CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Lunch flowed into dinner, and only when the sky darkened did everyone finally leave the house.
Nico gave Olivia quick kisses and seductively fed her food.
The magic was there, but like Dorothy seeing the wizard, the curtain was gone.
What I could see for sure was that a lasting marriage would have many obstacles, but if the love was there and remained strong, good could arise from it. Although, if Rocco ever cheated on me…
Just the thought brought on a heated rush of anger and possessiveness. I’d lose my mind, and he would, too.
I laced up my sneakers and joined Zane outside for a jog, something I’d done many times over the summer.
Rocco returned to his work, preparing for the looming family meeting with the trust and board.
With Olivia in our corner, we had new hope, although victory was far from certain.
We all knew Marini Trust wouldn’t easily surrender a chance at power.
Something Luca was sure would make Rocco return to Marini Corporate full-time.
Oh, Luca. Why couldn’t you have just let things be?
I could almost hear his voice in my mind. I can only be me, mi dulce, Adelina. Luca, ever stubborn, was always convinced he was right. I admired his unwavering confidence, but I longed for a compromise.
I followed my usual path, weaving through silent rows of grapes and olives, their branches dozing in winter’s embrace.
Pausing for a sip of water, I noticed Zane dart ahead, vanishing between the vines.
“Hey, Zane?” I called but received no reply.
My heart thudded faster as I hurried after him, rounding a row and racing to the edge of the estate.
My hand cupped my eyes instinctively, scanning what was visible in front of me. Where’d he go?
My skin prickled, and I tensed, peering out. Was there someone there?
“Hello?” I called out. No response. My pulse raced as I glanced around me, cursing that I hadn’t brought anything with me if it was Judge Colby again. He’d been quiet. Too quiet.
Headlights lit up in front of me, blocking the path.
Beep. Beep. Vespa. Rocco!
I giggled at him as he removed his helmet and shook his wavy hair. “How is this happening?”
“I thought we could use a night ride,” he said, grinning. “Hop on.”
I hopped onto the back, feeling the smooth, worn leather of Rocco’s jacket under my fingers as I circled his waist. My burst of laughter joined the chilly wind as we whipped past. On the corners, I snuggled into his back, inhaling his sandalwood cologne and the crisp scent that intermixed with the earthy aroma of passing vineyards.
As Rocco skillfully weaved through the hills, the open road was a blur of shadows, and a delight lifted inside of me being a part of Florence.
A familiar path came to light as I recognized the road leading to Luca’s old house.
A mix of excitement and hesitation rose inside of me, remembering our fight there.
Rocco pulled up front and parked. “Why are we back here tonight?”
“Because you need a good memory.”
I peered at him through my lashes. “You work for hours without stopping but decided to grab a Vespa and take me here to give me a good memory?”
“I’d do anything for you, Bella.” His gaze bore in, and my heart skipped a beat. The rain began to fall softly around us as I drew on the sincerity so evident in Rocco’s eyes. I wanted all that he promised. I had his heart, but I wanted back into his trust.
Raindrops danced on my head and shoulders, and as I reached up, the sky unleashed a wild torrent.
Rocco seized my hand, and we dashed inside, our laughter echoing through the empty hall.
He drew me in, his kiss fierce and possessive.
He unsnapped my bra, and I peeled it and my shirt away, his shirt quickly joining the heap as his mouth found mine again, his tongue urgent.
We broke apart, breathless, his hands and lips igniting my skin, desire spinning me out of control.
But even as heat surged, clarity cut through: I wasn’t protected.
I cradled his face, his eyes searching mine.
My body burned for him, but I forced myself to speak.
“We need protection. Do you have condoms?”
“No,” he said and sucked on my nipple.
I shivered, my hands lifting his head again. “Didn’t you hear me?”
“I want our baby,” he said. “Not for money or power. I won’t lie; Mom’s illness made me think about it. A long life isn’t promised no matter how much money you have. But ultimately, I thought about you. When you heard the news today, you were devastated.”
“I was, Rocco,” I said, my voice cracked.
“Because you want a baby with me, not for what we gain. You wanted our baby, and that had me thinking about what I really want. I want our child, too.”
“But you said you weren’t ready.”
“Who’s ever ready?” he said, and I frowned.
“I mean, there’s no such thing as a perfect time; we know that.
Everything will change, but it doesn’t have to be bad.
I remember my childhood out of boarding school, full of my grandparents taking me places all over the world and teaching me all about it.
My parents did love me, and I had a lot of freedom.
But most importantly, when I think of a good life, all I see is two of us raising a family.
I want that in my future. Our children’s lives will be filled with love. ”
“They will, Rocco, because it’s us. Our love is real. I know it won’t always be easy; nothing in my life ever has been. But with you by my side, I truly believe we can face anything.”
He smiled broadly. “Then I’m ready, Bella. If you still want to.”
I pulled his head against my heart, which was too full. “I do. So much, Rocco. I do. Mmm…”
His hand cradled my neck, his tongue deep in my mouth.
My hands reached up and entwined in his hair.
We broke our kiss, and I said, “Oh, kiss me, touch me.” He kissed and nipped along my neck and groaned.
His hand yanking on my shorts and thong to move them down.
His fingers slid up my thigh, and I tingled.
Then he moved higher and rubbed my clit.
My hands tightened on his head, and my eyelids fluttered at the sheer pleasure, and I wanted more. “Mmm. I need you.”
He stroked me more, and I writhed against his fingers, feeling the rush as I grew hotter, tension building in a fast desperation.
I grabbed onto his bicep, trying to keep him in my hold.
“Yes, Bella. Let me feel you.” He stroked me faster, the pleasure reaching a height.
He kissed me harder, and I orgasmed, moaning into his mouth and shuddering hard in his hold.
The pleasure was intense, but I wanted more, and Rocco understood.
He dropped to his knees and pulled the thong all the way off.
“Take me.” Use me, thrill me. Destroy me.
“Oh, I am, Bella. I want to feel you completely unravel.”
“Ohh,” I moaned breathlessly, my hands on his head as he dragged his tongue up my slit, then grabbed my ass, his tongue lapping hot over my clit.
I pushed into his face, and he tightened his grip, his tongue swirling and sucking my clit. “Ohhh, God,” I cried out in ecstasy. He kissed up to my stomach, then pulled on my waist, and I bent down right to my knees. I leaned over as he pulled off his jeans.
“You’re so beautiful, Rocco,” I whispered. His strong, muscular body was before me. His gaze was dark and full of desire as he moved his eyes all over me.
“Bella, no one is as beautiful as you.” My hands reached over and wrapped around his hard cock, swollen, full, and ready, and I swiped over it with my hot tongue, feeling his shiver.
Then my hands went to work, stroking it up and down until I bent my head down and sucked it into my mouth.
My tongue hit a sensitive spot that made him jut, pushing in across my tongue to the back of my throat.
I swallowed, and he let out a loud groan, and I knew I owned him.
“Mmm, fuck. You do that so well.” I loved hearing his pleasure and tried again, sucking him more, dragging my mouth up his shaft, and circling my tongue around the head.
He paused, gently pulling us apart, and the air between us charged with meaning.
Maybe this is the moment we create new life…
could this time change everything? The possibility sent a rush of longing and raw openness through me. Oh, how I wish.
Rocco climbed on top of me, and our eyes connected again. “Every time is special with you. Every time is ours.” It was as if he read my heart, and it rose from its place, drawn to his warmth as if he were my sun, and I was basking in the glow of his love.
He moved within me, and together we cried out in pleasure.
My head lifted to his, and our gazes locked as he moved inside me. “Damn, you’re beautiful.”
My emotions were too exposed to hold back; any distance between us felt like an eternity. “I love you,” I choked.
He kissed my face and neck as he moved above me, and I clutched his ass, pulling him in further.
I wanted it all. He pushed in deeper, and my legs moved around him.
I lost myself in the pulsing drives of his dick, and I could feel my inner walls vibrating.
He shoved in deep, and I wrapped my arms and legs around him tighter, luxuriating in his hot skin, the strong press of his body, and the smell of his sandalwood scent.
He moved faster, and I cried out, my back bowed as my climax shook me.
My thighs trembled against his. “Oh, Rocco.”
He let out a loud moan, pumping inside me. “You’re all I want,” he said, flexing hard as he came. But he stayed there, holding himself, and I looked up at the heavens, and that was where I was.