There was still a connection between them. They both knew it, but he knew this separation was a strain. When she told him that she was visiting family in Florence, and wanted to know if he’d like to show her around Italy, he jumped at the chance. He emailed her back with a resounding yes, and put in his leave as soon as he got home after deployment. Conrad and Addie had continued to flirt shamelessly over email and sent pictures to keep in touch, thanking the social networking Gods but now, it was real. He’d gotten whole days with her. But in the year and a half that he was away, would it be like it was before he left the states?
Not one to show nervousness much, before he left he checked his appearance in the mirror several times. His khaki pants ironed, his burgundy button down shirt on and rolled up the sleeves to three quarter length to accommodate the spring weather and showed his year round tan. Not to mention the new tattoos that he had on his arms. The color in his shirt set off his dark brown hair and equally hazel eyes. He decided on his black Doc Martin’s shoes. He looked down at his watch for the twentieth time as he took off out of his apartment and drove to the train station. Sitting in his SUV for a few minutes, he watched every person exiting the main building. Then decided it was close enough to when she would be arriving, so he got out of his SUV and stood in the middle of the walkway outside facing the main doors. He had studied her pictures for the past year and a half, and would know it was her when he saw her. He didn’t have to wait that long.
If Conrad Renner knew anything, he knew that the shapely woman coming out of the farthest arch of the train station was Addie. She looked refreshed and sexy he thought. Her long curly brown hair was spilling down her back. When the slight wind caught it, it fanned out behind her. Her sunglasses were pushed up on top of her head keeping her hair from her eyes in the late afternoon sun. She was looking very Italian he thought. Clearly, the four days in Florence with her cousins did her a world of good. She looked first out ahead of her, then quickly to her left, then behind her clearly looking for him. A family was walking in front of Conrad, and as soon as they moved past, his eyes connected with hers. Taking his hands out of his pockets, he started a steady walk up to her. His eyes were fixed on her like she was his prey. He pushed his Oakley sunglasses up on his head.
Addie stepped out into the sun from the shade of the train station. She didn’t want to impede her vision with her sunglasses so she kept them on top of her head. She looked out ahead of her at the Italian town, still in awe of the beauty of Italy. She looked at the people in the parking lot, and then swung her head to her left. She saw a few people milling about, and glanced back at the train station seeing that she had come out of the right place. There was a family with an unruly child that caught her attention and when they passed by, she saw him.
Holy shit!
How could she have missed him? He seemed broader than even the last time she was with him. His dark brown hair still mussed just perfectly. Just his physical appearance alone commanded attention. He was walking toward her. Addie tried to play it cool like Conrad, but couldn’t. She grabbed her bags a little tighter and started the short distance between them to meet him.
Two feet from him she dropped her bags and purse and practically jumped into his arms. Her face tucked into his neck, her arms around his neck tightly. Conrad’s arms encircled her waist and his cheek rested on top of her head. He picked her up and swung her around in a circle before putting her down on her feet still not letting go. He hugged her so tightly she felt she couldn’t breathe but she didn’t care. Addie stood on her toes just to hug him. After a few moments Conrad let her down on both feet and kissed her soundly. When she responded back in kind, his kiss went wild, his tongue delved into her mouth tasting her, teasing her over and over. Addie followed his lead and kissed him just as wildly, her fingers digging into his shoulders and finally sliding up into his hair to try and hold his mouth to hers. After several minutes they pulled apart gently, breathing heavy.
“Finally.” Addie whispered smiling, her hands now on his shoulders, his forehead resting against hers.
“What?” Conrad laughed looking in her eyes.
“Finally.” She said louder.
“I heard you the first time.” Conrad said squeezing her to him and pressed his lips to hers for a quick kiss. “Let’s get your stuff. Hungry?”
“Famished.” She answered. “They didn’t sell too much on the train.”
“How about sandwiches, they are filling but not super heavy on the stomach.” Conrad suggested, handing Addie her purse and picked up her bags.
“Sounds great.” Addie agreed.
Conrad took her hand and they walked to his SUV. He put her bags in the back as she jumped in the front. Conrad asked about her visit in Florence with her cousins. They kept conversation light until they arrived at a little sandwich shop where Conrad got out and ran around the SUV to open the door for Addie. He offered his hand to her as if she was getting out of a horse drawn carriage. It gave him the opportunity to pull her arms around him so that he could kiss her again. He kept her hand in his and they walked in the little sandwich shop. Conrad stood beside her with his arm possessively around her the whole long time they were in the sandwich shop. Once they got their order, he took her outside to sit along the tables with umbrellas that were outside on the sidewalk and sat down. When the sun began to set, the little twinkle lights that were wrapped around the poles of the umbrellas turned on, giving them some light. They ate and talked and teased like the past year was more like a few days ago. They were so comfortable together. Even after they finished Conrad went in to get a few glasses of wine, and they stayed sitting and talking and people watching sipping wine.
After a few hours Conrad suggested they get back to the apartment so that Addie could get a shower and relax. As Conrad drove through Vicenza, Addie was amazed at how the town lit up at night. Parking, Conrad grabbed her bags and led her up to the third floor to his apartment. He opened the door and swept Addie inside and showed her around. The main room was the living room and dining room. Conrad had his huge leather sofa taking up a big part of the living room, and across from it, an equally huge flat screen TV with several components that looked like you needed a college degree to use. His pub table and chairs covered the part of the room closest to the front door.
In the middle of the main wall of the living room was a doorway to the kitchen. It was a nice little ‘u’ shaped kitchen with a stove, fridge and lots of cabinet space, a window overlooking the town above the sink and a door to a small patio. There was space enough for a little cafe table and two chairs that the previous owner had left there. He ushered her to a door off the far side of the living room into the bedroom.
She walked through the door and saw his huge king size bed that he had centered under a big window. The black bedding looked crisp and clean. He had a soft fuzzy cream colored blanket thrown at the bottom of the bed. A dresser to the left of the bed, he turned the light on that sat on his night table and set her bags down in front of the dresser. He took her hand and walked her over to the bathroom off the bedroom. He hit the light in the bathroom and pulled her into his arms for another passionate kiss lasting several very long minutes. When he let her go, he turned around and handed her a grey towel and turned on the water for her.
“You stink like a train.” He said teasing, when Addie went to lunge at him laughing herself, Conrad shut the door.
Addie shook her head looking around the bathroom, amazed that it was so large for a one bedroom apartment. Conrad had decorated it with black and grey towels with a long black rug that stretched from the toilet on the far wall to the door. He had a small grey rug in front of the separate shower where he had turned on the water for her. Addie realized that she needed her toiletry bag and when she went to reach for the door handle to go out and get it, the door opened and Conrad’s arm thrust through the small opening holding the bag in his hand.
Addie smiled taking the bag. “Thanks.”
“That’s wh
at I’m here for.” He answered.
Addie winked as Conrad closed the door.
Undressing quickly, she dug in her toiletry bag to pull out her shampoo and soap. Stepping into the shower, she let the water hit her tired body. Not wanting to be away from Conrad since she was finally with him alone in his apartment, she showered quickly. After toweling off, she pulled her hair back in a clip and put lotion on her face, brushed her teeth and wrapped herself in the towel. She padded out to the bedroom and saw that Conrad had left one of his t-shirts on the edge of the bed and a pair of her yoga pants. He unpacked her bag and had all of her clothes either hung up in the wardrobe or in the dresser where he conveniently left the drawer partially open to show her. Her shoes were lined up under the bed closest to the bathroom. She smiled as she put her yoga pants and his t-shirt on. Hanging up her wet towel and gathering her capri’s and sweater when she caught sight of herself in the mirror. She looked like a little girl wearing daddy’s shirt. She chuckled as she went back out into the bedroom and decided to at least put her bra back on.
Opening the bedroom door, Conrad immediately looked up from the movie rack by the TV. He had changed into a pair of athletic shorts and a t-shirt himself. He smiled that big smile she loved to see.
“Nice.” He said looking her up and down. “Thought we’d chill with a movie. I figure you need to relax. Unless you want to go to bed?”
“Nah, I’m tired, but I’m wound up. A movie would be great.” Addie said as she walked over and curled up on the end of the sofa as Conrad put in one of her favorite Bourne movies and sauntered toward the sofa, putting the remote on the sofa table.
“Oh no.” He told her as he reached for her legs and slid them the length of the sofa. “I’ve waited this long. We’re gonna lay on the sofa long ways like we always do.”
Addie didn’t even argue. She sat up letting Conrad lie against the back of the sofa, then she stretched out in front of him. He held one of the two throw pillows out for her to put her head on, and as she lay down. Conrad pulled the clip from her damp hair and tossed it on the table. Then he pushed her hair over her shoulder and slid his hand around her waist to slide her tightly up against his body, wanting to feel every inch of her against him. She tucked her legs in between his and reached behind her to rest her hand on Conrad’s hip as they watched the movie.
Conrad knew when Addie was dozing by the sound of her deep even breathing, and then again when she caught herself dozing, because she’d wiggle closer to Conrad making him moan.
“Sugar, you keep doing that and you are going to awaken the beast. And I’m really trying to be a gentleman and let you rest.” He nuzzled Addie’s neck making her squeal.
“Okay, okay.” She conceded. “I’ll be good. How long was I asleep?”
“Almost the whole movie. So, ‘bout two hours. The movie’s almost done.”
“Geez, I must have been tired. I’m gonna run to the bathroom.” Addie got up and immediately felt chilly. “Did you get me some tea bags?”
“Yes I did. They are up in the cabinet next to the coffee. Want me to put some hot water on for you?”
“Nah, I think I’ll warm back up when I come back and lie down.” Addie kissed Conrad slowly and softly. “I’ll be right back.” She ran off to the bathroom.
Doing her business, she came out of the bathroom walked toward the living room stopping immediately in the doorway when she heard Conrad on the phone. He hadn’t noticed that she was standing there.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Nah, I’m good hun.” He said. “I’m actually gonna stay in tonight and watch a movie.” He paused. “Thanks for the offer but I’m just gonna go to bed early. How bout I call you in a couple of weeks? We can put something together then. How’s that?” He paused. “You can scene with someone else in the meantime. I don’t care.” He said annoyed.
Addie put a hand up to her mouth. Her stomach sunk in. She knew she wasn’t his girlfriend. They weren’t exclusive. She always told herself that he was having sex with other women. Just because she was here, why would he stop talking to them?
Addie started to walk in the room when Conrad looked up for a moment to see she was done, he rushed to wrap up his call.
“Okay, have a great night. I’ll call you soon.” He talked into the phone not giving room for a response. He never once took his eyes off Addie as she walked farther into the living room but didn’t come back to the sofa.
“Okay. Bye.” Conrad hit the red button and put it on the sofa table, and stretched back out on the sofa and patted the cushion in front of him so that Addie could lie back down.
“I think I’m going to make some tea.” Addie whispered, not looking at him. “Want some?”
“No thanks babe.” He said lying on his side, propping up on one arm. “You okay?” He noticed that Addie didn’t look at him.
Shit. He shouldn’t have taken that call. Should have just let it go to voice-mail.
Addie didn’t want to say anything that might betray how she felt. She at least thought that he’d regard her being there and not talk to any of his other women until she left. She wasn’t his girlfriend she told herself again. So why did she feel…betrayed…when she heard him talking to another woman? Pulling the tea bags from the cabinet, she filled a pot with water and put it on the stove, and lit the burner. She turned around to put sugar in her mug and a tea bag when she felt Conrad’s presence in the doorway staring at her.
“What’s wrong Addie?” He asked softly.
“Nothing.” She said quietly. “I’m fine. Did you need to go in to work or something?”
She still wouldn’t look at him, she just toyed with the tea bag begging the water silently to hurry up and boil.
“Nah, just one of the guys.” He said.
“Ah.” She answered. “You call one of the guys ’hun’ and scene with them?” Addie asked indifferently.
“Addie…” He started as he walked in the kitchen behind her and put his hands on her hips.
“No, it’s okay Conrad.” Addie said cutting him off. “I should have known. A single guy like yourself and all.”
Conrad let go of her and backed up against the counter next to the stove now and crossed his arms over his chest. Addie turned around to check the water being careful not to look at him. Her cheeks were pink with embarrassment. She made busy work of looking at the flame under the pot and looking at the water.
“Whoa.” Conrad put his hands up in defense. “What’s going on here? Are you jealous?”
“What? Are you serious?” Addie put her hands on her hips. “My train pulled in four hours ago and I’ve been so tired we haven’t even done anything but eat, kiss a few times, and we laid down to watch a movie that I struggled to stay awake through.” She looked up at him feeling confident enough to face him. “When have I had time to be jealous? And what, pray tell should I be jealous of?”
“Well it sure as hell sounds like it. I’m not committed to anyone Addie.” He said gruffly, crossing his arms over his chest again.
Addie’s face turned a bright red. “I didn’t say you were.” She retorted. “But thanks for the recap.”
“What did you expect Addie. You asked to stay here remember?”
She asked to stay here? Not exactly. She told him that she was coming over to visit family for about four or five days. He asked to see her. So she asked if he’d like to show her around Italy. He’d said yes, then asked how long she was staying for. As the conversation went on, they’d agreed that she would stay ten days. With him.
The water started to boil on the stove and she took the opportunity to keep her hands busy, because she itched to slap him while she reminded him how their conversation when via email.
She turned off the burner, took the pot and filled her mug, then turned around putting the pot back on the stove. Then, and only then had the wave of jealousy hit her so suddenly. She looked back up at Conrad who was resting up against the counter, his hands resting on either side of him on the
counter.
“You’re right Conrad. You are so right.” Addie said forcing a smile. “Clearly, you have absolutely no problem telling me that I invited myself here and that you are committed to no one, and I’m jealous. But hey, ya know, don’t forget that it was you that said you wanted to see me and how long you’d get. And don’t forget in Pittsburgh when you said that you needed time. But, I’m jealous and I invited myself to stay here when you said no hotels. ‘You’ll stay with me or I won’t show me around.’ I didn’t think you’d parade your girls around me too.”
“Really Addie?” Conrad almost sounded like he was whining. “What did you want me to do? Say, sure come on over, maybe the three of us can get it on.”
“Well damn, at least you talk to her on the phone!” Addie retorted. “I just got emails. Or conversations through messenger.”
“Addie come on!” Conrad was clearly frustrated.
“I don’t get you Conrad.” She looked at him, furious now.
“I’m not committed to anyone Addie.” He said it heatedly slashing his hand through the air.
“Well thank you sergeant fucking obvious. What do you do Conrad? Do you get online and feel these chicks out and ask them if they like you? If they think about you? And then they say yes they do, but when you are asked the same question, you say nothing. Nothing at all. Is that how you operate? To conquer the world and have a woman in every port you go to. But you have to do it while you are deployed so that these stupid women think you are depraved, lacking female companionship.”
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