Mia's Heart (The Paradise Diaries)

by Courtney Cole

  I take a bite and instantly am in love with Marionette. I tell her that and she laughs.

  “Oh, you fell in love with me long ago, little one,” she grins, before she pats my arm and glides away to wipe off a cabinet. “I’m French. Everyone loves me.”

  I don’t know what that has to do with anything, but it makes me smile anyway. I consider that as I look around. This kitchen reminds me of a giant farm kitchen, but is filled with every modern convenience. It’s comfortable in here. I could stay in here forever.

  My mother, however, must feel differently.

  “Mia, I’m going to go unpack,” she tells me. “If you need me, Marionette will show you to my room.”

  I nod and watch her walk away. She doesn’t seem very happy to be here. But then again, she doesn’t seem all that happy to be anywhere. I wonder why. And then I wonder if I ever knew why.

  Marionette watches me.

  “Your mother worries about you,” she says quietly. “I know you don’t believe that, but it is true.”

  I am startled. “I don’t believe that?” I ask curiously. “Do my mom and I have issues?”

  It’s Marionette’s turn to look startled, like a cat who swallowed a canary.

  “Uh. Not necessarily,” she says slowly. “Just typical teenager and mother things. Nothing big.”

  But she turns and focuses very hard on cleaning the already spotless stone counters. I narrow my eyes suspiciously, but I don’t say anything. Clearly, she doesn’t want to say anything else.

  “Is it alright if I go for a walk outside?” I ask her politely. She turns and smiles.

  “Little girl, you don’t have to ask permission. This is your home, for as long as you need it to be. Feel free to walk anywhere you would like to walk.”

  I smile and impulsively turn and hug her. She’s the warmest person that I’ve met so far. She seems surprised, but she hugs me back tightly. Her tiny arms are surprisingly strong.

  “It’s good to have you here,” she tells me and I swear that her faded eyes are wet. But she turns away again before I can tell for sure.

  I make my way outside through the back terrace doors.

  I look around and sigh contentedly. If there was ever a nirvana, this is it. Giliberti House is like an oasis in the middle of the country. Rolling hills surround us, swaying trees encircle us and the smell of fresh flowers assails my senses. It’s an enchanting place.

  And then I hear it.

  Whistling.

  A song with no words and no real melody.

  I perk my ears and try to find where it is coming from.

  I walk past the back gardens and over the shady lane leading down to what looks to be a set of barns. And then I see him.

  Sweet. Mother. Of Mary.

  A muscular guy with sandy blonde hair is shirtless and there are so many muscles rippling that I can’t even count them all. He is working with a gigantic horse and he is whistling.

  And I am panting.

  Holy crap.

  Do I know this guy??

  I am frozen as I watch his biceps flex and move. He looks to be about my age. He’s got broad shoulders, slim hips and he’s really tall. He’s wearing cowboy boots.

  Cowboy boots.

  Who is he??

  My curiosity is firmly piqued, so I decide to just find out. I approach him and after a second, he notices me and stops what he is doing.

  And then he grins a grin so devastating, I think it might stop my heart.

  No. Lie.

  “Mia!” he calls.

  Holy crap. I do know him. Or he knows me, anyway. I watch as he grabs a cowboy hat that is hanging on a fence post and slaps it on his head as he hops over the fence to the paddock. He reaches me in literally five long strides and then crunches me in a bear hug.

  I want to die right here, I think.

  In the safety of his strong arms.

  I will stay here for the next sixty years and die a happy woman.

  But obviously, after a second, he steps away and I fight the urge to cling to him. He feels so safe and warm. And clearly I am craving security. I might want to see a therapist about that.

  “You look great!” he tells me with a grin. “Your stripes are gone, though.”

  I automatically run my fingers through my hair. “I know. I don’t... I don’t remember them.”

  Hot Guy looks pensive.

  “I bet you don’t remember me, either, do you?” he asks softly. I am hesitant, because I really, really wish that I did. But I don’t. So I shake my head.

  “I’m sorry,” I tell him. “Maybe soon. They keep telling me that my memories should come back soon. I’m starting to hate that word, actually. Soon. It’s so vague.”

  Hot Guy holds his hand out.

  “My name is Quinn McKeyen,” he tells me as he shakes my hand formally. “I’m living here at Giliberti House for the school year. I’m in the Foreign Exchange Student program. I’m from Kansas- which is the state in America where your friend Reece is from. Do you remember Reece?”

  I shake my head again. “I don’t remember anything at all,” I admit.

  He actually smiles. “I’m going to have to think of some way to use that to my advantage,” he says with a wink. I shake my head.

  “Don’t even try it,” I laugh. “Gavin already tried, but unfortunately for him, he didn’t think about it fast enough. He told me about the state of my love life before-hand. That was a little counter-productive.”

  Quinn laughs again. And I decide that I might not know him, but I freaking love his laugh. And his American accent.

  “Are you a cowboy?” I ask him, eyeing the way that sweat is rolling off his abdomen. I fight the urge to lick it.

  Gross. Lick sweat? What is wrong with me?

  Am I a freak?

  He smiles. “Yes, I guess you could say that. I like to ride things. Does that make you nervous?”

  I stare him blankly. “Nervous? Why would I be…oh.” His meaning hits me like a truck and I blush. “I get it. You like to ride things.”

  I smile, even though I’m pretty sure my mom would kill me for engaging in this conversation. But what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her, right?

  “And, no,” I add. “I’m not nervous. I can handle anything.”

  “But you don’t even know who you are,” Quinn reminds me with another grin. “So how can you handle anything?”

  I love the fact that he doesn’t pussy-foot around me. Everyone else has been and it has grown so annoying. I don’t need to be handled with kid gloves. I’m not going to break.

  “True,” I concede. “What all do you ride, beside women and horses?”

  Quinn’s dark eyes sparkle. And I find myself transfixed by that. His eyes are such a dark brown, like a rich gourmet chocolate. I’m mesmerized by them.

  “I ride four-wheelers, horses, bulls, you name it. But I haven’t seen any bulls in Caberra yet, so I’ve settled for Titan. Dante bought him for Reece when they were still here. She told me that I can mess with him.”

  He gestures toward the enormous devil of a horse behind him. I eye the beast cautiously.

  “Titan looks a little dangerous,” I point out. Quinn only grins. He’s so relaxed in his worn-out jeans and boots. He’s like the epitome of country charm. I gulp.

  “Oh, I sort of like a little danger from time to time,” he tells me. “It keeps things interesting.”

  “Oh, really?” I shake my head. “It’s all fun and games until you wind up in the hospital.”

  Quinn laughs. “I’m very good at handling danger, so don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”

  “Will it?” I ask and Quinn nods.

  “Yes.”

  And I don’t even know what we’re talking about anymore. I’ve been distracted by his handsome good looks and his charm and all of the sexual innuendoes that have been flying around.

  “Do you want a ride?” Quinn asks. I’m startled because I’ve been staring so hard into his eyes that I wasn’t e
xpecting him to speak.

  “On Titan?” I stutter.

  He laughs.

  “Unless you have a better idea,” he says with one brow raised. He patiently waits for my answer while I die of embarrassment. I can literally feel the heat splashing across my cheeks.

  “Uh, no. I don’t have a better idea,” I stammer. I don’t know where my wits have all gone. They seem to be missing in action. I curse them silently and order them to come back. They silently laugh at me and then run for the hills. I have rogue wits.

  Quinn’s damned eyes continue to sparkle.

  “Well, that’s a pity. If you think of something, let me know. Until then, yes, I was speaking of the horse.”

  “I don’t know how to ride,” I tell him. “At least, I don’t think I do. Do I?”

  Quinn shakes his head. “I don’t know. You and I just met awhile back. Horses aren’t all that common here in Caberra, though. So I doubt it. But I heard that you’ll be staying here for a while. Maybe I could teach you. We could work out a trade. You teach me to swim, I’ll teach you to ride.”

  I stare at him hesitantly. “I don’t know if I remember how to swim. But if I do, I’ll be happy to teach you.”

  Quinn throws his head back and laughs.

  “Mia, you are a constant surprise. I never know what to think with you. I like it. Okay, it’s a deal. If you remember how to swim, you can teach me. And I’ll teach you to ride regardless. Deal?”

  I nod immediately, because the image of me sitting in front of him on that horse, leaned back against his strong chest between his legs, is enough to give me heart palpations.

  For real.

  “Deal,” I agree.

  “Now, how about I lead you around for a bit on Titan. I’ll have a hold of his head the whole time so there is nothing to be afraid of,” Quinn tells me. My chin automatically juts out on its own accord.

  “I’m not afraid of anything,” I announce. And then I’m startled by that. I’m not? Those words came out on their own. I didn’t even think about them. It was Old Mia talking. Maybe I like her, after all.

  Quinn appraises me and there is appreciation in his eyes.

  “Come on, then,” he tells me, holding his large hand out. I take it and he leads me into the paddock. He holds his hand out to Titan, who huffs a big breath out of his gigantic flared nostrils before he steps closer to Quinn.

  Quinn snaps a lead rope into the ring on the halter and I fight the urge to run. What was I thinking, agreeing to this? Titan is enormous. And he’s looking at me with the wild eyes of a demon as he stomps the dirt with his huge demon hoof.

  Ohmygod.

  I’m an idiot.

  This horse is a freaking demon.

  Quinn looks at my face and laughs.

  “Come on, Miss I’m-Not-Scared. It’s alright.”

  He makes a cup out of his hands and motions for me to use it. I wedge my foot between his fingers and he boosts me up. I swing my other leg around and before I know it, I’m situated on top of the demon.

  HolyHell.

  I’m an idiot with amnesia who is sitting on a demon.

  A very tall demon.

  I gulp.

  “Calm down,” Quinn tells me as he glances up at me. “Horses can sense fear. There’s nothing to be afraid of. I’ve got you.” He pats my leg before he walks to Titan’s head. And I can feel the imprint of where his hand was on my thigh. I swallow. He has a very sexy hand. Both hands, actually.

  “You know, in America, horses are sometimes used for therapy,” Quinn tells me conversationally, as he leads Titan out of the coral. I am panicky as we leave the confines of the fence. A fence means safety. And since I am outside of that fence, I am no longer safe. I swallow hard.

  “Are you saying that I need therapy now?” I ask, only half joking. I clench my thighs around Titan’s bare, broad back. I so don’t want to fall off. There’s no way that Quinn could catch me in time and I’d break my neck. I fight the urge to leap off and run for the house.

  Quinn glances back up at me.

  “Oh, you’ve probably always needed it,” he tells me. “I’ve never met anyone who tried so hard to be someone that she’s not.”

  That definitely gives me pause.

  It’s almost the same exact thing that Elena said.

  “I’m kidding,” he chuckles as he sees my expression. “You did try hard to portray a certain image. But I’m sure you didn’t need therapy. Just a reality check.”

  I stare at him.

  “A reality check? How well did you know me, anyway?”

  Quinn shakes his head and wipes a little sweat from his brow. He’s got a strong jawline. I love that. I fight to focus on his words, not his face. It’s a difficult feat to master.

  “Not that well. But you were fairly easy to read. Not so much now, though.”

  That pacifies me a little.

  Sort of.

  “Why not now?” I ask slowly.

  Quinn looks at me uncertainly. “Because it’s hard to read someone who doesn’t know who she is.”

  “Who do you think I am?” I am practically whispering now. I suddenly feel very, very tired. I’m physically tired, I’m mentally tired and losing my identity is just a bit exhausting.

  Quinn stops and turns to me, taking a step and then another, until he is pressed against my leg and staring into my eyes.

  “I think you’re a sweet little bird who has always tried to break out of her cage because you really had no idea what life is like outside of your world. And now you’re a sweet little bird who doesn’t know what to think. All of your masks are gone and now you are forced to be yourself. It must be scary for you.”

  He doesn’t sound sympathetic, just matter-of-fact.

  And I have to respect that.

  I nod.

  “I’m not a bird,” I tell him. “But you’re right about one thing. I don’t have anything to hide behind now, that’s for sure.”

  “Why would you want to hide at all?” Quinn asks, still staring into my eyes. “That’s the part I could never figure out. You don’t have anything to hide from. You can take life by the tail if you want to. It’s yours for the taking.”

  “What’s mine for the taking?” I ask, momentarily confused by his nearness. He smiles.

  “Anything you want.”

  I suck in my breath.

  And he inhales deeply.

  And then the moment is broken by my mother’s shrill screaming.

  “Mia Alexandria Giannis. Get off of that animal! You’re going to break your neck!” I turn and find her rushing out of Giliberti House toward us and Quinn grins at me.

  “I take it back. You might want to hide from that.”

  I smile back as warmth floods through me. He lifts me down and I enjoy the feeling of my body pressed against his, even though it only lasts for a second. His heart beats against mine.

  Ba-bump.

  Ba-bump.

  He glances down at me and his eyes are like melted chocolate. And I want to eat him up.

  Eat him up?

  Yep. With a freaking spoon.

  I’m insane.

  But he makes me feel so good.

  That’s a fact that I come to realize as I turn away from him to meet my mother. Quinn walks away to take Titan back to the stables and I miss him immediately. Just like I missed Gavin in the hospital yesterday.

  They both make me feel good in two different ways.

  I sigh.

  Because I know that I’m in trouble. I don’t even know who I am, but I just woke up from a coma and I find that I want two separate boys for two separate reasons. That can never be good.

  At least I know that much.

  Chapter Ten

  Dinner at Giliberti House is interesting.

  Marionnette, Darius and Quinn eat in the kitchen, because that’s the way they’ve been doing it. Quinn apparently didn’t want to eat in the formal dining room alone and the Papous would never eat in there because they don’t consider
that proper behavior. They are staff, after all. Even though they seem more like family.

  But my mother refuses to eat in the kitchen.

  “Mia,” she sighs. “The wife and daughter of Stanyos Giannis cannot eat in the kitchen. It just isn’t seemly.”

  So, we eat in the formal dining room.

  Alone.

  And it feels so stuffy and unnatural. And I hate it.

  As I stare down the long table at my mother, I hate it even more. I have to practically yell so that she can hear me. That’s how big this table is.

  I want to join the others in the kitchen, where it is warm and cozy and because Quinn is there. But that’s not going to happen. My mother told me as much. Right after she threatened my life if I ever got on a horse again. And told me that I need to stay away from Quinn. Which of course, for some reason, had the immediate and opposite effect. I want to be near him more than ever.

  Apparently, I’m rebellious.

  So, I do what any rebellious girl would probably do.

  I eat in sullen silence. I drink my soup from the spoon, I eat three croissants (because they really are my favorites) and I have a giant piece of pie.

  My mother looks at me in disapproval.

  “Mia, you’re not going to be seventeen forever. You might want to start watching what you eat. You don’t want to gain weight.”

  I roll my eyes. I’ve got plenty of other things to worry about besides my weight. I’m skinny for now and that’s all that matters. I’ll worry about my weight when I’m thirty.

  “How long is the construction on our house going to take?” I yell down to my mom. She cringes from the volume of my voice. I’m guessing that it isn’t seemly. But how else is she supposed to hear me? This table is five miles long.

  And I’m seriously starting to hate the word seemly.

  She shrugs. “They say it will take three months or so. And Kolettis Academy will be closed for the next two to four weeks for construction, as well. I just heard today. They will add that time onto the end of the year. So don’t worry. You’ll graduate on time.”

  I nod. I’m happy about being out of school for a month. Hopefully that will give my memory time to come back. I’ll focus on that.