FERRY-LOVE-BOAT

Chapter 39

Carina's POV:

As soon as Andrea left my house, I went back to my lasagna making process, I made each layer carefully, making sure to fill the dish just the way I liked it, and when I put it in the oven I decided I had enough time to get ready without rushing.

I ran the brush through my wet hair and stared at my reflection in the mirror as I plucked up the courage to start drying it, and as soon as my hair no longer dripped, I put on some warm clothes and went back to the kitchen.

Italians showed their affection through food, that's how I had been taught and that's what I would teach my bambino one day.

And there was one blonde in particular that I wanted to show a lot of affection to at all times, I thought so much about Maya that even when I was sleeping, she didn't disappear from my mind - quite the contrary, it was precisely in my dreams where my desires and fantasies came true while we took things slowly in real life.

I got into my car - Maya had finally accompanied me to a dealership and I had not taken long to choose it, I wanted a comfortable car that could be in my garage as soon as possible - and I made sure that the lasagna platter was properly placed on the seat beside me before I started it and headed toward Station 19.

-What is that smell? - Vic asked as she hurried down the stairs. Travis stood with a dreamy look on his face as he looked at the lasagna platter I had placed on the reception table.

-The Italian goddess came to visit and brought food! - Travis spoke excitedly to her. - Not just food actually, she wouldn't do this as a mortal, she made this lasagna from scratch!

-I have to agree with Travis, you can't be human! - Vic spoke, but her eyes remained glazed over the lasagna. - There's a piece missing.

-I know Maya doesn't usually come up to eat at the right times, so I separated a piece for her so she can eat it in her office if she wants. - I explained and hoped with all my strength that they wouldn't make a big deal out of it.

-You thought right, Maya is terrible at sleeping and eating while she is on duty with us. - Vic said. - Can we take this upstairs and devour it?

-Yes, of course! - I laughed when Vic and Travis clapped their hands together excitedly.

-Maya's going to yell at me for leaving the front desk alone, but this lasagna is worth the scolding. - Travis laughed.

-Maya will be too busy to even notice your absence. - Vic said back and I looked down to try to hide the little smile that was already threatening to appear. - Thank you, Carina!

-Thank you, oh great Italian goddess! - Travis spoke with exaggerated drama in his voice and I laughed.

-You're welcome, it's a pleasure for me to cook. - I replied.

-I think you'd better not repeat those words next to Miller and Jack, they're going to start abusing your good will. - Vic laughed and started up the stairs with Travis following her.

After making sure they were both upstairs, I walked to the door of Maya's office with the container filled with a few pieces of lasagna in my hand and slammed the door a few times before hearing her voice asking me to come in. I opened the door and just put my head inside, turning it sideways and letting my hair hang loose at my back as I gave her a smile.

-Ciao! - A rush of endorphins swept through my body as I saw the blonde raise her eyes from the paperwork in front of her and could see her bright blue eyes widen in surprise to see me there. I finally entered her office, and she was already dragging her chair back to stand up. - I had the day off today and made lasagna for you. Well, for the Station actually, since Travis and Vic hijacked the platter with the rest of the lasagna as soon as they had the chance. But when I decided to make it, I was thinking of you, so I think it's safe to say it was originally made for you...

-You're so cute when you're nervous! - She teased, approaching me with quick steps. - No need to ramble, I get it! And... Thank you for thinking of me, and for making the lasagna originally for me.

-We Italians show our affection with food. - I shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal, but I felt my cheeks warming up at Maya's intense gaze.

-If your lasagna is as good as your French toast was, I'll have no choice but to kidnap you so that you'll live only to cook for me. - She joked, and I bit my lower lip in an attempt to contain a smile, but it slipped out anyway.

I wanted to hug her and smell her neck - she smelled really good - and I wanted to kiss her right then and there, but I didn't know if that was something she was comfortable with. After the conversation we had I feel that I am being much more careful about my displays of physical affection with Maya, I don't want to cross any of her boundaries now that I was a little more sure that the emotional part of our relationship was being developed.

It was easy to flirt with her before when we just instigated something carnal, but now there were feelings involved and we couldn't be too careful.

-Here. - I held out the container with the lasagna to her, finally breaking the silence and trying to put aside the thoughts that urged me to glue my mouth to hers.

-Thank you again. - She took the container from me. It was noticeable that she was as nervous as I was.

Maya looked at the canister for a few seconds, and then turned and left it on her desk before leaning over so she was now partially seated on the table - and my mind took me to bold possibilities, to say the least, with that scene, I hoped that one day that table would be used to satisfy my deepest desires - crossing her arms against her chest.

-That's kind of weird. - She laughed nervously. - I thought that talking would make things clearer between us, but I guess it just gets more confusing.

-We don't have to have all the answers now. - I understood very well what she meant, and the lines were blurring as we took steps forward. - But I like that we talked, don't you?

-Yes, of course! Of course! - She was quick to respond. - But I think we're in a different situation now, and I kind of liked it when we didn't have to walk on eggshells around each other all the time. I liked it when you just spoke your mind, without any filter, I always thought it was lovely.

-I want to kiss you. - I said as soon as she paused for air. I knew that she would start talking again, but I interrupted her by doing exactly what she had said. I spoke my mind, without a filter. - I want to kiss you so badly that it's hard to think of anything else.

-You can kiss me if you want. - She spoke softly, her eyes focused on my face, and I approached her slowly, without breaking eye contact.

-Now? - I asked and she nodded. - How about whenever I want?

-Yes. - She answered in a whisper so low that I was only able to hear it because I was literally inches from her face at the moment.

-Good. - It was the confirmation I wanted to feel more confident.

Maya was a grown woman - and from what I had gathered, a woman who knew her limits - so there was no reason for me to doubt or second guess what she was telling me. I had to trust Maya. Trust the signals her body was giving me. And in that moment, watching her blue eyes dart from my eyes to my mouth as I moved even closer to her body - as if that were possible - I knew she wanted to kiss me as much as I wanted to kiss her.

So, I did.