by Britney Bell
“You’re welcome. We are so glad you and Luca were able to be here today. I wish you guys could stay longer, but my heart is full either way,” Mrs. Giovati replies and pats my shoulder with her free hand.
Gaia jumps from her seat and takes over clearing the table. “Please go and rest, Mom. You have worked so hard. I’ve got the cleanup.”
“You are just too sweet.” Mrs. Giovati gives Gaia a peck on the cheek, hands her the plates and heads in the direction of the living room.
As I see that Mr. Giovati and Luca are engrossed in a debate over which dessert is better, I take the opportunity to spend my last few moments here with Gaia, even if they are spent washing dishes. She’s already got the bubbles in the sink when I drop my load of remaining dishes on the counter next to the stack she is working on. As I shift around her to the other side of the cabinet, I rub my hands along her back and down her hips. I move her hair away from her neck and place small kisses up and down her skin. I lose myself every time I touch her, and now is no different. All I want is more. My cock, once again, agrees, and I prove it to Gaia by pressing its fullness against her back. She releases a quiet moan that drives me crazy with need.
Someone suddenly bursts through the door, and I jump to the side so fast that my dick hits the side of the cabinet. I cough and strain to remain upright, so I don’t fall into the fetal position on the ground. Gaia plays it cool, more so than me, and turns casually to Luca, who is holding the pans of two well eaten pies in his hands. I take the chance then to make myself look overly busy with the dishes.
“Am I interrupting something?” Luca asks, his voice is hard and questioning.
“Just dishwashing. Do you want to help?” Gaia coaxes.
Luca’s quick to answer back. “Yeah, that will be a no, and you’ll have to finish up on your own ‘cause Blaze and I have to leave.”
I peak up from the dishes now; Luca’s eyes are shooting daggers at the two of us. I want to think he believes nothing’s going on, but clearly, that’s not the case.
“Right, okay. Sorry, Gaia.”
Our eyes meet, and I try to silently tell her all the real reasons why I’m sorry. Sorry that we got caught, and her plan of no one knowing about us is ruined. Sorry that I’m leaving already. Sorry it was only one day and one night. Sorry that I can’t kiss her like I want to and give her a proper goodbye.
Chapter 9
Gaia
“I need to show you something before I go, Gaia. Can you come with me?” Luca asks politely, but it’s more like a big brother order.
“Sure, let me dry my hands.” I reply back, trying to stall a little, so I can, at least, say goodbye to Blaze in private. No such luck, though. Luca remains firmly in his spot by the door, waiting for me.
As soon as I’m in the hall, Luca yanks me over to the laundry room, one door down from the kitchen.
“What the hell, Gaia? Don’t think I didn’t see you guys looking at each other during lunch. Who knows what I just walked in on back there!”
I dramatically roll my eyes, and the movement makes me feel like I’m a little girl being annoyed by her big brother all over again. “I don’t know what you are talking about. Blaze offered to help with the dishes because your lazy ass was discussing pie.”
“Whatever. All I’m saying is that you don’t need to even think about starting anything up with Blaze. You know his schedule is as crazy as mine, and he doesn’t have time to have a proper relationship with anyone, let alone my sister. I know he’s a great guy, but you deserve more. You deserve someone who has time for you, and who is here, with you.” He finishes off his unwelcomed speech with an awkward, “I love you, though. See you soon,” before hugging me quickly. Then, he’s gone.
Damn him. I knew something like this would happen. I knew if Luca found out Blaze and I spent the whole day and night together yesterday; Luca would probably kill him. I am certain Luca will be giving Blaze the don’t-even-think-about-it spill all the way to Milan. That’s not going to be a fun ride home.
***
Never before in my life on this island, have I felt like a fish trapped in a bowl and wanted so badly to escape. I love my city, my home, my family and my store, but for the first time ever, I have begun to think about the possibilities on the mainland that I may be missing. After Blaze and I kissed in Milan and I got back to my little place, I dreamed of what being with him might be like. Now, after we’ve spent the night, and a holiday together with my family, I know now what it would be like, and I miss him immensely. As everything happened so fast, we didn't even think to exchange phone numbers, and I sure as hell can’t text Luca and ask him for anything. Add that to the fact that my shop is closed until after the new year, and I have all this time to do nothing but keep thinking. I am going stir-crazy because I want to run to Blaze.
***
Five days post-Blaze, I’m still completely miserable. Over these past lonely moments of time, in addition to a lot of contemplating, I’ve done some soul searching. I have realized that a difficult, long-distance relationship, and having to deal with Luca’s outrage, is worth seeing where Blaze and I could take this thing we have between us. If that’s what he wants, if he wants me.
With my decision made, I pull up Blaze’s schedule to find when his team plays a home game again. I need to see him; I need to talk to him. I am confident I can take a stand outside of my comfort zone and be spontaneous.
It turns out that the next home game is New Year’s Eve. I call up my parents and see if they want to go with me. Yes, my confidence is up, but tackling the crowd at San Siro Stadium on my own is still overwhelming. My parents excitedly agree to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Milan, and the plans are set.
With little time to spare, we jump on the train and head to Milan. When my parents call my brother to tell him we are coming, Luca’s phone goes straight to voicemail. I’m sure he’s already at the stadium getting ready. Thank God. I don’t want him to know this trip was my idea. That way it won’t mess with his head during the game, and I can talk to him afterwards, in person. The trip flies by with all the excitement of seeing Blaze again. Before I know it, we are there, in the stadium, in our seats, with the game about to start. Thankfully, the crowd is not as crazy as it was during the last soccer game I attended, but it’s still a very packed, loud stadium. As each minute on the scoreboard ticks off, my confidence falters slightly. This damn game needs to hurry up, so I can talk to Blaze.
Chapter 10
Blaze
It’s New Year’s Eve, and this game sucks ass. Everyone is playing like crap, and I’m just ready for it to be over. Yeah, my attitude has been utter shit since Christmas Day. Luca’s interrogation all the way home started it, yet I did not let one private moment slip. I hold those moments with Gaia sacred.
All of my thoughts since those couple of days I spent with Gaia, have been preoccupied by her. I loved being around her because things between us were natural. I am pulled to her, and I can’t get enough. I know missing her is making me a miserable bastard, but part of me wants to try for something more. Is Luca right, though? He thinks there’s no way in hell it would work.
By the skin of our ass, we pull out the win, and the day is finally over. All I want to do is go home and welcome the new year in by myself. I am not up to entertaining people or going out with the team, like they want. I can’t act like I am all happy to start a new year when my gut keeps telling me that there is more to life than just a game with a fucking round, black and white ball.
Our coach gives us the usual after-game speech, and we are released. Despite the enormity of the stadium, I am suffocating. My feet are heavy on the way back to the locker room, and I drag along, rather than jog like the rest of the team.
By the time I make it to the hallway, Luca shoots from the locker room and sprints down the hall. I guess he has a hot date to get to, but since he didn’t have his things with him, he’ll be back soon. Anyway, I don’t give a shit.
Crashing on the bench in
front of my locker, I slowly remove my cleats and sweaty clothes before making my way to the showers. It seems like everyone is already gone, and I take my time, letting the warm water beat down on my sore body. With no place to run to, time doesn’t matter.
I faintly hear my name being called, and the voice sounds way too much like Gaia’s. Either I have dozed off in here, or I have water in my ears. As I shake my head, someone calls for me again, but I continue to let the water massage my neck.
“Is there any room in there for me?” The voice is louder this time, so loud that I turn to look.
Holy fuck, is she really here?
Never mind. I am not going to question it or her, and I hope like hell this place is empty as I wrap Gaia in my arms and pull her under the spray of water. Her squeals are muted when I crash my lips to hers. She wraps her arms around my neck, and I lift her up to guide her legs around my waist. My dick is hard against her center, begging to rip off her offending clothes and to be seated in her tight, warm core.
After setting her on her feet, I rid Gaia of her jersey, but not before noting that it bares my number. Next to go are her jeans, and they pose a definite challenge being soaked. I’m determined to get rid of them as fast as possible.
Success.
Two smooth motions later, Gaia is back in my arms, her legs wrapped around my body, and I am deep inside her, right where I belong. I use the shower wall to support her, and I free a hand to touch her, to feel her, to make sure this is really happening.
Gaia’s back arches into my palm as I cover her breast, her motion edging me to give her what she needs. Her breathless words confirm it, “Give me more, harder, I need more.” Her nipples are erect, and I get unbelievably thicker inside her. She moans, making me thrust harder, deeper, craving the squeeze of her pussy walls.
I stare at Gaia, water dripping down our faces. I give her a hard kiss, one that tells her I am right here with her, and that, damn it, I am not leaving her this time. Her fiery eyes burn into mine, and I slide my hand down between us to give her clit a hard pinch. It sends her over the edge, screaming my name, milking my cock.
With unknown strength, I hold back a minute more as Gaia comes down from her climax. Then I sit her down on her feet and turn her around to place her hands on the wall, and I enter her again without warning. Gaia gasps with the intrusion, but she moves that delectable ass back into me, welcoming me. Three pumps are all it takes; I yank my dick out. Two strokes later, I shoot my load all over her ass.
I let my sated body cover Gaia’s back, and I spin her around. She kisses me, as I move us back under the spray. We bathe one another, and I grab my towel to dry her before I use it for myself.
“What are you doing here?” I ask with a mix of calm and excitement.
“I had to see you. Honestly, I don’t know how you will take this. I have prepared myself for the rejection. These last five days I have done nothing but think of you, wish that you were there to cuddle into at night, and be the one to stand by me at the store when the crazy busyness ensues with demanding tourists. I don’t have a clue as to what this means or how this will work. All I know is that I want to try. Give it my all, to see what we could have between us.” She breaks for a big breath and continues, “Sorry to ramble all that out at once. I’ve been holding it in for a while now.”
Silence. That’s what I give Gaia for one minute, as I stare into her pleading eyes. I lean into her, so close that our lips briefly touch.
“I want that too,” I whisper against those plump, just-kissed lips.
Gaia leans back, as if shocked. “What?”
My smile is so big it hurts my mouth, but I can’t contain it. “A huge realization came to me this morning. Why do all of this with my career, if I can’t have anyone to share it with? I’ve been wracking my brain about how I could get back to you, or how I could ask Luca for your number. I hadn’t found that answer, but you are here, answering it for me.” I take her face in my hands and kiss her again. “I’m sorry that I got you all wet. Wait! How did you get in here, and are you here by yourself?”
“My brother let me in, after he made sure everyone was gone, and I locked the door after I came in. I figured you would be done before the rest of the team was gone, but I’m really glad you took a long time.”
Confusion swarms my head. “Your brother?”
“Yeah, he and I had a little chat in the hallway, along with my parents. I told them I am a grownup, and that they have to let me live my life. Luca grumbled for a little bit, but in the end, he said if I had to be with anyone in the league, he’s glad that I am with you.”
Gaia grabs her phone, from the purse she dropped on the bench when she came into the locker room, and tells me she’s sending a quick text to her parents and brother letting them know she is all good and will be celebrating New Years with me tonight. They made arrangements for us to meet them tomorrow for lunch at our pizzeria.
I grab Gaia a sweat suit out of the supply closet, for her to wear on our way home. The suit is way too big for her, but it is coming off as soon as we walk in the door anyway.
“I’m excited to be spending New Years with you,” she says and reaches up to kiss me.
I return the kiss, deepening it in agreement with what she has confessed. “I’m excited to spend many more New Years together.”
THE END
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About the Author
I’m a Texas girl... Yes, I can ride horses, but I prefer fast cars. Yet, I prefer country music to hard rock.
Raising two boys, life can get really manly with all that testosterone floating around. The spare time I do get between ball games and outdoor activities, I absolutely love the mental escape that reading romance brings, even if it’s in small increments. During the other ounce of my spare time, I write about what’s in my head as I’m sitting through all those sports events.
My passion is to bring you that escape. The one where you get lost so deep in the story that you lose all sense of time and actually do get to have a mental break.
XOXO
Britney Bell
...writing your escape
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