I hadn’t heard anything from Charlotte that morning, so I assumed she’d finally gotten over the jet lag, while I on the other hand had been up since three in the morning.
Excited at the prospect of spending another day with her, I set off early, hoping to surprise her when she awoke.
I was greeted by cheerful vendors and proprietors as I wound through the main street, intent on the fresh flower stand and one of the many bread stands. Charlotte had expressed interest in one of the beautiful and flavorful-looking focaccia breads, so I wanted to pick one up for her.
I also had another destination in mind.
“Buongiorno, Damon. What brings you out so bright and early?” Sophia asked as I approached.
She was sweeping the sidewalk in front of her gallery and paused to rest on the handle and greet me with a welcoming smile.
“Good morning, Sophia. Are you open already?” I asked hopefully.
“Not officially, but what can I help you with?”
“When we were here yesterday, I noticed you also sell some supplies, and I was hoping to pick a few things up for Charlotte.”
“I did not realize Charlotte was an artist as well, I thought it was only you,” Sophia replied.
“Char only works in the art world now as a curator, but when we were younger, she loved to sketch with charcoal. I was thinking maybe she’d like to get back into drawing now. This place is full of inspiration.”
“This is true, and I think it’s a lovely idea. Let’s go inside and you can pick out your gift.”
“Thank you so much, Sophia, you’re the best,” I said excitedly as I followed her inside.
“This is true,” she replied with a light laugh. “I would never stand between an artist and their craft. We must bring Charlotte back to the dark side.”
I chuckled in response as I crouched down to look at her offerings of sketch pads and charcoal pencils. I grabbed the things I thought would help Charlotte get started and stood back up.
“I’ll take these,” I said, walking over to the counter where I assumed transactions were made.
“Please, take them. The two of you can tell me how it went the next time you come in for coffee,” Sophia said.
“You have to let me pay for them,” I protested.
“I don’t have to do anything. That’s the beauty of owning my own place. Now go … give your lady her gift and let me finish getting ready for the day.”
“Thank you,” I said, moving to brush my lips over her cheek.
“Ah, ah,” she said when I started to move away, then she took my face in her hands and bussed each of my cheeks before stepping back. “Ciao.”
I said goodbye, stopped at my last vendor, and headed back to the villa, my arms full of parcels.
When I let myself inside, I heard Charlotte call out, “Damon, is that you?”
“Yes, it’s me,” I replied, following her voice to the kitchen.
“I can’t believe I slept so long,” she was saying as I walked in to see her pouring out two cups of coffee. She looked up when I entered, and when she noticed the items in my hands she asked, “What’s all this?”
“These are for you,” I began, handing her the colorful bouquet of Tuscan poppies wrapped prettily in paper and ribbon.
“Oh, they’re so pretty,” Charlotte said, accepting them and immediately shoving her face in them and inhaling deeply. “Mmm.”
“And I picked up some of that focaccia you were looking at yesterday,” I said, setting it on the counter. “Finally, these…” I held out the bag of art supplies that featured Sophia’s gallery logo.
Charlotte glanced at me as she put the flowers down and reached for the bag.
“What’s this?” she asked as she peered inside.
“I thought it might be fun if we drew together this afternoon,” I said, feeling surprisingly shy about the idea.
What if she didn’t want to draw anymore? I didn’t want to force my passions on her if she wasn’t interested. On the other hand, if she was on a journey of self-discovery like me, it may help her to pick up something she used to love.
She pulled each item out of the bag and laid them out, pausing to stroke the cover of the sketch pad.
“It’s been so long since I’ve picked up a pencil.”
“If you don’t want to use them, you don’t have to, it was just a thought,” I said hurriedly.
When Charlotte looked back up at me her eyes filled.
“This is so thoughtful.”
“Hey,” I said soothingly, moving to pull her into my arms and hug her tightly.
She sighed and gave a little hiccup as her arms curled around my waist.
I swear to God, if I ever see Nigel again, I’m gonna kick his lousy ass. He’d taken her for granted and treated her like garbage. I’d been yearning to meet him in a dark alley for the last few years, but the more I saw how much his neglect had affected her, the more I wanted to make him pay.
Charlotte pulled back to look up into my face and gave me a watery smile. “I love them.”
“I hoped you would,” I admitted, then dipped down to brush my lips against hers. She tasted of coffee and something that was pure Charlotte. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was, but I would gladly spend a lifetime kissing her in order to figure it out.
“Have you eaten?” she asked, and my stomach growled in response.
“I’m gonna have to start working out in the mornings or I’ll gain twenty pounds by the time this vacation is over.”
Her hand skimmed under my shirt, and I forgot to breathe.
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about,” Char replied softly as she ran her fingers over my stomach.
I stood still as she touched me, then found my breath again when her skin left mine. I knew I needed to take things slow with her. After everything she’d been through, the last thing she needed was for me to throw her down on the kitchen floor and have my way with her. But the more comfortable she got touching me, the harder it was not to show her how badly I wanted her.
“I’ll get breakfast going,” she said as she moved away.
“I thought you didn’t cook,” I managed as she put some distance between us.
“I can crack an egg,” Char said saucily, and the look on her face told me she knew just how affected I was by her touch.
She has all the power, and she knows it.