CHAPTER THIRTY
“M orning. Ready for our walk?”
Rocco pulled me out of sleep, but I didn’t need much urging.
Over the last few days, it had become a ritual to rise in the morning and climb to the small dome at the top of the villa. From our perch, we had a clear view of the outcroppings of stone and moss on the cliffs while the sea below shimmered in turquoise and sapphire as liquid stones poured at the edge of the white sands. The stone railing was low enough that sitting on the bamboo mat didn’t obstruct our view. He sat first, and I took the space between his legs.
We inhaled deeply, and even at this height, the rich fragrances of sea salt intermixed with jasmine and plumeria flowers scented the wind. The only sound was the rhythmic crashing of waves against the rocks along the shore. And our breaths and Rocco’s heart strong at my back. I leisured in its warm expanse.
It was our peaceful meditation, and I wanted to savor it for as long as possible because life had to balance. A countdown clock was ticking, and sadly, this quiet and calm start to the day with Rocco wouldn’t continue after we returned to reality. Although, this has been divine.
“You’re not meditating,” Rocco admonished, squeezing my waist. He never let me sink too deeply in thought. It was as if he could sense my worry, and he’d prod to change my focus. He covered me in his warmth and spoiled me with tender caresses.
Rocco picked up his vintage film camera and pointed it at me. “Give me a wave and a kiss.”
I laughed and blew him a kiss, then tilted my head waving. “Good morning, Rocco.”
“How was your honeymoon?” he asked because it was our last day. If one word could describe the last seven days, I’d go with exquisite. The location, the food, the laughter, the sex, learning more about Rocco, being waited on hand and foot. It’s been amazing. We’ve lazed in the sun, gone for long walks, been pampered with couple massages, and had champagne in the spa after dinner. I don’t want to leave and go back to real life.
“No joys to share, Bella?” I chuckled.
“So many joys, husband, that it’s hard to know where to start. If I look sad, it’s only because we have to leave paradise.”
“I agree, but I need my Adelina smile. It’s like a shot of sugar to my veins.”
I grinned as I peered at him. Rocco acted as if he hadn’t a care in the world. “Why don’t you ever worry?”
“What does worrying ever get you? Nothing. Action is what brings change. I compartmentalize so I can enjoy every moment. And I have with you.”
His sweet words broadened my smile. He was right. We were here now, and like him, I didn’t want to forget how incredible our honeymoon had been. “It was a dream come true. The band, parasailing, eating delicious food, sex—”
“Lots of sex,” he added.
I waggled my brows. “Lots, and honestly, it has been the best time of my life.” Like every day with you.
“And who am I?” he teased.
“Superman,” I joked.
“Yes. I can leap tall buildings in a single bound,” he said in a dramatic tone.
I giggled. “You’re also modest.”
“But seriously, what do you think of your husband?”
“I…think,” I paused and licked my lips. My heart skipped a beat. What did I think of Rocco? “Sei molto bello… sei irresistible.”
“I’m very handsome, and I turn you on. Yes, I know that.” He was still smiling, but I sensed he needed more from me.
My eyes met the camera directly, and my heart poured out of my gaze. “You’re the best man I know. You make me… believe dreams come true,” I said, and my voice caught.
“Ohh, Bella.” He leaned close to me with the camera and kissed my lips. I pressed in and held his head, and he pressed our foreheads together before leaning back.
“It’s my turn,” I reached for the camera.
Rocco handed it to me, and I started filming. He immediately switched to the charismatic man with the moneymaker profile designer brands used to advertise for them.
He smoldered.
“Woah,” I said, holding one hand out to fan myself. It was dizzying how gorgeous he was. His tan had deepened, making his blue eyes shine like colored lights from his chiseled face. His smile was a mood lifter at most times. I paused, trying to remember the few times I hadn’t seen it, but there were only a few— not when he looked at me.
“So, Rocco, what was your favorite time on your honeymoon?”
“Giving you a bath, tying you down, and fucking you every chance I got.”
My face warmed. “Rocco,” I sang out.
“You asked, I answered.”
“Fair enough. Anything else you’d like to add this morning?”
“I want to kiss you.”
“You say that every day.”
“I do it every day. But honestly, I want you.”
He moved behind me, kissing my neck as I filmed us. My head turned to kiss his face.
“That’s enough filming,” he whispered. I put the camera down, and we stared at each other for what could have been minutes. My heart swelled in my throat.
Rocco’s hands never stayed off me for long. He put the camera further away then caressed my breasts and down between my legs with kisses on my face and shoulders. I got lost in the feel of him, kissing him back and undulating to his touches, my legs gaping for him to touch more. His touches still brought electric currents to my skin; his closeness rushed my pulse.
“Mmm, honeymoon, Adelina is my favorite, Adelina,” he teased between kisses.
“She disappears at the end of the trip.”
He tickled my sides. “Like hell she does.”
I burst into laughter and kisses. We lay on our backs and caught our breaths. Rocco wanted more of our trip captured on film, so we climbed the stairs and put on the covered sandals we left at the bottom.
“One sec,” he said, taking out his phone and sending a text. A few minutes later, Henry, our guide for the island, appeared. We greeted him, and he took Rocco’s camera to film our last hike on the island.
We walked until we reached the shoreline, where the waves crashed hard on the beach. We removed our shoes to jog along the sand, splashing in the surf. Next, I climbed on Rocco’s back, and he carried me to the water’s edge.
“Don’t drop me,” I yelled, then laughed when he pretended to do it.
“One of these days, it’s going to be calm enough to swim,” I said once back on my feet.
Of course, I knew we were leaving.
“Hey,” Rocco took my hand. “You stopped smiling.”
I pushed my hair back from my face, my brows knitted. “I’m worried about my art samples. I don’t know if they’re good enough.”
He waved his hand dismissively. “No such thing.”
I scrunched up my face. “What world are you living in? Of course, there is.”
“It starts with you, Adelina. You have to believe it. If Lily doesn’t feel you’re a fit, someone else will. That’s it. Okay?”
I lowered my head. “I just…want this so much.”
He hugged my shoulder. “Great. That’s the best part of it.”
“What do you mean?” I was curious.
“I mean the burst of excitement at the start. My gut shows me a vision of what a film could be. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not fully, but there’s not one project I regret trying.”
I peered at him. It was his wealth and privilege that shaped him. He had the luxury of failing, but I did agree he had goals set. His staunch confidence appealed to me the most. I wish I had that, but there had to be more to it. “Are you afraid of anything?”
He stared off. “Of course, I am…in fact, I’m more afraid than I have ever been with you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I want you to be happy in our life, and most of all, I never want you to be hurt again.” He didn’t mention my past, but it hung between us. He squeezed my shoulder and kissed the side of my head. “I wish it all had been different. My grandfather—”
“No, Rocco,” I said and shook my head. “I need to let it go for my sanity. He was there when I needed a parent and friend. I’ll always be hurt, but I’m grateful my life improved. But honestly, I probably would feel different if it hadn’t.” And that was the truth. My life had benefitted from Luca’s involvement and I’d decided to let go of the past and embrace all he gave me. Confidence. Strength. Wisdom. He taught me to value myself and those were good things.
He took my hand and kissed the back. “Fair enough. Let’s go have brunch.”
The path circled back to the villa. We had only walked in, and a few minutes later, the cooks brought pancakes, grilled sausages, and tropical fruits on platters decorated with buttercup flowers.
“Thank you so much,” we told them.
“Let’s take a peek at our first night,” he announced as we thanked Henry, who set up our video clip. A few seconds later, our faces filled the flat screen. To our surprise, it showed our time out today.
“I’ll change it,” Rocco said, but I took his arm.
“Please don’t.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. The woman filmed was a side of myself I was only coming to know. I was happy, lighter, and carefree—something I had never seen before.
“You’re so radiant. So beautiful,” he said softly. Rocco’s easy affection was in every moment, from picking fruit to carrying me around the shore. My heart contracted to watch our lingering stares, kisses, and, most of all, our happiness.
I touched my warm face, my heart hammering.
“That’s what I love most about filming,” Rocco said dreamily. “We capture a moment in time. It’s an imprint of the beliefs. It tells a story of where we could be or what we can return to.”
“So we live forever?” I cocked a brow.
Rocco lifted his chin. “I plan to.”
His assuredness and enthusiasm were as sexy as he was. I swear, how could I not fall for a man like him? It seemed impossible.
“Can we stay here forever?” I said what I had been thinking.
“I wish we could, but I don’t think I’d be able to get any work done here.”
I sighed, and we went back to eating our breakfast. Everything was delicious, and I was almost done with my first plate when something moving caught my attention. I tried to ignore it, but it seemed big. A spider?
I screamed, “Ahh, kill it.”
“Kill what?” Rocco asked, alarmed.
I pointed to where I saw something move and covered my face.
He rushed over and picked up…a turtle.
My face burned. “Oh.”
He chuckled, then doubled over laughing. “How can you confuse a turtle with a spider?”
I pursed my lips and folded my arms. “Whatever. It’s big and it moved. It’s a normal reaction.”
He came over and cupped my face. His eyes bore into mine with a sparking glint that fed my soul. “I’ll slay anything for you.”
I believed him, and more still, I knew I loved him.