Turn Towards the Sun (13 page)

“Ava, I’m sorry.
I’m very disappointed in how Anna treats you.”

“I can handle her Enzo. But, have you ever noticed Stephanie? She’s been really helpful. She selected the dress I wore last night and did a nice job upselling me on several additional pieces.”

“I’ve been hearing a lot of positive things about Stephanie in the last few weeks. I wonder if she’d be up for some more responsibility.”

“I don’t know but I was impressed with her.”

We turn into my apartment
complex,
and
I see the Mercedes parked in front. Grayson hops out as soon as the black sports car pulls up.

“Sir. Miss Bradshaw.” Grayson is always so serious. I wonder if he ever cracks a smile.

I walk to the door and open it. Grayson and Enzo follow behind me with my luggage. I look around and start thinking about where everything will go when the movers arrive.

“
W
here should we put your luggage?” Enzo asks.

I lead them down the hall to my bedroom and motion towards the closet. So
far,
I’m pleased with the place. It’s spacious and clean and looks fairly new. Grayson informs us that the movers have arrived.

“Oh good. They’re here.” Two men approach the door and one asks me to sign some
paperwork
so they can get started. They make quick work of my
things,
and I realize it’s because I don’t have much.

I’m directing the movers when Francesca’s car pulls up. Walking into the living room, she walks first to Enzo and then me, kissing us on both cheeks.

“Ciao Checca.” Enzo smiles. Checca?
A nickname I assume.

She turns and surveys the room and the cheap furniture sitting in it. The movers have
left,
and Grayson is stacking some boxes in the corner of the living room. After being surrounded by lux for the past several days, I have to admit even I think it looks paltry.

“Yes. This is a nice place Ava
.
We’ll be able to do something great here.” Oh an optimist! I look at
Enzo,
who is also looking around, a firm frown planted on his face. He looks at
Francesca,
and they start a lively conversation in Italian. Hands
fly
and voices rise as they
talk,
and I can’t tell if they are arguing or not. I stand intently watching the show while Grayson completely ignores them.
Suddenly,
they both stop and turn towards me.

“Yes, Ava,” Francesca’s words sound like the purr of a kitten.

“Let’s have the boys arrange some things so we get an idea where things will go. Then we can fill in the blanks, no?”

“Okay sure.”

Enzo is still frowning but follows
his little sister’s plan. Grayson and Enzo position the sofa against a wall and place a small coffee table in front. They find my TV stand and put it
next to
the sofa. Three bookshelves line the back wall
.
My tiny Target special dining table fits in a small rounded area off the living room next to the kitchen. We move to the bedroom and Francesca and I watch them quickly put my bed together and move my dresser.
Finally,
they find my small nightstand and place it next to the bed. This would have been another unforeseen challenge without the help of these men
.
Francesca is walking around with a clipboard writing things down.

“Yes, Ava. What sort of
decor
do you have?”

Embarrassed I reply, “Probably not much actually. I bought some vases a few days ago. There are mostly books in my boxes.”

“Yes okay, an opportunity for shopping, no?” I realize this makes her happy because she won’t have to work with items I’m sure would not meet her standards.

“Yes, that will be fun.”

She turns to Enzo and asks something again in Italian.

“Perfetto Checca, Perfect.” He turns to me. “You will be in good hands with Checca. She’ll be back tomorrow. Grayson you can go now as well. In fact, why don’t you take the afternoon off? I really appreciate your help here.” Grayson looks downright shocked at Enzo’s offer.

“Yes sir. Thank you.”
He
brightens like a kid in a candy store. He looks like a regular young guy, the intense seriousness fading.

“So Grayson doesn’t get a lot of time
off,
I assume?”

“No. He doesn’t. It’s hard being an assistant to a guy like me who travels so much. He started out five years ago as my
driver,
but he’s become very important to me. He handles all of my travel and even
comes
with me most of the time. It’s just another thing I don’t have to worry about. He deserves a few hours to himself. He probably hasn’t had any time off since Christmas.”

“Oh so your employees at least get Christmas day off?” I’m teasing a bit.

“I give most of them a week off at least, sometimes two. With pay. I usually go back to Italy for the holidays.” He pauses. “Maybe you’ll come with me this year.” It’s more of a statement than a question.

He surveys the room.
“This furniture
is not acceptable
for you.”

I bristle a bit but know it’s true.

“I know Enzo. I had new furniture but I left it all with my ex. It was just easier that way.
Eventually,
I’ll upgrade but I just wanted to get here.”

He
strokes my cheek.
“There is so much I don’t know about you Ava.” He seems sad.

“And I about you Enzo.” We stand for a moment, searching each other’s eyes. He leans down and kisses my lips, then my nose and
finally,
my forehead.

“But I will learn everything.” He kisses my nose once more. “So let’s start digging into these boxes.” We
spend a few hours unpacking boxes. Enzo
load
s
my three bookcases with
my book collection while I set up my bathroom and get my clothes hung.

“I’m starving Enzo.”

“Me too. Let’s go and eat.”

I stop and look at the both of us and laugh. We look awful- sweaty and tired.

“Maybe we should shower first?” I suggest.

“Together? I’d love to.”

I meant separately but like his idea better. “Sure Enzo.
Let me put your clothes in the dryer to freshen them.
”

I walk toward the bathroom, lay out two towels, and turn the shower on. I’ve been thinking about a good time to bring up the safe sex
talk,
and this could be it considering I’m about to be fully naked with
him,
and I have no idea where it will lead. He sounds like he’s slept around a lot. Like A LOT. I know I’m clean and have the birth control piece covered but how do I ask him? I’ve never had a talk like this before, it feels awkward. In the past, the guy just handled it but Enzo hasn’t said one word. I can only hope that control freaks don’t like venereal diseases or unplanned babies.

“Um, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask
you.”
Enzo is standing behind me in the tiny bathroom peeling off his shirt. Oh shit, he’s going to be naked in a minute. I shake my head, collecting my thoughts.

“What is it bella?” He
lets his shorts drop to the floor.

“Could you stop undressing for a sec please?” I turn away slightly so I can focus on something other than his intense hotness.

He stops and cocks his head a bit.

“About um… well sex. I mean protection I guess. No, actually you know about safety.”
Oh,
that was eloquent.

I look
up,
and Enzo is staring at me with a grin on his face.

“You’re worried about my past and rightfully so.” He walks towards me and pulls me close. “I assure you that protection has always been at the top of my
list,
and I have a clean bill of health. I can prove it to you if it would ma
ke you feel better.” His voice comforts me
.

“I can too Enzo, if you want.” I feel ridiculous right now.

“Look at me.”

I shift my eyes up to meet his.

“I’m glad you brought it up. It’s important to clear the air so that when we are ready there are no obstacles to our pleasure.” He kisses me and any fear or doubt I had melts away.

He steps away from
me, slips his finger under the waistband of his boxers,
and pulls them down. I can’t help but shift my eyes downward to soak in his body in its entirety.
Oh,
he’s a sight. His stomach ripples with
muscles,
and he has those crazy hot muscle thingies on either side of his hips. Good Lord.
I gather his clothes and put them in the dryer.

Back in the bathroom, Enzo leans his naked body against the vanity, watching me undress.
I pull my shirt over my head and let my skirt drop. I unhook my bra, freeing my breasts. He’s still staring at me, his chest revealing his rapid breathing. I mimic his actions to remove my panties. I’m standing butt naked in front of him. His eyes
burn
with lust. For me.

I run my eyes up and down his body, the
beginning of an erection juts out
from his hips. Oh how I wish I could take advantage of that. I’d like nothing more than to drop to my knees in front of him and swallow him whole. The thought makes me hot. And I’m getting wet before we even get in the water. He extends his hand and guides me into the shower, stepping in behind me. My eyes burn with lust as I watch him begin to lather the sponge with body wash.

“I’m going
to
wash you again Ava. Everywhere.” His voice is deep and husky, his accent thicker. I feel the sponge gliding down my back, over my ass, and down the back of my legs. His hands twist me around. He crouches below me as he starts on the front of my legs. He glides up and stops briefly.

“Open your legs.” He commands. I do as I’m told and feel the sponge press up against my hungry sex. I let out a low moan. “I like this Ava, no hair.”

I look down as he moves the sponge against my freshly shaved skin. He quickly moves the sponge up and circles over my breasts, across my shoulders and down my arms.

“Show me how you pleasure yourself.”

My eyes shoot open, shocked at his request. I’ve never done this in front of a man before. I’m not sure how to start.

“Come on Ava, just close your eyes.” He places his hand over mine and runs it down against my belly, slick with body wash. Taking a deep breath, I move my own hand lower, keeping his hand on top of mine. I don’t know if I can make myself climax without my trusty
vibe,
but I’ll try.
I run my fingers down across my mound and dip them into my swollen labia, the hot water intensifying my reaction.
I find my clitoris and begin to rub slowly at first, then firmer in a circular motion. I have no idea what Enzo is doing right now, too afraid to open my eyes and meet his intense gaze. I throw my head back and relish in the feeling as it continues to intensify. My other hand glides across my breasts, gently pulling on each nipple.

“Ava, you’re so beautiful right now.”

I want to come to please him
, to please myself. Thoughts fly
through my mind as I try to relax and enjoy the sensation. The intensity builds, surprising me that I am about to orgasm.

“Open your eyes Ava.” His voice is deep and raspy.

My eyes meet his and then sh
ift downward. My breath catches
when I see him stroking his own massive erection. This is awesome! Steam and soap caress our bodies as we both move desperately to release the
built-up
tension between us. The lustful expression burning in his eyes pushes me over the
edge,
and I’m
hit
with wave after wave of pleasure. I cry out, steadying myself on Enzo’s shoulders. Tears of release run down my
face,
and I honestly can’t remember the last time I came so deeply. He moves swiftly to my mouth and kisses me deeply, passionately, his naked body pressed up against mine. I feel his hardness pushing against my stomach and reach down to touch him.

“No, not yet.” He pushes my hand away gently. He pulls back and looks at me, steamy water washing over us, cock in hand. I can’t pull my eyes away from the sight of him stroking himself in front of me. I watch his hands move deftly up and down his length, twisting briefly over the tip, recording his movements for future reference.

“Do you like watching me Ava?” His eyes burn through me.

I can only nod, my voice lost. I watch as he throws his head back, one arm bracing himself behind me on the shower wall, the other pumping through his orgasm. Hot liquid shoots out of him onto my skin, causing me to gasp. He slumps against me, pushing me against the wall, breathing hard, his face buried in my wet hair. I wrap my arms around his neck
,
soaking in this moment.