Running from Romeo

by Diane Mannino

“You’re very distracting.” I murmur.

  “Am I now?” His mouth turns up into that slow, sexy smile.

  He slowly skims his fingers up my arm to my neck and then across my collarbone. Pulling me into his arms, he rolls so that he’s on top of me, his body firmly against mine.

  “Is this distracting?” He breathes as his nose softly sweeps mine.

  I clutch his firm, upper arms and gaze into his beautiful blue eyes.

  “Yes.” I whisper and smile.

  He leans down and softly kisses me along the same path his fingers travelled, down my neck to my shoulder and along my collarbone and then back again.

  “How about that? Is that distracting?”

  “Mmm.” I move my hands from his arms, slowly stroking his back.

  His soft lips touch mine. “That’s a yes?” He teases between kisses.

  My blood heats and I immediately return his kisses. I grab his back with force. Pulling my open mouth to his, our kiss turns passionate. It takes all my self-control to pull back. He rests his forehead on mine as we both make an effort to steady our breathing.

  “Sorry.” I whisper as we gaze into each other’s eyes.

  “Don’t be sorry. I was the one who started with the distracting.” He kisses me softly on the lips and then rolls onto his side.

  “Besides, I want everything to be perfect.” He breathes.

  “Now, you, want to wait?” I ask not hiding my shock.

  He props his head up under his arm so that he’s looking directly into my eyes.

  “Until your ready. I told you that but I also want everything to be just right.”

  “Reverse psychology?” I raise an eyebrow.

  “No. I don’t do games.”

  “So, when I decide I’m ready you aren’t going to make me beg?” My mouth moves into a slight smile.

  “No, you won’t need to beg…that I can promise you.”

  I giggle.

  “Now, why were you having trouble falling back asleep?” He asks.

  “I didn’t tell you. I’m becoming quite the hedonist.”

  “Oh?”

  “I didn’t run yesterday. I’ve never in my entire life missed a run. That’s why I couldn’t sleep. The guilt is killing me.”

  He rolls his eyes at me.

  “Emilia, you need to give yourself a break every now and then. You sure you aren’t feeling guilty about anything else?”

  “No. Why would you think that?” I respond without hesitation.

  “Last night I watched you at the bar.” He says in a serious tone.

  “You were spying on me?” I smile.

  “I suppose you could call it that.”

  “So, are you going to tell me what you’re thinking or do I need to try and guess?”

  “I told you I don’t like to play games. You aren’t aware then?”

  “Aware?” I’m confused. I know I had quite a bit to drink, but what is he getting at?

  He eyes me warily for a moment.

  “You didn’t realize Tyler couldn’t keep his eyes off you?” He runs a hand through his hair and I know he’s exasperated.

  I shake my head.

  “I take it you didn’t tell him about us.” He says dryly.

  “He was on stage, singing. Should I have held up a sign, reading ‘I’m off-limits’?” I smirk.

  “That would have been good.”

  I move my hand around his neck and into his hair, softly weaving my fingers through it.

  “I thought we were going to work on trusting each other?” I smile. “Besides you have nothing to worry about.”

  “Oh?” He whispers, confused.

  “I’m yours and only yours.” I kiss him on the lips.

  “He needs to know that.” He growls.

  “Why are you so upset about this?” I whisper. He’s silent for a moment.

  “I watched him, he wants you.” He murmurs.

  “I don’t want him. I only want you. Don’t you see that?” I narrow my eyes at him.

  “I didn’t like the way he was looking at you, singing to you. I don’t like being jealous. It brings unpleasant thoughts into my head. It’s like a disease, just eats at you.”

  “Believe me I get it. I felt the same way when I saw Seraphina talking to you that night at the Bowl.”

  “You don’t need to worry about her. Besides I told her about us.”

  “When?” I ask. This is news to me, good news and I’m interested in how it all went down.

  “You really want to know?” He asks.

  “Of course.” I stare at him, completely captivated.

  “Why don’t we get up? I’ll tell you after I make you some breakfast.” He sighs.

  “I’d prefer you tell me now. I’d rather lose my appetite now instead of feeling sick to my stomach after I eat.”

  “You’re being ridiculous.” He insists.

  “Am I? I think you’d feel the same way if we were discussing Tyler.” I wait for a moment while he considers this.

  “You’re right. I’ll tell you but only if you promise to let me make you breakfast.”

  “Deal.” I smile.

  “And you’ll sit with me and eat it. I know you are anxious to run but you have all day, right?”

  “Yes. I’ll sit with you and eat. Now, spill the beans.” The anticipation is killing me.

  “Not very patient, are you?” He leans over and kisses me on the lips.

  “You’re one to talk. And, don’t try distracting me with your kissing.” I smile.

  “There’s really not much to tell. I wanted to go to Soho, but Sebastian made plans to go to Tonic. I told him I’d go with him for a little while and that I was going to meet up with you.”

  “I’m sure he was happy about that.” I smirk.

  “Exactly. He’s just pissed because I’m not going out with him every night and getting wasted. It’s not you.”

  “But it is me. I’m keeping you from him.” I interrupt him.

  “It’s my choice to want to be with you. He can’t blame you for that. Now, are you going to stop interrupting me so I can finish the story and we can have breakfast?” He pauses for a moment for my response.

  I nod.

  “We went to Tonic and Sebastian was wasted in no time. I got up to leave, thinking he wouldn’t even notice but he did and he gave me shit. I don’t remember exactly what he said, he was drunk so some of it I couldn’t understand because he was slurring his words so badly.” His story flowed so quickly that I had to really focus to catch everything he was saying.

  “I was on my way out of Tonic when she came after me. She was almost as wasted as Sebastian. She gave me some idiotic speech about being a bad friend, how Sebastian needs me and that’s when she made a pass at me.”

  I scowl. “Can I say it?” I don’t try and hide my annoyance.

  “If it makes you feel better.” He sighs.

  “I told you so.”

  “Feel better?” He asks as he brushes my hair off my shoulder.

  “No. What did she do?”

  “She told me she wanted me. Then she tried to kiss me.” He says it quickly without taking his eyes off mine.

  “Oh.” I say softly. Maybe I didn’t want to hear this.

  “That’s when I told her about us.” He says as he softly strokes the side of my face.

  I sigh.

  “I’ve never been interested in her, Emilia. You have to believe me. I meant it when I said I think of her as a friend and I thought she felt the same way.”

  “I believe you.” I muster a smile. I pause and then ask, “Did they follow you to Soho?”

  He shrugs. “Yes.”

  “That’s why you wanted to leave as soon as I saw you?” I ask, trying to put all the pieces together.

  “That and because I couldn’t take Tyler lusting after you. You really were that oblivious? Jesus, Emilia, it was ridiculously obvious.”

  I shrug. “I had a few drinks and I was dancing with Bryn. I wasn’t payi
ng any attention. You were spying on me. Couldn’t you tell?”

  His lips curl up into a slight smile.

  “Incidentally, I liked that top you had on, I liked it a lot.” He slides closer to me, stroking my cheek with his hand.

  “So couldn’t you tell I was clueless?” I ask again, trying to make a point.

  “I can’t say I blame him. You were looking mighty hot.” He kisses me softly on the lips. “But you need to say something to him.”

  “I’m sure he saw you kissing me and us…you know. I remember I was quite pleased to see you. He’s a big boy, I’m sure he’s figured it out.”

  “Doesn’t matter. You still need to tell him. Right?” His face is abruptly serious.

  “Yes. I will.” I kiss him on the lips.

  “Good. Now let me make you something for breakfast.” He kisses me on the forehead and pulls himself out of bed.

  “You know I can actually cook.” I smile.

  Standing beside the bed, Logan puts his hands out to me and when I take them he pulls me up and into his arms.

  A smile lights up his face. “Another time, besides I like taking care of you.”

  Moving my hands into his hair, I pull him gently towards me and kiss him.

  He pulls back suddenly, gazing down at me. “You get dressed. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

  “An omelet okay?” He turns and asks before heading out of my bedroom.

  “Sure.” I say, nonchalantly.

  “We made a deal. You promised to let me make you breakfast so you are aware that it entails eating more than yogurt?” He smiles.

  “Yes.” I roll my eyes. “I’m actually really hungry so that sounds great.”

  “Good.” He says as he turns to leave.

  After changing into my running clothes and pulling my hair up, I head downstairs to the kitchen. The kitchen bar is already set up with two placemats, napkins, forks, and two glasses of orange juice.

  Logan is standing at the stovetop, finishing with the omelets. Focusing on his cooking, he doesn’t see me when I enter the room. I press up against him from behind.

  “It smells delicious.” I say, softly caressing his upper arms with both my hands.

  He turns his head and smiles.

  “Have a seat, Miss King.”

  “You sure I can’t help?”

  “You’re a bit of a distraction.”

  I make my way to one of the barstools and sit. Watching Logan as he finishes the omelets and plates them. He pulls out some bacon from another pan and puts it on a dish with paper towels. Then he moves to the toaster and places the toast on another plate.

  “You are quite the multi-tasker in the kitchen.” I smile.

  “Just in the kitchen?” He teases.

  I blush as he puts down the plates and sits down beside me.

  The omelet hits the spot. To Logan’s surprise I completely clear my plate and I actually finish before he eats.

  “You can eat more than yogurt for breakfast.” He smiles between bites.

  “It was good, really good. Thank you.” I sit back and watch him eat. “I didn’t eat much yesterday, work was really busy.”

  “Is Rosemary all upset with you because you missed work on Friday?” He smiles slightly.

  “She actually said she was thinking about offering you a job.” I giggle. “I think Mr. Sutton might get a bit jealous if you worked there, she’d be ogling you all day.”

  “Did you tell her you were going to quit and come work for me?”

  I roll my eyes.

  “You never know. You might take me up on one of my offers.” He smiles.

  “Sure.” I smile.

  “A guy can dream.”

  “Yes, dream.” I agree.

  “Work was so busy that you didn’t have time to eat?” I think he’s giving up on his job propositions.

  “Really busy. I sold three boards.” I say proudly.

  “Short and soft or long and fun?” He teases.

  I giggle. “That seems so long ago.”

  “Just a little over a month, the day you seduced me into buying a board and a wetsuit.” He smirks.

  “Funny. I have a different memory of that day.” I arch my eyebrow.

  “You don’t remember your bewitching little dance? I hope you didn’t do that to sell all those boards yesterday. I thought it was just something special you did for me.”

  “Are you done?” I ask.

  He shakes his head. “Then you really were a tease with that sex wax stuff you were selling.”

  I roll my eyes. “I meant are you done with your food? I was going to clean up.”

  He smiles as I clear the dishes.

  “You were so busy you didn’t even eat the food I packed for you?”

  I smile. “I ate the yogurt and banana.” I say as I lean against the counter.

  “Explains why you were so tipsy. Sorry I interrupted that shot of yours, but I didn’t want you getting woozy and faint on me again.”

  “I was glad you did. One blowjob and one screaming orgasm were all I could handle.” I giggle.

  His lips twitch up into that slow, sexy smile as he walks over to me. He grabs me around my waist and pulls me flush against him.

  “Did you like them?” He breathes as he wraps my ponytail around his hand.

  “I did.” I murmur.

  Tugging my ponytail, he pulls and kisses me, hard and passionately.

  “Oh, baby.” He breathes between kisses.

  He kisses me again and then whispers, “When you are ready, I promise we will be so good together.”

  His lips release mine and he hugs me tightly. Leaning back, he gazes down at me. My head is spinning and I try to steady my breathing.

  “What are you thinking about?” He slowly lets out a breath.

  “You’ve made me woozy again.”

  He smiles.

  “You’re turned on because I mentioned those shots…” I breathe, trying to regain my equilibrium.

  Logan interrupts. “Your innocence is irresistible and yes, you know how badly I want you. Then you say those things. You take my breath away.”

  “The feeling is mutual.” I breathe. I gently touch his face and say, “There’s just one difference.”

  “Oh?” He asks confused.

  “You take my breath away and make me faint.” I giggle.

  He smiles. “You seem okay right now.”

  “Only because you stopped kissing me.” I grin.

  “What would you like to do now?” He pauses and then adds softly, “Maybe we could practice just to make sure that doesn’t happen any more.”

  “You don’t make it easy.” I whisper.

  He leans down and kisses me softly on the lips. “So, that’s a yes?” He breathes between kisses.

  I pull back and gaze up into his eyes. “You don’t make it easy to say good-bye.”

  “Don’t say good-bye then.” He kisses me again.

  I look up at him, trying to gauge his thoughts, not sure if he’s serious or not. He’s so persuasive, making it impossible to resist him.

  “How about see you later?” I smile.

  He laughs. “Are you kicking me out?”

  I nod and giggle.

  He looks down at me, taking pity on me and says, “I know you want to run.”

  I look up and kiss him.

  “Thank you for breakfast.” I smile.

  “My pleasure.” He kisses me.

  “You know I really can actually cook. I’ve cooked for my dad, most of my life.”

  “Okay.”

  “Why do I feel like you don’t believe me?” I ask.

  He pulls me into his arms and kisses me. “Don’t be silly. By the way, my dad is coming Friday and he’d like to meet you.”

  “Really?” I say in shock.

  “I know. I was surprised too.” He says speculatively.

  I frown at him. I can’t believe he just said that.

  He laughs. “No, baby. I meant I was surprised
he’s actually coming here.”

  “Oh.” I smile.

  “My mom told him about you and he asked if you’d like to join us for dinner. If you don’t want to, that’s fine.”

  “I’d love to but my dad is coming here Friday night too.”

  “And you were going to tell me this, when?” He sounds a bit annoyed.

  “I’m telling you now.” I smile and then add, “I forgot about it until you just started talking about your dad. I was going to ask you if you wanted to join us.”

  He raises an eyebrow at me. I can tell he doesn’t believe me.

  “Honestly, that’s the truth. Bryn usually joins us and I was just waiting to hear back from her.”

  “I’d like to meet him. Maybe I could meet you for a drink? Do you know where you’re planning on going?” He asks.

  “We usually go to Brophy’s, but we haven’t decided for sure.”

  “Okay. Well, let me know. Unless you don’t want me to meet him?” He murmurs.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. What about your dad?”

  “I’ll meet him after we have drinks. He won’t go to Brophy’s because they don’t take reservations. My dad doesn’t do the waiting thing.”

  “He’s not very patient.” I smirk. The saying the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree pops into my head.

  “I bet I know what you’re thinking, but I’m not impatient with everything, am I?” He stares at me, waiting for me to agree.

  “That’s yet to be determined…but sure, maybe not entirely.” I smile. “So, I won’t get to meet your dad? That doesn’t seem fair.”

  “Depends on your schedule. I don’t want to steal you away from your dad but if you finish early and want to meet us back at the house that would work.”

  Bryn walks in the front door just as we are finishing our discussion; we are saying our goodbyes…I mean our see you laters.

  She’s beaming and looking radiant in her clothes from the previous night. Even after all those shots and probably very little sleep, she still manages to look like a cover girl. I am green with envy.

  “Hi.” Bryn smiles at us when she walks in the door.

  “Bye.” Logan says as he heads out the door.

  “Was it something I said?” She calls after him. Shutting the door, she turns to me.

  I smile at her. “No. He was just leaving.”

  “Another sleepover with him.” She says while she closely examines me.

  “Are you going to do this every time I go out with him?” I roll my eyes.