Second Chances (Traveling Hearts - Vol. 2): Traveling Hearts, #2

By Ana Vela

Volume 2 of the Traveling Hearts series!

In one day, Kelsey Truman's life was turned upside down: She was fired from the job she loved and she caught her fiancé cheating on her.

Nursing her broken heart and bruised ego, the normally shy, reserved financial analyst decided to leave what was left of her life and go on an around-the-world tour with her best friend. It’s just the change she needs!

Now, she finds herself in Italy, taking in the sights, tastes, and sounds of an entirely new world. After an unexpected meeting, however, will she stay? And, if not, where will she go next?

What will this crazy trip have in store for her? And who is this mysterious man she seems to keep running into…?

Note: Parts of Traveling Hearts were previously published as Holiday Delights.

Also includes Sneak Peeks at some upcoming novels!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roja Publishing
• Release date: Nov 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781540115737

Book preview

Volume 2 of the Traveling Hearts series!

In one day, Kelsey Truman's life was turned upside down: She was fired from the job she loved and she caught her fiancé cheating on her.

Nursing her broken heart and bruised ego, the normally shy, reserved financial analyst decided to leave what was left of her life and go on an around-the-world tour with her best friend. It’s just the change she needs!

Now, she finds herself in Italy, taking in the sights, tastes, and sounds of an entirely new world. After an unexpected meeting, however, will she stay? And, if not, where will she go next?

What will this crazy trip have in store for her? And who is this mysterious man she seems to keep running into...?

Note: Parts of Traveling Hearts were previously published as Holiday Delights.

Also includes Sneak Peeks at some upcoming novels!

~Volume Two – Second Chances~

Kelsey Truman fell on the deck chair, exhausted. She had worked a full 5 hours, planting the brocoletto, beans, and other vegetables, fed the chickens and goats, gathered olives and walnuts, then walked to the town of Orvieto (almost two hours each way) for some cappuccino and shopping and, finally, returned to prepare dinner. In her quest to find herself, the 29-year old financial analyst from New York sold all of her possessions to start her year-long around the world trip.

Well, it wasn’t just about finding herself. She was also trying to forget her fiancé, well, ex-fiancé. Carl van Doren was everything that a girl could want – rich, handsome, and smart. He was also a cheating bastard, with an evil grandmother who encouraged him to date Kelsey for her money management skills. After catching Carl in the act (and getting fired the same day), Kelsey made the rash decision to leave it all behind and travel the world, which now, she knew was the right thing to do. Travel had brought her a kind of peace, but it was also completely exciting and she was doing new things everyday.

After spending her first few months in Asia (and, unfortunately, spending a lot of her money), she moved on to Europe. To save some cash, she found work at farms, working a few hours a day for her food and lodging, before moving on the her next destination. She had worked in Spain and Germany, and now she found herself in a little farm outside Rome, working for a widowed Italian woman, Alessandra Pietro, who had a farm and a teenage daughter named Christina.

The work was actually easy compared to her hosts in Germany (who owned a horse farm) and Spain (a wheat farmer who also owned a bakery). If anything, she sometimes felt she was there as a chaperone to Christina when Alessandra was away once a week tending to the second farm in Perugia. She had plenty of free time, after her duties, to take walks around the farm and sometimes go to the town to look at the shops and have a coffee and pastry.

Kelseeeeyyyyy! she heard Alessandra’s high-pitched shriek. Alessandra was a lovely woman, if a little strange. She was still quite youthful, widowed with 3 children. The older boys lived on their own and Christina was still 15 years old and lived on the farm. Kelseeeyy! Up here!

Kelsey looked up towards Alessandra’s balcony. The woman was sunbathing on her deck. Topless, of course.

Oh...hi, Alessandra! she greeted back.

Anyone else would have blushed at the sight, but this was already the 5th time this week she had seen Alessandra topless. The first time she did, Alesandra had invited her and the other workers for a dip in the pool. She and the others (an English couple and another American) went to change into their suits, and when they came back Alessandra had removed her top and bra and jumped into the pool.

Kesleeeey! I have good news! My Dante is coming home this weekend!

Alesandra’s eldest son, Dante, lived in Rome. Kelsey had never seen him, but it was obvious that Alesandra was very happy to have him come home. Kelsey had never seen either of the boys, actually, but she had seen their pictures. Both here handsome, very quintessentially Italian with dark hair and olive complexion, much like their father.

Awesome news, Alessandra! she said. What should we make for dinner?

Oh, we should make the steak! And some of the potatoes with rosemary!

Kelsey gave her the thumbs up, writing a mental note to pick some rosemary from the bush next to her cottage. The other farm workers had left a few days ago, but Kelsey rather liked the Pietro farm. It was a little far from the town and the train station, which made traveling to other places difficult. But she liked the quiet, the routine, and having time to herself. She had the worker’s cottage all to herself now. She loved making coffee in the morning with the Bialetti, and having it with homemade toast bread and jam before she started her duties.

Yes, it was a nice quiet life, although she did sometimes miss Asia and the craziness. She thought of her friend, Alex, who was also on her own trip and their last night in Bangkok. She shivered, thinking of that last night with a certain brown-eyed man. However, a small part of her was also thinking of another man. She shook her head taking those thoughts out of her head. She already decided that men were bad news. Go out with them, laugh with them, heck, fuck them, but no way was she getting hung up over just one man again, at least not for a very long time.

*****

Kelsey had volunteered to cook dinner that night, so Alesandra could prepare herself and also spend time with her son and daughter. Normally, cooking wasn’t part of her duties, but she also missed having a kitchen and making food. She was cutting the potatoes and placing them in the roasting pan when she heard a deep voice behind her.

Buongiorno, signorina.

She nearly dropped the pan in surprise. Kelsey turned around.

Oh my...hello.

The man smiled at her, that devilish smile that men do when they are thinking of well, naughty things.

I...I am Dante... the man responded, in broken English.

Kelsey put down the pan and wiped her hands on her apron.

Oh, hello. I’m Kelsey! She stuck her hand out for a handshake. Dante took her hand and pulled her in for two kisses on her cheek.

Nice...to meet you...Americana?? Si?

She nodded, a little flushed by his closeness. Dante’s pictures did not do him justice. His curly black hair was much darker than it appeared, his skin darkened by the sun. He was wearing a tight dark shirt, which showed off a muscled chest and burly arms. Alesandra had said he worked at the docks in Rome as a foreman for the loaders. It was obvious his work kept him in great shape. She could already imagine him, on a hot day, with his shirt off, sweating buckets as he lifted sacks of.....whatever...on and off those big boats.

Sorry...my English...not very good... his voice snapped her out of her daydream.

Oh, no problem...although my Italian is not very good.

Dante! she heard Alesandra’s voice. She nearly jumped away. Mother and son hugged, exchanging fast pleasantries in Italian. Kelsey turned back to the preparation of dinner, with a slight smile creeping across her face.

*****

Dinner was excellent. Kelsey had thought that she had overcooked the steak, but everything turned out well. She also made a fresh green salad, which everyone also enjoyed. Alessandra sat at the head of the table, with Christina on her left and Dante on her right. Kelsey sat down next to Dante. She sat back, enjoying the warm family scene. Of course, she couldn’t keep up with the conversation, since it was all in Italian, but Alessandra took pity on her a few times, translating or explaining the joke.

Oh Kelseeeey, I’m so sorry if you feel left out! Alessandra slurred. She had a few glasses of wine tonight and was obviously tipsy.

Oh, no worries, Alessandra, she said. I know Dante is rarely ever home, so you should have as much time with him as you can.

Oh, Kelseeey is so nice, she said in Italian to Dante. He nodded and replied to his mother in Italian.

Kelsey smiled back. Dante gave her that sly smile again. Then she nearly jumped out of her chair when she felt a warm hand on her thigh. Her smile stayed tight on her face. She wasn’t sure what to do. She was a guest, somewhat, and it’s not like she was unappreciative of the attention (she was ogling him with her mouth open when he walked in earlier in the evening, after all). She relaxed and shoulders, sat back and slipped a foot out of her shoe and slid it along his.

Dante was cool as a cucumber, not showing any emotion on his face and continued to casually chat with his mother, even as he moved his hand higher up her thigh.

Fortunately (or unfortunately) it went no further than that, as Alessandra decided they should go out to the back porch for some more wine. Christina said she had homework to do and went up to her room. Alessandra shooed Kelsey and Dante to the porch. Kelsey walked out into the darkness, feeling for the lamp, when she felt a hand snake around her waist and pull her close to a hard chest.

Hmm Kelsey... he nuzzled her bare neck, making her shiver.

She sighed and let him continue. His right arm held her close, while his left hand lazily moved up her rib cage, up the side of her breast.

Dante...we can’t...you’re mother’s been so nice and I’m going to be here for awhile still, it’s going to get awkward...

Of course, with his limited English, he didn’t understand a word she said and continued to do just exactly what he was doing.

Kelsey, Dante! Where are you, it’s dark, turn on the light!

By the time Alessandra had turned the lights on, Dante and Kelsey had moved apart from each other.

Wine? she asked with a smile on her face. Kelsey sighed in relief and nodded yes.

The rest of the night went off without incident, and Kelsey had another two glasses before waving off Alessandra when she tried to pour her another glass.

I’m sorry to be rude, she said to Alessandra. but I’ve had a lot already and I have to wake up early tomorrow.

Oh, Kelsey, tomorrow is Saturday, you can sleep in, said Alessandra, who insisted in pouring her another glass. Kelsey couldn’t refuse and picked up her glass for another sip. After Alessandra tried to give her a fifth glass, she was firmer and refused, standing up to go to her cottage and leaving mother and son to talk.

Kelsey was tipsy and exhausted when she stumbled into her room. She brushed her teeth, slipped into her pajamas and turned off the light when she got into bed. She had never lived in the countryside and never really realized how dark it was when there was no light. Whether her eyes were opened or closed, it was pitch dark. She closed her eyes and quickly fell into a deep sleep.

*****

Kelsey was dreaming. She dreamt of stark blue eyes and jet-black hair. She dreamt she was in a soft bed, with silk sheets. A hand moved up her legs, pulling the sheet aside, touching her thighs. She moaned as she felt a weight shift the featherbed she was lying on. The dream was so real, as she inhaled a fresh, masculine scent through her nostrils.

She opened her eyes. It was still pitch dark but she definitely was awake and there definitely was someone in bed with her.

What the—-

A pair of lips silenced her. Warm, delicious, wet. His tongue slipped between her lips. He tasted sweet and salty.

Kelsey, it’s Dante

She almost giggled. She sure hoped it was him! Of course, part of her wished something would happen during his visit. She just didn’t think it would be this soon. He stopped touching her and stopped kissing her. He put his lips near her ear.

Kelsey..is...si?

This time, she did giggle a little bit, a girlish giggle.

Ah yes...si, si.

It was dark, but she could feel him smile.

Oh bella...Kelsey...

He swooped down for another passionate kiss. He whispered some words to her in Italian, but she couldn’t understand. Of course, she didn’t need to understand, not when his hands had grabbed her pajamas and panties, taking them off in one swoop. Now that she understood. His placed his hand on her and cupped her mound, his fingers delved into her moistening pussy. She moaned into his mouth. He placed a finger on her clit, moving in slow circles.

Ohh....ohhh

She felt her body tense up, the pleasure building in her. His fingers were warm and she could feel every callous and mark on them. She thought she was about to come, but he stopped, the brute. She could feel him laugh, and his fingers moved lower, and slipped in between her slick pussy lips. He moved his fingers inside her, curling his fingers upward.

Oh Dante....

No one had ever done that before. He kept moving his fingers back and forth, making her squirm.

Oh...oh oh...Dante! she let out a guttural groan when she finally did come.

Hmmm Kelsey....you like?

Ohhh si, very much Dante, si si! she said enthusiastically. She was still for a moment, relaxing her body. Then she felt him shift his weight as he stood up from the bed.

Dante...wait where are you...

Una momenta, bella! he called out.

It sounded like he was in the other room. A moment later, he came, back, holding a gas lamp. He also had his shirt off, showing off this magnificent chest – built, golden brown and just the right amount of hair. Kelsey let out a shriek and covered herself up with the blanket. Dante set the lamp on the bedside and tugged the blanket away from her. He smiled down, crawling up her body and stared at her.

I want to...you have beautiful..uhh...breasts.. he said, his eyes devouring the sight of her full breasts.

Kelsey had to laugh. He was almost like a teenager seeing a naked girl for the same time. He looked at her as if asking her permission, and she nodded. He cupped one of her breasts, feeling its weight in his hand, marveling at its sight. The look on his face was pure heaven as he took them both in his hands, lifted them up and watched them fall and bounce. He moved his head down and kissed each nipple, almost reverently, then took one in his mouth.

She sighed, feeling his wet, warm lips around a sensitive nipple. She felt a tingling between her legs. It almost seemed he worshipped her breasts, licking, sucking, kissing them. Whatever he did, he loved it, as she felt something hard pressing against her thighs. He groaned as she ground up against it. She wanted him so bad, wanted that cock inside her moist pussy.

He seemed to have read her mind as he moved away from her breasts. He stood up and Kelsey admired the expanse of his chest, the muscles rippling as he bent down and pulled off his pants. She glanced appreciatively at his cock, rising from a nest of dark hair. He smiled back at her, that deliciously devilish smile. He already had a foil packet in his hand, and he quickly discarded the wrapper and slipped the condom on. She thought he would get back down but instead, he took her hand and made her stand up. He kissed her again, their tongues entwining. He them put his forearms under her, lifting her up, and, to her surprise, impaled her on his hard cock.

Oohhhhh! she yelped in surprise.

He walked her back up against the wall, holding her up there as he continued to thrust deep into her. He kissed her neck roughly, nibbling at the soft flesh, making her cry in pleasure. She braced herself on his shoulders, and grabbed a fistful of his hair, and met his thrusts with her hips. He was impressive, his stamina and strength, holding her up while continuing to thrust himself into her. She came a second time, and begged him to stop for a while. He brought her down and carried her back to the bed.

Kelsey....bella...you...like?

She laughed a little.

Oh yes, Dante, I like very much!

He smiled at her and then slipped himself back into her. She moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Ohh oh yes, Dante, more!

He enthusiastically thrust into her, harder and faster. She felt another orgasm building up in her, and Dante, sensing this, moved his cock in and out of her until she did come. Finally, he thrust a few more times before he too came, collapsing on top of her,

*****

Dante stayed the night and they had sex for hours and all over the cottage. Kelsey would never look at the kitchen table the same way ever again, not when he bent her over the wooden table and fucked her silly from behind. He also took her out into the garden, and although she swore she still had pine needles sticking in weird places, he gave her a night she’d never forget. Her body was sore by sunrise. Dante gave her one last kiss before slipping back into the main house. The sun was peeking over the hill outside her windows by the time she closed her eyes.

The rest of that Saturday passed uneventfully. Kelsey had a free day and she slipped away from the farm before Dante had woken up and walked into town again. She was quite disappointed to learn he had left by the time she had come back, but she was somewhat relieved. Although the sex was fantastic, she didn’t know what she’d do with the awkwardness the next day. Besides, she had spent the day looking at her finances and the check for this month’s rent from her tenant had come in. She realized she had enough money for her next adventure, someplace she’d always dreamed of visiting. Next stop, the city of lights – Paris.

*****

Paris was everything Kelsey could dream of. And, yet, sometimes it felt like she was missing something. The legendary city was exactly how she pictured it, but, with very little French under her belt, she found herself floundering in even the simplest situations. She could hardly order in regular restaurants or get directions from locals. Occasionally, some poor person would take pity on her and help her out.

However, after almost two weeks in Paris, she was exhausted. Not just physically, but of having to feel her way around, using sign language, and generally bumbling her way across the great city. Plus, since it seemed like everyone and their mother was in Paris for the fall, she couldn’t find one hotel where she could stay for more than three days. Although she really didn’t want to go to hostel again, the only place she could find last minute was a bed in a 4-person dorm. She was on her last three days before her next leg (Portugal) and this would be her last hostel change and she could also save a few Euros by staying in a dorm.

The White Swan hostel was located in the Latin Quarter of Paris. According to the guidebook, the place was British-owned and was very friendly to English-speaking tourists. As soon as she stepped in and saw the union jack flag, she knew that, at the very least, this was one place where she would be understood.

Hello? she called out, stepping to the front desk.

No one was around, so she looked at the various posters behind the counter, noting one advertising a Paris walking tour that afternoon. Then, a young Indian man popped out from underneath.

Can I help you? he asked, neither friendly nor rude, just matter-of-fact.

Yes, I have a reservation for one bed in a mixed dorm, she handed him her printout. Truman, Kelsey.

Ah yes... he said, looking at his computer. He handed her a key. Room 214, bunk 4.

Oh, thank you! she said, glad to have finally had a conversation in English. She strapped her backpack on and trudged up the steps to the second floor. She went down the hallway and found room 214. The old door looked heavy, and so she grabbed it without thinking and yanked it open with all her might. Unfortunately, someone on the other side had, at the same moment, decided to open it as well.

Whoooooaaaahh! she yelled in surprise.

The force of the door knocked her back and her hands flailed in an attempt to keep her balance. A hand snaked out from behind the door, grabbing her shirt to try and prevent her from falling back. The person on the other side, however, did not anticipate she had a heavy backpack (which had grown heavier with so many souvenirs) and the stranger fell right on top of Kelsey.

Ooofff! Kelsey had the wind knocked out of her, trapped between her backpack and the heavy stranger. I’m so sor—hey! she looked up at a pair of