Scandal

by Grace Kagni

  "Amore, what's troubling you?" he said softly.

  His voice pulled her out of her thoughts and she looked at him with sad eyes that told him more or less that something was disturbing her.

  "I went to visit my father in the seniors' home today and not only did he not recognize me but he also became angry, telling me to leave. I left feeling a deep sadness inside that I haven't been able to shake off. I'm not really good company. I'm sorry - it was a mistake coming here. I should go home," she said, as she tried to get up to leave but he wouldn't let her up.

  "More reason for you to stay and be pampered. Please sit and let me have a quick shower; then I'll make you dinner and we'll relax while we watch a movie if you like," he said as he leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips.

  She really didn't have the strength to argue so she agreed to stay. She waited on the sofa while he went to have a quick shower and returned 30 minutes later dressed in jeans and a sweater.

  "Come with me. I have a surprise for you," he said as he took her hands, helping her up off the sofa. He guided her to his large walk-in closet and opened one of the sliding doors where his wife's clothes had been. She saw the compartment was completely empty. He opened the other doors on that wall, showing Alessia that he'd removed all the female clothing that were stored in the floor to ceiling wardrobe. "I felt it was time to get rid of my wife's things. It has taken me six years but when I got home last night, I felt it was time to do it and so I had someone pack up her things and give them to charity while I was at work today."

  She knew it must have been a difficult decision and appreciated that he'd made the decision to make her feel better. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him while placing her cheek on his chest. "Thank you but you didn't need to do it for me."

  "Yes, I did. I needed to do it for the both of us," he said as he kissed her on the top of her head. "Now, let's go and make some dinner."

  They walked downstairs to the large open space kitchen and she sat at the breakfast bar while he pulled out things from the refrigerator. They talked about their childhood and Alessia realized that although Alessandro grew up in a privileged world, he grew up lonely. If it weren't for his sister Valentina, he would have been alone since his parents travelled the world most of the time and then he talked about his wife. He'd fallen in love with her when they were really young and they got married when they were 25. Soon after they were married, she was diagnosed with a tumour and after four years of treatment she lost her battle with cancer.

  Alessia sat listening, sorrow filling her heart for the young man who'd seen his wife battle an extremely aggressive cancer only to lose her battle in the end.

  She got up and walked around the counter to hug him, without saying a word because she couldn't possibly say anything to ease the pain he felt from losing his wife.

  She helped him chop onions, which made her cry. While she was doing that, she realized he really knew how to cook which surprised Alessia knowing he grew up with a cook, housekeeper, chauffeur - all the household staff a rich family would have.

  "So where'd you learn to cook?" Alessia asked.

  He smiled and then said, "My wife taught me because she said that I needed to know how to boil an egg if the cook should become sick one day. She was a great cook and when we were first married, she did all the cooking and insisted I help her to learn the basics. Then when she became ill, I started cooking for her, trying to tempt her with different foods to regain her appetite."

  Alessia lifted her hand and caressed the side of his cheek making him turn to look at her. His deep blue eyes pierced through her like lightning, sending a bolt of excitement through her body that she didn't expect.

  He lowered his lips to gently kiss her and her body reacted to his touch, leaning into him while arching her back to be closer. He placed both hands on her face and pulled her closer for a long and delirious kiss. She felt the electricity run through her veins to the point that she needed to feel his skin. Moving her hands under his sweater, she felt the curves of his toned chest and she was suddenly walking backwards, being guided to the table. He lifted her up onto the end of the table and continued to kiss her lips as he unbuttoned her shirt. Her hands quickly removed his sweater while his hands unclipped her bra, sending it to the other end of the table. They were both bare from the waist up and his eyes drank the beauty of her skin as he started to kiss the contour of her breast before sucking hard on the nipple. Her hands were trembling from the urgent need to feel him and she managed to unzip his jeans and pull them down but then he pushed her down onto the table and pulled off her jeans and panties with one sweep.

  He grinned while he looked at her beautiful body and knelt down before the edge of the table, pulling her forward while he placed her feet on his shoulders, exposing her folds before him. She was dripping wet from desire and as soon as he placed his lips on her folds, she let out a deep groan that came from the depths of her core. She felt she was about to explode and needed to hold onto something but the table was too wide to grip the edges, so she arched her back while lifting her head up and screamed out as her orgasm hit her like a flash flood. Her body convulsed and perspired from the energy that sent her to another dimension. She felt her veins pulsing as her body heated from the desire that flowed through her core. Then he pulled his tongue out and pushed his hard and pulsing manhood deep inside her folds, pumping her in and out, slowly at first but then gaining speed, as he was about to find his own release.

  She was close to coming a second time when Alessandro's pumping suddenly slowed down and as she lifted her head to look at him, she saw sorrow in his eyes.

  "What's the matter?" she asked.

  "I promised you a relaxing weekend and here I am banging you on the table," he said feeling sorry.

  She struggled to sit up while he was still pulsing inside her and she grabbed his face with her hands and said, "This is what I want. I want to be here with you inside me right now." Then she brought his lips close to her and kissed him ever so gently while his arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer.

  She locked her legs around his hips, lifting herself off the table and started to move his erection in and out to finish what they'd started. She held on tight to his neck while her head rested on his chest, hearing his heart racing as fast as hers, while their movements became more rapid. He finally found his release while she screamed out as she exploded and when she lifted her face to look into his eyes, the sorrow was gone. She kissed him passionately on the lips while their breathing was still laboured until he pulled out and held her so tight that she thought he'd choke the air out of her.

  "Alessia, I really had good intentions for the weekend and I'm sorry that I let my lust for you take over again. I promise now to let you rest and relax for the remainder of the weekend," he said as he leaned down to kiss the tip of her nose. He walked over to the sofa and laid her down before pulling the quilt that was on the back of the sofa to cover her. Then he crouched down and moved the strands of hair that lay loose over her face before saying, "Take a nap and I'll finish preparing dinner." Then he picked up his clothing and got dressed.

  She watched him for a little while as he got dressed and then walked to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Her eyelids became really heavy and so after fighting to stay awake, she shut her eyes and fell asleep.

  Alessandro had a sauce cooking and some meat with potatoes in the oven when he finally looked over at Alessia. He saw she'd fallen asleep and felt his heart ache for her. She somehow broke through the wall that he'd put up after his wife died and now she'd become important to his own well being as his wife had been when he'd been married. He still loved his wife but he knew that he needed to open his heart to another and that was exactly what happened when Alessia walked into his life. He hadn't plan it but she'd become the essence of his existence, he'd come to realize that he couldn't function without her and she seemed to control his thoughts and dreams. Smiling while he daydreamed about her, he turned back
to the cooking and after checking on the pasta sauce, he went to prepare the table.

  When everything was ready, he went to the sofa and crouched down to wake up Alessia.

  "Tesoro, wake up. Dinner is ready," he said as he gently stroked her cheek. She moved slightly and then opened her eyes, staring deep into his blue ocean. Smiling she stretched her arms out above her head and her legs out while she yawned. "Come on, Sleeping Beauty. Go put some clothes on before our dinner cools off."

  She sat up a moment and rubbed her eyes. "Oh, I needed that nap!"

  He took her hands and pulled her up, pulling her into an embrace while he leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. Then letting her go, he slapped her on her bare ass while she walked away to get her clothing.

  They had a relaxing dinner and Alessia drank more wine than she'd normally have, making her feel tipsy. She giggled constantly and when it was time to wash up, Alessandro told her to sit down that he'd place everything in the dishwasher on his own. She sat and watched him while he got to it and in her blurry state she noticed how familiar he was with his kitchen. He knew exactly where everything was and where everything went.

  "Do you still do the cooking when you're at home?" she asked.

  "I do when I don't have an event to attend," he said.

  "Who does your grocery shopping?

  "My wonderful housekeeper, Rosalia. I don't know what I would do without her. She treats me like a son and when I get home late, I find dinner already prepared. She really is a Godsend," he said as he put the washing tablet into the dishwasher and closed it before turning it on.

  "Now, what would you like to do? Watch a movie? Go for a walk? Sit by the fireplace?" he asked.

  "Oh, sitting by the fireplace sounds nice but I think I need to go for a walk before. I think I had too much wine and a little fresh air would do me some good," she said as she held her head suddenly.

  "Are you getting a headache?" he asked.

  "I'm not sure but my head is pounding so can we go for a short walk and see if it clears up?" she asked.

  "Of course," he said while he looked at her a moment feeling a sudden urge to take care of her.

  They went to get their coats and then walked out the front door for a stroll down the street. It was dark and cold while they walked. The streetlights were on and as they walked she noticed the guards walking a few steps behind them.

  "Do they always follow you?" she asked.

  "Always. It's for my protection and so I really can't complain about it. I am grateful that they are dedicated men who are professional. I won't deny that my life before you was filled with a series of women and my guards have stood by me every moment of my day, never wavering and always discreet."

  "It sounds like they care about you which is something to appreciate. I can't imagine what it must be like to be in your shoes but I'm grateful that you've stepped into my life. I can't deny that but sometimes I wonder how long our relationship will last," she said, as she lowered her eyes.

  He stopped walking and lifted her chin so that her eyes looked into his blue eyes. "You are not like the other women who've walked through my life and I plan for our relationship to last - that is, if you want it to continue. I've never asked you how you feel. I forced myself on you in the beginning, like I did with the other women, needing to feel power and domination, but then somehow you changed that need. I don't know how or when it happened but all I know is that I need you beside me and I suddenly want to protect you. It probably sounds crazy but it's the truth," he said before he placed his arm around her shoulders and they started to walk again.

  She put her head on his arm as they walked and she thought about what he just said. He confessed that he cared about her. So what exactly did that mean? That he wanted a future with her? That they would move in together? That they would marry? Suddenly her mind was swirling with too many thoughts and her stomach was knotting up. She needed to stop thinking about the future and concentrate on the present.

  "You're really quiet. Have I said something to scare you?" he asked, worried that she may not have the same feelings for him.

  "No, I was just thinking where do we go from here?" she asked. "I mean, normally couples move forward with a commitment of some sort. What do we have? I'm your secretary and as much as it pains me to say it, we can't continue to be lovers and care for each other while I work for you. It's unethical what we're doing," she said letting out a long sigh.

  "Well, we don't need to decide on anything tonight but I have been thinking about it lately and I'd like for you to spend more time with me. Since my house is big enough for the both of us, I've been thinking you could spend a some time here with me and see how it goes," he said, hoping she'd say yes.

  "And what, go to work together in the morning and come back home together in the evening? I don't think it would be a good idea," she said, demoralized by the fact that it would only create gossip in the office.

  "Do you drive?" he asked.

  "I don't have a car," she said.

  "I know you don't have a car and it's not what I asked. Can you drive a car? Do you have a license?" he asked.

  "Yes but as I said, I don't have a car," she said, not understanding where the conversation was leading.

  "I have the perfect solution. I'll buy you a small car so you can drive yourself to work and back. You'll be free to move around without having to wait for me at the end of the day," he said feeling he'd found the solution.

  "I can't accept something like that from you?" she said.

  "Why not - you've accepted jewellery that costs much more than the cost of a small car so why not this?" he asked.

  They were passing through the gates of his house when she turned to ask him, "Why do you want me to move in with you?" Her face was serious. She needed to know the reason if it was because he wanted her body or if he wanted her heart and soul.

  He unlocked the front door and they stepped inside. He put down his keys on the table in the foyer and then turned to her. Taking her face in his hands, he looked deep into her eyes and said, "I want you to move in with me because I'm falling in love with you and I can't bear not seeing you when I wake up in the morning. I want your face to be the last thing I see before going to sleep at night and the first thing I see in the morning. Is that too much to ask?" he asked.

  "Ok but if I move in with you for a little while, I'll need a little space to do my own things. Don't think that I'll be at your beck and call every time you want my body," she said grinning knowing that he'd find it difficult to resist her body if she was there all the time.

  "Ok agreed. Anything else?" he asked.

  "Yes, one more thing. I still need a couple of days a month to be free to visit my father in the seniors' home," she said being serious again.

  "Of course, I understand how important it is for you. Whenever you feel the need, just get in your car and drive over - you don't need to ask me or tell me. So does this mean you'll move in with me?" he asked.

  She grinned and then put her finger to her lips pretending to think about it. He raised his eyebrows - surprised she was still thinking about it. Then she said, "Ok!"

  "Yes?" he asked to confirm.

  "Yes!" she said smiling.

  He picked her up in his arms and whirled her around laughing out loud, feeling like he'd just climbed the tallest mountain. Then he put her down and showered her face with soft kisses until she giggled and said, "Ok, that's enough now. So what are we going to do now?"

  "I'd say we light up the fireplace and while we warm our chilled bodies by the fire, we can decide what to do tomorrow," he said.

  She nodded in confirmation and followed him to the library that she found was cosy and had a beautiful Persian rug where they could lay down and cuddle while they make plans for the next few days.

  They planned to go for a drive in the countryside the following day, stopping for a leisurely picnic lunch, relaxing the afternoon in the sun and then returning to Rome for dinner. Sunday, the
y would go to Alessia's apartment to pack a few things for the week. It was all set and after the planning, Alessia still didn't feel secure moving in with Alessandro but she believed if she didn't try, she would never know if they suited each other.

  Chapter Five

  The weekend passed quickly and it was soon Monday morning. They got up and had breakfast like a normal couple then went to get washed and dressed for work. After changing her mind three times on what to wear that day, Alessandro pulled her into his arms and asked grinning, "Do you do this every morning?"

  "Do I do what every morning?" she asked, not having a clue to what he was referring.

  "Do you constantly change your mind on what to wear every morning or are you particularly nervous this morning because you're in a new environment," he asked while his arms were still around her.

  "Oh, I do this every morning," she said feeling subconscious now knowing that he observed her every move.

  He kissed her on the lips and then walked to his wardrobe to pull out a tie. After 10 minutes, Alessandro was dressed and ready to go to work whereas Alessia was still putting on makeup. She was sitting at the counter in the bathroom, applying her makeup when he came up from behind and kissed her on the back of her neck. "I'm going to the office now. Take your time and meet me when you're ready. I have a surprise waiting for you downstairs so look on the table in the foyer before leaving," he said before leaving.

  She looked at him and wondered how he was so cool about their sharing his space. She felt like she was overstepping or invading his privacy every moment but he would have said something if he didn't agree with what she was doing. She learned the hard way that he did exactly what he wanted and obtained exactly what he wanted so there was no denying his need for her to be constantly in her life.