Chapter 11

She had slipped into her nightgown, the one he had gifted her, and was pacing the room, her mind filled with worry.

He had stormed out in a rage, and she was terrified of what he might do to Steven. Then, the sound of the door opening made her turn. She watched as he closed the door behind him, his gaze fixed on her.

She rushed over, leaping into his arms, her sobs muffled against his chest as she clung to him. “I was so scared for you,” she confessed through her tears.

He held her close, his hand gently stroking her hair in a comforting gesture.

“I’m okay, and you don’t need to worry about him. He won’t bother you again. I warned him that if he even thought about asking you out through the site, I’d spill the beans to his wife about his antics.”

She rested her head on his shoulder, feeling safe in his embrace. “I hate that I dragged you into this mess.”

“What mess?”

“The one where you had to come to my rescue and end up fighting with your friend.”

He shifted her in his arms to look at her.

“This isn’t your fault. Steven has always been a bit of a creep. I’m not sure why I ever considered him a friend. We’re not friends anymore. Ready for bed?”

She nodded, following him as he led her by the hand into the bedroom. She helped him undress, her hands tracing the contours of his chest and shoulders.

“I’ve never seen you work out, so where did these muscles come from?” she asked, her gaze lingering on his enticing lips.

“I find the time, and what I’m planning to do with you right now could definitely count as a workout,” he replied, pulling her nightgown over her head.

She closed her eyes and tilted her neck as he began to kiss it, his arousal pressing against her.

Her hands roamed down his back to his firm ass. She loved how solid he felt. Every inch of him was perfectly toned, sending shivers down her spine.

“Kyle…” His name escaped her lips as a moan when his hand slipped between her legs, his fingers exploring her. She opened her eyes as he lifted her and gently placed her on the bed.

“Tonight, I’m going to make you forget all about how that jerk treated you,” he promised. He climbed on top of her, lowering his head to kiss her.

He started slow, his fingers exploring her, feeling her wetness. He took his time making love to her, ensuring her satisfaction before seeking his own release.

By the time he was done, she was spent. He had tried a few different positions, one of which had hit just the right spot, driving her wild.

She fell asleep in his arms, the earlier events forgotten.

The next few days passed in a blur. They went boating, attended shows, visited the opera, and took leisurely strolls through the market square.

She still hadn’t shared much about herself, despite his attempts to get her to open up. The more he prodded, the more she retreated into her shell.

“After today, we only have two days left in Italy. Is there anything special you’d like to do or see?”

Dressed in just a shirt over her underwear, she approached him. Clutching his shirt, she rested her head on his shoulder. The shirt was unbuttoned and had slipped down past her shoulders.

“You’ve shown me so much already. Let’s just stay in tonight.”

Leaning against the wall, one hand in his pocket, he smiled as she opened his shirt.

“If we stay in, what will we do to keep ourselves entertained?” He loved it when she snuggled up to him. She was like a soft kitten, seeking his affection.

“Let’s take a bubble bath together,” she suggested, kissing his neck.

“Wait. You want me, a man, to take a bubble bath?”

She traced his chin with her fingertips. “It’ll be fun and super relaxing. I’ll ride your torpedo,” she teased, her hand moving to his crotch.

“We’ll see if it’s loaded and ready to fire,” she added, giggling.

He looked down at her hand, now massaging his crotch, and smiled. “Well, in that case, you go ahead and start the bath. I’ll join you after I make a call.”

The bulge in his pants hardened. She certainly knew how to get him riled up. Once she left, he made the call, checking on his business.

Satisfied that everything was running smoothly, he hung up, shedding his clothes as he headed to the bathroom.

She was already in the tub when he walked in. He discarded the rest of his clothes onto the floor.

“Come on in. The water is nice and warm,” she invited, scooping up a handful of bubbles and rubbing them over her chest.

His mouth watered as he watched her hands move over her breasts, her fingers circling her nipples.

He knew she was aware of the effect her actions were having on him. His arousal was hard and ready. He climbed into the tub and sat down, his eyes never leaving her.

Her eyes were closed, her head tilted back as she continued to massage her breasts.

When she finally opened her eyes, she saw the desire in his. She could also see his arousal peeking through the bubbles.

“Do you want a turn?” she asked seductively. She let out a squeal when he grabbed her ankles and pulled her towards him.

“Damn right I do,” he replied, scooping up some bubbles and caressing her breasts with them.

“Wrap your hand around my cock and play with it,” he instructed, his breath hitching as she complied.

“Oh my. Looks like the torpedo is loaded,” she commented, feeling it throb in her hand. She held it firmly, moving her hand up and down. “It’s so soft and really hard.”

“It’s loaded and ready to fire. Now get on it, and I’ll prove it to you.” He lifted her up and held her waist as he lowered her onto his arousal, taking him in completely.

He placed his hand on the back of her head and pulled her in for a kiss, his other hand on her breasts, his thumb teasing her nipple.

She began to move slowly, her hands resting on his shoulders. As she saw him lean back, eyes closed, and heard his request for her to quicken her pace, she complied.

“Oh God,” she gasped, feeling the wave of an orgasm approaching. Water from the tub splashed over its edge.

She sensed his climax nearing, felt his hands encircle her waist, heard his grunts and moans. Drained, she leaned into him, his arms enveloping her, his hands soothing her back.

“Baby, you were right. A bath is very relaxing.”

She shifted off him, turning to rest her back against his chest. His arms wrapped around her once more.

“That felt so different from the other times. So good,” she murmured, her hands covering his.

“There’s a reason it felt different.”

“What’s that?” she asked, her eyes closed, a sense of contentment washing over her.

“I don’t want you to freak out, but we didn’t use a condom.”

She broke free from his arms, spinning around to face him, her face pale.

“No. Oh, what have we done? I can’t get pregnant, Kyle. I just can’t, and I’m sure you don’t want to be a father. What are we going to do?” she asked, tears welling in her eyes.

He drew her back into his arms. “Don’t cry. I know someone who can get us the Plan B One-Step.

“What’s that?” she asked, looking up at him.

“Most people know it as the morning-after pill. You take it, and there won’t be a baby.”

“I’m so sorry. I never even thought to have a condom in here. It’s all my fault.”

“No, I’m as much to blame.” He wiped her tears away. “Don’t cry. I will fix it. Lay back, and let’s just calm down.”

As the water began to cool, they climbed out and dried off. He made a call, and after being assured that what he needed would be delivered shortly, he poured them both a drink.

They lay together on the sofa, drifting off to sleep until a knock at the door roused them.

She remained seated while he answered the door. She watched as he spoke to the man, handed him some money, and accepted a package.

He returned to her side, pulling the item from the bag. He handed her the glass of water from the table and the pill.

Accepting the glass and the pill, she looked at him, biting her lower lip. “Is it safe to take?”

“Yes, it’s perfectly safe, and the man said the sooner you take it the better.”

She nodded and swallowed the pill with a gulp of water. “I feel terrible about doing this, but it’s for the best. We can never forget to use protection again.”

“We just got carried away. It won’t happen again. Come on, let’s go to bed. Tomorrow we’re going boating and then later to the ballet.”

He held her that night, feeling guilty for not using protection and for her having to take the pill. The timing was not right for him to become a father, and he was sure she didn’t want a baby.

“Even though I’m on the pill, we can’t forget to use a condom,” she said, closing her eyes.

“Yes, the pill doesn’t always work, so it’s better to use a condom for extra protection. We just got carried away. Sorry.

“Don’t you ever worry that your next client might not use one? God only knows what kind of disease he might give you.”

When he got no response from her, he looked down and saw she had fallen asleep. He couldn’t stand the thought of another man touching her, but once their time was up, he had no say in the matter.

The next morning he took her on a boat tour, then out to dinner, and after that went back to the hotel to get dressed for the ballet. He had bought her a long black sequin dress and heels to wear.

He went over and placed his hands on her shoulders. “You’re so beautiful. You take my breath away,” he said, kissing her lips softly.

Before Kyle had come into the bedroom, she’d checked herself out in the mirror. The dress he had bought her was one she never thought she would ever be wearing.

She was excited about going to the ballet and yet so sad, as it meant this was going to be their last night together and he would be going back home.

She wished that things could have been different, that she could stay with him, but that was impossible. Going back to America and to those people was something she couldn’t do.

She forced a smile on her face when he entered the room and walked over to her. She closed her eyes when he kissed her.

He felt her arms tightening around him, and he felt her body trembling. He pulled back and looked into her eyes and saw tears.

“What’s wrong?”

How could she tell him that after tonight he’d never see her again? She couldn’t.

“It’s nothing, I’m just overwhelmed. This dress is so beautiful. Italy, and now going to the ballet. I’ve had the best time of my life with you.”

“I feel the same way having you here with me. We still have all of tomorrow to go exploring before we head back the following day.”

He lifted her chin up. “No tears now, or your mascara will start to run,” he said jokingly. He sensed something was not right, that there was something she wasn’t telling him.

But he wanted her to enjoy the ballet, and later he would make love to her, showing her how it really felt to be made love to.

But tomorrow he would get right to the point and ask her to tell him everything about herself and what was going on.

Smiling back at him, she took his hand and they left the hotel, getting into the cab that was waiting for them. The ballet was Romeo and Juliet.

She sat holding his hand all through it, her eyes glued to the stage.

“The music, the dancing, it’s all so amazing. I love it. Thanks for bringing me to see it. I will never forget it,” she said, turning to smile at him.

Once the show wrapped up, they headed back to their hotel. He had a bottle of champagne on ice, ready and waiting. He filled two glasses and handed one to her.

“Tonight,” he began, his voice low and promising, “I’m going to take you to the edge. I’m going to make you feel so good, you’ll forget your own name. But you’ll remember mine.”