AllFreeNovel
Share Us
On my way to the checkout, I pick up a packet of bread rolls and a carton of milk. This place is open every day of the week including Sundays, which means I’ll be able to shop for what I need when I need it. Tomorrow I plan on exploring the area near the Rialto Bridge, so I’ll probably find a place that sells pizza by the slice and not worry about cooking.
I pay with my credit card and leave the store. Only a short walk to my apartment building and it has turned fully dark by the time I arrive at the square.
The streetlights have cast long shadows in front of me.
Scary shadows.
The skin on the back of my neck prickles.
Footsteps tap on the paving stones behind.
My heart thuds and I spin around.
No one there.
I’m a doofus for imagining things.
And, if there was someone, so what? I don’t know anyone in Venice except my co-workers, Alessio and Marco. How could someone be following me? Whoever it was, if, indeed it was anyone, must have gotten to where they were going, and I shouldn’t give it a second thought.
I take another glance around, just to be sure, and heave a stupid sigh of relief when I can’t see anyone. I suppress a shiver as I enter the code at the entrance to my building. The door clicks open and I step into the foyer. I press the light switch then run up the stairs.
At my front door, I laugh at myself. The atmosphere in the square was spooky, but only because of the dark shadows on the pale stones.
I should have taken out my phone and used the flashlight.
Shrugging off my parka, I enter my apartment and carry my groceries through to the kitchen. I need something warm in my stomach, so I make myself a mug of tea and go through to the living area. With a grunt, I kick off my boots and flop down on the sofa. A bubble of anticipation forms in my chest as I reach for my cell and check if Camila is online. She is, so I press the phone icon in Messenger.
“Hey, sis.” She answers and I bask in her warm smile on the screen. “How’s Venice? I thought you’d call yesterday...”
“Venice is awesome. My apartment is perfect. I had an amazing induction day at the Guberman. And…” I’m rushing the words… I can’t help myself. “I was busy last night, which is why I didn’t phone.” I pause, take in a breath. “I’ve met two super-hot Italians.”
“Two?” She laughs. “Wow! Tell me everything.”
And I do.
I tell her about how I met Marco.
I tell her about dinner with him and Alessio.
I tell her about the beautiful palazzo.
She prompts me when I stall, my cheeks burning, at the point of describing what happened in Marco and Alessio’s bedroom. “Oh. My. God,” she shrieks when I eventually fess up. “That’s so cool. I was hoping you’d meet someone. Break out of your shell and have the time of your life. But I never expected this…”
“You think I should see them again?” I chew on my lip. “They warned me they can be kinda filthy.”
“One person’s filthy is another person’s normal. It all depends,” she snickers.
I hesitate a couple of seconds, then come right out with it. “How would you class anal?” Again, my face flames.
“It’s pretty normal, honey.” Her laugh comes down the line.
“Doesn’t it hurt?”
“You’ve never tried?” Her tone has turned incredulous.
How do I tell her that Jake was a tad uptight in bed? More than a tad, to be honest. “Erm, no,” I blurt out.
“If they go nice and slow and give you the right preparation, you’ll be fine,” she soothes.
“You’ve taken it up the ass?” Now it’s my turn to sound incredulous. I purse my lips at the thought.
“Just butt plugs and dildos,” she says matter-of-factly, like we’re discussing her beauty regime, which, given that she’s a stylist, is somewhat complex.
My mouth falls open.
I’m literally speechless.
Time to change the subject.
“How’s work?” I tilt my head to the side.
We switch to talking about her upcoming tour with ChiMera and I tell her more about my first impressions of the Guberman and what I’ve seen so far in Venice.
“When is your next date with the hot Italians?” She gazes at me through cyberspace.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “We kinda left it up in the air…”
“I bet you hear from them tomorrow.” Her eyes glow. “Ping me as soon as they’ve called. I know I’m right. I want you to seize the moment, sweetie. Free your inner dirty girl…”
“Ha,” I laugh. “I’ll think about it.”
After wishing her a great day—weird that hers is starting just as mine is about to close—I carry my mug through to the kitchen and make myself a sandwich. I’m tired so I take a quick shower and head for my bedroom.
