before working my way through the crowd to drop off my jacket and purse. As I worked my way around the customers that were waiting to order I was suddenly aware that I was taller than everyone apart from Holly and Antonio which made me stifle a small giggle.

I managed to get to the coat rack and took off my jacket and placed my purse behind the counter. I grabbed my apron and tied it around my waist. I turned towards the front of the shop and felt eyes on me. I shivered as I felt Antonio watching me as I got ready to work. I looked around and his eyes caught mine. I felt trapped by his gaze as he ran his eyes over the length of me before bringing them back up to my eyes. I shivered again and couldn't look away as he started walking towards me. I held my breath as I let my eyes look him over. He was wearing a Santa hat with a dark green t-shirt and pale blue distressed looking jeans.

He stopped in front of me and flashed me the smile that I had only seen once before and that was when he helped me on my last shift. He went to step closer and raised his hand to cup my cheek. I briefly closed my eyes and leaned into his touch. He moved closer as he bent his head towards mine.

"Iona, thank goodness you're here," Holly said as I snapped out of the trance I was in with Antonio.

I grabbed Antonio's hand and brought his hand away from my cheek. I gave him a small smile trying to tell him that it was OK. I peeked around him and saw Holly standing there with a smile on her face.

"I'm here, I'm coming," I said giving her my best smile. I went to move without realising that I was still holding Antonio's hand. I walked towards Holly when I felt my hand being tugged backwards. I lost my balance as I spun to see what I was caught on but I was caught in two big strong arms. I looked up and saw Antonio looking down at me.

"You're not getting away that easily from me, honey," he whispered into my ear. I shivered which made him smile more. I tried to get out of his grip but all it did was make him tighten his grip.

"Antonio, I need to go and help Holly, she's stressed and there are customers that need serving," I reasoned with him.

I watched as he looked over my head and checked on his sister. He smirked as he watched the coming and going of the customers and Holly running around looking stressed out.

"OK, I'll let you go but we have unfinished business, Iona," he said as he bent to whisper in my ear once again.

I released the breath that I was holding as I felt his arms loosen from around me. I went to turn from him when I heard him laugh loudly. I stopped moving when I saw everyone turn to see where the laughter came from. I felt my cheeks heat up to a point I thought they would burst into flames.

I hated being the centre of attention and that's exactly what I was at the moment. I went to walk away when I was pulled back and turned back towards Antonio.

"Remember what I said, Iona," He said suddenly said seriously before giving me another heated kiss in front of his sister and our customers. I closed my eyes and melted into him as he moved his arms to wrap around my waist gathering me up to him. My hands found their way into his hair as he had lost the Santa hat and gripped making him growl.

I was so lost in the kiss that I didn't hear Holly clear her throat the first time. She cleared her throat louder making me and Tony pull apart panting for air. "WOW, I knew there was something between you two but I need help here," Holly said smiling and gesturing towards the customers.

I gave her a small smile as I pulled out of Antonio's arms and walked towards her. I was sure I looked like a bright red tomato as I walked past the customers and went behind the counter.

I busied myself with getting the customers orders together trying not to avoid the looks that I was getting from Holly. I caught a glimpse of Antonio as he smiled to himself before sticking the red and white hat back onto his head and walked towards the customers that were sitting around at the tables.

I was busy making a coffee when Holly came up to me. "You are going to have to fill me in about what is going on with you and my brother," Holly whispered to me as she stood beside me. "I have never seen him like this and I didn't know he had it in him."

"I will tell you everything when you come over later," I said as I finished the coffee and turned to the customer. I gave the customer their order with a smile and glanced towards where Antonio stood talking to one of the other customers. I smiled as he looked my way and smiled back.

I quickly looked away when a customer came up to the counter and asked for one of my coffees and a slice of cake. I quickly filled their order when Antonio walked up to the counter and leaned on it. I wanted to repeat the kiss from earlier but we were still busy and I didn't want to jinx the thing that we had going on, whatever the thing was.

"So, Iona, what have you got planned for after your shift?" Antonio asked me looking at me.

"Erm, I have Holly coming over as she wants to know what is going on with things and have a drink. Why?" I said trying to sound not bothered.

"That's a shame as I thought that you would free as I wanted to take you out to talk about things," Antonio said sounding slightly upset. "Well, I'm just going to sort it that Holly is busy tonight and get you to come out with me instead."

I felt my mouth fall open after his announcement. "You can't do that!" I proclaimed as he laughed and walked towards Holly who stood talking to a customer.

I couldn't look away as he walked up to Holly and whispered in her ear which made them both look towards me. I grabbed a cloth and wiped down the counter as Holly patted her brother on his stomach before walking over to where I was trying to keep busy.

"So, Antonio tells me that we need to change the night I come over," Holly said leaning on the counter and smiling.

"We had plans first, I can't believe that you are happy about rearranging just because your brother wants to take me out instead," I said wiping the same bit of counter that I had already cleaned.

Holly grinned before leaning closer to me. "I can come over tomorrow and get all the juicy details about your date with my brother, plus I will bring wine and food."

I groaned as Antonio walked over to where I was standing with Holly and flashed that smile of his which I had found out made me weak in the knees.

"So, I will pick you up at seven and we can take it from there," Antonio said giving me a wink before leaning over the counter and planting a chaste kiss on my cheek. I rubbed the cheek that he kissed which made him smile even more before going and grabbing his coat and leaving the bakery.

I turned towards Holly and saw her trying to keep a straight face and trying to keep the laughter at bay.

"So it looks like I have a date tonight," I groaned as my mind went into overdrive as to what to wear.