CHAPTER ELEVEN
S oft waves hummed in the background of the low-lit sea-green room, giving me the illusion of floating in water. The masseuse’s hands were warm and heavenly as they worked over the stiff knots in my muscles. I’d gone from room to room: enjoying a facial, mani-pedi, and a full wax, the last thing I would typically do.
My head rolled through a film of yesterday. Rocco had packed so many things in a short time, and I was as surprised as Cassidy had been that I went for it. That had been me, in a helicopter and swing dancing in the middle of the day. Unbelievable. But somehow, Rocco made it all seem so natural. He was candid with me about his life and goals, and to my surprise, he supported my going for my dreams and passions. I was also captivated by his charm and how he treated me as if I were beautiful. I was on such a high and would have stayed there if I hadn’t spoken to Mama. Yes, I had ignored her, but I hadn’t expected her hostility. She put down everything he had done for me. Why couldn’t I enjoy the lifestyle they all had regularly?
Grandmother rode their horses at the stable I hadn’t been privy to. Grandfather golfed around the world regularly. They shopped, traveled, took vacations to their other estates. Even my eighteen-year-old cousin Lana had flown off to Europe with her friends on her graduation trip. Most of the time I pretended to have a blind eye, mainly because they complained about Mama’s extravagant lifestyle growing up and not wanting to spoil me in case I became selfish. Or because of all the money they’d lost from whatever my father had done. My college education was expensive; Jacob’s care was even more costly. That’s all I ever asked for. It was a sin to covet. I wasn’t hungry. Yet, there were times I wanted more. But Mama always said, once you’re married, you’ll have it .
My family duty came first, and after, I would support my husband by having his children, and then it’ll be my time. I’ll paint, travel, and illustrate. Maybe I’d even have that art institute one day. But why one day? Why not try to have more now? Rocco seemed open to it.
But that wasn’t what really bothered me. I told him you were a virgin and that you’d never been alone with a grown man . I hung out with guys at times in college, but I just didn’t date them. It was completely unacceptable. What had she expected? Did she believe she could control him? Or is she trying to get him to change his mind? Mama had also said our arranged marriage could change….
Hands pressed harder on my back. I gritted my teeth.
“Your muscles are tense. Concentrate on your breath. Inhale, exhale. Count in your head.”
I followed the advice, and after a while, I let myself drift.
When it was over, I changed and returned to the hotel room. Rocco had left a text message on my phone.
Rocco: Held up in Brooklyn Heights. Maybe for an hour or so.
Adelina: Okay. Thanks for letting me know.
I went to the bedroom and stretched out on the mattress, which formed to my body. Ahh. I sank in and rested my back. Just a few minutes…
Mmm. My eyes remained shut, unwilling to open and wake fully. I was boneless, sinking deeper into the mattress. Something different crossed my senses, but my mind refused to focus. The silkiness of the lace thong against my skin… bare. I slipped my hand down underneath the fabric and slid my hand against the smooth mound. Mmm. A tingling sensation coursed through me from the touch. I was very aware of my pulsing clit. I moved down further. My fingers circled it. “Ohh.” It felt so good. My eyes blinked open, and the haze lifted, as if a beacon directed my gaze. It zeroed in on Rocco. He was standing near the door, staring at me. His eyes filled with surprise.
I quickly moved my hand and flipped over to face away from him. My pulse pounded so hard I could feel it in my ears. I gulped air to steady my breath, but it came out like a moan. Oh no!
“Adelina, I—”
“I thought…I thought I-I was alone,” I stuttered.
“You were, but I sent a message to tell you I’m here. You didn’t answer, so I came to check on you….”
My body stiffened. I had only checked my phone earlier, and the volume was off. “Oh, I didn’t hear….” I said, my voice muffled. It hadn’t occurred to me that he’d have a key, or that he would come into the room.
“I also hadn’t expected to find you like that. I’m sorry.” His voice sounded nearer as the mattress dipped. His closeness was a pressure on my awareness, impossible to ignore. He placed his hand on my hip, and a thrill went down my spine. “Let’s talk about it—”
“I don’t want to,” I mumbled quickly.
“I know you don’t, but I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. If we talk about it, it’ll be done. I promise.” His thumb moved in a circle and my skin tingled. The more he did that, the less self-conscious I felt.
“I hadn’t intended to…it was the waxing. I never had a full wax…I wanted to feel the difference….” My eyes shut. “I feel embarrassed.”
“You shouldn’t be,” he said in a gentle tone. “To be honest, I loved it.”
I touched my warm face. “Oh my God.”
He lightly tugged my hand down. “You’re alluring, Adelina, mostly when you let yourself go. Honestly, I’m envious.”
“Envious?” I whispered. “Why?”
“I want my hand feeling your pussy. To kiss and lick it. To make you come on my mouth.” His smile was impish, his gaze imploring.
“Rocco, come on.” My voice was strained, breathless.
“I’m telling you what I thought to make you feel comfortable,” he said. “I’m here for you, Adelina. I’m definitely interested, but only when you’re ready. I’ll wait in the living room.”
He was about to leave, but I touched his hand. “Can you stay? I want you to stay.” My voice was even, but I trembled.
Can I let him? He’s soon to be my husband .
I wanted to show him and myself that I wasn’t the precious doll Mama wanted him to treat me as. More so, it was something I had built up for years, and I wanted to know what it would feel like . But what will he think of me if I let him do it so soon?
“What would you like me to do?” His hand moved to my back and slid down to just above the swell of my ass. I shivered. My heart hammered against my ribs. Minutes went by, and Rocco quietly waited. Slowly, I turned over on my back, and he sighed loudly.
“I want you to touch me,” I whispered.
“Open your eyes. I want you to see how much I love it.”
God, he was hot. His eyes were dark, penetrating. He splayed his large hand on my stomach, and the warmth and weight grounded me. It warmed through the fabric of my athletic pants that were low on my hips. My body heated and trembled. I could feel my clit throb.
Rocco groaned and moved his hand under the fabric. His fingers glided over my bare mound. The sensation felt explosive, intimate, and intense. I let out a moan as I trembled on the bed.
His groan was low as his fingers moved down to gently stroke my clit, slipping and stroking it wetter. My muscles clenched, and I writhed as he explored me. His gaze was hot as he stared, and I couldn’t stop moaning. My breasts were sensitive and swollen, my nipples visible through the front of my fitted shirt. And he was looking at them, and it made me hotter. His hand moved up, and my hips lifted. I was desperate. Please, don’t stop.
“Just a taste,” he whispered. His hand went to his full lips, where he licked my arousal. It was so seductive, I felt a burst of pleasure from my core and squirmed on the bed.
“You’re a sweet flower, Bella.” He let out a shudder and groaned.
His hand moved inside my thong again, but this time, with bold and direct intention. His strokes were sure and moved with a determined tenacity. I was about to come.
My hips lifted, shameless, as I pressed my thighs closer together. “Ohh, my God,” I repeated over and over.
“Yes, Adelina…” he moaned, stroking my clit faster. I gripped the covers and moaned loudly, rolling my hips. Oh, yes.
My thighs clenched, trapping his fingers as he rubbed my clit. The sound of my heavy breathing filled the room. His groans brought on a burst of ecstasy as I came. He didn’t move his hand but moved a finger to my opening. He gently slipped it inside me as I spasmed from the aftershocks of my climax. My heart pounded against my ribs as my inner walls narrowed. The barrier was there. Rocco could take my virginity. But he removed his hand with a loud exhale. “Fuck, even that’s turning me on.”
He sucked his fingers, then traced them over my gaping mouth before he crushed his lips to mine, cupping the back of my head. He tasted of mint chocolates and my essence. It was so carnal that I moaned into his mouth, moving my tongue with his. He had me wanting more.
Rocco broke the kiss, and we breathed hard.
“It’s too much,” he panted.
I lowered my eyelids and touched my lips. “I…I went too far.” A wave of fear rose higher than my desire, and my body tensed. What am I doing?
His hand lifted my chin. “Look at me.”
I raised my gaze, my pulse quickening at the softness in his eyes. “You didn’t. Never think that. When it’s us, it’s only us, Adelina. I love being touched, too, and I loved touching you.”
I averted my eyes, my insides warming at his praise. “Did you want a virgin?”
“No. Only a weak man asks for that. But we meet each other as we are. Okay?”
I nodded.
He kissed my forehead. “I want more, but we need to head out for your appointment.”
My brows rose. “For the wedding dress?”
He stood and adjusted the front of his pants, then helped me off the bed. “Too tempting,” he whispered and pulled my pants higher on my hips. “Yes, we need to leave for Nadia’s home studio.”
My brows rose. “Nadia-Nadia who?”
“Nadia Crane. She’s a designer at Givenchy in Paris and New York. She’s also my friend Paul’s wife.”
I pressed my hands to my chest to stop myself from hyperventilating. “Wait a minute . Nadia Crane’s doing my dress. Paul Crane’s your friend.”
Paul Crane was a famous billionaire heir and pianist, and his wife Nadia was becoming famous in her own right. No one could escape their wedding of the year four years ago. There was even a limited-edition movie about her rise as a designer and their fairytale marriage. Cassidy and I had watched it on a streaming platform a couple of years ago.
“Yes,” he said casually. “Paul’s best friends with my cousin, Lorenzo. I’ve known him most of my life. Nadia’s really cool. Approachable. She agreed to design your style and make your wedding dress.”
I touched my hot face. “That’s unbelievable. I-I can’t go there. I’ll be too nervous.”
He squeezed my shoulders, his smile soft. “You’ll be fine.”
The concierge had a black Ferrari double parked out front. Rocco signed a tablet, then opened my door before taking his seat behind the wheel. How he could drive in the heavy traffic was remarkable, but he seemed to anticipate every other move of the drivers and pedestrians. There were billboards of models advertising clothes and tables packed with people sitting below colorful awnings at restaurants. There were businessmen, the elderly, and children all hurrying from place to place. Rocco’s fast car and the stream of moving people and traffic gave off an energy that had me excited.
“Wow, this city is amazing,” I gushed.
Rocco shifted gears. “Yeah, I’ve always loved New York.”
Being with Rocco was more like a fantasy than reality. A rebalance had to come. It would bring a sad tinge to all the good. But for now, I cherished the experience. All the pleasures he’d given to me so generously. “Thank you, Rocco.”
“For what, Adelina?”
I cleared my throat. For your kindness? For the time you’ve given me…a stranger for all intents and purposes. For the orgasm? Only the best sexual experience I’d had in my life. But I couldn’t say all of that. We were still learning about each other, so I kept it simple. “For the lunch, dance lessons, this hotel.”
“I’m happy you are enjoying it.” He reached over, gave me what looked like a thankful smile, and squeezed my knee. “We’re here.”
The car stopped, and he turned into a driveway, pressing in a code. The door rolled away to reveal an underground parking lot, which was filled with luxury cars. I climbed out and a nervous thrill went through me. There were rich people at school, but never had I met anyone famous or been to their home.
Rocco placed his hand low on my back, and we moved together to the top level of the building.
The door opened and a beautiful woman with dark hair and violet eyes stood there in a jumpsuit, beaming at us. I recognized her right away as Nadia.
“Bonjour, Rocco.” She opened her arms.
Rocco gave her a hug, kissing her cheeks. “Bonjour, Nadia. ?a va ?”
“ ?a va bien . So?” She moved to stand in front of me, clasping my arms. “You’re his Adelina. Wow. You’re a lucky man, Rocco,” she said in a cheery tone.
“Yes, she’s lovely,” Rocco added softly.
“I’m so happy to finally meet you,” she said.
Meet me? Oh, My God . “Th-thank you, Mrs. Crane. So very nice to meet you. Thank you for making my wedding dress and inviting us to your home,” I stammered.
She took my hands lightly. “I’m honored to style you, Adelina. Please relax and call me Nadia. You’re welcome here.” She turned her attention back to Rocco. “Paul’s in the studio next door. He’s expecting you.”
“Yes, ma’am. I know when I’m not wanted.” Rocco scoffed, and they laughed. “Where’s the little terror?”
“Miles is with his grandparents,” she said and turned to me, tilting her head. “If he was here, you’d never get a moment of peace.”
“Yep. That’s why I’m a no-kids kind of a guy,” Rocco said.
Nadia swiped his arm. “He’s joking, Adelina. You will have kids.”
“Not anytime soon,” Rocco seemed to vow.
I plastered on a smile as nerves danced in my stomach. Is he?
Rocco came close and kissed my cheek. “See you soon.”
I stared after him, touching my cheek.