“You never need to ask to take a photo. Let’s ask someone to take a full-length picture instead of a selfie.”
I stand up and ask the gentleman from the next table, who is English, if he’ll take a picture. He’s only too happy to oblige.
Harleigh stands up beside me, looking happy and merry. She hands her phone over to the man and he snaps a picture of us.
“Thank you,” we say in unison.
“One more.” I take out my phone, turn the camera around and snap a closer picture of us together.
I show Harleigh the picture and she pats my chest. “Anyone looking at that picture would think we’re a couple.”
I look at the photo carefully as she grabs her bag. It’s at that moment I don’t doubt what she says. I want everyone to see me with Harleigh. I want the whole world to know she’s mine. Only, I don’t know what we are. We’re enjoying each other’s company, having the best sex I’ve ever had in my life, and somehow, we’re riding the biggest wave of ecstasy.
“Ready?” Harleigh asks brightly.
I love the contagious glow she has about her tonight. Her smile that reaches her eyes. I’ll remember this night for as long as I live.
“Sure. Let’s get out of here. Rio will be waiting outside.”
I find it hard to believe that I’ve only known Harleigh for a short time, because life seems so natural with her; eating drinking, spending time together… the only thing that feels wrong is being away from her.
Is that a sign that we’re destined to be together? I don’t believe in guardian angels, but someone is looking out for us.
Chapter 16
Harleigh
When we walk into the hotel, music is playing in the bar, and laughter and chatter surround us. The heat from Giovani’s hand is making me hotter than the Sahara Desert. I have pools of sweat on my palms. Actually, I have sweat in places I didn’t know I could have sweat.
“I’ve had such a lovely evening.” I look over at Gio.
“Good. I’m glad. I did too. I’ll have to up my game for our next date night.”
My heart flutters in my chest at the thought of another night with Gio. He hasn’t got fed up with me just yet, and that thought alone excites me. No man has ever just wanted to spend time with me without it being for their own gain. It’s something I’ll need to get used to, because it’s a strange feeling. Foreign to me and my body. But I have to say, I like it. I like the feeling of being wanted. Needed.
“And you’ll be happy to know my bar stocks gin, and plenty of it.”
“Ah, that’s finished my night off perfectly. I’m not a big drinker, but I do like to taste test a lot of the different flavours. My brother brings me a different bottle back from every trip he takes. I have a funny collection back home.”
I don’t know what it is about Giovani, but I find it so easy to discuss things with him. I openly tell him about my life without even thinking about it. I’ve never done that before.
“I get a lot of British tourists staying here so I like to give them what they like back home,” Giovani explains.
We walk into the bar and it’s the busiest I’ve ever seen it.
“Karaoke is always busy.”
I smile at Giovani, because it’s like he read my mind. He seems to know what I’m thinking all the time. Either I’m easy to read, or he makes it his mission to be attentive.
It’s good to see people enjoying themselves with their loved ones. I was beginning to think this hotel held the hoity toity upper class citizen, but who can avoid karaoke? No one. I know I’m the worst singer out there but give me a few drinks and a singing partner and I’ll give it a go.
We spot a space at the bar and Gio pulls out a barstool for me. I hitch myself up, probably not ladylike, and sit patiently and wait for Lucca to spot us. He looks stressed and very unlike the guy I’ve come to know. What could have possibly happened since earlier this evening?
“Oh, shit,” says Gio, and I look over to where he’s looking in the corner.
A little elderly couple are sitting tapping their hands on the table, drinking their drink, enjoying the music.
“What’s wrong?” I ask curiously.
