Page 58 of Forbidden Fruit
After another shattering orgasm on his tongue, I fleehome for a quick shower and an hour of sleep at five in the morning. We’re moving towards a future together, and I can’t wait.
THIRTY-ONE
WHEN THE SLOW BURN FINALLY PAYS OFF
My palms are damp with sweat as I stand outside of the pool house the next day, but I resist the urge to dry them on my navy pants. I’m a thirty-seven-year-old man, not some child with no self-control. Though I know that when it comes to Vanessa, I’m nothing but at her mercy.
My heart ricochets against my ribs but my hands remain steady as I hold the biggest bouquet of flowers in front of my chest like it will protect me from the upheaval my life is about to experience. Yet, I have never felt so… normal. The surge of adrenaline is making my body react, but my mind is clear; capable of seeing the future and ready for my little sun to appear.
When she opens the door, everything evaporates. There’s nothing left in the wake of her light. Vanessa wears her hair up in an artful loose bun with curls framing her soft face. The wings of make up by her eyes make them seem even more like almonds, the deep green of her shiny eyeshadow deepening the hazel of her irises. I could drown in it and die a happy man. But as always, as I take in her dress, my lips tip up. I can’t resist the large smile that takes over my face.
The fabric is tight at the waist and embroidered with delicate bees in gold threads, her long tanned legs on display andperched on cute yellow heels. I’m glad she left her lips bare because I drop the flowers to the floor and kiss her, dragging her body against mine. We collide in a clash of lips and tongues and she moans into my mouth, surprised and delighted. She wraps her arms around my neck as if she’s afraid I’d ever let go. I can’t tell her that I will never let her go, can I?
She tastes like cherries and the rest of my life.
When we break apart, I don’t open my eyes but simply drop my forehead to hers, cherishing this moment, engraving it in gold letters in my memories.
“Hi,” she whispers.
“Hi,u mo sole.”
When I finally open my eyes, her smile greets me. She’s so open. The darkness that always looms over my head could make a comeback at any point and taint it. She doesn’t let me rest within my dark thoughts as she bends her knees and grabs the flowers I discarded to the floor.
“I guess these are for me,” she laughs and I smile bashfully. I totally forgot about them.
She removes the plastic around and places them in a vase of fresh water, then takes my hand and laces our finger together. She closes the door of the studio behind her and I take her to my car, opening the door for her. Every step, every small gesture is my way of showing her how much I want her in my life, how much I need her.
“So, where to?” She asks as she buckles her seatbelt. Her enthusiasm is contagious and I smile more and more as I drive to a hidden beach within the rocky inlets of Kalliste’s coast.
When we stop and I get the wicker basket containing our meal from the trunk, she bounces on her toes enthusiastically. My heart swells with her excitement. I guide her through the rocky terrain and down to the deserted white sandy beach. She removes her heels to cross the short distance where we settle onthe sand. She watches me in silence as I lay out a soft blanket and put out the cheese, fruits and wine in front of us. When I look up, she sniffles and blinks, tears threatening to fall. “That’s so romantic, Lino.”
I blush and invite her to sit next to me, feeding hergrapes andbrocciuwith dark cherry jam. For a few moments, neither of us speaks as we bask in each other’s presence. I’ve never felt so relaxed. I wish I could stop time.
Her throat works around the food as she swallows, bringing me back to the night her lips wrapped around my cock likeIwas the delicacy she devoured. I take a large gulp of wine. I’ll only allow myself to have one glass since I’m driving, but the alcohol softens my muscles and relaxes my mind.
The sun slowly sets in the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and blue.
“Thank you, Lino. This is perfect.”
“I agree.” My eyes don’t leave her face; the landscape in front of us can’t compare to the vision of her, happy and smiling .
When she faces me again, I place a gentle hand to her jaw and guide her to my mouth in a sweet, lingering kiss. And as always, Vanessa’s eager mouth consumes me. Her hands reach to my face, then her arms wrap around my neck until she climbs on top of me, settling on my lap with frenetic need pulsing through her body. My own energy matches hers and I press her body to mine, her breasts against my chest, her soft, thick thighs framing mine.
I can’t stop touching and caressing her. Her thighs, her ass, her back, her arms. I can’t get enough. I glide my fingers into her hair and clasp them in a tight fist, keeping her mouth on mine, and she mewls. We breathe the same air as our tongues tangle and lick and nibble at each other.
With effort, I tug on her hair and separate our lips. We both pant with need and I want nothing more than to continue and let our desire and lust run its course, but I need her to know I’mall in. I don’t only want her body, but her entire soul. And I’ll be hers if she accepts me, with my flaws, my austere and sometimes grim temper. With my children.
“Fuck,” I breathe against her lips. “Every single time I touch you, I forget what I want to say.”
She giggles and places a hand to her chest in mock shock. “Mr Marquesi, are you swearing?”
“You make me feel, again,zitella. And maybe act out of character.”
“I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not,” she says cheekily. She kisses my cheek, then sits on the other side of the basket. Distance won’t save her if I want to catch her.
“Have you thought about what I told you last night,zitella?”
I know she wants to do things on her own terms. Vanessa’s been relying on herself for far too long to just accept what she views as a handout. Yet, she deserves to be taken care of and not have to be scared about what the future holds for her.