31. When the slow burn finally pays off
THIRTY-ONE
WHEN THE SLOW BURN FINALLY PAYS OFF
M y palms are damp with sweat as I stand outside of the pool house the next day, but I resist the urge to dry them on my navy pants. I’m a thirty-seven-year-old man, not some child with no self-control. Though I know that when it comes to Vanessa, I’m nothing but at her mercy.
My heart ricochets against my ribs but my hands remain steady as I hold the biggest bouquet of flowers in front of my chest like it will protect me from the upheaval my life is about to experience. Yet, I have never felt so… normal. The surge of adrenaline is making my body react, but my mind is clear; capable of seeing the future and ready for my little sun to appear.
When she opens the door, everything evaporates. There’s nothing left in the wake of her light. Vanessa wears her hair up in an artful loose bun with curls framing her soft face. The wings of make up by her eyes make them seem even more like almonds, the deep green of her shiny eyeshadow deepening the hazel of her irises. I could drown in it and die a happy man. But as always, as I take in her dress, my lips tip up. I can’t resist the large smile that takes over my face.
The fabric is tight at the waist and embroidered with delicate bees in gold threads, her long tanned legs on display and perched on cute yellow heels. I’m glad she left her lips bare because I drop the flowers to the floor and kiss her, dragging her body against mine. We collide in a clash of lips and tongues and she moans into my mouth, surprised and delighted. She wraps her arms around my neck as if she’s afraid I’d ever let go. I can’t tell her that I will never let her go, can I?
She tastes like cherries and the rest of my life.
When we break apart, I don’t open my eyes but simply drop my forehead to hers, cherishing this moment, engraving it in gold letters in my memories.
“Hi,” she whispers.
“Hi, u mo sole .”
When I finally open my eyes, her smile greets me. She’s so open. The darkness that always looms over my head could make a comeback at any point and taint it. She doesn’t let me rest within my dark thoughts as she bends her knees and grabs the flowers I discarded to the floor.
“I guess these are for me,” she laughs and I smile bashfully. I totally forgot about them.
She removes the plastic around and places them in a vase of fresh water, then takes my hand and laces our finger together. She closes the door of the studio behind her and I take her to my car, opening the door for her. Every step, every small gesture is my way of showing her how much I want her in my life, how much I need her.
“So, where to?” She asks as she buckles her seatbelt. Her enthusiasm is contagious and I smile more and more as I drive to a hidden beach within the rocky inlets of Kalliste’s coast.
When we stop and I get the wicker basket containing our meal from the trunk, she bounces on her toes enthusiastically. My heart swells with her excitement. I guide her through the rocky terrain and down to the deserted white sandy beach. She removes her heels to cross the short distance where we settle on the sand. She watches me in silence as I lay out a soft blanket and put out the cheese, fruits and wine in front of us. When I look up, she sniffles and blinks, tears threatening to fall. “That’s so romantic, Lino.”
I blush and invite her to sit next to me, feeding hergrapes and brocciu with dark cherry jam. For a few moments, neither of us speaks as we bask in each other’s presence. I’ve never felt so relaxed. I wish I could stop time.
Her throat works around the food as she swallows, bringing me back to the night her lips wrapped around my cock like I was the delicacy she devoured. I take a large gulp of wine. I’ll only allow myself to have one glass since I’m driving, but the alcohol softens my muscles and relaxes my mind.
The sun slowly sets in the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and blue.
“Thank you, Lino. This is perfect.”
“I agree.” My eyes don’t leave her face; the landscape in front of us can’t compare to the vision of her, happy and smiling .
When she faces me again, I place a gentle hand to her jaw and guide her to my mouth in a sweet, lingering kiss. And as always, Vanessa’s eager mouth consumes me. Her hands reach to my face, then her arms wrap around my neck until she climbs on top of me, settling on my lap with frenetic need pulsing through her body. My own energy matches hers and I press her body to mine, her breasts against my chest, her soft, thick thighs framing mine.
I can’t stop touching and caressing her. Her thighs, her ass, her back, her arms. I can’t get enough. I glide my fingers into her hair and clasp them in a tight fist, keeping her mouth on mine, and she mewls. We breathe the same air as our tongues tangle and lick and nibble at each other.
With effort, I tug on her hair and separate our lips. We both pant with need and I want nothing more than to continue and let our desire and lust run its course, but I need her to know I’m all in. I don’t only want her body, but her entire soul. And I’ll be hers if she accepts me, with my flaws, my austere and sometimes grim temper. With my children.
“ Fuck ,” I breathe against her lips. “Every single time I touch you, I forget what I want to say.”
She giggles and places a hand to her chest in mock shock. “Mr Marquesi, are you swearing?”
“You make me feel, again, zitella . And maybe act out of character.”
“I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not,” she says cheekily. She kisses my cheek, then sits on the other side of the basket. Distance won’t save her if I want to catch her.
“Have you thought about what I told you last night, zitella ?”
I know she wants to do things on her own terms. Vanessa’s been relying on herself for far too long to just accept what she views as a handout. Yet, she deserves to be taken care of and not have to be scared about what the future holds for her.
Even if she asked me to leave her alone, even if she wanted nothing to do with me, I’d help her and set her up so she could pursue her dreams. Not out of charity, but because I can’t stand for her to be anything less than what she envisions her future to be.
She’s saving me without even knowing it and I want to repay the favour. I don’t need anything in return, but I’m hoping she’ll give me even a fraction of the attention she’s bestowing upon me right now. I’m addicted to being the centre of her affection. Sharing it with my children is becoming a dream.
I’ve learnt the hard way that dreams are dangerous and always crushed by the harsh reality, but with her, I want to take risks.
“I have,” she finally announces. “I’d like to live in the pool house for now. I’ll study and we can date like normal people.”
A rush of air leaves my lungs at her acceptance. “Whatever you want, you’ll have, zitella .”
“It’s strange, you know. I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. I’ve always relied only on my mum and then she died and it was just me and I had to make tough decisions to survive.”
I don’t say anything as I let her open up. I knew from the few times she hinted at it that Vanessa knows grief intimately. That whatever happened in her life left her to be only able to count on herself. I wait with bated breaths as she shares her vulnerability with me, grateful for this piece of her.
She looks at the sea as she continues, “My mother had a rare form of throat cancer and when she couldn’t work anymore, we lost our apartment and had to live with her sister, my aunt Hannah. They weren’t close, so I don’t know what I was expecting, but she refused to help me pay for the medical bills and they kept piling up.” Emotions clogs her throat and pearlescent tears form at the corner of her eyes. I swipe my thumb back and forth on her thigh, showing that I’m here for her. “That’s not the worst she did, but I don’t want to talk about that right now. Anyway, when my mother’s treatments weren’t effective anymore, we went to see a chiropractor who was recommended. That woman eased my mother’s pain, and she was kind and understanding. That’s what I want to do for others, you know?”
“You’re not alone anymore.” I bend over and kiss her hands, clasped into mine. “Let me take care of you. Please.”
“Will you be patient with me if I retreat and get scared?” she asks.
Her uncertainty makes me want to worship at her feet so she’ll understand I only have eyes for her. I’ve never given my soul to another person. I rejected my ex-wife with my callousness, not even noticing what I was doing. I don’t want to make the same mistake with my precious Vanessa. She’s the sun I revolve around.
Suddenly, she’s too far away. I move her body against mine once more. I’ve never been very good at communicating my emotions, but I’m ready to make the effort for her. For my children and our future.
“I’ll be whatever you need me to, zitella . Patient. Kind. Rough. Stern. You name it, it’s yours. But I’m not an easy person to be with. Out of the two of us, you’re the patient one, the caring one. I just get to experience your light, and I’m so grateful you’re letting me be close.”
Our foreheads connect as our hearts touch.
“I want you closer,” she whispers against my lips, then grinds against me, my cock growing hard in an instant and pressing against the fly of my jeans.
“How much closer, zitella ?” My tone turns huskier, lust coating the edges until I’m mindless with it.
Vanessa fumbles with the zipper, freeing me from the confine of my clothes. “Let me show you.”
I let out a relieved groan that turns into a pathetic moan when she glides her wet pussy against my cock, like the hungry girl she can be. “Again without panties, zitella ? How desperate are you to get my cock?”
“Very,” she answers as she kisses me and continues to rub her needy clit against me, coating me in her essence. As our skin touches, any thoughts I have left disappear. I’m left bare, stripped to my bones for the sunshine in my arms.
When she lifts onto her knees and the head of my cock skims her entrance, I stop her with a firm hand. “ Zitella , I’ve had a vasectomy, but I don’t have a condom on me.”
I had the procedure after Monica got pregnant with Livia, but I’ve never had sex without protection with anyone else but my ex. It always seemed too intimate. Now, on the verge of getting inside Vanessa for the first time, I want nothing more than to have no barrier between us, but it’s not only about me.
“I don’t care. I want to feel you inside me. And I’m on the pill. I haven’t been with anyone since my last test. Please, Daddy , get inside me before I lose my mind.”
She knows exactly the effect she has on me and smiles as she sinks down onto my cock slowly. I fit inside her like I was made for her.
“Oh, fuck.” It’s hard to breathe; my heart pounds in my chest as she takes me inch by inch. All I can do is eye Vanessa in awe as pleasure overrides her. I bunch her dress at her hips with frenzied hands, revealing the place where her pussy clamps on my dick and watch as I disappear inside her.
With just as much fervour, she unbuttons my shirt and lets her hands roam over my chest.
I lean back on my hands and let her find her rhythm, all too happy to savour the way her hands grip my shoulders and her hips move and up and down my shaft.
Vanessa takes me all the way in then grinds her pussy on me that has my eyes rolling back. “Oh God, zitella ,” I cry out.
“God isn’t here, Daddy,” she answers with a wide mischievous grin. One of her hands snakes down until her index and middle fingers frame my cock where we’re joined. I grunt and thrust upward, drawing out a low moan from my girl.
I grip her throat in a possessive hold, not tightening my fingers, and bring her lips to mine. The kiss is filthy, a battle of tongues and will as we bite at each other’s lips.
“No, She isn’t. But my devil girl is. Show me how much you want my cum, diavula zitella . Work for it.”
Her fingers work my cock and her clit in tandem as she picks up her pace and impales herself on me over and over. My balls draw tight and I clench my teeth together trying not to come.
“Please, Daddy, give it to me,” Vanessa whines. The sound of her begging is sweet music to my ears, making my heart roar inside my chest and my cock thicken even more. My fingers tightened in the sand, but I’m barely holding on as she rolls her hips and grinds her clit.
“Not until you make a mess of me, zitella . You’re made to take my cum. Now fucking come for me.”
She gasps as I suck a nipple into my mouth through the fabric of her thin dressand grasps my hair to keep me latched onto her. Vanessa lets out moans of pleasure as her orgasm racks her body and her pussy convulses around my cock, milking me for all I’m worth. come harder than I’ve had in years.
I release her to watch as her face twist with pleasure. She’s magnificent, a goddess sent to save me.
As my cum coats her walls, she chases her high. All I do is take it and ride the waves of pleasure she delivers.
Spent, she drops her head to the crook of my neck. I can feel her smile against my throat and I mirror it. My heart rate lowers down to a normal rhythm and my cock softens, slipping out of her.
“Stand up and show me,” I ask, reverence and awe in my voice.
With my helping hand, she does, holding her sundress around her hips. I groan as I witness the traces of me staining her perfect thighs. Without thought, I glide my fingers through my come as it drips from her, wiping over her skin.
She bites her lips and lets me. I think she likes knowing she belongs to me now just as much as I like the reminder of me owning her.
“I have a tissue in my bag,” she says.
“Oh no, zitella . You’re gonna keep leaking me all the way back home until I do this all over again and pump you so full of my cum your sweet cunt will smell like me for weeks.”
Her little moan of want is all I need to know that she wants it as much as I do.
I stand and make quick work of putting our stuff back in the basket. Taking her hand in mine, I guide back to the car and give her a quick kiss before planning how many times I’ll take her before the night is over.