Sweet Sins (9 page)

             
“I would do anything for you, Adam, just for the asking. You know you have my heart. Please don’t destroy me, because you know that you can, with nothing more than just a look on your face of disapproval or a whimper of rejection, I will disintegrate. Please be careful with my heart.”

             
“Don’t worry. I treasure you. I want to be a great man for you. If I am never great at anything else, I can be great for you.”

             
They lay there sleepless, exhausted but happy. They began speaking about the bike.

             
“I gotta’ get me a bike like they’re supposed to be. Do you see all those sissy bikes with the coolers and all that other stuff, like it’s a camper going on vacation? A bike’s supposed to be stripped raw to the road and be nothing but bike. Those people that ride around like that should be shot. They give bike’s a bad name. Why don’t they just take a horse and buggy ride that to me would seem more appropriate if they have to carry all that stuff with them? Riding wasn’t meant for the timid and weak.”

             
“Are you going to get a Honda again?”

             
“I’m not sure about anything yet except the color will be black.”

             
“Of course, that goes without saying. I’m sure I will love it, taking long road trips with you, hanging on for dear life.”

             
She was blissful; life was promising a glorious future. The idea of starting her own agency kept popping up in her head.

             
Rolling up a few items, (for not many can be accommodated on a motorcycle) they left for their trip in Orlando. Florida was displaying its lovely side this fine day, picturesque in every way. She hugged him and felt the push of the wind as they drove down the highway. Scent from the abundant wild flowers that were alongside I-4 gushed up to greet them. She placed herself in his hands and trusted him implicitly for their safety. He had given her the helmet he had once used as a teen ager. His father had bought it for him and she felt it was a great honor that he had left her wear it. It made her feel especially close to him.

             
By the time they reached Orlando, her hair was matted together and her face was stinging from the wind and sunburn it had received. Picking roasted bugs from her sun glasses, she was melting from the heat radiating off the bike. But still, there was an ambience about traveling this way.

             
After leaving their belongings at their motel, they strolled through the many unique boutiques sprinkled everywhere. You could find a multitude of extraordinary items here.

             
They held hands and he constantly caressed her. Somewhat embarrassed she shyly scolded him.

             
“Hey, I don’t care who sees me touching you. I love ya’, girl. It ain’t nothing anyone ain’t seen before.”

             
He bought her some trinkets and some items a little more expensive, included in these some sexy nightwear and a porcelain wizard, as she collected wizards and dragons. Loving magical items, as she loved magic in life, she wanted this forever. She in return, purchased a few black t-shirts and a book about Dylan for him. They packaged up the items and mailed them back to Tampa.

             
He wore black not just because it was a guy thing but because it reflected his mood.

             
“You gotta’ wear black when you’re riding a bike. It’s an unwritten law. You can’t be riding a bike wearing colorful junk. It ain’t kosher. What self-respecting guy would wear anything but black while riding a bike, I mean, come on, who would?”

             
“Ok, I get it but are you happy, Adam? You’re not going to go riding into the sunset one day, the mysterious dark Adam, who fell out of society?”

             
“Actually, girl, I am happy. It’s kinda’ scary for me ‘cause I’m not comfortable with the feeling of happiness. I kinda’ like the dark moods, it seems to fit me. This is new for me and I am trying to get used to being content.”

             
“I’m glad you are feeling happy because I’m not just happy, I am over the moon happy. If I died right now, I would die being on top of the world.”

             
They dined, drank and danced the weekend away. She had splurged on some sexy new clothes that Adam had commented were “hot”. She felt wickedly wonderful and hoped with all her heart that this fantasy she was living would continue.

             
While he was napping, she went out onto the balcony. The motion of the palms sang a swaying song of love. Lights romanced the pool’s blue water and everywhere people seemed to be in love. If she reached into the air, she thought angel dust would be on her palm because she felt smothered in ecstasy. Could this be what the rest of her life would be like? Could she be so fortunate to have a lifetime like this?

             
After having spent an inordinate amount of time together, precious time, they both knew they needed to return to their work and other family commitments. His family was here from Pennsylvania so she knew he would be primarily with them. He was extremely close to his siblings and when they came to town, there were his everything.

             
These days together had brought her relief from her nagging dominating doubts and now she could be cut from the vines that held her captive in anxiety.

Chapter X

The Unraveling

              Brent and Joshua scrambled like worker ants on a mission. They never stopped moving. But that’s what little boys do and she loved being with them. She came alive when Joshua was born and her life changed in such an incredible way. With the additional blessing of Brent, she was filled with the new wonder she saw through her children’s eyes.

             
The boys were in their bathing trunks and jumping over the sprinkler when Brent jumped up and down and called, “Mama, look at that. Come here.”

             
The boys were crouched down, smiling with glee. Four tiny black puppies lay bundles together just beneath their wooden deck. The feisty neighbor’s dog was pregnant and apparently had found the spot she liked to have her litter. Finding a large basket in the garage, they laid towels inside and put the newborn pups inside. The boys were in awe of the little guys and stroked them gently.

             
“Can we keep them?” Brent asked.

             
“They belong to someone else, guys, but maybe someday we’ll get a puppy. We’ll see, but I will let you keep them till tomorrow before we give them to the family next door.”

             
When she tried to reach the neighbor, Bob, who she was sure it was his dog’s pup, she discovered they were not home and was told by a neighbor they had gone away for a few days. That left them the sole caretakers of the pups and the boys enjoyed this time feeding and playing with them. Watching the Brent and Joshua, she was so amazed at their charm and endearing personalities. She couldn’t imagine that Adam would not love them as much as her. He just had too.

             
She felt their relationship had moved forward enough that Adam should be introduced to her children.

             
When she spoke to Adam later, she asked him about her plan.

             
“I was wondering when you were going to introduce me to the little kiddies. I can’t wait to meet them and see your house. I had hoped you would ask me. You’ve met so many people in my family already. My Mum’s crazy about you. Even though she desperately wants me to stay married, she told me she really likes you and that if it must be, she is glad it’s so I could be with you. I want your kids to love me and think of me as someone who will help guide and protect them. I do girl, I do.”

             
“I hope you’ll say those words again real soon.”

             
“What do you mean?”

             
“I do.”

             
They both laughed but he didn’t seem to mind that she had said it.

             
“I’m so glad you said that, Adam. I love you for saying it. I can’t wait to have all the loves of my life in the same room with me – paradise. Say “Hi” to your Mom for me. She is such a peach; she just couldn’t be any sweeter. I hope she will get a chance to meet the boys in the next couple of weeks.”

             
“Love ya’, see you soon.”

             
Chris was in Illinois for two weeks visiting his family so Arianna thought this would be the perfect time to take the next step.

             
When the doorbell rang on Friday, Joshua ran to get it. He stood there with his hands on his hips and smiled and said, “Who are you?”

             
“I’m Adam. I’m a friend of your Mom’s. I bought you something.”

             
Brent was by Joshua’s side now; curiosity had overcome his shyness as he wanted to see what the present might be. Adam had brought them a soft, foam baseball mitt and ball. The boys tore into their new toy and were all smiles for Adam. It was a great beginning.

             
“Wow!” said Brent followed by Josh’s squeals of joy at an unexpected gift.

             
She hugged Adam, thanking him for his thoughtfulness.

             
“Thanks for doing that. You’ve got a smile right off.”

             
“Will you play with us?” Josh asked.

             
“Sure, come on guys, show me your stuff. I know you must be good ball players, right?”

             
“Let’s go,” said Brent.

             
They fell over each other playing and laughing. Her heart was warm and contented as she thought that this is how life should be.

             
After the ball playing, Adam volunteered to take them for a ride on his motorcycle. Arianna was nervous but agreed. He barely went 5 miles an hour and held them on with his hand while they gripped him tightly. It was a short one block ride but for the children it was like going to Disney World.

             
They continued to wrestle and play with him for several hours and ended their day at the ice cream parlor. When the day had come to its close and it was time for his departure, he said,

             
“You know, I’ve never been one to be liking kids all that much, but they’re great. I like being around them. I’m happy we finally all got together.”

             
“I worried a lot about your feelings about the boys. Your Mom said you never want to have children of your own. Is that still true?”

             
“Having a child is a tremendous responsibility and sometimes I still feel like I’m still a kid myself. Besides, we don’t have to have a child, we already have two boys.”

             
His words flowed over her like honey, the destiny in them as if he had planned on being her partner for life and was including her boys. At this moment, life was perfect.              He returned on Saturday night and spent the rest of the weekend with them. By the time he had left for work on Monday, the boys had been charmed by him. They planned a special outing for the following Saturday. She had wanted to go to the upscale steak house,
Bartholomew’s
. It was fairly expensive, but they hadn’t ventured out to a place like this before and she urged him to take her.

             
“Will you wear that new suit you bought? You look so incredibly handsome in it.”

             
“You know I will, but only for you. I haven’t been in a suit in God knows when. You’re the only girl that could get me to wear those clothes. My jeans and T’s are what I consider evening clothes. Yuppies wear that kind of stuff and no one will ever call me one of those.”

             
“Oh, Adam, what’s wrong with being uptown? It can’t hurt to have aspirations.”

             
“For me it can. I don’t have any of that blood in me, girl. You’re just going to have to get used to that. I ain’t never gonna’ wear no suit and tie in my life unless it’s something special. Everyone seems so fake to me who plays that game. I’d feel like I was shoved into one of those jack-in-the-box things. I’d feel like an idiot trying to be that kind of person.”

             
“I know my rebel boy, my hard to tame guy. You are truly unique, that’s what I love about you. You are like no one I have ever met before. I wouldn’t want you to be any other way but sometimes I hope we can at least visit that other world.”