by Theresa Papa
Nico puts his arm around my shoulders and presses me against him while he leads me up the front steps. The huge carved mahogany door with leaded glass inserts that sparkle like fine faceted crystal, dwarfs me. When he presses the handle, and the unlocked door opens, he moves aside to let me pass. The first impression is a breathtaking view of the lake all the way from the front door. The house was designed to view the most magnificent focal point as soon as you walk in.
“This is incredible! Obviously, someone else has your talent for design in the family.” He looks down at me with a wink.
“My mother designed this house right after she and my dad married. I was very close with my mother as a boy, and many of the things she was passionate about rubbed off on me. She taught me about architecture, color, and design; she instilled an appreciation for pleasing environments within me. She always said if a person surrounds themselves with people and spaces that make them feel fantastic, they will live an enchanted life.”
“I wish I could have met her.”
When he speaks so reverently about his mother, it warms my heart. I’m saddened he’s had to live without her for so long. My mother always said to find a man who treats his mother with love and respect because that man will treat his wife with love and respect. She found that in my father, and I witness it with how my dad treats Nana. I know if Mrs. Pope were still alive, Nico would be still showing her the love and respect he did as a child.
“Come on, let me show you around since we’re early,” Nico says. He guides me through room after glorious room of the mansion, which has been decorated in a modern French country style. The emphasis is more contemporary than country. For example, the colors are mostly whites, creams, and beiges with black accents. The black accents are on the mullions in all the enormous windows and French doors along with any of the warm wood tones of the solid interior doors and moldings. The furniture also leans toward the French style but is kept plain in adornment as a rule compared to most. It feels comfortable and inviting even though it’s an enormous home.
As we trail through the bedrooms on the top floor, we come to the last one on the right, and he turns to me.
“This is my old bedroom where I slept until I moved to the dorms in college.”
He opens the door and gestures for me to go into the room while he closes the door and locks it behind us. I look at him with my eyebrows raised and a question in my facial expression.
“Is this where you brought all your girlfriends in high school to make out? Oooor did you always get lucky?”
He slowly slinks over to me, wearing a dimpled grin with fire in his eyes. I back up as he moves forward until something on the floor bumps behind my calves.
“With that look and those dimples, you just answered my question without a word.” I almost fall backward over one of those computer game chairs that sit low on the floor. Nico quickly catches me in his arms with his quick reflexes as I let out a little squeak. We both laugh as he pulls me closer, staring at my mouth, he moves in for an all-consuming kiss. We break apart, breathing heavily. He gets that mischievous grin again, and I stick my tongue inside his dimple.
“I still want an answer to my question.”
“I got lucky sometimes. But never as lucky as I am with you. And you are in for some luck in this room today too, you know.”
“I am, am I? How so?”
Nico lifts my dress to hook his fingers around my panties and helps me step out of them. Next, we’re grinning, face to face with his warm hands on my forearms.
“Just sit back and relax, and I will show you.”
He lowers me gently backward into the chair. It feels as if I’m falling all the way to the floor. The chair rocks back, and I squeal as my head is lower than my feet. Nico is on his knees next to me as he pulls down retractable armrests on either side of me. His hands travel up my thighs to gently part them as he hooks each leg over an armrest spreading me open for him.
“You’re so sexy,” he whispers.
The breeze from the ceiling fan blows against my fevered skin where his fingers explore all I have to offer within. It makes the sensation of how exposed I am to him so stimulating. He moans and bends closer to taste my essence. I can’t decide if it’s the forbidden nature of the room, or the naughty position of my body, but the climax is explosive. Extensive. So I raise my fist to bite so no one can hear us. When my breathing slows and the tremors cease, he flips the chair back up so his face is next to mine again and kisses me. The whole experience—to taste myself on his lips and use his game chair for sex while in his childhood room—is wicked and erotic.
After we clean up, we head downstairs to see if anyone else has arrived. We hear Mr. Pope in his office, and Nico goes over to let him know we have arrived.
“Hello, Father. Samantha and I are here.”
“Nico my son, I can’t wait to meet your lovely girl. Bring her on in here.”
He waves me in from the hallway, and when I enter, Caroline, my new friend from the executive floor at the law firm, is already here and seated on the sofa.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Pope. Thank you so much for inviting me to your lovely home.”
Nico’s dad wraps me in a big bear hug and squeezes.
“The pleasure is all mine to finally meet the ravishing woman who has put a spell on my son. Please call me Charles, no need for formality.”
“Thank you,” I squeak out, trying to breathe. Then he releases me, and I greet Caroline. She smiles and gestures for me to sit by her.
“It’s so nice to see you again, Samantha.”
Nico pours us both drinks and hands me one. He’s beaming.
Chapter 52
Samantha Marconi
The office gets even more crowded when Jaxson and Jennifer arrive. At first glance, I can tell how uncomfortable Jennifer is by the way she sort of hides behind Jax in the doorway. I deliberate if I should go to her or leave her be, when Jax solves my indecision by bringing her into the room himself. She has shunned any contact with me for days, so I assume my best course of action is to not come on too strong. But on the other hand, I walk a tightrope in my mind because I want her to know that I’m still her concerned friend. It’s never been in my nature to be apathetic to people who are important in my life, so this is difficult for me.
Jaxson introduces Jennifer to everyone around the room and leaves me for last. When her eyes fall upon me, she comes over to the sofa and sits on the edge to wrap her arms around me in a hug. She looks stunning, as always. The others go about their own conversations as Jen and I talk softly.
“How are you? I’ve missed you, Jen.” I kept my hand on hers and squeeze lightly.
“Sam, there are issues going on in my life that I’ve never wanted to burden you or your family with. In the interest of safety, I need keep all the details to myself for right now. I promise, though, as soon as it is feasible, I will tell you everything. I just need to stay out of sight for now until it’s safe.”
“So Jaxson is involved in this now because he’s promised to keep you safe?”
“I’m doing better now, staying with Jax. He has really been understanding and ideal. I don’t know if you already know, but he’s found someone to rent my condo so I have an income. And he graciously allowed me to move into his house where the security is top-notch.”
“Jen, are you and he romantically involved?” Her face turns a bright crimson, and she turns away from me as she shakes her head.
“We hardly see each other because his house is as big as this one, and I actually have my own wing. Not to mention he works night and day.” She lowers her voice. “Not that I wouldn’t mind or haven’t been trying to get fucking noticed. He’s one hot specimen.”
“Yes, the Pope brothers are definitely hot.”
“So in the short time I’ve been away, you’ve managed to snag Nico and get pretty serious, it seems.” Now it’s my turn to blush a little.
“
We are pretty serious. I’ve been at his place every night.” I lower my voice and whisper in her ear. “Obviously, we were wrong about his sexual preferences. I actually asked him outright, but I’ll give you the details another time. I’m in love with him, Jen.” She hugs me again, and when we separate, there are tears in her eyes.
“I’m so happy for you, bitch.” We both chuckle at her favorite word.
The announcement for dinner is made, so we all migrate to the opulent dining room. It is a delicious dinner where Nico’s father and I become well acquainted, as is the purpose of the occasion. While I sit across from him, I take the opportunity to study his features. While it’s obvious that both of his handsome sons inherited their looks from Charles, Jaxson shares his penetrating emerald green eyes. But I bet their mom had great features too. I’m curious if Nico has her eye color. I’ll have to ask him to see a picture of her.
The patriarch of the family commands the conversation and jokes with his sons. It’s evident that he has feelings for Caroline as well, which doesn’t seem to affect his sons in a negative way. They’re both mature enough now to want his happiness as much as their own. After all, he’s been without his wife for nineteen years. He must have been devastated to lose her at such a young age. Nico and Jax have apparently known Caroline for a very long time even though they only just found out Charles is dating her. She’s been an employee of the firm for many years and Charles’ right hand.
We enjoy a special dessert of crème brulee, which happens to be Nico’s favorite. Since I’m so stuffed, I give him half of mine, and that dimple winks at me in return. I’ll take that sexy dimpled smile over dessert anytime. Just the sight of him makes me want to spontaneously combust. Then when he puts his hand on my thigh under the table along with the teasing way he licks the cream off his spoon, it’s too much. I have to get him alone for just a few minutes.
I put my hand over his on my thigh, then turn my head toward him to give him the eye so he knows I want him to follow me. Then I excuse myself and walk out into the foyer. I don’t even know where the bathroom is. How stupid.
I giggle to myself as I overhear Nico say to everyone, “I don’t think Sam even knows where the bathroom is, so I’ll go make sure she finds it.”
He rounds the corner and almost bumps into me. I have this big smile on my face, and he grins, shaking his head at me. We lock hands, and he leads me down a hallway past the kitchen to the back of the house. We enter an enchanting room with feminine décor. A wall of windows overlooks the lake with sheer drapery that flows at the sides. Two soft, cushy chairs flank a white marble fireplace. On the opposite wall is a large chaise lounge with decadent pillows. But that’s all I can quickly perceive before Nico devours me in his embrace, kissing me like he has missed me for years. We fall on the chaise together like two teenagers making out their first time. Then he slows his kisses down to just nips here and there and props himself up to look me in the eye.
“I wish my mother were here to meet you. She would love you too. I know my dad already does.” He smiles down at me, and I wipe a tear from my eye. Then I see it. Over his shoulder above the fireplace is a painting of his mother. I missed it when we came in while he engulfed me in his arms.
“That painting is amazing. Your mother, she was so beautiful.” He turns on his side to look, and I stand from underneath him to walk over to the artwork. An ache permeates my chest as my heart breaks for the boy who lost his mom. I’m unable to control the tears that fall silently down my face. I gulp down the lump in my throat for the man I love who has overcome so many emotional hurdles. “You have her breathtaking eyes,” I say through my tears. Nico is immediately behind me with his arms around me.
“Sweetheart, please don’t cry; there’s no reason to be sad anymore for me. I admit that a few months ago, there were good reasons to be sad for me. I was still lost without love in my life like my mother wished for me. But now, now that I have you in my life, it’s full of happiness again. My mother sent you to me; she put us together to make my life complete again.” He squeezes me tightly, and I lean into his warmth.
“What was her name?”
“Fiorella. It means flower. My father called her Ella or just Elle sometimes.”
I look up at him with a watery smile. “That’s a pretty name. I love it.”
“This was my mother’s den. She came here to read or do her office work. That painting of her originally hung in my father’s office. But recently, he moved it in here; maybe it’s part of moving on with Caroline. I’m sure if he decides to marry her, it would be in bad taste to keep the painting in his office. That’s the direction they’re heading in.”
“No one can ever replace your mother. But Caroline is a very nice person, and we have become fast friends at the office. It seems that you and Jaxson like her too.” I feel him nod because he rests his chin on top of my head.
“She’s a wonderful lady,” he replies.
He turns me around in his arms and wipes my tears with his thumbs as he cups my face and kisses me.
“I love you. Now let's get back so they don’t send out a search party. Did you get your fill of kisses from me, Miss Follow Me to the Bathroom so I can Make Out with You!”
I giggle and flutter my eyelashes at him with my cheeky reply. “I didn’t hear any complaints from you, mister!”
“Oh, you’ll never hear me complain when it involves kissing you! Come on.”
When we return to the dining room, everyone sips after-dinner drinks and smirks in our direction. Of course Jaxson is the one who comes up with a teasing remark.
“Looks like you forgot the way to the bathroom too, bro.” Everyone laughs, and I can feel the color rise in my cheeks.
As we say goodbye, Jennifer promises we can get together for some girl time soon. She promises to explain everything that’s going on right now in her life. Nico, Jaxson, and Charles walk out together to discuss the latest news on Elizabeth. When we drive away, we wave to Caroline and Charles as they stand on the front steps looking happy together.
Chapter 53
Nico Pope
The details of the proposal are foremost on my mind right now because I want everything to be perfect. The setting must be intimate and romantic, one where Sam will always look back on as flawless. Also, when I talked to Sam’s parents, I mentioned the possibility of an engagement party. They loved the idea, so I have a venue in mind to have friends and family members join us in celebrating. A surprise for Samantha. I dial her mother and reveal my plans.
“This weekend on Friday evening, Sam and I will take the boat out on the lake. I’ll arrange for a gourmet meal with wine and, of course, champagne for after. We’ll drop anchor in the perfect spot to view the last fireworks extravaganza the city puts on for this summer. Sometime during the show, I’ll pop the question, and she’ll be my fiancée for the explosive finale.”
“Oh, Nico! That will be such a romantic proposal. Samantha is a very lucky girl!”
Sam’s dad is in the background, yelling, “He’s a very lucky guy too!”
I laugh and assure her, “Mr. Marconi is absolutely right. I am like the luckiest guy in the world.” She sniffles like she’s emotional as I continue.
“Then we can stay on the boat until Saturday night and sail into the engagement party on Navy Pier. You and the other guests will wait there for the surprise.”
“I’ve emailed you the list of guests from our side. If there’s anything else you need us to help you with, please let us know,” she offers.
“Thank you, I will. I’ll see all of you on Saturday then. Goodbye.”
First order of business is to call my friend who can arrange the party for me at Navy Pier.
“Hey Jim, I would like to have my engagement party on the rooftop terrace overlooking the Chicago skyline. Please arrange permission for Sam and me to pull up to the pier in the yacht. All the guests will be there all ready to yell ‘surprise’ from the terrace. And then we ca
n jump off the yacht with a surprised Samantha.”
“Sounds like a magnificent surprise for her. I’ll handle things for you here. Everything will be perfect,” Jim says.
“Thank you, Jim. I owe you, man.”
Next, I call the florist and order arrangements for the party and some casual flowers for the boat. Then I call my favorite chef and order steak and lobster to be set up on the yacht just before we embark. It’s fortuitous that I can ask favors from people I’ve helped in the past and get all of it done in two days. It’s a good thing the terrace wasn’t already booked this weekend.
On the way home from my father’s house tonight, I tell Sam that we will spend a romantic weekend on the yacht.
“I’m very excited, but remember that my job at the firm tomorrow will be until six o’clock.”
“I guess we can work around that schedule. I was going to cancel my last customer, but I won’t have to now,” I reply.
“Will you have time to go to Eataly tomorrow for food and wine?” Sam asks.
“Maybe I’ll run over after my last client because it will still be a half an hour before you get out. Can Dafny drop you off at the harbor after work, and we can just meet at the boat?”
“I’ll text and ask.” She types a message and gets a response right away from Dafny.
“She says it’s no problem to drop me off.”
“Okay, that’s perfect.”
Chapter 54