Asher lets out a deep, boisterous laugh. It’s the first time I’ve heard him laugh like this and I’m mesmerized by it. For someone who looked so intense two days ago, this look is magnetic and personable. I wish I’d met this version of him first.
“Your mom has a thing for Matthew McConaughey?” He leans forward, completely into our conversation.
“No. That’s Leah. She names all the cats. She’s kind of obsessed. She owns a bar back home named after him.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope. Although, most of the locals don’t know she’s the actual owner. She is really young to have such a successful bar and says it’s better for business if they think she’s just the bartender. This way she can know what is really going down inside the bar.”
“She’s a very smart businesswoman.”
I like that he appreciates Leah’s entrepreneurial expertise.
“What about you?” he asks. “Ever think of starting your own business? Maybe open up your own music school?”
I shake my head and look down. “No. I’ll teach for a while. That’s all. Besides, I don’t love teaching as much as someone should if they were to open up a business like that.”
“What do you love then? If you can’t play, there has to be something about music you love enough to pursue?”
“I love creating music. I was working on this new sound. I can hear it in my head and I know what it’s supposed to sound like. But, without being able to play, I can’t get the notes out.”
“Of course you can. There are computers and even keyboards with—”
“Not the same.” I stare him down to let him know the conversation is off-limits. I know there are other ways to create music. I just need to play in order to feel it. I can’t create it if I can’t feel it. He’ll never understand.
“Did you have any pets?” I ask.
“No. I always wanted a dog.”
“Why didn’t you ever get one?”
“Too poor as a kid. Too rich growing up. I guess there’s no happy medium.” The waiter comes to our table to clear away our plates. Asher asks for the check and pays it, leaving more than enough cash on the table. In fact, I think he just left a fifty-euro tip.
“You don’t have to impress me like that.”
His head looks up while he places his wallet in his back pocket. “Like what?”
I gesture to the tip on the table. “That’s a lot of money. Don’t leave it just because I’m here. I’m not into that sort of thing.”
“What sort of thing would that be?”
“Money.”
He lets out appreciative laugh and shakes his head. “I know. You didn’t take the money.”
I look down at the cash on the table. Of course I didn’t take it. It’s right there.
“The money Devon offered you. You didn’t take it. I know,” he says, rising from his seat. He holds out a hand and I take it, brushing off my startled expression on how Devon told him about the money he offered me when we were on the boat.
I glance up at the clock tower in the piazza and see it’s eleven in the evening. Asher leads me through town. Leah was right. Italians like to eat late. Some of the shops are still opened as well. We pass a few and I am reminded about the gift he gave me earlier.
“Thank you for the shoes,” I say, way too late for a proper thank-you.
Asher glances down at my navy blue shoes and his eyes skim slowly up my body, stopping for a moment at my bust and landing on my eyes.
“I noticed them earlier. Thank you for wearing them.”
I kick my toes up and show them off. “They’re my favorite. I was so upset when I lost my shoe the other day. I’m pretty upset at you for buying them. It was too much.”
Asher’s eyes soften and he smiles shyly. He has this look on his face that is so hard to read. “I wanted to do something nice for you. I was a jerk yesterday.”
“I was a jerk first. That doesn’t mean I’m going to start buying you gifts.” I hit him on the shoulder playfully and am rewarded with his hand snaking around my waist again. I really like it there. “Do you always wear loafers? You were wearing them yesterday too. Do you ever wear sneakers?”
“Only to the gym.”
“What about flip-flops?”
“I’ve never worn a pair of flip-flops.”
“Never?”
He shakes his head. “My grandfather never allowed me. When I was ten I went to live with him. He had these strict rules about what he expected from me. Dress code was one of them. I was allowed to wear loafers and boat shoes. Sneakers were for working out. Even my slippers had to look like loafers.”
I don’t know what kind of man his grandfather was but Asher is clearly deprived of a staple foot fashion. Even I spent a good part of my life wearing high heels and black shoes appropriate for the symphony, but when I was offstage, those puppies were off and the flip-flops were on.
“Come with me.” I grab his hand and lead him down the street until we find a store that sells what I’m looking for. “I’m buying you a pair of flip flops.”
Asher put up a fight in the store. Not because he was opposed to buying the shoes. He was just opposed to me buying the shoes. Since he bought me six pairs on his modest—whatever he does—salary, I convinced him to let me pay.
“So what do you think?” Asher and I are walking along the south side of the island overlooking the Marina Piccola.
Asher looks down at his feet, his loafers in his left hand; his right hand is holding mine. “I hate them.”
I let out a loud laugh. “What do you mean, you hate them?”
Asher’s forehead crinkles. His words are cautious like he’s going to hurt my feelings. “I really hate them. This thing in between my toes is so uncomfortable and my foot is constantly separating from the bottom of the shoe. Is that supposed to happen?”
I place my hand over my mouth to stifle another giggle and look over at him. “Yes, that’s supposed to happen.”
“Maybe Grandfather wasn’t so crazy.” He’s acting like an alien coming to earth, witnessing everything for the first time.
“You can take them off,” I say.
“No.” His body turns toward me and pulls me back in. “I’ll keep them.”
We walk side by side for an eternity. We talk some more and I learn Asher is a really smart man. You wouldn’t think he’s been working for someone else. I guess his grandfather held him back in that way. I try not to pry too much. I know if I do, he’ll try to pry into my life and right now I’m happy with what I am revealing about myself.
That is, until he asks me this question.
“I know you said you’re single but is there someone back home you’re dating?” He tries to keep the question light but I can tell he has major trust issues. Between his trust issues and my control issues, we’re a recipe for disaster.
My relationship with Parker is not an off-limits conversation. That is something I’ve had no problem talking about. It’s what happened right after that sends me into a cesspool of guilt and agony.
“I was dating someone. I thought he was the one, but I was wrong.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Six months ago.” I say, watching Asher piece another portion of the puzzle together.
“You have had a crap year.”
He has no idea.
We make it back to my hotel with Asher telling me about his motorcycle. I tell him I’ve never been on one before and he offers to take me for a ride sometime. That would be nice but we both know it’s impossible, even though neither of us mentions it.
I look up at the moon, which is so large and bright, I feel like Jimmy Stewart trying to lasso it closer.
“This place is magical.” Every day since I’ve stepped off that boat I’ve become more amazed at not just the beauty of the island but its power. It’s as if the moon is casting a spell of enchantment over it so only the good can prevail and all terrible things are kept at bay. “I could spend et
ernity here.”
When I lower my gaze from the moon, Asher is looking at me with a mix of interest and desire. He takes a step closer and threads his fingers through my hair, grazing his thumbs along by cheeks and jawline. “Can I see you tomorrow?”
I lick my lips in anticipation for the kiss I know is coming. “I can’t. I have Leah. I can’t leave her. It’s our honeymoon.” I say with a smile.
“Bring her with us. I want to see you again.” Asher lowers his lips to mine. This time his kiss is soft and purposeful. Not like the frantic one we shared before.
“Yes.” I breathe when he releases us from the kiss. I don’t want him to go. If I had my own room I’d invite him in.
Oh, God, look at me. A few hours ago I was unsure I could handle a kiss. Now I’m ready to drop my pants.
It’s him. He’s like a drug to me. A very lethal drug.
Watching him walk away down the path toward the marina, I remind myself that is exactly what will happen. In four days, Leah and I have to leave. And then my European romance will be over.
Oh, fuck it. I’ve already had a crap year. It can’t get worse, right?
I gently open the door, careful not to waken Leah. It shouldn’t surprise me; she’s sitting in the dark, waiting for me.
“You little harlot!” Her voice is extra high.
“Were you spying on me?” I turn and flip on the light switch. Leah is wearing her silk shorts pajamas and has Adam’s surveillance binoculars in her hand.
“They have night vision. I was just on the veranda watching you and hottie McHottness hooking up!” She leaps onto the bed and starts jumping up and down.
I’m not going to lie; it’s the exact reaction my heart had when he first kissed me. I jump on the bed with her and start bouncing up and down. It’s against my usual persona but fuck that sad girl. I used to be happy and silly. Today was a good day. No, today was a great day and I want to enjoy it a little longer.
Leah plops down on the bed Indian style and pulls me down to sit next to her. My dress rides up but not enough that Leah would care. Part of me wants to tell Leah everything about tonight. I want to replay every touch, every smile, every word—but I can’t. Asher is as private a person as I am. To tell her anything would violate a bond we formed tonight. Even if it was just for tonight.
“I’m glad to see you happy.”
“Thanks. It feels good,” I say, surprising myself.
“Adam is all kinds of pissed at me,” she says, her mouth cocked to the side.
I laugh at the thought of Adam being upset with Leah until the look on her face lets me know she’s serious. “Wait. Why is Adam mad at you?”
“He called and I was so excited about your date I told him the whole story. I told him about the yacht the other day and your boat tour yesterday and now your date tonight. He. Was. Pissed.” Leah seems as surprised by the notion as I am.
“When you asked him to wire money you didn’t tell him the whole story?” I ask.
“No. I left out the part about us following a giant to his massive boat. Thought it was wiser for all parties. I got excited about you going out that I thought he’d appreciate the story. Instead he lectured me on how careless we were. It got ugly.” Leah shakes her body, like a shiver. “Ahh, bad karma, bad thoughts. Forget that nonsense. He’ll be fine tomorrow. Because, you’re fine. Right?” Her brows rise.
I give her a wide smile. “Yes, very fine. And I’m seeing him again tomorrow. Actually, we are both seeing him. He invited us somewhere, unless, of course, you don’t want to go.” My offer is two-sided. It’s genuine because Leah means the world to me. But deep down I will be crushed if she says no. I really want to see Asher again but tomorrow is Luke’s birthday and we girls should be together.
“You’re seeing him again?” Her voice heightens in surprise.
“You don’t think it’s a good idea? I can cancel—”
“No,” she says quickly. “That’s awesome. It’ll be awesome. I’m coming, too, so what could go wrong?” She hops off the bed, planning her outfit for tomorrow’s excursion and I thank God for her love of adventure. I’m going to need her on this one.
I can’t believe Leah is sick. Like, honest-to-goodness sick. This morning she woke up with some sort of food poisoning slash stomach bug slash I don’t know what.
At first, I thought this was her way of getting me alone with Asher again. Last night, she was crazy excited about what he might have planned for us. She loves surprises. And she didn’t seem to mind that we’d be spending Luke’s birthday with a stranger and she didn’t seem too concerned with what Adam might say about our hanging out with him.
Then when she woke up she started grumbling about how she doesn’t feel good. But this is Leah we’re talking about: she has lied in the past about being sick.
I now know she is not lying. She is locked inside the bathroom and the sounds coming from that room are far from human.
“Go without me. There is no reason why you should be locked up in this room all day too.” Her words are strained and breathy.
“What if something happens to you while I’m gone? You don’t sound so good in there,” I say to her through the bathroom door. She has been in there with the door locked for the past twenty minutes.
I hear the sound of a toilet flush and then the running water of the sink. I step back when I hear the click of the door being unlocked. Leah opens it. Her hair is a disheveled mess and her eyes are bloodshot.
“I feel much better. I promise you I’m not going to die while you’re out today.” She is padding her way to the bed. Leah is most definitely out of it. She would never make a death comment around me on an ordinary day.
Pulling down the comforter, Leah climbs in and falls back against the pillow. “Go spend the day with your boy. I’ll park myself by the pool later on.”
I’m already dressed in white shorts and a canary-colored V-neck, fitted T-shirt; my gold shoes from Asher garnishing my feet. “I feel terrible your vacation is ruined. I’m not leaving you alone to lay in this bed.”
“Oh, yes you are. You are so going out there and enjoying yourself. I’ll feel awful if you stay here and miss out on a gorgeous afternoon because of my sick ass.” She grabs the pillow next to her and stuffs it under the one already under her head. She sits up a little, elevated. “I’ll be in and out of that bathroom all day. You do not want to be here for that.”
I stand by her bed as I try to decide what I should do. I hate when people give you an option like this. Leah says go but will she secretly resent me for leaving her alone? Will she throw it in my face later on that I ditched her when she was sick in Italy? Probably not. Leah’s not like that. But still.
“Oh, for the love of all things holy. Go, Emma. If not for me, do it for McConaughey.” Leah says. I cock a brow at her and she adds, “You gotta keep on livin’.”
I leave Leah with everything she needs for a day of being sick. Her iPad is plugged in and next to her on the bed. She has the hotel phone on the end table in case of an emergency. A glass of water and a trashcan are by her side, as well as the remote, a bottle of soda, and her binoculars. I didn’t really see the use for the spyware, but she wanted them near by.
Leah promised she would contact the front desk if she felt dizzy. I stop by the concierge and place a room service order for her. Even if she didn’t eat, I knew someone would be there to check up on her.
After making arrangements for my sister, I head toward the lobby in anticipation for another day spent with Asher. As I walk through I spot the woman I bumped into two days ago. She is seated in a large wingback chair, reading a magazine. Her large hat covers her face as bright red nails flip the pages. I look down at my casual outfit and wonder if I should be wearing more day-dresses like the pretty striped one she is wearing. It is a mix of colors, most of them primary and dark.
I shrug my shoulders and walk out the lobby doors and down the stairs toward the marina.
Asher told me to meet him by the M
arina. Growing up, I never went on boats. Once or twice we went fishing with my uncle on the lake, and there was that family cruise to the Bahamas. But other than that, I may have been on five boats my entire life. It’s fascinating I’ve been on six since we landed in Italy and I have no idea what we’re doing today.
I’m carrying the note Asher left at the hotel. I really like that he leaves hand written notes. With the age of cell phones and emails, there is no use for the old paper and pen method. Then again, I don’t have a phone with me anymore as it’s at the bottom of the ocean. So, this morning, the concierge handed me a note from Asher with the location I should meet him. I was also surprised it came with a yellow rose with red tips.
I’m walking along the steps to the Marina Grande, my rose in my hand and the card in the other. The sun is hot today and it’s not even noon. I am just about to step onto the final stair when a body rounds the corner and almost slams into me. I take a step back and, just when I’m about to be upset, I find myself breaking out into a huge grin.
“I thought I was meeting you at the boat?” I ask, but my words are swallowed up when Asher snakes his hand around my neck and pulls me into a kiss. I don’t know what to do with my hands, but my mouth knows exactly where it needs to be.
When Asher finally pulls away he gives me a kiss on the nose. “I couldn’t wait any longer.”
If I had a mirror I’m sure I’d see dimples on my face.
Asher takes the note card from my hand, slides it into his back pocket and grabs my free hand. He guides me along the marina and I check out my date for the day. Leah would say he looks edible and I would agree. It’s not so much what he’s wearing but the way he wears it. His navy shorts showcase his strong legs and the polo he has on accentuates the broad shoulders and narrow waist.
“You’re wearing flip flops!” I say, completely surprised. “I thought you hated them.”
Asher flashes me a grin. “I’m doing a lot of things these days I thought I’d never do.”
Reckless Abandon Page 10
