Elsa
I can’t move. I sprawl on top of Marcello, my muscles quivering like jelly. That had been the best, most intense sex of my life. It was like he knows what I want better than I do.
You like it rough and mean, just like I do.
Yes, I suppose I do.
It is more than that, though. It is Marcello. He turns me inside out, makes me do and say things I never would otherwise. Then he rewards me in return. There are no losers, because I make him crazy, too.
His hand sweeps down my back, tracing out my spine. I smirked against his chest.
“I thought I was supposed to meet you in Sardinia.”
“That was the original plan,” he pressed a quick kiss to my mouth. “But I finished what I had to do earlier than I thought I would so I decided to join you other than go ahead of you.”
“Why do I have to go to Sardinia?” I ask, really curious.
“I am going to be in Sardinia for some time so I wanted you to be around,” he responds.
“Why didn’t you want me to be around four days ago? I ask, suddenly feeling uncomfortable in his arms.
“It was too dangerous for you to be there with me,” he responds.
“Where were you?”
“In Rome.”
“Why? Last time you were there you were almost killed.”
“It was in Naples,” he corrects.
“Whatever. It all started in Rome.”
“I can’t avoid going to Rome just because of that. I have important businesses there which I have to check on a frequently as possible.”
“What are we going to do in Sardinia?”
“Legitimate work. I have a lot of things to do there actually,” he responds.
“Tell me about it. ”
“Bella, I don’t want to bore you out-”
“I am actually so interested in knowing, Marcello. That’s why I keep asking. I know the mafia illegal business might be very discreet and dangerous but at least the legitimate business is safe, no?” I lock my gaze with his. He sighs, running his hands through his hair as if he is about to carry out one dreaded act.
“It is not entirely legal, Elsa. It has strings attached somehow. Nothing is entirely clean even though it looks legitimate to the public. The mafia is a dirty game, and I am dirtier so I can play it right,” he whispers.
“So you will never tell me?” I rise an eyebrow at him.
“No. Not yet,” he responds without even thinking about it.
“Why not? I am already in your life, Marcello. Why can’t I know about such matters about your life. I don’t want things to look between us like dark secrets. I don’t like to be kept in the dark,” I say, trying to calm down my fury which is rising slowly.
“I know that, Elsa but I can’t tell you somethings. That’s why I have people that swear to be with me and deal with this kind of information no matter the consequences. I trust them to not disclose it.”
“So you don’t trust me?” I feel stabbed in the heart.
He doesn’t respond. He just gazes into my eyes and I have my answer.
God, how mortifying. I had known it, but hearing him say the words has my skin going up in flames.
“You don’t understand, Elsa.”
“Of course I don’t. I am an idiot,” I respond. “You really know how to ruin a moment, don’t you?” I push up and he lets me go.
I get to my feet and his come starts to run down the insides of my thighs. Of course, Marcello doesn’t miss this, either. Sitting up, his mouth curves wickedly as he reaches out and ran a finger through the mess. “See? You belong to me.”
He holds the same finger up to my mouth, and without thinking I open my lips, allowing him to slide it inside. The salty taste floods my tongue and I suck his skin clean. Something dark and possessive flashes in his eyes, the same look he got when I said I was his little slut.
I can play your game, too.
I am the only one drowning in whatever is happening between us. Marcello is equally caught up.
“And you belong to me,” I say when his finger leaves my mouth.
“My dick belongs to you, tesoro. Now, let’s shower and sit in the jacuzzi.”
I grin and close my eyes. The previous invite didn’t go well. I hope he doesn’t fuck it up like he did.
Taking my hand, he leads me to the master suite. He leaves me in the large tiled bathroom while he warms up the jacuzzi on the terrace. I slip into the shower after using the toilet and begin soaping up. A naked Marcello soon joins me, his body on glorious display. “How do you stay in such good shape?” I ask, greedily eyeing his gorgeousness body.
“I run every morning.”
“You have a gym?”
“I do. You’re welcome to use it any time you like.”
“Why didn’t I know this?”
“Because you spend most of your time outside with the plants and lambs.”
True, I do.
“I like learning about the vineyard and the farm. It’s fascinating.”
“I hadn’t pictured you as a gardener and a farmer. I thought you’d prefer the indoors.”
“I accidentally locked myself in a closet when I was nine. Though I screamed and yelled, it took hours for someone to find me, and I was terrified.” I’d wet my pants because I couldn’t hold it any longer, convinced I was going to die in there. It was the worst experience of my life. “After that my mother started taking me outside as much as possible. She taught me about plants and flowers, and I loved spending time outside ever since. I have an entire flower garden at our house.”
Marcello pauses, his luscious mouth turning into a frown. “This was why the dungeon frightens you so much, no?”
I nod. “Yes.”
He wraps his arms around me. “I am so sorry, Elsa. Forgive me.”
I slide my hands around his waist, hugging him in return.
Warmth wraps around my heart at his sincerity. Marcello never bullshits. He never says anything he doesn’t mean. I press a kiss between his pecs. “Thank you, baby.”
He nudges my face toward his and gives me a tender kiss, one so soft and sweet that my knees nearly buckle. “I like this word on your lips,” he says. “I like it a lot.”
I had to think back. Oh, the endearment. It slipped out of my mouth naturally, as if I have called him that for years. Sliding out of his arms, I grab for the soap, hoping to hide my embarrassment and horror. It is way too soon for me to be calling him names like that, names that people in serious loving relationships use. It is no early though. We have been together for months, though not together in a relationship. What am I even saying?
Thankfully, he doesn’t push it.