Evergreen Eyes

Chapter 8: Running To Milan

We both jumped into Laiden's car and he took off. His car engine hummed as he sped down the road. It was comforting. I felt like he was taking me away from the awful brawl as fast as he could. Once we were about a mile away, Laiden slowed down to the speed limit. I laid my head back on his black leather seats and just gazed at him as he drove. I was torn between three different emotions: anger, sorrow, and love. I was upset at my mother's ignorance, also sad that I would never marry the man in front of me, and falling in love with him second by second. He glanced over at me noticing my obvious stare. When we stopped at a red light, he rolled his sleeves halfway up his arm. He looked hot.  

He glanced at me again, this time saying, "Penny for your thoughts."

I could tell him why I was mad and sad, but how was I supposed to tell him I liked him more than a friend?

"I am just disappointed," I chose to leave off the last emotion. It's better that he doesn’t know about it right now. 

"Why?" He asked.

"My mother looked like a complete animal attacking yours," I sighed.

He began to laugh. I looked at him confused.

"What's so funny?" It kind of ticked me off that he was laughing. What was so funny?

"I have never seen my mom look like she is about to b***h slap someone," He began to laugh harder. I thought about the event and laughed, but not for the same reason. This was to keep from crying. Everything was ruined. 

We both settled down before he asked, "Do you want to just get away?"

"What do you mean?" I was unsure of where he was taking this.

"Leave Berlin," He looked at me as we stopped at another red light. "Get away from the family."

"Oh, God yes." What a blessing it would be.

"Let's go to Italy," He suggested as the light turned green and the car began to accelerate.

"When?" I asked.

"Now." He said. 

"Just leave now?" I was unsure. 

"Yes." He answered. 

"I don't have any clothes or anything," I explained. "Plus, it is extremely irresponsible."

"So you would rather stay here?" He asked.

"No," I laughed at his question.

"Then let's go," He turned the car in the direction of the airport.

"What about clothes, food, hotel room reservations, and all that other stuff?" I began to stress over it.

"Don't worry about it," He took his one free arm and started to rub my back. "I have got plenty of money, and I am in Italy so often on business I know tons of hotels that will take us without any notice."

I sighed, "You promise we will survive?"

"You need to learn something," He smiled at me. "When any lady is with Laiden Ulbrecht, she is in good hands."

"Whatever," I laughed at his cocky remark. "Let's go."

He smiled as he began to speed towards the airport. I began to admire him once again. His spontaneity was extremely attractive. I felt like I was dating a "bad boy". The thought made me giggle to myself. He had a very good work ethic, but still enjoyed life. I envious of how he could just toss off everything and manage to get away with it.

"If I ever had the guts to do something like this," I told him. "I would end up on the streets in Italy, selling myself for money."

"No, you would not," He said.

"Yes, I would," I tried to convince him. "I am terrible when it comes to anything financial."

"That may be true, but I would come and save you," He smiled at me. It was weird though. Whenever he smiled my heart began to flutter. Although it did the same when I first met him, but these rapid beats were different. They didn't chime, because I was infatuated; which I realize now was the inspiration for the fantasies I entertained when I first met him, but my heart's fluttering was induced by something more. What the reason was, I have no idea, but I am extremely interested in finding out.

The car came to a slow stop as he drove into the airport. He gave the keys to a special valet parking, and we headed in to purchase tickets. I felt completely lost by all the signs in German. I had no idea where I was going. I couldn't read anything, and I began to feel heated with frustration. I guess Laiden noticed this, for he grabbed my hand. I unconsciously held tight to his hand, and when the crowd became dense, I latched onto his arm. When he finally led me to a line we stood crowded along with everyone else. I wasn't sure if he liked me holding onto his arm, but I was too afraid to let go. Also I liked the feeling of holding onto him, it made me feel safe.

"Are you okay?" He asked me. There was concern in his voice.  

I didn't reply, but simply looked up at him. I felt so incapable of anything, and I hated it. I was tired and could not deal with the stress of people. He wrapped his free arm around me and laid his chin on top of my head, slowly rocking back and forth as if to calm me. It was highly comforting. I had never been held like this in my life, and I absolutely loved it.

"Nächst," The clerk called out. Laiden started walking to her, so I unhappily let go of his arm, but kept tight to his hand. I understood only several words they spoke, such as "Italien" and other cognates. The conversation was short, and we proceeded to board the plane.

"When is the plane leaving?" I asked him, trying to keep up with his fast pace walk.

"In twenty minutes," He laughed to himself.

"How far do we have to walk before we get there?" I asked.

"You don't want to know," He told me smiling.

"Are we going to miss the flight?" I asked again.

"Possibly." He chuckled. 

"Well, hurry then," I took off running and laughing. I had no idea where I was going, but I was just so tired of worrying. It was time to let go of all the worrying. He laughed as he passed me, but he kept at my pace and led me through the airport. I couldn't help but giggle the whole time. There I was in a little white dress, running in heels. I am almost certain my boobs were flying everywhere considering the fact I didn't have a sports bra on, but I am sure Laiden was loving it, because he was laughing harder than I was. That little perv. After a good ten minutes of running, we finally entered the room where our gate was. Laiden slowed down to a walk, and I followed suit. My heart was still pounding, and my breathing was beginning to pick up. I was amazed to see that he was fine. He wasn't even breathing heavily, nor could I find a drop of sweat. He grabbed my hand once more, and guided me to the gate. He spoke to the lady collecting our tickets, then we boarded.

"Where are our seats?" I asked him. I looked around trying to find our seats. 

"First class," He told me as we walked across the boarding bridge.

"Laiden, are you crazy? Those are expensive," I was shocked.

"Don't worry about it," He simply told me.

We found our seats... in first class... easily. The plane was a nice size. There were two seats starting on the left, then an aisle, five seats across the middle, an aisle, then two more seats. Our seats were off to the right side, saving me from sitting next to some annoying person. He allowed me to have the window seat, which I continuously thanked him for. I felt safer with him sitting in the aisle seat.

"Feel better?" He asked as we sat down.

"Aside from the fact that my family is going to freak out, pretty good," I smiled at him.

"You will be fine," He kissed my forehead. I immediately felt butterflies tingling inside my stomach from the simple touch of his lips. I smiled at him thanking him for his little kiss.

A voice came over the intercom on the plane and I had no idea what she was saying. I quickly searched Laiden for an explanation. He shook his head smiling at me, probably laughing at me. I couldn't help that I had no idea what was going on! I hate not being able to understand or control anything.

"She is just giving the little speech you hear every time before the plane takes off," He whispered to me. "Now, she wants us to buckle our seat belts."

Laiden quickly did his and began laughing at me once more as I struggled to shorten my seat belt. Whoever used it before me must have been an obese elephant, because I am sure I could have fit three Laidens in there with me.

"Why do you always laugh at me!?"

"Because it is hilarious," He tried to explain as the plane began to take off. "It is like watching a child on her first flight."

"Hahahaha," I mocked him. "Very funny."

"You know it is," He nudged me.

"I am glad my insecurities entertain you," I said sarcastically.

"Actually," He turned the conversation around. "When you held onto my arm in the terminal it was very sexy."

"Shut up," I pushed on his shoulder.

"I was tempted to kiss you while we were waiting in line," He went on as the plane left the ground.

"No you weren't," I rolled my eyes at him.

"How do you know?" He asked.

"Because, you just weren't," I said it as if it was obvious.

"I thought you wanted me to kiss you," He was referring to our phone conversation we had earlier today.

I quickly looked away. I did not want to get into this, especially when I had nowhere to run to. I had hoped he wouldn't have brought it up, or him simply forgetting it was perfectly acceptable too. Just, why did he have to bring it up on the plane? When it was just him and I.

"You still do," He picked it up from my reaction to his comment.

I wanted to deny it but I couldn't otherwise, I would be lying. The last thing I wanted to do was lie to Laiden. What a perfect way to start a relationship, eh?

"I don't know what conversation you are referring to," I decided to deny the whole conversation instead.

He was shocked at my denial, "How can you say that?"

"What?" I asked pretending to be oblivious.  

"That you don't remember the conversation!" He exclaimed. 

"I remember us talking about my mother, but other than that I have no idea what you are saying," I was so proud of myself.

"Yes, you do," He turned to say to me.

"No," I denied it.

"Why are you denying it?" He asked.

I didn't answer him. I couldn't answer him.

"Come on, just tell me," He looked directly in my eyes.

"Because," I whispered to him. "It's embarrassing."

"How is it embarrassing?" He asked.

Oh God, how was I going to explain this one? "Well, for starters, having someone know that you want them to kiss you and them not doing so is embarrassing in itself. It is almost like rejection. No one likes rejection."

"Who said I was not going to kiss you?"

"Well," I began logically. "I never said you weren't, but let's face it. We have got a while to go, before you will probably be able to kiss me."

AND THAT IS WHEN HE DID IT! He lightly brushed a kiss against my lips. I wished it had lasted longer, because as soon I realized he kissed me, he had pulled away. It was such a heavenly feeling. Especially since the last time I was kissed was three years ago when I was fifteen, and we both know when you are young and just learning how to kiss, kisses suck. The setting for the kiss seemed so perfect too. He had just rescued me from an horrendous family fight, and he was currently whisking me away to Italy.

"How was that?" He asked.

I don't think I could have gotten any more red. I quickly checked around first class to see if anyone had noticed. There were only a few scattered people, who were all fast asleep. When I returned to face Laiden he had a gleaming smile. I opened my mouth countless times to say something smart, but I just could not allow myself to ruin the moment, just because I was embarrassed.

"I am glad you liked it," He laughed to himself, and leaned his chair back to go to sleep. It was a little late and I didn't blame him.

"You are going to sleep after you just did that?" I asked him knowing full well I wouldn't be able to sleep for the rest of the flight. All I would think about is the kiss.

"Yeah," He shrugged his shoulders. "We only have about an hour and a half to sleep before we reach Milan."

"We are going to Milan?!" I gasped. I had read numerous articles about Milan. It was romance central. I have always wanted to visit.  

"Yes," He laughed. "Now sleep."

"I can't," I said rather loudly.

"Shhhh," He hushed me while laughing at my outburst.

"I am sorry," I quieted down. "You expect me to be able to sleep?"

"Yeah," He said.

I rolled my eyes and whispered forcefully, "You just kissed me and you want me to sleep??!"

"It's not like we made out, calm down," He told me.

I knew he was doing this to me on purpose. He thought it was soooo funny when I got frustrated. So, I proceeded to stare out my window, at black nothingness. Wow... how entertaining. Every time I looked over at him, I sighed and wanted to hit him. He was just laying there peacefully... as if nothing had happened. Stupid jerk. he had a little smirk on his face, which told me he wasn't sleeping. So I proceeded to hit him.

"What was that for?" He bounced up from his chair.

"Go to sleep," I told him. He began to laugh at me.

"I am just playing with you," He continued to laugh. He leaned my chair as low as his and lifted up the little arm rest between us.

"There, now go to sleep," He commanded me. I did as I was told and laid on my side facing the window, away from him. I guess my dress must have been riding up my leg, because I felt him pull it down for me. As soon as he finished, he placed his hand on the groove between my hips and ribs. Then, he slowly pulled himself closer to me, trying not to disturb me. By the time he was finished I checked the reflection in the plane window to see what he had done. The sly little German dog had managed to get me in the perfect cuddling position. He was now close enough to where he could wrap his arm over me, which he did.

"You smooth little Nazi," I whispered loud enough for only him to hear.

I felt his chest move against my back as he chuckled to himself over my comment. Then, we both slipped into a peaceful sleep and slept our way to Milan, Italy.