Chapter 48
CHAPTER 48
T his One Together
Symphony
I awaken to kisses all over my face. When I open my eyes, sparkling blue ones are looking back at me. I smile at Michael and cup his handsome face.
“Good morning,” I say.
“Good morning and happy anniversary, gorgeous. I have a big day planned for us. It’s time to get up.
“I just need twenty more minutes,” I whine. “Val has been pushing us harder in training. My body hurts. That woman is a tyrant.”
“Training? Training for what?”
I gasp and cover my mouth. See? I need more sleep. Michael pulls the covers back and begins to tickle me. I kick my legs and squeal as I lose my breath.
“What have you guys been up to? You and I don’t have secrets. Talk, my little brat.”
“I am not a brat.”
“But you will be in trouble if you don’t start talking.”
“Bella training. Val calls us bellas. After Ellen’s demise, Val thought all the wives should train. When we all get together, we are training,” I gasp out as he continues to tickle me.
“Why am I not surprised,” Michael grumbles as he finally shows me some mercy.
“I have told you. Now can I go back to sleep? I will be grumpy today if you fail to allow me some more rest.”
“Fine. Your gifts can wait.”
He lies down in bed next to me and looks up at the ceiling. I go to lie back down but his words settle in, and I become excited.
“Gifts? What gifts?”
“You will see when you wake up.”
I blink at him like he’s crazy. How am I to sleep now? I get up and rush into the bathroom.
Quickly, I brush my teeth and shower. When I return to the bedroom, Michael is still lying right where I left him. I move into my closet and throw on leggings and a sports bra.
Once I have my trainers on, I head back out to the bedroom. Michael still hasn’t moved.
“Well, come on. You have a gift for me. Let’s go.”
He chuckles and sits up on his elbows. I fold my arms across my chest and glare at him defiantly. He gives me a look I don’t understand, confusing me.
“What is this look, Michael? I don’t understand. You said you wanted me to wake up,” I rant in Italian.
When he does nothing more than purse his lips to stifle his laughter, I continue my rant. Still speaking his mother tongue.
“I have gotten up. Now you sit there with this look. I’m tired and everything aches. Do you know what that woman had to put my body through to get me to hurt like this?
“I will not play these games with you. Nope, not today. You want to be a stupid buttface; you do so by yourself.”
Michael roars with laughter as he stands from the bed and comes over to me. He wraps his arms around my waist and hugs me tightly.
“You are so adorable when you’re angry. We will talk about this bella training, but first I have something to show you. I love you.”
“If you love me, you would have let me rest. I still don’t understand this face you make.”
“I adore you. It is a look of love and adoration. It hit me in that moment that I can’t see my life without you.”
“Oh,” I say.
He pecks my lips and laces his fingers with mine. My face is flaming. I didn’t mean to get so upset.
“Sorry, I’ve never seen you look at me like that.”
“Don’t apologize. I love watching you turn into an Italian grandmother. Mama would be proud.”
“Speaking of your mother, is she still upset with you?”
“We spoke this morning. She’s coming back and would like to spend time with you. I might still have some groveling to do, but she’s had secrets of her own that I have been angry about. We will come to a compromise,” he says and shrugs.
My mother-in-law, Donatella, was not allowed to know about me. When she did find out Michael had been married for sixteen years, she was angry she wasn’t trusted to know about me. She was hurt and, as she expressed to me—wished she had the chance to help.
I love her and wish she had been around more. However, I understand why she couldn’t be. Roberto Zuko would have used me against them all.
“I will be happy to see her. Will Adriano be returning soon?”
“Close your eyes,” he says as we get out of the bedroom.
“What?”
“Close your eyes and turn around, I’m going to blindfold you.”
“Okay.” I turn as excitement fills me.
Once the blindfold is in place, he wraps his arms around my shoulders from behind and holds me tightly, kissing the back of my head. I’m super curious now that I can’t see. We are on the second floor. I hope we don’t have to go down the stairs.
“Trust me,” he whispers in my ear.
I nod and begin to step forward as he gives me a gentle nudge. It doesn’t take long before he brings me to a stop. I fidget with my fingers in front of me as I wonder where he’s taking me.
He releases me, and a few seconds later, there is the sound of a door opening. My heart begins to pound in anticipation. Not able to contain my excitement, I lift onto my toes and lace my fingers together to stretch my arms in front of me and crack my knuckles.
I feel it when Michael steps behind me and places a hand on my hip. He leans in to ghost his face against my neck, his lips slightly brushing my skin. I notice there is an echo around wherever we are.
The blindfold is lifted, and I wait for my eyes to adjust, blinking a few times. Then, my vision comes into focus. I spin around as I take the space in. My mouth falls open. As my brain catches up to what I’m looking at, I fling myself into Michael’s arms and kiss him.
“I don’t understand, how?”
“I had two of the rooms converted into one. We had the room. Uri was okay with it. You now have all the room you want to dance,” Michael says as he smiles back at me.
“But all of this space? Wow, look at the wall of mirrors. It seems to go on for days. The sunlight coming into the space is breathtaking. Look at all the windows. How did you make this happen without me knowing?”
“It took a lot of scheduling and creativity. Val and Uri were a big help, as were Annabella and a few others.”
“Is that …” I race over to the piano sitting in the corner of the room. “This is my piano from Italy. The first one you ever gave me.”
“Yes, I thought it belonged here with you.”
I can’t believe this. I already have a new piano he gifted me. It’s downstairs in the music room.
When I asked for a dance studio, this wasn’t what I had in mind. I would have been fine with a small room to practice and dance in. However, as I look around this room, I can see all the love that has gone into this studio. From the cool color on the walls to the shiny new hardwood floors and the framed photos of me dancing or playing—it’s all breathtaking.
The framed photo Maribel took of me seems like such a lame gift now. Besides, I’ve had the photo for so long now I’m almost embarrassed to give it to him.
I turn and rush back to him and leap into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist. I bury my face into his neck and inhale deeply. I didn’t think I could fall in love with this man any more than I already am, but … this studio says so much about how Michael gets me.
This space is calming and inspiring. I would love to spend the day here dancing and playing. I think to do just that as Michael holds me tightly in place.
“Happy anniversary, il mio prezioso amore. ”
“Thank you, Michael. I love it,” I sing.
He cups the back of my neck and captures my lips in a searing kiss. It turns heated quickly and I begin to think we are going to christen the studio as he palms my breast over my sports bra while kneading my butt with his other hand.
Michael growls and comes to a halt as his phone rings. Placing me on my feet, he takes out the phone and grunts at it. However, he doesn’t look as frustrated as he did when he first put me down.
His eyes are sparkling again. With a huge smile, he holds his hand out for mine. I take his hand and allow him to lead me from the room.
“If I ask, will you tell me where we are going?”
“No.”
I pout and squeeze his hand. He returns the squeeze, then lifts my hand to his lips and kisses my fingertips. The gesture puts a pin in my anxiety.
As he leads me downstairs, I can’t imagine where we’re going. I look back up the stairs longingly, wanting to return to my new studio. However, Michael’s excitement rolls off him causing me to focus so I can follow him.
Once in the foyer, I can see lights flashing outside. I turn to look at Michael curiously. He only winks and gives me a blinding smile.
Val and Uri both appear with smiles on their faces. Uri is holding the boys as Vita stands holding onto Val’s leg as she looks on as if wondering what’s going on with the adults.
I would like to know the same thing as Annabella appears with a face-splitting smile of her own. I notice Salvatore is with her, which makes me wonder where Adriano is once again.
Before I can ask Michael for the second time, he opens the door, and I gasp in shock. There is a flatbed truck in front of the house and it’s lowering a brand-new sports car. I look to Michael then look back at the car.
For about two months, he has been teaching me how to drive one of his cars in the garage. He had asked me what kind of car I would like if I had my own. Never in a million years did I think he planned to give me one.
“You bought me a car?”
“Yes, I should have done so years ago. I hope you like it,” he replies.
“I don’t have a license. It is not legal in New York State for me to drive without a license.”
He chuckles as he hands over the key. “I will make sure you are taken to get your license this week. Until then we will continue to practice on the property.”
I look at the red car and squeal. This is the best anniversary ever. I bounce in place and clap my hands happily.
“Are you happy?”
“Are you kidding me? Yes, Michael, I am very happy. You will get to fuck me very hard today.
“I will eat breakfast and change into something sexy. I plan to suck your cock too. I am most happy,” I say.
Michael’s cheeks turn red as Uri, Val, and Annabella laugh. Salvatore is coughing into his hand as he turns away. I cover my mouth as I realize I’ve brought our dirty talk out in public.
“Oops.”
Michael wraps his arms around my head and tugs me into him as he kisses the top of my head. I wrap my arms around his waist and hold him tight.
“Have I ever told you I would change nothing about you? I love you just the way you are, Symphony.”
“Good, because I can’t change who I am, and I don’t want to be anyone else.”
“Come, I’m dying to know what’s under that tarp,” he says.
My cheeks heat. He is speaking of the photo I had shipped in. The one Maribel took for me. I begin to pop my band on my wrist.
“What is the matter?” Michael whispers in my ear.
“I don’t think my gift is good enough after all of this.”
“I’m sure I will love it.”
We go back into the house and move into the drawing room, where I thought I would hide the gift. Too bad he found it last night.
Like a kid, he rushes over to it and flips the tarp off. He steps back and takes in a sharp breath. I wring my hands as I look at the photo of me leaping through the air.
It’s funny. In the black and white print—my red slippers being the only pop of color, I’m wearing an all-black costume and red slippers like the tattoo on his forearm. I begin to blink rapidly when I see Michael’s eyes mist over.
“I will get you something else,” I rush out.
“No, you won’t,” he chokes out, placing a hand on his hip and lifting his other arm up to his face as if to hold in his emotions.
He looks at me with suspiciously moist eyes and nods a few times. His jaw works and his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows hard once then twice.
“It’s perfect. Thank you.”
“You are welcome.”
Michael
This day has gone better than I could have asked for. When Symphony gave me that breathtaking framed photograph of her, I was floored. It’s as if she’s leaping from the frame.
It perfectly captures what it’s like to watch her on stage. I can’t wait to hang it in my office where I can stare at it all the time. I can’t believe she didn’t think her gift was enough.
As I told her, any chance I get to see her dance is magic, like the very first time all over again. When she said I had never seen her dance, I told her the truth.
I have seen her dance many times. I believe my revelation was the greatest gift I gave her today. The smile on her face after was mine.
It didn’t end there. I have taken Sim out for a drive in her new car. Then allowed her to drive around the property for a bit when we returned.
We then returned to the house, where we had a romantic lunch before spending hours in her new dance studio. I have been playing for her while she dances. I’m not nearly as talented as she is, but I’ve enjoyed her laughter and teasing at my attempt to play for her.
Watching her dance is a gift in itself. This room speaks to her. She has been moving gracefully and happily through it.
The new windows were a perfect touch. Now, as the moonlight spills into the room and bathes her in its light, I’m mesmerized. I play the final notes of the sheet music in front of me and watch as she comes to a graceful pause.
I go to start from the beginning once again, but she stands straight and turns to look at me, shaking her head. “I believe I am done for the night. I didn’t mean to get lost in here.”
“It’s fine. I have been entranced by you. Would you like to go down for dinner?”
“No, I would like to make good on my promise.”
“Which promise is that?”
“To let you fuck me. I would like for you to fuck me against the piano, up against the wall and anywhere else you would like.”
“Is that so, bella ?” I ask as I stand and begin to unbutton my shirt.
“Yes, you should have your way with me. You did very good, husband. I am a happy wife.”
“Come here,” I croon.
Suddenly, she leaps into the air. I catch her in my arms and crush her to my chest. She wraps those powerful legs around my waist.
I take her lips in a deep kiss, devouring her like I’ve wanted to do all day. When she spoke those words in the courtyard earlier, I wanted to take her inside and fuck her right then and there. Her uncensored words struck me right in my core.
“Did I tell you how sexy it is to see my name on your chest?” she purrs as she traces the tat on my pec.
“No, you haven’t.”
“I like knowing you are mine and if anyone sees you shirtless, then they know it too. I should get one that says Michael.”
I growl and place her on her feet to spin her to face the piano. However, mid-spin, she turns back to me and sinks to her knees. I look down at her as she pulls her arms from her leotard and pushes the fabric down to her waist, revealing her firm, plump breasts.
Her little brown nipples are already erect and begging for my attention. My mouth waters to have them between my lips. However, I am between hers before I can think to make a move.
I groan as she sucks only the tip at first. I grow harder as she continues and begins to add in her hands. My breath hiss through my teeth as I throw my head back and pump my hips.
She hums around me as she really gets into it. Looking down, I find her looking up at me. I suck in a breath as I look into her big, bright eyes with those long lashes framing them.
“Sim, baby, that’s so good,” I breathe.
Taking my words for encouragement, she begins to take me deeper. Drool begins to drip from the corners of my mouth. I pull out of her mouth and tap the tip on her tongue as she sticks it out.
I love how I don’t have to tell her what I like. We have come to know each other so well. I take a step back, knowing what I will find as I look farther down her body.
She has her hand shoved between her legs, playing with her pussy. I stroke myself as I watch for a few beats. When she begins to squeeze and knead her own breast with her free hand, I move back into position and allow her to take me back into her mouth.
She takes me in deep and moans around my length. My toes curl as she sucks me for all I’m worth. I’m growing close, but this isn’t how I want to come.
I reach to lift her to her feet. She looks at me with so much lust as I shove her leotard and tights down, then pull them from her legs. I straighten and look over her body as the glow from the moonlight bathes her skin.
Turning her back to my front, I reach over her to close the lid of the piano and press my palm between her shoulder blades to bend her over. I slide into her from behind and grasp her hips. The way she feels as she opens to me and sucks me in pulls a deep growl from me.
She’s already so wet. Leaning in, I nip at her ear, then kiss her neck as I rock into her. Wrapping my hand around her neck, I pick up my pace. She lifts on her toes, running from me.
“Michael, shit.” She shakes her head as if to clear it.
I can’t help kissing all over her skin. I pull out and start a trail of kisses down her spine. Once I reach the base, I lick my way back up slowly.
I grasp her throat again and thrust back into her, capturing her lips and the cry she releases. I kiss her passionately as I drive into her over and over.
I plant my palms on the piano on either side of her and watch as my hips slap against her round, toned ass. Sim throws her upper body across the piano and pounds her fist against it as I pound into her.
“Yes, Michael. You make my body feel so good. I can’t stop coming for you. Oh, God, you’re so deep.”
I chuckle darkly. “That good? My cock has you talking nonsense. Per chi altro vorresti venire? ”
“You, only you. I have always belonged to you.”
“ Fanculo, Symphony. You make me so fucking hard.”
“Good, fuck me harder. I want you so much.”
She’s so wet the sound mixes with her panting and the sound of our skin slapping together. As I pound into her, I know this is going to be a long night. I’ve only just begun.