Facing Redemption (5 page)

             
Timothy cocked his head as they entered the mouth of the Grand Canal.  He swore he could hear a sonnet by Vivaldi floating across the water inviting them into the inner city. 

             
The power of it all hit him with full force, as the sun’s light reflected from the water and danced across the surface.  He never would have believed it if he’d not seen this majestic view with his own eyes.  Pictures just did not do this city justice. 

             
Timothy turned to his left to find the most amazing architecture he’d only seen in magazines.  Now, in person, everything looked so much grander and colorful.  Even the gondolas seemed more refined and graceful than anything he’d seen on television or in print.

             
This, even with all his travels, was by far the most beautiful city he’d ever experienced. The beauty surrounding him, however, paled in comparison to the sight of Chastity standing at the docks waiting for his boat. Seeing her in these surroundings was the most surreal experience he’d ever witnessed. With her tanned olive skin and long dark hair, he thought she fit the part of an Italian goddess.  And seeing her there he knew she fit, with this city and its magical web that it had already woven on him. 

             
The sun’s light surrounded her, giving her the appearance of glowing.  Timothy was almost afraid to dock and step into port.  He was afraid when he got off and approached her, she wouldn’t be real…that she wasn’t really his.  It was as if she was just a figment he’d created from deep within his utmost desire for the perfect woman.  Seeing her stirred up more fear that he might lose her, it stirred his desire to have every part of her with him…forever.  In that moment, he knew he couldn’t go any longer without Chastity in his life more permanently.  He didn’t want this to be a summer romance with hopes for more.  He wanted this to be a deep summer love with the promise of tomorrow.

             
Chastity watched with excitement as Timothy exited the boat.  It had only been a month since she’d seen him, but it felt like forever.  If it all possible she’d forgotten how handsome he was.  Her heart leapt with joy as he smiled in her direction.  Her eyes held his, and she ran to meet him.

             
Timothy dropped his bags, just in time to be tackled by the object of his desire.  Normally he wouldn’t have such a grand show of affection, but in this moment…he didn’t care who saw.  Chastity’s arms and legs were wrapped around him and she held him as if her life depended on it.

             
He breathed her in and dipped his head for the kiss he’d been missing since the last time they were together.  The sound of applause brought them both back to reality and they slowly pulled apart.  His wide smile and dark passionate eyes held Chastity in awe that he was hers. When the applause subsided, Timothy chuckled. 

             
“Do they want an encore?”  He asked before lightly kissing her on the forehead, and setting Chastity down.

             
“No,” she giggled.  “Beauty is extremely appreciated here.  So much so that when Italians see something they like, they break out in song and clap.”

             
“In song, really?”

             
“No…” she teased, “not in song.  But they do applaud and congratulate you on a job well done.”  Chastity explained.

             
“Then I guess you’re used to that sort of thing aren’t you?”  He lovingly asked while tucking some hair behind her small ear.  “Are you blushing Chaz?”

             
Chastity tucked her head and leaned into Timothy’s broad chest.  “No.  You…” she sighed.  “You just make me feel things…things I never thought I could.”

             
“That makes two of us sweetie.  I missed you so much.  I never want to be apart for this long again.”

             
Chastity smiled sweetly, unsure of what to say next.  So she did what she did best.  She changed the subject. 

             
“You must be hungry after your long flight over.  We can grab a quick bite, but we need to hurry back.  I’ve got something fun planned for us tonight.”

             
“Really?” Timothy teased.  “You’ve got my attention.  Let’s skip the bite and get straight to whatever it is you’ve got planned.  Are we staying here?”  Timothy looked up to the Hotel al Pointe de Sospiri.  Its highest point seemed to reach up to the heavens.  He had to crane his head back to take it in.

             
“No.  This was just an easy place for you to tell the driver to drop you off.  My apartment isn’t too far from here.  Follow me.”   Chastity smiled, and leaned up to lightly kiss him before leading the way.

             
“You got it.”  Timothy’s heart leapt.

             
Timothy pulled his bags straps across his shoulders, and followed Chastity across the bridge.  The struggle to carry his luggage wasn’t something he was going to remember in years to come.  Watching his girlfriend saunter her way through the city was.  With her elegant sway, she led the way down the alley to her apartment, and in that moment, he knew he’d be happy to follow her anywhere.
             

Chapter 7

Chastity unlocked her door, and noticed that David and Terri’s things were all moved out.  The probability of them coming back was minimal.  She relaxed knowing she had Timothy all to herself, with no threat of interruption.

             
“You can set your things in here or in the bedroom … your choice.”  She smiled sweetly while her stomach filled with butterflies.

             
“Where do you want me?” he softly asked while staring into her eyes.

             
“You don’t want me to answer that.”
             
Timothy dropped his bags, pulled her close, and swept his hands up her back.  “I think I do,” he said before lowering his lips onto hers.

             
Her kiss was just as he remembered; filled with passion and promise … but this time he couldn’t hold himself back.  After being without her for a whole month, he needed more of her.  He needed her to be completely his in every way.

             
Quickly he found his way under her sweater to unclasp her bra, and moved to lift her arms.  Obediently she raised them, threw her sweater off, and moved to unbutton his shirt.  The thought of where he was staying, couch or bed, was quickly answered, as they stumbled into the bedroom and began fumbling to undress one another.

             
“Are you sure?” Timothy panted between kisses.

             
Chastity stopped long enough to look him deep in the eyes, and pull him down on the bed.  “I’m surer of you than anyone I’ve ever known in my entire life.”

             
That was all he needed to hear, before starting to unbutton his jeans … that and the sound of the door opening in the next room.

             
“What the …” Timothy asked before jumping up to pull his pants up.  “Someone’s coming in your apartment!”  He whispered excitedly.

             
From the bedroom, Chastity could hear clearly who it was, and sunk down into the mattress with disappointment. She heard David’s voice coming from the other room, talking to whom she could only assume was his wife, Terri, on his cell phone.

             
“Nope, she’s not here.  I’m just going to leave her flowers on her kitchen table.  Ok, so if you got the bottle than bring it on up.  It will be a great surprise for her to get her favorite wine and a bouquet.” 

             
Timothy quickly jumped off Chastity’s bed in fit, fumbling with the zipper on his jeans.

             
“Oh man…that’s David.” Chastity groaned, starting to explain.  Before she could, Timothy mistook her horrified look as one of guilt.

             
“You have some other guy in your apartment?  Leaving you flowers?”  Timothy said, just loud enough for David to realize he was not alone in Chastity’s new apartment.

             
“No, let me explain.”  Chastity tried to cut in, while clutching the sheets with one hand and frantically trying to find her bra with the other one.  It was in that moment that it dawned on her. 

             
My sweater is in the other room …with David!

             
It was also in that same moment that David saw her sweater, lying crumpled on the floor, and realized what he’d walked into.

             
“Um, Chastity?” David called through the closed bedroom door.  He hesitated, before calling out again; now knowing his friend must be topless.  “Chastity…if Timothy wants to come out here and get your sweater for you, I can explain.”

             
Timothy looked at Chastity.  Everything hurt.  She’d lied to him.  She’d been seeing someone here this whole time.

             
“I flew all the way out here. How could you?” He asked in anger.

             
He turned to leave the room to fetch her sweater, and so he could size up his competition, leaving Chastity fuming and half dressed. 

             
“How could I?” She asked herself, fuming over his reaction.  “How could I?” She yelled a little louder.  She pulled her dresser open, searching for a suitable top to storm out in the living room to give Timothy a piece of her own mind. 

             
“How dare he?”  She continued talking to herself as she fumbled through her drawer.  “I would never cheat and if I would – I certainly wouldn’t ask him to fly thousands of miles to catch me!  That jerk!”

             
Timothy entered the kitchen just in time to see a cute little blonde pop in the door with a bottle of wine. 

             
“I’ve got it David.”  Terri turned to see Timothy coming from Chastity’s bedroom with a murderous look on his face.  “What did I walk into here sweetie?” she whispered out the side of her mouth.

             
“I’m not sure babe,” David answered.  “I think from the looks of things, I thought Chastity and Timothy weren’t here, and what was supposed to be a romantic surprise for them – from us,” David stressed looking at Timothy, “has turned into a huge misunderstanding.”

             
Timothy squinted at her with a look that would normally send shivers up anyone’s spine. 

             
“So you’re with him?” He asked the blonde.

             
Terri laughed out loud until her eyes teared up.  Timothy wasn’t amused. She finally nodded in answer before finally getting some assemblance of a sentence out without laughter involved.

             
“Oh my goodness!  Sweetie, Chastity must be mortified.”  Terri said in David’s direction, before addressing the angriest man she’d seen since her daddy caught her in bed with David before they got hitched.  “I assume you’re Timothy?”  She waited until Timothy nodded his head. 

             
“I’m Terri and this is my
husband,
David.  We were just leaving you some wine and flowers as thanks to little miss Chaz in there,” Terri finished while pointing toward the bedroom.  A gush of relief came over Timothy, and laughter never felt so good.
             
Chastity walked out to see the three of them getting along in a grand manner.  All three of them laughing at the joke that she particularly did
not
think was funny.  She had been accused of cheating and now Timothy gets to laugh it all off?  And on top of all that…how dare he act like a jealous monster.  Who did he think he was anyway?  She was not someone’s property and did not like being treated as such.

             
Timothy turned with apologetic eyes, but Chastity wouldn’t have any of it.

             
“If you would have let me explain, I would have told you that my friends are letting me finish out their lease,” Chastity said with ice, giving Timothy a look he’d not seen before.  It was one of pure intimidation. 

             
Not knowing how to handle her mood at the moment, he did the best he could with the situation.  He offered his hand to David and expressed his sincere apologies.  He had now way of knowing that this set Chastity more on fire than anything, as she thought she deserved an apology worse than anyone else in the room. 

             
He’s apologizing to David?  After basically calling me a whore and treating me like something he needs to pee on to claim?  Men so suck!  Of course he’s apologizing to one of his own kind first.  They’re both in the club…so they take priority! 

             
Chastity turned to go back to her room, and slammed the door.  All anyone could do was stand there and feel incredibly foolish.  David cleared his throat.  Terri’s jaw had dropped as she stared at what used to be her bedroom door.  And Timothy began to apologize … again.