Flying Backwards (12 page)

Sergei… He’d wanted to kiss her tonight. He had always been sweet to her, and she’d sensed he liked her, but she hadn’t expected him to actually make a move on her. He was good-looking in a rugged sort of way. Not like Antonio. Antonio was hunky and sensual. How was it possible she had two men interested in her? She wanted to see Antonio again–to be with him. She had planned on picking up a trip back to Rome at the end of this month. Yes, as soon as she could–she had to see him again

The morning after the Tyrone incident, Bree confessed her insecurities to Nora about the guys she dated. “I choose them for all the wrong reasons, like I get a high when I feel like they are aloof or dangerous… It’s a challenge to get them to date me.” Bree spooned yogurt into her mouth. “I’m so stupid.” She dug for another serving.

Nora asked the tough question. “What are you going to do about it?”

Bree poked around in her yogurt cup as she thought. “Okay, I know what you are thinking, and you’re right,” she finally answered. “I’m turning over a new leaf. I’m done dating assholes,” she pledged.

“You better be.” Nora toughened her voice. “You deserve better.”

Choked with emotion, Bree nodded at her friend’s fierce devotion.

Chapter Nine

Nora’s next trip took her to Vienna. After completing the food and beverage service on her Austrian-bound flight, Nora had some time to herself. She sat pondering the love interests in her life.

Antonio
… He was passionate. He commanded her body to want him with one glance from his dark eyes. His possessive hands were always on her–his arm slung over her shoulder, his hand at the small of her back as he guided her beside him, caressing her shoulders and thighs as they sat side by side at cafes. Their relationship was physical, and it was okay if that’s all it was. And anyway, it was too early to think about it becoming more than that. She was having fun. The sex was amazing. She blushed just thinking about how primal it was.

Nora’s thoughts shuffled to the next man on her radar.
Sergei
… She hadn’t seen him since he’d almost kissed her. Was
she
interested in
him
? She had to ask herself if that would ever be a possibility. She loved his accent. He was a nice guy, handsome, sweet to her; he had a good job, lived in America (big plus), and obviously really liked her. Those were good points to consider.

* * *

Vienna was beautiful and clean, and the people were friendly. Nora paired up with two flight attendants she’d flown over with who were nice enough to take her around on her first visit. Nora couldn’t stop taking pictures of the charming old-world city. Her companions took her to their favorite restaurant for dinner, where Nora tried wiener schnitzel, very thin veal slices, breaded and deep-fried.
Who doesn’t like anything that is deep-fried?
she thought. That night in her hotel room she called her parents. There was a six-hour time difference, so it was still afternoon in her hometown.

“How is Austria?” Heidi exclaimed. “She’s in Vienna, Austria,” she said to Victoria. She told Nora they were in the kitchen preparing for the weekend’s function.

“Did you get the photos I e-mailed you?” Nora tried to send trip photos to her mom when she got the chance. She felt guilty that she hadn’t been home in weeks.

“Oh, yes. Your dad and I have enjoyed them. How are you?” Heidi asked.

“Great. Everything has been going well. How is everyone there?” The conversation felt a little too formal. She missed her family. Nora could picture them in the kitchen, and wished she were there right now. Seeing the world was a dream come true, but there was nothing like spending time with your family–the people you loved, the people who loved you.

“Everyone is fine here. Victoria is going to e-mail you some pictures of the Miller wedding. It was an elegant event–wait until you see their cake.” Heidi chatted for a few more minutes. Then Victoria got on the line to tell that pregnancy was agreeing with her.

Nora was sleepy, and they were busy with a deadline, so they made the call a brief one.

* * *

Right after her trip to Vienna, Nora picked up a trip to Germany. She had just now returned to Philadelphia and was going to be home a few days before going to Rome…‌to Antonio. She hadn’t seen Bree or Sergei for over a week. But Bree was out, probably at the gym, Nora surmised. She went upstairs to do laundry and repack her suitcase. The suitcase had its own bench in her room and was constantly being unpacked and restocked, always ready to go at a moment’s notice. Nora was just going down the stairs when Bree opened the front door.

“Hi!” Nora’s voice made it clear she was glad to finally see her roommate.

The girls settled in on the couch to catch up. Bree could not wait to fill Nora in on yet another incident with Tyrone. When Bree had returned from her trip earlier in the week, Tyrone had come banging on their door, threatening her if she didn’t answer.

“Once again Sergei came to my rescue.” Bree chugged a bottle of water because she had just been to the gym, as Nora figured. “Not only did Sergei flatten Tyrone with one punch, but apparently Sergei knows someone who knows someone Tyrone gets his drugs from. Let’s just say he won’t be bothering me anymore.”

“Drugs?” Nora raised her eyebrows.

“Don’t worry, it was all him. I don’t do that shit.”

“Wow. Well, it’s a good thing Sergei’s our neighbor.” Nora got up to hunt around in the kitchen for something to eat. “I’m glad Sergei was around. I hated leaving you here alone.”

“Yeah, he is so sweet. He even spent the night.” Bree took another swig from her water bottle and joined Nora in the kitchen.

Nora’s head snapped up. “Sergei spent the night?”

“Yeeaaah–on the couch, so I would feel safe.” Bree sent Nora a look. “It’s not like that.” She wrinkled her nose. “He’s not my type.”

“Right.” Nora felt foolish suggesting there could be something between Bree and Sergei. Men were always attracted to Bree, and Nora had found it surprising that Sergei looked only her way, even when Bree was in the room. Apparently Bree was not Sergei’s type either.

Nora’s came up empty-handed after rummaging in the refrigerator and cabinets. “What do you want for dinner?”

“I don’t know. I’m so tired of take-out. Do you feel like cooking?” Bree asked, eyebrows raised hopefully. Bree did not know how to cook, even though her mother had set up their kitchen as if a chef lived there. Nora was not a trained chef. She had not attended culinary school like her sister Victoria, but Nora was a very good cook.

“How about I run down to the market? I’ll make some baked chicken, rice, and green beans.”

“I think I love you,” Bree said as she headed upstairs to take her shower.

Nora grabbed her purse and headed for the door. Nora hoped she would not run into Sergei just yet. She didn’t want things to be weird between them. Tomorrow night she would be on her way to see Antonio. Sergei was nowhere in sight, and she was thankful, for now.

* * *

Nora’s last work flight for the month fell in the third week in June. She was bound for Antonio’s arms again. It was the third time she’d gone back to him in the two months since she’d met him. He picked her up at the airport, and they had barely closed the door of her hotel room before he was tugging off her clothes. After an hour of lovemaking, Nora’s sweat-drenched body felt satisfied and relaxed, but Antonio was insatiable. She was drifting off when she felt his hot wet tongue circling her bellybutton. She reached down and clutched his unruly dark hair.

“Oh, let me rest, Antonio. I’ve been up all night.”

“Okay. A little nap, then I’ll take you to lunch.” He rolled from the bed, bent to retrieve his pants, and pulled a cell phone from his pocket. Nora’s heavy lids pumped several times before they closed, catching a last look at his splendid physique. She drifted into a restful slumber.

She woke and rolled over, allowing the tangled sheet to slip free. She stretched naked before him. His eyes were fixed on her, still as a statue, and then he blinked. He sat naked at the desk, where he had been scrolling through e-mails on his phone. She slipped from the bed and mumbled she needed a shower. She padded to the bathroom and turned on the faucet. She stepped into the warm, refreshing water and tilted her head back, smoothing her hair.

When she opened her eyes, Antonio was posed like a predator in the doorway. His forearms braced against the doorjamb; she observed the steady rise and fall of his chest. There was only a small glass shower wall between them. He strutted toward her and slipped into the shower, which was clearly made for one person. She felt confined as his large body overwhelmed the tight interior. Her backside flattened against the glass, and her long hair plastered itself to the surface. Cupping the back of her neck, he held her still while his tongue plundered her mouth. His hungry kisses caused her to easily forget about the constricted space. Still holding her neck, he turned her torso so she faced the glass wall. The wet strands of her hair clung to the glass, and she rested her forehead there. Behind her his knee wedged between her legs, causing her to widen her stance.
Oh no, not again
. But he made her inner protest rapidly fade.

His primal lovemaking left her somewhat sore. They had enjoyed each other again after their lunch outing, and they ordered dinner in, giving them time to play all evening. When Antonio slipped off to work the next day, Nora was glad for the reprieve. She met up with the other flight attendants from her crew in the lobby and joined them for a day of exploration. There were endless sites to visit in the city of Rome.

Antonio picked her up later, and as they drove to dinner she told him about her day. His hand reached over and crept up her leg. Over authentic fare and glasses of wine, Antonio talked mostly about the vineyard. Then, keeping his voice low and seductive, he detailed what he was going to do to her when they were alone again. Nora glanced around, praying no one had overheard his outrageous declarations. She redirected the conversation. “Your family’s vineyard is incredible. You’re fortunate to have a big, close family. I admire that,” she said sincerely.

Antonio seemed to puff with pride. “You are a keeper.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and gave it a wolfish bite. She swatted at him playfully. “Our vineyards are our legacy. Our children’s children will run them. I am confident.”

“Are you planning on having any of those children?” She pictured dark-eyed little boys and girls running around with their mischievous cousins.

“Of course. Eventually I’ll marry an Italian woman, and she will bear me many children.” He drank from his wine glass.

This was news to Nora. He wanted many children, but
he wanted to marry an Italian woman
. Nora was clearly not that woman. What the hell was “You are a keeper” about?

At the slight change in her demeanor, Antonio added, “I would like for you to remain my special companion–my desire, my heart.”

“Antonio, what are you asking me?” Nora’s stomach began to knot.

“I want us to remain as we are. I want you to keep coming back to me. You bring me such great pleasure. I hope I give you the same.” He kissed her knuckles, but she slipped her hand from his grasp.

“Are you engaged? Are you getting married?” Her voice rose. He was definitely trying to tell her something. She should’ve known there was someone else.
Is it that Christina girl? Are you lying to me?
Nora began to panic.

He glanced around and lowered his own voice, clearly hoping she would follow suit. “I’ve been engaged for a long time to someone who has the same feelings about marriage as I do. She is interested in a platonic arrangement for now, but eventually, in time, we will marry and have children. This is how the vineyards will be passed down to our families. I have always been comfortable living a more open lifestyle. And I want you to be a part of that lifestyle.” He spoke as if this was a common custom. Nora felt sick and insulted.

“Like a
mistress
?” Nora was appalled. How could this be happening? These were modern times. How had this gotten so weird?
I should have known this was too good to be true
. “I don’t want to be ‘the other woman.’ Is it Christina?”

“No, not Christina–she is just an old girlfriend, like I told you.” He tried to reclaim Nora’s hand. “No… Nora,
you
are
the
woman. Believe me.
She
is the other woman. She has family obligations, like me. Our families go way back. We have an arrangement. Our marriage won’t even take place for many years. And besides, she has other lifestyle interests as well.”

“Lifestyle interests? What are you talking about?” Nora glanced around, thinking maybe she would flee, but something kept her glued to her seat.
Maybe curiosity?

“She prefers women,” he stated as a matter of fact. “And she has a long-time partner. Her family wants her to have children and live a ‘normal Italian life’. We are very traditional people. I’ve offered her that life in exchange for my own freedom, so to speak.”

Nora wanted to remain claim, but her heart was jumping in her chest. “I…‌I don’t think I can do that. I don’t know what to say.” It seemed sudden that he was bringing up an arrangement. Nora hadn’t thought about where this relationship would go. There was no denying the physical pull they felt toward each other. She had told herself this was for fun and it would run its course. It was too soon for Antonio to be telling her his feelings for her.
His heart…‌what does that mean?
Sure, he was being honest–better to know his intentions sooner than later–but on the other hand, this was pressure. This meant labeling it.

“Know this, Nora.” He leaned in. “I want to keep seeing you. I just want you to know about me. I am no deceiver of women. I can see us sharing something amazing together.” When he looked at her like that, with those alluring eyes and his sensual smile, all she wanted to do was take him back to her hotel room and forget about what he’d just said. She realized she did not want to label it. Her erratic heartbeat was slowing.

“Antonio,” Nora whispered, stopping his words. “All I know is right now, tonight, I just want to be with you.” She surmised this would probably be her last night with Antonio.