Chapter 22
JUDE
On the evening before we kicked off our Italian shows, I took Sofia to a tiny, ivy-draped trattoria.
Tucked away in a quiet alleyway near the Tiber River, it was one of my favorite places to eat.
She wore a silk, emerald-green slip dress that flowed over her curves, and the ambient candlelight caught the golden undertones of her bare shoulders.
We walked to the restaurant, Coco Bottega, hand in hand, in the early evening light.
Every time she moved, the scent of vanilla and warm amber drifted, making me want to reach for her and kiss her senseless.
The ma?tre d’, an elderly Italian gentleman named Gianni with a crisp white apron and a gold watch chain, recognized me from my previous visits.
With a grin, he guided us past the crowded front tavern to a secluded, candlelit table in the rear brick courtyard.
‘For the wonderful musician, Judah, and his beautiful lady,’ Gianni said, bowing as he poured two glasses of sparkling mineral water. ‘Tonight, there is no menu; instead, the chef and kitchen will take care of you.’
True to his promise, Gianni and the team delivered a feast of authentic Roman degustation.
We started with carciofi alla giudia, whole artichokes fried till the petals turned into crisp, golden ribbons that shattered under our forks.
Then came the main course: thick strands of house-made tonnarelli pasta tossed in a rich emulsion of black peppercorns and pecorino romano cheese.
Followed by a platter of saltimbocca, tender veal cutlets wrapped in salty prosciutto and fresh sage, seared in white wine, the sauce thickened into a savory glaze.
We sat close as we ate, while twilight transformed the sky into a deep, bruised purple.
As the street musicians outside started playing a soft accordion melody, I leaned down and pressed a slow kiss on her temple.
‘What was that for, Jude?’ Sofia said, using her bread to mop up the lovely juices from her plate.
‘You’re just so beautiful, I can’t help myself, wife,’ I replied.
I eased closer, the heat of her proximity churning my need.
‘I’ve really enjoyed these last few days with you.’
I meant every word.
Her face turned solemn as she studied me.
‘So have I, Bodhi Judah Valenti.’
By the time we stepped back onto the cobblestones, the midnight air was much cooler.
I placed my jacket over her shoulders, and we walked back toward Soho House Rome.
Arms encircling each other’s waists, our strides matching.
My inked, muscled arm around her was natural, anchored to the curve of her hip, and she leaned into me with an easy, trusting confidence that shattered my remaining stoicism.
This woman had me on ropes.
These feelings of tenderness and fierce possessiveness were growing as I tightened my grip, vowing to defend this woman against any force on the planet.
I was so locked in.
We reached the door to our shared suite, the corridor lighting catching the diamond on her left hand as she turned to face me.
The silence between us grew thick, charged with the lure of the wine and the yearning that had been simmering for weeks now.
My usual cool detachment deserted me, and all my rules and caution went out the window.
With a groan, I stepped closer to her, my hands rising to cup her jawline, my calloused thumbs stroking over her soft cheekbones.
Were we crossing a line we could never come back from? Were our hearts ready for this? I questioned myself, even as my arms tightened around her.
I hesitated until I gazed into her eyes and caught the gleam of desire, care, and the devotion within, and melted.
How did a rough, battle-scarred bloke like me end up with a wife this breathtaking? Did I even deserve to hold a woman so precious?
Before my lips met hers, I paused.
‘We’re about to do this again. You down with this, wife?’
She took an inhale, then nodded. ‘Yes, husband, make love to me.’
‘You sure, Mrs. Valenti?’ I rasped. ‘I need to know you’re one hundred percent certain.’
Sofia stared up at me, her eyes reflecting the amber glow of the terrace lights outside. She reached up, her hand resting over my erratic heartbeat.
‘Mi alma, I’ve never been more sure of anything.’
A wave of relief washed over me as I lowered my head and pressed my mouth to hers.
The kiss was a slow, deep collision of heat and steel, her lips parting with a soft gasp as she threaded her fingers into my jacket.
The electric jolt arced through me, and my breath hitched.
‘Judah.’
Her moan undid me as did her mouth, velvet and wine-soaked on my lips.
I deepened the pressure, my tongue tracing the seam of her lips, lost in her.
Trailing my lips to her nape, she whimpered when my hands slid up under her blouse to cup her tits and flick her nipples.
She moaned, and I sensed my calloused fingers from strumming my guitar were rough, delicious, yet gentle on her skin, arousing her.
I moved my other hand to the back of her head as our kiss deepened, then I cupped her ass, wanting her so much.
When I tore my mouth from hers, I found her eyes on me, jolting at the heat in her gaze.
I loved the sensual gleam, the parted lips, and her heaving chest, loving that her passion for me was unguarded.
I was losing my grip here, my mind spinning until she reached for my face and stroked my chin.
‘I need you, Jude, now please.’
‘So needy,’ I rasped, amped up by her words.
My hand slid down to take her hotel keycard.
I unlocked the timber door and pushed it open, into our suite.
I guided her inside her bedroom and shut the world out behind us, locking the deadbolt.
I gazed down into her face, ready to ravage her, wanting her with a surge of volcanic need.
I picked her up, her arms looping around my neck as I carried her to the bed.
Swept away by the scent of vanilla on her skin and the soft, breathless sound of my name on her lips, I kissed with savage desire.
Once on the duvet, she reached for my shirt and pants, helping me strip them off even as I undressed her.
When her hands glided over my body, and her hot fingers stroked my cock, I bucked, almost losing it.
‘Damn, woman,’ I growled, slipping off her panties, ‘I won’t last long this way.’
Her eyes smoldered as I threw her underwear aside and she moved over me, reaching for my scorching hard cock and pumping me.
‘I want to get you off, husband,’ she whispered.
I huffed as I gave in to her sensual jacking, burying my head in her nape, one hand in my hair, the other playing with her nipples. ‘You know I love it too, your hands all over me.’
‘I want more,’ she went on as she kept working my length, stroking, tightening, and squeezing with sensuous delight, and with such pleasure I groaned.
‘I need you inside me,’ she uttered, ‘now!’
My heart swelled with emotion as her lips glided over my jawline, earlobe, throat, and chest.
It was so freakin’ good being loved on, but now it was my turn to rile her up, to nip and nibble on her.
Flipping her on her back, I bent my head and took her nipple in my mouth, suckling hard as I could while slipping a hand between her thighs.
‘You like that?’ I rumbled as my fingers escalated their thrusting into her, moving in and out of her slickness
‘I adore it,’ she breathed, bucking and rocking her hips into my fondling touch.
We rubbed, stroked and moaned into each other, kissing, nipping, whispering sweet nothings until I got hit with the overwhelming desire to sink into her.
‘I need to be inside you now,’ I rasped, widening her knees and sinking my cock into the wet folds between her legs, into rapture, into heaven.
‘So tight,’ I groaned as we thrust together, each touch stripping away any emotional distance left between us.
Her nipples rubbed my chest, her moans and exhales heating my nape as we fucked.
Our lovemaking was white hot, as I sought to make the woman in my arms the happiest she’d ever been.
Every time she gasped into my mouth and drew circles on my spine with her fingertips, layers of my old armor crumbled into dust, leaving me raw and exposed.
I thrust faster, hips working, chasing our high.
Until we both hit our bliss in shuddering waves, rocking into each other as ecstasy took over, our lips melded, our bodies even more so.
In time, as we came down off our high, the room grew quiet, save for the distant hum of the Roman traffic below.
Tracking to the bathroom, I returned to clean her before tucking her sensuous, languorous body under the covers.
I poured a glass of water from the carafe on her room’s desk, taking a slow sip as I gazed down at her supine, sensual form.
Damn, my mind, body, and soul were blown.
I’d never experienced a sweeter or more seductive love.
I slid back under the sheets, pulling them up over her shoulders and tucking her back to my chest.
Sofia let out a soft, contented sigh, her touch stroking me until she fell into a deep sleep.
I wrapped my thick arm around her waist, anchoring her to my side as I drifted off in her arms.
SOFIA
Morning arrived in a flood of amber light across the parquet floor, the velvet drapes failing to block the vibrant Roman sun.
I reached out over the mattress, meeting only the cool, empty linen sheets where Jude had slept.
A sudden knot of anxiety tightened in my throat.
Until I turned my head and found a white note resting on the adjacent pillow.
A single crimson rosebud and a slim black card sat atop the paper.
I picked up the note, tracing his thick, blocky handwriting.
Had to head to the venue early for a mandatory technical walk-through, Mrs. Valenti. Thank you for an incredible few days. Use the black card for whatever you need today. Have a beautiful time. x Jude.
I arched a brow at the sleek titanium credit card, its surface gleaming under the morning light.
I smiled at the thoughtfulness as I nestled into the bed, wanting to shout for joy.
A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.
Moments later, I opened the door to a uniformed waiter who wheeled in a silver breakfast tray, a pre-order from Jude.
It was yet another kindness from my husband.
With a smile and thanks to the server, I carried the plate of flaky croissants, fresh figs, and a silver pot of thick espresso out onto the private stone terrace.
The vast expanse unfolded beneath me in a maze of terracotta roofs and ancient domes.
I took a slow sip of the bitter coffee, as happiness expanded my chest.
Yet, a small, persistent voice of caution piped up.
What if last night was just the natural breaking point of all the tension we’d built up over the months? Was there a real, permanent forever in his touch, or was he just swept away by the romance of Italy?
I shook my head, setting the porcelain cup down on the table.
Refusing to let fear ruin this day, I chose to focus on enjoying the city.
An hour later, I laced up my sneakers, grabbed a backpack, and headed toward the Spanish Steps to meet my afternoon bike tour group.
Our small group assembled near the Bernini fountain.
We were a beautiful, eclectic mix of travelers from every corner of the globe.
I bonded with Priya, a brilliant software designer from Mumbai with a booming laugh.
I also made friends with Marcus and Thomas, a retired couple from Melbourne who held hands as they admired the baroque architecture.
Our guide fitted us with lightweight touring bikes.
He led us toward the oldest and longest road of them all: the Via Appia Antica, taking us to the outskirts of the countryside.
Most of the road was still original basalt stone, making it one of the prettiest bike rides the city had to offer.
The ride was lined with ancient monuments, ruined tombs, and towering Roman pines stretching along fields of vibrant green.
At one point, our group pulled over to let a flock of meandering sheep cross the cobbles.
They head-butted Marcus’ bike, prompting a chorus of belly laughs from everyone.
‘Stop it with stirring a b-aa-aa-aa-d situation, Marcus!’ Thomas teased, helping his partner up from the ground where the sheep dumped him.
The ride back was exhilarating, the Mediterranean breeze cutting through the afternoon heat as we pedaled beneath the shade of the ancient pines.
My phone buzzed in my pocket just as we were returning our bikes to our guide in Rome.
I stepped aside, my heart flipping at Jude’s name on the screen.
‘Hey, honey,’ I said, leaning back on the warm brick wall.
‘Hey, babe,’ his deep, gravelly voice vibrated through the speaker, sending a delicious shiver straight down my spine. ‘You having a good day? Letting loose on my card?’
‘I’m having the best time, Jude,’ I replied. ‘I met some wonderful people. I didn’t touch the card yet, though.’
‘Use it, Sofia. Buy something ridiculous,’ he chuckled, his tone warm and tender. ‘The venue tech run-through is a major headache, but thinking about you is the only thing keeping me sane right now. I miss you.’
‘I miss you too, tesoro,’ I whispered, the words slipping out, full of yearning and affection. ‘Get through your tech and soundcheck. I’ll see you tonight.’
‘Count on it,’ he murmured.
Saying goodbye to my new friends, I wandered into the high-end shopping district near the Via dei Condotti.
I kept my purchases demure, to ensure I didn’t spend too much of his money.
In a quiet, scent-infused apothecary, I selected a small bottle of local orange-blossom perfume, and then stopped inside a leather boutique.
There, I used his card to purchase a handcrafted, minimalist brown leather planner for myself and a sleek, embossed music notebook cover for him.
With my bags in hand, I was struck by the appreciation of having a husband who took care of me.
The cashier handed back the titanium card, and I strolled back toward the hotel, soul content.
The evening air was balmy, carrying the distant melody of a street violinist three blocks over.
I paused at a fountain and an ivy-draped archway, snapping photos of the golden-hour light hitting the ancient stones and sending them to Jude’s phone.
I got back a kiss and a love heart emoji.
My heart flew as I walked through the vibrant city, surrounded by the laughter from outdoor cafes and the timeless beauty of Rome.
All the doubts about us seemed to vanish, unable to stand a chance against the real emotion blooming between Jude and me.