1.Allegra
2060 Words
She is dancing the night away with Lana. Her best friend and schoolmate for the last six years. The DJ is taking requests and they have been bribing him all night to play fast songs. She needs to tire herself out and sleep later. Maybe she should crash at Lana’s? Her thought dies the moment she feels a set of hands on her bare skin. Someone must have outbid them, because the song changes to a slow tango. So very odd for the night club, she thinks. Her partner moves her around the dancefloor like a doll. Every movement was coordinated with her and executed elegantly.
How did he know that she used to dream of a guy doing this? Who is he? He makes her heart beat faster even with this slow song. He makes her hot by just holding her hand and dancing with her. He makes her see stars when he flips her around on one hand and helps her land on her five-inch heels. He never lets go of her hand and she is in ecstasy. He wants more, but he takes her off of the stage to the bar. He hands her a drink and she smiles, because it’s iced water. To cool her down. She nods towards the toilets and the gentleman that he is escorts her there.
The club is packing, but the restroom is empty. She leans over the sink and splashes water into her face. She can feel him behind her. Rubbing tightly against her ass. Making her moan with pleasure. The lights are too bright and the mirror shines like its life depends on it, but she can’t see his face. His mouth is close to her ear and he licks the lobe to make her shudder. His hands are under her top, caressing her hardened n*****s. She shimmies her hips to drive her mini skirt up. To feel his erection pressing tightly against his jeans. Can she unzip his fly from this angle?
His scent is driving her crazy. She must have him. She will have him. There is no way a man would say no when he’s this aroused. She turns around in his arms and kisses him. She is demanding and a bit rough, but he answers her with the same passion. He can’t wait to have her. He lifts her up on the counter and slips her panties to the side. His fingers caress her hot centre and make her drip with moisture. The kisses never stop, she doesn’t need to breathe anyway. She can just die happy if he takes mercy on her and f***s her hard. The first stroke of his member against her core is a surprise. She wasn’t expecting it and she moans loudly into his mouth. She can feel his lips curve up into a smile as he penetrates her with one stroke.
Allegra wakes up on a sofa, slightly disoriented and too hot. Not only because of the dream she had, but Grazia must have covered her with the softest blanket ever. She remembers she fell asleep last night. She hugs it closer to her and inhales the smell of the softener someone used to wash it. It barely holds the scent of a human. Just one edge smells like Grazia. Is that from when she covered her? Probably. Grazia did mention a cleaning service. It must be nice to be able to afford that.
“Mmm, that smells nice.” Allegra smiles from the door. The scent of cooking hit her nostrils a few minutes ago and it made her curious as to what Grazia is making in the kitchen.
“Morning. I thought we needed something hartier to chase the alcohol away.” Grazia laughs. “Grab the bread from the toaster, please.”
“Sure. And a good morning to you, too.” Allegra nods. Grazia is in a good mood today, it’s contagious.
“How do you take your coffee?” She asks her as she serves up the first omelette.
“Black with a dash of sugar.” Allegra smiles and reaches for a cup. She is grateful for this. “Thank you for the breakfast.”
“You’re welcome.” Grazia nods. “The least I can do, since I got you drunk.”
“Oh. I wasn’t drunk. I can have more than three cocktails. I was tired from lack of sleep.” Allegra admits to her, chuckling. “I guess I should thank you for letting me sleep on your sofa.”
“No need. You looked like you needed it.” Grazia answers and sits down to eat her omelette. “Do you want to borrow some clothes or shall I drive you home?”
“You would let me borrow your clothes?” Allegra gapes at her. Is the woman full of surprises today? Where did this come from?
“Why not? It’s just clothes, I have enough.” Grazia shrugs. Is she for real? None of her other friends would even think of letting her borrow something. Most of her friends treat clothes as sacred. Allegra has given some of hers away, but that is a rare thing to do.
“I would love that, thank you.” Allegra nods. She will have to get a box of pralines from Kara to show her gratitude. “Can we go see the apartment later?”
“Sure we can.” Grazia smiles. “Can you tell me what’s up with your brother? He ignores me for days and then I get a message that he’s looking forward to our weekend.”
“Oh… must I?” Allegra looks sheepishly at her. She didn’t make any promises to Alessio, but she made a promise to herself that she wouldn’t go behind his back and talk about things. She needs to word this carefully. “He’s in trouble with our parents. Please don’t ask me more. I’m sure he’ll tell you.”
“I really like him, but this hot and cold act is confusing like hell.” Grazia tells her.
“I know. It’s not easy on him either.” Allegra sighs. How to say this without sounding elitist and hateful? Tell the truth. “Look at it this way: you are upper class, born and raised in this fancy part of town. Probably rich, since you remember. We are from middle-class suburbia. Our mom works at the museum and our father is a high school professor. Under normal circumstances, you two would never meet.”
“I don’t buy it. There’s got to be something else. What are you not telling me?” Grazia narrows her eyes at Allegra.
“Grazia, you are my friend, but he’s my brother. I can’t break his trust, he’s all I’ve got.” Allegra whispers and breaks down. Damn, she made her cry. Not the way she planned this talk to go. “He’s my only ally in the madness at home. And I know he’ll tell you. Can you wait till the weekend?”
“Fine. I’ll wait.” Grazia nods. “But, just so you know, I’m taking him to Lugano on the weekend.”
“Nice. His favourite road to ride. Did he tell you that?” Allegra smiles softly. She is relieved that Grazia dropped the topic. “Are you taking the bikes?”
“Yes. I just have to decide which one.” Grazia nods. “Will you help me choose?”
“Me? I have no idea about bikes.” Allegra stutters. How can she choose a bike? What are the criteria? What is she supposed to look for? She knows nothing about it.
“Don’t worry, you’ll learn.” Grazia smiles. “Run upstairs and get dressed. We have bikes to see. And the apartment.”
Allegra browses carefully in Grazia’s wardrobe. The choices are fine. Top shelf quality of everything. What should she take? She will go bold! There are a few options, but the one thing she set her eyes on is the burgundy red blouse. She will pair that with a white skirt and a black blazer.Her black heels and the white clutch from yesterday go well with the combo, too. Walking carefully back downstairs, she smiles broadly. Grazia is sitting there with her coffee cup and gazing into nothingness.
“Daydreaming again?” Allegra asks her quietly. She doesn’t want to startle her.
“Wow. Looking great!” Grazia exclaims. She even checks out the outfit.
“Thank you. It’s easy with the choices from your wardrobe.” Allegra smiles. She wishes that half of those things could be hers one day, but by the time she can afford things like that, all will be out of style.
“Let’s go see the apartment.” Grazia pulls Allegra to the back door.
Walking through the apartment takes them a few minutes and Allegra sighs deeply. She likes it. She likes it a lot! It’s set up to be functional and timeless. It’s pastel and white, just like she loves her things to be. She can even afford it, but now she has a serious case of guilt riding her. Can she take it? Can she bail on Alessio? Would he resent it?
“What’s wrong, darling?” Grazia asks her.
“It's perfect.” Allegra deflects from the question.
“But?” Grazia tries again to find out what is bothering her.
“I’m thinking about Alessio. Can I just leave him behind? He’ll be all alone against our parents. It doesn’t seem fair to move out and leave him there.” Allegra tells her. Yup, definitely guilt.
“Is it that bad?” Grazia inquires.
“Yes.” Allegra nods. She shakes her head and tells the truth again. “Not just our parents, Uncle Vito, too. He's gone crazy and he’s butting into everybody’s business. See, since Grandfather died, Uncle Vito is the head of the family. Everyone listens to him.”
“You make it sound like your family is part of the mafia. Why would anyone have to listen to your Uncle?” Grazia wonders.
“Oh! Not like that!” Allegra exclaims. She rushes to explain things, before Grazia makes the wrong assumptions. “He is not nearly as influential. And there is nothing illegal going on. But he’s got this crazy idea that we have to obey him and he’s well connected in the city. He can make our lives miserable.”
“You’re not joking? He can do something like that?” Grazia stands there dumbfounded.
“Yeah. He nearly cost Vittorio his job. His own son!” Allegra scoffs and shakes her head. “And all because he doesn’t approve of his girlfriend. You should meet Vannessa someday. She’s the sweetest.”
“That makes me think Alessio is in trouble because of me. Is that why he’s been avoiding me?” Grazia looks over to Allegra.
“In part. He’ll tell you. Please don’t ask me more.” Allegra says quietly. She bites her lip again to keep herself from spilling too many secrets. It’s really up to Alessio to tell Grazia what is really going on.
“All right. I see it makes you uncomfortable.” Grazia nods. “Let’s go to work. I decided on the Harley in between, so you don’t have to pick a bike.”
“Thank you for that mercy, I really don’t know anything about bikes. I know Alessio drives a Harley, but that’s it.” Allegra smiles and closes the door of the apartment. “I’ll think about this place and let you know.”
“Sure. Take your time.” Grazia smiles and locks the garage. “Where shall I drop you off? At the store?”
“Please. That way I won’t be too late.” Allegra nods. “Not that she’s ever cared about me being late.”
“Really? Marco always complained about that.” Grazia remarks as they walk to her Audi. Even that ride is stylish and elegant, like Grazia. The Audi probably costs more than both cars they have at home, combined.
“The secret is to have a cup of good coffee for her when you walk in.” Allegra laughs. “Vesna is addicted to coffee.”
- Writer
