Turn Towards the Sun Book Two: After the Rain (7 page)

I rub my lips against his cheek. “I do know this and I feel the same. I’ll be anxiously waiting for you to get home to me again.”

“Naked?” he asks, grinning.

“If that’s how you want me, then yes.”

“That is always how I want you, my love.”

“Well then, as
you
wish.” I laugh, using his words.

He laughs too, filling my heart with joy.

****

I finish unpacking my suitcase just as I hear the garage door open. Hurrying to the living room, I greet Enzo as he comes in.

“Ciao, amore,” he says as he approaches me.

“Ciao. Did you get your work done?”

“I did,” he says as he loosens his tie. “What have you been up to?”

“Just unpacking. I was going to call my parents and everyone else later.”

“You’re not naked,” he teases as he wraps his arms around my waist.

“No, I thought it might take you longer at Girasole.”

“I wanted to get back to you. We could get naked together. I could use a relaxing bath.”

“Sounds divine. Let’s go.”

We walk down the hallway to our bedroom, hand in hand. Enzo begins to fill the tub with hot, soapy water as I peel off my clothes. I can’t take my eyes off of him as he strips down revealing his incredibly toned physique.

I climb into the hot water, leaving room for Enzo behind me. He gets in and wraps his arms and legs around me.

“This is my absolute favorite place to be-wrapped in your arms and naked,” he says, laughing.

I lean back against him and smile, my hands swishing the water around us.

“Can we get a puppy, Enzo?” I ask suddenly.

“A puppy?” He looks down at me, his eyes revealing his surprise at my question.

“Yes. I need some life in this big house, besides us.”

“Cassandra and Chris will be here in a few weeks, no? That will be entertainment for you. Plus we’ll be starting our work at the new hotel in a few weeks. You’ll be too busy for a puppy.”

“If I’m too busy for a puppy, how will I have time for a baby?” I ask him innocently but clearly making my point.

Enzo narrows his eyes at me. “Well played, signora. You may have your puppy.”

Clapping my hands like an excited child, I twist my face to kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”

“What kind of dog do you want?”

“I don’t know. Can we go out
and find one soon?”

He smiles at me. “Yes, amore…”

“Don’t you like animals?” I ask.

“I do. I’ve just never had one. With my travel schedule, it was impossible. You’ll remember that I didn’t even have a home until a few weeks ago.”

“True,” I reply. “I think I want a big dog, like a Labrador – a big, happy dog. And when we travel, Chris and Cassie can take care of it.”

“As you wish… let’s finish bathing then I’m taking you back to bed with me.”

“Sounds wonderful,” I say.

He kisses the top of my head. “When did you say Cassandra is coming?”

“She said sometime before Thanksgiving.”

He smiles. “That’s good. I was hoping we could have the main areas of the house designed before Christmas. Are you sure you don’t want to go to Italy?”

“Honestly? I don’t,” I admit. “I’m exhausted just thinking about it. I’d like to spend the holidays here with our family and friends. Is that okay?”

“Of course. Sofia will be sad, but we can make it up to her another time. If it will make you happy to stay here, we stay here.”

“Grazie,” I thank him, kissing his cheek.

“Prego. Now bed.”

I giggle, ready for more love making with this man I love.

****

“Are you almost ready, Ava?” Enzo calls to me as I finish brushing my teeth. He’s taking me downtown to see the location of the new hotel.

“Almost. Be right there,” I call back. I brush out my hair, dot some cream under my eyes, and swipe some gloss across my lips. I enter the bedroom and slide my feet into some shoes. Entering the living room, I find Enzo standing in the foyer with the car keys in his hand.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, tesoro,” I say as I kiss his cheek.

“It’s no problem but we should go. We’re meeting people.” He leads me to the car and opens my door for me. We drive quickly to our destination. Enzo moves into the right lane to exit the highway, and we pull into a paved drive where there is a large, empty piece of land. It is fenced off, with nothing but a sign in the dirt that says, ‘Future Disegno Inc. Property.’

Another car pulls up behind us, and two men get out. We get out of the car and Enzo greets them both. I immediately recognize his brother, Franco, but I’ve never seen the other man before.

“Ciao, Ava,” Franco says, kissing me on both cheeks.

I grin back at him. “Ciao, Franco.”

“Ava, this is Daxton Delaney,” he says.

The stranger extends his hand to me and his face breaks into a smile. “You can call me Dax. Pleased to meet you.”

Daxton is a tall man with broad shoulders and a muscular build, who looks like he spends more time in the gym than anywhere else. The man’s blond, spiky hair is set off by a deep tan, and he is wearing a tight black dress shirt and equally tight gray slacks. Daxton’s voice sounds like he comes from the south somewhere. He’s slick, in the worst way, and I do not like the way he looks at me. Feeling like the lone sheep in a wolf den, I instinctively move closer to Enzo.

“Likewise,” I reply, keeping my tone aloof.

My husband’s eyes shift back and forth between us, and I notice his demeanor cool considerably.

“Well, should we get to work?” Enzo asks, pulling me closer.

“Is your lovely wife joining us?” Dax drawls in a slightly salacious tone.

Enzo’s hand tightens on mine. Oh shit, this guy is pushing his jealousy button. He really has nothing to worry about; this guy is a joke.

“She is,” he replies, shifting his eyes to Franco, who smiles at me and says, “It’s great you could join us, Ava.”

“It’s my pleasure. Wherever Enzo goes is where I want to be too.” I squeeze his hand as we walk.

Dax glances at me, but then turns his attention to the open plot of land. “Well,” he announces, clapping his hands together once, “this is the location. I figured the main hotel would start in this area.”

Then he gestures to the left. “Back this way, we can build the pool and outdoor areas. I talked to the city again. They approved a casino if we want to go in that direction. It will require a sizeable amount of money for the permit, but it’s another amenity we could add.”

Enzo looks around and nods his head. “The casino is good news, don’t you think, Ava?”

“Yes, of course. It sounds fun…”

Dax agrees, “Yes, fun.”

Even with his sunglasses on, I can tell that Dax is staring at me, which is not going to be good.

“How big will it be, tesoro?” I ask, trying to break the tension.

“Twenty stories,” Enzo replies. “The entire footprint will cover several city blocks. This area is perfect. Just down the street from here is 44 Monroe, a luxury, residential high rise, and the neighborhood is flanked by trendy restaurants and shopping areas. We’re right off the highway, so it should be easy for people from the East and West valley to get here. I’d like people to think of this place as a vacation, without going too far away from home.”

He glances around before continuing, “It’s going to take the better part of a year to complete. I’d like it to be ready for a grand opening next New Year’s Eve. We’ll have a huge grand opening, bella.” While his eyes are smiling, his tone stays cool.

“So, we can go over the final plans and if you approve, we’ll be ready to break ground next week,” Dax says. “I’ll be here every day and every minute of the construction process.” He hands Enzo a roll of blueprints.

“What is your role here, Mr. Delaney – contractor?” I ask him.

“Yes, that’s right.” His tone gives me the heebie-jeebies. “What is your role here, Mrs. Milano – eye candy?”

“That’s enough, Dax.” Franco speaks up and shoots a look at him. I can tell from his face that the ‘don’t fuck with me’ look runs in the family.

Enzo tells me, “Ava, go to the car please. I’ll be there in a minute.” He doesn’t look at me as he speaks, but I know from his tone that I should just do as he says.

I walk back to the car, get in, and look back. Enzo pokes a finger in Dax’s chest, and the man raises his hands in the air. My heart swells with pride that my husband is defending me. Grabbing the blueprints, he stomps back to our car and gets in.

“That idiot,” he says, scowling. “Who does he think he is, talking to you like that? Flirting with my wife right in front of me? I should have punched him in the face.”

“Don’t worry about it, Enzo. He’s obviously a loser. I’m sure he doesn’t have much success with the ladies.”

“First of all, it’s about respect, for both of us. He also happens to be one of the biggest womanizing jerks in this town – worse than I was. So, his tactics, crude as they may be, are effective.”

I smile. “Not on me. I am immune to anyone else’s charms, crude as they may be.”

He laughs. “I wasn’t worried about him wooing you. I know you have better taste than that, my love.”

“Why do you work with him if he’s such a disrespectful chump?”

Enzo sighs. “He’s the best. Every project he takes is on time and under budget. He’s tough, but fair on his workers, and he gets the job done. His character is irrelevant, as long as he stays away from my wife.”

“I’d like to avoid him too. Honestly, he gives me the creeps.”

“Unfortunately, you’ll see more of him,” Enzo admits, “especially when we start working on the interior. I’m sure you’ll handle him just fine, but I’ll crack his head if he touches you.”

“I’ll crack it first,” I reply, grinning. “Now let’s talk about something nicer.”

“Excellent idea. Personally, I’d like to go home and finish my workday from there. How does that sound?”

“Like heaven, my prince.”

****

I pull myself out of bed and find a nice dress to put on. I’m excited to meet up with Francesca today and start talking about the new hotel downtown.

Walking back into the living room, I notice Enzo is talking on the phone. He smiles when he sees me and points to the kitchen. I walk in there to find that he prepared the coffee for me. I can’t help but wonder how long he’s been awake. I pour my coffee and then go wait on the couch. As I sit, I take in my surroundings. It’s such a beautiful house and so majestic. In my mind I can visualize how I want this room to look. I want old-world, romantic charm with books everywhere, and tapestries and mirrors on the walls. When people walk in, I don’t want them to want to leave.

“What are you thinking, amore?”

I look up to see Enzo, off his call and fastening his cufflinks.

“I was envisioning how I want this room to look. I think I’m ready to get started on it.”

“Good. I’m glad. I can’t wait to see what you have in mind for us.” He stands me up and wraps his arms around my waist. “This house is way too big for one person. I’m happy you’re in it. I don’t think I could like it here without you.”

“I’m happy here too,” I reply.

I know Enzo wants a baby, even though I’m not ready, but I think he would be happy to know I’m at least thinking about it. I am thirty, after all - not exactly a spring chicken anymore.

“Babe, I know you want to start a family soon,” I tell him. “I do, too. I just need some time to adjust to my new life and settle into a rhythm. It will happen soon.”

He kisses me. “That makes me very happy to hear. I won’t rush you, I promise. We should go now.”

“Okay,” I say.

“I was about to wake you before my call,” he says as slips into his suit jacket.

“You should have. Just once I’d like to wake up and find you lying next to me. Do you think our sleeping patterns will ever sync up.”

“Hard to say, but it wouldn’t be too difficult for me to make sure I’m there when you open your eyes.” He takes my wrist and pulls me gently towards him. “You look stunning this morning, amore.”

I grin. “So do you, tesoro. Shall we go?”

“Yes, Checca is waiting.”

We head over to Girasole, the place we will work until we can set up an office at the new location. I sit happily in my seat, soaking in the attractive landscape of the surrounding desert. Enzo pulls into the valet area and comes around to open my door and helps me out. As we walk towards the office, a very unpleasant feeling washes over me. The last time I was here was the best and worst day of my life. The crazy woman, formerly known as The Bitch, tried to kill me. I can’t shake the negative feelings associated with that day.

“Enzo, I think we need to have a party here.”

“A party? What kind of party?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. How about one on your birthday?”

“My birthday is months away. Did you forget it already?”

“No. Yes. But just for a second,” I admit. “It’s April eleventh, right?”