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The next few weeks go by blissfully fast. I introduced Katarina to my small circle of friends. Splitting our time between her apartment and the boathouse, it seemed as if we had always been together, yet each day brought out new facets in our relationship. Days seem to unfold in perfect harmony. Introducing her to my love of sail boating put a whole new spin on why I love sailing. Under blue skies and a perfect breeze, we found a small, deserted cove where we beached my Marblehead 22. I had brought some provisions, along with a bottle of champagne. Gazing at her as she took off her bikini top to sunbathe, I found myself astonished that my world had ever existed without her. Opening her eyes as if she felt my gaze, she gave me a slow come-hither smile. Unable to stop myself, I lightly drizzled some champagne across one of her nipples. As it puckered, I swooped in to suckle and lave her thoroughly. Then I needed to pay attention to the other one. My sailboat got its first christening as we spent the time loving each other. Each time our bodies joined; it was as if we became one inseparable being.
I’ve planned a long weekend in Tuscany for the two of us with a few surprises up my sleeve. I am first waiting for Angelo to return from Switzerland tomorrow. Having a few loose ends to tie up before the trip and not wanting to miss a day with Katarina, I had asked Angelo to help out.
He had seemed very willing to accompany Bianca, Maria, and Krista to their boarding school. He and my sister always got along well, but never has he accepted an opportunity to play babysitter so fast. On his occasional ski trips to Switzerland, he would take Bianca out for dinner. I guess escorting them to the school had something more to do with Krista than with sisterly love.
I advised Angelo to lose some of his rock star image while on business for us; I advised that covering up some of his tattoos and losing his ripped jeans would be a good start. I also delicately told Krista to dress a little more conservatively when representing my interests. Angelo would be making the introductions to the chancellor on Maria’s behalf.
The day before they left, I asked Josephine if she would help with Maria’s hair. I had tactfully explained to Maria that in order to fit in she need to make a few changes. While I assured her that she was perfect as is, she had to obey the codes of the new school. Blending in was important as she was now part of the new Ferrari Enterprise. Although a bit skeptical, she agreed to allow Josephine to work on her hair. When finished, she was barely recognizable. Her long indigo hair was now replaced with a sleek, shiny chocolate-colored cut that barely reached below her ears. Gone was the heavy makeup, replaced by a bit of mascara to emphasize her large, brown doe eyes. A subtle bit of lipstick finished the look. She was absolutely stunning. While she was still very thin, in time, a few good meals would fill her out. Her edginess remained apparent in the numerous ear piercings that she adamantly refused to surrender.
Now, a quick glance at my phone reminds me Katarina will be meeting me at the boathouse soon. I’m excited to show her my first almost completed project as a graduate, the barn at Lion Whiskey Distillery. I send Angelo a quick text: How’s it going, girls settled in? Did B give you the box from Mother?
Seconds later, I receive a text, but it is from Katarina. I’m on my way see you soon. I love Angelo’s car but not much luggage space!
I had Oskar to drop off Angelo’s car earlier as her old car wouldn’t start, and she didn’t want to leave her parents without an automobile. I smile to myself about how she finds joy in just about everything. Enjoy the ride but drive safe. Clothes optional on this trip!
I decide to call Angelo as I was getting annoyed that he hasn’t returned my message.
“Dear brother, did I annoy you by not returning your text quick enough?” He answers laughingly.
“How’s it going there?” I ask dryly, trying not to let him razz me any more than he’s already done.
“Well, to answer your text questions. All is going well. We met with the chancellor, and he immediately liked Maria. I mean who wouldn’t, right? I can’t believe she picked Monroe to be her surname, suits her, sounds classy. We are just having some gelato now, and then according to Bianca, we need to buy some more supplies.” He continues to rattle on, seemingly very content in his role as nursemaid. I have a hunch he and Krista are getting along well. He hasn’t voiced a complaint about her. Again, a good sign.
Finally, I break down and ask him curtly whether or not he has the package.
“Yes, yes! I have the damn box, and it’s safe and sound. What’s in it anyway that’s got you all riled up?” He asks.
“When you return tomorrow, I’ll show you. Just don’t lose it. It’s very important to me.”
“Got it, brother; don’t worry. By the way, Kat texted me that she loves my car and complained about lack of luggage space. I told her it had more carrying space than Obsidian.
Still waiting for a response.”
“She’s driving, so don’t text her. She’s on her way here. I’m taking her to see the near completion of the barn.” I tell Angelo.
“Wait, you are taking her to Lion Whiskey? Did you explain your previous personal involvement?” He asks, concern in his tone.
“No, I’m not sure if Lia will even be there. Besides, it shouldn’t matter. Lia was my past, if you can even call it that.”
“Oh brother, I may not have any long-term relationships in the books, but I know enough about women to know they can smell past conquests. I would warn her ahead of time.” He advises.
“Whatever, Angie. Text me when you land, and don’t let the box out of your sight.” I say curtly and hang up, not wanting any more of Angelo’s relationship advice.
I know Krista had mentioned to Lia that I was dating Katarina. From what Krista said, Lia was happy for me. Besides, there is no way Katarina has to worry; she should know in this short time how serious I am about her.
My phone pings with an incoming text message, breaking me out of thought. Asshole. Thanks for hanging up on me. It is solid advice. He added a middle finger emoji for good measure.
I decided to take Katarina in my vintage BMW motorcycle. As always, she’s up to any adventure. Having never ridden one before, she was eagerly willing to try this new mode of transportation.
“It’s remarkable that you have restored it all by yourself. It’s also fascinating how passionate you are about everything you are involved in, Santos.” She says with pride while I’m fastening the strap of her helmet. Tucking a few loose strands of her honey-colored locks back into the helmet, I give her a quick but thorough kiss, then I hand the sunglasses to her.
“I think you are quite remarkable too, my beauty. I like to think of myself as a renaissance man.” I lean down and give her another meaningful kiss. Sugar, she always tastes like sugar, I think to myself.
She breaks our contact, “Santos, stop, or we will never make it to your magnificent barn you keep telling me about.” She swats at me playfully.
“Fine, but we are finishing this kiss when we return.” I proceed in putting my helmet on and telling her to climb up while I’m steadying the bike. “Wrap your gorgeous arms around me and hang on tight.”
Finally arriving at the distillery a while later, we ride down the dilapidated driveway to where the now grandly restored barn stands. I feel a tight squeeze, and I turn to make sure she is okay.
When I turn, she has a huge smile. “If I could kiss you, Santos, I would. This restoration is beautiful and magnificent,” she says emphatically.
“Settle down, Beauty; let me park us and then by all means.” I say laughingly.
Taking off her helmet, she allows her riotous, honey-colored mane to fall over her shoulders. Our hands naturally intertwine as we begin walking around, examining the sturdy structure. I start explaining how we began first by repairing the damaged areas. Some things like the barn doors couldn’t be fixed, so we replaced them with replicas. The materials match the original color and design. A local husband and wife team are replacing all the windows; some regular glass, and some with stained glass to match the originals.
“Oh, Santos, I’m so proud of you.” She steps on her tiptoes, a sign that she wants a kiss. I grab her around the waist, picking her up from the ground for a much-wanted kiss.
“Ahem, excuse me for interrupting. I will come back a little later.” I hear Len say sheepishly.
I look over and see Len gazing at us with a skeptical look. I can’t blame him as he probably thinks that I used his sister, which is one hundred percent false. Being with Lia for a short period was good, but nothing compared to what I have with Katarina.
“Hello Len, I would like to introduce you to my girlfriend Katarina.”
“Hello Katarina, a pleasure to meet you. Welcome to Lion Whiskey.” He says smoothly and then looks at me with a neutral look replanted on his face. “Hello again, Santos.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Len. The barn looks great. As though untouched by time,” she says proudly.
Len can’t deny it. In a very short period of time, the barn is transforming into its former glory. “Yes, it’s getting quite the positive response from our guests,” he says easily.
I watch her scrunching her face as she scans the property and gardens surrounding the old estate house, noticing its dilapidated condition.
“Will you be staying for a tasting of whiskies?” asks Len abruptly.
Turning my attention back to him, I let him know that I just wanted to show her the renovation project. “Not today. We won’t keep you, Len.”
“Very well, good day to you both. I’ll be sending you the numbers next week.” Looking back Katarina, he murmurs, “It was a pleasure, Katarina,” before slowly and haltingly proceeding back to the house.
“Is he okay? He looks a little ill.” Katarina asks, looking up at me.
“He is. He is in the beginning stages of Parkinson’s disease.”
“Oh, that is too bad. I have some special oil I use for our lame horses that my father uses on himself. Remind me to give you some to give him.”
The loud rumble of a Ninja motorcycle starts approaching us. We both look at the rice rocket flying in. “Who is that?” Katarina turns to ask me. All of a sudden, Angelo’s speech comes flowing back, hitting me in the gut.
“That is Len’s sister, Lia. She’s the other third partner of Lion Whiskey Distilleries.”
“Wow, I’ve never seen a woman ride a motorcycle like that before. She’s like a stunt driver.” As Lia takes off her helmet and shakes out her hair, I hear Katarina whisper, “And very pretty too.”
I get that deep down ‘oh shit’ feeling, realizing I should have made her aware of my previous involvement with Lia. With her helmet dangling from her hand, Lia walks over to us. Standing tall like the first time we met, she boldly looks me in the eye. “Hello, Mr. Ferrari. I wasn’t aware that you would be stopping by. Is everything all right?”
“I’m going to be out of town for a while and wanted to show my girlfriend Katarina my first project.” I turn to Katarina and introduce them to each other.
Hold it together, Santos: everything will be fine. Just act casual. Angelo doesn’t know anything about women and definitely doesn’t know my Katarina, I say to myself.
Lia speaks first, reaching out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Katarina. I remember seeing you on TV during the Olympics. Congratulations on your silver metal.” The feisty firecracker is now replaced with a genuine fan, no animosity.
“Thank you, pleasure to meet you also. I’ve had the pleasure of indulging in your whiskey. I think you and your brother have hit on something quite special.” She says, giving Lia a tight smile.
Oh shit, I do not recognize that voice. She grabs my hand and holds it tight as though staking her claim. I unobtrusively give her hand three quick squeezes, and she looks up to me knowing that I just told her I loved her. It became our thing after our first love making session.
I look back at Lia, who has a stoic look on her face. “I told Len if you need anything during the next several weeks, just email. Mateo will be stopping by for the final walk through.”
Responding back professionally with the stoic look still on her face, Lia says, “Great, thank you both for stopping by. Len will be sending you the quarterly numbers next week.”
“Good luck with your business. Nice to meet you,” says Katarina. Then, she turns to look at me. “Are you ready to head back Santos?”
I nod in acknowledgment and look at Lia, “Goodbye.”
“It was a pleasure meeting you as well, Katarina. Goodbye, Mr. Ferrari. By the way, the barn really did turn out magnificent.” With those last words, she turns and walks back to the house.
“I hate this helmet.” Katarina snarls, trying to put her helmet on with frustration.
“Here, let me help you.” I reach for her, but she swats my hand away in anger.
“I can do it myself, Santos!”
“Okay.” I respond. I get on the motorcycle, stabilizing it while putting my own helmet on. She huffs and hops on, not holding tight as before.
“Katarina, please grab tighter. I don’t want you falling off.”
“Just go, Santos. I’m not going to fall off.”
Arriving back at the boathouse, I think about how I had planned on taking her out on the boat for dinner. But, watching her take her helmet off, shove it at me, and then stomp off towards the house, I know I’m in for some heavy-duty groveling.
“Katarina wait!” I call out to her. “Don’t be mad. Let me explain.”
She opens the door, letting it slam behind her. It kills me knowing that I hurt her even though it was unintentional. I start making my way inside, cursing my brother for once in his life being correct.
She’s sitting on the couch with her back to me. “I can’t believe you didn’t give me heads up that you slept with her. God, I know you have more experience than me but to meet one of your former lovers so soon and so unexpectedly was a shock. I can’t compete or live up to all the women you’ve been with.”
“Katarina, you never have to compete with anyone. You are it for me. From the moment I saw you on Obsidian, I knew you were the woman for me. The only woman I will ever want or need. You know I have never told anyone I love them before you.” I cautiously sit down next to her, reaching for her hand. She slowly rubs back at the contact. Looking at me, I see she’s no longer angry just uncertain.
“You are business partners with her, and you had sex with her? Was she recent?” I nod a yes to all of her questions. She slumps back into the couch in frustration. “I never want to step foot on that property ever again or drink that whiskey, Santos,” she says adamantly. “I’m sorry given that that particular barn is the first project for your new firm. I hate the word magnificent.”
I reach for her chin. “First of all, I’m a silent partner and only receive updates by email. We had relations for little more than a month at the beginning of summer. It was a summer fling, that’s it.”
“Oh great, so it was a recent breakup!” She tugs her chin away.
I scrub my face in frustration. “There was no breakup as there was nothing to break up about. It was a summer dalliance, that’s it. I love you. I’m sorry I didn’t warn you beforehand, but I didn’t know there would be a possibility meeting Lia.” Shaking my head, I come clean and admit to her, “Angelo warned me to tell you. I really didn’t think it was a big deal because of the way we feel about each other.”
A jolt of shock and a bit of pain hits me. I look down, and her little hand has a grip on my upper thigh. “I love you too, Santos. But please, never keep things from me, or this will never last.”
I touch her chin and turn her head, so she can see the sincerity in my eyes.
“You are the most important human in my life. I will always be honest with you, Beauty.”
Her hand slowly moves up until it cups my desire. “I’m taking a leap here, Santos. Please don’t hurt me by keeping things from me.” She says quietly.
I pick her up and carry her towards the stairs, nuzzling my face into her neck. “Never again, Beauty. You are my future, I swear.”