“Yes, we have a theater. It is small but adequate. My mother likes to watch films.”
So that was how he knew the movie stars. Well, movie night would be more interesting than reading in my room or streaming movies onto my phone.
“What kind of movie do you usually watch?” Did they watch Italian films? French? Or perhaps the British comedies. Now that made me smile.
“The Godfather. I like those very much. Much machismo no?” Arms out, he bulked up his biceps.
“No. Yes, I mean. Very macho.” I couldn’t laugh. I just could not. Marco could put Al Pacino to shame with his soulful eyes. Rudolfo had poked his head out of the tack room once or twice. “I should get riding if I’m going to be ready for class today.”
“Yes, yes. I will not keep you.” But Marco still had something on his mind.
The man was so close that I could smell coffee on his breath. I was already pressed against the wood, with Tesoro nuzzling my hair. “What did you think of Gabriella?”
Okay, I was not expecting that. The breath whooshed from my chest, leaving me a bit dizzy, “Gabriella?”
“Yes, yes.” His voice roughened with impatience. “The girl who came for lunch.”
Girl?Well, if that didn’t say it all. “Yes, I remember. Well…she is very pretty.” More like ground-shaking gorgeous.
He hitched up a shoulder. “This I know. But do you think she and Gregorio….do you think she would make a good mother for my son? This is very important, no?”
“No.” The words blurted out, sharp and decisive.
Marco jerked back. “No, that is not important?”
Pushing away from Tesoro’s tickling, I shook my head to clear it. “Yes, it’s very important that the woman you choose will be someone …motherly.”
“Ah, yes. Motherly.” The firm set of his lips told me what he thought of that.
Oh, man. Deep frown lines appeared between his eyes. I was so in over my head.
“You may have already discussed this with Gabriella but if not, you might ask her how she feels about children, especially Gregorio.” Marco’s relationships were none of my business, but Gregorio was.
“Yes, of course. Very good idea.” Oh, my word. This had just dawned on him?
When Marco’s hand rasped along his chin, I could feel it in my bones. They were melting. I hadn’t felt a man’s stubble against my skin for such a long time. Too long.
His hearty clap on my shoulder took me off guard, though. In fact, it nearly sent me to the ground. Did he think I was Milo? “Very good, Profesora. Very good.” One finger came up. “But now I must go order the film, no?” And he strode off, probably to find Milo or Gregorio.
I watched him leave. How could I help it? Shoulders straight and head high, Marco walked like a king. Confident. Imperious. And totally hot.
But I wasn’t going to go there. As Rudolfo led Tesoro from her stall, I rubbed my sore shoulder. The king may have left a bruise. Then I chuckled. Who would believe this? I could almost picture the shocked look on Reena’s face. Standing at our open doorways between classes, we often compared notes. I’d love to hear what she thought of Marco. Maybe I’d send a text message and a picture.
But pictures weren’t allowed. Thank goodness Gregorio had clued me in about that.
“Signora?” Rudolfo stood at my elbow. Tesoro was waiting.
After leading my sweet mount outside, murmuring pleasantries all the way, I climbed into the saddle. Mounting came easy to me now. What a thrill it was to hoist myself up. The ground looked far away as I patted Tesoro’s neck. Weren’t we in this together?
Rudolfo came alongside me on his quarter horse. He was a man of few words but those eyes spoke volumes. I think he liked me. Maybe he felt sorry for me.
“What do we practice today? Trotting around the paddock? Cantering?” The latter had become my favorite. I loved the easy lope that Tesoro slipped into so gracefully.
We were one. Females together.
When Rudolfo gestured toward the open field, I saw that he’d opened the gate of the paddock. What was this?
“We’re going outside?” Excitement spiraled through me. This was different. This was new. Was I ready? My thighs tightened while anxiety played tic tat toe on my chest. Restless, Tesoro shifted beneath me.
