All I Believe (5 page)

I changed into the swimsuit and looked at myself in the full-length mirror. Good lord. Things like that were clearly not made for people with any sense of modesty. It covered what it needed to, but just barely. If I accidentally got an erection while wearing that thing outdoors, I’d be hauled straight to jail for public indecency.

I pulled the sheer shorts on over it, pocketed my new room key, and tucked a towel around my waist for good measure before heading downstairs to the pool. It proved to be completely full of kids and families, so there was no way I’d be able to swim laps in it. Instead, I stepped out onto the sand and deposited my towel, clothes, and glasses on one of the lounge chairs lining the beach. I was glad that without my glasses, I couldn’t really see people’s reactions to my Speedo as I hurried to the water’s edge.

The Ionian Sea was the same temperature as the air, maybe eighty degrees Fahrenheit. Since Viladembursa had been built on a sheltered bay, there weren’t many waves to contend with as I waded into the water. A few people splashed and played near the shore, so when the water reached my waist, I started swimming away from the beach. When I was a few hundred yards out, I changed my trajectory and began swimming parallel to the coastline.

It felt incredibly good. I swam back and forth for at least an hour, working out the kinks in my back and shoulders from that long flight. Swimming had always been my favorite way to work out, and I pushed myself to keep going even when my muscles began to protest, just like I always did. I was pretty tired when I finally got out of the water.

I’d thought I’d been using the hotel to orient myself while I’d been swimming, but as I stood on the beach, I realized I’d lost my bearings. I could have really used my prescription swim goggles, but of course they were in my lost luggage with everything else. Without them or my glasses, the hotel just looked like a blur, which I’d expected, but it blurred right into the buildings on either side of it as well. I tried to spot the row of chairs along the beach, but there wasn’t enough contrast between the white chairs and the sand.

I closed my eyes and listened. There weren’t any people around me, but I could make out faint voices in the distance. I turned to my right and began to walk toward the voices, since there had been a fair number of people at the hotel. After a couple minutes, I spotted a tall figure approaching. The person was wearing black, so he was visible against the light background.

I called out,
“Mi scusi. Puoi indirizzare mi torna all'Hotel Conchiglia?”

A familiar voice said, “I’ll do you one better than directing you back to the hotel. I’ll escort you.” When he got within about a foot of me, he came into focus. The gorgeous guy from earlier had traded his suit for a black t-shirt and shorts, and pushed a pair of sunglasses onto the top of his head as he smiled at me.

“Thanks. Do you make a habit of saving hapless tourists?”

“Only the incredibly sexy, scantily clad ones. I didn’t think anything could top the red undies, but I have to say, this look is my new favorite.”

“I don’t normally dress like this,” I said as we began walking down the beach. “At all. The airlines lost my luggage, so my grandmother went out and bought me some clothes this morning. They’re all I have, since she also misplaced my wallet and I can’t buy myself anything else until it’s returned.”

“Your grandmother picked out what you’re wearing?”

“Yeah. I think she’s trying to get me laid.”

“It’s working,” he said, and an embarrassed bark of laughter slipped from me. “Is she the same person who hosed you down with anal lube at the airport?” The amusement in his voice was unmistakable.

“Yup.”

“She sounds like my kind of woman.”

“There’s no one in all the world like Nana. Her heart’s in the right place, even if her methods are occasionally borderline horrifying.”

After a few moments, my companion asked, “How far can you see without your glasses?”

“Maybe a foot. Everything beyond that’s a blur. I was swimming and got disoriented when I returned to the beach.”

“That’s what I figured. I was watching you as you were swimming. You stayed out so long that I was beginning to wonder if you’d ever return to dry land.”

“Why were you watching me?”

“Because I realized the current was slowly pushing you a little farther south with each lap, and I was concerned. I also saw the way you entered the water after you put your glasses down. You walked across the beach so cautiously that it was pretty obvious you really couldn’t see what was in front of you.”

“That’s incredibly observant.”

“I’m an observant kind of guy. Oops, look out.” He grabbed my upper arms and quickly spun me around.

When we came to a stop, I looked up at him. The sun was just starting to set. It cast warm, bronze highlights in his slightly long black hair and made his olive skin look golden. He stared back at me for a long moment, and then I asked, “What was that move just then?”

“Jellyfish. One had washed up on the beach. I don’t know if they can still sting you once they’re dead, but I didn’t want to take any chances.”

“Thank you.”

He kept looking in my eyes for another moment before asking, “What’s your name?”

“Nico. What’s yours?”

“Luca. Is that short for Nicolaus?”

“Nicolo, actually. Is Luca short for anything?”

“Luciano, but I don’t use my full name.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you officially, Luca.”

“I should have introduced myself earlier, after the café incident. Please forgive my lack of manners.”

“It’s okay. You were distracted by the pack of not entirely wild dogs.”

“No I wasn’t. I was distracted by the beautiful guy in tiny, red briefs.”

“Do you make a habit of calling strange men beautiful?” I asked, deflecting the compliment.

“Definitely not. Only ones I’m hitting on.”

I grinned at that. “What makes you assume I’m gay?”

“The fact that you almost gave yourself whiplash by checking out my ass right before the dogs started swarming.”

My eyes went wide and I said, “You couldn’t possibly have seen that! You never looked up from your phone!”

“When I reached the door to the café, I saw your reflection in that big plate-glass window beside the entrance.”

Busted! I murmured, “I’m usually not that blatant.”

“Thanks for making an exception for me.” His tone was light, bordering on teasing.

“Well, you are exceptional,” I said, then immediately felt stupid. I had no game. Zero. What was I doing trying to flirt with this man? I quickly changed the subject by asking, “Do you know what time it is?”

He glanced at the silver watch on his wrist and said, “Just past seven.”

“Crap, I’m late. Are we close to the hotel?”

“We’re almost there. Do you maybe want to borrow my t-shirt?”

“Why?”

“Well, because your suit’s pretty revealing and there are a lot of people up ahead.”

“I know it’s skimpy, but it’s not like Speedos are that uncommon in Europe.”

“See-through ones are.”

I looked down at myself, and even with my bad eyesight, I saw way too much of my junk through the now incredibly sheer lime green fabric. I immediately cupped my hands in front of my crotch and exclaimed, “Oh my God! What kind of swimsuit turns see-through when it gets wet?”

“I think that’s actually underwear.”

“Yes please to borrowing your t-shirt.” He took it off and handed it to me, and I put it on quickly. It was long enough to cover everything, but I kept the front pulled down to mid-thigh anyway, just to be sure.

When we finally reached my stuff, I put on my glasses, pulled on the white shorts, and wrapped the towel around my waist, since sheer over sheer wasn’t exactly getting the job done. I also swapped my t-shirt for his, and as I handed his shirt back to him I said, “Thank you again for giving me a hand. I’m not normally this scattered. Or naked. Just so you know.” I stole a quick glance at his tight, muscular body as he pulled the shirt over his head.

“Glad to help.” We returned to the hotel lobby side by side, and when we reached the elevators, he asked, “Will you join me for a drink?”

“Oh man, that’s such an obvious pity date after all of this.”

“No it isn’t!”

“It is. I’d still take you up on it, but I have a family thing to go to. I’m already late.”

He paused for a moment, studying me, then said, “Another time then. Take care of yourself, Nico. I’ll look for you tomorrow,” before walking away.

I watched him as he crossed the lobby, headed for the front door. What a gorgeous guy. Nice, too. But my God, could all of that have been more embarrassing? Part of me wanted to call after him and invite him to have a nightcap with me after my family function, but I just couldn’t do it. I’d been a total and complete train wreck in front of him, twice. Despite his protests, he must have offered to have a drink with me because he felt sorry for me. I sighed quietly and pushed the button for the elevator.

“Some of your cousins have to be gay, right?” Jessie asked as he and I leaned against a grand piano and sipped drinks in the corner of Nonna’s lavish living room. At least forty people filled the ground floor of the beautiful villa in the hills above Viladembursa, and I scanned the crowd and told him, “Statistically speaking, at least a couple have to be. I don’t know which ones, though. It doesn’t get talked about, not like it does in the American branch of my family.”

He frowned and said, “Those aren’t very good odds. Do you think there’s a gay bar in town that we can hit later? I need bigger numbers if I’m going to make my dream of a summer fling with a hot Italian a reality.”

“Not that I know of, but Rome will have plenty of gay nightclubs.”

Remy’s sister Fiona headed right for me as soon as she arrived at the party. She was tall and curvy with long, black hair, and she giggled and said, “
Buon Dio
,” (good lord) before snapping a photo of me with her phone. I’d already gone through the full onslaught of a few dozen relatives when we first arrived, and all of them had to make a comment on my outfit.

Nana and Jessie had done some more shopping for me that afternoon, and since I’d been running late, I didn’t have time to stop off at Remy’s and borrow some clothes. That meant my best option for the party had been a pair of tight, red leather pants, matching ankle boots, and a long-sleeved black shirt. The button-down would have been fine if it wasn’t tight, stretchy, shiny, and designed without the top four buttons that most shirts had, so I had no choice but to look like a 1970s gigolo. The outfit should have come with a stick-on mustache.

Fiona gave me a hug and said in English, “Why are you taller than I remember you?” When I tilted my foot to show her the two-inch stacked heel on the boots, she started chuckling all over again.

“None of this is my fault.” I told her about the lost luggage and wallet. It hadn’t been at the cleaners when Jessie went to retrieve it, so I’d had to cancel all my credit cards and request replacements.

“So, your grandmother dressed you like a retro porn star,” she said with a delighted grin. “I love Nana. Where is she, anyway?”

“In the kitchen arguing with her sister.”

“Figures.”

I introduced Fiona and Jessie, and told her, “He was no help with shopping. He actually let Nana buy this stuff.”

“Of course I did,” he exclaimed. “You look hot! If I was six-one with that muscular bod, I’d be all over a pair of red leather pants.” He was actually a slender five-eight or so, and would have looked good in red leather. He was cute enough to make it look playful, instead of awkward and slutty.

“But you know how I normally dress. Would it have killed you to toss a pair of khakis in with the porn star collection?”

“Dude, we’re in Sicily. You don’t see khakis and oxford shirts in any of the boutiques. I don’t even know where you’d have to go for something like that,” he said. “Plus, I think it’s good for you to break out of your shell a little. It’s like you wear a uniform, it’s always the same thing.”

“I like my uniform.”

“Yeah, well, I support Nana’s efforts to push you out of your comfort zone,” he said.

“Pushing me out of my comfort zone is one thing. Sending me out with a see-through bathing suit is another thing entirely.”

I told them the story of the disappearing lime green fabric, and they both had a good laugh. Jessie said, “The lime green thing is underwear. The turquoise thing was the bathing suit.”

“Seriously? It was so tiny that it looked like a headband!”

“Nico, your body’s perfect! You can pull off tiny Speedos. Not many people can.”

“Thanks, but I’d prefer a bathing suit that doesn’t immediately tell the entire world I’m circumcised.”

“Okay, fine. Tomorrow, we’ll use my credit card and go shopping. You can pay me back later.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m telling you, though, you won’t find your uniform.” Jessie turned to Fiona and changed the subject abruptly. “Are any of your cousins gay?” She pointed at me, and Jessie amended, “Besides Nico. I’m trying to find someone to hit on.”

“What’s wrong with Nico?” she asked as she borrowed the drink I was holding, took a sip, and returned it to my hand.

“He’s like my brother since we’ve both been living together at Nana’s house.”

“I see.” She plucked a canape off a passing tray carried by a uniformed waiter. “I suspect that Matteo’s gay since I’ve never seen him with a woman, but it’s not like he talks about it with his family.”

“Which one’s Matteo?” Jessie asked, standing up on tip-toe and scanning the crowd.

“He was working tonight and couldn’t make it,” Fiona said.

“Bummer. Hey, do you happen to know if there’s a gay bar in town?”

“You’ll have to forgive my friend,” I said. “He’s on a single-minded quest to get laid on his vacation.”

“I like the fact that you’re so open about your sexuality,” she told Jessie. “In answer to your question, I’ve heard there is, but it’s kind of like a, what do you call it? A speakeasy? There’s no sign out front, and I’m not sure where it’s located. I believe it’s more of a sex club than a nightclub. Maybe that’s what you’re after?” Jessie colored slightly and shook his head no. I thought it was sweet that he was so innocent.

We chatted with Fiona about her job in banking, and Remy and his wife and kids joined us. A few minutes later, we were startled by a blood-curdling shriek from the back of the house. Jessie and I immediately took off at a run.

When we got to the kitchen, we found Nana and her sister cursing at each other in Italian. Nonna looked a lot like Nana and was only a year younger, but she’d always dyed her hair jet black. Nana yelled in English, “I’m leaving! I won’t spend another minute in this house!”

Nonna yelled after her in Italian, “Fine! See if I care!”

My grandmother took off in a huff with Jessie and me right behind her. When Fiona saw we were leaving she grabbed her purse and joined us. “I need a drink,” Nana said. “One big enough to do the backstroke in.”

“What was that about?” Jessie wanted to know.

“I’ll tell you later. I’m too upset to talk about it now,” Nana said.

Fiona drove us back to the hotel, and the four of us went straight to the bar. It was on the ground floor, facing the sea, and a light breeze drifted in through the wide-open panel walls. “Your grandmother’s going to be pissed that you came with us,” Nana told Fiona after we’d settled in at a table in the corner.

“I know, but I only get to see you and Nico every few years, and she’ll forgive me once she calms down,” Fiona told her.

Nana patted her hand. “You’re a good girl, Fi. Pretty, too. I don’t understand how come you’re single. What’s wrong with the men in this town?”

Fiona shrugged and adjusted the short sleeve of her royal blue dress. “I think I’ve dated all of them by now and have run out of options. But that’s okay, I really don’t need a man to be happy.”

“I cannot say the same,” Jessie murmured.

“I been on my own a long time,” Nana said. “I don’t know if you heard, but I’m finally divorcing my no-good, cheating husband. I know the Catholic Church ain’t on board with that, but them and me don’t see eye to eye on a lot of stuff anyway. They’re behind the times if you ask me. Don’t even get me started on what they have to say about gay homosexuals! I’m thinking maybe I ought to stop by and have a talk with the Pope when we’re in Rome. Seems like he’d benefit from a fresh perspective.”

“I don’t think that’s really an option,” I pointed out as our drinks arrived.

“Details.” To Fiona she said, “I’m thinking I want to start looking for a decent fella. Maybe you can be my wingman, Fi. Do they have some of that speed dating here in town? Maybe we could give it a go. I figure I only need a minute or two to decide if some guy’s worth my time.”

My cousin grinned at her and sounded very American when she said, “I don’t think so, but if they did I’d absolutely be down with that.” All of a sudden, her brown eyes went wide and she murmured, “Or maybe we just need to hang around hotel bars more often.
Dio mio
, look what just walked in.”

I glanced up and grinned when I saw who she was talking about. “Bad news, Fi. He plays for my team.”

Luca smiled when he spotted me and crossed the bar to our table. He was once again dressed in an impeccable black suit and a dark shirt that was open at the collar. He said, “Hello, Nico. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

“You, too.” I invited him to join us for a drink, and was surprised when he took me up on the offer. He pulled over a chair from an adjacent table and Jessie and I made room between us. I caught a faint whiff of sexy aftershave when he sat down.

“Luca, I’d like you to meet my cousin Fiona, my friend Jessie, and my grandmother Stana, who almost everyone calls Nana. She’s the person responsible for the fashion choices you’ve been witnessing. Everyone, this is Luca. We met earlier today.”

After Luca said hello, he took my grandmother’s hand and kissed the back of it, then did the same to Fiona. When he merely shook Jessie’s hand, my friend pretended to sulk. Luca chuckled and kissed Jessie’s hand too, which made the blond very happy.

My grandmother exclaimed, “Doesn’t Nico get a kiss on the hand? Go on now, don’t be shy. We already know you’re a gay homosexual because Nico said you play for his team, so if you want to kiss his hand or anything else, don’t hold back on my account.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Luca said before he scooped up my hand and kissed it, lingering for a moment, his eyes meeting mine. He gave me a wink, then squeezed my hand before returning it to my thigh.

His leg brushed mine, possibly on accident, and he said, “Back in leather, I see. Shall I ask the waiter to bring over some pots and pans? I want to be prepared to defend you against passing hordes of poodles and wiener dogs.”

Jessie chuckled and asked, “What on earth does that mean?”

Luca launched into the story of the bacon pants, telling it with such flair that even I was laughing by the end of it, along with everyone else. When I finally caught my breath, I said, “Sadly, that’s all true. Luca saved me from both the dogs and from arrest for public indecency when my bathing suit turned invisible on me today. Apparently he’s my guardian angel.”

“Someone has to be,” he said with a teasing grin.

“So, Luca, you single?” My grandmother asked.

“Yes ma’am, quite,” he said.

“Do I detect a bit of a British accent?” Nana wanted to know.

“I spent a number of years in boarding school in Britain,” he said, “but I’ve lived all over. That’s why I speak five languages and why my accent is a jumble.”

The waiter came by to take Luca’s drink order, and Nana ordered one of every appetizer on the bar menu. “I’m starving,” she told us. “I never did get dinner tonight, since my sister Isabella is such a putz.”

“We’re supposed to be at a big family dinner right now with about four dozen relatives,” I told Luca, “but there was an argument and we left.” I turned to my grandmother and asked, “What were you and your sister fighting about?”

Nana sighed and said, “Isabella told me she was sorry so many of my grandchildren had turned out to be gay, and I went off on her. Every single one of my gay homosexual grandsons is a blessing! I told her that, and then I called her a bigot! She tried to backpedal and say she only said it because it meant they wouldn’t be giving me great-grandchildren. I pointed out that my grandson Vincent and his husband Trevor have their sweet son Josh, and she said it’s not the same if the kids are adopted. Oh
hell
no! You do not say ignorant shit like that about my precious Joshie! Next thing I knew, I was screaming and she was screaming. I wish I’d done a better job tryin’ to educate her, but I just got so mad!”

I’d never thought about all the crap my grandmother must put up with from her family, just because of how fiercely she loved her gay grandkids. I reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “Thanks for sticking up for us, Nana.”

“Always, Nicky, you know I got your back. I just shouldn’t have to deal with shit like that from my own sister.” She looked upset, but then she tried to change the subject away from herself by asking, “You got any brothers or sisters, Luca?”

“One, an older half-brother.”

“Are you two close?”

“Yes and no. I love him, but Andreo is a total control freak. He’s only five years older than me, but he’s always tried to act like a parent instead of a brother. He would completely run my life if I let him. I guess that’s because my father wasn’t in the picture when I was growing up, and I know that’s just Andreo’s way of showing he cares about me, but it’s incredibly frustrating. We usually end up fighting whenever we’re together,” Luca admitted.

Nana said, “I know how that is. It seems like my sister and I are always fighting about something. If it hadn’t been this, it would have been something else.”

Luca paid attention politely as Nana went off on a long story about her sister that I’d heard a dozen times. I snuck glances at his profile as he listened to her. He had a strong, masculine nose and jaw, which contrasted beautifully with long, thick eyelashes and full, sensuous lips. He snuck a sidelong glance at me at one point and grinned when he caught me looking, then returned his attention to my grandmother.