Chapter 24
Elena
THE PAST MONTH HAS BEEN SURPRISINGLY EASY; Lorenzo is away most of the time for work but he is making an effort to be more present with Angel.
I sense no awkwardness between the two of us, for which I’m extremely grateful.
For the most part Lorenzo seems to have loosened up a bit, he even joined Angel and I a few times at the park which I may have enjoyed more than Angel did.
It was refreshing to see Enzo relaxed and carefree, not to mention, seeing him dressed so casually…
stirred things in me a little. Oh, who am I kidding.
The loose sweat pants and bare chest stirred things up a lot.
That day at the pool was almost my undoing.
I do catch him looking my way every now and then but I suppose its normal right?
I mean we did share intimate moments together.
Those memories are bound to surface sometimes.
At least I know it’s true for me. If things didn’t end so badly with Matt, I might actually pursue something with Lorenzo but looking around the shrine of his wife, he calls home, I highly doubt he has any persistent feelings towards me.
Not forgetting the fact, he called out Victorias name while in post coital bliss with me. Yup he’s definitely not into me.
It would have been nice to be loved by a man like Lorenzo though.
He’s so passionate and strong. He’s a provider and a care taker.
Something I was hoping I would find in Matt.
Isn’t that every woman’s dream? To have a man who gives her his undivided attention.
A man who’s loyal… even in death. Lorenzo has that one down to a tee.
Although I suspect Lorenzo’s sense of loyalty may stem from guilt, I would never utter the words out loud.
Every room, every surface has a picture of Victoria.
I would even suspect that her clothes lay in their room hanging in the closet untouched, just as she’d left them.
The thought sends a shudder down my spine.
Everyone grieves in their own way I suppose.
Is Lorenzo’s way healthy? That’s doubtful.
I’m in my office printing the first draft of my second book.
This one is a full novel. It’s a spicy romance.
I pride myself on writing the spicy scenes the way I do, not having experienced any of it myself.
But I’m a woman and I know what I want. Correction I now know what I want.
I want what Lorenzo gave me that night. I want a man to command me; rip off my clothes with the knife he had concealed because he couldn’t wait a second longer to take me.
I want a man to drive into me with the passion of a parched man in a desert having found the gift of water.
I want a man who wants to take the reins from me and make all the decisions in this one aspect of my life because it’s something I crave but can’t decide for myself.
Lorenzo gave me that and so much more. Based on that alone I could find myself willing to try with him.
I let out a breath, my bangs fanning out. Unfortunately, we have an agreement, one that I wholeheartedly accept. But I can’t help thinking what if.
I decide to read over an exceptionally erotic scene in my book.
Reading through it I close my eyes and envision Enzo and I in the place of my characters Claire and Alex, they’re on the balcony and Alex advances on Claire as she stares out at the view beyond.
Snaking his hand around her waist he pulls her flush against him, her back to his chest. “Don’t move.
” He instructs, and Claire is happy to obey.
Alex lowers himself so he’s kneeling behind Claire, his face level with her ass.
He bites and teases the supple flesh through the thin fabric of her dress.
Slowly he turns himself so that he is facing the opposite direction, his back facing her behind and he slips his head between her legs, his hands wrapping around her thighs.
His shoulders forcing her to widen her stance.
Slowly he lifts her short skin tight dress to reveal the scrappy bit of lace between her thighs.
Running his nose along the apex of her legs he inhales deeply, before slipping the fabric to the side and exposing her warm wet centre.
With deft fingers he parts her glistening lips and laps at her core in deep hard strokes eliciting a catlike moan from her.
Knock!
Knock!
Knock!
I’m drawn out of my erotic dreamland by the light knocking on my door. Thank God, I closed it before I decided to read my own word porn.
I take a much-needed sip of water from the glass on my desk and fan my hands around my face to rid myself of the blush that surely lingers before hastily letting out a scratchy…
“Come in.”
The door opens and the object of my fantasies enters. Oh, good lord, please have mercy on me. Off all times. Now you send this man to my office for the first time?
“Hey are you busy?”
“Uhm, n-no. Come in. I was just sorting through the first draft of my book.”
“I see. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Why?” The high pitched “fine” would have suggested otherwise.
“You seem… flushed.”
“I was reading a difficult scene.” Difficult indeed.
“I see.”
“What’s up?”
“Oh yes well, Tony is coming over in a bit and I’m ordering Chinese, just checking if you wanted to join us?”
“Sounds great.”
“Is there something specific you’d like or do you trust me?” He has the slightest hint of a smirk on his face as he asks the question and it’s my womanhood that answers.
“I trust you.” What?
“Fantastic. I’ll call you when the food is here.”
“Alright.” He turns to leave.
“Hey Enzo, would you mind if I take a shower while you have Angel with you? I won’t be long.”
“Sure, take your time.”
I don’t know why but I don’t even wait for him to leave my office before I’m zooming past him quicker than the flash and heading straight for my room. Just as I close my bedroom door, I swear I hear- “Must really need that shower.”
I showered and changed into a pair of leggings and an oversized t-shirt that hangs off one shoulder.
It’s my signature “comfy look”. I can hear muffled voices as I make my way downstairs.
Great Tony is already here. That means I don’t have to spend alone time with Enzo after reading the balcony scene.
“Aaah, prediletto. (Darling) You look as radiant as ever.”
Charming as always, Tony gracefully walks up to me in easy long strides and hugs me tight.
“And you smell good enough to eat. Potrei bancherrare con te per giorni.” (I could feast on you for days.)
I haven’t a clue what the second part of that sentence was but judging by the look Enzo is giving Tony I’m betting it’s something inappropriate.
“Thank you… I think.”
“Our food will be here shortly.” I nod at Enzo and smile appreciatively as he hands me a glass of white wine.
Taking a sip, I savour the way the cool liquid glides down my parched throat.
I close my eyes and hum a small low sound of relief.
I open my eyes to find two Italian males gaping at me as if I had just freed myself from the confines of my clothing.
“What?” It’s an innocent enough question. Tony is the one who replies, his brother having lost the ability to communicate.
“Do you always drink wine like that?”
“Like what?” I take another sip of the wine as he goes on.
“Like you’re two seconds away from an orgasmic experience?”
“Oh my God what on earth are you talking about?” I almost choke on the clear liquid.
“You’re a temptress Elena. God help us. If the first taste of wine can make you moan like that, a man can’t help but wonder what other sweet sounds you possess and what acts may bring about such beautiful audio.”
“Oh, stop it Tony, you’re impossible. I am merely enjoying a glass of wine after feeling a bit parched from writing and sorting through my book for hours.”
“I am but a man.”
“You are but a pervert.” I roll my eyes at him but he finds my act of rebellion amusing.
On cue the doorbell chimes signalling the arrival of our food. The proverbial saved by the bell. Enzo got us both the beef chow mein, and some pot stickers to share. Tony had a variety of little dishes, Dim Sum, I think it’s called along with a Chinese soup and dumplings.
“Angelo has already eaten so you need not worry.”
“Did you give him the chicken stew?”
“Yes, he ate the whole portion.”
I was afraid he wouldn’t like the stew I made for him. I’ve been trying to get him to start eating a wider variety of foods. He’s been surprisingly good so far, his only aversion being pumpkin. Angel is for the most part not a picky eater.
Supper was divine, the company was great and conversation flowed with ease.
Angel fell asleep in his father’s arms and Enzo insisted on putting him to bed himself, which I found to be endearing.
Tony, for once provided interesting topics for conversation, idly chatting about his fascination with history, ranging from the time of the Vikings to the lost city of Atlantis.
The three of us engaged in idle chatter, each contributing interesting topics.
Enzo brought up his fascination with King Richard the third and the recent discovery of his body.
I of course spoke about clan Fraser and my wish to someday visit Scotland and take a ton of pictures of Castle Fraser as well as Midhope castle also known as Lallybroch, the home of Jamie Fraser from the Outlander series.
It was all pleasantly enlightening and each spoke of their respective passions giving us the rare opportunity to get to know each other better, on a deeper more personal level.
Enzo’s not so subtle looks in my direction did not go unnoticed. I caught him staring more than once. I can’t help but wonder what he was thinking.