Chapter 20
Fallen Angels our only barrier to the outside world. I smile, breathing deep as I witness the calm morning.
The past couple of days have felt like a dream.
Leo’s taken me to see the Coliseum, early in the morning before large crowds were let in.
I didn’t ask how he did it, but appreciated that we could walk around the ancient space by ourselves for a bit.
It was larger than I thought while I stared down into what used to be the arena.
Then we went to the temple ruins next to it, and then we were off to the ancient race course.
He’s shown me other monuments, notable places.
Yesterday, we walked a bit along the river, and then explored some gorgeous churches for their art and architecture. One stood out the most for me.
Santa Maria della Vittoria.
A church that appeared simple on the outside with white stone columns.
Inside it was adorned with intricate works of marble, gold, and stone.
Painted ceilings. Designs carved into the walls.
Finally, there was a sculpture of white with golden rods reaching down, splitting like frozen sunlight.
An angel with an arrow in their hand stood above a woman covered in fabric.
It was simple, yet complex as I stared at the sculpture carved by Bernini.
Ecstasy of Saint Teresa—a structure of sensual and spiritual pleasure.
There was a familiarity I couldn’t place staring at it, even now unsure what it was.
An arm snakes over my waist, tugging me against a torso. The warmth of Leo’s skin against mine makes me sigh. We’re naked under the light cotton sheets draped over us. I grasp his hand, pressing my hips back and become quite aware of his morning wood.
His hand caresses my side, coming up to my breast and gently grabs it. As I feel his body against mine, heat grows from within spreading through me as Leo kisses my neck. Warm, moist breath drifts over my skin as he kisses the underside of my jaw, arousal growing.
“Check in,” he murmurs.
“Emerald.” I feel him smile against my neck.
Leo eases me onto my back, covering my body with his.
He kisses my skin reverently, hands roving softly over me as his hips gently rock against mine.
One of his hands moves down, teasing towards the apex of my thighs.
My breath catches as a finger strokes over the hood of my clit, circling gently.
I grasp just above his hip, holding onto him as my body bends towards him when a finger is inserted inside me.
He works me slowly, stroking his thumb over my clit.
Another finger joins the first. Leo kisses down my clavicle and back up.
Everywhere his touch is a gentle caress; delicate as he breathes against my skin.
With every movement, my body bows to him in want of more pleasure that thrums through me.
My head tilts back against the pillows, breathing heavily as I stare up at the canopy above us.
I gaze at the scenery painted on the ceiling, past the rippling fabric.
Angels lounge within clouds amongst gold and pink streaking through pale blue skies.
All of them nude with feathered wings, brilliant against the color.
Leo removes his fingers, causing me to tear my eyes away from the painting.
His cock replaces them as he ever so slowly pushes inside me.
I gasp while my hips lift toward him. Leo thrusts at a gradual pace before he completely fills me when his pelvis pushes against mine.
His hands stroke up my torso, one massaging my breast while the other moves to grasp my hair tenderly.
My hands run over his back, feeling the flex of his muscles as he thrusts again. I sigh as he touches me deep within.
He kisses above my breast, placing more towards my neck. Leo gently rocks into me, and then grasps my leg to bend it, pulling up towards my chest as he pushes forward. My body shudders, grabbing his hair and feeling the soft strands as he buries his face against my neck.
There’s nothing quick or harsh of what we do.
I stare down the length of his back as the sheets fall off of him, revealing those stark tattoos.
My breath hitches as I feel Leo around me.
His tenderness and loving embrace. I can’t pull my eyes away from the tattooed mafia boss, whom I’ve seen covered in blood, fucking me gently in the morning light.
No. This was Leo making love.
Realization flutters over me as his breath brushes my skin.
It suddenly feels like a dream, caught in a haze that I never want to wake up from.
Emotions build as my heart clenches, stroking my hands down his back.
I attempt to feel every part of him, gasping at the sensuous pace.
The safety and craving for him. Tears want to follow next in overwhelmed affection.
Don’t you dare cry during sex, Autumn. Don’t be that girl.
I swallow hard, burying my face against the crook of his neck as he plunges into me.
He remains there, keeping himself deep inside, rolling his hips as he lets go of my leg to trail his hand up my thigh.
Leo pulls his head away, and I’m met with hazel eyes smoldering with desire.
A slight furrow appears between his brows.
He reaches up, wiping away a stray tear that’s fallen down my face.
Crud muffins!
“I’m okay, nothing’s wrong,” I speak before he can.
Leo cups my face, body going still. “What is it, sweetheart?”
“Just…” I let out a shaky breath, touching his face next, “…just…never thought I’d be this loved.”
Another tear escapes. Leo leans in, kissing where it’s fallen.
“Ti amo…cara mia. Ti amo.”
I smile as his hips start to move again, and I wrap my legs around his waist. He drives himself slowly into me as I put my arms around his neck.
Leo’s forehead touches mine as he thrusts at a leisure pace.
Pleasure builds, cascading through my veins making my body tremble.
I clutch him as he gently rocks into me, pushing deep.
The orgasm that comes isn’t boisterous, it’s slow building as my muscles lock up as ecstasy flickers along my spine. I clench around him as he grunts low and comes next. Legs untightening around him, I sigh and allow my head to fall back completely.
Leo expertly flips us over, laying on his back for me lie on top of him.
His hands stroke my back as I feel his cock twitch inside me.
I almost giggle at the sensation, biting my lip.
We’re quiet as the sounds of the city drift from outside.
His chest rises against mine; fingers trailing along my spine.
He breaks the quiet, “What would you like for breakfast?”
“Whatever you want,” I sigh.
“How about some omelets?”
I balance my chin on his chest to look at him. He smiles softly, continuing to caress my back. “Sounds perfect.”
There’s a crowd outside St. Peter’s Basilica.
Not surprising. We walk around the square in front of the vast church.
My jaw almost drops as we step into the extravagant nave of the Basilica.
Stone pillars line the seemingly never-ending church, creating arches that lead into several coves.
Marble and gold are everywhere. Paintings of saints and angels are depicted in various scenes.
We’ve visited a handful of churches, but this was enormous.
I let go of Leo’s hand, walking ahead as I stare up at the ceiling where the artwork and sculptures continue.
Gold plates or perhaps tiles cover the curved ceiling, and there’s a golden border with inscribed Latin.
I stare at the writing, neck beginning to hurt as I attempt to translate it.
Leo comes up beside me, placing his hand against the back of my head to help relieve some of the pain.
I smile as I continue focusing on the ancient language.
“Can you read it?” He asks.
“Something about…praying to Peter and faith never failing, and over here…” I turn towards the other side of the nave, squinting at the inscription as I take a few more steps, “…keys to the kingdom? Heaven? Bound in heaven. Bound in earth.”
“Really know your Latin,” he murmurs.
I shrug, bringing my head down as he lets go.
We continue walking as I glance over the tucked in coves along the sides.
There’re places to sit, areas for candles to be lit which flicker in the dim shadows.
It’s ethereal here, and yet that familiar emotion returns.
Maybe I just feel small in the enormous spaces.
I shake off the odd feelings as we approach a large bronze four post structure. “I might remember some Latin, but I don’t know what that is,” I say.
“St. Peter’s Baldachin,” Leo answers.
My head tilts back again as I stare up at the golden dome above. Latin scripture is around the base with images, I’m guessing, of Peter or other saints. I catch words of keys to the kingdom and something of building a church.
“This is the pulpit or altar,” Leo explains as I bring my head down. We start to walk around the Baldachin, much like others as I look at the other sculptures built into the walls. More chairs.
“What are these nooks? Or coves?” I ask.
“They’re considered small chapels. Each with their own name such as Chapel of the Pieta or Chapel of St. Sebastian.”
“And the candles? I doubt for ambiance.”
He chuckles. “No. People may light them to honor those who’ve died or for prayers. To either God or a Saint. Common practice in Catholicism.”
Leo slips his hand around mine as we slowly walk under the dome.
“I know you’re not particularly religious, or practice that I know of,” I say carefully, approaching the topic. “But…do you believe in God? Or any of what this is dedicated to?”
He exhales a long breath, while glimpsing up towards the paintings. His hand remains firmly around mine.