A Soul Mate's Promise (20 page)

“SHUT UP!” I exclaim.

Sal laughs and tugs me toward him so I slam up against him. “I’m special agent secret spy guy, remember?”

He looks at me with a little smile playing on his lips as he places his arms around me and squeezes my ass with both his hands.

“Did I tell you how cute you look today? He kisses me hard and quick. “Princess,” he growls in my ear, “when I’m done getting this plane up, I’d like to see you in the back room on that conference table.”

“On…ttthe…con.. c..conference table?” I stutter and my breath hitches in my throat.

Sal puts a finger under my chin and coaxes me to look him in his eyes. “You’re so adorable, and you would look even more adorable laid out on that table. If I don’t make love to you soon I’m going to explode.”

I’m stunned into silence and find the use of my brain malfunctioning and it’s impossible to speak. I realize my mouth is hanging open when Sal gently closes it with the tip of his finger. He kisses my nose and pulls back quickly. “You alright?”

“What?” I barely manage.

Sal shakes his head. “Okay, Princess, get to your seat and buckle up.”

I take a seat across from Pop. Toby is already at home on the couch with his head on top of a pillow. I buckle myself in and smile excitedly.

“Here we go! You excited, Pop?”

“Si, this-a-gonna be a good trip, we all together for Christmas.”

We hear the screech of the engines come to life. Then Nick’s voice comes over the intercom telling us we are ready to take off and what time we should land in San Francisco.
The temperature is a mild fifty-eight degrees, the skies ahead are clear, so relax and enjoy the flight
.

In the cockpit Sal sat in the co-pilot’s chair so the co-pilot takes a seat just outside the door and buckles himself in. He smiles and nods at me. “Ma’am.” I smile back.

Soon we are speeding down the runway and rising into the blue sky. I feel the lift off in my stomach and as we climb to altitude, Toby whines and cocks his head, not entirely happy.

Antonio calls for him and on shaky paws, Toby slowly moves to sit on the floor between us. Reaching for him, I pet the scruff of his neck, noting his body is shaking a little.

After about twenty minutes, we level off, our ears pop back to normal and Toby is back on the couch falling asleep. Sal appears out of the cockpit and the co-pilot goes back in with Nick to resume his station.

“Good job! We’re alive!” I say, laughing.

“Really, it was all Nick,” Sal says. “But it was all familiar–once I got in the seat–a lot of my training came back.”

“Did you have to fly much at your job?” I ask. 

He takes the seat next to me and reaches for my hand. “Very little. When I was Marine in special ops, I flew helicopters a few times, but mostly I was jumping off the copters and planes.”

He changes the subject. “Nick tells me there are snacks and champagne for us in the galley. You hungry now or should we wait? We have about a six-hour flight.”

“Maybe wait a little longer. I’m not that hungry yet.”

“Really? That’s a first–you’re always hungry. Are you feeling okay? You’re not air sick, are you?”

“No Sal, I’m fine,” I laugh. “I love flying–it’s peaceful. Toby had a moment when we took off, but he’s calmed down now and getting sleepy.”

Sal taps me on my leg and points to Pop, “Looks like someone else is sleeping.”

Sal got up and finds a blanket and drapes it over Pop. “Would you like one, too?”

“I’m fine for now, maybe later, I might need a nap after my initiation into the Mile High Club,” I whisper.

I pull out a magazine to thumb through then glance back at Sal. Now he’s the one stunned, a devilish smile playing shyly across his lips.

He sits down and again takes my hand. He kisses it and reclines in his seat, laughing.

*       *       *

After a few hours I get up and use the lavatory. On my way back through the galley, Sal is pouring us some Champagne.

“One for you and one for me.” He hands me a glass. We clink our glasses together then sip. The Champagne is nice and chilled and the carbonation dances all the way down my throat with a nice fruity after taste. “Oh that’s good,” I purr.

He picks up the bottle to read the label. “Mumms,” he says. “They’re in Napa–Nick got it for us.”

“Nice!” I drink some more. “Remind me to thank him later.”

Sal takes me by the hand and leads me back to the room with the conference table. We look out the tiny round windows and watch as the landscape sweeps by below us.

“We’re just about to change into the Mountain Time zone,” Sal comments. “So, I guess a few more hours to go.”

I finish my champagne. Sal brings the bottle and pours a little more into my glass. He picks up his glass and tosses back the remaining liquid.

I take a few more gulps of my champagne, my eyes on him the whole time. Slowly he reaches for my glass, placing it beside his. Cupping my face in his hands he comes in swift for a kiss, parting my lips with his and I taste the sweet Champagne on our tongues. He draws me in close, our bodies press together. I tangle my fingers in his wavy hair.

“Gracie,” he groans. Still frantically kissing me.  I….I…  love you and..…I…  want to ask you to…

“What, Sal? Ask me to....?”

I’m so hot I can barely breath. I feel my need for him in every part of my body as I grab at him.

He picks me up and I wrap my legs around him. I can feel his arousal about to bust through his jeans as his hands clasp me tight against him.

He places me on that big black table and unzips his pants. Yanking my skirt up higher, I lie back. He tugs at my panties and I feel them slide off past my bare feet. Sal grabs my legs one in each hand and slides me to the edge of that table. As he trails kisses down my throat, I grind my hips against him, urging him on. He enters in one swift move. My breath catches in my chest.

“Gracie.” Sal hisses my name. He’s not as gentle as normal, a blinding passion drives his thrusts. “Oh Gracie,” he moans. “Oh my god, I had to be inside you.” He pushes and pumps. His whisper is raw. “I’m not hurting you, am I?”

“No..” I beg him, “don’t… stop.” A moan escapes my throat. He spreads my thighs farther apart and I perched up on my elbows, feeling the orgasm rise as he pounds into me. “Sal, I’m gonna…!!”

“Me too!” he growls.

Trembling with pleasure and exhaustion, I collapse back on the table, my arms giving out. Sal lifts the bottom of my hoodie and places some kisses all over my belly. When our breathing slows he helps me down. Dizzy with shaky legs, I have to find my balance. Sal holds onto me until I do.

“That was hot,” I laugh shakily.

Sal is smiling. “Hell yeah it was–you should have seen how sexy you were on that table. I couldn’t help myself. Was I too rough with you? I don’t ever want to make you…”

I shut him up with a kiss. I break away and stare at him. In a breathy voice I repeat, “It. Was. Hot!” I push away from him to go into the bathroom to clean up, scooping up my panties in the process. Sal tugs my arm, stopping me.

“Gracie, wait please. I want you to know I always make love to you. I don’t ever want you to feel as if you’ve been fucked or used. You mean too much to me–I love and respect you with all my heart. I…I..want you to be......”

“Sal, nooo…” I cut him off. “I don’t think that! Not ever! I know you do. Our passion and love for each other is growing stronger. I know you love me. I love you. So much I swear it hurts.”

He embraces me again, giving me the softest kiss. He lightly brushes his lips with mine as his tongue darts inside. When he pulls back, I see his eyes are the slightest bit damp.

He smiles and puts his forefinger and thumb to my chin. “I love you so damned much.”

*       *       *

Hours later we are on the ground at San Francisco International Airport. Nick comes out of the cockpit smiling and sends a questioning look at Sal. Where upon Sal answers with no words–just a slight frown and a shake of his head.

“Chicken shit. Alrighty then, moving on,” Nick says, how was the flight? Was it as good for you as it was for me?”

My eyes dart between Sal and Nick. I shrug guessing it is some inside secret service joke.

“Yes,” I answer with a smile. “Very smooth flight, thank you”.

“Well, I hope everything was satisfactory and that you and Salvatore had a most memorable conference.”

“Nick!” Sal scolds. 

I feel my face blush, but a giggle escapes my throat despite my embarrassment.

“All in good fun, mates! Enjoy your holiday. See you back here in five days.”

CHAPTER 20

Taking in the surrounding scenery as we drove through Napa and Sonoma, I feel as though I’ve left the country. Row after row of vineyards spread out along the hillsides. I point out some famous wineries: Robert Mondavi, Francis Ford Coppola. I point at Mumms when we drive by. I smile at Sal and he winks back.

Turning off the main road, we arrive at a gate and Sal taps in the code Joe gave him at the intercom station. The gates pop open. I spot a huge sign that has a wreath with a big wine-colored bow attached to it.
AMICI Winery of Napa Valley
.

I point–“Friends?” I ask.

“Very good, caro. Si. Joe and a friend of-a-his bought the place years ago. It was in shambles–they got it for a steal. They re-built and learned the business. They do alright.”

As we drive through I see all the vines are bare, the harvest is done. There are only a few hands cleaning up the fields. We pull around a huge horseshoe driveway and stop in front of the main house, which appears to be somewhat Victorian with a big, wide, front door.

“It’s beautiful,” I squeal. “I can’t wait to see what it looks like inside!”

Sal honks the horn and Joe comes flying out the front door. Sal gets out and the brothers hug.

Joe is the same height as Sal, just not as muscular. His hair is dark and cropped really short. I get out of the SUV and Joe eyes me.

With the same big smile as Sal’s, he yells, “Gracie! Finally, a face behind the voice on the phone!” He gives me a big hug that lifts me off my feet. “Welcome! Mary can’t wait to meet you!”

The brothers help their father out of the SUV and Joe gives Antonio a hug.

“Miss you, Pop. It’s been too long.” He pauses a minute, taking in the sight of us all, smiling as he does. I noticed all three men had the same chocolate brown eyes and big smile, Joe didn’t have a cleft chin, but he had the Patroni Roman nose.

Toby runs ahead of us towards the door. “Toby! I yell but he keeps going. “I’m sorry, he’s usually a good dog.” I say to Joe.

“Oh no he’s fine. Besides, he’s had a long day, right? And he probably senses Bridget.”

“Bridget?” I ask.

“Our golden doodle. Come in, come in! Mary is waiting.”

We enter through the door and we’re standing in a huge parlor with a fireplace. Cathedral ceilings house a bridge from the stairway that must lead to bedrooms. A huge Christmas tree stands in a corner and almost touches that bridge.

“I see the love of huge Christmas trees runs in the family,” I say to Sal with a grin. This one is even bigger than ours.

“Yes–it’s
stupid
big! A voice bellows from behind me. I turn around. 

“Gracie!”

A tall slender blonde with a little bump in her tummy marches over to me with open arms. “So nice to finally meet you! I have heard so much about you. And, I’m so happy to hear you and Sal are together.”

“Thank you for inviting me,” I tell her, returning the hug. Mary is taller than I am and has long blonde hair, dark blue eyes and a few freckles across her button nose.

She turns and gives Pop a hug. “It has been too long! I am
so
happy you’re here! Everyone come in. I just pulled sour dough bread out of the oven.” She turns to her husband and gestures with her hands. “Joe, open some wine for them.”

She puts her arm through mine and ushers me toward the kitchen. The smell of slightly sour, yeasty bread makes my stomach growl.

In keeping with its wholesome and warm mistress, the brick walls, huge, worn wooden table and light oak cabinets all work together to make a very welcoming space.

On the way through the house, I notice gingerbread-scented candles spread out and lit all through the rooms. Plush green laurels with tiny white lights entwined hang in the doorways and electric candles reflect in the windows.

“Your home is gorgeous! So warm and friendly,” I tell her.

“Thanks. I hear
you
live in a plantation-style mansion on the beach. Wow! That must be beautiful!”

I smile. “It is, but it’s too big for me and now that my divorce is final I’ll be moving.”

She hands me a glass of red wine and motions to the long table. The guys are hovering at one end of the kitchen island having a laugh. Mary and I take our seats. I sip at the wine and she drinks from a bottle of water. Joe comes over holding a small plate of bread and cubes of sharp cheese and places it on the table for us.

“How do you like that wine, Gracie? It’s our own Cabernet. What do you think?”

“It’s delicious!” I reply. “Very smooth.”

“Tell me,” he says, “what other flavors can you detect in it?”

I laugh. “Oh boy! I’m no wine expert, Joe, I don’t—”

“You can do it,” he says. “Here, hold the glass all the way up to your nose, like this.” He demonstrates. “Take in the aroma.”

I smell the dark red liquid. It’s bold.

He nods. “Give it a good swirl around the glass. Now, take a sip and hold it on your tongue for just a second. Good swallow–well? What do you taste?”

“Hey, that really does do something, doesn’t it? I taste a little cocoa?” He smiles and nods again.

“Umm, oak?”

“Yes, good. Keep going.”

“I wanna say cherry?”

He laughs. “Very close. You’re tasting a hint of plum.”

“Really? Wow!”

Sal comes over and sits next to me.

“Hey,” I say, patting his knee. “Did you see what I did there with the wine? I want to try that again!”

“You have time,” Joe says. Then he looks at Sal. “Take her around to some of the wineries, do a little sight seeing. Tonight though, I have a treat with dinner. A different wine with each course. I’ll show you how to recognize other aromas and flavors.”

After a bit more family talk, including Tony’s stories about Toby and me, I lose the battle with a yawn. Mary looks at Joe and gets to her feet.

“How about we show you where you’ll be staying? You can rest and get settled if you like.”

We grab our suitcases and follow them out the kitchen door. Outside is a circular garden courtyard. Teak patio furniture occupies the center, a matching table with place settings for eight is on the far end, closer to the outside kitchen and fireplace. A few trees adorned with tiny white lights surround the area making the lovely courtyard seem like it could be in the hills of France. We follow the walkway to a smaller house that also faces the courtyard.

“This was a detached garage at one time,” Mary noted. “We remodeled and converted it into a guesthouse. I hope you love it.”

We swing open the door and step inside. The living area has a couch and two wing-backed chairs and a coffee table. To the right, the fireplace is already lit and Joe points to a doorway beside it.

“The bedroom is through there. The fireplace is double-sided.”

“Romantic,” Mary whispers, poking me in my side with her elbow. I smile and agree.

“The kitchen area is straight back.” Mary gestures and I follow her. “A little dinette table for two and a full kitchen, microwave, coffee maker and fridge.”

This kitchen too is warm and cozy. Light oak cabinets against honey golden walls match the wood floors. Sage green and dusty rose accents were used throughout. Pillows and quilts tie it all together.              I turn back to Mary. “What’s not to love? This is adorable!”

“Oh, I’m so glad. I want you guys to be comfy while you’re here.”

“I’m sure we will be, don’t worry.”

“Oh,” she says, holding up her index finger. “There is a half bath off the kitchen here,” she points to a door. “And, the full size bath is adjacent to the bedroom.”

“Great,” I gush. Mary, this is wonderful. Tell me, what can I help you with while I’m here?”

She pats my hand. “Not much. Joe and I prepped a lot of stuff ahead of time, and truly, he is the cook for the holidays.”

“Well, you just say the word and I’ll be happy to help out!”

Joe and Sal return from dropping our suitcases in the bedroom.

“Hon,” Joe says to Mary, taking her hand. “Let’s leave them to settle in. Dinner at eight, okay? Lets go see if Pop needs anything.”

“Where did you put Pop?” Sal asks Joe.

“In the house,” Joe answers. “The spare room is down stairs and he has a bathroom to himself–it’s big enough for the wheelchair. I remodeled it that way on purpose in case he needed to come live with us. This cottage also is wheelchair accessible for him.”

Just then we hear barking and two rambunctious big dogs come flying through the door.

“Toby! Hey, calm down!” I shout. He sniffs around and around while Bridget watches her new friend take in his new surroundings.

Toby finally circles and plops down on the round rug in front of the fireplace looking completely exhausted. Bridget joins him in a yawn. They look as content as I feel. As tired, too.

*       *       *

I awake with a gasp! I look around and focus. Forgetting where I am for a second, I sit at the edge of the bed, remembering I’d taken a shower and felt worn out from the day’s travels, so Sal told me to rest before dinner.

The fire is still burning warm and it’s darker out. I call for Sal but don’t get an answer. No Toby, either.

I get up and stalk around the room until I hear voices outside. I peek out the window and see Sal and Joe cooking on the grill while Mary sets the table in the courtyard.

Watching the two brother’s catch up makes me smile. Side by side, they look much alike, and yet the differences are easy for me to see, even at a distance. Sal’s posture is alert, never quite completely relaxed, while Joe, about the same build, stands more casually, like a man comfortable in his surroundings.

I decide to change and freshen up for dinner and join them in a little bit.

*       *       *

“What do you mean you couldn’t get the words out?”

I roll my eyes and give my brother Joe a smirk. “We were right in the middle of a… moment”

“Okay, and after
the
…moment?” Joe hesitates.

I glance back an forth between my brother and sister-in-law, “I just want it be special, she deserves that.”

“I agree.” Mary smiles, and whispers. “I have an idea Sal, but I’ll tell you later, she’s coming out.”

*       *       *

I walk out onto the patio and Sal, Joe and Mary all stopped their soft chatter.

“Sorry, did I interrupt a family conversation?” I ask, moving to Sal’s side. He slips his arm around my back and kisses me on my cheek.

“Not at all. And dinner is just about ready,” Mary says with a smile. “Are you hungry?”

“I’m starved!” I reply. Sal and Joe burst out laughing and it feels good to be in a safe and happy place.

Dinner is delightful, as promised. Joe’s five course dinner, paired with five different wines teaches me a lot about both the reds and the whites.

I learn that Merlot’s and Cabernet’s are blended with cocoa and ripe cherries or plums, and a Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay can have almond blossom, apple and pear tones, or even tropical fruits. As I’m helping Mary clear the table, Joe asks me what my favorite wine is.

“Well, I’ve always favored Chianti’s or a Sangiovise.”

Joe smiles. “I’ll see what I can do.”

I find as I chat with Mary that I really like her-she’s comfortable, gentle and strong. She fills me in a little on Sal and Joe’s mother, Marie–and how Antonio mourned her passing.

“Pop was so sad,” Mary says quietly, even though the men are outside and can’t hear us. “I thought he’d never get over it and then he got shot–and Sal was gone. I don’t know how you did it, getting them back in good graces.” She laughs and puts a hand over her mouth. “I guess your name fits you”

“Truly I didn’t do much. When Pop learned the truth about why Sal couldn’t be home for his mom, all the old barriers came down.”

“Oh I know, I’m just glad that somehow Joe persuaded his brother to go home. I think you being around helped a lot. Things happen for a reason, I always say. It was meant to be. Look, you and Sal found each other. He loves you, Gracie. He seems different–better, thanks to you.”

I smile at Mary. “Thank you, he seems to think the same thing.”

Mary looks at me closely. “Do you love him, Gracie?”

“More then words can describe,” I say, feeling just a little choked up. “It’s insane how much I ache for him.”

“Good, because I know he feels the same way. I’m
so
happy for both of you.”

Mary reaches over and gives me a hug. I feel comfortable with her, so I decide to share everything about the dreams, the psychic, and what Dr. Brooks told us about past life regression.