Rifiuto: Non Miriena
"Come on, Zane, give me the keys!"
"Why should I?"
"Because I want to ride!"
"You can. Behind me."
"That's not fair! I want to drive!"
"It's my motorcycle!" She snorted, crossing her arms over her chest as he pulled his helmet on and hooked it. "Don't look at me in that tone of voice. It's annoying."
"You're annoying." He rolled his eyes and gunned the engine.
"You getting on or what?" He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. She was watching their parents, but neither were paying attention. They were too absorbed in conversation, sitting at the table on the patio, chatting aimably. A moment passed, before she huffed and climbed onto the bike behind him. With a glower, she put the helmet on, and then wrapped her arms tight around his waist, resting her head on his shoulder. Tessa and James looked up as the bike roared to life, and the two sped off. James shook his head, chuckling.
As they rode through the back hills of Jersey, Zane felt her tighten her grip on his waist. She rested her chin on his shoulder, and her body melded to his as they rode. Jo wasn't like other girls- most of the girls he'd dated wouldn't even get on the bike, let alone hold onto him; not like she did. Jo wrapped her body around his, holding tight to him as they took the curves of the road or sped down a hill.
When Zane bought the bike, Jo had instantly volunteered to help fix it up, and when she insisted he teach her how to ride, all three of her brothers had protested; Luca the most, because he and Jo were two years apart, and closest of all the Lupo siblings, and he didn't want Zane to damage or destroy his baby sister and partner-in-crime. So Luca had helped teach Jo how to ride the bike- using the bike he'd bought when he turned sixteen. Now, she wrapped her small body around his, letting the wind blow her hair back, and the familiar motion of the bike on road lull her to sleep. As Zane turned onto the dirt road that would take them to the lake, he felt her grip tighten, and chanced a glance back. Sound asleep.
He cut the engine before reaching down and taking her hand. Pressing a kiss into her palm, he whispered, "Jojo, babe, wake up. Come on, wake up for me." It took a few minutes, but eventually, her sleepy brown eyes met his, and she pulled away, stretching. She quickly removed the helmet and hopped off the bike- only to land in Zane's arms as she staggered towards him. "Whoa, careful babe. Let yourself wake up first." Instead, she curled into his chest and wrapped her arms around him, closing her eyes. He chuckled, and wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss to her hair. "Come on."
They walked for several minutes, moving over the old hiking trail that led to the secluded aclove that, years ago, they had claimed for themselves. Hidden back in the dense grove of old oaks which created a canopy, perfect for sleeping when without tent, it overlooked the lake, with just enough brush overgrowth creating a sort of hidden passage. The two lovers had stumbled upon it as pre-teens, and instantly claimed it as their spot. They shared their deepest secrets, and admitted their fantasies within the protected brush walls of their hideaway, even sharing several of their firsts. Tonight, they would share one more.
Zane had brought everything needed for their usual camp-out, dropping the sleeping bags and various other equipment off earlier before picking up Jo. Now, as they settled in their spot, he quickly started a fire and sat back against a tree trunk, stretching his legs out. Jo was laying on her sleeping bag, staring at the fire, being lulled back into sleep. Zane wouldn't let that happened. They needed to talk first. "Jo." She didn't respond. "Jojo." Slowly, she lifted her head; her eyes were already half-closed as she met his gaze. He opened his arms to her and she crawled towards him, settling into his embrace. She sighed.
"This is nice."
"It is." He squeezed her gently, before pressing a kiss to her forehead. "We need to talk, Jojo." She shook her head, burying her face in his chest. "Yes. We have too."
When she met his gaze this time, he realized why she'd slept on the ride over. Obviously, she'd been up all night, worrying about the next step- the step that could change her life. The step that could make or break them. "I don't want to talk, Zane. All you're going to do is tell me what a wonderful oppertunity this is, and how I can't throw it away and that you will make sure I'm on the next plane to Oregon even if you have to carry me on yourself. It's the same conversation I've been having with everybody for the last six weeks, and I don't want to have it anymore." She turned, pushing his legs out and settling between them until she had comfortably settled with her back against his chest. He sighed, wrapping his arms tight around her and laying his cheek on her head.
"I know. I don't want you to go. The last thing I want is to send my girl off halfway across the country while I'm stuck here."
"Better across the country than halfway across the world." She muttered, playing with his hands. He 'hmmed' softly in response, but didn't press. He knew that if he pressed, she would just shut down and then he'd never get her to open up again. He'd learned that the hard way, after she'd come back from war. After she'd been rescued. Operated on. Given a horrible diagnosis and then risen above it. "I want you to come." He brushed him lips against her head, chuckling softly.
"I know, and I want to go. But I can't." She turned to meet his gaze; tears welled in her eyes. It was rare to see Jo cry; she was so talented at keeping her emotions hidden, but now, she couldn't, and didn't. "Don't do that, Jojo." Gently, he reached up, brushing a tear away. She pressed her cheek into his hand, reaching up to cover his hand in hers, and the tears flowed fresh. When her tear-filled chocolate gaze met his, he leaned down, capturing her lips in his; in a passionate kiss that told her that, even though they'd be miles apart, he would always be her guy. No matter what.