Two Can Play (31 page)

Nothing, ever...she's got me. I'm well and truly hooked. I put my hands up in total surrender.

“
I'm never letting you go. Even if I have to move to L.A.”

“
We'll have to think about that at some stage, won't we? God, I'm so glad you came to Las Vegas. But it's such a shame it all went wrong and we didn't meet up.”

“
Well, it all came good in the end. More than good. It was worth all those plane fares.”

She lays her arm on my chest, raising her head.

“So, what made you change your mind and come to find me in Vegas?”

“
I never did change my mind about you, I just went crazy jealous for a while. I felt bad about everything the second I left Venice on that damn plane.”

“
I was praying you'd come back and I could explain.”

“
I was angry, that's all, and then I just felt like shit.”

“
You have a real mean tongue, don't you?”

“
Yep, a real bastard tongue.” I smile, hesitantly.

“
I hope I don't get too many more tongue lashings like that. It really hurt.”

“
I only let rip because I felt so strongly about you, Kate. It shocked the hell out of me as well. I'm so sorry about all that.”

I rub my finger around her face softly.

“I never want to hurt you again, just make you feel good and make you smile.”

She grins at me, lots of pretty white teeth. I love her smile. I could stare at it all day.

I'm thinking, seriously, if what I feel right now isn't love, then I don't know what is.

And I really don't mind thinking it.

Saying it might be a little harder.

I'm up, showered and dressed, sitting on my bed next to Aaron, who's still dead to the world. It's not surprising he's exhausted considering how much effort he put into saying hello last night.

I text Chris and ask about Ricky and the engagement. He seems to be behaving himself as I've not heard anything to the contrary, and I'm always the first to know when he does. I hope he keeps it up
and
appreciates what he has in her. She's more than a great girl in my opinion. Then I text Mom and explain everything in detail. I've promised her I'll be back in four days max, hopefully with Aaron. That gives us plenty of time to chill together, for him to see his mom, and to sort some things out about her treatment. I hope he can come to Las Vegas with me, but if not, I'll have to accept that. He has more responsibilities than I do.

I roll on top of him and wake him up with a kiss. And then another. He's extremely kissable.

“'Morning, handsome.”

“
Mmm, morning to you, too.” His eyes open and he rubs them and stretches all manly style, the full width and length of the bed.

“
Want some breakfast? I'll go and get something from the bakery for you.”

I plan to make sure he's well fed so he can keep up his excellent performance in the bedroom.

“Yeah, I'm starving, go get me something big.” 

“
Okay, I'll be back in ten.” I put my sandals on and cover up the evidence of my broken arm with a light sweater. I don't really want to discuss that with Mario, it's too complicated. Picking up my purse and keys, I set off towards the plaza. I deliberately don't look in Lorenzo's direction when I turn the corner, just in case I see Marco and he waves at me and I break my promise to Aaron on day one.

The bakery I love with a passion is called 'Torte Calde', which translates to hot cakes in English. The bell over the door rings loudly drawing the attention of Mario, who pops his head up from cleaning something under the counter. The smell of fresh bread and sweet cakes invades my nostrils pleasantly. 

“Ahhh, bella Kate, sweet as sugar, do I get kiss?” he says enthusiastically, leaning over the counter and offering his plump cheek as I approach.

He's old enough to be my father, so it's a little embarrassing to be chatted up by him at times, although he is quite funny. I bet he was a real Romeo in his day and obviously old habits die hard.

I kiss his cheek.

“
And now, the other.”

I kiss his other cheek.

“And here.” He points at his mouth.

“
Oh come on then,” I smile and peck his mouth quickly, giggling as our mouths meet.

We're just drawing apart from our kissing greeting, when Luigi, his son, appears through the door with a tray of pane lungo. Long sub-like bread rolls that are still steaming straight from the oven. The smell is heavenly. I think I'm a yeast addict.

“How are you, Kate? You look a lot happier than the last time I saw you. Is everything okay now?” he asks me in his perfect English.

“
Yeah, I'm real good now.” I smile at him widely.

“
Well that's good to hear. I was worried about you, you know. If I knew where you lived I'd have sent Izza round to check on you.”

“
For future reference, it's number ten Calle Chiesa, apartment B. And it's so sweet of you to worry.”

“
That's me all over. A big sweetie. Ask Izza.” He laughs. “Anyway, yet again, I feel I must apologize for my pappa. If my poor mother, God rest her soul, could see him sometimes, she'd turn in her grave. He's such an embarrassment with the Signorinas. But as you know, completely harmless.” He tips the rolls into a basket and smiles at me and winks, conspiratorially. Luigi's a sweetheart. Thirty-five-ish, and short at five foot five, I'd guess. And about as wide as well. With a matching wife, Izza. They might be a yeast addicts too, or maybe just food addicts, period.

I laugh at Mario's scowling expression.

“Mi Scusi?” Mario ticks his son off in a mild stream of Italian profanity and waves him away, out the back door to where he came from, mock kicking at him crossly. “Ooh, mio figlio.” He makes a loud tutting noise. “So, bella regazza, what's news for you?” he finally continues.

“
No news at all. I've been extremely lazy,” I lie.

“
Holidays again?”

“
Yep. For a few days, then back to Vegas.”

“
Ah yes, now I remember...to see mamma Kate?”

“
Yeah, good old mamma Kate, bless her.” I laugh.

“
And what can Mario give for you today?”

I scan the heaving food counter with interest.

“What about those?” I point at something, twirled like a pinwheel, rather large and savory looking, with tomato, cheese and herbs on top. It has “Aaron will love” written all over it.

“
Pizza speciale pasticceria...?”

“
Special sounds good to me.”

“
Molto buona, my own recipe. Pastry flaky. Very. Lots of butter, yes? Mwahhh!” he kisses his fingertips in demonstration.

“
Gimme two, the biggest ones you've got.”

“
Two? One is very big. No two...too much for you.”

“
No...not two for me...one for me and one for
him
.” I point over my shoulder, in the direction of my apartment.

“
Him, what him? I see no him before, you are
my
Kate, only mine...,” he says with mock horror.

“
Afraid not, Mario. Aaron's my boyfriend, not you.” I snort with laughter.

“
Ahh, well,” he sighs heavily, shaking his head at me and smiling. “It was good while it lasted...so, this is boyfriend breakfast, yes?”

“
Yeah, and we both need lots of
calories.
..you know...for energy later.” I wink, teasing him.

He flushes a little pink around the cheeks and I laugh loudly.

“Oh, Kate. Naughty, naughty,” he replies in a low, chuckling voice.

He pops the two pastries in a box, still chuckling to himself, and shaking his head.

I've definitely set him off now. I love the mildly flirtatious banters we have. They're not normally quite so naughty as this one, but he's a bit of a laugh when he gets going.

“
Any more
calories
for boyfriend?” he asks with a twinkle in his eye, sniggering like mad.

“
Mmmm, lots more...I'll have two very milky lattes please. Massimmo. Ummm, yeah, with double cream, extra shots, and two, no, make that three sugars each.”

“
Gesù! Sooo many calories, I am very jealous of this man. Santa Madre, lucky, lucky him.” He looks at me in a really filthy way over the top of the espresso machine and we burst out laughing.

I'm still giggling like a lunatic, a few minutes later, as he hands me the box and a carry carton with the drinks inside. I pay and wait for my change, which he pops in my hand, after stroking my palm several times first.

“'Bye then, Mario, I'll think of you when we get to the specials.”

He clutches his heart and then gestures at the door “Cristo! You
so
naughty
, you go right now and be gone. Leave poor Mario to cry while you enjoy so many calories for later.”

“
Well I'm pretty sure I'll be enjoying something later, maybe not calories though. See ya, Mario. 'Bye, Luigi,” I call out loudly.

“
'Bye, Kate,” his muffled voice calls back. It sounds like he's eating, got a mouth full of something, not that that's a surprise.

I return to the apartment, humming and giggling with naughty happiness.

He's up and in the shower.

“
I'm back,” I call out.

“
Be out in five,” he replies.

I sit waiting patiently for his arrival at the table. I sip my superb bucketful of coffee and he appears, smelling divine, and looking even more so, his hair all wet and shiny. He sits down and grabs his food, taking a big bite of his special, closing his eyes as he absorbs the taste.

“Mmm, this is damn good,” he murmurs as he chews. Then he washes it down with a big gulp of coffee and takes another huge bite, like he's a starving man. I love watching him eat. It's a sensual feast.

I lean on the table and stare. A besotted, love-struck stare that I can't and don't want to hide. He laughs at me.

“I'm not that interesting, am I?”

“
Oh yes, you are.”

More than interesting. Fascinating, out of this world fuck-me-to-death goddamn wonderful.

He stops eating and smiles at me. A serious little smile.

“
Wanna meet my family today?”

“
Sure, that'll be good,” I say in a dreamy voice. I'd fly to the moon with him, or wherever he wants. Meet the devil for tea, if he asks me to.

“
I'll see if they're all around this afternoon, shall I?”

“
Okay, and talking of family, I've promised my mom I'll be back on Tuesday at the latest.”

“
So we've got four days together?”

“
Want to come back to Vegas with me?”

“
I ought to get back to New York.”

“
Maybe you can visit some other time then?”

I try to keep the disappointment out of my voice, unsuccessfully.

“Kate...listen. I can't leave everything to Jack, Ed, and my PA, as it's my company. I need to be there to run it sometimes.”

“
It's fine, Aaron, you don't have to explain. I know you're busy.”

“
But I want to explain. I'd much rather be coming with you, obviously, but I can't right now.”

“
It's cool, really, no problem at all.”

I stand up with a sigh and walk across the room, grabbing my iPod and finding something to listen to, to take the edge off my feelings. I don't want to be apart from him for a second. That's the truth of it.

I plug the iPod in the speakers and I'm instantly in a better mood as Mariah Carey's perfect tones start to float around the room. She's the ultimate Miss Hot in terms of voice. My heart and soul are flying again as I look at him. He's eating, so damn sexily, watching me as I walk back toward him, drinking my coffee, placing the cup on the table. I slip my leg over his lap and sit down facing him. I kiss his pizza-flavored mouth as he chews and nuzzle his face.

“
Mmm that's tasty. I'll have to get stuck into mine in a minute.”

He runs his finger around my lips. I lick his fingertip.

“I need to ask you something, about your songs,” he says slowly, taking his last bite.

“
What about them?”

“
I can do things with them,” he says with his mouth full.

“
Oh yeah? Like what?”