Teressa blushes and I smile. “Vattene da qui e tratta bene la tua donna.”
“What did she say?” he asks as I pull him out the patio doors.
“Get out of here and treat your lady right.”
“Is that so?” He puts the picnic basket down and spins me around in his arms until I’m staring at his tired face. “Is this treating you right?”
His lips slowly descend to meet mine. The first touch of his lips sends a shockwave through my entire body. There’s nothing slow or tender about our kiss. It’s full of passion and I return the kiss, savouring every moment.
It might not have been the start to the day I had imagined with Giovanni’s news, but somehow, I think things are looking up.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jack
I stop our kiss because I want to spend the afternoon with her out in the sunshine, not in a bed where it would end. Picking up the picnic basket, I take her hand and start to walk away from the house.
“Spoil sport,” she mutters, making sure I hear her. I smile.
“It’s too nice a day to be stuck indoors. We could both use the fresh air and some time together. Don’t you agree?”
“Of course I do. I want you to see the estate, but it will take longer than an afternoon. We’ll go down by the water. I know the perfect spot to sit back and relax and eat at least some of this wonderful food Teressa has put together.”
We walk in silence and I take in our surroundings. I know we’re only about twenty minutes from the city, but it’s hard to imagine that. It feels like the middle of nowhere, and today, I think that’s what we need. I stop, turning around, and take in the impressiveness that is Giovanni’s house in the daylight. It’s beautiful, but far too big not to have a family in it.
Maria smiles and we continue walking, and with my last thought in my head, Lou and her family are walking toward us. The girls see Maria, and both run toward her. She lets go of my hand and crouches down and engulfs them in her arms. It’s clear to see she loves them dearly.
She’ll make a great mother one day. I find myself smiling. Yes, we’ll be great parents when the time is right. When all the complications are eradicated from our lives and we are allowed to live and be happy without either of us looking over our shoulders. Kids with Maria sounds pretty wonderful, now that the thought has entered my head.
“You both look happy. Has Mum taken you down to the water?”
“Yes. I want to stay here forever,” Rebecca says, her little voice full of excitement. “Giovanni is going to take us out on the horses. You never told us he had horses. Why haven’t you brought us here before, Auntie Maria?”
“I was always so busy.” Even from here I can see her looking up at Mark and Lou. Lou shrugs her shoulders and Mark, well, I can’t quite place the look that crosses his face.
“But now when we go home, will you bring us? I love horses and I think Daisy will love them too.” Daisy is nodding her little head. Lou and Mark exchange glances filled with sadness. Mark’s told her. They don’t have a home to go back to. My heart breaks for the two innocent lives caught in the cross-fire of the ugliness of gangland Glasgow.
Why is it always the innocent that get hurt?
“I think you will get to stay here with Mum and Dad for a while and I’m sure we can all go on the horses together.”
“Really?” Rebecca squeals with excitement. “Today?”
“Not today, honey. But if you both behave then maybe tomorrow.”
“Promise.”
Maria holds out her hand and I watch on as both girls put their hands on hers. “I promise. Now, I’m sure Teressa was going to make you some lunch and I heard you two are going to make cakes too. You are going to be busy. Will you keep one for me and Jack?” They nod.
Maria stands up and the girls take their parents’ hands. I suppose this is a huge adventure for them. All this land to run about on, just playing and being happy. Acting like children not living in fear. This is what Maria wants for her nieces, and I think, looking at Lou, this is what she wants. It’s funny how things can change in our lives so quickly.
“Are you okay, Mark?” Maria asks.
“Yes. All this…” He looks around. “… is wonderful and I’m not ungrateful to your brother, but at some point, we have to go back to reality,” he says, frowning.
“Try not to think about any of that. Giovanni has said you can all stay here as long as you want or need to. You probably won’t even see him. He spends most of the time at his apartment in the city.”
He nods. “Come on, girls. Let’s get back and have some lunch. Let Auntie Maria get on with whatever she has planned for the afternoon,” Lou says, gently tugging at their hands.
“See you soon, Auntie Maria,” Rebecca calls out.
“Behave, you two.” Lou smirks, walking away.
“You love them, don’t you?” I ask, taking her hand, and her fingers intertwine with mine.
“Yes. Look at them. They are both so innocent and easy to love. Now, come on. We have maybe another ten minutes of walking.”
“Okay.”
The silence is comfortable between us as we walk. I’m just happy that we have the opportunity to spend some quality time with each other and it doesn’t involve us both naked. Although, I’m not opposed to that in any way.
I have to say, the surroundings are incredible. We’ve passed a few outhouses and the stables, and I can guess there are a lot more than one or two horses here. I know if I had all this land, I’d definitely make use of it. I’m surprised Giovanni hasn’t turned his hand to farming, or at least having staff do that. All this greenery, open fields, it would make perfect business sense.
Up ahead, I see lots of trees, completely different from the open space we’ve walked through. My eyes drift around, looking for what, I’m not sure.
“We’re nearly there,” Maria says, pulling me toward the trees.
I pause, but only for a split second before Maria gently tugs my hand.
As we step into the forest, the sky above us vanishes almost completely; only a few bright rays break through the clearing. The air is rich with the fragrance of leaves and a little dampness. It’s been days since it rained, and the soil underfoot is firm, so the smell of dampness surprises me.
I glance at Maria and she’s smiling. She looks so carefree for the first time in days. If she’s troubled today, she’s hiding it well.
Up ahead, the forest trees look thinner. A clearing? Then I hear the water. This is where we’re going. I stop when we clear the forest and gasp. Putting down the picnic basket and letting go of Maria’s hand, I take a few steps away from her. Slowly, I spin around and take everything in. There’s a waterfall to my right and it’s beautiful. The darkness of the forest has given way to an incredible light.
I turn back to Maria, and she has already taken a blanket from the basket and is laying it out. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
She sits down and I join her. “Wow. It’s amazing. If I lived here, I’d spend most of my time out here.”
“Giovanni and I used to play here all the time. Mum would always come with us when we were young. There’s something about being here. It brings me peace even on days filled with darkness.”
“I could sit here all day long, just taking everything in,” I say, taking her hand.
“I have done. Many a time. But today, I’m living for the moment. I’m not dwelling on the past. I’m making new memories. Memories of our life together.”
I have no words. Nothing I say will mean any more than what she’s just said. “Maria, I love you with all my heart.”
“I know you do, and do you want to know something funny? I had no idea I could love someone as hard as I love you. I was always told love hurts, but it doesn’t. It comes as easily as breathing with you.”
She never ceases to amaze me with her words. I lift her hand and gently place a small kiss across her knuckles. “Always and forever.”
“Even if that mea
ns coming clean about our relationship at work. Sorry. I got the gist of your conversation with Craig. I don’t want you getting into any sort of trouble because of me.”
“Yes, I’ll have to at some point, but at the moment, my concern is keeping you safe and getting Pete off the streets. And once I’ve done that, I’m hoping we can both take some time out. Re-charge the batteries and then I’ll think about what I want out of my career. I’m not sure there’s much more for me to achieve.”
“What do you mean?” She sits up straighter.
“Well, there’s only one person above me in my department, the detective chief superintendent, and I’m not sure that’s a position I want. The paperwork and politics that go with that don’t concern me. I’d much rather be out there chasing the criminals, or that’s what I thought I’d always be doing. I’m thirty-six years old. I became the youngest DCI in Glasgow four years ago. I was always ambitious, but things change. Priorities change. I’ve changed.”
“I like the way you are with me,” she says, twisting and twirling some of her hair around her fingers. Her eyes are dancing like stars in a night sky. She looks so fucking cute right now and it’s taking all my control not to grab her arms, pin her body down beneath mine, and take her. The funny thing is, I think that’s exactly what she wants me to do.
“And that’s not going to change. Now, how about some lunch seeing as Teressa has made it for us.”
She nods as I change our train of thought.
Removing items from the picnic basket, I’m really surprised at the food. Teressa put all this together in a matter of minutes. She must’ve been up early when she knew she had a full house, because there’s no way all this was just sitting in the fridge. There’s wine and water. I know I’ll stick with water, just in case I end up being called into work. Although, I’m hoping that nothing else happens and I get to spend my time with Maria. We have a few dips and bread sticks, olives, bread, a selection of meat, sundried tomatoes, and mozzarella.
Lunch is relaxed. We share everything except the wine, which is unopened and back in the basket. We’ve teased each other with food and there’s been plenty of touching and stolen kisses. Here in the clearing with the surroundings before me, I’ve lost track of time. And it doesn’t bother me in the slightest. We’ve both smiled and laughed more during lunch than we’ve done in weeks.
I pack everything away once we’ve finished eating. “I’m not ready to go back to the house,” I tell her, because I’m not ready for our time, just the two of us, to end.
She smiles as I lay back with my arms resting behind my head. My eyes adjust to the sun shining high above us in the sky. Birds whistle and trees sway in the light afternoon breeze. Maria moves, and before it registers what she’s doing, she’s sitting on me. Her eyes search mine. I move my arms and grab her shoulders, pulling her down on top of me. Her mouth is now in kissing distance. “Well?”
“Well, nothing.” Her mouth covers mine and our kiss is fuelled with hunger and greed. So many feelings can be felt in a kiss. Her arms wind around my neck and one hand runs through my hair. A thrill of pure pleasure shoots down my spine.
As always, a kiss with Maria is never enough for me. I pull her closer still and she pushes her hips to me. Her pubic bone rubs slowly back and forth against my growing erection.
I break our kiss, much to her disappointment. “I’ve tried to be a gentleman today.”
“You’re always a gentleman with me, but I want you,” she says, her Italian accent heavier than it usually is.
“You’re not playing fair.”
“Chi ha detto qualcosa sul gioco equo? Who said anything about playing fair? I want you and I feel how much you want me.” My eyes dart around our surroundings. “Relax, Detective. There’s no one here. Just you and me, and we’re about to get naked.”
She sits back up and slowly loosens my trousers. Right here, she looks incredible. There’s a glow in her cheeks and her eyes are sparkling. Her soft dark hair flows down her back. This look, right now, is one that I want to remember.
She pulls her top off over her head.
And all I can think of is how fucking lucky I am to have this beautiful and strong woman in my life.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Maria
I’m nervous and I hope it doesn’t show. This is a first for me, and I’m glad it’s with Jack. I’ve never had sex outside. Let alone here by the water in my safe haven. Thirty-two years of age and I’m about to do what I’m sure some teenagers have already done. There’s something sweet and romantic about it.
His gaze drops to my breasts before he pulls his eyes back up to meet mine, watching and waiting to see what I do next. I know I’d get away with teasing him all day long if I wanted to. He’s enjoying the view. He’s not the only one. My view is pretty incredible. Here I am, straddling my insanely hot guy. Life is good today.
I thought I had a plan coming out here; a quickie down by the water. That’s the furthest thing from my mind. I don’t want to look back and remember the day we had a quick fuck down by the water. I want to look back and remember the day we made love at one of my favourite spots.
Leaving his trousers unloosened, I trail my fingers up his abs and watch on as he tries to stay in control. He’s already battling. I could really enjoy this, although I’m now betting with myself how long he’ll leave me in control. How long will I get to tease him before he grabs my arms and overturns me, pushing me onto my back?
“You look deep in thought,” I say softly, my fingers still dancing across his hot skin.
“Not me. I’m just lying here enjoying the view, wondering when in the hell you’re going to remove that damn bra.”
My breasts tingle against the lace at his words. I laugh and slowly move my hands, pushing my bra straps down my shoulder, only a little, and stop.
“And here I thought we were going to have some fun today. Seems like I might’ve been wrong.”
“We always have fun, don’t we?” I find myself pouting at my own words.
I reach behind my back and unfasten my bra, allowing it to fall. Jack reaches for it and places it down beside us, and I want to laugh. I was all for making that look more dramatic. My intention was to throw my bra, although, at least his way we won’t be trying to find it when we’re done.
“Yes, we do, and now that you’ve removed that, I’m going to lie here and really enjoy the view.” His teasing tone has my heart hammering in my chest as he lays there without a care in the world.
That makes two of us without a care in the world today, and it’s such a good feeling.
“Is that so?” I lower myself to him and press my lips to his, not giving him any time to think or react. His lips, as always, are the sweet combination of firm and soft and they mould to mine perfectly. His strong palms slide effortlessly up my bare back, surprisingly smooth and caressing as we sink deeper into the kiss. His touch almost upsets my balance. I moan gently at the warmth of his mouth. I glide my tongue over his lips and feel his breath catch as I slide it inside his mouth.
Heaven. He’s my heaven in this fucked up world.
“You do know how much you mean to me? You’re all I think about day and night,” he says softly. I lift my head, only slightly, and take in the serious expression on his face. “Maria, I love you.”
“I love you too.” The words leave me breathlessly as I stare into his gorgeous green eyes that I could look into all day, every day, for the rest of my life. I smile at my thought.
“What?” he asks, trailing his thumb over my now over-sensitive lips.
“I’m just happy.”
“Me too, but I’ll be a happier man if you hand over control of your delicious body to me.” I attempt to hide my smirk. That didn’t last long at all.
“Oh, I don’t know. I kind of like the position I’m in,” I say, pushing myself back into a sitting position and taking hold of his shoulders, holding them as firmly as I can. I’m not sure why. If he wants to move position, he can o
verturn me easily without a fight.
“It’s a good position if we’re both naked.”
“That can be arranged.”
“I hope so,” he whispers as I move and take my trainers off and then stand, slipping my thumbs under my waistband. His eyes widen as I slowly, ever so slowly, push my leggings and underwear down. He’s staring, hard. It’s a stare that, if I was wearing underwear, they would melt away from my body. But there’s a gentleness behind the stare that I’ve grown to love. All his emotions and how he feels about me can be seen in his eyes.
“Like what you see?” I ask unashamedly, given that I’m standing completely naked outside. Jack stands and pulls off his t-shirt. His loosened trousers hang low on his hips and I’m all but drooling at the sight of him.
Taking a step forward, he reaches his hand out to me, pulling me closer to him. “I love what I see, sweetheart. A vision of beauty, and what’s more, you’re all mine.”
Yes, I am all his. I place my hand on his heart and watch the smile on his face grow.
He dips his head, capturing my mouth with his. Strong arms wrap around me and pull me closer until I’m nestled in tight to him. Warmth spreads through me as he nibbles his way along my lips before delving his tongue deep and swallowing my soft moans. Closing my eyes, I allow my senses to take over as our kiss intensifies. A light wind stirs some leaves on the ground. I hear them rustling, but I still feel the warmth in the air around us.
Needing to slow our kiss, I gently pull away, breathless.
“I want you.”
“You’ll have me,” I say, loving that he’s as desperate for me as I am for him. We’re a perfect fit.
“You’re standing here completely naked and I’m losing my shit because I’ve not taken advantage of you yet. All because I want to make this last.” He sounds exasperated. I smile, knowing that at any moment he’ll take full control.
I squeal as he bends, picking me up, sweeping me completely off my feet. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I cling to him as he walks with confidence before laying me gently on the blanket. He lifts my arms and holds them above my head, his eyes trailing over every last inch of my body, as though he’s memorising every detail.
Love and Truth Page 13