AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"I made a promise to you."
"But it's your mom!"
Cupping the side of his neck in frustration, Marco reaches for his phone on the side table. "It's possible for me to do both things. A flight into LAX for you, then from there, I can take a personal jet to Colorado. I'd barely lose any time."
"Are you sure? I could always buy my own ticket and go alone."
Whirling on me, Marco takes my cheeks in his palms. His tone is hot and low. "Do you think I'd rather fly by myself, or spend several hours side by side with you? Believe me, Filia, this plan is the one I'd choose any day."
"God help me," I chuckle. My voice breaks and I smile. "I believe you."
Chapter Nineteen
"Is this everything?" I ask, looking over the hard-case luggage in the back of the car. Marco called ahead to have our belongings collected from the cruise ship and dropped off at the hotel in Rome. I don’t know why but I was excited to be going back to our hotel room even for a quick stop over on the way to the airport. It was the place where we’d first made love, where we’d gotten to know each and fallen for each other, hard. After everything that went down on the ship, it felt like coming home, to our own little sanctuary.
I was standing outside now surveying the interior of the car with our luggage. Something irked me about having a stranger fold all my things, but Marco insisted the only way to organize the itinerary so we could drive to the airport together was to utilize the staff.
"That's all of it, yeah." He shuts the trunk. "Let's get moving."
I climb into the passenger seat and buckle myself in while Marco starts the engine. "It's kind of weird to be leaving," I say.
"How so?"
"Just like...this trip wasn't long, but it feels like it was. Months instead of days. Does that sound crazy?"
"A little," he chuckles playfully. "But I get it. I've enjoyed every minute of it."
"Me, too!" I gush, relieved we're on the same page.
"And to think we'd never have met if you hadn't spilled wine on that passenger."
He's still laughing warmly. I smile, trying to act the way I want to feel. It's hard, though, because he reminded me of that awful day. I wish I could shrug it off. It's a terrible memory.
"Filia?"
"Hm?" I shoot him a tiny smile. "You're right. If not for that, I wouldn't have spent all of this time with you."
His face darkens. "I upset you."
"No! No. I'm just...it just sucks, that's all. Forget it. It doesn't matter."
Marco says nothing as he stares out at the road. The tension eats up the fun moment we were enjoying. We drive in silence and make it to the airport in record time, especially considering all the traffic. The number of taxis and Vespas crowding the streets is overwhelming.
He pulls the car to a section of curb painted blue and yellow. A young man in crisp black pants and a dazzling silver shirt approaches, opening his door. "Returning the car, sir?" he asks.
"Yeah." Marco passes the keys, then comes and helps me from the car. I go to get the luggage but he beats me to it, taking my bags as well as his.
"Let me help, Marco."
"No, you'll need your hands for something else."
I lift an eyebrow. "That's provocative. And bold."
He flashes me a sly smirk. "I'm not suggestingthat.Though now my mind is running." He reaches into his jacket, handing me a small, shiny box. I open it curiously. Gasping, I brush my fingers over the brand new smart-phone. "You'll have to set it up," he says, watching me with a pleased grin.
"Marco! No! You shouldn't have!"
"I can't imagine having no way to stay in touch, Filia."
