Turn Towards the Sun Book Two: After the Rain (32 page)

“I don’t love it, but, honestly, just hanging by some cables over the Las Vegas Strip is not very comforting.”

“We are not hanging by cables,” Enzo corrects me. “This is state-of-the-art design. The elevators have a hydraulic system that prevents them from falling. Also, this glass is bulletproof. Nothing could break it. You are completely safe.”

Cassie jumps up and down, thoroughly pissing me off. “See, Ava, it didn’t even bounce.”

“Thank you for the demonstration. Now cut it out.”

In just a matter of minutes we reach the fiftieth floor of the hotel. We step out onto luxurious, pale-gold carpeting, into which my feet seem to sink as we walk. The hotel is circular, which is so cool, and the location allows for some amazing views, no matter what side your room is on.

“We can all meet up later, after we get settled in,” Enzo says as we walk towards our room. “Make sure you all keep your cell phones switched on.”

He opens the door and I practically run inside. First of all, the place is huge and posh, but I expected that. What I didn’t bank on is the breathtaking view. Our room looks out over two of my favorite Vegas hotels – Bellagio and Paris – but from up here, I can see all of the others too.

Big glass doors slide open onto a private balcony, offering sumptuous seating. I step out and look around. As long as I don’t look down, I feel good. My husband comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist.

“It’s beautiful up here, Enzo.”

“Yes, it is.” He moves my hair off my neck and kisses it.

“This is going to be a really fun time – the best ever.”

“Wherever you are is a really fun time,” he replies, nibbling my shoulders.

“Are you seducing me, Mr. Milano?”

He grins. “Is it working?”

“It always does.”

Enzo leans in and kisses me passionately, pulling me against his body. The hint of an erection presses against my leg. I reach down and rub it, and just as I start to unbutton his pants there is a knock at the door. He moves away just a bit. Smiling, and still holding me close, he says, “Our luggage?”

I watch as Enzo opens the door and lets the bellboy in with our bags. None of us brought very much, with the exception of Checca, but the hotel insisted they bring them up to our rooms. We are getting the full VIP treatment.

I watch Enzo hand out a hundred-dollar bill to the bellboy and my mouth falls open.

“A hundred bucks?” I ask when the young man is gone.

“Yes, it’s a thankless job, so it’s the least I can do.”

“Mr. Over the Top.”

“Does it bother you, my generosity?” he asks.

“Not in the slightest. It awes me.”

“Why?” He genuinely looks perplexed.

“Do you know how long it takes normal people to make a hundred dollars? When I used to come here, that was like half my gambling budget for the whole trip. And you just gave it to him like it was a five-dollar bill.” I shake my head.

“It makes me happy to be able to do things like that. I have too much money for one person, even for ten people,” Enzo explains. “I like doing things with my money that will help make life easier for someone else.”

“Like me?”

“Yes, like you, before we were married, but now it’s your money too. You can do whatever you want with it, you know. You’re still very frugal.”

I smile. “Old habits die hard. So how much did this trip set you back for all of us?”

“I didn’t pay for the entire trip. It was split between me, Calvin and Checca.”

“Oh? I didn’t know that.”

“Yes, this is how we do it every year, and we just invited guests this time. Last year we stayed at the Palazzo, and the year before that at the Encore. It’s a ritual.”

An unwelcome thought flashes through my mind. If he came here every year, he probably always had a date. I have no reason to feel jealous about it, but I do.

“Hey, look at me.” He lifts my chin up so my eyes meet his. “I know what you’re thinking. It’s all over your face. You think I brought women with me on my trips, don’t you?”

I shake my head, even though I know it’s useless. Poker face fail.

“Ava, I never brought anyone here with me, ever. The one time I came out for a hotel opening, I had a date arranged for me through a colleague. We come alone every year, all three of us. Sometimes we invited other friends along, but no romantic interests.”

“How do you do that?” I ask him. “How do you know exactly what I’m thinking all the time?”

“Because I know you,” he replies. “I know how you over-think everything and that my past still lingers in your mind. And it’s easy to understand why as it has certainly reared its head more than a few times. But we’re here, you and me, and we’re going to make new memories and new traditions… starting today.”

My face spreads into a huge smile. “Can we go back to what we were doing on the balcony?”

“Do you want to do it on the balcony?” His eyes twinkle.

“That’s not a bad idea, but I think we could be seen, couldn’t we?”

Enzo glances out the window. “Yes, you’re probably right. I don’t think any of our friends need to know us that well.” He laughs.

“We haven’t seen the rest of the room yet. Maybe we should test the bed and see if it’s comfortable enough.”

“A test run? Good idea, Mrs. Milano,” he says with a wink.

“I’m full of them, Mr. Milano.”

He laughs. “I used to hate it when you called me that, or sir. Now I find it quite attractive.”

“It’s likely you hated it because I was being a raging smart ass when I said it.”

“That could be why as well. Shall we go take a nap?”

“As long as you have no intention of sleeping,” I answer.

“I assure you, I do not.”

****

“I need some food. Can we go out to eat soon?” I ask, stepping out from under the hot water.

The shower is almost as nice as the one at home. This bathroom is gorgeous. The area is covered in caramel-colored marble with a glass surround, a rain showerhead and water jets down both sides. In the corner is an inviting-looking soaking tub that looks like something I’d like to use before we leave. The vanity is black marble, which sets it off nicely from the lighter marble. The hotel provided fluffy robes, which I promptly wrap myself in.

“Certo. What are you in the mood for?” Enzo asks when he finishes brushing his teeth at the vanity.

“A buffet.”

He crinkles his nose. “A buffet? Amore, that food is usually not very good.”

“Listen, I know we’re going to do Vegas your way, but I want to do it my way too. And my way includes buffets.”

He sighs. “As you wish.”

“This is part of being regular. Regular people who come to Vegas eat at buffets.”

Enzo grabs me around the waist. “I’ll indulge you in this, because it pleases you, but it’s time you shook off this idea of being regular. Our life is our life, and there is nothing regular about it. I want you to embrace everything that life has to offer. I want to shower you in the finest things. Do you understand how much pleasure it gives me?”

“I do. Have I offended you?” I ask him. “I don’t want you to think I don’t appreciate our life together.”

“I’m not offended, but sometimes it feels like you try to avoid the lifestyle that money gives you. I don’t understand it.”

“Honestly, it’s not the money, it’s the privilege. It feels strange to me because I didn’t earn it. You did. I do enjoy it, but I always feel like I should try to remember what it feels like to be a peasant.”

He laughs. “Peasant? Where did you come up with that?”

I feel my cheeks blush. “I just mean that it feels as if we get treated like royalty.”

“Listen, Ava, you did earn all of this. You’re so good and loving that you deserve everything I can possibly give you. If that means you’re treated like a princess, so be it.”

I laugh. “Working on it. I’m much better than I was, right? My closet is full of the proof.”

“Yes, you are a good shopper,” he agrees. “In fact, I expect you to use your privilege while we’re here. Vegas has some of the best designers around. I want you to have anything you want.”

“I know. I have an Amex card taunting me inside my handbag.”

“Excellent. You can start after lunch. You don’t have a dress for tomorrow night yet, right?” Enzo asks as he unties my robe and runs his hands over my hips.

“That’s correct. I probably shouldn’t dress shop after gorging myself, but I’m going to anyway. The girls and I are going to shop.”

“Va bene.”

“What will you boys do?”

“Gamble.”

“Really? What do you play?”

“High-stakes poker, baby,” he answers, his eyes glimmering with excitement.

“Wow. That’s serious stuff.”

“It is. Why do you think they roll out the red carpet for me? I’m a big spender and they treat me as such.” He plants a kiss on my neck. “Last time I was here, I won twenty-five thousand dollars, but I probably spent fifty.”

“Fifty thousand..?” I ask, staring at him.

He nods.

“Seriously? I can’t even imagine spending that much money on anything.”

“It was incredible fun,” he remembers. “Maybe that should be your goal this trip.”

“What?”

“Spend fifty thousand dollars in two and half days. Can you do it?”

“Boy, you are a gambling man.”

“Are you up for it?” he asks, grinning.

I shake my head. Spend fifty thousand dollars? How am I going to do that? I know I can do some shopping damage, but that’s excessive for anyone.

“Can I spend the money any way I want?” I ask.

“Yes.”

“Why are you challenging me like this?”

“I want you to know what it feels like to spend freely. I want you to have the mindset of spending rather than the opposite that you presently walk around with.”

I grin mischievously. “Okay, you’re on.”

“One caveat – you can’t tell your friends.”

“Why?”

“Because you’ll get too much help,” he replies.

“But I can buy them things if I want to?”

He nods. “Certo.”

“I accept this challenge. Be careful what you wish for, sir.”

Enzo’s eyes twinkle. “When you talk to me like that, I just want to bend you over and smack that smart little ass of yours.”

Whoa, that came out of nowhere. Trigger word – sir.

“Is that so? You’ll have to catch me first,” I yell, running past him out of the bathroom. He quickly catches me and throws me down on the bed, pinning my hands above my head.

“Shall I spank you now?” he asks.

Enzo’s deep blue eyes penetrate straight through me and I find myself wanting it. My breathing quickens with excitement. “Yes, please.”

His eyes widen and a seductive smile graces his face. “Are you sure?”

Mmm, raspy voice is back. I love that I have this effect on him.

“Do you want to?” I ask.

“More than you know.”

“Then I want you to.”

Pushing my robe open, Enzo runs his hands all over my body. He then takes my hand, pulls me up from the bed and walks me over to the sofa in the room. Sitting down, he stands me in front of him. His hands glide up my body to squeeze my breasts. I throw my head back and soak in the pleasure.

“Kneel down,” he commands.

A tingle of pleasure shoots through my body at his words. I clamber onto his lap, face down. He lifts my robe up over my ass and runs his hands over my skin, which feels on fire under his touch. Enzo gently pulls my robe off and throws it onto the floor. I’m tense with anticipation. Is he really going to spank me? Will it hurt?

“Your skin, Ava, is so beautiful. If you want me to stop, just say so, okay.”

“Okay.”

“Promise me,” he says.

“I promise.”

Enzo’s hand comes down, softly in a tiny smack. He slaps both cheeks in this way, rubbing them in between.

This is okay. I can handle this.

Smack! His hand meets my skin, leaving a slight sting as it does.

This feels great, just like that morning many months ago.

Smack. Ah, yes.

Smack. It feels harder this time.

Smack. His hand slaps my skin really hard. Then he rubs my stinging flesh as the blood rushes to my head.

All I can hear is Enzo’s breathing, which is heavy and lustful. Every slap produces a loud exhalation from him and every rub an inhale. This is really turning him on. It’s doing the same to me.

Three more smacks come close together. I wince each time, but I don’t want to ask him to stop. I like it. A lot.

Enzo parts my legs slightly and slides a finger in between, swirling around in the wetness gathering there.

“This feels good, amore?”

“Yes.”

“You’re wet.”