Italian Café By Sunset (Part Two)

(JP with Redsword)

(Takes place Wed. night)

Zander let his fingers intertwine with Riley's, "It’s a really nice night."

"It is." Riley agreed as they stopped and looked out over the water.

Zander took a breath. "I really like you and I really want us to have more than tonight."

Riley was confused, "Why wouldn't we? I really like you too. I'd hope we can have more dates."

Zander shook his head, "I was so excited you said yes I wasn't thinking about what that might mean."

Riley turned to him confused. "What?"

Zander took her other hand in his. "I have another sibling and I think I should warn you about him before this goes any further."

Riley, her tone calm and reassuring, "Just tell me."

Zander told Riley that Doug was his brother and how Doug loved to make Zander's life miserable. He didn't say much else but he did add, "I'm worried that if he finds out I like you that he'll cause problems for you."

Riley looked directly at Zander. "You mean we like each other. Doug doesn't scare me. I'm not going anywhere."

Zander believed her; she seemed set on it. He couldn't tell her the rest; not yet but still he believed she wasn't one to be scared off by Doug.

A soft smile crossed her lips. "You believe me, right?"

Zander nodded, "I absolutely believe you."

"Good, " Riley turned and the two continued their walk.

*************************

JD looked up at the stars and inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. "I can never get too much of this. The ocean, the beach, and you." He pulls her in tighter as they walk. "I feel I can do anything around you. But I still have some doubts, like today, when I drove Riley's car. Her car is worth probably as much as my mom's and dad's cars put together. I don't know how to compete with that. I have told my father about us. He did warn me of that feeling and that I had nothing to worry about. I know I am ruining the evening but it just nagging at me and I hate it," he said sounding troubled.

Rose stopped walking and turned to JD taking both of his hands in hers. "You don't need to compete with anyone. Your father is right you don't have to worry. I like you for you but you already know that. It's not just me your friends also like you for you." She moved closer to him and kissed him. "You are pretty great, you know."

He gave her a warm smile his heart was racing. He had never felt this way about anyone before and was not sure what to do. Was he helping her or was she helping him? "Thanks, I am glad you think so. You are the most beautiful and awesome women I have known." His eyes dart left and right with no one around. JD gives her a long, passionate kiss.

Rose smiled at his compliment and easily gave into the kiss.

********************

Zander and Riley continued to walk; they were more enjoying the evening and being with each other more than talking a lot.

They stopped for a while looking out over the ocean, listening as the waves hit the shore.

Riley had her own things that she wasn't ready to tell him, yet, but had a feeling they'd get there.

Zander looked towards her. "I was wondering...I mean...would you go to the dance with me?"

Riley looked back at him. "Yes, I'd love to go with you."

Zander was happy he had asked her out and happier even she was turning out to be more amazing than he had even imagined. He slid a little closer to her.

Riley bit her lip as he moved closer and then slid her arm around his waist. Zander did the same around hers.

***********************

"I.....Um.., wow, well, I think we should walk to the garden now," Sounding a little out of breath. JD put his arm around her pulling her close to his side as they walked. With his heart beating harder he wanted a lot more. He wanted to give her everything right there. He calmed himself down. "I was wondering, do you want to come to my house this Sunday to sit on the beach maybe have a picnic on the beach?" he asked Rose.

The kiss left Rose breathless and a bit speechless. She walked with JD to the garden allowing herself a moment to catch her breath. They had walked for a short time when he asked about going to his house on Sunday. "Yes, that sounds nice." Spending time alone was something they had done only in short increments, never a whole day and Rose was looking forward to spending that time with him.

****************

Zander was thinking about kissing Riley. Riley was thinking about kissing Zander. Both of them wondered if it was too soon. Maybe they should wait but with the ocean and the sun having given way to the moon it just felt right.

Zander and Riley turned to each other at the same time. Looking into each other’s eyes they didn't move for what seemed like a long time.

Zander spoke quietly as if he couldn't believe he was saying the words he did. "I'd....I'd...." He took a breath and tried again but before he could say anything else Riley leaned in and gave him a short gentle kiss on the lips.

The kiss wasn't long but it was nice and they both stood there for another moment and smiled at each other.

After a few moments, Riley said, "Was that what you were going to ask? To kiss me?" When Zander affirmed what she thought to be true Riley went on. "Well, thank you for thinking to ask but for future reference you can. I give you permission."

******************

JD and Rose walked into the garden area. The path was not too narrow and there were flowers and bushes everywhere lining the path. The flowers were not at their peak being September and the temperature was in the 60's in the day and 40s at night, but still, a lot of colors are still able to be seen. JD led Rose onto a side trail then ended in a small clearing with a bench. He motioned for her to sit. They were alone and when they sat on the bench they could tell it was not easy to see them. "So what do you think of this place?" He asked putting his arm around her pulling her into him laying his head on hers.

Rose sat down and looked around."It's really nice here. I'd like to come back in the spring and bring my sketch pad." She commented then realized that he might not want to talk about art but it was more than her future, it was part of her. "Sorry, art is usually on my mind or at least in the back of it."

JD loved this moment he had never really done this before with a girl and a rather hot one at that. He never saw himself as good-looking. Now is here with Rose he wondered how long she will stay with him. "You're good, my mom comes out here to take pictures. I think she would like to paint but does not know how I think I am not sure why. Painting is your passion from what I know," he asked snuggling up to her and kissing her on the head.

"Sounds like your mom and Sam should get together and discuss photography. Sam and William used to talk about it." She hadn't expected to mention her brother, like that, but she also hadn't expected that it wouldn't feel so bad; not like it had in the past. "It is. I love painting." She loved drawing as well but painting was more her passion. It felt nice being in his arms she just cuddled up with him and was quiet for a moment as she looked out over the garden.

********************

Riley and Zander had shared the kiss and had started walking slowly back up the beach. Taking their time enjoying the night and each other.

Riley looked towards Zander, "So, I told you what I want to do after high school. How about you?"

Zander said without hesitation, "I want to work in cybersecurity. You know I want to be the person that is paid to legally hack into secure networks and find security breaches and then design programs to patch the breaches."

"That sounds interesting, " Riley meant that.

Zander had never been out with a girl that found his interest in computers remotely interesting. He was though starting to see he had just, perhaps, been going out with the wrong girls. "You're interested in computers?" He asked.

"Yes, well not to the degree that you are but cybersecurity is an interesting field," Riley explained.

Zander nodded, "Well, I could talk your ear off about it but I won't. If you do ever want to talk more about it or have questions just let me know."

"I'll do that," Riley responded.

*****************************

"Maybe one day I can get everyone over to my house. You can talk art on Sunday if you want with my mom. I am sure we won't get by without talking to my parents." He knew they would not be bad just annoying. "So what would your parents do If I come over to your house? Do you have a house or an estate?" asked JD.

Rose nodded as JD talked about maybe getting everyone to his house someday. He mentioned that they'd have to talk to his parents on Sunday. "That's fine. Your parents seem nice. I don't mind talking to them." Then he brought up her parents and she sighed. "They'll be ...cordial, I think. I'm afraid that would be the best to expect. They'd be very formal. Everything is on their terms and they would meet you when they said they were ready. I'm not even allowed to greet them until they say so. I'm sorry I can't say they'd be nicer but they just aren't that way." She really didn't like discussing her parents and it showed. She changed the subject. Pulling out her phone she scrolled through a few pics and stopped at one. "An estate. Here's a picture of the front of it." Letting him see the image of the large house with the fountains in front of it. "This is the main house," pointing to the larger house. She pointed to a smaller house off to the side. "This is the guest house. I only have images of the stables, some of the gardens, and the beach of the rest of the property.

JD smiled, "I don't have any pictures of my house. I will have to say it is the biggest house we have owned that I know of. As for your parents, it's cool. Anyways, I think it will work out. It does not matter, I am here, with the beautiful girl in the world and that's all that matters." He says giving Rose a kiss. "So, how long have you been painting?"

Rose was glad he wasn't phased by her parents she just wondered if he did get to meet them if that would change. "I've found the estate is easier to explain in pictures." She commented. "I've been painting since I was 3. My nanny noticed I might have talent in it and started to take me to art lessons after school. That was the same time I started gymnastics. I started with children my own age but the art teacher realized I was more advanced than the other students my age so he kept moving me up levels. I don't think he knew what to do with me because my art skills were so advanced but he didn't want to move me in with students that were so much older than me. So I ended up being tested to determine where should be. It didn't help much because I was still four but needed to be in high school level classes at least. My art teacher ended up giving me private lessons until I left for boarding school." She just realized how much she had said. "And you didn't ask for all of that." She laughed slightly, shaking her head.

**************************

Riley and Zander were almost back to where they had entered the beach. Riley pulled her phone out; checking the time. "Should we find out where Rose and JD went? We should probably get back soon."

"In a minute," Zander kissed her again. "I just had to get one last one in for the night."

Riley smiled at him and then texted Rose.

*****************

JD smiled, "You can talk freely say what you want. You don't need to hide anything from me if you don't want to. I think it is cool you have been painting for so long. I have been practicing music for about as long. and then there is my dad that has been teaching me how to shoot, Krav Maga fighting style, and other close-quarters combat since six." He pauses and sighs. "That's my one secret one I wish I did not know," He said sounding regretful.

Rose listened as he spoke. She didn't know what it was like to know that kind of thing. Her parents never considered anything that allowed her to defend herself very ladylike.

Rose's phone buzzed she still had it out from showing JD the pictures. "It's Riley. She said we need to go soon." Rose just realized the time and none of them wanted to miss curfew. Rose texted Riley back then turned to JD. "I kind of hate having to end this but she's right. We can't be out past curfew."

****************

Riley looked at her phone. "Rose says they'll be here soon."

The two went back to holding hands as they waited for their friends.

*************

JD sighs, "I wish we had more time here but you are right." He gives her a kiss and stands, putting his hand out to help her up. He keeps her close as they walk back to the Italian cafe.

Rose spotted Riley and Zander. She also spotted they were standing close together and holding hands she nodded towards the other couple quietly to JD, while they were still out of hearing range of the other two. "It looks like things went well for them."

Riley and Zander spotted the other couple and walked up to greet them.

Rose smiled at them, "Zander, thanks for paying earlier."

Zander said, "You're welcome. Thank both of you for venturing out with us tonight."

The four of them went back to Riley's car and headed back to school.