by Lili Porter
“He’s got his own money. Apparently a lot of it. And I would appreciate it if you’d be nice to him.”
“Nice? As long as he doesn’t get down wrong with you, he ain’t got nothin’ to worry about from me.”
***
Despite Karisma feeling it would be best to hold off on the first leg of Goldust’s European tour, it was decided it was best to go forward with their commitments. It would be good for her to get away from her home and what happened, plus, she’d be less accessible for any surprising questions that the media might have about the incident. Thankfully, Tessa was able to join the group for the third night in Paris. She looked slightly better, but wasn’t 100%. She’d also refused to press charges against Mike, despite the protests from others about that decision. The only justice was that he had been fired from the television show, dying in a bazaar prison accident. Somehow, “the powers that be” had gotten wind of what happened and decided that the publicity and fallout wasn’t good for the show and cut him loose.
Angry, Mike had made several attempts to get Tessa to refute the allegation, but she refused contact. He was finally informed by her attorney that he was to cease and desist from contacting Tessa Montgomery or he would be brought up on charges. Then, the real kicker was when the DA got a hold of the story and pressed charges, anyway. Party girl Tessa, suddenly found herself in a precariously Rhianna-esque situation. So, she was pretty happy to be in Europe, herself.
Outwardly, everybody carried on, but inwardly, for Karisma, she was having more problems. Paolo was her rock, but he wasn’t always there and he couldn’t stop the nightmares. Thankfully, just as Vincent had promised, Wolfe was in the clear, self-defense noted.
A few days after he’d joined her on tour, Paolo gave her something. “Here, these will help you relax when I’m not here,” Paolo said, handing her some sedatives.
“I don’t know. I can’t be groggy for these long days, baby,” she said.
“Just consider it. You need your rest, not having that is stressful, too,” he said.
One night she finally succumbed to the sleep she desperately wanted and it helped. From there, she welcomed the pills, thinking the benefits of coping were greater than the risk of grogginess. The pills must have helped because people were mentioning it to Karisma.
“You look more like your old self again, girl,” Sierra said.
“Glad to see that spark in your eyes,” Chris commented.
Karisma smiled and agreed, but her inside was still messed up. It was good that she could keep it hidden. Paolo, however, was suspicious. He had quickly grown to understand her all too well.
“When we’re connected physically, you’re so passionate and strong. Yet, there is a part of you that is so argumentative when we’re just talking, at times. It’s driving me crazy, cara.”
“Why do you think I’d just agree with you all the time? That’s not what this relationship is about,” Kari snapped, shrugging her shoulder to remove Paolo’s hand from it.
“It’s not about agreeing with me all the time; it’s about not feeling like you have to disagree with me all the time,” he replied tenderly. “You can talk to me anytime you like if you’re feeling guilty or overwhelmed with…things.”
“Maybe I need to talk to someone who’s unbiased, a professional,” Kari said.
“You know that’s not possible. No one can be trusted with this burden. Baby, I’m so sorry that you have to deal with it, but be strong. I’ll remain strong for you, always.” Paolo leaned in and kissed her softly, first on her neck and then traveled around to her lips, finally getting her to succumb to his love for her. “You’re so succulent, so beautiful.”
Then Karisma would feel safe and whole, consumed by Paolo and in his arms experiencing his love.
Lying there in bed one morning, she stretched. “This tour has been so tough. I’m excited to get to Naples, though, and see Italy a bit more closely, explore where you come from, handsome.”
“The Stadio San Paolo is amazing, a wonderful place to watch a game, or in this case, a concert,” Paolo said, leaning over and playing with a tendril of Kari’s cascading hair.
“I’m nervous about your parents being there and meeting them,” she confessed.
“Nervous for what? They’ll love you just like I do,” he countered. “They’ll all love you.”
“That’s right, the family. Gawd, it’s crazy. I’m scared senseless, Paolo. Your parents must think I’m a hip shaking home wrecker, the seductress other woman.”
“They’ll adore you, baby. I think they’re more curious to meet an international superstar than my girlfriend,” he said playfully.
There were other Italians who were curious about Karisma that were not Paolo’s family. It was the Bianchi family and Maria Elena was still feeling scorned, ashamed at how Paolo had practically had her banished back to Italy with no regards for her feelings. Their wedding had been officially and very publicly cancelled. Eighteen years had meant nothing. Their family’s promises and unity meant nothing. Basically, she meant nothing and that was devastating. She was not alone, any longer. Her father, Don Vittore, looked at his dejected daughter, a shell of a woman, and vowed revenge on her behalf. She may be too weak to fight Paolo Montovani, but he was not.
***
Paolo pressed his fingers into her opening. Kissing her shoulder and rubbing his hard member against her soft buttocks, he groaned, “Kari, wake up, baby.” When she didn’t stir, he began to flick his index finger over her clit, rubbing it in that sensual way that always made her lose control. He kissed his way up her neck, gently sucking the skin right behind her ear. She moaned. “Yeah, that’s it, Beautiful. Bella Karisma, wake up and play with me,” he groaned in her ear.
She rolled over with tears in her eyes that stilled him. He looked into her beautiful chocolate brown eyes that were so clear he could see his reflection. “What’s wrong, love? The same dream?” he asked, removing his fingers.
She closed her eyes and a tear rolled into her ear. He kissed her face. “What can I do, sweetheart? How do I make this better? You need to understand that you didn’t do anything wrong. That man could have raped and killed you. He had a knife. He got what was coming to him, baby. You have to accept what’s happened and let go of your guilt,” he whispered urgently.
“I can’t let it go, Paolo,” she said, wiping the tears as he pulled her in close, wrapping his arms protectively around her body. “I killed someone. I can’t get over that.”
“Baby… the bastard deserved it. The only thing I regret is the effect it’s had on you. You’re all that matters to me.”
“Yes, but you’ve never killed anyone,” Kari said. “And what about Wolfe? Look what he had to do, taking the blame for me…”
What would she think to know he’d killed many times? “Wolfe is fine. He’s your bodyguard. He knows what he signed up for. Wolfe would take a bullet for you, Kari. Don’t underestimate his loyalty. He did what he needed to, and now you have to let it go. Say a prayer for the bastard’s soul and live your life knowing he no longer poses a threat to it.”
“That’s so cold,” she said, rubbing her head. It hurt a little and she felt bleary.
“No, it’s not. It’s how you survive this. He was a fucking creep, and if I’d have arrived sooner and found him there, I’d have killed him with my bare hands.”
“Okay, stop. There you go sounding gangster again.”
They stared at each other. “What?” he asked.
“How come you say things like that?” she asked, cocking her head.
Thoughts raced though his mind of telling her the truth, and even though he loved her and felt that it was owed, he wanted pussy right now and his confession was sure to spoil that.
“I’m a man, Kari. He fucked with the woman I love. I hope he’s in hell.”
She stared at him skeptically. “I love you, Paolo,” she said. “Make love to me.”
Yes! The words were magical. He kissed her, and nothing matt
ered but the fact that they needed each other. Damn, he loved her. He loved everything about her. Lost in their kiss, her hands wandered up and down his broad back, as his lips moved to her breasts. Taking a pert chocolate nipple into his mouth, he suckled it as though it was lactating the sweetest nectar.
Moaning, she arched into him, forcing him to take in more of her breast. Stroking his muscled bicep, she opened her legs wider as Paolo moved on top of her. He cupped her other breast in his hand, and, as if it called to him, he turned his attention to it. “Yessss,” she hissed. He trailed his tongue down her torso, flattening it as he licked back up to her breasts.
“These tits make my dick so hard,” he said to her, rubbing that big thing on her thigh. He felt like hot steel. So smooth, velvety soft. She reached down to stroke it. “Ahhh,” he moaned. He placed his hands on her thighs and opened her wide. Moving back down and pressing his nose to her pussy, the heady fragrance of her arousal made the need to be inside of her urgent. He groaned something in Italian that she didn’t understand but thought to ask about until… his mouth kissed her opening.
That talented tongue of his, danced all over her clit and pussy. Kari’s legs widened more for him. She rode his tongue as he thrust it in and out of her, causing her beautiful features to contort in ecstasy. She grabbed his thick hair, pulling his head back as he feasted on her ravenously. She tasted tangy sweet. He wanted to stay between her legs, she was so sexy. He watched her as her head rocked from side to side and she moaned the sweetest song. He felt drugged by her scent. When her left hand reached for her breast and began flicking the nipple, he growled, “Touch those tits, baby, let me see.” Damn, her pussy was so wet.
She wiggled her sweet body over the bed, bunching the sheet, moving her ass in circles. Those hands, that mouth. Her clit, her pussy. Soon, the sweet agony was too much as Paolo’s tongue continued to beat her into submission. Her climax had her in a chokehold. Paolo continued to lap at her, tasting her juices as her body spasmed above him. “Mmm…,” she was biting her bottom lip, attempting to close her legs.
Paolo smirked, satisfied that he had pleased his woman. Moving his large frame back up her body, he lay on top of her, kissing her deeply. “I love you, baby.”
Kari tasted herself on his lips and tongue. She thought that she would pass out from the eroticism. His hand cupped her face. Their tongues stroked one another’s slowly as he slid his rock hard member into her. Soo wet… “Kari, baby, your pussy’s so soft.”
“You’re so big,” she moaned, feeling the fullness of his cock.
“You like this big dick,” he groaned sinking deep inside.
She gasped. “I looove it.” He started stroking.
“I love this sweet pussy soaking my dick. This is my pussy.” He stroked harder.
“Ah, yeah, all yours baby.” He sucked her tongue into his mouth. She moaned.
“This pussy is otherworldly…Ahh!…This is some… alien pussy, baby. Soo fuuucking good,” he groaned, latching onto her neck with his teeth. She opened her mouth to cry out, but instead started laughing.
“Oh gawd, alien pussy!” she exclaimed, laughing really hard, her muscles pushing him out. “That’s so stupid!”
He looked down at her and howled with laughter, too. “Stop, you’re messing with my flow. I was in the zone.” He went back in.
“This isn’t interracial love, baby, this is interplanetary love,” she played right along with him as they continued giggling and stroking.
“Mmm, I love you, so much,” he chuckled. And just like that, the mood turned serious again. They came together, praising the moon, the stars, and the planets.
They stayed connected for a while and then he pulled out of her slowly, kissing her lips. “I’m thirsty, are you?” She nodded. “Water?”
“Sounds refreshing,” she told him, smiling. She rolled over as she spied him walking naked to the bar. Look at that. Gawd, he was beautiful. She quickly ran into the bathroom to brush her teeth.
As the warm water ran, she splashed it on her face and tidied up, then made her way back to bed. Paolo was sitting there with a bottle of Perrier and had turned it up to his mouth, gulping it down.
She drank from his bottle and handed it back, then snuggled her head onto his chest, listening to the sound of his heartbeat. It felt so good, so safe. His hand caressed her hair.
“You make me feel so happy, Paolo.”
He looked down at her. “I want to make you happy, Kari. Not just here,” he said cupping her between the legs, but here,” his hand covered her heart. I want to fill this space so completely that I’ll be your waking thought every morning, and your final one, every night.”
“You are, Paolo, it’s only you.” He kissed her, and chills ran down her spine. Pulling apart, they smiled into one another’s eyes.
“So, are you ready to meet the Montovanis today?” he asked, with mischief in his voice.
“I think so. Anything I should know? They gonna be mad you have a black woman? Should Wolfe and Jamil be ready to rumble?” she giggled.
He swatted her butt. “I can’t see anyone caring about shit like that, babe. They’re all probably wondering how the fuck I got with Karisma Montgomery.” She looked away and smiled. “How nervous do you get before a concert? All those screaming people focused on your every sound, your every move. How does that make you feel?”
She rubbed his thigh. “I used to get nervous before every concert when I was a teenager. But as soon as I turned twenty, the pre concert jitters left. Now, I get into the music, the songs, and the dancing. It’s almost spiritual. The adoration of the crowd just spurs me on. On the nights when I really connect with them...it’s magic.”
“It’s amazing. It really is. You’re amazing. You work hard, baby. I don’t think people realize how much work goes into the Goldust machine,” he said.
“They don’t. They just wanna party, and that’s okay,” she said.
He looked at her. “Sounds good to me,” he said, wiggling his brows at her.
“What?” she asked, pulling back a little.
“Let’s party, baby,” he said, flipping her underneath him and grinding down on her.
“Mmm, yeah, let’s party,” she moaned as their hips met again in passion.
17
Sierra knocked on the bedroom door of the luxury suite of The Grand Hotel Vesuvio in Naples. “Come in, Sierra,” Kari called out.
Sierra’s fluffy head of hair peaked around the corner as she opened the door. “You look rested today.”
“Thank you, I am. Come on in.”
“I brought you something,” Sierra said, extending her hand out and showing a brown paper bag.
Karisma walked over to accept it.
“The doctor wants me to remind you not to deviate from the dosage. You haven’t, have you?” Sierra asked suspiciously.
“No, Sierra! I’m taking it as prescribed,” Karisma replied emphatically.
“Okay…” Sierra said.
The way she said it put Kari on guard. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Karisma asked confrontationally with her hands on her hips.
“Kari, you’ve gone through a bottle in two weeks,” Sierra said.
“Look, I’ve been through a lot here. In case you’ve forgotten, I had a stalker, who broke in and got killed in my room. Hell, I have nightmares, you know that. I need these to stay up and working. The sleeping pills make me feel so… fuzzy,” she said. “I hate feeling like that.”
“I’m just worried about you,” Sierra said earnestly. “These can be addictive. You’re already taking the sedatives—”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry,” Karisma said curtly.
She opened the pill bottle and went to the bathroom for water. “I need all the energy I can get,” Karisma said after she swallowed two and walked back into the bedroom. “I can’t sleep without the sleeping pills, but I feel tired when I wake up. I need these for that,” she said, shaking the bottle of amphetamines.
“Y
es, you already said that,” Sierra said softly. She knew this was dangerous territory and she changed the topic quickly, because she liked her job. “Everyone’s gonna be here in a few to get you together.”
“No, change of plans. We’ll do it at the stadium,” Karisma said.
Sierra quickly began tapping on her phone.
“As soon as this kicks in, I’ll be straight,” Kari ran her hands through her wavy-curly hair.
“Well, okay then, I’ll let you be. You good?” Sierra asked on her way out.
Karisma could tell that Sierra was thrown off a bit and she was not about to welcome any conversation that may challenge her and the decisions she was making. No one understood her or what she was going through—no one, not even Paolo fully got it. “See you in a bit.”
Once Sierra was out of the door, Kari went to sit on the bed and breathed in. She could feel her body waking up and becoming more alert, but it wasn’t happening as fast as it used to. “I think I better take one more,” she said softly.
***
Paolo knocked twice on the bedroom door before he opened it. “Hey, Pop,” he said as he approached his father with his hands shoved down into his pockets.
The elder Montovani looked up and smiled as his third son entered the room. “You look like a man in love, Giampaolo.”
“Giampaolo? I know what that means, I’m in trouble. What did I do now?” Paolo asked, laughing a bit but still quite serious.
His father chuckled. “You are always Giampaolo to me.” Raffaelo took a seat on the edge of his bed and slid his feet into his shiny black Italian loafers.
Paolo smiled, always admiring his father’s shoes and the way they were polished to the nines. “Nice shoes, Pop.”
“Senore Onofrio makes the best shoes in Reggio.”
Paolo smiled at his father. A creature of habit, Raffaelo still had his shoes specially made. Like his handsome sons, he prided himself in his appearance. He was still quite dapper.
“So, we meet your songbird tonight,” Raffaelo said, removing something Paolo couldn’t see from a beautifully shined shoe. There was a question lingering in his comment.