Layover

by Cassidy London

  “If I know my guy and believe me, I do,” she winked. “He’s slept with your friend here and isn’t quite sure how or if he should come clean.”

  “Sophia, mind your own business,” I growled.

  But she only ignored me. “See…that’s the thing about Tristano, Adriana. He wants to settle down and follow the rules, but that cock of his…it just calls to women. It calls them the same way it called to both of you.” Sophia continued casually, motioning to both women.

  “It’s also called to countless others including me, even when he was marrying my sister. There’s just no stopping that beautiful cock of his.” Sophia turned to face me. Her eyes were filled with raw sexual energy and hate. So much hate.

  “Adri, she’s a fucking liar, let’s go.” Cara grabbed Ariana’s hand to pull her away.

  But Sophia continued to drone on.

  “You know what else, baby?” Sophia slithered in closer, forcing me to step back. “These little girls can’t handle a man like you. What you need, is a woman who understands your needs and can handle your little indiscretions. Because with me baby, your extra-curricular activities are nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, even Adriana knows that I encourage them. I’m a good girl, I know how to share.” She looked up at Adri, her sickly, sweet smile dripping with a mix of disgust and lust.

  “And that’s what he needs to stick around,” she continued. “Don’t kid yourself Adriana. He will never be faithful to someone like you.”

  “You know where to find me when you’re ready, Captain Ricci,” Sophia continued, as she began walking off down the hall towards the elevators. “I’m heading to South America, but I’ll be back next week. “Call me babe, we’ll catch up.” She winked, and strode off.

  Cara turned to Adri who was shaking. “Come on. We will talk in the car. Let’s go.” Adriana looked up at me. Her eyes filled with tears of confusion. “I just don’t know what to think Tristan. I just don’t know…” Cara pulled her out the doors and towards the car park.

  It was as if I’d been sucker punched in the gut; impaled through the heart. “No! Adri, come back!” I called. But it was Cara who put her hands up in surrender and just shook her head. “Give her time. I’ll talk to her,” she mouthed silently.

  Chapter 32

  Adriana Acosta

  San Francisco

  “When did you sleep with him?” I blurted out as soon as we were out of his earshot. “I mean obviously it was before I met him, and that’s totally fine. But I just need to know what happened.” My words were spilling out of my mouth so fast; I was practically choking as I spoke. “Cara, I don’t care that you slept with him. It’s just that every time that I start to trust what he tells me, she shows up and fucks with my head!” I wiped the corners of my eyes. “Is that what it will always be like with him? Constantly running into women who have sucked his dick? It gets fucking awkward!”

  “And Sophia!” I wailed. “That woman is always there just fucking waiting for me to give up on him so she can swoop in and pick up the broken pieces. I HATE her!”

  My hand slammed down onto the side of the car door. I was yelling to the point that my voice had cracked. “I just want to have a normal fucking relationship without constantly running into people he’s fucked!”

  Cara let me rant for a while without saying a word. “Sorry Car…I didn’t even let you speak,” I apologized.

  “No worries, we’re almost home. But it’s my turn when we get in, okay?”

  I nodded in agreement and pulled out my phone to distract myself. I hadn’t looked at it since before the flight took off in Paris, and now I had a bunch of emails and texts popping up.

  After a few minutes, I couldn’t help myself. “Is it unreasonable to feel this way?” I asked softly as I scrolled through nonsense emails.

  She laughed. “Okay I had wanted a glass of wine before we continued this conversation, but it’s okay.”

  “Oh, we are definitely having wine!” I agreed. “Like… an entire bottle!”

  “So, do you mean is it normal to be jealous and insecure? It’s totally normal Adriana. This is a new relationship. And I’m sorry that it seemed like I slept with him. But just so you know– I didn’t. I only met him once towards the end of the job. I was commissioned by his assistant a while back to redesign his condo on the beach.” Cara’s words soothed me more than I had expected.

  “Oh… I had no idea!” I said surprised. “The black and white one?”

  She turned her head and we both smiled. “Yep, that’s the one.”

  I was impressed. “It’s so beautiful Cara. Classy, elegant and fucking sexy as hell.”

  “Glad it worked for you guys,” she winked as I relaxed enough to giggle a bit.

  “So anyway, he wasn’t around at all during the entire renovation but then, on the second to last day, he showed up as I was finishing up a few details. I was actually in his bedroom going through a checklist when he appeared out of nowhere standing in front of the en suite in nothing but a towel.”

  I sucked in air. I knew exactly what that looked like. Tristano Ricci coming out of the shower was a sight that was burned into my mind. His rippled chest, dripping wet hair, slightly shaggy and that five o’clock shadow. A cocky grin across his face. Just the thought of him like that had me squeezing my thighs together.

  “Did he come on to me?” Cara continued. “He did, but I said “no”. Not because he wasn’t hot; I can’t deny that– but, because I was working, and working for him. You know I have strict rules about that shit.”

  I appreciated her honesty and her high standards.

  “So what do I do Cara? Just let it go? Pretend this stuff doesn’t bother me? I can’t!” Every time I get closer to allowing myself to believe this is the real thing, something stupid happens, and my heart shuts down and takes ten steps back again!”

  “I don’t know babe…that’s what you need to figure out,” she answered softly, her hand on mine.

  I looked back down at my phone. A text from my college friend Ava had just come through. We hadn’t talked in a long time and I missed her terribly. I opened it and read her short, but urgent message.

  Ava:

  Hey Adri! I’ve been trying to reach you all day but you must be working. Call me as soon as you get this message! I have BIG news, like really BIG news!

  “What time is it in Ireland?” I asked more to myself than Cara as I quickly searched it up.

  “Why?” Cara asked.

  “My friend Ava texted me while I was in flight. Apparently, she has big news. I’m just going to call her quickly. Do you mind? It sounds urgent.”

  “Of course not. Anyway, we still have some time before we’re home. Traffic is a bitch today,” Cara complained.

  The phone rang a few times before I heard her squeal on the other end. “Adriana!!! OH MY GOD! I’ve been trying to reach you for HOURS!”

  “Sorry babe, I was working for the past few days. What’s up?” I kept it casual, she clearly had something huge going on by her excitement.

  “Conor asked me to MARRY him!” Ava screeched. “We’re getting married next week. You have to come!”

  Her announcement took me by surprise, but Ava’s excitement was contagious. I wanted to jump out of the car, and start screaming with her. “Wow! First of all, that’s amazing Ava! Congratulations! I am so happy for you!”

  Ava continued screeching as I covered the speaker and mouthed her news to Cara who was equally as excited.

  Ava and Conor had a rough start to their relationship, and had had to fight to keep their love alive. The fact that they were now at this point, filled my heart with happiness for my friend and hope, that maybe one day I would have that opportunity too.

  “But wait, did you say next week?” I asked, slightly confused.

  “Yep! You know Conor, he’s not into anything fancy or anything like that, and just wants to keep it simple. And well, I can’t blame him, his idea is pretty romantic…and I don’t want to hear you’re no
t coming! You can fly anywhere you want, whenever you want. So figure it out Adri!” Ava continued, as excited as ever.

  “Want to know the plan?” She didn’t even wait for my answer. “It’s happening next Saturday at the jump school. I have my solo license now. Did I tell you that? Anyway, we’re all going up in the plane and when we say “I do”, we’re fucking jumping! I already spoke to Sam and she’s coming for sure, so don’t let me down. I want the three of us to be all together.”

  Wow. This was going to be one hell of a wedding.

  “I’d never let you down Ava. I will absolutely be there!” My heart was filled with love and happiness for my friend. “Send me the details, I can’t wait!”

  I shut the phone and leaned back into the seat. I hadn’t jumped out of a plane since we were on our European trip back after college. This was going to be crazy fun. And maybe a little solo trip was what I needed to get my head back on straight about this whole issue surrounding Tristan.

  Chapter 33

  Tristano Ricci

  San Francisco

  When my phone rang later that evening, I picked it up in less than a second. I had been waiting and hoping she would call, but yet giving her the space she seemed to need. It was possibly the hardest thing I had ever done. It had me pacing the halls of my condo to the point there were marks in the carpet from walking up and down so much.

  “Adriana?” My voice was gruff with both worry and emotion.

  “Hey Tris…I’m sorry. I needed some time to wrap my head around everything. It just seems like every time things are …”

  I cut her off. “It’s nothing, its fine Adri. Take whatever time you need. I apologize about your friend Cara. I’m sure she told you that we did meet, but for the record– we did not sleep together.”

  “Yeah but even if you had Tristan, I do understand that it was before me. That’s not an issue.” I could hear the emotion begin to overtake her. Her voice cracked as she tried to speak, but nothing coherent came out. My ears filled with the sound of Adriana trying to hold back her tears. I never should have let her go home without me.

  “Baby…” Tristan’s voice seemed to caress me through the phone. “I’m coming over.”

  “No wait…not tonight, please? Tomorrow, okay? I just need one night,” I said softly. I was already wrapped up in blankets in my bed. And I needed some distance. Not because I was upset, but more because he made feel things so deeply that it was exhausting. “I promise you can see me tomorrow and the next few days if you want, but…” I paused, realizing that he might think Ireland was an excuse to step back. I needed to tell him sooner rather than later.

  “What? Adri?” Tristan’s concerned voice pushed.

  “I wanted to tell you that I’m leaving towards the end of the week for a few days. Not sure how long yet. My friend Ava, she’s getting married in Ireland next week, and wants me to be her bridesmaid.”

  “Next week? When did this happen? How are you flying?” Questions flew out of him faster than I could think.

  “I literally just spoke to her during the ride back home. It’s all very sudden, and very much an Ava thing to do.” I continued rambling. “Umm, I’ll fly standby I guess? I didn’t figure out details yet, but I have to get it all organized tomorrow.”

  “I’m coming with you,” Tristan announced.

  I just about choked on my own laughter. “Uh… that’s sweet Tristan, but you can’t just invite yourself to someone’s wedding.”

  His tone was a little rougher than I had expected. “Don’t they have a plus one?”

  “It’s not that kind of wedding. Ava and Conor are super low-key people. They run a skydiving school, and they’re plan is to say their vows at 14 000 feet into the air, and then jump out of the plane.”

  Silence. I could hear Tristan trying to absorb this information.

  “Do not tell me that you will be jumping too,” he spat out, sounding more like a jealous boyfriend rather than a concerned one.

  I had to laugh. “Well, I’ve done it before so yes; I probably will again. Ava mentioned she wanted the wedding party up there too. It’s not a big deal, so don’t get all weird and possessive about it.”

  “Adriana,” Tristan said my name in a way that I knew was a very big deal to him. “Yes fine, you’ve done it before. Except now, you’re older and wiser, and your job is to keep people safe on an aircraft. Not risk your life jumping out of one!”

  He was getting agitated and I had to admit that while it was annoying, it was also kind of cute.

  “I’m doing this Tristan. Ava is one of my oldest friends, and I’m not ruining her wedding plans. Deal with it.” As sweet as it was when he got territorial, he still needed to be put in his place. He was not going to tell me what to do so soon into our relationship.

  Tristan just growled. “Fuck– Fine! I’m coming with you, and I don’t want to hear anything else about it. I don’t have to be at the wedding, I just need to be nearby in case something happens.”

  I tried changing his mood. “You’re ridiculous Tris. But pretty cute when you get all alpha on me.”

  “You want alpha, baby? I’ll show you alpha,” he hissed into the phone.

  And just like that, the conversation took on a different turn.

  “You said you were in bed?”

  A few giggles escaped my mouth. “Mmm, yeah.”

  “Good. Because I want you to listen very carefully and do exactly as I say understood, Adriana?”

  My breath hitched as a familiar tingling electrified my body and warmed my blood. All of a sudden, my phone buzzed. Tristan was switching to Facetime.

  I accepted without hesitation.

  “Pull the covers off Adriana, I want to see you.” My eyes focused only on his as he spoke. They were dark and clouded over with intensity. He too was in bed, bare-chested; his skin glistening from a fresh shower.

  “I’m not feeling very sexy right now Tris.” In only cotton boxer shorts and a spaghetti strap tank top, I was wearing a stay-at-home outfit. It was not one that I ever would have worn in front of him.

  “Do not ever be shy with me Adriana. I love you in any outfit, but as you know, my favourite one is your birthday suit.”

  “Want to play a little game? Put the phone on the dresser and turn it so I can see you.” Despite my initial hesitation, I followed his orders. His commands somehow brought me comfort that quelled the craziness of the day.

  “I can see your nipples from here princess. They’re hard and are calling to me. Raise up your shirt and show me your tits.” I did as he asked.

  “Beautiful. I would love nothing more than to suck on those pretty, pink nipples until they turn purple. Put your fingers on them for me Adriana. Roll them between your fingers until they are perky for me.

  I said nothing, but followed his directions. I was beginning to really enjoy Tristan’s games.

  “Harder Adriana, pinch your nipples harder until it hurts.”

  I licked my fingers and again, I followed his command. All thoughts seemed to cease and my mind went quiet, as I did nothing but followed the sound of his voice in the darkness.

  “So pretty,” he murmured.

  “Tristan…” I moaned. “I wish you could touch me right now.” My body was coming alive and the absence of his touch was torturous.

  “Well, that’s your own fault little one. I said I’d come over, but you refused, and now you’re going to see what it’s like to be without me. Now pinch them harder.”

  “It hurts!” I cried feeling tears behind my eyes.

  “I know baby but it looks so good on you.” Through my tears I could see Tristan playing with his cock on the screen of my phone. The sight of him naked and barking orders at me was sending me out of control.

  “I’m going to count to three, and on three, you’re going twist your nipples harder than you ever have before, understood Adriana? Be my good little girl.”

  I was writhing on the bed in a haze somewhere between pain and pleasure. My mind c
onfused by how good, yet how unsatisfying it was, all at the same time.

  “Ready?” Tristan asked and I nodded. “One…two…three!”

  On three, my fingers automatically twisted and pinched harder than before making me cry out in true pain. Releasing my hands from my now purple nipples, I looked at him for guidance.

  “Beautiful…” Tristan whispered. He took a moment to inhale and steady the desire that was clearly written all over his face. Despite his own needs, he remained calm and in control, which only made his presence however far away, even more striking.