Always Mine

Chapter Sixteen: Italy

"Ciao. Il mio nome è Erick D'Angelo. Un uomo di nome Lorenzo Giovanni arrivati ​​ieri con una macchina per me. Un nero 2011 BMW." I leaned against the big white pillar staring at Erick as he spoke that beautiful first language of his. Unfortunately all I understood was 'Hello', 'Erick D'Angelo', 'Lorenzo Giovanni', and 'Black 2011 BMW'. I'd ask him later if he could teach me some things to say since we would be staying for a while.

The woman he was talking to behind the counter was beautiful; dark brown hair and olive toned skin. She smiled at Erick with her overly white teeth and leaned forward against the counter. If her cleavage wasn't already noticeable it sure as hell was now. Her lips moved but I couldn't quite hear what she said, or understand it even if I wanted to. My... Mate smiled kindly at her, then turned my way and beckoned me over with an even sweeter smile and one of his long curled fingers. The moment I was in reaching distance he wrapped his arm around my waist and kissed me on the neck, right below my ear, making my breath catch in my throat. That was one of my more sensitive spots.

"Si tratta di Christa, il mio compagno." The woman's face fell, "Io sono suo e che non le piace condividere." I stayed silent, not sure if I should say anything. The beautiful Italian girls' smile faded and she slowly stood up straight again.

"I'll get your car then." Her accent was very thick. Erick kissed my forehead and thanked her. "Just go out the North East entrance and we'll have someone bring it around for you."

"What did you say to her?" I asked as we walked back to our luggage. He took his big black suitcase, hygiene bag, and carry-on and I took everything else, including our passports. Erick smiled again and let out a soft chuckle.

"She said something about me needing a companion to sit next to while I'm here, so I brought you over and kindly told her that you were my companion, Dearest." I looked at Erick as we made our way out of the airport. The first thing I noticed when we walked outside was the sun. I seriously didn't know how Erick stayed here so long with being a vampire and all. It wasn't hot or humid, just very sunny with not many clouds to really speak of.

"Is that all you said to her?" I knew Erick enough to know when he was done talking and when he wasn't. By the small smile that still lingered I knew he had something else to say.

"I told her you didn't share. That's when she started speaking in English." I rolled my eyes and playfully pushed into him.

In the four hours it had been since we left the tiny airport in Rome to now, driving along an old country road in the middle of fields and orchards, I had no idea how Erick did it, being a vampire in Italy. Ever since we arrived the sun had not let up or been covered in any way. I looked over at Erick and smiled at the big sunglasses he was wearing. A moment later he looked at me.

"How do you like it so far? From what you've seen." He asked, letting his hand caress mine. I leaned back and relaxed into the seat. From what I had seen, Italy was quite possibly the most beautiful place I had ever been, even the Grand Canyon at sunrise and sunset didn't compete. Rome, with it's old cobblestone paths, different culture, and cheery, welcoming locals was completely different than New York. And that was before Erick stopped at this tiny gellato shop about a mile outside the huge city. I had never had such rich ice cream before.

"I love it. Honestly, I don't think I'd mind staying here for a while." Erick squeezed my hand at my response. After a few seconds I looked out the window again. "What else are the farmers planting?"

"Well about ten miles back we passed a rice farm. To your right they're growing oranges and lemons. The field on our left, the farmer has a bit more of a variety; apples, peaches" I was starting to get hungry again.

"Does your vineyard only grow grapes or is there a variety too?" I looked back at my mate to smile when I saw him smiling. He was quiet as he slowed down and turned a right. Silently, I prayed that we would get there soon. My butt was starting to become numb from sitting a majority of twenty hours and the anticipation of wanting to see Erick's place was starting to get to me.

"We have a pretty big variety. About seventy years back Lorenzo and I decided to also produce apples, cherries, strawberries, peaches, apricots, oranges, lemons, and even olives. Of course, the grapes are still our biggest crop." Now I was really getting hungry. We were quiet again, me looking out the window at the different fields and farmers, occasionally seeing a child or two playing, before something crossed my mind. Lorenzo.