Authors: Kimberly McKay
“Um, again ... sorry for the confusion. I thought,” Timothy began.
“No, seriously man. No worries. I would have jumped to the same conclusion.” David reassured. “Besides, if it were me I would have taken my head off already.”
“And trust me, he would,” Terri offered. “Hey we were all supposed to meet tonight for dinner around eight o’clock if Chastity is still in the mood…” her voice trailed off.
“I’m sure that’d be very nice. Thank you.” Timothy said before showing them out. “And I’m sure by then everything will have calmed down.”
Timothy showed them out, and shut the door behind them. He leaned back against the door, let out a sigh, and wondered how he was going to get out of this one.
Chapter 8
For the last two hours Timothy had tried talking through Chastity’s bedroom door, but had no luck in coercing her out of the room. His efforts to apologize produced no results, so he did the only thing he could. He attempted to get ready for dinner, and just hoped Chastity was doing the same from behind her closed door. Luckily for him, his bags were still in the sitting room in his possession.
Timothy used the kitchen sink to freshen up and shave, and threw on some lightweight pants and a plain, white loose button down shirt. It was the only thing that looked halfway decent after his lengthy flight, and since he didn’t have that luxury of an iron or ironing board, it had to suffice.
At a quarter to eight, Chastity promptly opened her door looking good enough to eat. He had a feeling the extremely sexy look she strived for, and achieved, was meant as punishment for him. It told him he could look but obviously not touch.
Her emerald, strapless sundress showed off her bare shoulders and strong back. Chastity’s hair was pulled up, with loose ringlets streaming down the side, so that it sat exposing her long neck, which softened her face. Chastity draped a cream pashmina over her elegant arms and pulled it tight around her before turning her back on him to walk out the front door.
Seeing her, Timothy had to refrain from walking across the room, pushing his hands through her hair, and unraveling everything she’d so pain-stakenly took the time to fix. All he could think about was taking her back to her room and finishing what they’d started, but one look from her eyes told him that wasn’t about to happen.
“I heard them invite you. You coming?” Chastity coldly asked.
“I thought you’d never ask. I think we should talk though, before heading out.”
“Let’s not ruin the rest of the night. I’m hungry and just need some air. Okay?”
“Sure,” he paused. “After you.” Timothy cleared the way so she could pass.
He knew he needed to apologize to Chastity, but if she needed some more time to cool off … he would give it to her. Timothy obviously felt horrible about his accusations, so he dealt the hand given to him at the moment.
Timothy knew Chastity was a fighter, because she’d always been a tough one. Seeing what she was up against, with her family, in Oklahoma City, gave him first hand knowledge of just how strong she had to be, but seeing it up close and personal was something he’d not experienced before. Her anger had never been directed at him.
Strangely enough it made Timothy proud of Chastity. Knowing she had a backbone but was still willing to keep the peace for dinner’s sake. He knew he’d picked the right girl for him. He had someone who would never let him run over her, but would stick it out with him for the duration. As long as she continued to think he was worth it…she’d stick it out. That gave Timothy a small thrill.
Terri nudged David as she saw the couple walking up. Terri hoped a little dinner and dancing would lighten the mood for her friend. Since she had only known her for part of the summer, she had no clue what - if anything would really work. One thing that was obvious was Chastity’s body language, which screamed she’d still not forgiven Timothy. She was walking slight in front of him with little interaction. She was almost racing him to the table. Timothy, she noticed, was still trying to be as congenial as he could be under the circumstances. He pulled out a chair for Chastity, and sat down across the table from her. Terri noticed he didn’t try to slide over to Chastity. He was smart enough to give her enough room to still work her emotions out.
Timothy was still hoping that seeing her friends and enjoying a good meal under the stars would loosen things up for Chastity. He was about to suggest a bottle of wine, when their water approached the table.
“Ah Bellisima. Chastity! So you’ve brought your man to my place yes?” Frederico clapped his hands in excitement.
Chastity cleared her throat, and put on her best poker face, which still couldn’t hide the anger in her eyes. “Yes Frederico. This … is Timothy Banks.”
Chastity did not even look in Timothy’s direction for the introductions. Frederico suspected a little lover’s quarrel, and knew such matters were a waste of time when his friend was spending time with her beloved on borrowed time.
“Timothy, you will spend the week with us? Yes?” Frederico inquired.
“No, just four short days. Counting today I guess that makes it three more.”
“Aw, what a shame you not stay longer. Chastity has been waiting for you.”
Chastity quickly interrupted. Her hunger and her pride were anxious to cut this conversation short. “Frederico, we would like to order please. David? Terri? Do you know what you would like?”
David and Terri both placed their quick order in Italian, all of which Timothy could not understand. When it was his turn to order, Frederico held up his hand to stop him.
“Do not worry sir. I know just what you and the lady would like. I will send out exactly what you need.”
Timothy nodded in respect and was grateful he didn’t have to rely on Chastity to order for him. At this point she might order the worst thing on the menu just to torture him. Frederico leaned against his doorway, and thought it a shame to let this wasted effort continue on such a beautiful night.
A few feet away sat a small stage, decorated for Carnevale. A live band, all dressed in costumes, was playing everything from classical, folk, and jazz music. The energy throughout the crowd was playful one, as they donned their masks for their annual festival.
Timothy was amazed at the many colors infused in each costume and mask. He felt a bit out of place in his drab khaki’s and white shirt, but was excited to be a part of it all. He looked over to Chastity, who although not in costume, still shone bright in her colorful dress. He tried smiling at her one more time, but she turned in her seat to take in everyone else having a good time while they sat like two stones. The music and laughter around him felt like such a waste. Each song held a beat begging to be danced to, as many couples already were taking their cue and swaying to the sounds that floated through the air.
“Excuse me you two. I’d like to dance with my wife.” David winked at Timothy and nodded toward the band.
Timothy took a chance that Chastity would like join in with the fun. He waited until their wine arrived, and was poured. Lifting his glass to his lips, he took a sip of liquid courage.
“Would you like to take a spin with me?”
“No thanks. I’m not really in the mood right now.”
Enough already!
“Not in the mood?” He asked incredulously. “You’re in the most romantic city in the world and you’re not in the mood? Look Chaz, it was an honest mistake … forgive me and let’s get over this already!”
“You think it’s that easy? You assume I’m cheating, get all possessive and you expect me to overlook that?”
“Yes, think about how you would have felt if it happened the other way around.”
“I - I w-would have been mature enough to handle it,” Chastity stammered, “and a lot better by the way. I would have trusted you.”
Trust him that easily … with your history? Come on Chaz … be honest with yourself … you’re lying to him and yourself!
The problem was Chastity liked being angry. She liked it too much. But was it that she was still reeling from her anger from the effects from the letter, or was she really this angry in result from an honest mistake made by Timothy, who was a good man? When she stopped sulking long enough to notice how miserable Timothy looked, she knew the answer.
“Excuse me? I notice you were interested in a dance?”
Timothy looked up to the sexiest woman at the café, other than Chastity, staring down directly at him. Chastity opened her mouth to speak, but before she could tell this woman where to go, the young Italian beauty beat her to the punch. Without taking her eyes off Timothy, she used her best English.
“Your woman turned you down, no? My name is Gabriella…If I was yours I wouldn’t turn you down.”
Timothy shook his head and was about to decline, but Chastity, still wanting to prove a point, answered for him.
“He would love to. Go ahead,” she said in defiance. “Dance. See? I don’t care.”
“You don’t?” Timothy narrowed his eyes.
“Nope. I think I’m mature enough to handle it.”
“Okay,” he shrugged. “If you say so.”
Gabriella took Timothy’s hands and walked backwards, with every intention of showing him a good time. The music held an easy beat to move to, which they both easily fell into pace with one another. As his dancing partner’s hips were swaying, she was looking into Timothy’s eyes with a promise of what could happen if only he spent more time with her. There may have been a language barrier, but some things didn’t need interpretation.
Chastity sat still cringing from jealousy. She made it a point to sit on her hands to keep them from throttling the little wanton who was seducing her man.
What are you angry with now Chaz?
She asked herself.
You should be angry with yourself…you’re the one who pushed him out there into her arms.
S
he watched as the little Italian goddess grabbed his hands and placed them on her hips, to feel them as they swayed back and forth. She also noticed how quickly Timothy drew them off, trying to keep them to himself before she grabbed them and placed them on her hips again. The music ended and turned from a fast hot beat to smooth sexy one, as Gabriella bridged the gap between their bodies.
Just as Timothy was about to decline and turn back to his table, he felt a hand on his arm.
“Excuse me,” Chastity said firmly and slipped in between. “My turn!” She said to the brazen Italian goddess with the iciest stare she could muster.
Gabrielle smiled and gracefully slipped off to the side, but before leaving whispered in Timothy’s ear.
“You get what you want now, yes? Your woman’s attention?”
Timothy couldn’t contain his laughter, and quickly winked in her direction. He swiftly turned to smile at Chastity, who was as green as they come. They only thing as green were her eyes as they lit up with fire.
“I told you I’d handle it more maturely
,
” she smarted off with while sinking her body into his
,
swaying to the rhythm.
Timothy chuckled deep, and kissed her neck. “Your restraint amazes me. I’d have knocked any guy out in seconds for putting his hands on you.”
“I’ll remember that,” she said before winding her arms around his neck and pulling him in for a kiss.