Chapter 8 – When in Rome…

The flight to Rome had been uneventful, given the circumstances. The 9 hour transatlantic flight was a welcome change from the 20 plus hours I would have had to travel from Melbourne. I put Marcy out of my mind, despite the fact she was only seated two rows behind us. Granted, a lot of that time was spent struggling to quell Jason’s desire to draw a moustache on Dan who slept the entire flight.  James sat with this laptop, working on new material while Troy was flirting with the flight attendants. Alex and I were too busy to indulge in our mile high fantasy but there was always the return flight.

We touched down at Rome Fiumicino Airport just after noon the following day due the time difference and were warmly greeted by ground crew who directed us through to Immigration and Customs.

“Buongoirno, welcome to Roma!” We were met just after Customs by a large, burly looking man who despite his pleasantries seemed very unimpressed.

“You are the band, Si?” his English was difficult to distinguish through his strong Italian accent.

“Ciao.” I greeted.

This wasn’t my first trip to Rome and I had taken high school Italian so knew my way around a small amount of dialogue. I also knew that his disposition would probably improve if I could converse with him in his native tongue.

“Si, che siamo noi.” (yes, that is us)

Alex and James stared at me with their eyes wide open.

“Parli Italiano?” (You speak Italian?) He smiled.

“Un poco, ho imparato parole sporchi principalmente.” (A little, I learned mainly swear words.) I responded.

The burly man erupted into laughter, his colleagues turned to see what the fuss was about.

“Brava!” (Good Girl) He clapped as he shifted back into English.

“You are a funny girl, you sure you aren’t one of us?”

“Thank you but no I’m Australian. I love Rome though and am happy to be back.” I honestly was glad to be back, Rome had some rather fond memories for me.

“Well please come this way. There are people in front. They try to get to band but we have security there to stop. You have all bags?” His tone had warmed and he genuinely seemed pleased to help us as he directed us to the doors.

“What was that?” Alex looked at me puzzled, “You speak Italian?”

“A little.” I gave Alex a sideways glance.

“What did you say that was amusing?” James elbowed me gently in the side.

“I told him that despite finding him attractive, I didn’t want to sleep with him.” A smile teased the corners of my mouth.

James shook his head as he burst into laughter. Alex, Jason, Dan and Troy, not understanding the joke, looked on confused.

“Huh? Did we miss something?” Jason rubbed his forehead.

“Old joke. The day I met Lexi in the hospital after Mike’s accident, she told me that even though I had a nice ass she didn’t want to sleep with me.”  James filled the others in.

James retold the story of our first encounter in the ICU waiting room and my unwillingness to accept his shirt. How much had changed since then.

“You are a constant surprise to me,” whispered Alex, his lips kissing my ear. His kiss stirred up other feelings and I wanted desperately to be alone with him.

“Ok. You go here.” The burly man directed us through the doors.

“Grazie.” I took a moment to offer him my hand to thank him.

“The pleasure was mine, Bella.” He took my hand and kissed it.

 

~~~~~~

 

Lights flashed and the noise was deafening as the band entered the public arrivals area. Fans tried to break away from the security barriers as they waved signs declaring their love and adoration for the band.

Marcy’s people had decided to let Power Station exit first, knowing the bulk of the people were here for them. (I honestly doubted any one from the screaming horde was here for a B grade soap actress, especially one as talentless as her, but hey maybe it was just me.)

DarNell, Bear and two new additions to the security team, Brad and Jake, had joined us on the flight and had surrounded us to help clear a path through the crowd to the waiting cars.

“Make a hole,” shouted Jake, a recent honourably discharged Navy Seal who took his job very seriously, as he pushed through the throng of people.

Fans pushed and pulled, desperate to get closer. Some were crying as they made the slightest contact with their idols who were hurried past and almost hurtled into the car.

“Sorry Ma’am.” apologized Jake grabbing my ass in an over zealous effort to help me into the car.

It was intense. While the band enjoyed huge success in America, they were still able to walk around the streets relatively safely. Of course they were constantly being photographed and fans approached them regularly for their autograph, but for the most part they could still enjoy their lives. Here they would be lucky to make it out the front door without being attacked. The hysteria was overwhelming. 

We were split into two groups with DarNell and Jake joining Alex, James and myself in one car, while Bear and Brad rode with Troy, Jason and Dan.

The drivers carefully pulled away, beeping their horns to clear the traffic of bodies in front of them.

“This is crazy!” I turned to Alex and James who had relaxed into their seats.

“Yeah, European fans are pretty energetic,” shrugged James. “We always get an intense reception.”

“Don’t worry Ma’am, there is no need for concern. You’re safe with us,” Jake interjected.

DarNell who was sitting beside him smirked, in anticipation of my reaction. He knew that I despised being handled and more importantly that I hated being called Ma’am.

“Jake, you’re new so I’ll give you some leeway. I am sure you are extremely capable of your job or Chris would not have hired you, however, if you call me Ma’am one more time, navy seal or not I’m going to guarantee you, you will never father any children. We clear?”

“Yes Ma.... I mean Yes Sir....I mean...” Jake stuttered awkwardly.

“Lexi is a perfectly acceptable response, Solider.” DarNell offered.

“I wasn’t a solider Sir, I was a Navy Seal. Therefore I was a Sailor.” Jake clarified, clearly offended at DarNell’s faux pas.

“My apologies, Sailor.” DarNell shook his head as he returned his attention to the passing landscape.

“You like making men squirm, don’t you? The kid has served countless tours behind enemy lines and it’s you who gets him pissing down his leg.” Alex’s low amused voice filled my ear.

“Just doing my part for his personal development. It’s kind of like basic training for the real world.” I whispered back.

I settled into Alex’s arms as we rode the rest of trip in silence. I watched as the historical sites of the city came into view. The Colosseum, catching the afternoon sun was breathtaking.

Our hotel, St Regis Grand Rome, was situated in the heart of the city. It was a luxurious and elegant landmark hotel, which had undergone multi-million dollar renovations in the late 90s.

The cars entered through a side street, which took us to the back entrance. As expected, there were people waiting here as well, though they seemed less fevered than those from the airport.

We filed out of the cars and into the hotel, its opulent decor engulfing my senses as we wandered down the hall and into the main lobby.  Influenced by Empire, Regency and Louis XV styles, it had earned its reputation for being one of the finest hotels in Rome.

“Lexi!” shrieked a voice from across the lobby.

“Is there anyone you don’t know?” sneered Dan, still groggy from the after effects of the Xanax.

We looked over to the direction of the voice to see a petite, well endowed, brunette walking toward us.

“WOW what a knockout! I call her,” blurted Troy, barely able to pull his eyes away from her curves as she strutted over in her obscenely high heels.

“Lexi!” she threw her arms around my neck and gave me a full open mouthed kiss.

“I think I just came,” gasped Dan, his eyes popping out of his head.

“Stefania. It’s been a long time,” I greeted as I pulled her arms from my neck.

“Too Long!” Stefania bellowed. “I’ve missed you!” she circled her small delicate hands around my waist.

I heard a groan from behind me, though I wasn’t sure who it was.

“Lexi, aren’t you going to introduce us to your friend.” Alex smiled playfully. Yes I’m sure he, like the rest of them was enjoying Stefania’s little display.

“Stefania, this is Power Station.” I pointed to each of the members individually and introduced them by name, as Stefania nodded enthusiastically. “Guys, this is Stefania. She is an old friend.”

“Pleased to meet you all! I’ve heard your records!” Stefania’s voice rose an octave.

“Come, let me show you to your rooms! We have you in our finest suites.” Stefania gestured to the bellboy who had loaded all our bags onto large birdcage trolleys.

“You work here?” I followed as she stepped out in front of me directing us to the elevator.

“Riccardo bought the hotel a few years ago. He was bored working for his father. I help from time to time.” Stefania gave me a knowing smile.

My voice dropped to a whisper. “Riccardo is here?” I looked around.

“Yes, he is in his office. He called me when he saw your name on the reservation. Please you must have dinner with us this evening, all of you.” She beamed, barely able to contain her excitement.

Riccardo Cassius was son to one of the richest men in Europe. His family lineage could be traced back to ancient Roman times and over the years they had amassed a rich empire of real estate and stock holdings. Riccardo’s father was at the helm of one of the largest shipping conglomerates in the world.  Riccardo was driven, determined and exceptionally good-looking.

“Of course. We will see you tonight.” I answered quickly, without bothering to check if these plans suited the rest of the guys. I was both excited and slightly nervous about seeing Riccardo again.

“Fantastic!” Stefania exclaimed. “We will see you at 8! Marco and Dino will see you to your suites.”

She kissed me again on the mouth before disappearing down the hall, leaving us with the porters as the elevators ascended.

“OH MY GOD! DID YOU FUCK HER?!” Dan bellowed, scaring Marco or was it Dino half to death.

“Keep it down Dan. I told you, she is a friend. Who I have or haven’t fucked is not your concern.” I was not prepared to explain my past to least of all people Dan.

“You totally fucked her! Holy Shit! WOW! That is so fucking hot!” Dan continued, before accosting Alex.

“You are one lucky son of a bitch you know that? Your girlfriend is a fucking 10 and she is into girls. Lexi, dump this loser and marry me!” Dan teased.

“Dan, while Lexi may take your offer under advisement she is currently still my girlfriend so stop acting like a dick and be more respectful.” Alex snapped.

Alex seemed angry but I wasn’t sure if it was directed and me or Dan. I could see the tension in his jaw as he clenched it tightly. His eyes darkened as he stared Dan down.  There was an uncomfortable silence in the elevator as we rode to our floor.

The doors finally opened at their destination and we spilled into the hallway. Marco and Dino directed us to our suites. Alex followed me silently, as we got to the room we had been allocated.

I opened the door and our bags were unloaded into the living area.  Alex flipped open his wallet, giving them a generous tip before they closed the door behind them.

“You’re mad?” I hissed. “Why the fuck are you mad?” I didn’t understand how it was ok for him to be friendly with his ex-girlfriend but I wasn’t allowed to run into an old friend from the past.

“I’m not mad,” Alex responded coolly.

“The hell you aren’t!” I snapped. “Go on ask me! Did I fuck her?”

“Your past is your business, you don’t owe me an explanation.” Alex reached into the bar fridge and opened a bottle of water, taking a long slow drink.

“I never said I owe you an explanation!” I seethed, a mix of emotions washing through my body.

“Well then there is nothing to discuss.”  Alex walked out of the living area and into the bathroom.

I stormed in after him, flinging the door open to find him undressing.

“Something you need?” His eyes met mine, there was no trace of anger in his voice but I sensed some darkness still in his tone.

“Ask me.” I prompted.

“Lexi, if you want to tell me, you’ll tell me. I’ve never known you to hold your tongue.” Alex twisted his strong, muscular back to me and turned on the water.

I wanted to tell him, I wanted to share that part of me that I hadn’t shared before. Why was it so hard for me just to tell him what I was feeling? This relationship business seemed like such hard work, no wonder I’d avoided it for so long.

He didn’t seem to notice me leaving, either that or he didn’t care as I slipped out of the bathroom and left him alone to shower. I needed some fresh air and some perspective.

Making my way to the double glass doors that lead out to the balcony, I stood absorbing the landscape. The air had cooled significantly as the day was slowly drawing to a close. The sun kissed the earth as it set over the horizon, colouring the sky in a hue of orange and pink. Spring in Rome was magical, just looking out into the ancient city calmed me as I breathed it in slowly.

“You’re still here?” Alex questioned as he walked out, the water still dripping off his rippled torso, a towel slung low around his hips.

“Did you want me to leave?” I faced him, feeling the weariness of the long flight and the emotion overtaking my anger.

“No.” He stepped closer and kissed me gently.

“Alex, why were you mad? Is it Stefania?” I looked into his amazing clear eyes as I reached up and circled my hands around his neck.

“No...” He swallowed. “At the risk of agreeing with Dan, it was kinda hot. That doesn’t mean I want to share you with anyone even if it is with a girl.” His devilish half smile flirted with his mouth.

“You are all so predictable!” I breathed slowly, running my hands down his damp, rippled back. “If it’s not Stefania, then what?” I kissed his chest as I drew him in closer.

“I saw the way you reacted when she said his name.” Alex shivered.

“Riccardo?” I pulled away to engage him, he nodded silently.

“Ok, come with me.” I pulled him away from the balcony and onto one of the plush sofas, hugging his body close to mine, feeling the dampness seep into my shirt.

“I came to Rome when I was 22. I was done with Uni and I wanted to travel through Europe before I settled down and got a job…”

“Lexi, you don’t need to do this,” Alex hesitated as he weaved his fingers through my hair

“You’re right, I don’t need to do this, I want to do this. Just listen.” I gave him a pointed look before repositioning myself in his arms again.

“So, I was 22 and craved adventure. I had come out of a toxic relationship and needed to feel alive again. So I hoped on a plane and came here. It was amazing. It was intoxicating, the culture, the art...It felt like waking up after a long sleep.

“I met Stefania on the Spanish Steps, she asked me if I spoke English and if I wanted to earn some extra cash. First I thought it was some kind of scam but the idea of earning some money sounded appealing so I agreed to hear her out.

“She took me to a small Trattoria, a small restaurant and introduced me to the owner. Stefania waitressed there and they had lost a waitress earlier in the day. A lot of foreigners came to the Trattoria so they wanted someone who could speak English.

“It sounded like easy work so I took the job and Stefania and I became friends. I sensed that she had an interest in me other than platonic but I wasn’t interested in anything else and she seemed to respect that.”

Alex raised an eyebrow as I continued on my story.

“So it was mainly tourists, lots of Americans, Brits... and then one day, Riccardo walked in. I didn’t know who he was but his whole persona exuded power and prestige. Stefania told who he was, about his family. How wealthy and powerful they were. I got caught up in it.

“I flirted with him and he asked me out.”

“There’s a surprise.” Alex smirked.

“Do you want to hear this or not?” I paused.

“Go on,” Alex prompted.

“So he took me on this amazing date, we danced, we drank and then he asked if I wanted to go back to his place.”

“Another surprise.” Alex interjected

I rolled my eyes before continuing. “So yes, as you guessed we had sex. He fell asleep and I did what I usually did and that was to leave.”

I watched as Alex scrunched his brow in confusion. “So you fucked him and then left him?”

“Yes, well at least that was my plan. You see I didn’t need a man and I certainly didn’t need a relationship so it’s what I did.

“He caught me sneaking out. He seemed amused by it all and that he admired my tenacity, he was completely not threatened. He had been sheltered all his life by his family’s affluence and wanted to dance on the shady side of the street. I guess he saw me as that opportunity.

“So in a way, it was a mutually beneficial agreement. He loved driving his family insane with the fact he was dating a nobody waitress and I enjoyed a low maintenance boyfriend while we lived large on his money. We had fun, we travelled and well one night we got drunk and we invited Stefania into our bed.”

“So you did fuck her!” Alex’s smile widened.

“Great, I tell you I started a meaningless relationship with a rich guy after he catches me sneaking out after sex, so we can piss off his parents and what you fixate on the fact I’ve been with a woman.”

“Sorry, hard to over look. Go on...” Alex relaxed back into the sofa.

“So things were great for a while, no strings. But I knew there was more I wanted to do with my life. I got bored and wanted to move on. I told Riccardo and he asked me to stay, to build a life with him... and he proposed.  I didn’t feel that way for him. I wasn’t even sure he felt that way for me, I think he thought I would agree and that would be a way of keeping me.”

“So what did you do?” Alex moved in closer.

“I left... I didn’t say goodbye, I just got on a plane and went home.” I folded my arms in front of me.

Alex gently took my chin in his hands, “He loved you.”

“I doubt that Alex, we didn’t have that kind of relationship. It was just for fun.”

“Yeah like we started out? Just fun, no strings. That worked out so well for us.” Alex lightly kissed my neck. “Deep down Lexi, you must have known too. That’s why you ran.”

“No, it wasn’t like that Alex, what we have is different. I didn’t feel the way with him that I do with you. I never loved Riccardo, it had been fun while it lasted. But love… no, he never loved me.”

“Lexi, you do know that despite your own feelings, you can’t control someone else’s right?” Alex slid his tongue up my throat. “I never set out to fall in love with you, yet once I got to know you it was impossible not to. You are very easy to love and almost impossible to resist.”

“Yeah that’s me, I’m like cock kryptonite.” I snickered sarcastically.

Alex chuckled, “I think the fact you don’t actively try is what makes you so attractive.”

“Whatever!” I argued.

“So we are having dinner with your ex... threesome?” Alex questioned.

“Yes, I guess we are. You ok with that?” I trailed my finger down his chest and down his abs.

“Do you have any photos?” Alex’s mouth twisted in his delicious half grin.

“Ummmm, No!” I snorted.

“Ok, then dinner it is!” Alex laughed