Chapter 23
Wildest Dreams
Leo’s arms encircle me in the warm water as bubbles float around us in the bath.
I sigh, leaning into his embrace, relaxing between his legs.
It’s been almost an hour since we got off the floor and talked.
To my surprise, Leo hadn’t gone into Subspace completely and honestly that gave me some relief.
Although it went well for an impromptu session without much discussion beforehand, we agreed to hold off on roleplay for now.
Wasn’t a first choice kink and neither of us wholly stuck to the actual roleplay.
That’s likely from my choice of what roles to play.
Either way, we decided to hold off on trying again.
Leo mentioned not worrying about him calling yellow, and I didn’t push.
Long as I knew he was okay, that’s all that mattered to me.
After that part of the aftercare, Leo suggested a bath.
The massive bathroom is lit with candles scattered everywhere, flicking shadows over the marble. He runs his hands down my arms as I lean my head back against his shoulder.
“Proud of you,” he murmurs, stroking a hand over my hair as water droplets fall into the bath.
“Thank you, mister.”
Leo kisses my temple and hums. We remain silent, peaceful.
Questions tickle at the back of my mind, weighing heavy on my tongue. I don’t want to ruin this moment, doing something we rarely do, and after something we’ve never done.
“Tomorrow, we’ll go out for dinner,” he mentions, disrupting my thoughts. “You can show me what else you bought today.”
“Who says I bought anything other than fancy underwear?”
“I saw the other bags, dear Watson.” He nips my ear. “And I know couture better than you think.”
“Caught me.”
Leo adjusts his arms around me, turning me to face him. I straddle his lap as his brows furrow, slightly frowning. “What is it? Do we need to discuss—”
“No, not from earlier,” I interject softly, rubbing his arms. “I don’t want to ruin this.”
“You’ll ruin nothing.”
“Cause I haven’t said anything.”
Leo cups my cheek. Those hazel eyes sear into mine, searching for answers. “Talk to me, dear Watson.”
I inhale deeply, letting out a sharp exhale. He lets go, moving the other hand to stroke my back gently.
“How long are we going to be here?” His features soften. “Not that I hate Rome, I love and enjoy it here. It’s just…going on two weeks and everyone still thinks we’re in Boston. I just wish I knew what to expect. Feels like, uh…winter again.”
“The moment I know something, I’ll tell you.”
“I know, I know.” My forehead touches his shoulder as he continues to stroke my back. “It’s the lack of movement that unnerves me.”
“They’re planning next steps like us. When I know the right time to reveal our real location, I’ll tell you.”
I nod, moving to completely be against his chest. He shifts further into the water to submerge us.
“Until then, we’re going to enjoy ourselves with what we have,” he whispers, kissing my temple. “I won’t allow anything to continue stealing precious moments with you; experiencing life with you.”
I bring my head up, kissing him softly on the lips. Water trickles down my skin as he cups the side of my face, kissing me deeper with adoration. Once we break apart, he cradles my head against him, whispering reverently, “My dear wife…my beautiful dear wife.”
My hands smooth down over the silky material.
The dress I wear is a deep maroon, a simple cocktail dress that reaches my shins with an asymmetric top.
I smile at myself, taking a deep breath and liking how I look.
Before I leave the bathroom, I give myself some finger guns for good luck and head out to the bedroom.
Checking that my short heels are strapped on, I take a picture to send to Leanne later.
She’s loved that I started wearing dresses again, but even I’m not sure if I’ll continue to wear them back home.
Leo’s already down in the lobby, needing to speak to someone before we leave for dinner. I’ve no idea where we’re going, only being told what kind of attire to wear. I grab my small purse as I walk out to the living room, where Rudy waits and grins when he sees me.
“You look beautiful, barchen,” he compliments.
“Thank you, Rudy.” We walk out of the suite, down the hall to the elevator. The doors open, and there stands Aurelio who nods his head at us both.
“Buenasera, signora,” he greets. “Signor Luciano is in the lobby.”
“Grazie,” I respond, smiling as I get on the elevator with Rudy.
Aurelio starts to head down the hallway, but stops. “Oh, packages have come for you and Signor Luciano, I shall have them delivered tomorrow.”
I blink, and nod. “Oh, yeah. Buono. Grazie.”
He gives me a quick smile and nods his head again. “Ciao.”
“Ciao.” The elevator doors close, and I stare at the reflective doors. “Who’d be sending mail?”
“Sombra or Pretty Boy,” Rudy answers.
“We’re here long enough for them to do that, huh?”
Rudy’s hand lands on my shoulder, squeezing gently. “We’ll be home before you know it. Then you’ll miss this place just as much.”
I pat his hand just before the doors open. He lets go as we step out, my heels clicking against the shiny floor. I grin at the fountain in the middle of the lobby, scanning for Leo or one of the other Crew. My hands start wringing when I don’t see them.
“He’s in the lounge,” Owen’s voice drifts forward. He approaches from said lounge, dressed like Rudy in black slacks and a v-neck shirt. “Get the car ready.”
Rudy grunts, leaving the hotel lobby.
“Who’s he speaking to?” I ask.
“Bar manager.” Owen shrugs. “About a discussion with Aurelio earlier. I’ll tell him you’re ready.”
“Thanks. No rush. I’ll wait here.” I gesture to the fountain, sitting on the small bench next to it and grin up at Owen. He grins back, walking away.
I watch the water trickle down from the statue in the middle of the fountain.
It feels tiny after seeing the Trevi Fountain, especially with the crowds that were there when we visited.
Much like everywhere else in Rome. Not much different from New York.
Melancholy fills my heart, missing the city that’s become home.
My fingers play over some of the plant leaves surrounding the fountain, tracing the greenery. Slowly, I close my eyes.
For the past few months, Leo and I have just been going, going, going.
Not many moments to fully stop and smell the flowers as it were until we got to Rome.
Even then, it’s been a whirlwind of seeing the sights and experiencing the city.
A deep breath, and I inhale the fresh scent of water, flowers, and lingering citrus.
Why do I keep becoming restless? Isn’t this better? Or perhaps I’ve become too used to the stress and looking over my shoulder again.
I hum to myself, opening my eyes to stare down at my reflection. My thoughts slow as I watch the rippling water.
There’re footsteps, and I know it’s him.
Leo approaches and I turn with a smile. He wears black slacks and a dress shirt to match.
A couple of top buttons are undone, hinting at his tattoos.
He hasn’t shaved lately, so there’s a bit of a beard on his face.
Leo’s eyes trail down my body as I stand, and I want to twirl for him even though it’s not that kind of dress.
Leo comes close, taking my hand and kisses just above my rings. “You are breath-takingly gorgeous tonight, dear Watson.”
I flashback to a time when I’d come close to running out of a restaurant, when I’d felt out of place. I smile gently, knowing this is where I should be.
“And you are incredibly handsome this evening, Signor Luciano.”
His eyes shine, taking my arm to lead me out of the hotel to the car.
We get inside the smaller town car, Rudy and Owen riding in the front.
The city lights flicker past as Rudy drives us through Rome.
I’m soon lost in staring at the buildings, and then we cross the river that cuts through the city.
I glance over at Leo, truly having no idea what he has planned.
It’s quite some time before the car stops at an almost empty street.
There are balconies with plants hanging from them and string lights.
It seems like a small neighborhood nestled into the city.
“Where are we?” I ask.
“Somewhere a bit more private,” Leo answers, kissing my cheek and then gets out of the car.
Oh, he’s up to something.
I smirk, getting out as Rudy opens my door.
I glance at the one-way bricked path, filled with old buildings lining the street and, in the distance, I can see a sliver of St. Peter’s Basilica.
I step carefully around the car; Leo takes my hand and then gives a look to the other two.
They remain where they are as Leo leads me down the path of dimmed streetlights.
Music travels through the air as he takes us to a small restaurant.
We enter the quaint space of warm brick, vines, and lit signs.
The smell of fresh food hits my nose as we’re soon greeted by a larger man with a dark beard.
Leo greets him in Italian, and I catch a few words that mostly include welcomes, and being delighted we’re here.
He then greets me, kissing my cheek in greeting.
“Buonosera, signora, ben—” He speaks too fast for me to keep up. I nod my head, smiling as I concentrate on the few words I can understand.
Soon, he walks us through the restaurant towards a patio outside.
Flicking my gaze about, I notice the place is empty.
We come outside and then I realize we arrived through the back of the restaurant, because outside there are multiple other restaurants and bars across the street that are open.
We’re sat at a small round table as Leo continues his conversation with the man before he leaves us.
A smirk plays on his face as we sit across from each other, and I glance at the metal fencing that surrounds the outside seating area.