Chapter 35
ENZO
I can’t remember the last time I completely forgot about work and the outside world.
In Venice, maybe, at the evening of the masked ball. And now that we’re holed up here in Molly’s apartment, I could easily forget everything for a few more days. A few more weeks. What I wouldn’t give to have more time.
Takeout pales in comparison to the meals Molly and I have been preparing. I understand now Dex’s newfound penchant for cooking.
It isn't about the cooking. He's found another way to spend time with Dani.
Who knew making spaghetti and meatballs could be so satisfying?
Or enjoying a good meal at the kitchen table, and talking into the early hours of the morning?
Today is our last day together. Last day as in the last full day we’ll have to spend together doing nothing of any importance. But today is also the last day of Spring Break. Tomorrow Molly returns to school and I’ll need to return to New York.
I’m beginning to see a different side to Molly.
I’d always assumed she was colorful and chaotic, but I’ve seen a quieter, more contemplative side to her.
It usually comes out when we’re lying in bed, talking.
She loves burrowing her face against my chest. I love having her pressed so close to me I can hear her heartbeat.
I revel in what we have. Lying in bed all tangled up in one another. I don’t want to close my eyes and fall asleep because waking up means it’s all over.
This little break of ours has been a much-needed reprieve from the world. Tomorrow Molly returns to school, which means life has to return to normal.
The boys have been texting me. Father is furious. He thinks I’ve gone AWOL. He’s not wrong. Matteo’s been assuring me to chill. He tells me that he’s keeping an eye on everything.
The fact that it’s spring break has helped, especially for Molly.
“Rio and Raquel are in Verona,” I say, absentmindedly, remembering what Matteo told me.
Her fingers skate over my hip. “I thought your mom was in Soave?”
“It’s not far from Verona. Apparently he’s meeting Nico Cazale. He’s the guy who owns a large group of boutique hotels in Italy.”
“So it’s business, then?
“Yes, but they’ll visit Mama. We never go to Italy and not visit her.”
Molly turns on her side, her elbow propped up and her face resting against the palm of her hand. “You did.”
I frown, and then remember. “I was forced to return home to deal with fallout from a certain video.”
“Sorry.” She winces, before leaning in and giving me a kiss that ignites my insides.
“You’re forgiven,” I murmur, against her lips. She takes my lower lip between her teeth and gives it a little nip.
A shiver darts through me. My cock hardens as her fingers skate lightly across my chest, setting off a low thrum inside me. I don’t know how I’ll get used to not waking up with her by my side.
“If it wasn’t for Kiki … none of this would have happened,” she murmurs, dropping a kiss on my chest.
I run my hand through her hair, coiling it into a ponytail. “That is true.”
Molly lifts her face and smiles at me.
“You and Matteo seem close. He seems to always look out for you.”
“He’s good like that. Not to say that Rio doesn’t.”
“You don’t talk about Rio as much.” Molly rests her chin on my chest. Her fingers still, and it’s probably best. We need to take a little break. But it’s difficult. Each time we kiss or touch, I want more.
“Rio has always looked out for us. Him being the oldest, he was …” I pause. I don’t want to explain the set up. The different sets of brothers, or talk about Father cheating on Aurora with Mama. I just want to lie in bed with Molly and talk about anything else but that.
I run my hand lightly through her hair. “He’s pretty loved up with his girlfriend, Raquel. We all make time for one another, it’s not that we don’t. Matteo and I … we had time for one another, but now he’s met Elizabeth and … I expect soon he’ll be wrapped up in her.”
Molly leaves another kiss on my chest. “And I’m all wrapped up in you.”
Her words make me lose my focus. Warmth spreads through my chest, so unfamiliar and so damn good that for a moment, I forget what I was going to say.
“Now that you’re also on Luca’s project, we’ll have more chances to see one another.”
She looks at me. Opens her mouth to say something. Then closes it again.
“Say it, Molly.”
My heart gives an uneasy thud. Whatever she's holding back, I already know I'm not going to like it.
“Your family …” She pauses, looks at me like she’s unsure, which only sets off more alarm bells inside me.
“I know, Enzo. I know all about the past. I … I read about it in the papers … when the story broke about the Venice video.” She sits up, moving away and covering her nakedness with the edge of the duvet.
“I still can’t shake how bad I feel about it all, because that video wasn’t just about you. It opened a can of worms into your family’s past. I’m sorry it did.”
I let out a sigh of relief. That’s not as bad as I feared. I don’t know what I feared. I don’t like secrets, but if Molly already knows about Father deceiving two families, at least I don’t have to explain it. I would have at some point, because she means a lot to me, and I’d want her to know.
What she doesn’t know is the other secret. The one only me and Mama know.
I sit up and pull the duvet away, exposing her nakedness. She covers her breasts with her arms, and that only makes me scooch closer to her.
“Hey,” I whisper, cupping her face and kissing her. I give her another kiss, and the sound of her long drawn-out sigh tells me we’re not getting out of bed anytime soon.
I stare at her face, at the happiness shining from her eyes.
“I envy your childhood. One mom, one dad. A regular family. Your parents raised you so well. You’re the most caring, genuine, happy-go-lucky person I know, and your sunshine is rubbing off on me.”
Her eyes mist over.
“That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
She leans forward and kisses me, her tongue gently sweeping around my mouth while her hands caress me.
I groan, low and guttural.