Milan Stallion

Red faced

Gemma didn’t rest well that night and completely forgot to reply to Lorenz. The guy who had walked in on her would be feeling just as embarrassed she told herself and she wasn’t sure what she should do. After all what were bedrooms for sleep of course and more private acts. Well unless you were Todd and the hallway stairs would do she sardonically told herself. Oh how shameful. She wasn’t sure if to avoid him or to confront him or not. If the event remained secret Gemma didn’t mind so much she just hoped he was a decent guy. All she could do for now is wait this out and maybe avoid the others where she could. 

She got out of bed ready to shower for the day. It was the weekend and she wanted to explore some more. Her phone bleeped. It made her remember Lorenz again and how she hadn’t replied. It was a friend back in the UK wanting to find out how things were going. She sent a quick reply and a photo of some of the few views she had taken. She headed out into one of the main shopping streets not before grabbing a croissant and a coffee. She wanted a new handbag, hers was getting tatty and she had severe envy of many passers by a designer handbag in tow. 

Taking a tram the rest of the way she browsed the high street. She had plans to grab a sandwich for lunch and sit in a large park nearby she had found on her phone maps but for now she would shop. She found a pair of super short frayed denim shorts, and a cool band T-shirt. A different kind of look but she was enjoying experimenting, finding her own style. She found a good handbag in the sale. 

After a nice sunbathe in the park she walked back through a busy piazza. From the corner of her eye she saw her handsome stranger. Lorenz. He was with friends it looked like, a mix of men and women. She really didn’t want to go over the group looked seriously cool and she was sweaty after sunbathing and not wearing any make up. She pulled down her shades despite no sun in area and walked past. There was a whistle then a few seconds later as she continued on thundering footsteps. Lorenz had run up and brazenly touched her waist. He greeted her enthusiastically, he seemed more jovial than usual and she sensed the smell of cigarettes and alcohol she didn’t usually smell on him suggested he was enjoying himself. She smiled self consciously removing her sunglasses as she expected he would see the bags under her eyes from lack of sleep and no make up to conceal the fact. 

“Been shopping?” He gestures to the bags. Gemma lifted them “yeah, a few bits”. She was beginning to feel more at ease in his company, less star struck at his picture perfect looks. His hair she noticed was shorter, a haircut. “Here, let me walk you back?” Ever the gentleman. She hadn’t had company all day she could certainly do with some. They chatted some more. Small talk. Lots of laughing, he was cracking jokes some in English. They passed a geletaria with some seats inside, quiet, lilting music. Did he read her mind? or did she gaze at the shop for a bit too long? ‘Come on’ he said and dragged her in. They sat in a booth inside. He ordered them both chocolate ice cream. Gemma wasn’t keen on that. Was it an Italian thing to order for someone else? Or was it his way. He was pretty commanding she had already gathered. She wanted the ice cream though and she reveled in his company. He asked why she hadn’t texted back. She lied quickly avoiding eye contact that she had fallen asleep. He devoured his bowl while Gemma ate slowly. He watched her spoon the chocolate his eyes lingering on her lips. This she tried to ignore and ate on. 

“I like you Gemma” he smiled, eyes alight and his hand moved to her knee. She jumped slightly but tried to hide it. “Sorry, I’m being keen, I never play it so eager” he said and winked. Gemma smiled her dimples showing. “I’m glad we met” she bravely said. As they left, him paying, he got confident and his arm stayed around her waist most of the journey. The touch felt electric. The talking subsided some, his mood had grown thoughtful. Gemma was not great with small talk so the silence grew without Lorenz’s efforts. 

Well he knew this was home. Their meeting place. And here they were, as she fumbled for keys moving in front of him to the keyhole his hand moved from the waist to her bum. She slapped his hand away but she didn’t argue when he followed her in. She asked where he lived as she sat down on her bed. Perched as if this all wasn’t odd. He grabbed the desk chair. He talked about his apartment 15 minutes away by Tram. He shared with a friend. Nothing special he confessed. He asked about any romance in her life and she found herself divulging the whole Todd story. He acted appropriately appealed on her behalf so she resssured herself once more he was a good man. She was single she confirmed. Lorenz was single too she discovered. Given his flirty behaviour last night and today she wasn’t surprised. 

They talked for around 2 more hours, in the end both moving onto the floor to be sat closer together. Lorenz was a graphic designer. He talked about his family whom he sounded close to. He made her feel important asking lots of questions, listening intently. Then he did it. Grabbed her shoulder drew her in for a kiss. Her arm rested on his and she wasn’t surprised to discover toned muscle. This was enough excitement for one night Gemma decided and she stopped and advised him as much, saying she was tired. Hesitant to leave Lorenz got up and stuttered “let me take you out tomorrow night” and a date was arranged.