I heard raised voices next door. Isaac and Alexa were having one of their spats again. I went to the balcony and lit a cigarette. There was no corner of Rome that wasn't pretty. Today was going to be full of more sight-seeing. In the evening we were planning on going to a local club called Caruso Caffé.
In the meantime, I was tired of listening to yet another argument, so I grabbed my bag, texted Isaac that I was going exploring, and walked outside. The most enchanting thing about Rome is that you can get entirely and utterly lost, meandering down some random street or two, and next thing you know, you're in front of the Trevi Fountain.
I decided to do the tourist thing and throw in a coin. I grabbed a Euro and rolled it around in my hand, until it was warmed by my body heat. I closed my eyes, sighed, and tossed it in.
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I was in my room getting ready for the evening. We just had a couple of days left to savor Italy, so I wanted to make the most of it. I decided to curl my hair, and put on an audacious coating of dark , red lipstick. I pulled a dress out of my closet that I had been saving for a special occasion; it was black, with a scooping neckline, and with a layer of lace over the body. The middle of it was see through. I picked some strappy, black heels to wear with it. For good measure, I sprayed some "fuck me" perfume on as well. Good luck, Isaac.
Isaac and Alexa were waiting at the hotel entrance. He looked dashing with dress pants and a white button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Alexa was looking miffed, but quite pretty in her short, red strapless piece.
Caruso Caffé was a fairly classy establishment. Everyone looked great, but that might've just been because we were in Italy. We ordered a few rounds. As I was standing by the bar, a familiar voice asked if he could buy my drinks again. I turned to see Paolo smiling at me.
"Why of course", I smiled.
"I must say, bambina, you look beautiful tonight". I thanked him, and we finished off our drinks.
"Care to dance?" he asked. I accepted, and we moved to the dance floor.
Paolo was a great dancer, and respectful. I was used to the grabby men of American clubs, and this was a welcome change. I could see Isaac and Alexa in the corner of my eyes. Alexa was either pretty drunk or just not a shy girl. She was grinding on Isaac and pressing her ass hard against his crotch.
I tried to focus on dancing with Paolo, but I couldn't stop glancing over. I was staring at Isaac's hands on Alexa's hips and thinking about how those hands felt on me. Alexa turned to Isaac and started making out with him. I raised my hand to brush my hair out of my face and caught the distinct scent of iron that change leaves on your fingers. At that moment, I saw Alexa grab Isaac's hand and press it up between her legs. I felt nauseas. I told Paolo I needed a drink.
We sat in silence for a few seconds. Then Paolo got up and said, "I can tell when a woman is distracted, bambina. You are incredible. And you are not that woman. If he sees, he sees". He kissed me on the cheek and squeezed my hand. I looked down and saw his business card, "if you change your mind," he said.
I looked across the dance floor. Alexa was staring angrily at Isaac, who was watching Paolo exit the club. I started walking quickly to the bathroom, which was down a long, dark hallway. I put my back against the wall, tilted my head back, and closed my eyes. Fuck.
I heard footsteps. When I looked up, I saw Isaac.
"What the hell were you doing?" he thundered.
"Excuse me?"
"Are you trying to make me jealous?" he demanded.
Suddenly pissed off, I snapped, "Go dance with your fucking girlfriend, Isaac. I think you haven't publicly fondled her for too long" I turned to go inside the bathroom, but he grabbed my arm and whirled me around to look at him.