Turn Towards the Sun Book Two: After the Rain (41 page)

“Amore, why do you cry?” he asks.

I shake my head. “It was too much.”

“What is?” he asks again, looking really concerned.

“Everything, all night. Too much!” I burst into laughter.

Enzo’s expression switches from worried to perplexed. “I don’t understand – crying and laughing?”

“Enzo, baby, that was awesome,” I tell him. “I’ve never had an experience like it, and you know I cry if I get overwhelmed.”

“So, you’re happy?”

“Ecstatic, actually, but I don’t want to play this game anymore. I don’t want to withhold my feelings for you. I don’t want you to ignore me. It was fun, but it’s over now.”

Enzo pulls off his mask. “I agree. Give it to me.”

“What?”

“The toy,” he says. “I want it.”

“Now?”

“Shall I get it for you?” he teases.

“That won’t be necessary.” I discreetly reach under my dress, and with Enzo’s body hiding mine from the crowd, I pull out the vibrator from its hiding place. I feel myself blush as I hand it to him and he puts it in his pocket.

“What happens in Vegas stays here, no?” He grins.

“Yes. Thank you though. I loved it. I love you.”

“I know you love me.”

“And you know I am yours, and only yours.”

“Yes, and I hope you’ll tell me again someday without being under duress,” he adds, smiling.

“I promise.”

“I do love your promises.”

Francesca suddenly appears in front of us. “Yes, you two, come here! It’s almost midnight.”

We walk back to our table and join our friends. Someone hands me a fresh glass of champagne.

“10…9…8…”

Enzo holds up his glass and says, “The best year of my life, all because of you.”

“5…4…3”

“Just be ready to give me one of your divine kisses in three seconds.” I say.

“2…1… Happy New Year!”

We all clink glasses and start the kisses. Enzo wraps me in his arms, embracing me in the sweetest kiss.

“Happy New Year, Ava. How are we going to top our first year together?” he asks.

“I’m sure we’ll find a way.”

He smiles. “Yes, we will.”

“I want to go up to our room now. I’ve had enough fun.”

“Are you sure? There’s more entertainment to come.”

“I’m quite sure,” I reply, grinning. “I’ve had more entertainment than should be legal.” I feel exhausted from our little game. It was fun, but for some reason I think it’s something that should stay here in Vegas and not follow us back to our regular life.

“So, will Vegas continue to be an annual ritual for us?” I ask.

He winks at me. “As long as you want it to be, yes.”

“Maybe our game can be an annual ritual then, too?”

“That could be interesting,” he says. “But for now, it’s over. I want to go back to worshiping the ground you walk on, if that pleases you.”

I know he’s teasing me and I laugh. “It pleases me.”

“Let’s say goodnight to our friends.”

We walk back to the elevators, hand in hand. Just before we reach them, Enzo stops in front of a trashcan. He takes the toy out of his pocket and throws it in. “We don’t need that anymore,” he says, grinning.

“Enzo, you’re the most amazing lover I’ve ever had in my life, with or without accessories.”

“You weren’t a virgin when we met? I thought you were.” His grin gives away his false seriousness.

That’s just like a man to want to ignore that I had lovers before him. I laugh as we step into the elevator.

“Oh, I forgot. Of course I was a virgin.”

“Trust me, signora, I’m aware from your advanced skills that I could not have been the first, but, as hypocritical as it is, I would prefer not to think of you with other men.”

“It isn’t hypocritical, it’s natural.”

He pushes the button for our floor. “I only wish I could allow you the same fantasy.”

“Let’s not go there again,” I say. “We are adults, so of course we’ve been with other people. Quite frankly, if I hadn’t dated so many losers, I might not have recognized what a gem you are. I had to kiss a lot of frogs to find you, my prince.” I rise onto my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “But, no more of that, it’s you and me, forever.”

“Yes, per sempre.”

We walk down the hall to our room and I watch as Enzo opens the door.

“I hope you had a great time on this trip,” he says. “I loved having you here with me.”

“Amazing trip,” I agree. “What time does our plane leave tomorrow? Maybe we can try sleeping in, together.”

“I would like that. It doesn’t leave until two. I thought we could all get breakfast, and then maybe a little last-minute gambling before we leave.”

I stretch and yawn. The alcohol is starting to wear off and all I want to do is climb into bed, with no more shenanigans.

“You’re sleepy, princess?” he asks.

“I am. Hope you don’t mind if we just go to sleep.”

“Not at all.” He walks behind me and unzips my dress. “You fulfilled a fantasy for me tonight, Ava. It was everything I hoped it would be.”

I step out of my dress. “It was amazing. I loved every minute of it.”

Enzo turns me around to face him. “Did you?”

I nod. “I did. I won’t do anything I don’t want to do. You should know that by now.”

“You’re right, I should. I think I check with you because I can’t believe I have this perfect combination of a woman. You provide the balance I need in my life.”

“I thought I threw you off balance?” Grinning, I poke his side playfully.

“In so many ways,” he agrees. “But you let me be myself and explore. You seem to know exactly how far to go, and then we bring it back. That’s balance.”

“No, baby, that’s love.”

“Yes, love. Let’s go to bed.”

We finish undressing and I unclip my hair. After brushing my teeth to get the taste of champagne out of my mouth, I wipe off my makeup. When I enter the bedroom, Enzo is fast asleep. I climb into bed and cuddle up to him. This is my rare chance to watch him while he sleeps. He is a beautiful man in so many ways. And he is mine, forever.

****

I see a hint of sun peeking around the curtains as I blink my eyes open from sleep. I have no idea what time it is, but my head is throbbing. Rolling over, I find a glass of water and two ibuprofen tablets on my nightstand. How sweet. I sit up and swallow them both, gulping the water down.

I feel like absolute shit. You wanted epic? Well, you got it. An epic freaking hangover.

Sliding out of bed, I head into the bathroom. Thank goodness I don’t look as bad as I feel. Turning on the shower, I brush my teeth while I wait for it to get hot.

Enzo appears in the doorway. “Buon giorno,” he says.

“Buon giorno.” I grin with a mouth full of toothpaste.

“May I join you?”

“I hoped you would.”

We step into the shower together, and I lean back against Enzo as he washes my hair. The hot water feels good, but his hands running all over me feel even better.

“Ready for breakfast?” he asks.

“I am. I’m starving and so hung over.”

We get out of the shower and dry off, but I have zero energy to deal with my hair. At this point I just want to click my heels together three times and be back in Phoenix.

“You’ll feel better after we get some food inside you, and maybe a Bloody Mary or two,” Enzo suggests.

I nod while I brush my hair. I dress in yoga pants, some comfy canvas shoes and a black sweater.

He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me close to him. “I like when you dress like this, amore.”

“When you met me I was wearing yoga pants, remember?”

“Oh, I remember. Your ass looks perfect in them.” He laughs.

“So that’s how I got you.”

“That and your many other charms.”

“That’s good to know because in time this ass of mine is going to hit the floor,” I reply, laughing. “I hope my appeal extends beyond that for you.”

“You already know how I feel about that. Besides, I look forward to the day when we are old and wrinkly, and watching our grandbabies run around. In fact, it sounds like heaven.”

“You are heaven, tesoro.” I kiss his cheek.

We stare into each other’s eyes for a few moments.

“We should go before I try to undress you again,” he warns me.

“Alright, let’s go.”

We finish packing our bags and gathering our things together. I finish fussing with my hair, while Enzo texts our friends to meet us in the hotel lobby.

“The hotel has a fantastic breakfast restaurant, I hear,” Enzo says as we make our way to the elevator.

“I would eat fast food at this point.”

“You won’t have to, amore.”

When we enter the lobby, everyone is waiting, except Chris and Cassie. A few minutes later, they step out of an elevator, and I am taken aback by the serene look on my friend’s face. Chris grips her hand in his, but when they see us, Cassie breaks into a full run towards me.

“Look,” she practically screams at me, throwing her left hand up in the air.

I do look and she is wearing a beautiful diamond solitaire engagement ring.

I hug her. “Oh, Cassie, he proposed?”

“He did.” She smiles broadly as the girls crowd in to look at the ring. I glance up at Chris, who is being congratulated by the men.

“When did this happen?” I ask.

“Last night, after we went back to our room,” Cassie says. “It was so romantic. We had candles and music, and it was just perfect.”

Chris puts his arm around her shoulders. “It was hard thinking what to do, but I decided she’d like it to just be the two of us.”

Cassie nods. “He knows me well.”

“I’m so excited for you both,” I say, hugging my friend again. I feel all emotional.

“This is the best trip of my life,” she exclaims.

“Epic,” exclaims Gabby.

We all laugh.

“Absolutely epic,” Cassie adds, and cackles once more.

Love this girl.

16 CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“When we get home, I expect to hear exactly how much money you spent in Vegas.”

“I know, Enzo.” I roll my eyes as we climb into the back of the car.

“What are you two whispering about now?” Cassie asks.

“Nothing important, nosy pants,” I reply.

“I heard something about money. I’d love to hear how much money you spent in Vegas too,” she says.

I blanch. I don’t want to tell her knowing as she will freak out. Enzo just smiles and rubs my hand.

“It’s safe to tell her now, amore.”

I shoot him a look. Great, now I have no choice.

“Tell me what?”

Cassie is on pins and needles now, and even Chris looks interested. I’m just thankful we all took separate cars to get home from the airport, and I don’t have to have this conversation in front of everyone.

“Spill it, Ava,” she presses, shoving my arm.

I sigh. “I was given a challenge to spend a certain amount of money while we were on our trip.”

“Ha! I knew you were up to something. You were being way too spendy.” She laughs.

“So how much was it?” Chris asks.

“I’d rather not say.” I’d really, really rather not say.

“I don’t mind telling you,” Enzo says, even though I’m glaring at him. “I asked her to spend fifty thousand dollars.”

“What?” Cassie’s voice goes up about twenty octaves.

I cover my face in my hands. “Cassie, calm down.”

“Why was I not in on this mission?” she asks.

“You were,” I reply. “I just didn’t tell you, but you helped.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Rules of the challenge,” Enzo explains. “I wanted her to look for the opportunities herself.”

“Wow. How did you do? I’m dying to know now,” she says.

“I don’t know. I need to do the math.”

“But how do you think you did?” Cassie asks again.

“I think I was successful.” I grin, in spite of my embarrassment.

“Right on sister. Work it!” Cassie slaps my hand in a high five while Enzo laughs.

Our driver pulls up outside our house. There has been so much excitement over the last couple of weeks that I’m looking forward to getting back to a normal routine. Camilla and Franco are waiting for us, having watched the house and Maximus while we were away.

The air is very chilly outside, so I am glad to see the fire going and a pot of coffee waiting. We all say hello to Camilla and Franco. Then Enzo chats with his family, telling them all about our trip, while Cassie and I drop to the floor to get showered in puppy kisses.

“Everything was fine while you were gone. We’ll let you all get settled and see you soon,” Franco says, as they gather their things. “Oh, and Alex called a few hours ago. He said your phone was still off. Call him when you get a chance,” he adds.