Chapter 5 Cassidy (POV)

I ran upstairs and quickly showered. I dried off with my favorite blue fluffy towel. I need to reminder myself to buy some more of these. They are so soft. I rub my Hemp Pumpkin Spice and Vanilla Chai body cream all over. I don't really wear make-up only a little lip color. I put my hair up and added some hair products to add a large, twisted curl to my hair. I fixed it to the side. I just love dresses from the 1950's so my next trip to town I need to see if my favorite store is open on Saturday afternoons. Edith's Dress Shop, it is next to this Italian Restaurant.

I have always wanted to go inside and order a real Italian dinner. But since I watch my money closely, I choose not to spend it on a whim. Maybe one day. I put my blue denim gold stitch jeans. I cuff these at the bottom. I just love the peddle pusher look. I have a pretty red and white checkered halter top on, and a white ribbon tied in a bow in my hair. I found that red low wedge heels that have ribbon that tie around the ankle. I was just waiting for the chance to wear these.

I grab my little clutch and check my lip color again before locking up my apartment. I head downstairs and Lorenzo is standing with his back to me. He is so tall and muscular. I wanted to just walk up and touch him. But I don't dare. I don't want to look like some hussy just wanting sex and flaunting around. That is not me. But there is something about this man that draws me to him. I feel a pull to him. Like I am meant to be with him. Is this fate? I have dreamt of my knight in shining armor. But those are just fairy tales. Right?

"I am ready." I quietly said. Lorenzo turned around slowly and paused. He was staring at me. I felt shivers up and down my body. He looked at me up and down. He held his hand out to me. I put my small hand in his large palm. He gently pulled me to him.

"Cara Mia, you are just beautiful." He said as he pulled my hand to his lips. Oh my! He kissed the back of my hand and looked down. "Cara Mia, what happened to your hand?"

I looked at my knuckles, "Oh, it looks like that guy that was here early bruised his face with my hand. Haha!" I laughed quietly. "I got really irritated when he thought he could come in here and man-handle me. Gave him something to think about. I punched him in the face and throat punched him. That is when you walked in. He fell back. A real jerk"

Lorenzo kissed my knuckles. Making my panties wet. He did not let go of my hand, which I really did not mind. He walked me to the back door. "I double checked the front doors. They are locked. I will close the door. You put the lock on it, and we will head to the front gate." He waited for me to engage the lock on the back roll-up door.

I turned to follow him, but he was waiting with his hand out again. I put my hand in his again and he pulled me close to his side. As we walked to the front gate, I noticed a long black Cadillac driving by slowly. The driver had the window down half-way, he looked at us and nodded. Then he drove off. What was that about?

I went to let go of Lorenzo's hand so I could close the gate, but he stopped me. He closed the gate and pulled the chains together and motioned to me to put the lock on. After setting the alarm I turned back to him, "Okay, all set."

"Your chariot, Cara Mia." He held his hand out for me to walk with him to the passenger's side. It was an older GMC Yukon. Maroon with wide all terrain tires. One of my favorite SUV's. He opened the door for me and helped my inside. It was lifted so he put his hands on my waist and lifted me up into it. Oh my, I have only seen this in the movies. I sat inside and he pulled the seat belt over my shoulder and engaged the lock, then double checked it.

He closed my door and walked around to the driver's side. He got inside and closed his door. "I somewhere special to take you. I hope you like Italian. My family has a restaurant downtown."

"I love Italian. But I could never afford a restaurant. I only made spaghetti at home with canned sauce. I hope I did not offend you with that." I laughed.

He laughed out loud, "No Cara Mia. I will treat you to the best."

"I do not want you to spend a lot of money on me. It is not necessary. I don't want you to think I am only going out with you because you have money." I put my head down. I started twisting my hands together.

"My angel, look at me." He said as he pulled the truck over to the side of the road. "I take you out because I have been trying to work up the courage for two years to ask you out. You are my crush. I have been waiting for a chance to talk to you. I know you have been extremely busy taking over your uncle's business. You do everything on your own. Let me take care of you this once. Please."

I was blushing, I felt my body blush. I had tears threatening to fall. He lifted my chin with his finger. "I know it has been hard on you since your uncle's death and losing your parents. You fight the world by yourself. You are strong. Please lean on me, just this once." I nodded slowly. He held his finger to my tears and wiped them off my face. "Now, let's go eat and enjoy the rest of the day." I smiled and nodded.

I felt my walls starting to break. Just a slight crack. I built walls up so no one can break me or my heart. I have no one. No one, it is just me. But there was something about him. Trust. Honor.

Could Lorenzo be the one? I have not actually had a relationship with a man. A real man. He is a real man. Could he be the one? I have to be very careful. I would only blame myself if I let him break my heart. He could be a smooth talker. You know the players talk really, really smooth. Just to get into your pants. Wham, bam, thank you ma'am.

I am naïve with men. Be strong Cassidy. I think back to when he kissed my hand. His lips were so soft. He beautiful chocolate eyes. I could drown in them.

We drove as short distance downtown. We pulled into a parking lot right next to a restaurant. When he helped me out of the truck, I looked up and gasped. "Oh, my goodness, I have been wanting to come here. Oh my. And there is a dress shop next door. Edith's! I have been saving money to buy another dress from there." I exclaimed. I hopped right in front of him. He laughed. "Let's go inside the dress shop first. Before she closes." He pulled me to him, and he put his arm around my waist. He held me close to him. It felt so good. But I was feeling a little strange. I have never had this.

We walked into the dress shop and the little belt over door rang. "Edith, It's me, Cassidy. Are you busy?"

"Oh, my dear child. I am never too busy for you." she came walking out quickly from the stockroom. She had some dresses in her hand. "I just got a new shipment in and was going to hand these up. Look around, look around. Enjoy." She winked at Lorenzo. Was that a secret message?

I was so excited. I drug Lorenzo over to the dress rack with me. "Oh, my goodness, look. She always has to coolest dresses. I buy most of my clothes here. I have a couple of things she is holding for me. I make payments here. She is the greatest."

"Does she now? I will be right back. I am going to check on our table." Lorenzo said and stepped out of the dress shop.

"Oh, my dear. He is just gorgeous. Where did you meet him? Don't let that one get away young lady. His family owns most of this city. He could really take care of you."

I blushed. "Oh, Edith, he is just so wonderful. I just met him today, but actually I have been servicing all of his family's big work trucks for a couple of years now." I pause. "Edith, tell me the truth. Is it wrong for me to have feelings for this man? My body warms up and I feel the shivers up and down. I feel my heart is about to jump out of my chest. I feel so safe with him. Is this wrong?"

"Oh, my sweet girl. No, the heart knows what the heart knows. It sounds like fate. Your body calls to him because you are his other half. Take it slow. I know you are young and inexperienced. He knows this too. He is respectable and well respected in this city. He is also feared. His family name carries a lot of weight. But do not fear him. He will keep you safe. Trust me." Edith quietly spoke and hugged me.

"Now, what is it that you are looking for today?" I always talk to Edith, like she was an aunt of mine. She makes me feel welcomed and gives me a family feeling.

"Oh, I just stopped in..." I paused as I heard the little bell ring again. "Oh, you have another customer up front. I will just keep looking." I told Edith.

I heard whispering up front. Then Edith walked to the back of the store. I looked up and Lorenzo was smiling.

"What?" I turned around and looked at myself in circle. "What, do I have something on my face?" I started to walk to one of the full-length mirrors in the shop. "No, you are only missing my lips on your cheek." I heard Lorenzo whisper. Dang it, shivers again.

I stood there in full blush. He keeps doing this. Why me? What is so interesting about me? I looked a few dresses. There was one dress that caught my eye. I was a black polka dot retro vintage style cocktail party swing dress. Three buttons on each of the front side. Sleeveless, it had extra tulle underneath for that extra flair, open in the back to the small of the my back. It was just beautiful. I held it to my body and turned around a couple of times. Being a specialty dress shop, most of the dress and outfits were pricing. But I often asked Edith to put somethings aside and I made payments. I still owed her for my 'layaway' items from last month.

"I will be back for you my lovely." I whispered to the dress as I put it back on the rack. "Edith, I will be back next week with a payment. Take care." I spoke to the storeroom doorway. She walked out and waved. She was on the phone. I do not like to take up too much of her time when she has other customers. I turned to Lorenzo, "Cara Mia, you are not buying anything?"

"Not right now. I have to save some more money. Is the table ready?"