Chapter 27 Antonio
SANCIA
He stood up and headed into his room. A few minutes later, he was back holding something in his hands. My eyes widened when he handed them to me, and I saw they were two passports for a couple; the woman looked a lot like me, and the man like Antonio. And plane tickets to…Prague?
“Pietro and Katarina Savarino?” I asked, my eyes wide, waiting for him to elaborate.
“Newlyweds traveling for their honeymoon to Prague,” he said, smiling. I swallow and glance down at the woman's face on the passport.
“Come with me, Sancia. Let's go far away somewhere where we can get married and have the life we've both dreamed of,” he said huskily. He took the passports and tickets and placed them on the table.
He turns to face me, holding my hands in his as he stares at me with love in his eyes. He was waiting for my answer to say yes. But I can't help being overwhelmed and anxious; all the times I'd spent thinking and running away have never occurred to me.
Probably because I've never thought it's possible to escape this life. And because there hasn't been anyone who has successfully done it before.
“We can't escape…” I started, shaking my head.
“We can. I know we can,” he said. I bite my lip.
“Papa would kill you and probably have me whipped. If he ever found us. I'm sure by now there is no place where his men aren't looking for me and…Lorenzo?” A shiver of apprehension slid down my spine, and my stomach cramped at the thought of the devil finding us.
“That bastard won't find us. And if he does, I'll fucking kill him,” he spat darkly. I don't doubt that he could, but I know he's not the same as that monster.
Antonio was the only one I've told about my first encounter with Lorenzo. What Antonio was offering was everything I've ever wanted, but now that it's right in front of me, I'm afraid to reach out and take it. Afraid of the consequences if we fail.
“Don't think too much about it, Sancia. I've thought about it all. I will take care of everything, or don't you trust me?” he asked, gazing into my eyes. I nodded.
“Of course, you know I do.” But I don't think it's going to be easy.
“I know it's not going to be easy. But we can do this. Get free, it's our dream, remember?” It's like he's reading my mind.
“Could we? Do you think we can do it?” I asked, afraid to hope, but it was already too late. My heart was thumping with excitement and hope.
“We can; I have enough money for us to go anywhere. First, we'll get married in Prague. After that, we can get a round-the-world ticket and see every city we've talked about.”
“But what if they find us? What if they catch us, Antonio…?” I whispered, my voice trembling as a shadow of doubt flickered across my mind.
“Shhh, don't say that. We'll be careful, I promise. I'm a made man; I know the places and people to avoid. I'll protect you. I'll protect us. Let's leave in the morning, okay?” I stroked his face and nodded.
“Okay. Yes, yes, Antonio, I will go with you. Let's do this.” I said, laughing. He kissed me slowly, and I kissed him back. It was sweet, tender, and gentle, just like the man himself. Always a gentleman.
We spent the rest of the day together, discussing what our new lives together would be like, kissing and touching each other as we'd never done before. Though Antonio refused to go any further than that. I have my plans, though. Just a precaution in case Antonio's plan failed.
We talked about where we would go and how happy we would be. Antonio ordered food for us, and we ate right there in the living room. Talking about everything and nothing.
Then we cuddle together on the couch. Throughout it, I had this deep, unsettling feeling of foreboding, but I didn't want to ruin the moment, especially if it turned out I was just being paranoid.
It was late at night when the movie we were both watching ended, and it occurred to me that I was going to spend the night alone with Antonio. I was suddenly so nervous about our sleeping arrangements.
I've been yawning through the movie, but I insisted on watching it till the end. I know it's the events of the day finally catching up to me.
Antonio excused himself to take a shower and went into his room; I was wondering what was taking so long when he came back. He'd showered and changed into white sweatpants and a soft white cotton shirt. He has a pillow in his hand; he scratches his head nervously.
“There's everything you might need in the bathroom; I bought you a few things: clothes, cosmetics. Though I didn't know if you'd agree to come with me, you did. I thought you might need it.”
“Thank you,” I said. This is who he is. Considerate and loving.
“Go on, you can take the bed, I will sleep here.” I bite my lip and stand up; if Antonio sleeps in the living room, how could I convince him of my plan?
“Or we can both sleep on the bed; I don't want to be alone, Antonio,” I suggest shyly.
“I'm still scared.” That wasn't a lie; no matter how much I tell myself everything will be okay, my heart won't stop pounding. He looked nervous, and I almost told him to forget it, my face heating up with embarrassment.
“Just forget I said anything,” I said, and hurried towards the room.
“No, wait. I just don't want you to be uncomfortable.”
“I'm not.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I'm sure.”
“Okay, let's go.” He led the way into the big furnished hotel room with its white sheets and duvets.
“Here, you can take it inside, there are clothes all in your sizes.” He hands me a small duffel bag.
“Thank you,” he nodded. I turned to leave.
“Sancia?”
“Hmm,” I said, glancing back to see him.
“I just realized we never talked about your plan,” he said, his eyes searching my face from his place on the bed. His back is against the headboard. I swallow and bite my lip.
“I will tell you when I'm back.”
“Okay.”
I turned and entered the en-suite bathroom as I stood under the shower head. I thought of everything Christina had taught me about seducing a man.
I've never done this kind of thing. I don't even know if I can pull it off, but I've gotta try. Or where to begin, but it can't be all that hard, right? Come on, Sancia, you can do it. I stand in front of the foggy mirror, use my hand to clear it, and stare at my face.
I was naked and freshly out of the shower. I could go inside the room right now and have Antonio do what I wanted. Nothing says I want you to take my virginity more than that.
But I didn't have that courage, so I settled on wearing a new pair of underwear I found in the bag before leaving the bathroom; my hair was damp but not dripping. The instant I opened the door, I froze right there, my hands against the wall in a sexy pose.
I was tongue-tied. What am I supposed to say now to get his attention? Antonio was currently reading something on his tablet.
“Sancia, what are you wearing?” Antonio, who had finally noticed me, asked, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed nervously. I let my hand drop from the bathroom door and catwalk to him slowly despite the knot in the pit of my stomach.
“It's a little bit hotter in here,” I said as I climbed onto the bed and pushed him down. I must have taken him off guard because he went down.
“But you just showered, why are you not wearing the shirt and sweatpants in the bag?” He argues even as his eyes roam my skin greedily. I only had on my white lace bra and panties.
“This is the underwear you bought me, silly; I thought you'd like it if I wore it,” I said, pouting as I climbed over his thighs.
“Yes, you look beautiful, sexy, you always were, but there are sweatpants in the bag,” he said hoarsely; he didn't push me off as he usually does, which I call progress.
I push my advantage, running my fingers ever so lightly over his smooth chest. Antonio's breathing was heavy, and he seemed to be in some sort of trance, so much so that he helped me take off his shirt completely.
“It's a bit tight up here, though,” I whispered in his ear, following Tina's advice and kissing his ear, neck, and face; using my other hand, I took his other hand and placed it on my chest, giving him free rein.