Turn Towards the Sun: Book Three- Forever in Bloom (The Sunflower Trilogy)

by Domenico, Jennifer

  He reaches behind me and deftly unhooks my bra, releasing the flesh that longs for his expert touch. He moves down my body, kissing and sucking my wet skin in his mouth as he does. When he gets to my hips he smiles, running his fingers under the flimsy material holding my panties to my body. I wore these hoping he would see them, praying we would end up making love. I never imagined it would be outside in the pouring rain. This. Is. Awesome.

  I feel his lips brush over my thigh and then his teeth nibble my stomach, my hip, my thighs. I prop myself up on my elbows, keeping myself on the slippery car by digging my heels into the front bumper. His amazing eyes shift up to mine and I watch in awe as he lifts the string of my panties with his teeth and rips them from my body with one quick movement. Holy fuck.

  His hands wrap around my knees as he pushes my legs up and buries his face between them. I reach forward and twist his hair in my hands, feeling his tongue dip inside me. Oh how I love this man’s tongue. He sucks hard on my clit and it will only take minutes if I’m lucky to reach the climax I so desperately need. I grind into his mouth and stretch my arms up over my head, absolutely lost in the glorious sensation building in my body. Feeling the climax build within me, I press myself harder into his mouth. He knows how to get me there. He knows just exactly what my body needs and wants and he is giving it to me.

  As my orgasm hits, I’m positive I cry out his name, but my voice is muffled by the rain that falls down on us. He slides up my body and lowers his mouth on mine, kissing me again as I tug and pull at his drenched shirt. His fingers roll my hardened nipples between them, squeezing with just the right amount of pressure. I reach down and unbutton his linen pants, pushing them down as we writhe together. This is the part I’m waiting for, the part where he enters me and takes what belongs to him. I give it to him willingly. Every part of me.

  I wrap my hand around his incredible erection and guide him into me, sucking my breath in as he fills me completely. There is no build up, no slow passionate love making. This is hardcore, heart pumping, nails digging in the back, screaming out to God, balls to the wall, toe curling- fucking. I love every minute.

  He pounds into me, the two of us lost in our own little rain soaked world. He holds my face in his hands, staring into my eyes, so many emotions passing through us. Words are not necessary in this moment. The time will come when I will hear his raspy, accented voice whisper Italian sweet nothings to me.

  I feel his body tense and his grip tighten around me. His hand reaches between my legs, rubbing my clit until I finally scream out, slapping my hands against the car, shaking my head back and forth in pure, unbridled ecstasy.

  Enzo digs his fingers into the flesh of my hips, and exhaling deeply, releases into me. Our bodies move in rhythm in our shared passion. As the warm rain washes over us, and our breathing returns to normal, I shift below my husband, getting his attention. He looks up, and his eyes reflect his amazing love for me. I stroke the soft stubble that covers his cheeks.

  “I want to hear how you feel right now, Enzo.”

  “Ava…ti amo, amore mio. Ti amo tanto. Sei la mia bellissima. Io voglio che tu stai resti con me per sempre. Niente, può venire fra di noi, mai. Mai, Ava.” He smothers my face in kisses. “Resta qui con me, petto a petto, respiando insieme. Resta qui con me. Tu sei il mio adorato e il mio sogno. Ti amo.”

  Tears spill out of my eyes, mixing with the rain at the sound of his beautiful, pleading words. I translate the words in my head, savoring each one. He wants me to stay with him, telling me nothing can come between us, ever. Stay here with me, he says. Chest to chest, breathing together. I am his adoration and his dream. Such sweet words delivered with so much love. He needs to know my promise to him.

  “I missed you, Enzo. I know nothing will ever come between us again. You are my beloved, my prince. I adore you too and I will stay with you forever. Questo è il mio promesso.”

  We kiss again, wrapped in each other’s love. Yes, this is exactly where I am supposed to be. Enzo helps me off the car and turns the headlights off for me, while I stand clutching my dress closed. He gets my carry-on out of the backseat and we walk into the house together, laughing and drenched.

  Cassie hears us and comes bursting out of the kitchen, hugging me so hard she almost topples me over. Maximus whimpers and jumps around my legs and Chris stands in the hallway smiling. I wave at him as Cassie continues smothering me.

  “Welcome back, Ava. We missed you,” Chris says.

  “Thanks, Chris. I missed all of you. Truly.”

  “Ava, don’t you ever worry me like that again,” Cassie scolds. “I can’t believe you wouldn’t talk to me.”

  “I’m sorry, Cass. I just needed the time alone to think. It doesn’t mean I don’t love you.”

  Cassie wipes tears from her face. “I’m glad you’re back. I’m so glad I’m not even going to cuss you out.”

  I laugh. “I appreciate that.” Turning to Enzo, I say, “I think we should call Checca and let her know I’m back.”

  “Yes, amore.”

  “After we change clothes,” I add, laughing.

  “What happened to you, girl?” Cassie asks.

  Nodding in Enzo’s direction, I reply, “He happened to me.”

  “Nice!” she says and high fives me.

  Enzo and I walk to our bedroom where we strip out of our wet clothes. Enzo sits on the edge of the bed after handing me a towel to dry off. He’s staring at me and I’m thankful we’re both in the same room so that he can.

  “I love you, Ava.”

  “I know. I love you too. I came back.”

  “Yes you did. For me.”

  “For you.”

  “Were you happy while you were gone?” he asks softly.

  “Not even for five minutes.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I sat on the bed in my old room and thought about you. I read books and wrote my feelings down. I cried a lot. I avoided people and I looked you up on the internet. I stared at your picture and cried even more. I was miserable.”

  “Sounds like we spent the time in the same way. I stayed in this room and thought about you all day. I wondered if you were okay and if you were getting over me.”

  “I will never get over you, Enzo. Never. It’s not possible. You are in me.”

  “And you in me. I felt like I was locked away in a prison cell without you. But you came back. Your love has set me free. Once again.”

  “I belong here. With you.”

  Enzo smiles and it begins to heal my heart. “I have news to share with you.”

  “Is it about that woman?”

  “Yes, unfortunately. Bill was able to stop anything new with your identity from happening. No new credit can be opened and any existing cards will be declined. I also found out that due to the amount of credit fraud she conducted, it’s a felony level crime.” He runs his fingers through his hair. “You know about the blackmail now?”

  “Yes, Cassie told me. What is happening with that?”

  “I get packages, emails, and calls telling me if I call the police she’s going to make sure it goes public that I was indiscreet with her and that I’ve left a pregnant woman alone. The media attack on us would be swift and fierce. I don’t even think going to Italy would protect us.”

  “What kind of packages?”

  “Stupid shit.”

  “Like?” I challenge him with my eyes. This is his first opportunity to show me he plans to be completely open with me no matter what.

  “Baby clothes, wedding ideas, she even sent me an ultrasound picture. The same one she sent to you. I’ve kept it all for evidence. Eventually we’ll find her.”

  I sigh. “How is she so elusive? Why hasn’t anyone been able to find her?”

  “I don’t know, Ava. It’s still very disturbing. She has called several times but she won’t stay on the line long enough for a trace.”

  “What does she say to you?” I’m not sure I want to know but I have to ask.

 
He sighs and replies, “Just nonsense. Things like what should we name the baby and do I want a girl or a boy? She asked me when I plan on making the announcement public and when I was going to divorce you so my child wouldn’t be born a bastard.”

  “And what do you say to this?”

  “Well let’s see, I believe I’ve told her she is a delusional bitch and I will never be with her. I told her that if the child is mine, which I highly doubt, she will never get to raise it. She will spend the rest of her life in jail and the baby will never know her. She usually cusses at me and hangs up at that point. Every conversation is taped.”

  “That’s smart.”

  He looks up at me with those gorgeous blues. “I can’t believe you’re standing right in front of me, Ava.”

  “I can’t believe I tried to breathe without you.”

  “You have no idea how much it means to me that you came back.”

  “Yes, I do.” We stare at each other for a moment before I break the silence. “I’ve barely eaten in weeks and I’m starved. Can we go eat?”

  Enzo laughs. “Good idea, bella.”

  We walk out into the living room and Francesca and Eduardo are there. She gets to her feet and runs to me, wrapping her arms tightly around me. I whisper in her ear, “Thank you, Checca. Thank for you bringing me back home.”

  “Thank you for coming back,” she whispers back.

  I hug Eduardo and we all sit down to eat a meal that Cassie cooked. It appears to be some sort of chicken and noodle dish. I’m so hungry I don’t care what it is and shovel it into my mouth. Enzo eats it too, but with a slightly suspicious look on his face.

  “What is this?” he asks.

  “It’s a crockpot casserole,” Cassie announces happily.

  “Ah, this crockpot thing you have mentioned before. What’s in it?”

  “Chicken, noodles, cream of chicken soup and veggies. Do you like it?” she asks.

  Enzo’s face breaks into his award winning smile. “Yes, actually I do.”

  “Awesome. PS- it’s totes awesome to see you smile again, Enzo.”

  “Totes?” I ask.

  “Totes. Yeah, short for totally,” she explains.

  “Why do you insist on talking like a teenager?” I ask, laughing.

  “Keeps me young, signora,” she says, laughing also.

  “Well played, Cass.”

  She winks as we all finish our meal. We talk for a while as a group and I can tell Francesca wants to ask something but isn’t sure she should.

  “What are you thinking about, Checca?” I ask.

  “I was just wondering, brother, now that Ava is here, if we could get back to work on La Bellissima?”

  Enzo frowns and takes a sip of his water. “Yes, I think that would be appropriate.”

  “I’m sorry I caused it to stop,” I say to everyone.

  “You didn’t,” Enzo says. “I caused it to stop. I will cause it to start again, no?”

  “Okay.” I lean over to him and kiss his cheek. “I’m ready to work. How far behind are we now?”

  “It could be September now, but that is okay. It may even work out better. The snowbirds start to return and it could work out for some of the celebrities’ schedules we invited,” Enzo explains.

  “Well, then sounds like we have work to do tomorrow,” I say.

  “Oh, my love, we’re not going to work tomorrow,” Enzo says.

  “Why? What are we doing?”

  “Getting back into each other. We’ll be in our bed all day tomorrow. If you’ll have me. How does that sound?”

  “Like heaven.”

  STARING AT AVA while she sleeps, I almost can’t believe she’s really here. It’s hard to take my eyes off of her. I’m afraid if I do, somehow she would disappear. The success and happiness of my future is wrapped up in this beautiful, sleeping woman. I stroke her arm gently, watching her stir slightly. God, she’s so stunning- even when she’s sleeps.

  I don’t know if she knows what her return has done for me- if she knows that my heart started beating again the moment I saw her standing in that driveway yesterday. Does she know that without her, I would be nothing? I know that I can never go back to the man I was before Ava. He is gone. Only this man remains. This man that loves her more than he loves himself. This man that would die for her.

  The past few weeks were sheer hell. I went from wanting to do everything in my power to find Anna, to losing my will to fight without Ava in my life. There were times I honestly thought I would go mad. I know there is still more to do, more battles to fight with Anna, but when my angel returned, my strength returned with her. I will not rest until Anna is dealt with. For now, I just need to make sure that Ava knows returning to me wasn’t a mistake. She needs to feel the depth of my love for her. Starting now.

  I WAKE TO the feeling of kisses all over my face and neck. Opening my eyes, I’m met with Enzo smiling down at me, his eyes as cool and serene as the deep blue ocean.

  “Buon giorno, principessa,” he says, sweetly.

  “Buon giorno, tesoro.”

  “Am I your treasure, my love?”

  “The most precious one I have.”

  Enzo’s smile widens. “I brought you coffee.”

  “Lovely. It’s been forever since I’ve had a good strong cup of Italian coffee.” I sit up slightly and rub Enzo’s soft cheek. “You shaved your beard off.”

  “I did. Are you sad?”

  “No, but I wasn’t sad that you had it either.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” Enzo rolls over and takes the coffee from the nightstand, handing it to me. “I have a surprise for you today, bella.”

  “Mmm,” I say, sipping the hot, rich liquid. “What kind of surprise?”

  “I want to do something special for my beautiful wife.” He gently pushes my hair out of my eyes. “I just want to spend this day worshipping you and making sure that you know you are the most important thing in my life.”

  “I do know that, Enzo.”

  “You must still have some doubt in your mind about me, or my love for you, or the strength of our bond, or my fidelity and trustworthiness and I don’t blame you if you do.” I start to talk but he stops me. “The decisions I made were wrong and almost tore us apart. I regret deeply the hurt I’ve caused you.”

  “I know, Enzo. I do.”

  “So,” he smiles even though his eyes still reflect a hint of sadness. “You are ready for your surprise?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Get dressed and meet me in the living room.”

  “What should I wear?”

  “One of your summer dresses would be perfect.”

  “Okay.” I jump out of bed, excited for this surprise. Quickly, I shower, brush my teeth and put a clip in my hair, leaving it down and wavy. In the closet, I select a purple floral dress with ruffled sleeves that falls just to my knees. I grimace a little because it’s just a bit too big, but still cute enough, I think. I slide into some flats and join Enzo in the living room.

  He stands in front of the French doors, staring out into the backyard. He’s wearing a light blue button down shirt that he left untucked from the casual slacks he is wearing. I love it when he wears casual clothes. Walking up behind him, I reach around him, wrapping my arms around his waist and laying my head against his back. He quickly turns around to hold me in his arms.

  I inhale his scent- so sexy and manly. Lifting my face to his, I gaze into his eyes, so happy to be standing here in his arms. This is home.

  “Ready, amore?”

  “Yes.”

  Enzo picks up a bag then we walk towards the garage which surprises me. I’m pretty sure we always decided to go with bodyguards. I pull back a bit which Enzo notices right away.

  “What’s the matter, amore?” he asks.

  “Should we go out alone?”

  “We aren’t. Grayson will be here any minute. I’m just getting a few things.”

  “Okay.”

  Enzo leans forward and ki
sses the top of my head. “I will do everything in my power to keep us safe.”

  “I know.”

  Enzo opens a storage cabinet and takes out a basket, the contents of which are a mystery to me.

  “What’s in there?”

  “It’s a surprise, remember?”

  “Yes,” I say, giggling.

  Enzo opens the garage door where Grayson waits for us in the driveway. We climb in the back and settle into the seats as Grayson drives us to our destination. I assume a conversation was had prior to this since there isn’t one now.

  This is fun and I’m thankful for this moment of lightness. It’s nice to not feel the stress and sadness I’ve endured the last few weeks. I don’t know how long this will last but I pray it’s forever.

  We drive for some time before arriving to an area of town I’m unfamiliar with. Grayson pulls up to a sidewalk lined with trees. It’s green and pretty and seems very un-desert- like.

  “What is this place, Enzo?”

  “This is the place where I’m going to make love to you today.”

  A thrill shoots through my body at the sound of his words. Stepping out of the car, we walk a small distance to a spot under a big, beautiful tree. Enzo opens the basket he has and takes a blanket out, laying it on the ground. I look up as Grayson appears carrying an ice chest. He sets it down, smiles at me and retreats.

  Enzo quickly sets up the most amazing scene while I stand by watching. A tray of my favorite cornetti appears along with various bowls of fruit. He pulls out a tub of whipped cream and winks at me. Patting the blanket, he motions for me to sit. I kick off my sandals and join him.

  “Amore,” he says as he pours each of us a glass of Prosecco. “I want you to relax and enjoy yourself. This is private property and we have several people around making sure we are safe.”

  “This is absolutely wonderful, thank you.”