Love Getting Even

19. Chapter 19

19

T wo hours later, satiated with a feast of crostini toscani, tagliatelle al tartufo and biscotti di Prato, Katie took in a breath of the warm evening air, and let it out softly. A string of soft white lights around the outdoor seating in the little restaurant had come on as the sun disappeared. The orange glow of street lamps rose from the city into the darkening sky. The stress of the events earlier in the day had been pushed to one side and, for a couple of hours at least, they had enjoyed simply being in Italy.

They had polished off a bottle of chianti between them, and a holiday atmosphere prevailed. When they had ordered their food, Tom still looked a little distracted, his gaze somewhere off in the distance, but for the last hour or so, he had been fully present with her.

He polished off the last biscotti and leaned back in his chair, patting his stomach. His shirt rose a little, revealing his toned stomach. Katie gave in to the view for a moment.

‘Well, at least we got to try some new Italian dishes,’ Katie said, pushing the biscotti plate away from him.

Tom grinned. ‘Yes, that’s one good thing to come out of this.’

He threw her a smile, picked up his glass, and stared at the deep red liquid in the light.

Katie watched him and fingered the stem of her glass. ‘There must be more than that,’ she said after a moment. ‘More than just one good thing.’

Tom considered her and stretched his arms back, his shirt pulling tight, the buttons across his chest straining slightly.

Maybe several good things.

‘Let’s think of all the good things that have happened on this trip,’ she said. ‘Putting aside the terrible travel situation, let’s focus on the positives.’

Tom linked his hands in front of him.

Katie said, ‘I’ll go first. The band got cancelled.’

Tom burst out laughing. ‘I thought that was a bad thing?’ he queried.

‘So did I at first. Then I got some perspective, remembered how much I hated the music, and realised that we both dodged a bullet. Besides,’ she added. ‘I don’t need to dwell in that space anymore, thinking about anything to do with Ryan. I need to move on.’

She glanced across the table. Tom held her gaze and nodded, his expression unreadable.

‘Your turn,’ she said, tipping her chin at him, her eyes wide.

‘Hmm.’ Tom tilted his head, considering. ‘I think…the…the flight. That air stewardess was so nice and helpful.’

He looked dead serious, but there was a flicker of amusement around his eyes.

‘Oh please,’ Katie shook her head. ‘Who’d have thought you were that vain? How many years are you going to hold on to that? Will you still be telling that story about that one time that a stewardess batted her eyelashes at you when you’re in a nursing home? Sad,’ she said, rolling her eyes. ‘Very sad.’

Tom laughed. ‘If you’ve got it…’

Katie tried not to smile as she pursed her lips.

‘Your turn,’ Tom urged. ‘Name another good thing that has happened for you on this trip.’

Katie glanced at Tom, relaxed in his seat, looking completely at home in the bustling restaurant. His head turned as an elderly couple next to them sat down and spoke to the waiter. She imagined him filtering the rapid Italian through a translator in his brain. She thought another button was undone on his shirt, making a deeper V into his chest. He pushed his hair back from his face as he turned back towards her.

‘Um.’ Emboldened by the chianti and lulled by the intimacy of the darkening skies and the fairy lights, she said, ‘You speaking Italian was a pretty good thing.’

She took a sip of wine and dropped her eyes for a second, unable to hold Tom’s gaze.

This is a bad idea Katie , said the sensible part of her brain. Don’t go looking for trouble.

Shut up! Said the other part. Let’s live a little – see what happens.

There was a moment of silence. She raised her eyes. Tom’s face was still for a second, then he burst out laughing.

‘Oh, you like that, do you?’ He grinned. ‘Vorresti che ne facessi di più?’

Katie bristled—she could hear it was a question. ‘Tom! I don’t know what you’re saying!’

His gaze was fixed on her face as he leaned towards her and replied in a low voice. ‘I only said that I can do more of it if you like.’

‘Oh, well.’ Katie fiddled with the napkin, feeling her cheeks flush. ‘Only as the need arises. I don’t think we need to make a thing of it.’

She couldn’t fathom what was going on. She felt at once easy and relaxed in his company and then suddenly on edge, like a teenage girl speaking to a boy for the first time.

She changed the subject. ‘Your turn,’ she challenged. ‘What’s your number two good thing?’

Without hesitation, Tom replied, ‘You in that dress.’

Katie’s face flamed. Her eyes dropped to the table cloth, and her hand fluttered instinctively to her chest as if to cover herself.

‘Oh, ha ha, well,’ she stumbled, ‘that’s good of you to say.’

She forced herself to raise her eyes to meet Tom’s.

He looked uncertain, her reaction giving him pause. ‘I didn’t mean to—’

‘No, no,’ she stopped him. ‘It’s great. I’m just not good at taking compliments. But that doesn’t mean you should stop.’ She felt her face heat again. ‘I don’t mean because you were going to give me another one. I didn’t assume that. I just meant in general. For future reference. It’s okay if ever there was another time…’

She grabbed her glass and took a long drink.

‘Your turn,’ Tom said, picking up his wine.

Katie’s mind was melting. She couldn’t think. She was only conscious of his compliment and her hot cheeks. She could feel the energy fizzing between them.

‘Um…’

Katie looked over at Tom, his expression inscrutable.

She had a choice now. She could go compliment for compliment, maybe tell him how good he looked in that shirt, or how she loved that he carried her bag and opened car doors for her… and go down that rabbit hole. Or she could say something ordinary, like how she was glad she had finally seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or how she’d learned the adjacent baptistry also has a slight lean, and burst the bubble she was in.

Tom’s face was lit softly by the string lights around them. His eyes were dark and fixed on her. She opened her mouth, still not sure what would come out.

‘Signore e signora, per voi e andato tutto bene?’ The waiter hovered by the table, looking from one to the other.

Katie nodded dumbly. Tom smiled and nodded.

‘Era delizioso, grazie. Possiamo avere il conto per favore.’

‘Si, si,’ and the waiter hurried off.

Whatever the mood had been, it had shifted now. Katie wasn’t sure if she was sorry or glad.

‘I asked for the bill,’ Tom said.

‘Yes,’ Katie murmured. ‘I guessed.’

‘You okay?’ Tom asked, reaching across the table.

Katie looked at him, at the question written on his face.

‘Yes,’ she said, more brightly than she felt. ‘I’m fine.’

They paid and started the journey back to their hotel, meandering up the road towards the pensione. Katie felt sad to think they wouldn’t be doing this again tomorrow. Tom would be up with the sun and away to Milan. She would check them out of the little apartment and try to find another way back home. Tomorrow felt like a lonely day.

Tom broke the silence as they strolled along, nearing the entrance to their accommodation. She could see that the old man and his pipe had abandoned their post for the night.

‘I have another good thing,’ he said, looking at her sideways.

‘Go on,’ Katie said, studying her sandalled feet and avoiding direct eye contact as she put one foot in front of the other on the cobbles.

‘This evening,’ Tom said in a low voice. ‘It was,’ he gave a soft laugh, ‘under the circumstances, a really nice night. And that’s thanks to you. For,’ he paused and stopped walking, ‘for all your help and for not letting me get too caught up in my head.’

He reached out and caught her hand as she trailed past him.

Katie had to stop and look at him. ‘Oh, well,’ she looked back at her feet, ‘that’s okay. You’re welcome.’

He rubbed his fingers over her palm, and she felt nerves across her body spring to life. Her stomach fluttered, and she swallowed.

‘Better go up,’ she muttered, pulling her hand free.

Her legs felt like jelly, and her mouth was dry as she turned sideways, angling towards the entrance. The toe of her sandal snagged in a gap in the cobblestones and she stumbled, her legs unsteady. Tom caught her as she began to fall forwards, and she grabbed at his arms. He pulled her up and into him. Then his arms were around her waist, her hands pressed to his chest. She could feel the hard muscles of his chest flex as he steadied them both. His aftershave wafted under her nose. Her mind went blank, and she was only conscious of Tom, his dark head bent to look at her and where their bodies now met.

‘Oh, so sorry,’ she said and gave a little laugh. ‘Clumsy me…’

Tom didn’t reply. She felt his arms tighten around her slightly, and one hand splayed across the middle of her back. She tipped her head back to look at his face, cast in shadow, his eyes dark pools. Katie’s body gave her away as she pressed further into him, her hands sliding up over his shoulders in spite of the voice in her head that whispered, this is a bad idea. You don’t need a rebound.

One hand slid up behind his neck, her fingers brushing the hairs at the nape. Her other fingers found their way under the collar of his shirt to brush the bare skin at the base of his throat. Tom’s hand skimmed up her back and into her hair, pulling her into him as his head dropped. Katie tipped her head back, and her breath caught in her throat.

His lips met hers, soft at first, then insistent. Katie opened her mouth to him, and his fingers clasped a handful of hair, tipping her head back further, deepening the kiss, his tongue seeking hers. His other arm was wrapped around her waist, holding her body against his.

He groaned softly into her mouth. ‘Katie,’ he whispered.

Heat surged through her at the way he said her name.

He guided her a couple of steps backward, and she felt rough, cool stone against her back. Tom slid his arm from around her waist, cupping her face with his left hand, his thumb brushing over her wet lips. His other hand clasped hers, lifting it, pressing it against the wall beside her head. She felt the weight of him against her body as he bent his head, kissing her more urgently now, his tongue meeting hers as he pressed her back against the wall. Her hips tilted forward to close any gap between their bodies, and Tom’s hand slid away from her face, down her side, and into the small of her back, pulling her into him as her own free hand dug into his shoulder, urging him down to her.

Katie could feel his arousal as they clung to one another, mouths joined, and felt a tiny moan escape her mouth. Tom pulled back, breathing heavily. His eyes were dark as they searched her face.

‘Shall we go in?’ he said, his voice low and thick, nodding to the hotel entrance a few metres away.

Katie couldn’t find words but nodded, ‘Yes.’

He peeled himself back from her, his breathing hard and fast, took her hand, and she willed her legs to work.

Tom gave a brief greeting as they passed the reception desk in the tiny foyer. Katie said nothing but held onto his hand as they began to climb the stairs, Tom a step or two ahead of her.

They reached the turn in the stairs. Tom stopped, pulled her to him, and then pushed her back into the wall, kissing her deeply. There was an urgency and need to the kiss, and Katie’s hands were on his neck, pulling him down to her. He dropped his head to her throat, kissing his way down her neck, travelling down towards her breasts. His tongue made small circles as his lips nudged the fabric of her dress lower, and his teeth grazed at her skin. She gasped, feeling the need surge between her legs. In response, Tom took both her hands, pinned them above her head against the cool stone, and kissed her again. The stone was cold in contrast to the heat of her body as she arched her back as his tongue ran over her lips and explored her mouth. His free hand ran lazily down her side, stroking down the outside of her breast, the inward curve of her waist, the sway of her hip. His fingers travelled south until they were at the hem of her dress, then they were on the warm skin of her thigh.

He pulled back from her for a second, breathing heavily. Her arms still pinned above her head, he slowly stroked his fingers up her thigh under her dress, the strokes moving from the side of her leg to the front, and, as his fingers rose higher, they moved to the soft, sensitive flesh of her upper thighs. As his hand brushed against the outside of her panties, Katie gasped, then clamped her mouth shut. She had forgotten where they were in the dimly lit stairwell. Tom’s eyes were watching hers as his fingers moved over her again, pressing harder this time. Katie’s mouth fell open, but she didn’t make a noise as one finger slid into her panties and brushed against her wetness.

‘‘Shhhh,’ Tom’s lips were against her ear. ‘Don’t make a sound,’ he growled.

Katie felt like she couldn’t breathe. Tom’s fingers pressed against her again, rubbing at her entrance. She bit down on a groan and buried her head in his shoulder. Then his hand slid back down her thigh, hooked under her knee, and lifted her leg. He pushed his hips forward and pressed himself into her. She could feel his hardness against her, between her legs, as his lips trailed down her neck again, then kissed back up to the soft skin behind her ear.

‘Tom.’ He pulled back to look at her, his eyes glazed, breathing ragged. She gently pushed him back. ‘Let’s get inside,’ she whispered, pulling him by the hand.

They staggered up the last of the stairs. Katie felt like her arms and legs weren’t her own, and she clung to Tom as they stumbled down the narrow corridor.

Tom fumbled with the key to the apartment, trying to find the lock. He gave up for a moment, pushing Katie against the door, slipping a dress strap off one shoulder, pulling the fabric lower, fingers brushing over her breast, across her nipple through the fabric. Katie felt an answering tug between her legs and leaned back against the door. They’d never get inside the apartment. He pulled away for a moment, just far enough to take her face in his hands.

‘You are so beautiful,’ he said, shaking his head slightly, as he kissed her nose, her cheeks, then his mouth was on hers again. His hands roamed down her body, cupping her breasts, pulling her hips towards him. Katie felt the ache in her breasts and the slick wetness between her legs as her knees threatened to buckle beneath her.

‘Give me the key,’ she gasped.

Tom dropped it as he tried to pass it to her.

‘Shit, hang on.’

He grabbed it from the floor and passed it to her. Katie turned to fit the key into the lock. Tom wrapped his arms around her from behind. She instinctively tipped her throat back, and his lips pressed into the soft skin. She could feel his arousal pressing into her bottom, and his hands slid up over her stomach to cup her breasts. His thumbs skimmed her hardened nipples though the fabric of her dress, and she moaned and leaned one hand on the door to steady herself.

‘Tom,’ she said, breathing hard. ‘You have to wait, or we’ll never get into the apartment.’

Tom let out a breath and took a step back, bracing himself on the wall, not looking at her. Katie longed to feel him against her again and leaned her forehead against the door while she concentrated on sliding the key into the lock. She sighed in relief as she felt the key slip in, the lock turn, and the door open.

They tumbled into the apartment. Katie kicked the door shut behind them. And then any pretence at taking things slow was gone. They slipped and stumbled their way over the polished parquet floor to the bedroom, tugging at each other’s clothes.

Katie pulled at the buttons on Tom’s shirt, finally getting it off him, as Tom peeled her dress over her shoulders and unclasped her bra.

Katie was naked now except for her lacy underwear as they fell back onto the bed. Tom leaned over her and paused, stroking her hair away from her face. He traced the outline of her lips with a finger, then ran his hand down her body between her breasts, down her stomach, and between her legs.

Katie gasped as he began to stroke over her panties. She bucked her hips towards him. In response, he slid a finger under her panties and stroked harder. She lifted her hips, fingers fumbling to push down her knickers to give him access. Tom’s fingers were on hers, his lips against her ear as he said, ‘Let me.’

She let her hands fall away onto the bed, and felt Tom’s fingers hook under each side of her panties. His lips were on the tender flesh on the inside of her thigh, kissing and nipping. Katie moaned and pressed her hips up. Tom slid the panties down agonisingly slowly, his lips trailing down the inside of her thighs as he slowly drew them off.

Then, she was completely naked. Looking up at Tom, she saw him swallow and take a breath as he gazed down at her. He pushed down his trousers and boxers and stood in front of her, the shards of street light through the shutters gently illuminating his body, his arousal. Katie swallowed as she looked at him.

He pushed her back gently on the bed, his fingers dragging softly back up her thighs. His thumb massaged her most sensitive spot, and she bucked against him, gasping. Then, bending his head, he dropped his lips to her breast, took her nipple in his mouth, and pulled, at the same moment as he pushed a finger inside her.

Katie groaned and arched into him as Tom moved his head to her other breast, covered it with his mouth, and then grazed his teeth over her nipple as he pushed a second finger into her slick wetness.

She gasped and clutched at his shoulders, digging in her nails as he moved his fingers inside her. Her head was spinning as he pushed his fingers in, again and again, deeper and harder. She could have finished in moments, his fingers inside her, his lips and teeth on her breasts. But she wanted all of him.

‘Wait, wait,’ she gasped and gently moved his hand away. She sat up slightly, lowering her hand to reach for him.

Tom gave a low groan as she wrapped her fingers around him and started moving her hand up and down. He looked down at her hand, then back to her face, watching her as she touched him.

In a strangled voice, he said, ‘Katie, stop, wait.’

He pushed himself off the bed, going to where his bag sat, half in and half out of the wardrobe. She heard the zip on the holdall, then the sounds of him rifling through it. In a low voice, he muttered, ‘Thank god,’ as he pulled a condom from his bag.

‘Yes, thank god,’ she murmured as he re-joined her on the bed.

He settled himself over her, and she opened her legs for him to slide himself between them. She could feel him pressing against her, nudging at her entrance, and she adjusted her hips, pushing up slightly, and felt him start to press into her. He bent his head, lips almost touching, his eyes on hers as he pushed into her, just part way. He was big, and Katie shifted under him, pulling her legs back further. Tom slowly pulled out, then pushed back in, deeper this time. His eyes didn’t leave her face, his breath mingling with hers. She took his face in her hands, raising her head to brush his lips with hers as he pulled out once more, then slowly drove himself all the way in until he was buried in her.

Katie arched her back, a deep groan caught in the back of her throat as Tom gasped, and she felt his arms tremble. Then he pulled out agonisingly slowly, eyes still on hers, before thrusting back in. Katie spread her legs wider, tipping her hips up to let him go deeper. Tom groaned her name, his lips against her neck, his hands in her hair, holding her in place on the bed.

He was moving again now, pushing himself inside her deeper, faster. Katie clung to his shoulders, digging her nails in as she moved with him, meeting every thrust. Tom lifted himself above her so he could see her face, his eyes on hers as he drove into her, his breath mingling with her own.

‘Tom,’ she gasped as they moved faster, urgently now, seeking release.

She felt her body tremble, heat radiating out from her centre. She threw her head back as she shook, fingers digging into Tom’s shoulders. Tom moved faster as she gripped him, wrapping his arms around her as he joined her, his body shaking, his face pressed into her neck, weight pressing her down into the mattress, his breathing fast and ragged until he was spent.

They lay for a few moments, wrapped in each other’s arms, breathing gradually evening out, heart beats slowly returning to normal. Then Tom carefully shifted his weight off her, moving behind her, tucking her in front of him. He looped an arm about her waist and kissed the back of her neck.

‘Are you okay?’ he asked, his breath hot against her neck.

Katie couldn’t speak. She just gave a small bob of her head and pressed her hand over his where it wrapped around her waist.

Tom answered by pulling her in closer, his lips brushing behind her ear.

Her breathing slowed. Katie nestled into the solid warmth of his body and fell asleep.