Wishful Kisses: A Fountain of Love Novella (3 page)

I handed my bag of coffee to the cashier and tried not to think about the fact that my life's greatest pleasure was a cup of coffee.

June 7
^th
, 1990

––––––––

I
lay awake, nestled in the curve of Tony's shoulder, listening to his steady heartbeat in the early morning. I had been awake for at least half an hour, just listening to him breathe. The sun was still just waking up herself, filling the room with a cold gray light that would soon melt into warmth.

I was in love. I knew it already. The feeling filled me from the core of my stomach to the tips of my toes. Even my hair felt in love. I had never met anyone like Tony. He thought I was beautiful, smart, and so sexy. He could barely keep his hands off me. In addition, he treated me like a princess. He opened doors and pulled out my chair.

I took a deep breath, taking in the smell of his skin. It was warm and had the aroma of sunshine. My hand traced the curve of his pectoral muscle, down the line of his abs, each of them perfectly sculpted and beautiful. He was like a Greek statue. I couldn't believe that he was here, in my bed. It had to be a dream. There was no way I could fall this head over heels in love with someone I had met just two days before. It wasn't logical. It was magical. It was fate.

The alarm on the nightstand started to beep, destroying my morning of admiration. Tony groaned and opened one eye to glare at the offending clock. His fingers wiggled along the nightstand until he found the "Snooze" button. With the beeping stopped, he relaxed back into his pillow and I could feel him drifting back to sleep.

"Wake up, sleepy head," I whispered and kissed his cheek.

"Mmmph." He scowled a little.

"Today is your fun boys’ day, remember?" I said gently, still playing with the muscles of his chest and abs. I circled one nipple on his pectoral, letting it harden as I played with it. "You were looking forward to this."

"Well, now you've got me looking forward to something else," he mumbled, his voice heavy with sleep but filled with want. I giggled and kissed the soft skin where his shoulder joined his body. He was all muscle with just enough meat on his bones to make him look real.

"Just think, motorcycles... loose women... money..." I shifted my position so I could take his nipple into my mouth, running my tongue along the upright nub. He groaned with pleasure.

"You certainly do make getting up easier." I could hear a laugh hiding under his words. It took me a moment to get the dirty joke, but when it hit me, I smacked his chest. He laughed and grabbed my fingers, kissing the tips of each one. I bit my lip. M
aybe we could get another romp in before...

The alarm clock went off again. He was quicker finding the "Snooze" button this time since he was actually awake.

"You are going to be late," I said, pushing at his ribs to roll him out of bed. Despite my best efforts, he didn't even budge.

"What if I would rather spend my day with you? Here in bed?" He rolled onto his side and up onto an elbow so he could cradle his head in his hand. It made the muscles of his shoulder and bicep pop out. It was such a tempting offer.

"I think your friends would miss you." I tried to keep from drooling while looking at his arms. The idea of having those arms on either side of my head again, his body writhing against mine...

He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. "I'll see plenty of them in a week. I only have right now with you."

My heart melted a little bit. But I knew he had been looking forward to this day for a long time. All three of them had. They had been planning it for weeks. While I loved the idea of getting to spend every second with him, I also didn't want him to flake out on his friends. They technically had dibs on him first.

"You couldn't stop talking about how excited you were about this last night," I reminded him gently. "How grateful you were that your old neighbor was letting you borrow the bikes. Besides, the guys are going to be here any minute, and you are going to look funny answering the door like that."

I nodded down to the tent growing in the sheets. He frowned slightly.

"
That
," he said, eyeing the upright bed covering, "is entirely your fault."

"Get up," I commanded, trying not to giggle.

"Yes, ma'am," he answered, jumping out of bed. He didn't even bother to try and cover himself as he went around the room picking up his scattered clothing. I sat back and enjoyed the view. The man had an exquisite ass.

"You sure you want me to go?" he asked, pulling the shirt down over his head. "I know the guys would understand... Jim will still give them the bikes, even if I'm not there..."

"Go!" I told him with a laugh. "While you three are all off being macho, we girls have plans too."

A loud knock on the door to the condo announced the arrival of the other two men. I could hear Dean shouting, "Frontera!" at the front door. Tony grinned and hurried over to kiss me one last time. His lips pressed against mine for far too short a time, and he stole a quick kiss on the top of my nose.

"I'll see you this afternoon. Don't go kissing anybody else," he teased. I threw his pillow at him, which he easily dodged, darting out the door and down the stairs to meet his friends.

June 7
^th
, 1990

––––––––

I
wasn't paying attention to my book. I wasn't paying attention to the people walking down the beach or the kids building a sandcastle at the house next door. No, I was intently listening for the roar of a motorcycle coming up the driveway, because that would mean Tony was back.

Rachel turned over on her beach towel, letting the sun tan her back. She and Jenny looked perfectly at ease out on the beach. I sat on my towel, watching the waves and listening. I wondered if they were listening too.

I heard them. To me, they were like rumbling thunder in the distance. But it got louder, and my heart sped up as the sound of three motorcycle engines revved up to the house.

"They're here!" I practically shouted, throwing my book down on the sand and taking off for the driveway. The speed at which Jenny was on my heels told me she was listening for their arrival as well. Rachel was the last one to come up to the driveway.

Jenny ran out into the street and hopped onto the back of Matt's bike, wrapping her arms around his broad chest as he began to drive up and down on the street.

Tony and Dean were showing off for us. The two of them weaved back and forth in an intricate figure-eight that looked deadly. Dean motioned with his hand, and they switched from the death defying dance into a tight circle, chasing one another but never going anywhere. Their bikes were nearly parallel to the ground, spinning until I was dizzy.

Tony pulled out of the spin, revving his engine as he drove to where I stood. I had my hands on my face in complete amazement. Not only was the guy good-looking and fantastic in bed, but he could ride a bike like he was born on one.

"Wanna ride?" Tony asked, grinning at me. My face hurt I was smiling so hard. I nodded, and he pulled me onto the back of his bike. He revved the engine and took off his helmet, handing it back to me. I kissed his cheek and put it on. He revved the engine again, making me giggle and I held tight to his strong body.

Rachel seemed hesitant to get on the bike with Dean, but she finally did. Together the three of us raced up and down the quiet street.

I loved how I felt so safe on the back of Tony's motorcycle. I was vibrating with the engine and holding onto Tony, pressing myself into him. It was almost as if the three of us—Tony, the bike, and I—were one. Tony and Matt pretended to rush one another, darting to their respective rights at the very last second. I could almost feel the breeze from Jenny's hair.

Tony turned and together, he and Matt revved their engines and rushed toward Dean. I knew Tony and Matt were going to let Dean slide through the space between them. It was such a rush. I laughed, throwing my head back in exhilaration.

"Let me off!" Rachel screamed, pounding her hand on Dean's back. He pulled quickly to the side of the road and she threw herself off the bike and into the grass. She fought off the helmet and looked like she was about to be sick. Dean hurried to her side with concern in his eyes. Matt and Tony stopped their daredevil antics and let their bikes idle in the street as we waited.

Rachel shook her head fervently at something Dean said, and he nodded, taking the helmet from her shaking hands. He said something, and she gave him a week smile as he put the helmet back on and got back on his bike. He rode over to where we waited.

"So, Rachel's not feeling up for riding," he said as if we hadn't been watching. "I'm going to put my bike in the garage. Will you make sure it gets back to Jim?"

"Of course," Tony promised. "You go make sure she's okay."

I gave him a silent hug. Dean nodded and steered his bike up to the garage of the big beach house. We watched him for a moment as he turned off the engine and started to jog to catch up to Rachel. I hadn't noticed, but she was almost halfway to the boardwalk.

"Few more laps around the neighborhood, and then get some grub?" Matt asked. Jenny peeped over his shoulder like a Cheshire cat.

Tony nodded and revved his engine. I felt the motorcycle vibrate underneath me, sending shivers of excitement up my thighs and pulsing on my nether regions. Between the sensation of the bike and being pressed against Tony, it wouldn't be difficult to find ecstasy.

Tony and Matt weaved their motorcycles back and forth across the quiet street, giving us a ride. It wasn't near the level of daredevilry as earlier, but it was still fun. The sound of their engines was deafening. I laughed and held onto Tony, enjoying every sensation. The sun was warm on my back when we finally pulled into a driveway of a large, gray beach house. An older gentlemen with a shock of white hair came out to greet us.

"Tony Frontera!" the older man said, reaching out to grasp Tony's hand. "Did you boys have fun?"

"We had a great time, Mr. Lee," Tony answered, shaking his hand. "They handled like a dream. I really appreciate you letting us use them. We left one in my aunt's garage, but I can go back and get it for you."

"First of all, Tony, it's Jim. Not Mr. Lee." Jim smiled. "And second, I'm glad you boys had fun. I was in the service at your age, and I would have loved this."

"We really thank you, Mr. Lee," Matt said, helping Jenny off the bike. Jim opened his garage to reveal several rows of motorcycles. It looked like they were his passion.

"I'll go get that other bike for you, Mr... Jim," Tony said as he carefully finished putting away his motorcycle.

"Don't worry about it, Tony," Jim said, waving his hand through the air to dismiss the offer. "I'll walk back with you and get it myself. Been meaning to go out for a ride today anyway."

Jim closed his garage, and the small group of us began the short walk back to Tony's place. Matt had his arm looped casually over Jenny's shoulder, and I could see her elbow him in the ribs every time he let his hand fall to touch her breast. In contrast, Tony held my hand as we walked, keeping up a conversation with Jim.

"So, how long have you known Tony, Mr. Lee?" I asked as we walked. Jim smiled at me.

"Tony used to spend every summer up here at his Aunt Maria's house." The older man's eyes lit up in memory. "I once caught him trying to sneak into my garage when you were what, ten?"

"Nine. But yeah..." Tony said sheepishly. "In my defense, they were really awesome."

"I taught him how to drive," Jim remembered. "Both a motorcycle and a car. Your aunt was always glad to have you here."

"I was always glad to be here. Beat being home." Tony shrugged.

"Well, I enjoyed teaching you," Mr. Lee said. "And I'm glad I was able to give you boys a good time while you were home."

We walked up the long driveway to the beach house, and Tony opened the garage for Mr. Lee.

"Thank you again, sir," Matt said. Jenny echoed a similar sentiment. Mr. Lee nodded to them, and they went inside. Mr. Lee went to his bike and picked up the helmet Dean had left carefully perched on the handlebars.

"It was good to see you, Tony." Mr. Lee stepped forward and caught Tony in a hug. "Don't be a stranger around here when you get back, okay?"

"I won't, sir." Tony grinned at him. "I like the bikes too much."

Mr. Lee laughed. "Take care of him," he said, turning to me. "He's a good man."

With that he got on the bike and started the engine. Tony waved as his neighbor powered down the driveway and out of sight. I stood next to Tony, my hand sliding easily into his.

"He's more to you than just a neighbor, isn't he?" I asked. Tony nodded, his eyes still following Mr. Lee.

"When my dad died, my mom kinda freaked. Didn't know what to do with me. She pawned me off a lot on my aunt, and so I spent a lot of time here." His voice was distant. There was no sadness in it, just fact. It made my heart break. I could just see him as a boy, skinny and shy, trying to sneak into Mr. Lee's garage to look at the motorcycles. "My aunt and Mr. Lee have a lot of the same friends. He took me under his wing when I was here."

Tony was quiet for a moment, his mind lost to memories of his childhood. "He said he taught you how to drive?" I prompted.

"Yeah," Tony said with a smile. "He taught me how to shave, too. The man is basically the closest thing I have to a father."

"I'm glad you got to see him on your trip then," I said, squeezing his hand.

"Me too. I had lunch with him when we got here, so that was good."

"I think he was right about you," I said quietly to myself, watching as Tony straightened up the garage before closing it. "You are a good man."

Present Day

––––––––

I
t had rained the night before, so the world smelled clean and fresh. Small puddles were disappearing into the warmth of the day, but water lingered in the shadows where the sun couldn't reach yet. It was a beautiful, perfect California day, but even the weather couldn't relieve me of my funk.