Was it really fast? They had begun this back and forth teasing relationship when Marc had helped them move to Maine back in April. Months of trying to not want each other. Ridiculous.

Marc held the door for her. The smell of garlic and cheese brushed by her senses, her stomach growling loudly.

"Geno... you here man?" Marc moved back to the door that must have led to the kitchen, pressing it open and yelling loudly.

"I'm-a here." The large Italian man moved toward them from the other side of the restaurant, the smile on his face warm and welcoming. "How did you convince this gorgeous creature to have-a dinner with you?"

Lisa chuckled as Marc's face colored with a blush. He shrugged as Geno popped him on the back and extended his hand to Lisa.

"I'm Geno. This is my place. Any friend of Marc's is family here. Take any seat you want and order anything that looks good to you. My treat."

"No, Geno. I got this." Marc moved toward Lisa, reaching for her hand and moving them into the belly of the restaurant. It was packed with people laughing and enjoying life. Wine bottles littered every table. Conversations couldn't be made out entirely - too many going on at one time.

Lisa walked closely to the handsome devil in front of her, her eyes moving down to watch the way his butt moved in his jeans. She bit her lip, looking up at him as he turned back toward her.

"There's a small private room back here. Intimate so we can talk."

"Sounds serious."

He shrugged, his smile dropping. He turned and moved through the rest of the room, slipping through a thin French door at the end of the large dining hall. Lisa's stomach contracted tightly. His playfulness was gone. Surely they weren't going to discuss the two of them. They needed to, but she didn't think she could handle his rejection.

He was free and liked being as so. She did too... before him. She had always promised herself that she would never be one of those girls. The needy ones that seemed to always need a guy by her side. She was independent and didn't need anyone.

Or didn't until April.

Sighing softly, Lisa slipped in behind him and walked languidly toward the table. He moved her chair back and she sat down, taking in the room. It wasn't much bigger than the average size bedroom in a home, only a few tables sitting empty around them. A large fireplace roared behind them and the air conditioner buzzed above. She smoothed down the front of her dress and pulled her chair up before tucking a long strand of her hair behind her ears.

"Were you serious earlier?" Marc sat down and pulled his napkin into his lap.

"About what?"

"About us getting leather jackets, tattoos and riding a Harley together." He laughed as she smiled, her finger brushing by her lips as she watched him.

"I don’t think I mentioned tattoos, but the rest I would actually love to do."

"Doesn't seem at all like you. Not the ‘you’ I've come to know over the last few months." He looked up, ordering a bottle of red wine from the server.

"We spent time together in April, but not much since then. There’s a lot you don't know about me."

"It's the freedom of it, isn't it?" He tilted his head to the side, sitting back and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Riding the bike? Yes. There's something to be said about being a rebel and leaving the world behind in the dust. I've always wanted to experience it." She shrugged, her expression following the depression settling into her. She would leave and he would meet someone else. Life would never be the same and she hated herself for falling in love with him.

"We didn't talk much since April because you didn't want to, remember?"

"I know. I'm not sure that this isn't a mistake as well." She turned her attention to the bread basket in the center of the table, pulling out a piece and dipping it in the butter that sat before her.

"Can we not just enjoy each other when we're together?"

"And what about when we're not?"

"Lisa..."

"I don't want to talk about this. New subject. Not interested in starting these types of conversations in my mid-twenties." She laughed, but the sound fell flat. "My business is growing quite a bit in Maine. Best move I’ve made from a real estate perspective."

"That's great news."

"How's school?"

"It's going good. Just trying to keep my head above water with academics and sports." He shrugged. "I'm ready to be done."

"Three more years?"

"One and a half. I'm skipping over the master’s. I think medicine is for someone else. I'm going to look into wrapping up my Biology degree and maybe teaching for a while."

"Sounds great. How's your mom?"

Geno appeared beside them, pointing to the menus. "You-a guy’s gonna order off the menu or you want to try something new I whipped up today?"

"Chicken Parm for me." Marc looked toward Geno, the two of them smiling like a joke was being passed between them.

"I'll try whatever you whipped up today. I'm not picky." She handed over her menu before reaching for the wine bottle. She poured Marc a glass and then herself. Marc and Geno talked for a few minutes about Kari and her adventures in Maine.

"I'll have some salads out here for you guys soon." He popped Marc on the shoulder. "Hang on to this one, boy... She's something special."

"How so?" Lisa asked, leaning forward and letting her confidence find its place back on her features.

"You're willing to trust me and try my new creation. Smart girl. I know Italian food. I've cooked and eaten my share of it." He patted his large stomach and chuckled, the sound drawing Lisa's lips into a smile.

Geno walked away, singing something in a beautiful tenor. Lisa turned her attention back to Marc.

"Are we really going to pussyfoot around this conversation?" he spoke, leaning toward her, his stare pinning her in place. She reached across the table and ran her fingers through his unruly hair, sliding her hand down the side of his face.

"I can't have this conversation. I don't know how it will go and being vulnerable isn't something I'm interested in. I'll leave if you bring it up again. Got it?"

He nodded, placing his hand over hers and turning it to kiss her palm. "Fine. But we're talking about us before you leave tomorrow."

"I agree. Tonight let’s just enjoy the food, the wine and the possibility of you taking me violently again later tonight."

"Death, taxes and me wanting to fuck you senseless. All unavoidable events." He kissed her hand again and moved back. Lisa sat back in her seat, letting out a soft sigh.

"Tell me how your mom is."

"She's good. She's making a big lunch after church tomorrow. I told her I would drag you over there if you're free."

"She wants to see me?" Lisa laughed loudly, the emotion bringing a buzz of happiness to her. "She hates me."

"She does not. She's just a holy roller. Cursing and fucking offend her. It's not you... it's your wicked, sinful ways."

"So no telling her that you took me in a dressing room today?"

Marc visibly paled. Lisa laughed loudly again, leaning back and crossing one arm over her chest, her other hand tilting her glass of wine back and forth.

He was beyond stunning. His chestnut hair was almost too long, the large curls fitting him well. Dark brown eyes filled with mischief stared at her, his lips full and so very kissable.