paradisalogs | Eyes wide shut, unopened

They could be here all day if they get into that particular conversation, so Cass leans over to grab one of his pillows and toss it at him. She's aiming for his butt, of course.

"Won't give you quarter, if you... don't hurry up. Maximus is waiting."

He lets it bounce off him, and he laughs.

"And what would my punishment be, hmm? I think I could stand a little conflict between us."

Ezio casually lets the lacing at the collar of his shirt hang loose, exposing a fair bit of his chest for the hot weather, and he walks towards her with his usual swagger.

"Besides, Maximus is used to waiting for me when he knows I am busy with pretty girls."

"Could spar later, after riding." She's grinning up at him as he comes closer and yes, appreciating the view he's giving her. Why not? Looking never hurt anyone. "Could show you then."

She should probably get up now, but she stays right where she is on his bed. Her ability to read his plan will make surprising her a little difficult, but she still wants to see if he can, what he'll do.

Ezio grins, coming right up to her and sitting down next to her, one hand immediately running up her inner thigh.

"You aren't giving me much incentive to hurry, dolcezza."

"No," she agrees, sounding a little guilty about it. She's watching his hand though, glad and at the same time not at all glad that she's wearing jeans today. Suddenly she feels very warm, but it has nothing to do with the weather.

He stops his hand at the apex of her thigh and groin, index finger wandering over the crotch of her jeans.

"No?" he remarks, leaning his face closer to hers. "We could delay here a bit longer, then."

And that is like a bucket of ice water being thrown over her. The idea of Steph coming along and catching them like this is anything but pleasant, so Cass takes Ezio's hand, turns her head to kiss him on the cheek, and stands up, tugging to make him come with her.

If her lips landed a little too close to the corner of his mouth, well, that's his fault. Somehow, it's his fault.

"Full day planned." That's kind of a lie, she's making most of this up as she goes. "If we... don't go now, won't have time."

It's hard to hide the disappointment on his face, but if she's not up for it... well. She must have her reasons, and all he could do is wait, and the kiss is a decent consolation. He stands up with her.

"Well, then, if there is a schedule, then I suppose I cannot make us tardy..."

The disappointment isn't much of a surprise, but there's not much she can do about it now. She meant it when she told him she wouldn't be an easy target for him and she still has no interest in becoming some achievement for him, just another woman he's slept with because he could. She thinks that's less likely now, but this is hardly the time to find out.

She leads him out of the room and after the door is closed and there's no beds in sight, she turns to hug him tightly.

"Happy birthday, Ezio."

He has to chuckle, despite himself, wrapping him up in that hug.

"Thank you, dolcezza. Do you know what we say to people on their birthday in Italy?"

Obviously she doesn't, but she'll humor him.

"Nope. Should tell me, so I... can say it."

"Either centi di questi giorni or tanti auguri. Good wishes for many more of these days."

And here she half expected him to tell her something dirty so she'd repeat it. She smiles up at him, then attempts the shorter one.

"Tanti... auguri, amore." Her accent is probably not good at all, but at least she gave it a shot.

That will come, Cass. That will come.

Ezio chuckles.

"Good enough!"

"Now I can... mangle two languages." She looks kind of amused by that prospect. It doesn't last long though, starts to turn more mischievous.

"You asked... what punishment would be?"

And now she swats his ass, not enough to hurt but hard enough that he'll feel it, and breaks away from him to back down the hallway. He gets one last grin before she breaks into a run, clearly expecting him to give chase. Surely he's not so old that he can't catch up to her.

He laughs, immediately giving chase. He doesn't just run, either –– Ezio sprints after her with purpose, fully intending to sweep her off her feet when he catches her.

"You should spank me harder than that, dolcezza! Otherwise I'll like it too much!"

This is unexpected, she really thought maybe there would be a leisurely jog, a halfhearted race because he had protested getting out of bed so much. The sound of his feet catching up to her so quickly is nothing less than gratifying, the kind of good feeling that only comes with an evenly matched competition.

She doesn't have super speed, her ability simply lets her see what someone is going to do so she can get there first. It often looks like she's got the speed of a metahuman, but it's really a cheat.

What he's said doesn't help her go faster, either. It's a distraction while she considers that, him liking that sort of thing, and she can hear him gaining on her. A glance over her shoulder shows he's only a few strides behind her, but she's still winning so she flashes him a quick grin.

"Pretty sure- you'd still like it!"

Ezio's laughter is loud and booming in return, and as his hands reach for her waist he replies: "You're right! I'd love it!"

She'll just list that, along with the knowledge of exactly what Little Ezio looks like, among the things that she probably should not know. He's close now, she can feel his fingers against her side and there's a corner coming up. She'll have to slow down for the turn.

He's going to catch her after all and she isn't really all that upset about it. Stephanie is going to kill her, they haven't even made it outside yet.

With a surprisingly practiced skill, Ezio lifts her right off her feet and hefts her over one shoulder, slowing down in the process.

"I have you now!"

She grabs for his waist to steady herself, unable to help the breathless laugh that gets forced out of her at his handling.

"Maximus is... outside, tied up." She tries to twist so she can see his face, but it doesn't work very well. "Take me there?"

"So that I can carry you away to my own castle? Of course."

Walking now, he heads down the stairs.

This is progress! He's not hauling her back up to his room, so it counts. She's very pleased with herself now.

"And where is that?"

If he thought he could haul her back to his room and ravish her, he would... but Cass is too flighty for that, unfortunately.

"Far away from here. In Toscana."

Some things must be sacrificed for the sake of surprise parties and today, ravishment is one of them. And that's a new word, for Cass.

"Toscana?"

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