****working on finishing the conclusion to Natasha and Gianni's story...got sidetracked in my writers block and decided to write about this amazing guy, my inspiration....my Gianni
but not to worry. i'm finishing up la dolce vita soon!
names have been changed.****
June 22, 2007
Sobbing I kicked off my stilettos and shimmied out of the black silk dress. Instead I shrugged into an oversized men's shirt I'd borrowed from my brother upon painting his apartment. I pulled on a pair of black leggings and slipped my feet into my puma running shoes. I wrenched the pins from my hair, the dark locks falling over my shoulders only to mash a baseball cap on my head.
I left the lights on in the bedroom and turned the music on low. I locked the door after I slipped out of the room. I wanted him to think that I was still angry with him and locking him out of the bedroom. Yes, I was angry but I was afraid too. I didn't know what he would do if he'd known I was leaving. He was in one of his terrifyingly unpredictable moods tonight. I didn't want to test him. I was trying to give myself some time. I had hurriedly packed my things into the overpriced Hartmann luggage set and crept out into the hall.
I had thought about taking my car but then halted. It was in his name. He could report it stolen and that was something I couldn't see myself dealing with at the moment.
The steps creaked as I tried to quietly move down the stairs. I winced halted listening for his movement or some indication that he'd heard me but he was seated in the breakfast room, his paperwork spread around him, the television on too loud for him to hear my movements. I moved clumsily, my laptop bag crossed over one shoulder, overnight bag over the other, as I struggled with the weight of my suitcase in my hands.
The alarm was on the front door. I froze. He would hear me if I deactivated it. So I slowly, quietly slid to the basement door and slipped down the stairs. The alarm would be on the basement door too so gently lowered my bags from the window which I'd slid open. And then I waited in the darkness.
It wasn't long before my cell phone buzzed against my hip, tucked into the waistband of my leggings. "Hello?"
It was Aiden. "I'm here."
I pulled a chair over to the window and climbed out with all the grace I could muster before dropping to the ground and nearly tripping over my bags laying there. But I recovered quickly, my heart in my throat as I realized that even in the back of the house I would be setting off the motion sensor lights that ran around the perimeter. I just hoped he would think it was a deer or raccoon like it usually was and he had not gone to check the bedroom yet.
I stepped off the patio off the back door and stumbled over the pathway. The footstones leading around the side of the house hadn't been tended and were overgrown.
I emerged from the side of the house and sighted the taillights of the car that had pulled up right past the edge of our property. When he stepped out of his sleek black sports car it occurred to me...he's my Gianni. He wore a black cap over his dark hair, the bill pulled down low over his eyes, a black sleeveless t-shirt, and black adidas track pants. The muscles stood out sleekly but visibly in his arms. The tattoo stood out vividly on one muscular shoulder. There was shadow on his cheeks. His eyes were heavy lidded with sleep but the dark orbs were alert. It was nearly 1am but he's shot up in bed immediately upon hearing my voice tearfully rippling across the phone lines. "Just get ready to get out of there, Olivia. I'll be there," he had said.
He stalked around the side of the car and opened his trunk and took my bags from me. I slid into the passenger seat next to him and he flicked on the overhead light. Gently taking my chin in his hand he turned my face to him. I wouldn't meet his gaze but he lifted the bill of my cap to peruse my face. "You okay?"
The warm strength of his voice soothed my frayed nerves almost immediately. His mouth tightened and his honey colored eyes darkened with anger as he noted the tears streaking my face and the way my lips trembled.
He released his hold and the lights flicked off. The powerful engine roared as he made a u-turn and tore down the street. I leaned back and turned my face to the window as I watched the street lights pass by as the highway sped by. I usually hated that he drove so fast, but now I could only think that the faster I got away, the better. I could feel his gaze on me, see his reflection in the window.
I glanced at him as he drove. I took in the firm set of his jawline darkened with stubble, the sensual curve of his mouth below the patrician nose. His changeling eyes were thickly lashed with dark fringe. The passing streetlights washed amber light over his deeply tanned skin. This man was beautiful, I'd thought so since his little sister and I were twelve. I would see him coming and going but I had never been a part of his world until the last couple years and he'd moved back to town from graduate school. He'd become one of my very best friends., unfailing in his loyalty.
He glanced at me and caught me looking. He moved his hand to cover my knee, his fingers lightly caressing...soothing. He turned his palm up, his gaze on the road, and I tentatively slid my hand into his. His fingers closed warmly around mine and he gave my hand a slight reassuring squeeze.
I sighed and let my eyes drift closed as I lay my head back against the headrest. ***
He placed my bags inside the foyer and turned to face me as I stood in his doorway. Smiling faintly, he took my shoulders in his hands and drew me towards him. I gazed mutely up into his face.
"It's going to be alright," he said running his thumb over the tear streaks on my cheeks. He grinned, showing off perfectly white teeth against tanned skin. He drew me inside, closing the door behind us. "Hungry?" he asked as he padded towards the kitchen and disappeared around the corner.
