Translation of Love - By Alice Montalvo-Tribue Page 0,22
I’ve managed to calm down enough that he won’t sense something’s wrong. I give myself a mental pep talk and lightly knock. Victor opens the door and the sight of him causes my breath to catch. Instantly, the panic that threatened to cripple me just moments ago is gone. The smile on his face tells me that everything is going to be okay. I’m not sure why he has a calming effect on me but it’s a welcome surprise.
“Hi, Babe,” he says. Instinctively, I walk into his arms. He wraps his arms around me, kisses the top of my head and asks, “Ellie, you okay?”
I tilt my head back so that I’m looking at his warm eyes. “I’m good. I’m glad you’re here,” I say softly.
He gives me a tight squeeze. “Me too,” he replies, loosening his hold on me. “Come on in. You hungry?”
“Starving,” I say with a nod.
“I am too. Whatcha in the mood for?” he asks like he actually cares. I’m not used to men caring about what I want.
“How about Chicken Parm?” I’m surprised that I’m even willing to offer a suggestion. My usual reply would be, “Whatever you want.”
“Chicken Parm, it is then.”
Victor saunters across the room. I can’t help but notice how his blue t-shirt hugs his chest. The dark wash jeans he’s wearing hang a little low. He sits on the couch next to me after our dinner has been ordered. I notice the air of confidence around him, how he carries himself with ease. He’s in control of every movement of his body, it’s almost graceful. He knows exactly what he’s doing and I wonder if it’s from years of putting on a performance in front of an audience. Whatever it is, it’s definitely a good look on him. He reaches over and pulls my hand into his. It makes me smile because I’ve come to expect this gesture from him in the short amount of time I’ve spent with him.
“You sure you’re okay?” he asks, bringing me out of my semi daze.
“I’m okay, why?”
He pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. “You just seemed…I don’t know upset maybe, when I opened the door.”
Fuck. He did notice that I was off earlier. “I’m sorry.” I divert my attention from his eyes down to the ground. “I’m fine, really. I guess I was a little nervous.” It’s true, I was nervous, but it was much more than that. I was on the verge of a full on panic attack, though I would never admit that to him.
“Hey,” he calls softly, pulling my chin up with a gentle tug of his hand on my chin. “You don’t have to be sorry. I was a little nervous too.”
He seems like such a good guy, the kind of guy who will do whatever it takes to make sure that you feel safe. The kind of guy who will calm your fears and hold your hand through the hard stuff. A guy like my dad was with my mom. A guy that I was sure a few days ago was impossible to find. I push these thoughts out of my head before the confusion grabs hold of me. I focus on what he’s just admitted to me.
“You were nervous?” I ask in a “yeah right” kind of tone.
“Yeah, I think maybe it was just the anticipation, driving down here earlier and then waiting for you to get here. Kind of did a number on my head.”
“Really?” I’m stunned by his admission.
He nodded his reply. “Then I saw your face, and all the nerves went away. I was just happy to see you.”
“Me too.” I look into his milk chocolate eyes and I see a change happen. They go from warm and sweet to heated, full of hunger. He wants to kiss me. I can tell just by that look. It weakens my already flimsy defenses. His lips brush against mine. The sensation stirs something inside of me, leaving me wanting more. I know he’s holding back for my sake, he’s keeping his promise of proceeding with caution. Before I can seek any further connection, a knock on the door brings us back to reality. He puts his forehead against mine and smiles. It’s a simple touch but it seems almost as intimate as his kiss.
“Food’s here,” he whispers. He moves to answer the door. He motions the room service attendant in and instructs him on where to arrange the food. We eat together and I tell