“It does when you hit the shores of Sardinia.”
“Hah.”
Before he knew it, he was flipping on his flicker and turning down a narrow country road. He found a parking spot between two smart cars. Thankfully, his truck fit. But he figured with two cars that small on either side of him, he could lift one out of the way later if he needed to. They weren’t much bigger than a go-kart.
They were greeted by the owner. “Ciao, Gunnar.” The older man kissed both of his cheeks and stepped back, still holding onto his upper arms. “It is good to see you,” Luciano said in halting English. He smiled at Jorja, but didn’t reach in to kiss her.
Gunnar chalked that up as another awesome. Because he really did want to eat tonight, killing Luciano for putting his hands on Jorja wouldn’t go over well.
Luciano went back behind the counter. “Would you like a table inside or on the terrace?”
Gunnar glanced at Jorja; he would defer to let her choose on this one.
“On the terrace, please.”
“Of course.” Luciano picked up two menus and collected a bottle of water before leading them out onto the terrace. “Iwill give you this one.” He brought them to a table in the corner. “I think you sit next to each other instead of having the table between you, yes?” As he spoke, Luciano removed the place settings from one side of the four top table.
Genius. He was a genius.
“Perfecto, grazie, Luciano.” Gunnar urged Jorja forward, putting her in the safest place on the terrace where he could protect her if necessary, then claimed the seat next to hers. “Luciano, may we have a mix of your famous local appetizers, please?”
“Of course, and to drink?”
“Jorja?”
“House white, please.”
“I will bring you a bottle.” Luciano lit the candles for them. “And for you, Gunnar? A beer, as is normal?”
“Yes, please.”
“It will be a couple of moments.”
Jorja peered at the menu. “It’s so quiet here.”
“I know, right?” He didn’t need to look at the menu. He already knew what he wanted to eat. But he’d settle for their seafood pasta. “La Spezia is one of the quieter towns, but when I come up here, I realize how much noise people make.”
“My Italian isn’t good enough to read the menu.” Jorja glanced up at him. “Will you order for me?”
“You trust me to do that?”
She nodded and smiled a thank you to Luciano who placed a wine bucket in the center of the table, along with the beer for him and a jug of water. “Yes.”
Gunnar took the menu from her, and handed them back to Luciano. “Will you ask the chef to make us two of his seafood dishes, please?”
“Of course.” Luciano glanced over his shoulder. “Your appetizers are coming now.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t have ordered a main course.” Jorja glanced doubtfully at the table which was soon laden down with platters of bruschetta, cheese, jams, and sliced meats. “I don’t know where we’re going to fit everything.”
“What we don’t eat, Luciano will allow us to bring home for the boys. He’s probably ordering more food in there for them as we speak.”
“You bring doggy bags home for your brothers?”
“Sure beats having them here.” Gunnar grinned at her. “They don’t need to be studying our every move and making smart ass comments.” He loaded up a piece of toast with some jam and cream cheese and offered it to her. His heart rate jumped when she wrapped her fingers around his wrist and took the offering from his hands.
Crap, I didn’t think that one through.
Fabulous, there are kids out here, and my cock is hard as a fucking rock.
