Gifted Connections 1

Me: Are you on birth control?

She texted back immediately.

Jemmy: That good, huh?

Me: No! Geesh. Just been thinking about things and if I ever decide to take that step, I want to make sure I’m prepared.

Jemmy: Lol we can call my OB in the morning ;) Try to keep it in your pants for a little longer.

Me: I’m looking for a new BFF and sister

Jemmy: You wouldn’t dare. You love me too much.

The whole night had been magical. Troy had ordered enough food for six people. He wanted me to experience foods I never had before, and everything tasted amazing. He was definitely a charmer and I knew why so many women fell for him. He was witty, and amusing and he had a way of looking at you, like you were the only women in the world.

He exuded confidence and sex appeal and I couldn’t help but notice how many looks he was receiving from other women in the restaurant. He looked amazing in a dark blue button up that strained against his muscles and his black slacks showed of his rear end nicely. He had a great butt. He put some gel in his hair, so the top was spiked up slightly, although, his sides were still immaculately short.

“Dessert?” he asked.

I looked at him incredulously. “Are you nuts?! We barely put a dent in the food we ordered. Even with my increased appetite.”

“Is that the only appetite that increased?” his voice was low, thick.

I took a sip of my wine (they never even bothered to card me). Troy had ordered a bottle with two glasses and they got it for us. No ID’s were checked. Although, I had a sneaking suspicion that Troy was well known here, based on the reception and familiarity everyone was showing towards him.

I couldn’t even be upset that he brought me to a place where I’m sure he had brought plenty of dates. Honestly, like he said, the past belonged in the past.

I stuck my spoon in the lobster bisque, although I was full, and ate a bite of it, making sure to suck the spoon before it left my mouth. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” I teased.

He visibly gulped. “That’s so not fair and you know it.”

“Can we get you anything else, Pietro?” a man with a thick accent asked. The way he was dressed, I would assume he was the owner or manager.

Pietro?

Troy began speaking rabidly in another language, which I assumed was Italian. They stopped talking and Troy pointed to the other man. Troy was so full of surprises today.

“Gio, this is my Blake. Blake, this is Gio. He owns this place.” Troy introduced us.

“Nice to meet you,” I held out my hand with a genuine smile. The wine had me feeling fine. Although, I had no intentions of even getting buzzed. I wasn’t going to start my first day at school feeling like crap. Especially since my audition was tomorrow.

“The pleasure is all mine, Bella,” he said as he took my proffered hand and kissed it. “Well, I must go. Don’t be strangers Pietro and Bella.”

I looked at Troy with a raised eyebrow. “Pietro and you speak Italian?”

He gave me a mysterious smile and shrugged. “Pietro was the name I was born with. The guys decided I didn’t look like a Pete, so they called me Troy. I’ve been Troy ever since.” He took a sip of wine. “Italian is only one of my languages. I also know Spanish and French.”

“How?” I asked truly curious. He didn’t even have a hint of an accent.

He smiled at me, but a shadow crossed his eyes. “Italian was what my father and mother spoke. The rule was we spoke English and only English outside of the house. When we were home, we were only allowed to speak Italian. I grew up here, in the Spanish district. I had to learn it to…get by. For fun, I decided to learn French in high school.”

“For fun, huh?” I asked amused.

“Well, we all can’t be as smart as you and Drake, so we have to shine somewhere.” He reached over and playfully tweaked my nose. “Are you ready to go? I wouldn’t want to get you home past your curfew.”

“The bill?” I asked with a raised brow, even though I already knew the answer.

“I did a security gig for Gio’s granddaughter a few months ago, he said my money was no good here,” Troy said as he stood and came around to help me out of my chair. I couldn’t help but notice that his hands had caressed my spine as he did so. Delicious shivers ran down my back.