Chapter Twenty-Four Ella
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ella
Rhia returns fifteen minutes later, lips swollen and cheeks flushed. I’d say she and Lex had a thorough goodbye kiss.
She steals my cup of tea and takes a sip.
“Ugh. Licorice tea? Really, El?”
I shrug. It’s not my fault she doesn’t like it.
“Here, have my orange juice,” Zoe says, handing her the glass. “And then spill the details of your spicy exploits from last night. You look like a well-fucked woman. But leave out the gooey sweet bits.”
Rhia’s smile stretches impossibly wide, every inch of her glowing with happiness. “Well, a car picked me up and dropped me off at this ridiculously fancy hotel. The concierge was waiting and led me to a suite. Holy cow, you should’ve seen the view. It was amaaaaazing.”
She pauses dramatically.
“Anyway, when I walked into the bedroom, it was filled with flowers. Roses and tulips everywhere. He must’ve spent a fortune. There was a note on the pillow that said, Sorry I can’t be with you. But I want you to be pampered.”
“Remember when I said leave out the sickening sweet bits?” Zoe says, face completely serious.
Rhia continues, unfazed. “Next thing I know, there’s a knock on the door. This girl walks in with a massage table. She tells me to keep my bra and panties on, then hands me a blindfold.”
“Oh, kinky.” Zoe straightens, instantly invested.
“Right? I wasn’t sure what to think or what crazy plan Lex had cooked up. But I trust my man, so I went with it. She starts massaging my shoulders, my arms, my legs… and I’m really starting to relax. But then she strays…”
“What do you mean?” I ask, leaning forward.
“She starts stroking up my inner thighs. Over my ass. I was only wearing a thong. And I’m thinking, what kind of massage is this?”
“Oh, this is so good.” Zoe rubs her hands together like she’s watching a thriller.
“I wasn’t entirely on board,” Rhia admits, “but then I smelled something.”
Zoe and I stare at her.
“Bergamot.”
“Huh?” Zoe frowns. I smile.
“Lex,” I say.
“Yes, Lex,” Rhia sighs. “He slipped in and switched places with the girl. After that…” She lifts a brow. “I’m sure you can fill in the rest.”
“I can imagine,” Zoe says, “but I want the graphic version.”
“Not happening, sis. This is your future brother-in-law. I don’t need you picturing him like that.”
“Spoilsport,” Zoe mutters. Then her grin turns wicked. “Fine. Then let me tell you two innocent angels about my adventures.”
“I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready for that,” I mumble.
“I take it you and your Italian gods got together again last night? What happened to you taking a break from sex?” Rhia asks, making her sister huff.
“I can’t let opportunities like this go to waste,” Zoe replies unapologetically.
“So… what did you guys do?” Rhia presses.
“Wicked things. I thought the other night was intense, but they raised the bar. Turns out they’re both into bondage. Not something I’ve experimented with much.” She grins. “But wow, was it good. And their stamina… I genuinely thought I might pass out.”
Zoe lowers her sunglasses down her nose and peers over the rim at me. I feel like an insect pinned to a board.
Then she says, very deliberately, “Ella, hun, I hope for your sake you get to see Tiero’s dick.”
Okay.
I arch a brow at her.
“The looks run in the family,” Zoe adds, shrugging. “So I’d say there’s a solid chance that translates elsewhere.”
She sighs dramatically. “Oh my God, girls. Mateo has the most perfect cock. And I am fully qualified to make that assessment.”
She licks her lips, remembering. “Long. Thick. Perfect curve. I couldn’t get enough of it. Romeo’s was great too, but nothing compared to Signor De Marco’s. Seriously, Ella. You need to get down and dirty with Gualtiero.”
“Oh, Zoe,” I laugh. “I feel like the Virgin Mary next to you.”
“That’s because you basically are,” she replies dryly, stretching back out on her lounger.
I follow her lead and stare up at the pale blue sky. Rhia drags another lounger onto the terrace and makes herself comfortable.
I study them as they stretch out in the sun. Sometimes I envy how easy they are about sex. Neither of them hesitates to try something new if it feels good.
Mateo sounds like dynamite in bed. If Tiero is anything like his brother…
I’m not sure whether to be thrilled or terrified.
What am I even thinking?
There won’t be any sex with Tiero.
The memory of his mouth on mine flares hot and sudden, settling low in my belly. My thighs press together before I can stop them.
I shift on the lounger.
This is ridiculous.
Zoe’s phone rings inside her room, slicing through the quiet. She jumps up to answer it, and her face lights up the moment she sees who’s calling. She flops onto the bed and immediately winces. In her excitement, she forgot how sore she is.
“Oh my God,” Rhia suddenly shrieks, bolting upright. “I haven’t interrogated you yet about last night. Spill, El. I want a full report.”
Ah. There it is.
I was beginning to worry. Rhia never forgets a post-date debrief.
“Well, compared to your night, there isn’t much to tell. We had dinner. He took me to an Irish pub.” I lift a brow, and she bursts into laughter.
“Seriously? An Irish pub?”
“Yep. He thought I might need a reminder of home.”
“That’s adorable. But I want the real details. Did he make a move?”
I stay quiet. If I tell her, she’ll spiral into pep talk mode, and I’m too tired to defend my self-control.
“Ella! Spill!” She tosses a cushion at me but misses. She must be exhausted. Her aim is usually lethal.
“I don’t think he seduced you,” she continues. “You don’t look satisfied. And after what we just heard, a De Marco is not going to be a disappointing lover.”
I roll my eyes. It’s practically a reflex with her.
“Something happened,” she presses. “Otherwise you’d have denied it by now.”
She studies me for half a second.
“He kissed you.”
Heat climbs into my cheeks before I can stop it.
“I knew it,” she declares triumphantly. “And judging by that blush, it was hot.”
She grins. “God, I’m good. You didn’t even say anything and I still cracked the case.”
I close my eyes, attempting to shut her out. Another pillow flies at me, and this time it hits.
“Hey,” I protest.
“Seriously, Ella. Talk.”
“Okay. Okay. You’re right. We kissed… and it was amazing.” I scrunch my nose, unable to stop the smile threatening to surface.
“Then why aren’t you happier?”
I blow out a slow breath. “He scares me… No. That’s not it. My reaction to him scares me.” I twist my fingers together, remembering what it felt like to be in his arms.
“What do you mean?”
“When he touches me, it’s like someone strikes a match. And when he kissed me…” I swallow. “Everything else disappeared. I didn’t think. I didn’t hesitate. I just… felt. I’ve never reacted like that before. I don’t know what to do with it.”
“You’re overthinking it,” Rhia says gently. “You and Tiero have a current between you that’s practically visible. Of course it feels intense. It’s supposed to.”
I stare at the tiles beneath my feet.
“You owe it to yourself to explore it,” she continues. “Maybe it’s nothing more than a fling. But one day you’ll regret not giving it a chance.”
She looks so earnest that it’s hard to dismiss her.
“Fine,” I say quietly. “Let’s assume I have a fling. How do I keep my heart out of it? Before Lex, how did you manage?”
She studies me, thinking.
“Here’s the truth,” she says at last. “I know I push you to loosen up. You’re not built for casual sex, and that’s okay. But you’re twenty-six. You don’t have to live like desire is something to ration.”
“Rhia—”
“I’m serious. Enjoying yourself alone is great. But human touch matters. You can’t tell me you don’t crave it. Skin against skin. Hands exploring you. A body over yours. Being filled just right.”
I don’t answer.
Because my mind has already betrayed me.
It’s Tiero I see.
His hands sliding down my body. His mouth claiming mine. His weight pressing me into the mattress just right, and his cock pushing into me, slow and deliberate.
My pulse kicks hard between my legs. I go very still, as if any movement might give me away, while my fingers curl into the fabric of the lounger.
Rhia watches me carefully.
“Your face gives you away,” Rhia says quietly.
“El, you didn’t come into this world to suppress what you want.
You’re allowed to feel it. Don’t punish yourself for wanting Tiero just because it might not turn into something permanent.
I’m not trying to change who you are. Just go into it with your eyes open and leave with no regrets. ”
I let her words settle. We sit in silence for a while, letting the sun warm our skin.
“I hear you,” I say at last. “And you’re right. I do want him. When I’m with him, all I want to do is climb him like a tree.” I shake my head softly. “And I’m sure sex with him would be incredible. My stance on one-night stands isn’t the only thing stopping me.”
“Then what is it?”
“I don’t know how to explain it. My reaction to him unsettles me. He looks at me and I feel it everywhere. I catch the scent of his aftershave and my body wakes up. When he touches me, even lightly, something inside me sparks. But it’s not just physical.”
I hesitate.
“It’s the connection. Whatever this is between us… it feels bigger than it should after three days. That’s what scares me. It’s like he’s brushed up against something inside me I didn’t know was there.”
Rhia doesn’t interrupt.
“But that’s not quite it either. My gut still tells me to run the other way,” I admit. “Maybe it’s fear. It probably is.”
I bite down on my lower lip, exhaling sharply.
“If I sleep with him, I’ll be letting him in. And he’ll sink deeper than he already has. This trip will end. That’s inevitable. And I can’t afford to leave here with my heart tangled up and my head consumed by a man I won’t be taking home.”
Rhia doesn’t argue this time. She just nods.
We lean back, the air heavier than before.
The mood shatters when Zoe bursts onto the terrace, spinning and singing.
Rhia frowns. “What’s going on with you?”
“Romeo invited me to Tuscany for a few days,” Zoe announces brightly. “He and Mateo have business there and want me to tag along.”
“So you’re leaving?” Rhia asks, irritation slipping through as she peers over her sunglasses.
“Absolutely. I’m not turning down that kind of offer. I need to see what else those two have in store for me.” She rubs her hands together and does another dramatic twirl.
“So much for this girls’ trip,” Rhia mutters.
“Oh, sis. You know I can’t resist a little adventure.” Zoe plants an exaggerated kiss on her cheek and disappears inside, already dragging out her suitcase.
“Wow,” I murmur, watching her. “She moves fast.”
Rhia shakes her head. “Why did she even come with us?”
I smirk. “Italian men probably factored into the decision.”
She tries not to smile.
“Hey. It’s not like we’ve actually seen much of her. I know you wanted to bond, and you will eventually. She just needs time to grow up a little.”
“That she does,” Rhia agrees. “Well. Looks like it’s just you and me again.”
I smile. That part, at least, feels right.
“Let’s have dinner tonight. Just the two of us.”
It’s the perfect excuse to create a little distance from Tiero. Things are escalating too quickly, and I’m not sure I trust myself around him right now.