Take Me

by Bella Andre

  "Room 305."

  As soon as Janica disappeared up the stairs, Luke sat down across from Travis. The two brothers sat in silence, until Travis broke it with, "I really messed up this time, didn't I?"

  Luke started to nod, but then stopped himself at the last second. After all, hadn't he been the one who told Lily to rip Travis to shreds? Luke hated to see his brother in pain, and guilt overwhelmed him. A week ago at the Fog City Diner he'd been giving Lily his brilliant advice on how to play Travis like a fiddle. But he had underestimated both his best friend and his brother.

  And look where it had gotten the two of them: married and suffering.

  Luke didn't like himself very much all of a sudden. And here I always thought I was the nice brother.

  Travis was waiting for Luke's response, so without either agreeing or disagreeing with the question of how much of a screwup his twin was, Luke said, "Do you want to talk about it?"

  Travis pushed his palms into his eye sockets. "No," he said. "Yes. I don't even know where to start. I mean, I've been horrible to Lily since the very beginning, since we were kids ...but now, this ..."

  Luke swallowed past the lump in this throat. He'd never seen his brother in pain like this. "You really are afraid of losing her, aren't you?" Luke didn't mean for there to be such disbelief in his words.

  Travis glared at his brother. "You don't think very much of Lily, do you?" His words held the promise of danger.

  "Trav, no, it's not that. Lily's amazing. I--"

  Travis cut Luke off. "Here I thought you were her best friend all these years, but now I'm finding out that you don't know her at all. Lily is the most incredible person I have ever met. There's nothing about her that I don't love." Luke's eyes widened at the word "love." Every muscle in Travis's body readied for attack. "What? You're surprised that I'm in love with Lily?" Travis laughed, but it was an ugly sound. "You should have expected that. After all, who wouldn't be in love with her? It's me who doesn't deserve to be loved."

  Luke tried to reply, but Travis wasn't finished yet. "That's right. I'm a sorry excuse for a human being, and if Lily never wants to see me again, I'd understand it. What the hell can I give her? Lessons in selfishness?"

  Luke couldn't watch Travis rage at himself any longer. "Yeah, you've been selfish and arrogant and condescending more times than I can count," he said. Travis deflated like a pinpricked balloon at his words, sinking into the sofa, looking smaller than Luke had ever seen him. "You've done some things that I can't condone. And you've treated a lot of woman like dirt over the years."

  "Don't let me stop you now that you're on a roll," Travis said dryly.

  Luke slid over next to Travis on the couch. "Look. You've finally faced up to who you've been all these years."

  "I've been the worst to Lily," Travis said into his chest, his neck slumped down like a drunk.

  Luke nodded. "I know you have. But what I'm trying to say, Trav, is that it's not too late to change. It's never too late to change."

  Travis looked up from his chest. "You're not just blowing smoke, are you?"

  Luke laughed. "Trust me, the last thing I'd do is build you back up if you didn't deserve it. But you do, Trav. Look at how you've already changed since you and Lily connected. You've got something to fight for now, someone who's more important than your pride or ego or even how much you might hate yourself right now."

  A glimmer of the old Travis poked through. "Hate's a pretty strong word, don't you think?"

  Luke laughed, and said, "Gotta call 'em like I see 'em." Sobering, he said, "Now the question is, what are you going to do to win Lily back?"

  Travis looked up at the frescoed ceiling. "What if there's nothing I can do? What if she doesn't love me anymore?"

  Luke gave his brother a rare and spontaneous hug. "That's not how love works, Trav. But it's up to you now to prove that to her." A little uncomfortable with all the sharing they were doing, Luke got back to the nitty-gritty details. "Got a place to sleep tonight?" Travis shook his head, and Luke said, "Didn't think so. Why don't you crash with me and Janica? She sweet-talked an old lady in town into letting us use a guest room."

  "Thanks, but I'd rather stay here."

  "Just in case she comes down?"

  Travis nodded and looked bleak. "Just in case."

  SOMEONE KNOCKED on the door and Lily groaned. "Go away," she said, hoping Travis hadn't come back to talk to her again. She couldn't deal with him tonight, but she didn't know if she had the strength to send him away a second time. The knock came again, and this time Janica said, "Lils, it's me. Let me in."

  Lily climbed out of bed and slipped on a silky robe, then padded over to the heavy wooden door and opened it an inch.

  Janica stood in the hall, looking unsure of herself. "Hi."

  Out of the blue, Lily was overwhelmed with love for her sister. "Come here." She opened the door wide and wrapped her arms around Janica's slender frame. "I love you," she said, and Janica said, "I love you, too."

  Lily felt tears well up in her eyes so she let go of Janica and turned around. "Isn't this room amazing?" she said with forced gaiety.

  Janica made a perfunctory glance around the room, which wasn't like her at all. "Yeah, it's great," she said dismissively. "I wanted to make sure you're okay."

  Lily was so touched her bottom lip started to tremble. She sank down on the nearest couch in the living room.

  "I can't believe you came all the way to Italy," she said. "For me."

  Janica bit her lip. "Luke and I thought we were doing the right thing, but maybe..."

  Lily squeezed her sister's hand. "You came to save me, didn't you?"

  Janica nodded, and a lone tear fell. "Maybe you didn't need saving after all. Maybe everything was going just fine until we came along and ruined everything."

  "It would have happened anyway. San Francisco, Italy, it doesn't really matter."

  "He loves you, Lil," Janica said fervently. "I know he does."

  Lily sucked in a breath. "Did he say something to you?"

  Janica shook her head and Lily's face fell. "No, but that's not the point. I know he loves you. And you should have seen him down there in the lobby. I've never seen anyone look more pathetic."

  Lily crumpled, and Janica hugged her. "I don't know what to do. What to think. He said he loved me, but then he said it didn't mean anything. And I love him so much I hate myself. And now he says we're legally married."

  "Shh," Janica crooned against Lily's hair. "Remember when I was a little girl, and I'd be really upset about something?" Lily nodded. "And you always said that if I went to sleep when I woke up in the morning everything would be so much better?" Janica reached for Lily's hand and helped her to her feet. "It always worked, Lils," Janica said as she walked her sister toward the bedroom.

  "I'll never be able to sleep," Lily protested, but Janica had taken control and was flipping back the covers, smoothing down the crisp, clean sheets, and fluffing the pillows.

  "Hop in," Janica said, and Lily looked at her baby sister, glad that she didn't have to do all the worrying by herself anymore.

  "Jan," she said, "will you stay with me for a while?"

  "Just like when we were kids," Janica said.

  For the first time, their roles were reversed as Janica curled herself up around Lily and rocked her to sleep.

  14

  AFTER SPENDING a long sleepless night on the couch in the lobby waiting and hoping for Lily to come down the stairs, and say, "I forgive you. I love you. Come to bed," Travis was glad to see the sun finally shining on the cobblestones outside. She obviously hadn't forgiven him and he still hadn't figured out any way to win her back. Where, he wondered desperately, was the guy who could talk his way out of any situation? What had happened to his smooth words?

  Their plane was leaving the following morning and Travis was running out of time. Somehow, he knew that if he couldn't convince Lily that he loved her there in Tuscany, he'd never be able to. Real life in San Francisco wo
uld, without a doubt, intrude and stomp all over his flagging hopes of being with the woman he loved.

  Stubbly and haggard, Travis stretched his arms and legs out. Maybe an espresso would kick-start his brain and help him feel halfway decent. He headed out onto the quiet streets, down to the corner cafe. Standing at the bar, Travis downed three espressos, cutting himself off when his head started to buzz in a rather unpleasant manner.

  A well-polished woman came in off the street and signaled to the waiter. Travis didn't spare a thought to the woman's abundant breasts or perfectly made-up face. Instead, he noticed the way the light played off a huge sapphire on her right hand.

  "That's it," he said, filled with sudden anticipation. "I need to buy her a ring!"

  Throwing down several coins on the polished bar, Travis asked the cafe owner where the nearest jewelry shop was located. Changed from a pathetic loser to a man on a mission in a matter of seconds, Travis's long legs ate up the distance between the cafe and the jewelry store. Given that it was barely past sunrise, the store was dark and deserted. He paced back and forth in front of the store, his impatience growing by leaps and bounds with every moment that passed.

  And then he noticed the sign, translated to read, "Closed on Mondays."

  Travis had to restrain himself from punching the glass in on the door as he snarled, "What am I going to do now?"

  He pushed through the front door of the hotel and was greeted by Giuseppe, who was just starting his shift at the check-in desk.

  "Signor Travis! What a beautiful wedding it was yesterday." Giuseppe winked. "I saw that you and the signora left the celebration as soon as the cake was cut." Noting Travis's wrinkled and weary appearance, he said, "You are up early after such a night. Is there something I can help you with, signor?"

  Travis figured he was out of luck, but he'd never forgive himself if he didn't give it one last try. "I need to buy Lily a ring," he said, getting straight to the heart of it. "Will any stores be open today?"

  Giuseppe shook his head. "I'm sorry, with the festival everything is closed because of the celebration."

  Travis nodded and closed his eyes in defeat.

  "All hope is not lost, signor. I will make a phone call if you will wait a moment," Giuseppe said as he picked up the phone at his elbow. After a short, colorful conversation that Travis was too tired to try and follow, Giuseppe smiled broadly. "My sweet mother has a small business selling antique jewelry. Would you like to see her?"

  Considering that he would have bought a dime store ring out of a bubble-gum machine at that point, Travis was thrilled by this option. He ran down the street to retrieve their rental car where they'd parked it during the festival and an hour later, Travis looked at the ring in his palm. Now that his initial panic had receded, Travis realized that the store down the street being closed had been a blessing in disguise. A new, shiny platinum diamond ring wouldn't have fit Lily at all. Not like the ring that had so lovingly been given to him by Giuseppe's mother.

  Thick, soft gold, the band had weathered time and was beautifully imperfect. A three-carat sapphire sat in the center of the band, while red rubies and green emeralds surrounded the sparkling blue gem that reminded Travis so much of Lily's eyes. It was a ring like none Travis had ever seen, rippling with color and character.

  Just like Lily.

  As Travis drove up the winding streets back toward the hotel, he prayed that Lily would wear the ring. Unfortunately, Travis knew that at this point not even an addicted gambler would have bet on it.

  LILY OPENED HER EYES as the first rays of light streamed in the bedroom window. Janica lay next to her on the large bed, snuggled up tight with a pillow. Lily's first sensation was delight at the beautiful blue sky. And then she remembered how every one of her dreams had come crashing down around her last night.

  Travis's words jumbled together in her head.

  "Have I told you how beautiful you look today?"

  "We were giving the locals a good show up there, right Lily?"

  "I love you, Lily Ellis. I always have."

  "It didn't mean anything."

  "You're mine, all mine."

  "It's no joke, Lily. We're legally married. The ceremony was binding."

  Lily no longer had a clue what to think or feel, especially after Janica's heartfelt, and unexpected, vote of confidence for Travis and his profession of love. She sighed and curled up into a tight ball on the bed. She wished she could cry to release some of the pain inside, some of the confusion, but the tears refused to fall.

  On a day when she should have been preparing herself to head back to the dull life she had always lived, Lily couldn't escape the feeling that she was waiting for something else to happen. She closed her eyes, but she knew sleep was a distant memory.

  Married?It was impossible for her to grasp. How could Travis have known that it was a real ceremony and still gone through with it? Especially if he was going to denounce everything the first chance he got?

  Pulling on her robe, she headed for the bathroom. A bath, that was what she needed to clear her head. Lily leaned over to turn on the faucets on the side of the luxurious tub and her hands stilled on the bronze fixture. Memories of masturbating while Travis watched were impossible to push away. And then that night in the olive field when he had made love to her. It had been so perfect.

  No, she couldn't get back into the bathtub, the memories were too fresh. She opened the shower door and willed herself to forget having had naughty sex with Travis on the small ledge. Turning the water on full blast, she closed her eyes as it streamed over her face, plastering her curls to her head. She brushed her hair out of her eyes and reached for the shampoo. But as she poured some onto her hand, the smell reminded her so strongly of Travis she nearly cried out.

  He was everywhere. And Lily knew he wouldn't stop haunting her once she had left Italy. Especially if the marriage was really legal, and they had to deal with an annulment.

  No, he would continue to haunt her in San Francisco, as he always had before. Only this time, she knew the reality of Travis. The glorious, sensual Travis. The funny, sweet Travis. The infuriatingly macho Travis.

  But most of all, she'd be left with the part of Travis that made her hurt so much. The man who claimed to be in love at 5:00P.M. , and then changed his mind at 8:00P.M. , then back again an hour later.

  She rinsed the shampoo out of her hair and lathered up with soap. She needed to get out of the bathroom and fast, before she became a whimpering idiot. Finally finished, she toweled off and headed back into the bedroom to get dressed.

  She and Travis had planned to visit one final antique dealer that morning. Lily wanted nothing more than to hide in the room all day under the covers, but no matter how screwed up her personal life was, she was committed to doing her very best as an interior designer for Travis's clients. She was going to the antique store, and she was going to look beautiful and professional.

  A wispy blue sleeveless dress called to her from the armoire. She hadn't felt nearly bold enough to wear it before, but now that it didn't matter how she dressed, she fingered the beautiful material. She sat down on the bed and bent over to towel-dry her hair.

  I can do this, she told herself as she took a deep breath. Her hair nearly dry, she pulled the dress out, stepped into it, and closed the side zipper. Taking another deep breath, she turned to look into the full-length mirror on the armoire in the corner of the room.

  She gasped with surprise. The dress outlined her full figure beautifully, lovingly cupping her breasts before draping to her waist, then back out at her hips. The hem brushed the bottoms of her knees.

  I wish Travis could have seen me in this dress, she thought, then grimaced. Who cared what Travis thought? From that moment on, she was going to dress to look good for no one but herself.

  Slipping into a pair of strappy sandals, she grabbed her purse and went downstairs to catch a cab. Giuseppe whistled from behind the front desk.

  "Good morning," she said, hoping ag
ainst hope that he wouldn't bring up last night's wedding.

  No such luck. "You are bellissima this morning," he exclaimed as he kissed his lips.

  "Thank you, Giuseppe."

  "But of course, what bride is not beautiful?" he asked, grinning from ear to ear. "I saw your signor here earlier, and I think you will like his surprise very much." He slapped his hand over his mouth. "But I cannot say any more."

  Lily's heart started racing, and she reached out for the counter to support her shaky legs. "Surprise?"

  Giuseppe waggled his finger at her. "Not another word."

  Lily nodded, but the buzzing in her ears was so loud she couldn't remember why she was standing at the reception desk in the first place. She merely had to hear Travis's name, and she could barely remember her own. Oh yes, it dawned on her, she needed a cab. For her appointment.

  Forcing a smile, she said, "Could you please call a taxi for me, Giuseppe? Thank you."

  He nodded, and she went to sit outside on a stone bench. What kind of surprise did Travis have in store for her? She wasn't up to any more surprises. What she wouldn't give to go back to her old boring life. Sure, it had lacked spark, but at least it had been peaceful.

  But even as she thought it, she knew she wasn't being honest with herself. She wouldn't give up this week with Travis for anything. Because no matter how much he'd hurt her, at least she'd finally gotten to find out what it was to truly live. Every moment in his arms had been glorious. Every laugh they'd shared had been a flower blooming in the sun.

  Soon enough she'd go back to her old life. But in this incredible blue dress lay her last chance to be the new sexy, fun, adventurous Lily. Even if she had to try to do it without Travis by her side.

  TRAVIS SHOOK GIUSEPPE'S HAND. "I owe you one. You're a genius." He bounded up the stairs without waiting for a response. He knocked on the door to Room 305. "Lily? Are you in there?"

  The door opened and his heart soared--Lily was actually going to listen to him, which must mean she didn't hate him after all--but then he saw Janica's face and went cold as ice.

  "She's not here," Janica said as she lounged against the door-frame. "But geez," she said with a smile, "nice room, huh?"