The Italian

by T L Swan

  I feel sick.

  Enrico reaches forward and tucks his gun back under his seat. He picks up my hand, kisses my fingertips, and rests it down onto his thick thigh.

  I watch him in the darkness as he stares straight ahead, unrattled.

  Focused.

  Who the hell am I in love with?

  25

  Olivia

  Half an hour later, the car pulls into Oliviana.

  “We are home,” Enrico says with a soft smile.

  I wait in my seat as Maso comes around and opens my door. I get out and look around me. Two other cars have pulled up behind ours. They were obviously following us home. Enrico begins to chat with one of the men in the car behind us, and I watch him converse with them. He chuckles at something someone says, and they all break into chatter.

  Totally at ease.

  This is his normal. This is his safety net. He turns and notices me standing on the spot, and he comes over to take my hand.

  “Come, Olivia.”

  He leads me into the house and shuts the door behind us. He puts his arm around me and pulls me close, kissing my temple carefully before we turn and walk through to the kitchen. Antonia is cooking dinner.

  She turns to us with a big smile. “Ciao, signorina Olivia.”

  “Ciao.” I smile. I’ve been practicing what to say to her. “Grazie per aver cucinato la cena.” Translation: thank you for cooking dinner.

  Enrico’s eyes glow with tenderness as he watches us.

  “Ha un profumo straodinario,” he says. Translation: it smells amazing.

  Her mouth falls open and she claps her hands together. “Signorina Olivia, così bella in italiano.” Translation: Miss Olivia, so beautiful in Italian.

  I smile bashfully. “Grazie.”

  Enrico goes to the fridge and takes out a bottle of wine. He collects two crystal glasses, too, and I watch as he pours us both one.

  “Let’s go sit on the terrace,” he says, handing me my glass.

  We walk outside and take a seat at the table. He lights the candles in the center.

  His eyes watch me as he takes a sip. “You’re very quiet.”

  I’m feeling overly emotional—like I might burst into tears at any moment.

  I sip my wine.

  His eyes stay glued to me. “What is it?”

  I shrug, feeling stupid. I knew all this about him. Nothing new has come to light tonight, but for the first time, I’m unsettled. I’m feeling a new emotion.

  I’m frightened.

  I stare down at the table. “I wish you were just a delivery man.”

  His eyes hold mine.

  “I wish you and I had a chance to be normal.”

  A frown crosses his brow. “You wouldn’t love me if I were normal, Olivia.”

  “You’re wrong.” I smile as my eyes well with tears. I sip my wine, disgusted with my dramatics. “Ignore me,” I sigh. “I’m hormonal or something.”

  “I’ll talk to the staff. They’ll be more discrete.”

  I nod.

  He leans over and takes my hand across the table. “Tell me about your plan—the one where you show me something.”

  I shrug. “Doesn’t matter now.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I would be beside myself with worry about you the entire time.”

  He exhales and turns his gaze to the lake.

  “How did your father and grandfather die, Enrico?” I ask.

  “Car accident.”

  “What caused their car accident?”

  “They were run off the road.”

  My heart constricts as I watch him, so detached and cold.

  “Is that why you have so much security?” I ask.

  “Yes.”

  “Are you in danger?”

  He clenches his jaw but stays silent. I can see his answer as clear as day in his eyes.

  That means yes.

  My eyes well with tears again. Damn these hormones. Why am I such a crybaby today?

  “What did you want to show me, Olivia?”

  “I wanted to take you to a little one-bedroom apartment with no fancy furnishings, no staff, and nobody around. I wanted to show you that our love was enough. That that’s all we need.”

  His eyes search mine. “I already know that, my love,” he whispers sadly.

  “You scare me.”

  He gives my hand a reassuring squeeze.

  “I know how our story ends, Rici,” I whisper.

  “How?”

  “You’re either going to be arrested and put in jail… or you will be killed.”

  Our eyes are locked.

  “Either way, we don’t get a happy ending… do we?”

  He drops his head, saddened by my epiphany. “I’m not going anywhere, Olivia. This is who I am, though, and you need to get your head around that. I’ve tried to protect you as much as I can from my working life at Ferrara.”

  “I know,” I mutter.

  “I just need you to love me—to not ask questions. Let me handle business, and you handle our relationship. Keep me in check when I’m working too much.” He smiles softly. “Keep the two things separate. When I come home, I just want to be happy with my family and forget everything else.”

  “How can I keep it separate when we do nothing else?”

  He frowns. “What do you mean?”

  “We have no friends outside of Ferrara. Your staff are everywhere I look. I just want a normal Saturday night date with friends and to…” I shrug. God, I don’t even know what I want. “I just want you to be a boring old delivery man and for us to live completely alone.”

  He chuckles. “Okay.”

  “Okay?” I frown.

  “Let’s go and stay in Milan at my apartment for a few days. It’s a lot more private there. I’ll speak to the staff about being more discreet for when we come back home to Lake Como. You have to remember, I have never had a partner. They aren’t used to keeping my woman happy.”

  I smile over at him. “Thank you.”

  “But I don’t want you worrying yourself sick over me.”

  “I can’t help it.”

  “You need to stop, Olivia. If you begin to think negatively about my line of work, you will drive yourself insane. I am a Ferrara. I can’t change it. I wouldn’t even if I could. This is your life now, and you need to adjust.”

  I nod as his words sink in. “I know.”

  His eyes hold mine and he gives me a slow, sexy smile.

  Butterflies dance in my stomach at the intensity of his gaze, it could start a fire. “What?”

  “You are completely delusional if you think anything could drag me away from you.”

  I smile softly.

  He shrugs casually. “It’s just not happening.”

  “You know, for a big, tough guy, you say some pretty romantic things, Mr. Ferrara.”

  He pats his lap, and I go to him. “Do you feel better now?” he asks as he slides his hands around to my behind.

  “Yes.”

  “Do you still wish I was a delivery man?”

  I giggle as I get a vision of him driving a delivery truck. “Actually, I do.”

  My back arches, and I wake to the feeling of my toes tingling.

  His strong, thick tongue sweeps through my sex, and my legs open wider instinctively.

  Fuck. A Rici Ferrara wake up call.

  I put my hand on the top of his head and look down at him. His eyes are closed as he licks me up. He lifts my legs over his shoulders.

  “Good morning, Rici,” I whisper.

  He smiles against me. “Hmm,” he hums. “It is a good morning.”

  He pulls back and, with his eyes locked on mine, his pale pink tongue licks me slow and deep.

  My insides clench. He is so fucking hot, I can’t deal.

  He loves this. He loves my taste. He loves the act. He loves to give me pleasure.

  And, dear God, does he ever.

  With his eyes locked on mine, he begins to flick hi
s tongue in a way only he knows how, and I lose my mind. His big red lips are glistening with my arousal.

  I’ve never seen a more gorgeous man.

  My man.

  He begins to really eat me as I writhe beneath him. He goes up onto his knees, puts his hand down to his cock, and he begins to stroke it.

  I can see the pre-ejaculate beading. His strokes get harder, as does his tongue, and I can’t hold it.

  I love this about him, I love that he has to touch himself when he touches me.

  It’s the ultimate turn on.

  “Get up here,” I whisper.

  He smiles into me, and I grab a handful of his hair to drag him up to me. He brings my legs with him, still over his shoulders.

  He slides in deep, and we both moan as we fall still.

  Hearts are banging hard in our chests against each other. Our eyes are locked. He’s so broad that he stretches me to the max, every damn time.

  The burn is so fucking good.

  “Oh, bella,” he whispers by my ear. “You fuck me so well, baby.”

  I smile as he slowly slides out.

  “I can feel every muscle inside this beautiful cunt.” He pushes back in hard, and I convulse with a deep shudder. As soon as he starts talking dirty, it’s all over.

  His lips take mine aggressively, and I can taste my arousal.

  “Fuck me,” he growls. “Fuck me hard.”

  Oh God.

  Nobody fucks like Rici Ferrara.

  Nobody.

  I bounce into the gym just past seven.

  “Good morning.” I smile at the receptionist as I walk past.

  “Hello,” she says as she winds the vacuum cord up. “Nice day, isn’t it?”

  “Gorgeous!” I call as I get onto the treadmill and crank it up.

  To be honest, I hadn’t even noticed the weather. Every day is a good day to me lately. Mr. Ferrara is an expert at putting a smile on my face. I’ve never felt so adored in all my life.

  I walk briskly as I try to warm up.

  “Good morning.” I look over to see the girl I met when I was in here last time.

  “Oh, hi.” I smile.

  She frowns at me. “I’m sorry. What was your name again? I’m terrible with names.”

  I laugh. “I’m crap, too. I’m Olivia. What’s yours?”

  “Jennifer.”

  “Hi, Jennifer.” I smile. I like this girl. It’s nice having an Aussie around.

  She climbs onto the walker beside me and starts it up. “Bring on the cardio.” She huffs as she turns it up. “I swear, I’ve put on five kilos since I moved here. I’m eating pasta with every meal, topped off with wine and cocktails. I’m going to be a fat cow.”

  “Me, too,” I chuckle.

  She walks briskly, her high ponytail bouncing behind her. “We went to this restaurant last night and it was incredible. Dominion. Have you been there?”

  “No.” I frown. “Good?”

  “They have this soft-shell chili crab. It’s to die for, and worth every fucking calorie.” She puts her hand over her heart and closes her eyes.

  I laugh at her dramatics. “I’ll have to try it.”

  “You seriously do.”

  We walk in silence for a few minutes. “What are you doing today?” I puff.

  “Looking for a job,” she says. “I had a week off and the plan was to wait until I found something that I really love, but I’m getting homesick.” She pants as she walks briskly. “I figure I need to keep busy.”

  “Yeah, I get that. The time difference does my head in. Every time I want to chat, my parents are in bed.”

  “Right?” she huffs.

  “So, your boyfriend’s family are here in Milan?” I ask.

  She shakes her head. “No, he’s from Naples. He moved here for a new job. Started three days after I arrived so he doesn’t know anyone, either. We’re like complete losers with no friends.”

  “We’ll have to have to go out for dinner sometime—the four of us. Oh, and my best friend is here from Australia, too. I’ll introduce you to her. She’s lovely. Mad as all hell, but so much fun. I tried to get her to come this morning but she’s starting a new job today.”

  “Where did she look for her job? Is there a website or something? I have no idea where to even start.”

  “I’ll ask her and text you. Remind me to get your number before I leave.” I’m so unfit, I can hardly talk while I walk.

  “That would be great. I think when I find a good base of friends, I’ll be fine. What’s your boyfriend like?”

  Oh jeez, what do I say to that. “Quiet and bossy.” I smile. “He likes to get his own way.”

  She laughs. “Don’t they all?”

  “I guess.”

  “How did you meet him?”

  “We met in Rome two years ago. Things didn’t turn out, so I went home to Australia. I moved back here for a job just recently and we ran into each other.”

  Jennifer smiles as she listens. “Sounds romantic, and it’s obviously serious?”

  “Yeah, it is. It turned serious really quick, actually. We fell in love last time we met, and then as soon as we reconnected and we got over a few teething problems, it was all systems go.”

  “It was obviously meant to be.”

  “I think so.” I smile. “I moved in with him nearly immediately.” I walk up the incline on the treadmill. I don’t know why I put this thing on such a steep setting.

  “Yeah, well I’m not sure about this living with him thing yet. Maybe we’re about to have teething problems, too. As in, me knocking his out.”

  We both laugh. She’s funny.

  “Okay, my warmup is done,” she says. “I have to do arms today. Thanks for that. Just ask your friend if she used a job agency or what way she thinks I should go.”

  “Okay.” I smile. “I’ll come get your number before I go so I can text you later.”

  “That’d be great, thank you so much.”

  I watch her walk over to the weights area. A guy says something to her, and she laughs out loud. She’s so typically Australian—relaxed and carefree.

  I like her. I’m going to make an effort to get to know her better. It would be nice to have another friend here. I’ll have to remember to call Nat for her later.

  I turn up the speed on my treadmill and start to run.

  Hot body, here I come.

  It’s 1:00 p.m. when Giorgio comes swanning into my office with two cups of coffee in hand.

  “Hello, my darling. I came for our afternoon tea.” He holds up a brown paper bag and gives it a shake.

  I look up from my computer and smile. “Is that cake?”

  Please let it be cake. I’m tired of eating healthy already. It’s been eight whole hours and I’m feeling weak.

  He passes my coffee and hands me the bag over. “Almond biscotti.”

  “Thank you.”

  He sits on my desk and sips his coffee. “This place is so dull today. I miss the Roma office.”

  “What’s it like? The Roma office. Did you see Seraphina?”

  “Yes, Seraphina and I had cocktails last week.” He smiles wistfully. “She’s divine.”

  “She really is,” I sigh. “I wish she’d stayed in Milan. We really clicked.”

  I smile, remembering that heart attack she gave me.

  “What?”

  “You know, when I met her and she told me that she had a fiancé from Roma, I was sure it was Enrico. I was having a heart attack over it.”

  He chuckles. “What a coincidence that would have been.” He watches me for a moment and narrows his eyes. “She is not good enough for Enrico Ferrara.”

  “She’s beautiful. Are you high?” I scoff.

  “She’s not as beautiful as you.” He smiles wistfully. “You have an inner quality. There is something very special about you, Olivia. You were sent from the gods for him. I could feel it from the moment we met.”

  “Do you mind?” a deep voice says from the doorway.

>   We turn to see Enrico standing at the door. He raises a brow. “Hands off, Giorgio.”

  I smile and stand. “This is a pleasant surprise.”

  Enrico walks in and kisses my cheek. “Hello, bella,” he says softly as his hand falls to my waist.

  Giorgio leaps up from the desk. “My darling Enrico.” He kisses both his cheeks, and Enrico smiles.

  “You’re visiting me at work?” I ask. “This is lovely.”

  “Just delivering a package.” He places a little black box with a gold ribbon tied around it onto my desk.

  I smile as my eyes hold his.

  He gives me a sexy wink.

  Enrico turns to Giorgio. “Last night, Olivia told me she wishes I was a delivery driver.”

  Giorgio face falls as he looks at me, and then he claps his hands and bursts out laughing.

  “Can you imagine that?” Rico says, clearly amused as his sexy eyes hold mine.

  “You? A delivery driver?” Giorgio scoffs. “Now I’ve heard it all.”

  “Don’t laugh, you two,” I huff as I fall back into my office chair. “I actually do wish you were a normal, podgy old guy with a boring job.”

  Enrico laughs heartily, it’s deep and loud and permeates through the room. “What is podgy? It does not sound in the least bit appealing.”

  I try to think of an apt description. “Sort of fat and pig like.”

  They laugh again, thinking this is the funniest thing that they have ever heard. It’s annoying that the thought of him being fat and pig like is so amusing to these two. I hate that he’s so damn gorgeous. I want what’s on the inside. I couldn’t care less about his fancy packaging, and I’m not even joking. I really do wish he was a podgy delivery driver because then we could have a normal life.

  My phone rings.

  “Excuse me for a moment,” I say to them before answering. “Hello.”

  Enrico

  I watch Olivia answer the phone. She begins to write in her diary, and a smile crosses my face.

  “Oh, Rico,” Giorgio whispers. “Look at you.” He grabs me by the elbows and inspects my face. “Happiness suits you, my friend.”

  I glance back at Olivia still on the phone. I find it hard to look anywhere else. “What are you doing this afternoon?” I whisper to Giorgio.