Chapter 60: Conviction

“This is a fight to the death, Gina. And I. Will. Win,” he proclaimed stroking his hand across her navel.

She bucked her pelvis finding his head with her hands. She combed through his hair.

“Winning isn’t everything.”

She imitated his cooing tone.

Gina felt his mouth brush across the tip of her nose. She arched her head meeting his lips. “But you are,” he clarified. “So you think you can win me?” She grinned.

“I don’t presume to think what I can do.”

Her grin faded quickly.

“So you simply can and will. End of story?”

“Yes.” He said curt.

Her pout turned mean as if she had been offended somehow.

“What you’re asking-is not me, Alexander. It’s not us.”

Her skip-the-bullshit tone didn’t pack the same punch it used to with him. It was different. It was hesitant and doubtful.

“You just said it, us. Meaning there is an ‘us’ you’ll probably turn right around again and tell all bunch of shit just to run my notion into the mud,” she grunted.

“Alex-”

“I’m sick of that for once just shut the fuck up and consider it.” His voice transformed from raspy to dead serious, deep and grueling.

She stiffened shattering the fun ambiance. She unknotted the handkerchief pushing Alex aside when he tried to stop her.

“Wait.” He said as she ignored him rising from the picnic cloth pacing through the yellow-green fields.

Alex ran after her catching up to her angry power-strutting in the trainers.

“Fuck it!” She hissed the tinkles stroke.

Her feet came to standstill panting exhausted not just physically. She was tired of arguing, then skipping out, then dealing the confusion, pain, regret aftermath.

“Gina, baby.” His arms scooped her up nestling her in his chest. She dug her face into his sweater drying her weepy eyes. It was irrational how rocky and neurotic she could get. Alex was right about her she really was running, because bottom line, she was afraid. As much as she never wanted to accept that fact she had to it was a losing a battle, one pointless for her to combat.

“Don’t worry, no pressure, take all time you need.” He murmured kissing her temple and hugging her more with his firm, possessive arms. He didn’t need to ask what was riding her for he paid close and considerate attention when she didn’t even know. Her odd tendencies rattled him less.

“It doesn't have to be so complicated.” If only it doesn’t but far exceeded what you can imagine, her inner voice sulked, out of ammunition.

She couldn’t help muster a smile, more for his consolation than hers.

“I knew there was something different about you today. You’re not wearing any cologne, are you?” She faced him. He grimaced. Liquefied sapphires sparkling stirring, she felt like melting inside.

“No. Forgot sometime around cooperating with the local authorities and forced to hurry out,” he mentioned.

“Leaving me in bed alone,” She frowned.

“You can still have me there every morning after the nine months are over.” He smoothed his thumb above her pouty mouth.

“I love when you pout.” He let out pulling her into a long, passionate kiss. She held his shoulder blades and felt his hands move up her back. His tongue caressed her own she didn’t wrestle but allowed him to dominate.

He broke releasing her body his sapphires dazzling as he gave her an intense stare making her tinkles burst. “Will you think about it-for me?”

He asked almost beseeching her.

“I am already,” she told him earnestly taking his hand. “Come on, there’s no way we can let that food go to waste.” He snickered.

He walked alongside her through the sunny-green fields. A rooted sentiment whirled within his core, euphoric for he felt her coming over.

The myriad of bees inhabited the galore of poppies and sunflowers. The butterflies fled seemingly out matched by the millions of needle-pointy stingers swarming their blossoming territory. Everything seemed divinely immovable to the light, spurring gush of wind.

***

“Flight's scheduled for eight tell the others we’re traveling together.”

Rudy nodded to his boss jumping back into the car and drove off.

Gina stretched her limbs behind. It was mid evening and she spent the day hiking up high hills just to get a better glance of the medieval villas.

“Someone out did herself,” Alex said unburdening her hands of the Chanel purse. She simpered leaning onto him while he carried her up the concrete steps to the rotating doors. “It was well worth it.” She pointed out.

“You give one heck of a piggyback ride too, baby.” She chuckled putting a small slap on butt. He wrapped he cupped her jaw, entering the polished gold lit lobby. “Easy, save some for later.” She grinned coyly snatching his palm. “If that’s how you want it.” Sauntering out the car on the carpeted floor Alex swiped the key card. She fought to suppress a draining yawn but failed in her attempt as it escaped her involuntarily. “Looks like we’re gonna have to postpone.” He admitted covering his gaping mouth. She scowled reeling her weary self into the lavish suite.

“Your jet is super, why did you name it Phoenix?”

His face became slightly awkward-looking. He held his pockets glancing to the floor. It was unreal how none of his gestures ever made him unappealing as though he were something out of a classy black and white photo.

“It’s a bit personal I’ll let you in on it some other time.”

He said with a certain promise.

She was naturally intrigued by his insistence on delaying the answer which clearly would entail components meaningful and much revealing for him. “I at least gotta know where you got that great Crescent roll sandwich from. Maybe, we can make a quick stop there early tomorrow.” She suggested kicking the trainers off her feet and wiggling toes in the socks.

“Sure, while we can maybe test out that glorious Jacuzzi tonight.”

He purred creeping behind her tickling her earlobe she tittered. Offers such as this are the ones she would never reject. She was resilient, not a total rock.

“Oh, I have to show you this. You won’t like it but I don’t want to hide anything from you anymore.”

He took her Smart phone from the purse disassembling the behind exterior.

“What’s that?” She inquired seeing him pluck out a miniature digital chip. He shot her a sheepish expression and already she realized he’d done something wrong. “It’s a GPS tracker,” he barely uttered.