Ivy's Twisted Vine Redux by Latrivia Nelson (the beach read txt) 📗

total surprise. His large, muscular arms hung over the armrest and his hand touched her thigh slightly causing a small arousal that she tried to repress by thinking of her sons. That’s how she had gotten in their predicament the first time. When she pulled up to his house, she moved his arm and watched the slits of eyes open to their full almond propensity. Gleaming at her now, he yawned again involuntarily and looked at her radio clock. It was officially four thirty, and Santo wasn’t home yet.

“Can I invite you in for cup of coffee?” Nicola asked as he sat up.

“I don’t think so,” she said hesitantly wiping her red eyes. She turned down the radio and turned to him.

“Well it’s either that or you’re forced to spend the night, because you’re too tired to make it home right now.” He nudged her side. “Come on. I promise not to bite.”

“Alright,” she said feeling the tiredness overwhelm her. “But I only plan to stay a minute.”

“Fine by me,” Nicola said opening his door. “I won’t be up much longer anyway.”

Ivy followed behind him quietly, hearing crickets chirp and feeling the dew on the grass as they cut across the lawn up to his front door. The streetlights gleamed down on them as he fumbled with his keys. Finally opening the door, he hit his alarm and escorted her inside. She was greeted by the familiar smell of fresh linen and Ralph Lauren Cologne. The cold air blasting from the air conditioner, the dimmed lights, perfectly cleaned house and picturesque bachelor pad were all things that she loved about his place. He closed the door behind her, threw his keys on the table and watched her walk into his kitchen.

“Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right back,” he said headed up the back stairwell to his bedroom.

Sitting in the kitchen, Ivy noticed that Nicola had gotten rid of all the alcohol he used to store in such abundance. There were pictures of the twins where under magnets on his refrigerator along with their first ultrasound. The kitchen was fully stocked, very unlike him. In all, she was proud of the visible changes that she saw him making, slowly coming around to parenthood.

“I’m back,” he said bouncing around the corner in a pair of navy blue basketball shorts and a white t-shirt.

“That was quick,” Ivy said getting up to tend to the brewing coffee. “Would you like a cup, too?”

“Yeah,” he said walking back into the kitchen more rejuvenated.

“You probably have as many pictures of the boys as I do,” she said looking at the refrigerator. Handing him a cup, she felt his fingers rub over hers causing them both to hesitate for just a moment. Ivy looked away.

“Thanks,” he said sitting down at the table.

“You’re welcome,” she said trying to control her rapidly beating heart. Until now she thought that she was well over Nicola’s boyish good looks and charm, but she was clearly mistaken.

“So, is everything ready for the wedding?” he asked trying to change the obvious subject they both dwelled on in silence.

“Nearly.” Her voice streaked. Clearing it, she began again. “Nearly, it is next week.” She sat down across from him and sipped on her coffee.

“It doesn’t seem like our kids have been here six weeks,” he smiled at her.

“I know. I was just thinking that tonight.” Their eyes met again before she looked back down at her coffee. She wished that he would find something else to look at besides her. “How’s Rachel?”

“She fine,” Nicola said looking down at his coffee. Touchy subject.

“She seemed…nice,” Ivy said running out of things to say. Suddenly, coffee didn’t sound like such a good idea.

“So, this is what you really want?” Nicola asked finally. Enough about Rachel and idle chat about their children. For Nicola, he needed to know where Ivy’s heart was.

“Yes, Nicola. I think so.”

“Well, I really think that you should be sure before you do this.” His nervousness began to show in his trembling voice. “You should…make sure that he is the man that will make you happy.”

“Everyone keeps telling me that, as if I don’t already know.” She looked up and sighed.

“Do you know?” His felt his nerve nearly leaving him with every word. “I mean, do you know that he’s the one.” His eyes darted unable to make eye contact for fear of being found out.

“At times.” And finally her nerve had left her. “It’s hard to explain, especially at nearly five in the morning.” She wiped her tired eyes trying to fight unneeded agitation.

“Point taken,” he said sipping his coffee.

“Thanks for tonight, though,” she said setting down her cup. “What you did…well, it was extremely thoughtful.”

“I just remember when someone did something like that for me once.” He didn’t look up. He simply sipped quietly.

“It was out of the same humanity that came from you tonight.”

“I thought what you did came out of love,” he said catching her off guard. “But you’re right tonight was out of humanity and respect.”

“Respect for him?”

“No, respect for you.”

“Right. Well, I’d better go.” Pulling away from table, she stood up and stretched.

“Okay,” Nicola’s voice faded. He didn’t want her to go. “Well, thanks for bringing me home.”

“No problem.” She couldn’t bring herself to look him in his eyes.

Walking to the door, Ivy felt Nicola watching her body as he walked behind her. The thought made her nearly stumble. She turned around slowly scared to face him.

“I’ll see you later,” she said hugging him softly, weakly.

“Alright, take care,” he said hugging and at the same time releasing her.

As Ivy opened the door to leave, she felt Nicola’s fingers around her again. She turned to see his eyes free of the hooded sexual look she had once seen but