Turn Towards the Sun Book Two: After the Rain

by Jennifer Domenico

  “Yeah, I’m sure. The dancers haven’t come out yet. I’m really excited to see them,” Giancarlo says, his eyes shooting around the room.

  I’m surprised. “What dancers?”

  “You don’t know?” Giancarlo asks with excitement brimming in his voice. “Rumor has it that they have a very impressive burlesque show coming shortly before midnight. It has been one of the most talked about events for months. Apparently, it’s very erotic.”

  I look over at Enzo, who appears to be hearing this for the first time too. “Well, that should make for interesting conversation,” he says.

  “Yep, that’s why I’m here,” Giancarlo explains. “I’m covering it for Vegas Today. I hope it’s as hot as they say. The hotel’s entire reputation is launching tonight. They’re going for a high-end crowd, but one that still likes to push the envelope a little.”

  “I think we fit that description, no?” Enzo grips my waist a little tighter.

  “Yes, I would agree,” I murmur.

  “Cool, well, hey, it was great seeing you, Enzo. I’m happy to come out to Arizona if you want when the time comes to open your place.”

  “I’ll call you.” Enzo says.

  Giancarlo extends his hand to me. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Milano.”

  I smile. “You, as well.”

  “An erotic burlesque show?” I ask, as the photographer heads off.

  Enzo grins. “More excitement, no...?”

  “How much can a girl take?”

  “Much more, I hope. I have more planned for you,” he reveals. “Are you ready to say it yet?”

  “Nope.”

  Enzo smiles and drags his hand across my thigh. “When I do get you to say it, it will be the sweetest sound to my ears.”

  I grin. “Vediamo.”

  “Yes, we will see.”

  I take another glass of champagne, feeling my inhibitions lower with each sip. Changing seats, I chat with the girls, while the men talk about gambling and sports. Waiters stop by every ten minutes or so, offering tasty tapas. I feel heady with excitement, alcohol, and good food.

  I listen to Cassie while she tells a story that makes us all crack up laughing. Without warning, the tingling sensation begins. My eyes shoot to Enzo, who appears to be engaged in conversation with Calvin and Chris.

  Ah, back to the game.

  The vibrating continues, increasing in small increments. I cross my legs to push the feeling closer to my throbbing clit. I shift uncomfortably, hoping my face is not giving away my little secret.

  I glance at Enzo again, but he pays no attention, other than an occasional smile. The sensation is starting to become unbearable. The pulsating between my legs is becoming more rapid and I know I’m breathing harder. I’m thankful the room is dark and the music loud. I can barely take any more.

  Surely he is not going to bring me to climax here on this couch?

  My attention shifts to the DJ booth, as a man announces that the show is about to start. We all stand and walk to the front of the stage area. Enzo mercifully turns off his toy, but it has not decreased my level of arousal.

  Enzo stands behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Are you ready to talk yet, signora?”

  I shake my head. I don’t know how much more I can take, but I’m willing to find out.

  “Very well,” he whispers.

  Gabby grabs my hand. “This is so exciting. What a great night so far!”

  “I agree. Can’t wait to see this show,” I tell her.

  The curtains pull up slowly as seductive music starts to play. As the lights go out, a spotlight appears on stage. A lone, dark-haired woman sits in a chair. Throwing her head back, she lets her hand glide down her neck and extends her leg out in front of her. Her face is provocatively covered with a gold mask and her rather voluptuous body is draped in sexy, red lingerie.

  Erotic isn’t a good enough word for what I’m watching right now. The woman stands and proceeds to conduct a very sensuous dance with just her chair. When she finishes, the room explodes in applause. She smiles innocently as though unaware of the effect she is having.

  There is a brief lull in the action, and Enzo whispers in my ear, “Did you like the performance?”

  “I did. She was hot.”

  “Was she? In my mind that was you dancing just for me, because you belong to me. God, I wish you would say it and not force my hand.” He grins to take the edge off his words.

  “I rather like it when your hand is forced,” I reply, saucily.

  “I can see that.” He kisses my cheek as the next performance starts.

  The curtain opens again and at least a dozen women pour out from backstage in various stages of undress. It is quite a show and the audience is clearly entertained. The pretty woman from the first performance approaches me and Enzo, and dances around us for a moment. She wraps a silk scarf around my neck, and shimmies up and down as she circles my body. As the scarf slides around my waist, I lift my arms and twirl around with the woman, loosened by my excessive alcohol consumption.

  I glance at my husband, who is watching me with a captivated look on his face. I’m suddenly very thankful that the woman chose to dance with me. She then takes Enzo’s hand and pulls him close to me, before wrapping her scarf around the two of us. The woman continues to dance around us in a sort of burlesque-style belly dance.

  My husband’s eyes lock on mine, his expression one of pure lust. I cannot wait any longer, I have to give in.

  “Enzo, I–”

  The woman pushes between us, prolonging the tease just a little longer. Enzo’s face falls for just a second before he laughs. Taking her arms and pulling her to him, he whispers something in her ear. Immediately, her eyes shift to me and she smiles.

  The dancer wraps her scarf around my waist several times and then unwraps me quickly, causing me to spin around, right into Enzo’s arms. She moves on to the next couple, so I know my husband must have asked her to leave us be.

  People crowd around, watching the show, oblivious to us. Enzo pulls the remote out of his pocket and turns it on, full force. Tensing, I lean against him.

  “You were saying?” he asks, pulling me closer.

  Ah, shit. It feels amazing. I love experiencing such an intimate thing in a roomful of people.

  “Say it, Ava, or you can’t come.” He lowers the speed.

  Shit. “Please,” I say.

  “I don’t want you to beg,” Enzo says. “I want you to tell me what I want to hear. Say it and you can come. Don’t you want to, baby?”

  “Oh, yes.”

  “Then say it.”

  I give up. I can’t take it anymore, so I tell him, “I belong to you.”

  He closes his eyes. “Say it again, please…”

  “I belong to you, Enzo,” I repeat. “Only you, forever.”

  My husband opens his eyes and exhales. “Yes, you do. You are mine. Now you get your reward.”

  Turning up the vibrator, he pulls my body as close to him as possible. He leans back against the column behind us, pressing his lips against mine, enveloping me in his energy. My whole body ripples with the anticipation of an orgasm.

  “Are you ready? Or shall I turn it off?” he taunts me.

  “I’ll kill you if you turn it off.”

  Enzo grins and sucks my tongue into his mouth. I grip the back of his neck, digging my nails into his flesh. He’s driving me crazy. I feel his hand reach down and press the vibe against me, which is all I need to finally push me over the edge.

  I throw my head back and suck in my breath as a violent orgasm invades my body. Enzo turns me around so that my back is against the column. He sucks my neck and whispers in my ear. “That’s right, baby, come for me.”

  Without warning, I begin to convulse and tears fill my eyes. I shake against him and collapse into his arms. Enzo pulls my chin up so that my eyes meet his and removes my mask.

  “Amore, why do you cry?” he asks.

  I shake my head. “It was too much.
”

  “What is?” he asks again, looking really concerned.

  “Everything, all night. Too much!” I burst into laughter.

  Enzo’s expression switches from worried to perplexed. “I don’t understand – crying and laughing?”

  “Enzo, baby, that was awesome,” I tell him. “I’ve never had an experience like it, and you know I cry if I get overwhelmed.”

  “So, you’re happy?”

  “Ecstatic, actually, but I don’t want to play this game anymore. I don’t want to withhold my feelings for you. I don’t want you to ignore me. It was fun, but it’s over now.”

  Enzo pulls off his mask. “I agree. Give it to me.”

  “What?”

  “The toy,” he says. “I want it.”

  “Now?”

  “Shall I get it for you?” he teases.

  “That won’t be necessary.” I discreetly reach under my dress, and with Enzo’s body hiding mine from the crowd, I pull out the vibrator from its hiding place. I feel myself blush as I hand it to him and he puts it in his pocket.

  “What happens in Vegas stays here, no?” He grins.

  “Yes. Thank you though. I loved it. I love you.”

  “I know you love me.”

  “And you know I am yours, and only yours.”

  “Yes, and I hope you’ll tell me again someday without being under duress,” he adds, smiling.

  “I promise.”

  “I do love your promises.”

  Francesca suddenly appears in front of us. “Yes, you two, come here! It’s almost midnight.”

  We walk back to our table and join our friends. Someone hands me a fresh glass of champagne.

  “10…9…8…”

  Enzo holds up his glass and says, “The best year of my life, all because of you.”

  “5…4…3”

  “Just be ready to give me one of your divine kisses in three seconds.” I say.

  “2…1… Happy New Year!”

  We all clink glasses and start the kisses. Enzo wraps me in his arms, embracing me in the sweetest kiss.

  “Happy New Year, Ava. How are we going to top our first year together?” he asks.

  “I’m sure we’ll find a way.”

  He smiles. “Yes, we will.”

  “I want to go up to our room now. I’ve had enough fun.”

  “Are you sure? There’s more entertainment to come.”

  “I’m quite sure,” I reply, grinning. “I’ve had more entertainment than should be legal.” I feel exhausted from our little game. It was fun, but for some reason I think it’s something that should stay here in Vegas and not follow us back to our regular life.

  “So, will Vegas continue to be an annual ritual for us?” I ask.

  He winks at me. “As long as you want it to be, yes.”

  “Maybe our game can be an annual ritual then, too?”

  “That could be interesting,” he says. “But for now, it’s over. I want to go back to worshiping the ground you walk on, if that pleases you.”

  I know he’s teasing me and I laugh. “It pleases me.”

  “Let’s say goodnight to our friends.”

  We walk back to the elevators, hand in hand. Just before we reach them, Enzo stops in front of a trashcan. He takes the toy out of his pocket and throws it in. “We don’t need that anymore,” he says, grinning.

  “Enzo, you’re the most amazing lover I’ve ever had in my life, with or without accessories.”

  “You weren’t a virgin when we met? I thought you were.” His grin gives away his false seriousness.

  That’s just like a man to want to ignore that I had lovers before him. I laugh as we step into the elevator.

  “Oh, I forgot. Of course I was a virgin.”

  “Trust me, signora, I’m aware from your advanced skills that I could not have been the first, but, as hypocritical as it is, I would prefer not to think of you with other men.”

  “It isn’t hypocritical, it’s natural.”

  He pushes the button for our floor. “I only wish I could allow you the same fantasy.”

  “Let’s not go there again,” I say. “We are adults, so of course we’ve been with other people. Quite frankly, if I hadn’t dated so many losers, I might not have recognized what a gem you are. I had to kiss a lot of frogs to find you, my prince.” I rise onto my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “But, no more of that, it’s you and me, forever.”

  “Yes, per sempre.”

  We walk down the hall to our room and I watch as Enzo opens the door.

  “I hope you had a great time on this trip,” he says. “I loved having you here with me.”

  “Amazing trip,” I agree. “What time does our plane leave tomorrow? Maybe we can try sleeping in, together.”

  “I would like that. It doesn’t leave until two. I thought we could all get breakfast, and then maybe a little last-minute gambling before we leave.”

  I stretch and yawn. The alcohol is starting to wear off and all I want to do is climb into bed, with no more shenanigans.

  “You’re sleepy, princess?” he asks.

  “I am. Hope you don’t mind if we just go to sleep.”

  “Not at all.” He walks behind me and unzips my dress. “You fulfilled a fantasy for me tonight, Ava. It was everything I hoped it would be.”

  I step out of my dress. “It was amazing. I loved every minute of it.”

  Enzo turns me around to face him. “Did you?”

  I nod. “I did. I won’t do anything I don’t want to do. You should know that by now.”

  “You’re right, I should. I think I check with you because I can’t believe I have this perfect combination of a woman. You provide the balance I need in my life.”

  “I thought I threw you off balance?” Grinning, I poke his side playfully.

  “In so many ways,” he agrees. “But you let me be myself and explore. You seem to know exactly how far to go, and then we bring it back. That’s balance.”

  “No, baby, that’s love.”

  “Yes, love. Let’s go to bed.”

  We finish undressing and I unclip my hair. After brushing my teeth to get the taste of champagne out of my mouth, I wipe off my makeup. When I enter the bedroom, Enzo is fast asleep. I climb into bed and cuddle up to him. This is my rare chance to watch him while he sleeps. He is a beautiful man in so many ways. And he is mine, forever.

  ****

  I see a hint of sun peeking around the curtains as I blink my eyes open from sleep. I have no idea what time it is, but my head is throbbing. Rolling over, I find a glass of water and two ibuprofen tablets on my nightstand. How sweet. I sit up and swallow them both, gulping the water down.

  I feel like absolute shit. You wanted epic? Well, you got it. An epic freaking hangover.

  Sliding out of bed, I head into the bathroom. Thank goodness I don’t look as bad as I feel. Turning on the shower, I brush my teeth while I wait for it to get hot.

  Enzo appears in the doorway. “Buon giorno,” he says.

  “Buon giorno.” I grin with a mouth full of toothpaste.

  “May I join you?”

  “I hoped you would.”

  We step into the shower together, and I lean back against Enzo as he washes my hair. The hot water feels good, but his hands running all over me feel even better.

  “Ready for breakfast?” he asks.

  “I am. I’m starving and so hung over.”

  We get out of the shower and dry off, but I have zero energy to deal with my hair. At this point I just want to click my heels together three times and be back in Phoenix.

  “You’ll feel better after we get some food inside you, and maybe a Bloody Mary or two,” Enzo suggests.

  I nod while I brush my hair. I dress in yoga pants, some comfy canvas shoes and a black sweater.

  He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me close to him. “I like when you dress like this, amore.”

  “When you met me I was wearing yoga pants, remember?”


  “Oh, I remember. Your ass looks perfect in them.” He laughs.

  “So that’s how I got you.”

  “That and your many other charms.”

  “That’s good to know because in time this ass of mine is going to hit the floor,” I reply, laughing. “I hope my appeal extends beyond that for you.”

  “You already know how I feel about that. Besides, I look forward to the day when we are old and wrinkly, and watching our grandbabies run around. In fact, it sounds like heaven.”

  “You are heaven, tesoro.” I kiss his cheek.

  We stare into each other’s eyes for a few moments.

  “We should go before I try to undress you again,” he warns me.

  “Alright, let’s go.”

  We finish packing our bags and gathering our things together. I finish fussing with my hair, while Enzo texts our friends to meet us in the hotel lobby.

  “The hotel has a fantastic breakfast restaurant, I hear,” Enzo says as we make our way to the elevator.

  “I would eat fast food at this point.”

  “You won’t have to, amore.”

  When we enter the lobby, everyone is waiting, except Chris and Cassie. A few minutes later, they step out of an elevator, and I am taken aback by the serene look on my friend’s face. Chris grips her hand in his, but when they see us, Cassie breaks into a full run towards me.

  “Look,” she practically screams at me, throwing her left hand up in the air.

  I do look and she is wearing a beautiful diamond solitaire engagement ring.

  I hug her. “Oh, Cassie, he proposed?”

  “He did.” She smiles broadly as the girls crowd in to look at the ring. I glance up at Chris, who is being congratulated by the men.

  “When did this happen?” I ask.

  “Last night, after we went back to our room,” Cassie says. “It was so romantic. We had candles and music, and it was just perfect.”

  Chris puts his arm around her shoulders. “It was hard thinking what to do, but I decided she’d like it to just be the two of us.”

  Cassie nods. “He knows me well.”

  “I’m so excited for you both,” I say, hugging my friend again. I feel all emotional.

  “This is the best trip of my life,” she exclaims.

  “Epic,” exclaims Gabby.

  We all laugh.