Beautifully Twisted

by Jennifer Domenico

  His tone shifted to pure seduction, and I feel a little flutter in my stomach. “I needed a change. This seemed like a good place for it.”

  “Interesting. Tell me, do you have a man in your life?”

  I almost spit my wine across the room.

  My heartbeat quickens. “No, I don’t.” I don’t elaborate. I have no idea what else to say.

  He sits back in his chair, blue eyes surveying me, saying nothing. A hundred years pass or so it seems before he opens his delectable mouth.

  “That’s a shame.”

  What? Is that a compliment? Or an offer? I’m clueless. Enzo pours himself another glass of wine and grins.

  “Is it?” I ask.

  “Well yes, a beautiful woman like yourself should be fucked nightly. But every day is a new opportunity, no?”

  My body prickles with heat like I just walked into a burning flame. The bluntness of his comment shocks and excites me all at once.

  “So is that what this is all about? You want to fuck me?” I can be blunt too. He doesn’t flinch.

  “Of course I want to. I expect every man that sees you would like to as well.” He delivers this comment as casually as discussing the dinner menu. His eyes shift up and that intense stare of his burns through me. “But I’m not going to. Not yet anyway.”

  I glare at him. What the hell is this game? I don’t know if I should feel insulted or relieved. He knows what he’s doing, and it’s pissing me off. He’s not even looking at me, which pisses me off even more.

  “Have you considered that maybe I don’t want you to fuck me so it doesn’t really matter what you want?”

  He runs the tip of his finger over the rim of his wine glass. “Why don’t we just see how it goes?”

  Bastard. He knows damn well I’m bluffing. I lower my head when the server appears with our food. I know my face is bright red from anger and lust. Damn him. He’s obviously not gay.

  I’m starving so I’m thankful for the distraction as a variety of small dishes, all tastier than the one before it, arrives at the table.

  I don’t even know what to say at this point. My mind races thinking of how the rest of this conversation is going to play out. How dare he talk to me like that? Still, it’s so sexy. I want to be mad, but it’s hard when I’m so turned on. Dammit.

  I distract myself from the tension by focusing on my food. I look up, and Enzo is watching me stuff a fried rice ball in my mouth. It has melted mozzarella cheese in the middle, and it is gooey and creamy goodness.

  “What?” I ask, my mouth full as I chew.

  “Nothing at all, Miss Bradshaw.” He sits back in his chair chewing a small olive and holding his wine glass in the other. Feeling self-conscious, I swallow and sit back.

  “Please don’t stop on my account.”

  “I think I’m full now.”

  He leans across the table, grabs a small rice ball, and pops it in his mouth, chewing slowly and deliberately. My my my.

  “Please have another one.” He hands me a rice ball. I reach for it, but he stops.

  “Open your mouth.”

  Huh?

  I open my mouth as instructed. He reaches over and puts the rice ball in my mouth. I chew slowly, keeping eye contact with him, feeling electricity shoot through my body.

  “There’s nothing sexier to me than a woman enjoying her food.” He holds my stare for a moment.

  He sits back in his seat and takes another drink of wine. He’s completely calm, and I am practically jumping out of my seat with excitement.

  This man is so frustrating. He knows he’s seducing me yet he tells me he’s not? If he keeps this up, there will be no way I can stick to my plan. Not sure I want to at this point even after his earlier comment.

  Paolo returns, interrupting our food play, and we enthusiastically praise the dinner. After saying our goodbyes to Paulo and Sylvia, we rise to begin our short walk back to my room.

  I try for lighthearted, non-sexual innuendo conversation.

  “Where are you staying, Enzo?”

  “Next door to you.”

  Oh. He stops at my door and opens it for me.

  “Ava, what I said earlier, I do hope I haven’t upset you. I always just say what I mean. It avoids confusion.” His tone still smacks of arrogance. He’s not really apologizing as much as just explaining himself.

  What do I say to this? I don’t even know if I am upset. I’m a jumble of emotions right now.

  “I can handle you, Enzo.” I’m not at all sure that’s true.

  “Yes, I believe you can. I do hope you sleep well, Ava.”

  What? No kiss? After all that. Wait, I shouldn’t want a kiss. Oh Lord, this is so confusing.

  “I’m sure I will. And thank you.”

  “My pleasure.” He takes my hand and plants a chaste kiss on both cheeks. I inhale his closeness. Man, he smells good.

  “If you need anything, I’m right next door.”

  He pauses and stares at me, holding my hand a moment too long.

  “You know, Ava, you’re really quite stunning. Buona notte.”

  He watches me go inside my room. I’m stunning? Enzo thinks I’m stunning. And beautiful. And fuckable!

  I can’t stop thinking about all that happened today and the things this man said to me. Maybe he wasn’t trying to seduce me, maybe that’s just how he talks. Still, he did ask me if I had a man so that must mean something, right? I don’t know what to think.

  What I do know is that this man is probably trouble, capital T for me, and I should avoid him. Tomorrow, if I even see him, I’ll just make it clear that nothing is going to happen between us, and I’ll be gone by Monday morning. Yes, that’s a good plan.

  I settle into bed, satisfied with my clarity.

  Dinner with Ava from Enzo’s point of view

  Standing in front of the door to room 115, I imagine for a moment just what the night has in store for me. Knocking softly, I find myself looking forward to dinner with the beautiful girl inside, and even more interested in getting her in my bed later. Ava opens the door and I grin as she steps back a bit, obviously taking me in with her eyes. She’s such a sexy woman, in a very natural way that I find quite appealing. Even her choice of clothing is refreshing. My eyes run over her body, admiring the way her purple summer dress drapes over her petite frame, casual and sexy. My eyes linger for a moment over her supple cleavage, and I hold back my urge to reach out and stroke her soft flesh.

  “Ready, Miss Bradshaw?”

  “Yes, Enzo, I’m ready,” she says in her lovely voice that sounds like it’s coated in honey. I hold my gaze with hers for a moment before speaking.

  “Good. We’re going to a restaurant on the grounds. I do hope you like Italian.” I plan to find out just how much she does.

  “I do.”

  She looks away, almost like she’s afraid to make eye contact with me. I definitely want those beautiful eyes to look at me again. “Ava, that’s an Italian name, no?”

  “Yes. It was my grandmother’s name, on my mom’s side. She was from Italy.”

  “Oh?” I turn towards her. “What part?”

  “Calabria. In the South.”

  Her answer makes me stop in my tracks. Impulsively, I swing around and grab Ava’s shoulders. “My family is from Calabria.” I stare into her big brown eyes but she looks away again. I realize I must be making her uncomfortable so I release her and smile gently. “Excuse me, Ava. I get excited when I think of Italy.”

  “No problem.”

  I’m finally rewarded with a warm smile from this charming creature. “Come on, dinner.” We continue walking and reach the restaurant’s open-air patio. Ava absorbs every detail with her eyes and has an odd expression on her face when she sees the restaurant name.

  “Come, Ava.” I usher her through the door and see my darling niece at the front, who sees me and bounces over, her abundant energy on display.

  “Enzo!” she squeals and throws her arms around my neck. I glance at my di
nner companion, who appears very interested in the young woman wrapped around me. I suppress a grin as I realize Ava is jealous.

  “Ciao, Silvia.” I kiss my niece on both cheeks then pull Ava’s arm towards us. “This is Ava. Ava, Sylvia.”

  Sylvia’s face lights up. “Welcome to Milano, Ava,” she says with a wink.

  Ava smiles softly in return. “Pleased to meet you.”

  “Sylvia is my darling niece.” I inform Ava, and see her visibly soften. “My first. She’s starting her last year of college in August.” I softly pinch Sylvia’s cheek but she brushes my hand away. “I’m so proud of her.”

  “Zio, you’re embarrassing me.” Sylvia giggles, even though I know she’s quite fond of me. “Your table?” she asks.

  I nod and Sylvia walks us towards the corner overlooking the massive courtyard. I look around for a moment, pleased with the tropical landscape that transports the grounds away from its desert location.

  I hold the chair out for Ava, the pleasant scent of her hair wafting around me. “Was the room to your liking, Miss Bradshaw?” Her face settles into the slightest of frowns and I wonder what I’ve said to upset her.

  “As I stated previously, I found it to be very nice, Mr. Milano.”

  I lean close to her. “I like the way my name sounds in your mouth.” Just looking at her makes me think of what else I can get in that luscious mouth tonight. I smile at her, hoping she’s likeminded, and watch as her cheeks turn crimson red.

  “I’d like to reimburse you for the room, Enzo,” she says, out of the blue.

  I’m not sure what she’s attempting here, but I have to admit I find it amusing. “Would you now? Well, it’s $395 a night plus tax.”

  I can’t hold back my laughter as her face goes completely pale. “Listen, Ava, I do not expect, nor would I accept repayment. I’m extending you this hospitality simply because I want to.” I lean across the table, close to her gorgeous face. “I expect nothing in return. Relax and enjoy dinner.”

  I see Paolo walking towards us and stand to greet him, briefly kissing him on both cheeks. “Ciao, fratello. Come stai?” I say in Italian.

  “Tutto bene, sto bene. Tu?” Paolo answers.

  “Bene, bene.” I look down at Ava to introduce her. “Ava, this is the chef and my brother, Paulo. Paulo, my new friend Ava.”

  Paolo extends his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Ava,” he says, in his thickly accented English. I can tell Ava is assessing my brother, possibly even comparing us. Suppressing my rather inconvenient jealous streak, Paolo and I discuss tonight’s meal in Italian. Ava watches us intently. She’s a very curious woman.

  “Va bene, Paolo. Vino, er, wine, Ava?” I ask, forgetting for a moment she doesn’t speak Italian. Ava hesitates so I decide it’s best if I just take charge. Perhaps she will find it to be an attractive quality in me. “Chianti, per favore.”

  My brother nods and leaves us.

  “I don’t know if I should have any more wine after this morning,” Ava says, frowning.

  “A little wine will be okay. You’ve adjusted to the heat now. Just sip it,” I tease. In my head, I’m hoping a little more wine is all it will take to get her clothes off of her.

  She nods as a silent moment passes between us. I wonder what she’s thinking and what she looks like naked. My eyes wash over her once more. Is she wearing lacy lingerie? Or does she prefer cotton? I want very much to slide my hands up under that dress and find out.

  “I like hearing you speak Italian,” she blurts out, and I swear she blushes again.

  I grin. “So you like the Italian language?”

  “Well, I like what I just heard. It’s beautiful. Sexy even.”

  “Yes, Ava, it is beautiful.” Just like you. I ignore her sexy comment because I can’t stop fantasizing about her body pressed against mine. I haven’t been able to figure out what it is about her, but I’m simply captivated. She has my complete attention which is most unusual. I gaze at her delicate features–the soft slopes of her cheeks, her long eyelashes, and the alluring pout of her soft, pink lips, wondering what’s causing the quizzical expression on her face. “What are you thinking, Ava?”

  She shakes her head and frantically starts digging through her handbag. Jumping up, she looks completely startled. “I forgot to call my parents. Give me a minute okay?” She steps away from the table into the courtyard, taking my attention with her.

  A waiter brings the wine and I pour myself a glass, staring at the beauty as she has an animated phone conversation. It’s been a long time since a woman has captured my interest like this. At the moment, the only thing I can think of is burying my cock between her amazing legs later. Ava twists a lock of her hair around her finger and looks off into the distance as she speaks. It’s such a small gesture but it does something to me. Minchia, this girl is turning me on. I want to caress her skin, taste her mouth, and fuck her senseless. I shift slightly in my chair in an attempt to disguise my arousal.

  Occasionally, she glances over at me and I wonder if she’s telling her parents about the man who rescued her from certain chaos at the airport this morning. I laugh to myself as I think back to the flight earlier today. Just a bit of wine and she lost all composure. As much as I wanted to ignore her and focus on my work, I couldn’t. She’s so different than most women I come across. There’s just something about her that seems special. I have a feeling she’s not the type to hop into bed with a man she just met. Unlike that ridiculous flight attendant this morning. How tired I get of women throwing themselves at me.

  Ava hangs up her phone and walks back to the table. I can’t tear my eyes off of her supple figure and the way the mounds of flesh on her chest bounce gently as she approaches. Her wavy brown hair flows down her back and she flings it off her shoulders as she walks. She seems very comfortable in her own skin, which turns me on even more. Fuck, she’s hot.

  “Everything alright?” I ask.

  “Yes. My parents worry. I’m an only child, and I’ve never moved away before.”

  I nod. Protective parents, perhaps. “Have some wine. Dinner will be here soon. Then I’ll get you back to your room.” I pause, realizing that the tone of my voice revealed my desire for her. “To sleep,” I add.

  Ava’s eyebrows rise as she sits back in her chair. She takes a sip of wine and smiles appreciatively. I smile in return; pleased she can recognize and value the finer things in life.

  “So, Ava. Did you move here for a specific reason?”

  She looks up and shifts uncomfortably when her eyes meet mine. “I always have a reason for the things I do.”

  “Yes, I would imagine you do. Are you going to tell me the reason or do I have to coax it out of you?” I’m terribly interested in this girl and would love nothing more than to coax her to orgasm.

  “I needed a change. This seemed like a good place for it,” she responds, almost shyly.

  “Interesting.” I just need to know one very important thing about her. “Tell me, do you have a man in your life?”

  Surprise registers across Ava’s face and I realize she wasn’t expecting me to ask about her personal life. Certainly by now, she must be aware that I’m romantically interested in her.

  “No, I don’t.” She doesn’t say another word.

  I sit back in my chair, surveying the lovely woman before me, saying nothing. I want her. Very much so. “That’s a shame,” I say.

  I pour myself another glass of wine to give myself time to think of my approach.

  “Is it?” she asks. I can tell from her tone that my interest is reciprocated.

  It’s time to make sure my intention towards her is clear. “Well yes, a beautiful woman like yourself should be fucked nightly. But every day is a new opportunity, no?”

  I watch her face for a reaction and if I’m not mistaken, what I see tells me that I’ve shocked her but maybe, just maybe, I’ve piqued her curiosity a bit.

  “So is that what this is all about? You want to fuck me?”

  I wish I
could laugh but I don’t want to offend her. Her response delights me. For once, I’ve found a woman that can handle me. This may be even more fun than I thought.

  “Of course I want to. I expect every man that sees you would like to as well.” My eyes shift up and stare into the caramel colored ones before me. There is a sweetness there that draws me in and I decide at that very moment, this girl is worthy of more than a quick fuck. I want to get to her know her, which shocks the hell out of me. I need to back off a little. “But I’m not going to. Not yet anyway.”

  Ava glares at me, which is not the reaction I was hoping for. I’ve clearly come across too harshly for her and I need to figure out how to correct the situation.

  “Have you considered that maybe I don’t want you to fuck me so it doesn’t really matter what you want?” she says, defiantly.

  Her rather hostile reaction excites me and I’m fighting a rather embarrassing erection just talking to her like this. Judging from her expression, it’s clear I’m having the same effect on her. I don’t want her to run but I do want to continue this word play a little longer. I run the tip of my finger over the rim of my wine glass. “Why don’t we just see how it goes?”

  Ava stares at me for a moment then shifts her eyes away when our waiter arrives. Her face lights up at the variety of dishes presented to us. I’m pleased to see how she dives in wholeheartedly to her meal. Watching her enjoy her food is even more of a turn on. I’m so tired of women who eat nothing but salads to stay thin. Ava’s body is curvy, healthy, and fucking luscious. Damn.

  Ava seems to ignore me until she finally looks up. Her eyes meet mine as she stuffs a friend rice ball in her mouth. “What?” she asks.

  “Nothing at all, Miss Bradshaw.” I sit back in my chair chewing a small olive and holding her gaze. Ava seems self-conscious suddenly and moves away from her plate.

  “Please don’t stop on my account,” I say.

  “I think I’m full now,” she responds.

  I want nothing more than to watch this beauty continue eating so I lean across the table, pick up a small rice ball, and pop it in my mouth, chewing slowly and deliberately. “Please have another one.” I hand Ava a rice ball but as she reaches for it, I feel a sudden urge to feed it to her. “Open your mouth.”