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

by Domenico, Jennifer

  “Don’t tell Enzo that. He’ll stay here.”

  “I don’t see a problem with that. I might like to live here full time and make Arizona the part time place. How could I ever want to wake up anywhere but here?”

  “I agree. It makes me so happy that you love my homeland just like Enzo does. You are the perfect wife for him.”

  “And he is the perfect husband for me.”

  “Yes, I want a love like the two of you have. The way you look at each other is so beautiful. You stand by each other no matter what and your love is strong enough to make it through anything.”

  “Yes, anything.” My thoughts briefly drift back to the harrowing events from a few years ago. “You do have a love like that. Eduardo adores you.”

  “Yes, I know this. He is a good man.”

  “A very good man.” I look down at my watch. “Are you ready to become his wife?”

  “I am. Andiamo?” I wave for Sofia to join us.

  “Yes.”

  We stand and Sofia and I fuss around her, smoothing her hair and fixing her gown. She chose the most beautiful, yet simple gown I have ever seen and it drapes off her lithe frame like pools of cream. She grew her hair for this event and it’s piled high on her head with a few romantic tendrils around her face.

  “You are a breathtaking bride, Francesca,” I say.

  She smiles at me and takes a deep breath. “Grazie.”

  I squeeze her hand and walk to the door, motioning for Enzo as all the women pile out of the kitchen.

  “She’s ready,” I say to Enzo.

  “Okay. I will get everyone set up.”

  I watch him walk down the hill, looking handsome and debonair in his tuxedo. A warm breeze floats through the air, lifting the edge of my dress with it. He turns back almost on cue and smiles at me before running his fingers through his hair. Could there be a sexier man on the planet? My guess is no.

  My whole body shivers when I think about getting my hands on him again later. I thought I was constantly horny for him before, but that feeling has only intensified since the babies were born. The doctor insists its hormones, but I think it’s the knowledge that he would do anything for me and our little joys.

  Francesca lines up behind me as Sofia takes her place in front of me. Looking back at my sister in law, I wink as Franco opens the huge French doors. A symphony starts to play as we start the wedding procession. As we approach, my eyes shift to Eduardo who stares at his beautiful bride. The loving expression on his face warms my heart. My eye catches Enzo’s, who is staring at me, of course. My hearts flitters a bit in my chest, just as it has every moment since I first laid eyes on Enzo. I have to fight the urge to kick off my heels and run across the grass to him.

  We get Francesca to the front then find our seats. Enzo sits next to me, his hand twisted in mine. As the vows are read, all I can do is think back to my own. Weddings seem to do this to me. Who would have ever thought I would have a life like this and a man like Enzo would be mine?

  “Che cosa pensi, amore?” Enzo whispers, asking me my thoughts. I love how when we are here, he only speaks Italian. It’s improved my speaking skills, and it’s oh so sexy.

  “Thinking about our wedding and our life. And you. As soon as we can you know I’m going to ravish you, right?”

  “I look forward to it.” He lifts my hand and kisses it. “I can’t believe my baby sister is getting married.”

  “I know. It’s so wonderful. She’s the last of the single women in my life. One by one, we’ve married them all off, babe. Now they can all start catching up with us and have some babies.”

  My attention shifts to Cassie as she moves uncomfortably in her chair. Turning around she whispers, “Could you find the pregnant chick a more comfy chair for crying out loud?”

  “Cassie, shh, and you’ll be fine. It’s just a few more minutes and then you can get up again.”

  “Thank God. My ankles are swelling already,” she whispers and Chris rubs her back.

  Our attention turns back to the couple as they finish their vows. My eyes well with tears as Eduardo lifts Francesca’s veil and seals their vows with a kiss. A chorus of sobs from the women in the audience fills the air as the symphony begins to play again. We all stand and clap as the couple passes through us on their way to the other side of the yard for the reception.

  I lean over and whisper in Enzo’s ear. “Don’t get too tired. You’re mine tonight.”

  “I’m yours every night, my princess.”

  Enzo and I walk hand in hand to the reception area. I’m excited to have so many people here and our yard is bustling with activity. With all the Italian women here from the area and from Enzo’s hometown, I don’t have to lift a finger. Everyone loves a wedding.

  “Amore,” Enzo leans in whispering in my ear. “Let’s get away from this place for a moment. Everyone will be here until the sun comes up and I need to be alone with you.”

  “Alone? Where are we going?”

  “To a special place I found this morning. Come.”

  He pulls my hand through the crowd who hardly notices us. Everyone’s attention is on the bride and groom, as it should be. We walk out front and climb in our tiny little Fiat we purchased recently.

  “Where are you taking me?” I ask, even though I don’t care. I’d go anywhere with this man. He turns and winks at me, but says nothing as we drive through the winding fields of Tuscany. Just minutes later, he turns off to the right and drives down a small dirt road. As we approach the top of the hill he motions for me to look straight ahead.

  Just over the hill, with the sun low in the sky, is the most spectacular field of sunflowers I’ve ever seen in my life. There must be thousands of them and they seem to go on forever. I clap my hands like an excited child.

  “Oh, Enzo, it’s so beautiful.”

  “Yes, like you, my love. Come on.”

  I step out of the car and start to walk towards the field, but notice Enzo isn’t with me. When I turn back, he’s standing in front of the car with a bright, red blanket in his hand.

  “What are you doing over there, Enzo?”

  “Making another Ava fantasy come true,” he says, smiling seductively as he approaches me.

  His comment makes me giggle. “I always enjoy your fantasies. This one involves me and a field of sunflowers?”

  “It involves you naked in a field of sunflowers.” Enzo leans in and kisses my neck, running his fingers through my hair. I press my body into his as our bodies sway together.

  After all this time and countless lovemaking sessions, I’ve never tired of his touch. It thrills and excites me each time like it’s the first time. Throwing my head back, I feel the sun on my back and Enzo’s lips setting fire to my skin. My hands explore his body as we stand, kissing passionately, in this most idyllic landscape.

  I feel my zipper slide down the back of my dress and the soft breeze swirl over my bare skin. Enzo pushes it off my shoulders and it slides to the ground. Staring into his deep blue eyes, I slowly unbutton his dress shirt, exposing his sexy olive skin beneath it. I lean forward and plant kisses along his chest as he pulls me closer. My hands slide lower and stroke him through his slacks, revealing his desire for me. Pulling his belt open, it’s just moments before I’ve got it and his pants off.

  He breaks free of me for just a moment to lay the blanket down on a small clearing he found. Taking my hand, he pulls me down. As I lay on my back, I smile as Enzo removes the last piece of material hiding his magnificent nakedness. He gets on his knees and unhooks my bra. He taps my hips and I lift up so he can remove my panties. Enzo stares at me for a moment, running his hand from my neck, down across my breasts, over my stomach, and resting between my legs.

  “You are so stunning, Ava. So beautiful. So mine. I’m incredibly lucky that I’m the man who gets to make love to you for the rest of my life. Thank you for choosing me.”

  “Enzo…” I try to speak, but my words get caught in my throat. I still can’t fully comp
rehend the depth of love this man has for me. “Make love to me.”

  “Oh I plan to, signora.” Enzo leans forward and lifting me by the waist, pulls me onto his lap. I slide onto his glorious erection. His body fills mine, as his words fill my heart. We move as one, the late evening sun washing down over us, surrounded by the flower that started it all.

  As our bodies undulate together, I turn towards the sun. My words to Enzo the first time we were in Italy come rushing back. He’s like the sun and good things came to me as soon as I turned to him.

  Tears of joy and ecstasy roll down my cheeks as I whisper in my beloved’s ear. “Ti amo, amore mio. Per sempre.”

  Enzo looks at me, his eyes blazing with passion. “We are one, Ava. My heart beats when yours does. You have my love, my heart, and my life. Per sempre.”

  I close my eyes, filled with love for this man, soaking up the final rays of sun that shine down on us.

  Read on for a preview of

  “You and me, we’ll never be over. You know it. I know it.”

  ~ Scott Patrick

  lexa turns on the shower and watches the water splatter against the walls. She wanted it hot, to make her skin feel something; a state that her cold heart was not acquainted with. She was bored, and one thing was for sure, she needed something to do, and soon. She’s learned the hard way that she and boredom don’t mix well. The last time she got restless, she ended up messing around with some bartender named Joey, a supremely bad idea. He looked like he’d be up for it, but the poor guy ran away with his tail between his legs. She wanted, no needed, someone to get between her legs.

  What she really needed was some excitement, a man that made her feel like Mr. One and Only. She remembered the day he propositioned her. Even though she knew it wasn’t a good idea to hook up with the boss, she couldn’t resist. Most people don’t report to possibly the hottest man on the planet, though. Scott Patrick wanted her sexually, he taught her everything she needed to know professionally, and all she had to do was not fall in love. She never stopped to think about how successful she was with that last bit.

  Without Scott though, she wouldn’t be where she is today. Now, she’s the one calling the shots, heading up the new London office. At least the years she spent catering to his whims paid off. He kept his end of the bargain. Now, she just needs to find another plaything to amuse her for a while. One that will stick around. In the meantime, she would just have to take care of herself.

  She steps into the steamy shower and begins washing her thick, brown hair. As the conditioner does its job, she leans back against the tiled wall and lets her hand slide down between her legs. Her fingers dip between the folds of flesh and she rubs tenderly for a moment before she turns to face a water jet. She angles it so it will hit her clit in just the right spot. Throwing her head back, she lifts a leg up and supports it on the built in shower bench. She knows it will only be a few minutes now before the built up sexual tension is released. As the water jet does its work, she closes her eyes and imagines the one person who could always make her scream. Scotty. She can see his face as clear as day as she brings herself to the climax she needs.

  “Oh, fuck! Fuck!” She grabs the handle to the shower door and braces herself as her orgasm hits, washing over her, mimicking the water that flows down her body. She stands for a moment panting, recovering from her self-induced climax. She quickly finishes rinsing her hair and steps out of the shower.

  She wants to put a little effort into her appearance today, even more than usual, since she was going to be meeting her new boss. She selects her best suit- a charcoal gray skirt and jacket with a pressed white blouse. She then lays out her favorite pair of gray platform pumps along with the silver jewelry she plans to wear. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she glides her thigh high stockings up each leg. Finally, she blow dries her hair, dusts her face in natural looking makeup, and finishes dressing. She gazes at her reflection in the mirror, admiring the rosy glow on her cheeks. Her looks are spectacular, and she knows it. How else did she get and keep Scott’s attention for so long? Certainly not her pathetic virginal skills at the time.

  One last look in the mirror and she knows she achieved the look she wants—classy, professional, but sexy. Perfect.

  Alexa glances down at the expensive watch on her wrist, one of many mementos she kept from the SP years, as she liked to call them. She smiles wistfully as she notes the time. When they were together, he constantly showed up with another over- the-top trinket. She loved receiving the gifts, having come from almost nothing. Now, she kept them as a reminder of how far she’d come; she could buy her own damn watch now.

  Grabbing her coat and scarf, she peeks outside. Another dreary day. She longed for the sun of Southern California where she grew up, but this opportunity was too good to pass up. Even though she sometimes felt like she sold her soul to learn what she needed, she felt confident that it all paid off for her and that is really all that mattered to Alexa.

  She heads out of her high-end apartment in London’s Belgravia neighborhood, an affluent area with tons of shops and restaurants. It was the perfect place to live to validate Alexa’s economic rise. Her driver, Oswald, watches the door and when he sees her, immediately jumps to attention. He knows she would be pissed off if she even waited thirty seconds for that car door to open. And no one likes a pissed off Alexa Drake.

  “Morning, Miss Drake.”

  “Good morning, Oswald. Do you have my coffee?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  It only took two days for him to figure out her routine and the coffee had to be hot and waiting. His timing to get it and then pick her up had to be perfect but he nailed it. It didn’t stop her from asking every day, like she was just waiting for him to screw up. Sometimes he wondered if she actually wanted him to so she had a reason to cuss him out. Again.

  “The office, Miss Drake?”

  She simply nods. He’d been driving her for over a year and never even received as much as a smile. He wondered what it took to get the coldest fish in town to warm up. Oswald took in her beauty with his eyes. Alexa Drake was one of the most stunning women he had ever seen. She was also rich, young, and successful. He couldn’t deny that she was a very generous boss as well. Driving her was a lucrative endeavor. Oswald didn’t care that she’s a complete bitch.

  He closes her door and walks back around to his side. Glancing back at her, he sees that she’s already immersed in her Blackberry. He watches her for a moment before pulling out into traffic. Fucking A, she’s a beauty. Sipping her coffee, Alexa wrinkles her nose, staring disapprovingly at the cup for a moment. Her eyes shift up and meet Oswald’s in the rear view mirror.

  “Where did you get this coffee?” she asks, accusingly.

  “The same place, ma’am.” Does she think I’m stupid? Why would I go somewhere else and break her routine?

  “It’s different. Make sure tomorrow that only Leslie makes it. She’s the only one that does it right.”

  Oh, now I have to have a specific person make her damn coffee? Now might not be the best time to ask for time off but he has no choice.

  “Miss Drake? My brother is coming to visit from America next week and I wondered if I could get a couple of days off to spend time with him?”

  Alexa doesn’t look up and seems to ignore his request. He continues driving, glancing nervously at her reflection.

  “And how am I supposed to get around town?” she finally asks, her voice cold and uncaring.

  “I can arrange for another driver and I can make sure he knows how you need everything to work.”

  “How many days?”

  “Three, if I can.”

  She sighs, clearly irritated with the request. She doesn’t like to change her routine but honestly, poor Oswald has never asked her for a thing. He’s a loyal and competent driver. The least she could do is let him have a few days off.

  “That’s fine.”

  Oswald’s face lights up. “Thank you, Miss Drake.”


  She says nothing and glances out the window as they pull up to the massive building where she works. Patrick Collins Media, the mass media empire built by Scott and his business partner, Brett Collins, the man she would be meeting today. Alexa ran the newly created Social Media division, an area that for whatever reason, Scott felt she would excel at, and he was right.

  Scott ran the print division in New York and Brett Collins ran a thriving office in Spain. Alexa is the first woman in the company given the opportunity to run an office on her own, and she would be meeting Brett for the first time today. She was curious to meet him, knowing he was also Scott’s best friend for years. Somehow their paths never crossed all this time.

  She waits for Oswald to open her door. Stepping out from the car, she runs her hands over her hair to smooth it down as the chilly London air swirls it around her face.

  Alexa enters the building and rings the call button for the elevator up to her office. From there, she could look out over Buckingham Palace and occasionally even get a glimpse of the Queen’s corgis running around the gardens.

  As soon as the elevator doors open on her floor, she notices a hush fall over the office. It happens every day when Alexa arrives. Just once she’d liked to see how everyone behaved when she wasn’t there. Admittedly though, she gets a tiny bit of satisfaction knowing everyone fears her. She feels it is the only way to make sure her authority is never questioned. Running an office of this size and importance at twenty-seven years old left her vulnerable to rumors and power plays.

  It didn’t help that the rumors were actually true. She did sleep her way to the top. She can’t remember how many nights she spent tied to Scott’s bed, how many spankings she endured, how many blow jobs granted. She would do it all again though.

  Alexa’s faithful assistant, Martina, takes her coat and scarf. “Miss Drake, Mr. Patrick called. He’s on his way with Mr. Collins now. They should be here inside of thirty minutes.”

  “Mr. Patrick is here?” Alexa’s voice practically trembles with the knowledge she would be seeing Scott. She didn’t know he was coming too.