Dark Shadows (Gia Santella Crime Thrillers Book 11) by Kristi Belcamino (best motivational novels txt) 📗

saw. “Hannah is a film student,” he explained. “She worked two jobs all last year to afford this trip after winning two tickets to the festival. The rest of us are all just along for the ride. But for her, this is it—the dream-come-true thing.”

Hannah gave an unconvincing smile and sat up straighter, shaking her head.

“It’s okay.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I’m still having a really good time with all of you.”

I don’t know if anyone else caught it, but her eyes darted to Lucas.

He didn’t even really look at her.

My heart broke.

Don’t do it, Gia. It’s a bad idea. Keep your trap shut.

And still I said it, “Hey, I have this big villa up in the hills all to myself this week and, frankly, it’s a little fucking lonely and creepy up there by myself. You are all welcome to crash there.”

Hannah actually gasped. Amanda’s eyes grew wide and then narrowed.

The guys all whooped. Owen guy threw his fist in the air and said, “Hells to the yes.”

Amanda crossed her arms, pouting. I saw Owen lean down and whisper something to her. Her face reddened, and she said something angrily. Even with a free place to stay, she wanted nothing to do with me. Oh, well.

Conner squeezed my thigh, and I reached down and moved his hand even higher.

Hannah shook her head and blinked at me. “Are you sure?”

I nodded. “Yeah.” I said and shrugged. Was I? Fuck if I knew. But it was a done deal.

I ordered another round and then paid the bill.

While we waited, I asked Hannah about film school.

She was so excited to be in Southern France. Not just in Cannes for the festival, but near the settings where some of her favorite movies had been filmed. Just up the coast was where A Deadly Union had been filmed, she said.

“Have you seen it?”

I shook my head.

“It’s called Noces Rouge in French or Crimson Wedding,” she said. “It is set in the most amazing limestone cliffs. The highest sea cliffs in Europe. I’m going to see them for sure.”

She went on about the movie, giving me an in-depth synopsis. I loved her enthusiasm and listened avidly. When she was done, she took a deep breath and then looked at me as if she was embarrassed.

“Did I bore you?”

“Not at all,” I said. “I loved hearing you talk about it. So cool.”

She smiled.

“I’ll watch it for sure.”

A few minute later, after downing my tequila, I stood.

“I’m beat. You guys are welcome to stay longer, though. I can give you the address and my phone number. That way you can show up whenever you want, and I’ll let you in.”

Conner immediately stood. “I’m coming with you.”

Of course you are.

To my surprise, they all scrambled to their feet and said they were ready to go as well. They trailed after me out of the club.

Outside, at the valet, Conner stayed by my side and then hopped into my Jeep. I didn’t mind. I saw Amanda scowl.

I waited on the side of the road for the rest of them to pile into their white Chevy Tahoe. Conner’s mouth was hot on my throat, lifting my hair up, and making me sigh.

“You can’t do that while I’m driving, or I’ll drive right off a cliff,” I said.

He laughed and sat back, but his fingers traced electric patterns along my thigh the entire drive back to the villa, sending shock waves through me. Somehow, despite this, I managed to stay on the road and keep sight of the oversized vehicle in my rearview mirror as the road climbed the hills leading to the villa.

7

Once we pulled into the wide driveway, I parked and jumped out of the Jeep. Without waiting for Conner to catch up to me on the front porch, I tapped the code into the pad that unlocked the door and disarmed the alarm system.

I didn’t think it was a good idea to give them the alarm code.

Conner shouldered a backpack and stood waiting with me as the others made their way up the stairs, carting suitcases and duffel bags.

“Holy shit,” one of the guys said.

The dark-haired emo couple brought up the rear.

Once they were all in the foyer, I pointed toward the staircase.

“I’m in the room at the end of the hall on the upper right, but feel free to make yourself at home in any other bedroom. I think there are six or so, not sure. I’m going out to the pool for a while before bed. The refrigerator is stocked, and there’s a full bar, too. Help yourself. Consider yourselves my guests and make yourselves at home.”

I saw them exchange wide-eyed glances. It made me happy. Especially when I’d heard that Hannah had saved all year for this trip.

They hesitated for a second and then made for the stairs. Conner paused. Then he dropped his backpack at the foot of the stairs and walked toward me.

I liked that he wasn’t making any assumptions. I also liked how bold he was.

Shy or uncertain guys weren’t going to do it for me. Not now. Not at this point in my life. I wanted take-charge men. I didn’t have time or patience for anything else.

He took my face in his hands and kissed me hard, pushing me up against the wall until his entire body was pressed up against mine. After a while, I realized we were going to have to take it somewhere else or cool off. I wasn’t ready to turn in for the night yet, so I placed both my palms on his chest and gently pushed him away.

“Easy, sailor. We’ve got all night.”

He pulled back and stared down at my mouth, breathing heavily and shaking his head.

“Where have you been all my life?”

I laughed. “You were doing so well up until then. Save the lines for the girls who need to hear them.”

We headed into the kitchen then, and I made us Mojitos and headed to the pool.

After a while, the others came outside