by S E Isaac
“Whatever you plan on doing… don’t.”
“You wanted to play in the water, beautiful.” Without warning, he wrapped his arms around my waist. My back now pressed against his hard chest. His cologne wrapped around me like a warm blanket. I closed my eyes briefly and inhaled sharply.
“You smell so good,” I whispered.
“So do you,” Giovanni kissed the back of my head. “You ready?”
Giovanni’s words caught me off guard. I opened my eyes and looked up and over my shoulder at him. He smirked.
“Giovanni!” I shrieked as he tossed me into the air. When the water grew closer, I took a deep breath.
My body submerged into the water, but not before I heard Giovanni roar with laughter. The cold water felt like a jolt of electricity or at least what I thought it would feel like. Giovanni was going to pay.
I held my breath and fought the waves to stay submerged. It wouldn’t be long until Giovanni would try to pull me out of the water. Or at least I hoped.
When strong hands grabbed my waist and pulled me up, I knew Giovanni had taken the bait. I wrapped my arms around his waist then with all my might, I pulled him towards me. My movement caught him off guard. He lost balance and fell into the water.
His grip on my waist, loosened and I took the chance to stand up. I ran out of the water and towards Giovanni’s truck, which was parked a few hundred feet away.
“Bethany!” he laughed. I glanced over my shoulder to see Giovanni chasing after me. A wicked grin was plastered across his face.
“I was just teasing!” I roared in laughter.
“Caught cha’!” His arms wrapped around my waist. He lifted me over his shoulder and carried me back into the water. I playfully wacked at his back the entire time while laughing hysterically.
“I’m sorry!”
“Uh-huh,” he chuckled and lowered me onto my feet. My chest pressed against his. My heart raced as. I slowly brought my gaze up to his. “Hi, beautiful.”
“Hi,” I said mousy-like. Giovanni smiled brightly.
“I’m really glad you allowed me to take you out today,” he said, catching me off guard.
“You are?” I whispered. He nodded his head and then pressed his lips against my forehead.
“It’s been a really nice day. I don’t remember the last time I laughed so hard,” he chuckled.
He wasn’t the only one. When was the last time I had let my hair down and enjoyed myself? Other than the few laughs shared with my family, Tabitha, and Ricardo, my fun was limited because I kept my circle small and my time-limited
“I’ve really enjoyed our date,” I blushed.
“What was your favorite part?” he asked shyly.
“Hmm… I’ve liked it all honestly,” I admitted. “The food was delicious at the restaurant. The walk down the boardwalk was nice. Watching you lose to me at the arcade games was even better.” Giovani tipped his head back and laughed.
“I still say you cheated.” He looked down at me and smiled. “I’m really glad you said yes to a date with me, Bethany.”
The look in Giovanni’s eyes made me melt. My knees weakened and my heart pounded. How come my body responded to him like this? Never had another man had such a powerful effect on me and with such few words.
“I am too,” I whispered. My words weren’t meant to sound so soft, but it’s how they came out. Quiet and full of shyness.
“By any chance…” Giovanni’s words faded off. He took a deep breath. “Any chance I can get a second date?”
“A second date?” I repeated. He nodded and smiled.
“Yes. A second date,” he chuckled. “You can say no. I promise to not cry too much.” He grinned.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Ah. Can’t have you crying. Guess I’ll have to accept a second date with you,” I teased.
“A pity date?” he frowned.
“Yep,” I giggled. He sighed dramatically then smiled brightly.
“I’ll take it!” Giovanni picked me up and swung me around, causing me to hold on to him for dear life. Laughter escaped from me more and more with each turn.
“Giovanni!” I laughed as he continued spinning us around and celebrating my answer to a second date.
He stopped spinning and slowly set me on my feet. Despite him setting me down, I felt like I was spinning a hundred miles per hour. My knees were like Jell-o and I fought to stay upright because gravity and my gyrated equilibrium were screaming for me to fall down. Yet, somehow, I kept my balance.
“Oh hell,” Giovanni groaned just as he toppled over and into the water taking me down with him. He landed on his back and me on top of him looking down. He looked up at me and chuckled.
“That was graceful,” I laughed.
“I thought so,” Giovanni winked. He stroked my hair out of my face and behind my ear. “You’re absolutely beautiful, Bethany.”
It was at that moment that I fell for Giovanni Russo. There was no doubt in my mind. This man had stolen my heart in less than a day and I wasn’t even scared. It felt natural. It felt right.
Now, I’d just have to wait time out to see if he’d one day feel the same way about me.
Chapter Eight
Giovanni
Three days had gone by since mine and Bethany’s date. We had spent each day hanging out, whenever we found the time. Twice, we hung out at a local coffee shop that was half way between her cafe and my restaurant. The third day, I surprised her with a hot fudge sundae at her cafe, since she said she was craving one. The smile on her face, when I walked in her cafe, sealed the deal… I was in love with Bethany Nez.
“How the hell did this happen?” I groaned as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. “Three days!”
Truth be told, Bethany had me wrapped around her finger day one. Crazy thing was, she hadn’t even tried to win me over. She was just herself. And just herself was all I ever wanted in a woman.
I quickly dried off and began to get ready for the big night.
I had invited Bethany over for dinner. She was going to be the first woman to ever step foot in my house. My heart pounded the entire time as I finished getting ready. When the doorbell rang, I nearly jumped out of my skin.
“You got this,” I told myself with one final deep breath before heading to the front door to face the woman of my dreams
When I opened the door, my heart skipped a beat and my jaw damn near hit the floor.
“Wow,” I whispered.
My eyes wandered over Bethany’s golden-colored skin that was displayed quite nicely thanks to her little black dress. The tops of her breasts peeked over the top of her strapless dress just enough to make me drool. Her hair was loose and hung down her back. She looked like a goddess… a sex goddess.
My cock hardened and pressed against the inside of my pants.
“Do I look okay?” Bethany asked bashfully. Her soft words snapped me out of the naughty thoughts that were now racing through my mind.
“You look stunning,” I smiled, and then escorted her inside.
Once the door was closed and locked, I wrapped my arms around her. She looked up at me and I couldn’t help but smile.
“What’s wrong with you?” she giggled.
“I can’t look at my beautiful girlfriend?” I kissed her forehead. But the words I had just spoken hit me like a freight train. I had just called her my girlfriend. She was probably going to slap me and run for the hills because I creeped her out.
“Ugh. I am so sorry,” I groaned.
“I’m your girlfriend?” she asked softly. I slowly brought my gaze down to hers.
“I’m… I’m not trying to scare you off. I swear,” I sighed heavily.
“Am I your girlfriend, Giovanni?” she teased, making me roll my eyes and laugh.
The look in her eyes and the tone in her voice gave me confidence and hope.
“Yes,” I said firmly. “I’d like you to be my girlfriend.”
“Are you sure?” I mean…”
she took a deep breath. “You can have any woman you want, Giovanni.” Her words were faint and her eyes looked away from me.
“Hey,” I said softly and tipped her chin up gently with my fingers. When she finally looked at me, I smiled. “You’re the only woman I want and need. Okay?”
“But you can have--” I stopped her words with a quick kiss to her lips. She giggled. “I’m being serious. You can have--”
This time I placed one hand on the back of her neck and pulled her towards me. Then I kissed her with every ounce of my being.
Bethany’s arms wrapped around my waist. She pulled me closer to her. My tongue greedily explored her mouth. I needed her to feel my emotions. I needed her to know that I desired her and only her.
If time had allowed it, I would have kissed her forever. However, the oven’s timer going off reminded me of the chicken in the oven.
“Ugh,” I groaned as I ended our kiss and pressed my forehead against hers.
“Always something,” Bethany giggled.
“So it seems.” My voice was coated in annoyance. “Sorry. I’m not trying to ruin our date.” I sighed heavily.
“I know.” She looked up at me and smiled. “Now go check on the food before you burn your house down.”
“Fine,” I sighed dramatically. “But you’re coming with me.”
I held out my hand. She looked down at my hand and then smiled up at me before placing her hand in mine. She softly squeezed my hand.
“I’m really glad you invited me over,” she whispered.
“Me too,” I smiled and pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. “Me too”
Chapter Nine
Bethany
Giovanni had truly worked his magic and then some on dinner. Every bite had been perfection. Dessert was a cheesecake that made me melt on the inside.
“What are you thinking about, beautiful?” Giovanni’s question pulled me from my thoughts.
He set two glasses of wine on the coffee table and then sat next to me on the couch. He turned and faced me.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked. “Something wrong?”
“Heavens no,” I smiled. “Everything is perfect. So perfect.”
“But…” Giovanni prompted me. I turned slightly so that I was facing him and then I held his hand.
“There isn’t a but, Giovanni.”
“Are you sure?” he stroked his thumb across the top of my knuckles.
“A thousand percent.” I gave him a reassuring smile.
My heart raced as I debated on continuing with my words. A lot had been heavy on my mind. I wanted to be open and honest with Giovanni but fear had me questioning and doubting if I should tell him everything on my mind.
“You can talk to me, Bethany,” he said stroking my cheek with his free hand. I closed my eyes and basked in the brief touch.
“Anything?” I asked, opening my eyes.
“Anything,” he nodded.
Here goes nothing.
“We always said we’d be honest with each other, but I don’t want to ruin anything by telling you…” My confidence in telling him was doused out when he tensed.
“Are you breaking up with me?” he asked softly.
“What! No!” I shook my head. “I mean, I didn’t know until tonight we were officially dating, but no. I’m not breaking up with you.”
“What’s wrong then?” he asked. His face was covered with worry.
“Nothing is wrong. That’s just it,” I took a deep breath. “For the first time, in my life, I am happy. Completely happy.”
I couldn’t have stopped the cheesy smile that broke across my face even if I had wanted too. It was hard to contain my happiness. Everyone in my life had noticed the new me.
My employees commented on how I was always humming, singing, or smiling around the cafe. My mother and sister said I sounded happy. And Jacob said I looked like a new woman. And all of this was because of Giovanni.
“And that’s a bad thing?”
“No. Not at all.” I shook my head. “For the first time, everything feels… right.”
Giovanni nodded and then chuckled.
“Me too,” he smiled. “You’re a breath of fresh air, Bethany.”
His words made my heart skip a beat. It felt like there were a thousand butterflies fluttering around in my stomach. My body tingled with happiness and raw emotions.
“So, you don’t think I’m crazy for telling you how I feel?” I asked nervously.
“Not at all.” He kissed the top of my hand. “I’ve been debating on telling you how happy you make me, but I didn’t want to spook you. I mean, it’s been less than a week.”
“I know. It’s crazy how short of a time we’ve known each other,” I giggled to play off my nerves. “Feels like years instead of days.”
“Exaaaactly,” he laughed. “I feel like I’ve known you my entire life.”
“Me too,” I smiled. “I enjoy our time together.”
“Me too,” Giovanni leaned over and kissed me gently. “You’re everything I want in a woman and then some.”
“And you’re everything I want in a man.”
Giovanni and I both smiled. The room filled with silence, but not an awkward one. It was a silence of us enjoying one another’s company.
“I love you, Bethany.” His words were faint but fired off in my mind like a cannon.
“What?” I managed to push the words out of my mouth. My heart pounded like a drum.
“I…” he took a deep breath. “I love you. I know I’m risking losing you, but I can’t help the way I feel. Ya know?” Giovanni laughed softly and nervously.
Giovanni was such a masculine and confident man. Seeing him timid and with a softer demeanor told me he meant what he said.
“You’re right. We can’t help how we feel towards someone,” I agreed. “I’ve tried to push down my feelings, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t.” I shrugged to downplay my nervousness.
“So...How do you feel… about what I told you?” He cupped my hand with both of us.
“It makes me happy and relieved,” I admitted with a smile.
“Relieved?” His eyebrow rose.
“I’ve been overwhelmed with thoughts and feelings about us. So to hear that your feelings are just as deep lifts a weight off my chest.”
“So, I haven’t scared you off?” There was a slight hesitation in his voice.
“No.” I shook my head “I’m glad you told me.”
“I keep waiting for the catch, Bethany,” Giovanni said, making me laugh.
“There’s no catch, Giovanni,” I caressed his face with my free hand and smiled. “I…”
Nerves rushed through me. It was only fair that I tell him how I felt but wasn’t it still too soon for my confession? My brain was going a million miles per minute with how I should respond. Each time I opened my mouth, I quickly closed it out of fear.
“Bethany,” Giovanni gained my attention. “You’re scaring the hell out of me, beautiful.” He laughed weakly.
“I love you, too,” I blurted.
Chapter Ten
Giovanni
Bethany’s words were music to my ears. I felt like I had died and gone to heaven.
“You do?” I asked shell shocked.
“Yes. I do,” she smiled.
“Even though it’s only been a few days?” I chuckled nervously.
Truth was, I wanted to kick myself in the ass for asking. I risked the chance of snapping her to the reality of how short of time we had known each other. I was risking the chance of her taking back her words.
“I know it’s not normal…” she whispered. “I mean, I’ve seen it in movies and read it in books, but I never thought I’d fall in love… or at least not so quick.”
She sighed.
“But I did. I fell hopelessly in love with you.” She looked up at me and smiled.
If I hadn’t already been, I would have fallen in love with her at that moment.
“C
an I keep you?” I asked, stroking my finger down the side of her face.
“Of course,” she nodded and her cheeks reddened. “Forever… if you’d like.”
“Sweetheart, I don’t think even forever is long enough,” I smiled and she bashfully bit her bottom lip. “I want you in this lifetime and the next. And then the one after that.”
“I’d like that,” she giggled.
“Bethany Nez I love you beyond words.” I kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose, and finally her lips. “I’m going to give you my all and do my best to always make you happy.”
She laughed softly.
“What’s so funny?” I chuckled.
“You sounded like you were reading wedding vows,” she giggled.
“Not quite.” I took a deep breath. “I do believe I was proposing to you... in my own way.”
Bethany’s eyes widened.
“Pr— Proposing?”
I nodded.
“Yes, but I know this isn’t the proper way to propose to the woman of my dreams.” I couldn’t help but laugh at how I had attempted to propose to Bethany.
“I should be down on one knee with a ring fit for a queen because you deserve that and so much more,” I continued.
“I’m not materialistic,” she frowned, making me laugh.
“I know you aren’t,” I smiled. “But it doesn’t mean you don’t deserve the best life has to offer.”
“I just need you.” Bethany pressed a kiss to my lips then wrapped her arms around my neck. She left just enough room to where she could look up at me.
“Giovanni Russo, will you marry me?” she grinned.
“Hey! It’s traditional that the man purposes,” I laughed.
“And what exactly is traditional about us and our relationship?” she teased.
She had a point. Our relationship had moved at the speed of light. I wanted to marry her and start a family with her, and we hadn’t even known each other a week.
“Why are you laughing?” Bethany asked. I looked down to find her looking up at me and pouting.
“Relax, beautiful. It’s a happy laugh. A very very happy laugh.”
“Oh,” she said softly.
