Turn Towards the Sun Book Two: After the Rain (22 page)

“Did you tell her?”

“Yes, I told her I was incapable of loving her. I was hurt in my own way and I didn’t even love myself at that time. I thought her feelings for me were misplaced. Then she asked me what it was about you that changed everything for me.”

Surprised, I ask, “And..?”

“I told her you brought out a side of me that I thought was long dead. I told her that with you, I felt worthy of love and knew I could open my heart to you.”

“That must have been hard for her to hear. What did she say?”

“She asked me how you did it,” he replies. “It’s a great question really, and easy to answer. I told her I felt safe with you and that you only wanted me for me, not all the bells and whistles that go along with it.”

“How did she take it?” I ask, full of curiosity. Enzo’s words are always so sweet and romantic to me that it had to be difficult for Emma to hear them.

“She cried a lot. It was terrible.”

I frown, thinking that must have been hard for Enzo to watch. “Then what happened?”

“Then she apologized a hundred times. Emma told me she didn’t mean to cause me any trouble and that it was the last thing she wanted to do. She genuinely seemed upset that you had to hear all of the details. But, she did ask me if we had that type of sex life.”

I glance up at my husband, feeling a little surprised that Emma would pry on such a personal level, but I guess she could ask anything at this point. “And you said..?”

“I said it was a personal question, but that I would answer it for her. I said we didn’t, and that neither of us needed that. I told her we have an equal relationship and you bust my balls on a regular basis.” He laughs.

I shove his arm. “You did not say that.”

“No, not the last part,” Enzo admits, grinning. “That was just for you.”

“Okay, so how did it all end?”

He sighs. “She told me it’s a matter of days for her, less than a month, for sure. Can you believe this – she went to the doctor because she was feeling really tired. They did some tests and found cancer. No other symptoms.”

Shaking my head, I mutter, “Awful.”

“Yes, it’s tragic. She’s only forty-three.”

“She’s forty-three? She’s looks thirty.”

“She used to,” he adds, “but she looks bad right now. I was shocked at how sick she looks in person.”

I nod. “Did you end things on a good note?”

“Yes,” Enzo replies, smiling a little. “She asked me if I could forgive her. I told her how angry I was initially, but how you helped me see that it was something we could get past. So I told her I forgave her. She seemed to need to hear those words. I asked her to forgive me for how I treated her, and she said she did a long time ago. Then she told me I was lucky and so were you, and I told her I agreed. I gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek, and told her that I hoped she would be able to find peace.” He strokes my hand, before adding, “She thanked me for coming and told me it meant everything to her. That was it. I left.”

“How do you feel now?” I ask.

“I feel like the luckiest man on the planet to be married to you. You were so right. I needed the talk as much as Emma did. Now it’s truly over. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off me and my marriage. Thank you for pushing me to do this, and for trusting me.”

Enzo leans close and kisses me. It’s the first deep kiss we’ve had in days and it feels wonderful.

He continues, “You should know that I’m calling another conference. Alex thinks it’s the best way to close this down after the interview she did. And the media was waiting for me when I left her place. I’m sure it will make it into the papers tomorrow, unless I can get Alex to stop it.”

I nod my head. “When is the conference?”

“I was waiting to hear when you had booked our flights.”

“Well, it’s open now,” I say with a smile. “Has Alex always been your main lawyer?”

“Pretty much. He’s been with me since I built Girasole. He’s very smart and I trust him with my brand.”

“Yeah, he seems like a good guy.”

“He is.”

I poke him in the arm. “So, I’m a ball breaker, am I?”

“Yes, and I love it.”

“Since we’re on the topic of your balls,” I say, grinning, “I’d like to get my hands on them again.”

“Would you now? You’re sure you’re feeling up to it?”

“I want nothing more.”

“I’m happy to oblige. It’s been torture keeping my hands off you. It felt like June all over again.” Now we’re both laughing.

Enzo pulls me off the couch and scoops me up into his arms, and I let out a girlish squeal. “Why are you carrying me?” I giggle, as we head down the hall towards our bedroom.

“Why not?” he asks.

Well, why not?

Feeling incredibly light right now, I hope we’ve turned a corner and all is well. And, finally, I’m going to make love again to my breathtaking husband. Enzo lays me down on the bed and walks into the bathroom. I can hear the bathwater running.

“I’d love a bath with my beautiful wife,” he says, walking back out. “If we can’t leave, we’ll just have to make our own paradise here. I want you to know, Ava, wherever you are is where I’m happy. You are my refuge.”

For a moment I’m lost for words and these feel especially good after so many angry ones have been exchanged over that book.

“I like that idea – our own little paradise,” I reply.

Peeling off my clothes, I climb into the bath tub. Enzo always gets the temperature just right, to that level of hot that feels like heaven when you sink into the water. When I do it, it’s so hot that it’s almost unbearable.

My husband watches me for a moment before removing his own clothes. I can’t take my eyes off his body. It’s still amazing, but I notice how we both look thinner, and not in a good way. I guess we need to shake off the stress and get back to eating properly.

“It feels so good being here with you,” he says, distracting my mind away from food as he wraps his legs around mine. “I’d like to wash your gorgeous body, and then I’m going to kiss and lick every inch of it, if you’ll let me.”

I grin. “It would be my pleasure.”

“I think the pleasure will be mutual in this case.”

Enzo moves onto his knees and spreads my legs apart. Grabbing a cloth and the body wash, he begins to lather it up. The entire time, he keeps his eyes locked on mine. Enzo drags the cloth up and down my shoulders and back as I lay my head back on the edge of the porcelain tub, enjoying the delicious sensation. Then he stops and a beautifully seductive smile suddenly graces his face.

Dropping the cloth, he waves his fingers in the air, saying, “I think I would prefer to use these.”

“Yes, please.”

Enzo slides his hands all the way down my body and across my thighs. Then his hand dips below the water and I feel his fingers gently probing the opening of my sex. All the time, he hovers over me, gazing down with those intense blue eyes of his.

“Your skin is so silky, signora. You should be touched and caressed as much as possible.” He grins, still teasing me with his fingers.

“Whenever you want to, my prince,” I reply, moving my body towards him in an attempt to get those fingers of his inside me.

“Patience, amore. You get so impatient when you want to come.” He drags his finger up my labia and circles it slowly around my aroused clit.

I release a small moan from my lips. “Please baby, we’ve waited so long. No teasing…”

“I’m not teasing,” he replies, softly. “I’m preparing you. You need to be nice and wet for what I have planned.”

My body courses with tantalizing expectation. I can’t wait to get to the part where I get to have another mind-blowing orgasm with this man.

Enzo reaches forward with his other hand and pinches my hardened nipples between his index finger and thumb, first one, then the other. I love how every part of me always gets equal attention.

“Mmm, you have such delectable nipples, bella. So big and juicy. I wish I could chew on them.”

His words send a little shiver through my body. “You can, if you chew softly,” I whisper.

A pleasing grin graces his face. “I may do just that.”

Feeling his thumb press firmly against my clitoris, I gasp, “Ah, baby, Enzo… please.”

“Tell me, Ava. Tell me how good we are together.” His voice is raspy again, which is such a turn on for me.

I open my legs as wide as possible and grab his wrist in a desperate attempt to get him to finish me off.

“Tell me, Ava.”

“Enzo...” I say, through my breath, “We’re perfect.”

Enzo suddenly grabs me around the waist and lifts me up, splashing water everywhere. He sets me down on the edge of the tub, against the wall where I can lean back, and moving my knees apart, he positions himself between them. Fixing his eyes on mine, Enzo runs his hands over my wet body. “God, you’re beautiful,” he murmurs.

Without warning, he plunges one, then two fingers deep inside me. I suck in my breath and lean back from the sudden penetration.

“Ooh, you’re nice and wet for me, baby. Perfect.”

His fingers move in and out of me in a twisting fashion. It feels amazing.

“Look at me, Ava.”

I shift my eyes down to meet his, which seem even more intense than usual – dark blue and glowing in the candlelight. Enzo presses his mouth against my sex and drags his tongue up and down slowly, like he’s licking an ice-cream cone. He stops and lingers over my now over-stimulated clitoris, which feels like it has its very own heartbeat, pulsing in time with my quickened one. I feel Enzo’s hot mouth close over it and a sweet, sucking sensation begin. His fingers continue to move in and out, ever deeper, coaxing me to that wondrous place of pleasure I crave.

I try to keep my eyes on his, as Enzo seems to enjoy our constant eye contact when we make love, but it’s so hard. I just want to close my eyes, lean back and absorb everything that is happening to me right now.

“Go ahead, bella. Lay back,” he says, once again reading my mind.

Closing my eyes, I lean back against the coolness of the porcelain, my legs high in the air, held up by my charming prince. His sucking intensifies and I revel in the sensation of the building orgasm, deep in my belly. I writhe against his mouth, pushing myself against his fingers, desperate for release.

“Do you want more, bella?” His words encourage and taunt me at the same time.

Reaching down, I tangle my hands in his luxurious hair, gasping with pleasure, “Oh… yes…”

“Yes, bella, let it come.” Enzo pumps his fingers rapidly inside me, sucking my clit in between his words.

I’m overwhelmed with passion and the desire to release. Oh… why won’t it happen? Come on… come on. I grind against him a little more and then… “Oh, yes, yes,” I gasp as the most earth-shattering climax washes over me in wave after wave of intense pleasure. My body shakes and convulses as each new ripple flows through me. It seems to last for eternity.

Enzo lifts me down into the still hot water. Wrapping me in his arms, he holds me close, nuzzling his face in my hair. He rocks me in his arms until I feel myself calming down.

Eventually, I can look up at him. I suck Enzo’s bottom lip into my mouth. His eyes widen briefly and then he envelopes my mouth in his; a passionate, love-filled kiss that rocks me to my core.

“More. Please.” I say through heavy breath.

“Don’t worry, amore,” he replies. “We’re not done yet. Let’s get out of this water.”

My husband stands and wraps a towel around his waist, before holding up a big, fluffy one for me. Closing the towel around me, he pulls me closer, whispering, “You are so beautiful when you come like that. Do you know that?”

“I feel beautiful.”

Enzo kisses me again, wrapping me in his warmth, before leading me into the bedroom. I drop my towel and climb onto the bed while he selects some music to play. Sitting up on my knees, I watch him move around the room. I love the way his body moves; so graceful, athletic and sexy. And you’re my husband…

“What are you thinking, bella?” he asks, removing the towel from his waist.

I giggle. “I was just thinking how sexy you are and that you’re all for me. I feel lucky.”

He laughs softly. “I’m glad you feel that way. It’s your love that brings out the best in me. I think I’m the lucky one.”

“Maybe it isn’t luck at all. Maybe we deserve this much happiness and love in our lives.” I grin and pat the bed next to me. “Now come here, it’s my turn to blow your mind.”

Enzo climbs into bed and leans back against the headboard, with his impressive erection springing proudly from his hips. I hover over him, licking my lips like a lioness that just took down her wildebeest.

“Mrs. Milano, you have quite the carnivorous look in your eyes. Do you plan to eat me?” he asks.

I giggle again. “Something like that.”

Moving his legs apart, I crawl in between and lower my head to blow hot air across his balls and cock, flicking my tongue across the tip every so often for good measure.

“Now who’s the tease?” he murmurs while he watches me.