“Make love to me” I whisper.
He lightly kisses my thighs. “I will when we get home.”
“No, now, here,” I say. “Please.”
Enzo lifts his head to meet my gaze. “Here, in the office?”
“Yes. I want you now.”
Standing up, he smiles at me. “My pleasure.”
Enzo walks over to the door and locks it, and then walks slowly back. Seating himself in the chair in front of me, he begins kissing my legs. Lifting me, he sets me down on the desk and stands in between my legs. I wrap them around him, drawing him closer. He lowers his mouth onto mine and our tongues entwine in a sensuous dance. I run my hands through his amazing hair while I revel in the feeling of his scratchy face rubbing across my delicate skin.
I stretch to unbuckle his belt and quickly slide his zipper down. As I do, Enzo kisses and sucks my neck. Sliding my dress upwards, he gropes my very swollen breasts. I stroke him in my hands, bringing him to a full erection. Pulling down my panties, he presses his hardness against my opening, and I arch my back to make it easier for him to enter me. He does and I exhale loudly, my breath taken away for a moment by the sudden fullness.
“Ah, Ava, you feel so tight,” he whispers in my ear, his voice taking on that raspy tone I love so much. “I love being inside of you. It’s the best… the best.”
“I love it too… keep going. Fill me up,” I say, wrapping my legs more tightly around him.
Enzo moves against me quietly, with only the sound of our breathing between us. I love the clandestine feeling of this; the rushed release of passion. I feel the telltale signs of his impending climax as his hands grip behind my neck and his body begins to tense, and I brace myself. He says nothing, but inhales and exhales very slowly as his body convulses against mine. Then he lies still on top of me, burying his face in my neck.
“Ti amo, bella, la bellissima, ti amo… tanto.”
I love it when his words just fall out of him like that with pure, unadulterated love.
“Look at me, Enzo.”
He lifts his face to mine.
“Thank you for being who you are, and giving yourself so completely to me,” I tell him. “It’s everything to me, what we have. This love is like feeling the warmth of the sun.”
He responds with a kiss. “You deserve the sun, after all the darkness,” he says before lifting me off the desk.
I smile. “It was never dark. Just a rainy day…”
“A rainy day? Okay. More like the monsoon season in the Arizona summers.”
“You’re too hard on yourself,” I say. “Being with you fills me with joy. Every couple has trials.”
“Shall I recap the various hazards you’ve endured since you met me?” he asks, holding up his fingers as though he is counting.
“Shall I recap the various wonders and pleasures I’ve enjoyed since I met you?” I retort.
He grins. “I guess you like rainy days then?”
“A little rain is good. It helps things grow. Besides, don’t you just love the smell after the rain? Everything is fresh, renewed, and better than it was before.” Smiling, I kiss Enzo’s cheek.
“You’re an amazing person,” he says.
“As are you, my handsome prince.”
He grins. “By the way, I wanted to do that with you for a long time.”
“Do what?”
“Make love to you on my desk. I’ve been close before.”
“Why didn’t you say something?” I ask, smoothing my dress back into place.
“I wanted it to be spontaneous, just like it was.”
“A fantasy of yours then?” I ask, giggling.
“Yes, a fantasy. I have many more that revolve around you.”
“Is that so? We should discuss.”
“We will.”
“Promise?” I tease him.
He laughs. “I do. And you know how I am about promises.”
“Yes. I know.”
He runs his hands over the top of his desk. “Now this is my favorite office.”
“Glad I could help.”
“Andiamo? Let’s get you home.”
“Yes, please. I think Cassie is actually cooking for us tonight. Hope you like Crockpot meals,” I say.
He frowns. “I have no idea what a Crockpot is, but I’ll do my best to encourage her.”
“That’s the best we can hope for you.” I say, as we walk out to the car and head back home.
****
“Checca, how do you think these tiles would look as a backsplash behind the bathroom sink?” I hold up a small square white tile for her to see.
“What happened to the silver tiles we picked out?” she asks.
“There aren’t enough. I thought Dax told you that. If we chose them, we wouldn’t have enough for the entire hotel.”
Francesca shakes her head and pops her bottom lip out in a pout. “I want the silver ones. It would look better, no? More bling,” she adds.
“Well, I could keep looking and calling suppliers. I thought these might be a good substitute because they are metallic. They’re still shiny.”
She takes one in her hand, and moves it back and forth under the light. “Yes, it is shiny, but not like silver.”
“No, not like silver… Wait, I have an idea.” I grab my notebook and start drawing a pattern. “What about mostly white tiles with a few of the silver ones mixed in, to add some visual interest?”
Francesca leans over my shoulder. “Hmm, yes, okay. I like this idea. Let’s do this.”
“You’re positive? I can place the order today if you’re sure.”
“Yes, I am very sure. It’s a good idea. Brava.” She smiles and goes back to her bedding selections.
I start making notes on how many silver tiles should be ordered. If we have about ten in each room, we should be able to get enough to do the bathrooms.
Hearing a knock on the door, I look up to see Enzo walk in. He talks briefly with Francesca and then joins me.
He smiles. “Ciao.”
“Ciao.”
“Are you ready to go home?” he asks.
“I am. Just let me make a couple more notes. I need to give Dax a new purchase order before we leave.”
Enzo walks towards me and rubs my back. “Leave it for me. I’ll give it to him in the morning. You’ve been working too much.”
“Va bene.” I grab my purse and tote bag, and wrap my favorite pink scarf around my neck.
We’re having another cold snap, which is so unusual for March. Pulling on my suede jacket, I say goodbye to Francesca and we leave.
“Shall we light a fire when we get home?” Enzo asks.
“Yeah, if Cassie doesn’t already have one going.”
“Are you feeling alright?” he asks. “You look a little pale. You’re not pushing yourself too hard, are you?”
“I really do feel tired today, but I guess it’s normal.”
“Have you called Dr. Warner?”
“No, the book I have said that feeling tired is just part of it. I am growing a human, you know,” I remind him with a grin.
“Yes, our human.” He rubs my back and opens the car door for me.
“I think we’re going to need a bigger car,” I remark. “Both of us have tiny cars. I don’t think we can fit a car seat in.”
“Very true,” he agrees “What do you propose?”
“Beats me,” I say. “Just something safe and with a backseat, maybe a Volvo?”
“Yes, that would be a good choice. We’ll look soon.”
“No rush. We’ve got plenty of time. I’m not due for seven more months.”
“You can never be too prepared,” he says. “We need to talk about a nursery and start interviewing nannies now.”
“Now? It seems so early…”
“In the next few weeks, no?” he asks.
“Okay. Right now I just want to put my feet up. I can only imagine what I’ll feel like when it’s gets hot outside and I’m as big as a house.�
��
“You know I’ll do anything I can to help.”
“I know. I think you’ll be dishing out some massages and foot rubs.”
“It would be my pleasure.”
We pull into our driveway and into the garage. When we walk into the house it is quiet, except for Maximus, who is overjoyed to see us. Enzo starts a fire and lets the dog out while I change into some comfortable clothing and settle on the couch with a book. I click the remote control to turn on some soft jazz.
Ten minutes later, Cassie walks in. “Hey, Ava.”
“Hey.”
“What’s going on?” she asks.
“Nothing. Where’s Chris?”
“He’s here. Just working in the back, I assume. Chris got that new contract, you know, and then, with Enzo’s websites, he’s pretty busy. He ordered in Chinese, so it should be here soon.”
“You know, this house is so big that when people are here, I don’t even know it.” I say.
“Well, Chris is a pretty quiet guy. You’d have known if I was here.”
“Very true,” I say.
“Are you alright? You look tired.”
“Enzo asked me that too. I guess I am.”
“Well, I’m gonna change and then we’ll come out when the food gets here,” she says.
“Okay.”
At that moment Enzo walks in carrying a cup of tea and a platter of appetizers that he just threw together.
“What are you smiling about, amore?” he asks, handing me a small plate.
“I was just thinking that you’re an award-winning architect, an amazing lover, beyond handsome, an over-the-top romantic, and you can handle yourself in the kitchen. You astound me.”
Enzo sits down next to me. “I’m honored you feel that way.”
“I am sure I’m not alone.”
“I couldn’t care less what anyone else in this world thinks of me. Your opinion is all that matters. You know that,” he says, kissing my cheek.
“That astounds me too.”
“The only outside opinion that matters to me is my reputation as an architect because that is how I make my living, and my living allows me to give you everything you deserve.”
“I think you’re doing just fine in that department.” I take a bite of bruschetta. “This is really good, babe.”
Enzo smiles, but says nothing. I find it so charming that my husband comes across as very humble when he is with me, but in public he couldn’t be more confident and, quite honestly, arrogant. He knows that he’s good at his job and doesn’t shy away from the accolades. But when it’s just us two, he’s sweet, gentle, and focused only on me.
“Chris ordered Chinese. After dinner, I think I’ll just read for a while and then go to bed early. I’m feeling really worn out,” I say.
“That’s a good idea. You do need to rest. I don’t think it would be a bad idea to check in with the doctor tomorrow, just to be sure. You could be coming down with something. Did you get your flu shot yet?”
“No, I’m supposed to get it next week at my appointment. The doctor said it’s the tail-end of the flu season, so I should be safe.”
“You can’t be too safe,” he says, rubbing my cheek. “We’ll call her in the morning.”
The food arrives, but I find that I don’t really have much of an appetite after the two small pieces of bruschetta I ate. I always figured I would eat more during pregnancy, not less. Excusing myself, I go to our bedroom and climb into bed. Sinking down into the plush bedding, I realize that I probably needed to rest much sooner. Perhaps I am working too much.
I smile as my handsome husband enters the room. “Here’s some tea, my love. Now rest,” he says, kissing my forehead. “We’ll deal with everything in the morning.”
“I’ll be here.” I grin and sip my tea.
“You’re sure you’re okay? Do you think I should call the doctor?” Enzo asks.
I shake my head. “I’m sure it’s nothing a little rest won’t resolve. Don’t worry so much.”
“I can’t help it. You’re so precious to me and now you have my baby in there.” He reached out and rubs my tummy.
“I feel a little run down, sure, but I probably just need to slow it down a little. I can’t do everything the same as I used to.”
We stare at each other for a moment, Enzo’s blue eyes filled with the intensity I’ve come to know and love so much. He lifts my hand to his mouth and gently kisses it. “I love you, Ava, with every ounce of my being. You are my entire world. We’ve been through so much, but we made it through, and now we’re building a family.” He sweetly rubs my tummy. “I know we can handle whatever the future holds for us.”
“I know it, too. Whatever the future holds...”
HAPPILY EVER AFTER…
Enzo and Ava’s story continues in the final installment of the Sunflower Trilogy. Every girl deserves a happy ending to her fairy tale.
Table of Contents
Copyright
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
1 CHAPTER ONE
2 CHAPTER TWO
3 CHAPTER THREE
4 CHAPTER FOUR
5 CHAPTER FIVE
6 CHAPTER SIX
7 CHAPTER SEVEN
8 CHAPTER EIGHT
9 CHAPTER NINE
10 CHAPTER TEN
11 CHAPTER ELEVEN
12 CHAPTER TWELVE
13 CHAPTER THIRTEEN
14 CHAPTER FOURTEEN
15 CHAPTER FIFTEEN
16 CHAPTER SIXTEEN
17 CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Turn Towards the Sun Book Two: After the Rain Page 36