They are so close now that he could hear her breathing. Even hearing her soft breathing is making his knees weak. Could Frenchie hear his heart pounding so aggressively? Does she know that it's her who's making his heart beat like crazy? He froze at her touch. Goosebumps were covering his skin, yet it's so hot outside. At first he couldn't speak, he was too busy trying to recollect himself.
"How about now?" He muttered. Shaking his head, he chuckled, "Pretty girls who like orchids make my memory cloudy, but I think there is something that the both of us are forgetting." He moved his lips, hovering them over hers. "Maybe this could help…" Adone smiled then kissed her right cheek.
She instantly bloomed red, her breath freezing in her chest. "You're playing a dangerous game." She hummed. "This is my heart you're messing with, you could break it just as easily as you could make it yours." She wasn't sure he quite understood what he was getting in to. She wasn't even sure that she understood what she was getting in to.
But at this point, she didn't care. She knew what she wanted, or at least she thought she did, and she knew how to get it. But Frenchie hesitated. She was nervous, scared even. What if she messed it up? What if she did it and then he abandoned her? She could barely think over the sound of her heart hammering in her chest. "Quit stalling, idiota. Either kiss me or let go."
"Good to know," He said. "Because I like to be gentle with precious things, even if you were to let me have your heart." No, Adone has a faint idea of what he's getting into, yet he isn't completely sure at the same time. All he knows is that he has a girl in his arms and there is something about her that is making his heart run around in circles. A girl who can most definitely kick his butt, but is soft and gentle too. And he knows that he's making her heart do the same thing.
He laughed softly. Despite his mind panicking, he smiled calmly. "Damn those Americans, always rushing and not taking their time," Adone chuckled. "Thankfully we're in Sicily, isn't that so, Frenchie?" He used his right hand to brush through her hair. It cupped the same cheek he kissed. His eyes lingered at her lips. They shut as his lips parted, gently pressing onto hers.
Her heart was beating so hard she barely heard him but his voice cut through the sound so easily, like he was the only other sound in the world. She rolled her eyes with a bashful smile when he called her out on her impatience but said nothing, for once. She just wanted him to kiss her already.
And kiss her he did, catching her a little off guard although she'd never admit that. Frenchie melted into him, her eyes closing and stepping further a little more. She knee her lips were chapped from her days in the outdoors without proper care and chastised herself for it but oh well. Nothing she could do about it now other than hope he didn't care. Her first kiss. She was actually giving this boy that she'd met yesterday her first kiss. But by God did she not regret it one bit.
(Eeeeee, I'm dying)
To be honest, he didn't notice her lips were chapped; he's too busy tilting his head and deepening the kiss. His thumb slowly rubbed her cheek. The only thing that was in his mind was Frenchie, just Frenchie. Adone is giving the girl whom he just met last night his first kiss. The same girl that he has both physically and emotionally fall for. He has fallen in front of her at least twice and here they are now kissing each other.
His heart fluttered after he pulled away. His breathing was rapid. It took him awhile to take a long exhale. Adone wrapped Frenchie into an embrace, resting his chin on her shoulder. He quickly kissed her lips again. "I feel…I feel a little light-headed," He admitted. "I can't faint after kissing you, I need to take you out for gelato and maybe kissing you again…only if you'd let me."
(adkzkzljzla, me too)
She could only giggle at his antics, feeling rather floaty herself. Her mind was still blank, wiped clean from his lips with the only sensation she remembered were how soft his lips had been and how warm his hand was against her cheek. Frenchie felt almost drunk on the emotions of it all, burying her face in his neck.
"Is it too weird to say I want you to?" She hummed shyly. "Maybe you'll taste different after the gelato. Looks like I'll have to wait til tonight to find out."
"There you are, ragazza! I was starting to think you'd run off." Hearing her uncle's voice made her jump back, heart pounding in fear of what he'd seen. "Uncle Ren! You scared me." She laughed nervously as her uncle came down from the makeshift field with a smile. "Ah, so sorry my dear. Adone, I hope my little rascal here hasn't been giving you too much trouble."
Adone shook his head. "No, I hope it's not weird for me to say that I want you too," He whispered. His bottom lip dropped as his cheeks blushed at her words. By the time he was going to say something, he heard Mister Russo and immediately jumped to get the watering can. Somehow his first instinct was to grab the watering can, but in the moment of quickly grabbing it and holding it up to his chest, he splashed water onto his shirt. "Sto bene," was the only thing he could think of to say.
His eyes kept looking at Mister Russo then at Frenchie then back at Mister Russo then back at Frenchie and so on so forth. "What does 'rascal' mean?" He asked. Silence hung over him. A second passed by until he laughed. "No no, Sir I- uhh….She's only kicked me in the leg once so I think we're good."
Ren waved him off with a smile. "It just means troublemaker. Although it sounds like she's been having plenty of fun messing with you like she does her own little brother." He laughed as he ruffled his niece's hair. "Did you take from your aunt's garden? I know that flower, she won't be happy if you picked one of her prized flowers." Frenchie pulled the orchid from her hair. "I know…I just thought it was so pretty…"
Ren sighed with a shake of his head, smiling softly. "You're killing me, Francesca." He looked at her a little closer and frowned. "Are you feeling okay? You're all red. I hope you're not already sunburned." Frenchie stiffened up. "Ah, no, I'm fine. Just warm from the sun." Totally wasn't kissing your gardener. Not at all.
"Ahhh, I see. Well, she is definitely a troublemaker for sure," He laughed. His body was rigid even after he kept telling himself to relax. Anytime Adone looked over at Frenchie, he could only think about the moments that they just shared together. With one hand on the handle and the other underneath the watering can, he did his best to remain composed.
Gazing over at the orchids, he noticed that some of them were still blooming. He never really knew how special a flower could be until now. Carefully, he poured some water into the soil. "It's okay Sir, there are some blooming. She picked one that blossomed already."
Adone watched, softly smirking. Sunburned, sure, that's why her skin looks flushed. "You have been outside for a while, Francesca. Besides, you should be drinking water in this kind of weather, isn't that right Mister Russo?"
Frenchie shot him a glare over her shoulder, her face scrunched in offense. "You don't get to talk, you should be drinking too then." "Now now, no fighting you two. But Adone's right. You should head inside, relax a little. I know you were up early." She protested a little but gave up, heading inside with a sigh.
Ren shook his head with a sigh. "What am I going to do with that girl. She'll never get herself a boyfriend with her attitude. I love my niece but I worry about her." Ren looked to Adone. "Ah, so sorry. Don't mean to ramble. I'm just glad she's keeping you company."
He knew that he couldn't get kick in the shin with Mister Russo around, so he decided to make the most of it. With a scrunched, he stuck his tongue at her. "Oh I will, don't you worry, Francesca," He snorted. Her first name is actually fitting, in his opinion at least, it's beautiful. Adone smiled, waving to her, "Ciao."
Going over to other flowers, he checked them before pouring them some water. For today, he should be good. When Mister Russo spoke, he turned to look at him. "Don't worry, my Nonna was the same and somehow it lead to her meeting my Nonno. Francesca will be fine, she only needs to find her other half that will compliment her attitude," He assured. "It's alright Sir, I don't mind. Is there anything I could do inside? It's ten o'clock, I have two hours left."
(Compliment her attitude you say? 😏)
Ren came over and placed a hand on Adone's shoulder. "Nothing that I can't take care of myself. Thank you, ragazzo. Your help truly is appreciated. But before you go, head inside. Get something to drink. Maybe try to convince my niece to tone down the attitude. The missus has headed out for the day and I've got some work myself so I'll be out here for a while. You kids keep yourself entertained."
Ren headed off towards a small shed in the backyard, waving over his shoulder towards Adone. "Just stay out of trouble!"
Adone smiled. He didn't think that Frenchie really needed to "tone down her attitude", yet he wished he doesn't get kicked anymore. Still, he nodded at Mister Russo's words. He waved back at him, "Will do! Let me know if you need anything."
He emptied out the watering can then sat it back where it was earlier this morning. "Sono così morto," He mumbled to himself. "Sono così morto." Oh well, looks like he does not have much else to do until he gets off work. Maybe he could hang out in the library for a bit; it's his favorite place in the house. Adone took off his shoes before going inside. He ambled off to the kitchen in order to get himself a glass of water.
Frenchie was sitting on the kitchen counter, swinging her legs and sipping a glass of water. She raised an eyebrow when Adone entered. "Oh? Come to join me, have you? I thought you were busy with work." She hummed, smiling to herself.
She sat back, leaning against the wall behind her with a sigh. "Guess you just couldn't get enough of me, could you. I don't blame you, I'm a damn catch. But I digress. What brings you inside?"
"Uhh…" He rubbed the back of his neck. "He told me to just go inside and get some water for myself," He responded. His gaze lowered to the floor as he walked over. As he took a glass from the cabinet, he hummed to himself. Holding the glass underneath the sink, he watched as it filled up.
Adone shrugged while turning the sink off. Leaning against the kitchen island, he took a sip then sat the glass down beside him. "Your uncle told me that I should try to convince you to tone down your attitude and he has some work to do in the shed. I was thinking of just reading in the study for a bit honestly."
She rolled her eyes at the attitude comment. "Yeah, like that's ever going to happen." She noticed how on edge he seemed, frowning to herself. "Are you okay? You seem tense."
She hopped down from the counter, placing her finished glass in the sink. "Well, I'll be in my room if you need me." She stretched her arms over her head with a relieved sigh before heading upstairs.
He laughed a little while picking up his. With a shrug he added, "It's okay, it wasn't my intention. I think that it makes you cute." After drinking from the cup, his bottom lip puffed out. "Hm?" Adone looked up at her. "Tense?" What does that mean? He returned his gaze to the floor as he tried to figure out what the word meant.
By the time he realized, she was already on her way upstairs. He sighed to himself then took a look at his watch. Ten o'five, still not long till lunch. Adone pushed his glass away from the edge then looked around the kitchen for ingredients Italian bruschetta. He spent five minutes cutting up some tomatoes, garlic, basil and toasting bread then put the bruschetta onto a little tray.
Then he spent two minutes trying to figure out where Frenchie's room is. Yes, even though he helped put it together and clean it, he forgot. Once he wandered over to her door then gave it a light knock. "May I come in, Farfallina?"
The door was cracked open, revealing her just lounging on her bed, reading a book. She looked up and smiled. "I smell food. You may enter." She set her book down, relaxing against her pillows.
Her heart fluttered at the nickname, like it always did. She wasn't sure why she loved it so much but it made her chest feel warm. Maybe it was just that he cared enough to stick to a nickname. Most people didn't.
Adone peaked his head through the opening. The side of it rested against the door while he sighed at the sight of her smile. What a beautiful smile. He just wants to kiss her again. He smiled, "Hello, my strong Farfallina. I made some mini bruschetta." Cooking always helps him when he is nervous, so why make something for fun? And for her too!
He shuffled into the room, setting the tray on the bed. Leaning over, he kissed her forehead then carefully picked up the book. "What's this?" He asked, skimming through the pages. "You like reading too? I should take you to this old bookstore my Nonno loves." He stared at the pages. The words didn't make sense, but he realized that he had to turn the book right side up. Adone sat down on the edge of the bed. Looking over his shoulder, he demanded, "Eat. Those tomatoes and garlic are fresh, perfect for a day like today."
She giggled as she watched him try to read her book upside down. "You dork. You're lucky you're cute." She plucked her book out of his hands and placed her bookmark in it. "The bookstore sounds fun, if not a bit sneeze-inducing. I'd love to go."
She sets her book down to dig into the food placed before her. She leans back and groans in contentment. "Why does food taste so much better in Italy. I swear, I've made this a thousand times for myself back in the states, it's never tasted this good."
Adone pouted in retort to her words. "I am not cute." But his pouting only lasted for so long until he was back to lightly grinning. He sat back into the bed beside Frenchie. "Okay, I will take you there tomorrow."
Watching her eat made him feel proud of himself. He couldn't help but think about the question, even if it might be rhetorical. It could be because the EU has different, more restricted rules when it comes to food production and stuff. And yet, he proudly stated, "That's because your Adone had made it. No other reason, just me." Slowly, he reached over for one himself. "I am the best."
She rolled her eyes as she blushed. "Once again, the pride shines through. Guess I really am just lucky." She giggled before flicking the end of his nose. "And stay away from my food. You brought it to me so it's mine now."
The room somehow felt warmer, more comfortable now that he was here. Maybe it was just because she was lonely, in this country with no one she knew. But Adone's presence made the room feel more like it actually belonged to her.
"Hey! I was nervous, and I made it for us," He argued. Adone just could not be anything but full of laughter. Although, he wanted to eat one, just one if he could. His eyes lit up as if some imaginary light bulb lit up above him. "Farfallina, there's something on your lip there," He said while pointing at it. "Here, let me take care of it for you, okay?"
Getting up closer to her, he tilted his head and kissed her. He brought his hand up to cup her cheek then gently brushed it with his thumb. Only a few moments passed by till he broke it then quickly picked up one of the bruschetta. He bit into it and chewed. While chewing, he laughed a little. "Ahhh you're right, of course, this is good."
She struggled for words for a second, completely taken off guard. But she just gave up, burying her burning face in his neck. "You can't just do that, it's embarrassing." She whined.
Of course, Frenchie didn't mean that. She'd let him kiss her a thousand more times if he truly wished to. She just didn't like that he had something so disarming to lord over her. The way it made her heart jump into her throat and her lungs freeze in her chest, it was an adrenaline rush unlike anything she'd ever felt before.
He finished the rest of the bruschetta, then used his hand to comb through her hair. The warmth coming from Frenchie's face was making him warm too. "I am sorry, my Farfallina. I could not help myself. I was excited." Adone used his other arm to wrap around her, giving a gentle hug. "You are so warm. I would kiss you to cool you down, but I know I'm the reason why your face is really warm."
A sigh left through his lips. "I am sorry. I won't kiss you as a distraction to get food." Cautiously, he lifted the tray and sat it on the end table beside her. He looked at Frenchie, "Are you okay?"
