“Ribeye; that one,” I said pointing to the second one down.
“Well, that’s all good; except for if your family is going to give me the cold reception you got from my former friends.”
It’d been almost a week since we’d been here. I’d already let my former boss know about my new career choice, and received a warm congratulations. When it came to my apartment, I still wanted to hang on to that, so I sent a money gram to my landlord. My car payments were automatically drafted as well as my insurance. Everything back at home was secure.
The only problem was with my family. Josie was okay, but Josie was my best friend, not my mother. My mother was acting as though I’d been gone for months, rather than two weeks. She’d called several times yesterday, wondering where I was and of course how I was doing. Though my mom’s intentions were good, she found it hard to accept that I was an adult.
Now the pressing issue in regards to Axel was finally letting my mom know about him, firs of all, and then let her know that he was in fact white. I never had to do this before, but I guess I could start planning my speech. I needed to talk to Josie later on today. I knew that she wouldn’t flip being that her father is white.
“I promise I will talk to her,” I said dismissively.
“I know that you will, but when Jaida?” Axel pressed as we ordered a packet of assorted chicken.
“Axel, please don’t push this issue. I will handle it; in the meantime, I just need you to trust me. Who's’ to say that when I tell her about your color, that she will be any more or less accepting?” I asked as we wandered towards the pasta.
“She’ll be a whole lot less shocked, that’s for sure. I mean the woman doesn’t even know that I exist!”
“Ok Axel, let’s calm down a bit, your mom doesn't’ know about me either. Are you telling me that it’s more likely that you’ll see my mom before I see yours?” I asked as I selected a few bundles of pasta.
“Ok, you got me there, no my mother doesn’t know about you yet. Though, if you wanted to, we could chat on Skype when we get back to the house,” Axel said causing me to roll my eyes.
“You always have to one up me huh?” I asked trying to control this grin.
“Oh baby, it’s not trying,” he said patting my bottom before walking past me.
If my legs were longer, I would’ve been able to kick him as he walked away laughing. Sometimes Axel could be such a smart ass.
“Axel, you’re a punk,” I said finally catching up to him.
He laughed and slung his arms around my shoulders, “I know,” he said before pressing his lips against my temple.
“You know this all out of fear, right? It’s not you, because I think you’re amazing,” I said as I greeted the cashier in simple Italian. I’d picked it up from Axel during the week we’d been here.
“I understand. I mean the worse they can do is kill me,” he said simply.
“I realize how ridiculous I’m being, but, you’re only my second lover. This is not as easy for me as it will be for you.”
Axel nodded his head. Though he seemed like he wanted to say more, he understood where I was coming from. This was not going to be easy, but it couldn’t possibly go as bad as I thought it could. I imagined my brothers trying to run him off, and my mom leading them into battle.
Though it seemed a little farfetched, there was some truth in my worries. The bright sun brushed our faces as we head towards the car. The weather wasn’t as warm as it had been, giving us the inclination to roll down the windows. My hair flew back from my face in soft romantic curls as I ran my fingers through my silky texture.
“Who’s cooking tonight?” Axel asked as we pulled up to the house.
“Well, you wanted the grilled steaks we had marinating in the fridge right?” I asked him as he turned off the ignition. His eyebrows shot upwards.
“Oh, that’s right! Why did we buy these steaks then?”
“So that we can always have steaks prepared and ready for times like these,” I said shrugging my shoulders.
“You’re a sneaky little thing, aren't you?” he said with a playful wink.
“How about we let’s get that grill cranked,” I said hoping out of the car with a bounce. I smiled at him over the roof of the car.
“Ok, but you’re cooking the side dishes.”
“Fine by me Ax.”
His eyes sparkled and his smile grew brighter before I ducked back under to fetch the groceries. As we handled the load half and half, we brushed shoulders before we walked through the doorway. Axel went straight for the back door with the charcoal he’d left by the glass just outside.
Ruffling through the bags, I started to unpack them and set them aside before preparing the zucchini. As I rinsed the vegetables, my mind began to wander. I started to think about the past week. The morning after I’d met Axel’s friends, I remembered immediately how much better I’d felt compared to the night before.
My head was resting right in the nook of Axel’s shoulder and his chest. My sight was obscured by his chest as it rose and fell. I watched the movement for a few moments before lifting my head. His eyes were the second thing that I saw. They were half masked, but I could tell that they were on me.
My lips lazily formed a smile as I leaned down to kiss his sturdy peck. My lungs expanded deeply as I covered my mouth. I felt the tugging of his fingers through my messy locks and smiled when he retracted only to touch my lips.
“Good morning, beautiful,” his voice caused goose bumps to make patterns down my arms.
“Good morning, handsome,” I replied.
He smiled tenderly; his eyes bright as the wind brushed in through the open window. The way I felt at the moment, I didn’t even remember the anger I experienced last night. It was as if he’d erased my memory during my sleep. But I did remember one thing; Axel’s mention of love.
His promise of love. It made me wonder what was going on in that heart of his. Did he already love me? Or was he falling in love with me? Apparently I’d been staring too long, because he had this confused look on his face.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked inquisitively.
“Nothing…” I lied with a chuckle.
“Well, if nothing is putting that smile on your face, then I’m officially jealous,” he said.
“I’m thinking of you,” I started, but stopped when I thought of how he would react to his pillow talk comment.
“Oh really?” he asked suggestively.
“You’re such a guy,” I commented with a playful roll of my eyes.
“I have a beautiful, naked woman lying on my naked body; what else did you expect?” he asked as he pulled me into a kiss.
“This is true; I’ll give you that one.”
“You’ll give me all of you if I asked,” he stated.
I opened my mouth to refute, but I couldn’t. Axel wasn’t just a guy; he was much more than that. Axel was something special. My heart beat like a snare every time he came into the room. The hairs on the back of my neck rose to attention when he spoke.
“You scare me sometimes, Ax,” I said.
“How so?” he asked with a bright smile.
“How you know me so well. Even after just a few weeks. You know me more than Ethan ever could; most of it is just from paying attention.”
“When you’re studying a subject that interests you,” he said lying on his side as he repositioned us. “I mean really, interests you; it’s hard not to learn every little thing about said subject,” he said as his fingers caressed my lips.
“Oh yeah?”
“My favorite subject was geography. I loved to learn the beauty of the land,” he said as he smoothed the skin from my abdomen to my breast. “The features and the inhabitants,” he said brushing warm fingertips against my lips before gently tapping my forehead.
“I like that analogy,” I said closing my eyes when he traced the outline of my cheekbone.
“Good. Now how about I make you some breakfast. I’m g
oing to get freshened up, you do the same, and I will be back with some food.”
“Sounds great.”
The veggies were chopped and ready to go into the pan by the time I’d finished daydreaming. Luckily for me that I didn’t slice a finger. As I cranked up the heat on the stove, I spread olive oil on the surface of the pan before I heard the sizzle of the veggies.
I focused on the sound of metal against metal and turned my head to watch Axel as he prepared the grill. Turning down the heat on the veggies, I made my way towards the door. The solid frame of the door supported my weight as I watched Axel. He’d placed the steaks down above the flames; they sizzled, crackled, and let off a tantalizing aroma.
My mouth watered, and not just because of the steak. The way his shirt laid against his sturdy chest and broad shoulders made me hungry. He looked so good manning the grill the way he did. I had to stop myself from jumping him right then and there.
His eyes flashed when they locked with mine. A smile creased his lips before he waved me over. Turning to go back to the kitchen with a plate, I crossed the yard until I stood beside him. The steaks caused my mouth to water in anticipation of a first bite. Axel was a master when it came to grilling!
Without another glance, I turned around as quickly, but carefully as I could, and made it to the table in record timing. Yelling out towards Axel to grab the veggies off of the stove, I took a seat and waited for Axel to join me.
“Wow, I’ve never seen you so excited; you forgot a second plate, drinks, and silverware.”
“I’m sorry; all I was worried about at the time was the steaks,” I said with a chuckle.
“Ok honey, we’ll get you squared away.”
“So,” I said after slicing in and taking a juicy bite, “I guess you’re still serious about the status of your relationship with Dillon and Jeremy.”
“Yes, we’re done,” he said plainly while taking a bite of his steak.
“You know how I feel about that.”
“I understand that, but I have already made my decision,” he said.
“Ok,” Was all I said before Axel changed the subject.
I knew that he didn’t want to talk about it, but I did. These are people who he has known for many years. To drop them because of their opinion of me is huge. I know that Axel is very fond of me, but I would like to know how much.
Chapter Two
“I wanted to take you to Venice tomorrow,” Axel said as we walked the beach hand in hand. Axel had gotten a new bikini for me as a gift. It was navy blue, and crisscrossed in the front. It flattered my curves and contrasted well against my brown skin.
“Oh? How far away is that from here?” I asked him as I side stepped a spiky seashell.
“About three hours.”
“Wow, so we’ll staying in Venice for a little while I’m guessing,” I said with a smile.
“Just a couple of days; I think you’ll like it.”
“I’m pretty sure I will.”
“You haven’t been there before, right?” he asked.
“No. When I went with my dad that time, it was to Sicily.”
“Oh, how did you like that?” his footsteps playfully toyed with the sand as we stood still.
“It was beautiful. We didn’t stay in anything lavish, but, the view, the culture; everything was amazing.”
“My mom would love to hear you say that. She’s very proud of her culture,” he said against my forehead as we stood, palm against palm. He laced his fingers with mine before he spoke.
“She has every right to be. And so do you.”
“Of course. We all do,” he said palming my face before taking my mouth in a slow and tender kiss.
“Mmm,” I commented.
“Like sugar,” his tongue slid over his lips.
“Is this a private beach?” I asked him as I began to run my hands along his body.
His smile brightened his irises as his laugh lines made their sexy appearance. My bottom lip was between my teeth as I held onto his neck. He held my waist snugly as he laid me against the warm beach sand. His hands groped my chest before he laid his hand against my neck.
“In fact, it’s mine.”
***
Going to Venice was like traveling to a new world. Although we were still in Italy, it was like fishing in West Virginia, and then dining in New York. The smell was different, the atmosphere had changed, and most of all, the look was transformed. We’d arrived not too long after one; we’d left a quarter till nine.
I was a little tired from travel, so Axel had rented a small riverside villa for us. It was gorgeous which is nothing less than what I expected. Though it was considerably the smallest location yet, It still quite spacious.
Axel decided to go out and get fixings for a late lunch while I stay in the hotel and slept. He wasn’t gone for five minutes before I curled up in the bed. I drifted off into a nice deep slumber.
When I woke up, I heard rustling in the kitchen, and figured it was Axel preparing lunch. I decided to stay warm for a little bit longer. This bed was hugging me better than my own mother, and I didn’t want to leave its embrace just yet. My stretch caused a moan to escape from my lips, my muscles quivering against the strain.
“Are you awake in here, baby?” Axel asked as he poked his head into smile at me.
“I’m just soaking up this warmth.”
“Here, let me open the windows and blinds for you.”
Warm sunlight spilled in like fine wine. My skin drank in its warmth and became intoxicated by the shine. I smiled and closed my eyes as I continued to relish the feeling. I wasn’t used to being treated this well, but a girl could get used to feeling like a princess.
“You look so comfortable; I'm almost tempted to join you.”
“Come on in, there’s plenty of room,” I invited.
“Don’t you want to eat some lunch?” he asked as his feet led him towards me.
“I do, but what I really want is to lay here for a little while.”
“Are you not hungry?” Axel said as he curled up next to me.
“I am a little. How about you bring the food in here?”
“Sounds good. I made us some sandwiches,” he said before disappearing out of the room and into the kitchen. I smiled upon his arrival at sight of those sandwiches!
“Prosciutto? Oh, I love prosciutto!” I said as I held my plate under my mouth as I bit into my sandwich.
“It’s prosciutto, provolone cheese, tomato salad and lettuce, on top of Italian bread.”
“Axel, you spoil me likes this, and I’ll never leave.”
“Well, then, I know how to keep you,” he said with a wink.
“That and all of the tantric sex. You keep those two up, and I’m your girl for life.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a girlfriend this easy going,” he commented in appreciation as he slowly chewed his sandwich.
“Well, to be fair, neither have I,” I said jokingly as I covered my mouth while laughing.
Axel laughed along with my corny joke and shook his head at my goofiness. I could tell that was something he loved about me with the twinkle in his eye. And there it is again: the “L” word. Love.
I found that the more time I spent with Axel, the more and more I used that word to describe things that I admired about him. I noticed how I adored things rather than just liked things.
But I didn’t dare say it aloud. As a matter of fact, I found myself purposely avoiding that word around him. It wasn’t like I was afraid that he wouldn’t say it back. I was just afraid of hearing myself say these words.
I felt a light tap on the button of my nose and smiled when I concentrated on Axel’s smile. There were times when he was the only one to be able to snap me out of my daydreaming. My active imagination was going to be the death of me one day. At least that’s what my parents told me.
“I love that look on your face when you’re thinking hard about something,” Axel commented before collecting and deposing of ou
r dirty plates.
“I could imagine how amusing it must look,” I said.
“It’s absolutely beautiful. Of course it is all the time, but especially when you are concentrating. There’s something about your eyes and the way your irises seem to dance. Your eyebrows furrow so slightly, and you lips pout.”
“That’s beautiful to you? Because the picture you just painted in my head makes me sound like a fish!” I said with a short chuckle.
“I’m serious, Jaida. There’s nothing more beautiful than a woman with a beautiful mind.”
Well, I love the look you give me when I call you Ax. Your eyes light up even brighter than they are, and your laugh lines show,” I said tracing one of them with my finger.
“You’re making them deeper, I hope you know that,” he said as he laid a peck on my palm.
“That’s always a good thing to hear.”
“Speaking of good things, I wanted us to go out to eat tonight, and then I have a surprise for you.”
“Oh really?” I perked up when he said surprise.
“Someone looks intrigued,” he commented.
“Well, you’re really good at surprises, Axel. One day, I need to surprise you with something. I’m starting to feel outdone,” I joked, half seriously, half not.
“You don’t have to do anything special for me.”
“Of course I do. Look at all of this,” I said metaphorically as I monitored towards the room, “You’ve really spoiled me.”
“Really, honey, all you have to do is keep being you, and let me have every bit of it,” he said against my neck.
“Oh, you can guarantee that!”
After a lovely dinner by candlelight and beautiful sunset, Axel and I were now touring the streets. As we walked, Axel was like my personal tour guide. He knew everything about the buildings, the people, and how this place came to be.
I was so intrigued by his street savvy as we began to walk towards the canals, that I wondered how often he visited. It made me optimistic about learning this culture more extensively in the future.
I was about to ask what we were doing, when I heard the sound of a violin playing softly in the distance. At first it was like a whisper, but then it grew louder and I realized then that the person that was playing was coming closer.
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