19. Clara
Chapter Nineteen
CLARA
I wake slowly, my body heavy with exhaustion and a pleasant ache between my thighs.
I’m wrapped in Marco’s arms, his body curled around mine like a protective shield.
I keep my eyes closed as I listen to his breathing and focus on the slow rise and fall of his chest against my back.
For a moment, I let myself pretend that we are the only two people in the world, where nothing else exists but his strong arms curled around my waist, holding me close even in sleep.
Then a kiss is pressed against my shoulder, and a small sigh escapes me, my body instinctively melting into him.
I shift slightly, parting my thighs in a silent invitation and when Marco’s hand slides between them, a breathless gasp leaves my lips as his fingers find my clit, teasing me so slowly.
My breath catches, my body still sore and sensitive from last night, but I don’t stop him.
I never want to stop him.
I let out a soft moan as Marco moves his finger in a slow, torturous rhythm that has me writhing against him.
“Good morning, love.” He shifts behind me, letting me know he’s ready.
I can’t even form a response, not when his fingers are working me up all over again.
My body arches against him, and he groans as I press my ass harder against his cock.
“I need you,” I whisper as my pussy pulses.
He chuckles as he grinds his hips against me, his cock making me so wet I’m on the verge of sobbing.
“I’m right here,” he murmurs, his voice rough with sleep.
And then, before I even have time to process, he slides inside me.
I suck in a breath, my hands gripping the sheets as he fills me inch by inch.
There’s no urgency to his movements as he slides his cock in and out of me. Just the slow build of pleasure as our bodies move together.
Marco presses his lips to my throat as his hands roam my body like he’s memorizing every inch of it, squeezing my breasts and my hips before returning his hand to between my thighs to start working my clit.
I moan softly as I move against him, crying out every time he sinks his cock back inside me.
And then his thumb presses down on my clit just right.
I come with a soft whimper, my pussy clenching around him, which is enough to send Marco over the edge.
He groans in my ear as he spills inside me, but he doesn’t stop. Not until we’re both covered in sweat and gasping for air.
Even after we’ve both come down from the high of our release, neither one of us moves. We just lay in silence with our bodies still joined, as the weight of something unspoken settles between us. Because this wasn’t just sex.
It was something so much deeper.
After enjoying breakfast in bed, Marco and I get on the road to head back to Westchester. I can still feel the lingering heat of Marco’s touch all over my body, and I’m deliciously sore between my thighs, and yet I could have easily spent another week in bed with him.
“I feel spoiled, having you all to myself.” I laugh as I thread my fingers through his.
Marco grins as he keeps his eyes on the road, but he lifts our joined hands up to his mouth and presses a kiss to my knuckles.
Having this alone time with Marco has made me realize how much I wish the future I’ve envisioned for us was happening right now.
I want it all—fashion school, Marco, more kids. But more than anything, I want us to have a place of our own where we can spend every night wrapped in each other's arms.
I love Marco’s family, I really do. Even in such a short amount of time, I’ve come to see them as my own.
But I also know that living at Andre’s house isn’t a long-term solution.
Eventually, we’re going to have to move out, and whether that’s to Marco’s place in the city, or somewhere entirely new, is yet to be decided.
Marco pulls up outside the house.
“Are you coming inside to see Zoe?”
Something like pain flickers in Marco’s eyes as he looks at me. “I have some urgent business to take care of.”
“How long will you be gone?”
The high from our one-on-one time is starting to fade.
“I’ll be back later tonight. I promise.”
As I climb out of the car, Andre crosses the drive toward me, wearing an almost identical expression to Marco, which makes me feel uneasy.
Whatever it is they’re about to go and do, I have a feeling it’s not good.
“Lila is in the kitchen with the girls,” Andre says as he approaches me. “Zoe missed you.”
I smile at him before hurrying inside, desperate to see Zoe. Even one night away from her feels like a lifetime, and I want nothing more than to hold her.
As promised, I find Lila in the kitchen giving the girls some early lunch.
Zoe is so excited to see me that she throws her food on the floor and starts waving her arms at me.
“I feel special.” I laugh as I pull Zoe out of her chair and plant a big kiss on her cheek.
“I’m not surprised, after spending the night at the Plaza.” Lila gives me a knowing look. “Tell me everything .”
The rest of the day passes by in a blur as I hang out with Lila, Zoe, and Holly.
Talking to Lila helps to distract me from ruminating over the look on Marco’s face when he dropped me off. I know he likes to keep a lot of his work to himself in order to protect me, but sometimes I wish he would let me in a little more.
We’re a team, and I want to feel like one in all aspects of our lives.
After I put Zoe down for the night, I’m about to head into my sewing room to start working on some more dresses for her when I get a call from Sam.
I can’t even remember the last time I called her, which makes me feel incredibly guilty. I’ve not been a great friend recently, but I know Sam will be understanding.
I shut the door to Zoe’s room behind me and head next door to Marco’s bedroom. “Hey,”
“Why are you whispering?”
“I just put Zoe down for the night.” I perch on the edge of the bed.
“Perfect timing. I was hoping you’d be free for a drink. And you’re not allowed to say no.”
“Umm…” It’s not that I don’t want to go, but Marco isn’t home.
I know I don’t need his permission to go out, but after everything that’s happened, I respect that he worries about my safety and will want to know where I am.
“Come on, please , Clara. You owe me.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“I have allowed you to be all radio silent, and I haven’t complained once. But time’s up, Clara. I need a girls’ night, pronto.”
“Okay, give me one sec.” I put my phone on speaker and open up my text thread with Marco.
Me
Sam wants to meet for a drink. Is it okay if we go to Nox?
His answer is almost immediate.
Marco
Not Nox
I frown. Why does Marco not want me to go to the bar he owns? Surely, it’s the safest place for us to go?
Sam huffs. “Please tell me you’re not asking Marco for permission.”
Before I can answer, another message from Marco comes through.
Marco
Go to Crescent, Jax will drive you.
“Of course not. I…I just needed to see if he could watch Zoe,” I lie as my stomach twists. What is Marco not telling me?
“And?”
“How do you feel about going to Crescent ?”
“Hell, yes! I’ll meet you there at eight.”
She hangs up the call, so I quickly send Marco another text.
Me
Will do, and I’ll keep you updated with where I am, and if I see anyone suspicious looking. I love you. x
Marco
Thank you, love. I know it’s a pain, but I’ll go out of my mind if I don’t know you’re safe. Also… I love you too. x
I shut off my phone and get to my feet. I don’t have long before I need to leave, so I quickly head into the bathroom to shower and get ready.
As I’m heading down the stairs into the foyer, Rosa appears from the kitchen looking quite made up, which is unusual for her. Normally, she’s in her PJs with her hair in a bun the moment the sun starts to go down.
She gives me a once-over. “Where are you off to?”
“I’m meeting my friend Sam for a drink in the city… What about you? You’re a little dressed up for a Wednesday night.”
Rosa grins, and I frown, not liking the mischievous look in her eyes.
“I’ve got my own plans.”
“What kind of plans?”
“The guy I’ve been seeing is coming over to watch a movie,” She flips her hair.
I narrow my eyes as I take in her outfit.
Marco would have a heart attack.
“Do your brothers know?”
Rosa rolls her eyes at me, and I sigh.
Is this how my mom felt when I was a teenager? If so, I feel bad for ever giving her attitude.
“Nope, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell them. It’s bad enough I had to ask Lila for permission for him to come over.”
I shake my head at her, grinning at the thought of Marco finding out that his baby sister will be alone with a boy.
“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it. But can I at least be here when they find out?”
“I can handle my brothers.”
“Let’s hope so.”
Sam is already sitting at a high-top table, looking radiant in a bright coral jumpsuit with her dark hair scraped back in a ponytail, when I arrive at Crescent,
I’ve never been to this bar before but immediately I can tell it’s my sort of place.
It’s cozy, with soft music playing in the background and warm orange lighting that won’t give you a headache. There are even enough chairs so you can actually sit down to enjoy your overpriced cocktail.
Okay, I am officially turning into my mother.
As expected, Sam barely waits for the waitress to set a glass of wine in front of me before she dives into a heavy interrogation about what’s been going on in my life.
It’s hard to lie to her, but I can’t exactly tell her about Tommaso and Cillian, and even my brother Ben showing up. The less she knows, the better, so I do my best to steer the conversation away from me and toward her.
Thankfully, Sam is eager to chat, so I sip my drink as she fills me in on everything I’ve missed in her life since the last time we spoke.
I nod along, smiling as her face lights up when she talks about the guy she’s seeing.
She’s halfway through recounting their first night together when my phone lights up on the table, and I half glance at the screen.
It’s an email notification from the admissions department of the New York Institute of Fashion.
“Oh, my god.” I go completely still, my pulse hammering in my ears.
“What’s wrong?” Sam frowns.
I swallow, my throat suddenly painfully dry as I stare at the screen.
“I…applied for fashion school.”
“Wait, what ?”
“It’s a long story, but I’m pretty sure this email is letting me know whether I got in or not.”
“Holy shit!” Sam’s eyes widen as she looks down at my phone. “Well, open it!”
My fingers tremble as I start to panic.
What if I didn’t get in? What if this was my one chance, and I blew it?
“Clara, just open it.”
I inhale sharply before picking up my phone and clicking on the notification.
The email loads, and I quickly scan the words as my dinner threatens to make a reappearance.
Dear Ms. Peterson,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into the New York Institute of Fashion ? —
My heart stops.
I read that part again.
You have been accepted.
“Holy shit.”
“What? Did you get in?”
I nod as I manage to read the whole email for the first time, trying to register what it says. “I got in.”
Sam grabs my hand and starts squealing so loudly that everyone at the surrounding tables turns to glare at us.
“You got into the best fashion school in the country!”
I can barely breathe. “I-I need to tell Marco.”
“Yes, call him!”
My eyes start to water as I wait for him to answer.
I wish he was here, if only to calm me down.
I can’t believe I actually got in, and it’s all because of him.
“Clara, is everything okay?” Marco sounds concerned.
“I got in. I got in to fashion school. They just emailed me over my acceptance.”
He’s silent for a moment and then he exhales. “That’s my girl. I’m so proud of you.” His words send a shiver down my spine.
The smile is clear in his voice, but there’s something else there too.
I frown. “Marco? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, love. I just have some things I need to take care of.”
I chew my bottom lip, ignoring the concerned look that Sam is giving me across the table.
His answer was a little too quick, and I want to press Marco further, but he’s already talking.
“Go and enjoy your night. We’ll celebrate properly when you get home.”
I hesitate, but in the end, I know there’s no point in fighting him. He’ll talk when he’s ready.
“Okay. I’ll see you later.”
Once I end the call, I stare at my phone as a strange unease washes over me.
What is Marco hiding?