Episode 68

Riccardo's POV.
The following morning, I'd gotten called down floor to sign some papers with some men that proved to come from Victoria. That's when I realized how serious this was. I smelled something fishy here but it's so hard to pin point it.
After getting all the paperwork's and signing done, I decided I was gonna treat Ashley out. Every moment spent with her never seemed enough and I'm always craving more. Today, I took her to a popular museum and to my satisfaction she had loved being there. Watching her gush over everything melted my heart and tugged at it in different ways unknown to her.
Right there and then, I couldn't decide what my life would be like without her. Without her smile, without her voice, without her advices, without her laughter, without everything she has to offer. I realized I wanted more than just going out and making love to her. I wanted to keep her . . . . Forever.
I couldn't get enough of her company and didn't want it to end. If possible, I wouldn't wanna leave London just yet. We could leave to another vacation, say in Florida or Italy. Yes, I would definitely do that.
After visiting the museum, I decided to eat out together where a few people had asked us to dance to the music being played in the background. Of course, Ashley was a bit shy but I enjoyed every bit of it. This was a moment in my life that I wished stayed forever with me.
Afterwards, I took her star counting in the early night at the public park where we had a session of make out. I never ever get enough of her, how is that even possible? To me, there was not a single flaw about her, only goodness and all the perfect things a woman could possess.
Afterwards, we returned to the hotel. I continued to notice the uneasiness that grew in her, how uncomfortable she started to look. I knew something was up. Was she perhaps tired of me? The thought of that hurt me deeply. Does her mood have anything to do with Victoria?
I walked over to her as she stood folding her dresses on the draw table in the closet. Fondling her from behind, I placed a gentle kiss on her neck, inhaling the strong scents coming off her hair. God, she turned me on real hard without even trying.
"Good morning, baby"She said, making my heart race inside my chest.
"Good morning, beautiful" I plant another kiss on her cheek. She smelled so good I wanted to inhale her whole body, but I'd come off being totally creepy so I spun her around instead, yanking her by the waist into me. Then I leaned down and kissed her.
She kisses back, smiling into my mouth as she put her arms around my neck for balance.
"I love you" I said into her mouth as I continued to nibble on her soft lips.
She chuckles before replying "I love you too, Ric"
I wanted to grab her and take her away back to that bed. You know what? I'm just gonna do that! I tried to grab her up by the butt but she stops me with her arm, eyes opened wide in front of mine.
"Is something wrong?"
"Yes. I. . . Just wanna know when we'd be leaving since we got the project sorted out. My dad's surgery is already due"
"Oh shit, I'm so sorry I totally forgot about that. Forgive me,baby"
She smiles and pulls back from me. Strange. . . .
"I get that you're really tired of me. . . " I said quietly, trying to rile up a conversation.
"Of course not. I wanna be here with you. Always"
"Really?" I closed the distance between us again, grabbing her up to straddle my waist, her legs folded around me. " We'll leave as early as tomorrow morning"
"Okay" she smiles brightly.
"You happy now baby?"
"Mhm" she nods effortlessly in my hands, laughing tenderly in between.
I started kissing her, pushing us against the wall behind her to kiss her chest.
"Ric. . . . . . Ric. . ." I stop kissing her to look at her face "Ric. . . . I'm on my period? Remember?"
"Oh shit," I can't believe I'd forgotten that! I gently put her down, cursing myself for being so ignorant. What if I'd hurt her? " I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" I asked frightfully.
She laughs for a while before replying "of course not, Ric. You didn't"
"Damn, I want you so bad"
She wraps her body against me, leaning in to kiss me firmly on the lips before saying "we can handle this without actually having sex, babe"
Placing a hand around her waist, I gave her a big smile before replying " of course we can"
Then I took her in a really long, satisfying kiss before pushing us out into the bedroom.
Ashley's POV.
It felt absolutely calming breathing in New York's air again. I couldn't believe I've missed this place so much, I never thought that could actually happen.
We'd arrived in the early afternoon and I'd asked Ric to drive me straight home first. I missed Katie and Luc. I wanted to see her, tell her so much and totally scold her for never trying to call or reply any of my texts.
Ric left after dropping me off and I walked in with my bag behind me. I clicked the door open only to come face to face with an unusually quiet house. The place looked tied up, everything in place. Not even a single noise. I thought Katie and Luc liked to go orchestra whenever they're together? I walked inside and shut the door behind me.
"Hello? I'm home!" I announced, Wondering what Katie was up to in her room.
Katie was ever barely in her room. She's either cooking or watching the TV or just engaged in one of her newly discovered 'hobbies' for the weekend.
"Kay?" I called out.
Just then, Luc walked out of the room, a grim look on his face.
"You're back" he said as he approached me.
"Yep! Why's the place so fucking quiet? Where's Kay?"
I saw the strange look of sadness in his eyes and I felt my chest tighten, fear knocking inside of me.
"Luc? Where's Katie?"
"She left."
"Left? What do you mean? Where?"
"She went to her parents, Ashley," he replied " said she needed to sort herself out. Had a fight with Robin"
"What?! Why didn't you tell me this before now?!"
"Katie asked me not to tell you. She didn't wanna disturb you"
"That's just absurd now, isn't it? I've been calling her for many days now and nothing's working. I am so mad at you right now, Luc. You should've told me still!!! I am leaving right away" I dumped my bags on the couch.
"You can't leave for California right now, Ashley. "
"I am" I started towards the door " I'm gonna talk with Ric and see if he'd let me leave"
I hailed a cab outside the apartment and asked to be taken to Ric's house. Once I dropped off, I hurried into his house. As I stepped in, I wanted to brace myself, remembering all those mornings when I'd come over on his command only to meet his half naked night flings littering around. The thought causes me to frown. I should've called before coming.
As intended, I braced myself and walked in. I spotted Ric standing at his kitchen outer counter as soon as I stepped in, shirtless. I abruptly came to a stop as I watched him turn his chest around to me.
"Ashley" he called in surprise.
I gulped, trying hard to take my eyes off his chest.
"Is everything alright?" He pressed, walking over to me.
"Yes. . . I," I placed a hand over my head in confusion " I just got home and discovered that Katie left for California. Apparently she got into some fight with her. . . . Ex boyfriend and is staying with her parents now. I just feel really terrible for leaving her all alone and I need to go to her right now"
"Wow, wow, calm down," he reached for my hands and pulled me closer to him "did you try calling her?"
"I did. Since London but it's not going through. I'm really worried, Ric"
"I know, but you need to calm down"
"No, what I need is a flight to California right now"
She hesitates for a while, as if think then let out a sharp sigh and said "listen, Ashley. I really think you should wait before leaving. Maybe she needed a time alone. . . ."
"I know but I just have a really bad feeling, Ric. What if something's wrong? I should've paid more attention to her, I know"
"This isn't your fault, babe," he pulls me into a hug and stroked my back "just take your time"
"I'm really worried"
"I know but you just have to wait it today." He pulls me away and stared at him "I'm sure Katie's alright. Just call down. You just got back from London, it's not a good idea to be on a plane again. Just give this time and then you can go. Try reaching her again and then you can decide what to do"
I nodded. Ric was right. Maybe she just needed her own space. But I felt terrible deep inside. I'm such a terrible person, I should've paid more attention to her. I knew for weeks that she suffered silently but I never had an idea that it was this bad.
Ric's hands slid down to my wrists and he said "you should stay the night. It's getting pretty late"
"Okay"
He pulls me closer again and kissed my lips, then said "just checking though, are you still on your period?"
I laughed shortly. How adorable."no" I kissed him back.
"Cool"
He swipes me off my feet and carries me up the stairs to his bedroom.
His bedroom was actually way better than I'd thought seeing as I was getting inside it for the first time. His room screamed money.
I cooked dinner afterwards and we spent the rest of the night on his rooftop. It was beautiful, seeing the stars from up there and actually feeling the breeze hit my face and move my hair, while sitting there with the man I loved so much, it hurts.
We talked about so many things. About things he wanna do now that he got the project back. Things he wanted us to do, inviting me to a vacation. He made me forget completely about all my worried, made them go away like magic when he kissed my face, whispered words into my ears.
The night was bright enough, seemed so young and have me so many reasons to be with this man, so many reasons to love him more, so many reasons to be with him more and if possible. . . . . Forever.
After the long talk, he started out with kissing my lips, first tenderly and then demandingly before kissing my neck lines and carrying me bridal style back into the bedroom. Everything happened so slowly, the headspinning love making, how gentle he was like we were having sex for the first time, how much the sweetness lingered. How much words he whispered into.my ears, how he took care of me. The night seemed to.last so long and we spent it making love after love.
It was a spectacularly special night I wished never to forget. I still remember how he looked at me as he drove himself inside me, how his eyes melted into mine and how he whispered those words into my ears.
"I love you"