This Means War

3| The Italian God

The Italian beauty smiled, pleased by my prompt return she pointed to the gelato. "Ciao, again." I spoke past the bubbling laughter cramping my diaphragm.

"Vuoi un altro- more?" She asked. I shook my head, no. I was thoroughly sure that Nathaniel had, had enough gelato to last the rest of this trip. Drawing several deep breaths, I gathered myself before asking for more serviettes. Attempting to explain what had happened to the gentleman cursing outside, I began to laugh once more. Despite the language barrier, she caught the gist of it and joined in.

I collected the pile of serviettes she offered. "Also...is there a bathroom we could use...um, il bagnò?" Choking out my final question, I struggled to breathe. This only amplified her own amusement. Casting a look over my shoulder, I glimpsed Nathaniel glaring in my direction. Managing to catch her breath, the young woman gestured to the right of the cafe— towards two separate doors. "Grazie mille." I offered my thanks and hurried back outside.

Approaching the seething brute, I handed him half of the serviettes before clasping his arms. "What the fuck will a few serviettes do?" He growled, looking both frustrated and humiliated.

Sighing, I yanked on his arms a little rougher. "Just stand up and turn around." I ordered.

Clenching his jaw, he glowered up at me. "No fucking way. You'll probably stick that shit to me-"

Cutting short, what was sure to be a long winded bitch-fit, I tried a bit of reverse psychology. "Fine, sit here forever then...or at least until they cafe closes, because they will eventually close." Narrowing his eyes dangerously, he stood slowly, giving passers the death glare. Turning he looked over his shoulder. Plastering the remaining serviettes across his ass I pressed my body against his.

"Fuck-what are you doing?" He snapped, his husky voice a mixture of anger and arousal?

My cheeks flamed at the thought. Rolling my lower lip between my teeth I dismissed the thought immediately. "Just walk." I mumbled, nudging him forward gently. Guiding him into the cafe, I remained flush against him.

"No-" He stood firm, "-absolutely not! We aren't going back in there. Not after you just told her and everyone else around you." He fought me, stubbornly.

Rolling my eyes, I sighed. "Nathaniel, there's a bathroom in there." I explained, calmly— with patience reserved only for toddlers prone to tamper tantrums. Cursing, he reluctantly began to move. Misjudging his pace, I failed to meet his first stride and fumbled to adjust the serviettes back into place.

Grabbing my arm roughly he hooked it around his lean torso. "Hurry the fuck up." He stammered. We shuffled into the cafe and I instructed him towards the bathroom. By this point he was flashing shades of red the colour wheel was yet to discover.  Most if not all of the patrons openly stared and laughed. Pausing in front of the doors he tightened his grip on my forearm. "What now? I can't go in there and you can't come in here." He pointed out, appearing genuinely torn with the decision.

Chuckling softly, I cleared my throat. "Did you need me to hold your hand or something-" releasing me with a jolt he flipped to face me.

"You're gonna pay for this Williams." He grumbled, slipping into the men's room. Stepping into the female bathroom I cleaned the gelato off my chest and hands. Within a few short minutes, I was leaning against the wall outside waiting on Nathaniel. ten minutes later, the brooding man graced me with his presence. Noticing he'd strategically tied his jacket around his waist, I painfully stifled a laugh.

"It...looks brilliant..." I laughed out. Failing to hide my amusement. Fisting his hands, he took an intimidating step towards me. Silencing abruptly, I felt a shiver run down my spine.  Saving me from what was undoubtedly my end, an elderly woman approached us. Gently clasping both my and Nathaniel's wrists, she smiled warmly.