by Emma Nichols
“Pretty and smart.” Maria raised her eyebrows.
She hadn’t expected that and blushed.
“Did you enjoy it?”
“Yes.” She cleared her throat. “My parents had to work hard to afford for me to go.”
Maria lowered her gaze and nodded. Simone continued. “I was in my final year when they were killed. I was toying with going on to do an applied Masters in Catering or Tourism.” She looked away from Maria and out of the window. “Events took over, and I haven’t given it a second thought since.”
That wasn’t entirely true. She had missed uni…a lot. She had pined for the future she had planned more than she dared admit. And she had missed Alicia during those first months of separation. They had been together since the beginning of their second year. Simone had felt comfortable expressing her newfound sexual freedom with her. Alicia had been frivolous, liberated, and fun to be around, and characteristically nothing like Maria. But Alicia had had no desire to move to Palermo, and Simone hadn’t blamed her for that. They had wished each other well, and then, insidiously, Simone’s ambition had slipped away. Her role had become focused on looking after Roberto and keeping a roof over both their heads.
She wondered, not for the first time, whether she had sold her soul to the devil. She looked at Maria, and the depth of emptiness in Maria’s dark eyes echoed her own unfulfilled dreams. She watched a frown slowly form and narrow Maria’s eyes.
“I never wanted to be in this business.”
Maria’s tone was quiet and reflective, and then her eyes glassed over.
Simone reached across the table and took Maria’s hand.
Maria looked at Simone and shrugged. “Life deals us cards, eh.”
“Life is shit.” Simone shrugged, and they laughed together. The lightness of the moment suspended her contemplative thoughts and warmth flowed into her stomach.
Maria smiled. “What would you like to do with yours?”
Simone sat back in the seat and stared into space. “I would like to own my own café-bar. A small place in a city, close to a theatre for people to come and dine at before they go to the opera or the ballet. With the finest wines, though not overpriced, and traditional dishes from around the world.
A place free from the threat of danger. I would pay rent to the landlord and not have to pay for protection.” She smiled as she raised her eyebrows at Maria.
Maria winced.
“I’m teasing you.”
“It’s true though. People pay us rent for protection.”
Simone sighed. She didn’t want to think of Maria as one of those people.
“I prefer to think we’re helping them. If we didn’t look after our tenants, then the Amatos or others would. And most don’t take care of people very well.”
Simone’s skin prickled. She knew, she worked for them.
“I would like that place too.”
Both women turned and looked out the window. Simone sensed the rawness of the sorrow and remorse for the world they had been born into.
She hadn’t considered that someone in Maria’s position would feel as Maria did.
Lorenzo approached the table with a tray of food. A woman equally as skinny as him carried another tray behind him. Maria turned to face Simone and smiled. She felt strange, as if something tangible had shifted between them, and yet she didn’t know what. She wanted Maria more. She took a deep breath and turned to face Lorenzo.
“Here she is,” Lorenzo said.
For a moment it was unclear to which woman he referred, but Simone felt warmed by his cheery nature.
Maria took the tray from her aunt and placed it on the table, then greeted her with a robust hug. “Auntie. You look beautiful.”
Paola brushed Maria away with a disapproving huff. “I am old and have too many wrinkles, Maria. I am lucky to still be here.” Paola formed a cross at her chest, then stroked Maria’s cheek with tenderness as she looked her up and down, mumbling in Sicilian. “I’m glad you are here. You look very well.”
Maria kissed her aunt on the cheek. “You will always be the best chef in Palermo.”
She inhaled the complex aromas that filled the room. “It smells wonderful,” Simone said. Passion radiated from the old woman’s twinkling eyes, and Simone felt embraced by it.
“Don’t go telling anyone. We are busy enough, and with nice people who visit.” Paola said.
Maria laughed.
Lorenzo put his tray on a stand at the side of the table and nudged his wife away from the table. “Come, come, Paola. Let the ladies eat.”
Paola walked towards the kitchen mumbling under her breath, and then stopped and looked over her shoulder. “You come and say goodbye before you go.”
“Of course, Auntie. I will wake you.” Maria laughed as the two older folks disappeared into the kitchen.
Simone looked at the dishes on the trays. “Wow! This is a snack?”
Smiling, Maria tilted her head and shrugged. “The food here is excellent.”
Simone picked up a slice of pizza secca and crunched into the thin crisp base. Fresh oregano danced on her tongue followed by a hint of sweet from the thinly sliced onions and salt from the salami. She watched as Maria took the involtini di pesce spada onto her plate, cut a small slice of the rolled swordfish, and brought it delicately to her mouth. She continued to stare at Maria’s tempting lips, yielding with the gentle movement of her jaw. The pizza became dryer in her mouth and hard to swallow.
Maria moaned as she chewed. “This is delicious.”
Simone picked up her wine and took a long sip. She looked from one dish to another and plucked a small handful of baked broad beans into
her palm. She slipped one into her mouth and crunched. The sweet, nutty taste made her mouth water. “These are amazing. Here, try one.” She held the vegetable between her fingers and raised it to Maria’s lips.
Maria leaned forwards and opened her mouth, her lips touched Simone’s fingertips, and she froze with the electric shock that fizzed down her spine. She could barely breathe, and then she became aware that Maria was still waiting open mouthed. She released the morsel like hot coal onto Maria’s tongue and backed away.
Maria flushed.
There was salt and then sweet as Simone crunched. And the taste of lemon that had come from Maria’s lips now lingered on her own and infused the nutty taste in her mouth. Her insides flipped, and the moan that escaped her had a deep guttural resonance to it that even she didn’t recognize. Maria flashed her an intense look. Heat burned Simone’s cheeks.
She picked up her glass and sipped.
“I’m glad you like it.”
Simone cleared her throat and focused on the meal. “This is exactly the sort of food I would serve at my café.” She picked up the bite-size chickpea fritter and dipped it into the ricotta dip. The warm fritter melted the cool cream cheese, and the flavours burst to life as she ate.
Simone’s attention shifted from the sensation in her mouth to Maria watching her. “What would you like to do?”
“Now?”
Simone smiled at the fine lines that appeared and shaped Maria’s dark eyes. Had Maria made a subtle pass? The tingling down her spine said yes. “If you weren’t in this business? What would you like to do?”
“Ah…I would run an orchid farm.”
Simone stared, mesmerised by Maria. She didn’t know the first thing about her, but it seemed that everything she discovered was leading her deeper and deeper…towards that broken heart. She would never recover from Maria Lombardo. “You would?”
Maria smiled softly. “Yes. I love anything to do with the preservation of plants or animals. I have a particular affinity with the sea life. I have a pet octopus.”
“Really?” Simone whispered. It was the best she could muster.
Maria’s eyes seemed to darken as she moved towards Simone and then they closed. Warmth lingered at Simone’s lips for what felt like an eternity, and
her heart seemed as though it
would burst if she didn’t feel Maria’s mouth.
Kiss me. Maria’s eyes opened, and the desire Simone saw in a moment of daring became hesitation. And then Simone closed her eyes and the softness, the tenderest touch to her lips confused her senses into submission.
Fragile and fragrant, tender and certain, she caressed Maria’s lips savouring every millimetre of her softness, willing Maria to lead her where she desperately wanted them to go. Her lips parted, and she tasted the sweetness again. The firmness of Maria’s hand at her neck coaxed her deeper into the kiss. Her breathing came in short bursts, and her pulse throbbed its desires clearly to the rest of her body. Cool air startled her, and she opened her eyes and stared silently into Maria’s.
Maria’s gaze on her overwhelmed her senses, and Simone’s heart missed a beat as she gasped. Instantly, she craved the sense of Maria’s lips pressed to hers again and Maria’s strength holding her firmly and leading her. She wanted to feel Maria inside her and delight at Maria’s naked body touching hers. Her imagination set off sizzling electric energy, and she trembled inside. Could Maria read her thoughts? She closed her eyes as Maria kissed her.
Take me to bed.
18.
Somersaults turned in Simone’s stomach as she stepped out of the car and headed into the villa. The thundering in her chest made her breaths short and shallow. She was an emotional wreck in the most exhilarating way possible, both weak and strong in equal measure. Her longing for Maria had increased in the silence in which they had driven home. It had become excruciatingly painful. Maria had only to glance at her, and the throbbing in her core pulsed harder. Maria had driven unbearably slowly for Simone. Was she always so disciplined?
Maria closed the door behind them.
Simone moved swiftly and crashed her mouth onto Maria’s. Maria’s fingers slid through her hair and pulled Simone’s head closer. Their teeth clashed and moans of pleasure vibrated through Simone as she tasted Maria’s unique sweetness and explored the softness of her lips with her tongue. She could barely breathe, and she couldn’t work her hands fast enough. She reached inside Maria’s jacket and ran her fingers over Maria’s breast. Simone gasped as Maria’s nipple responded sharply to her touch.
The firmness of Maria’s strong feminine form tingled in her fingers and chased fire to her core, and the rapid rise and fall of Maria’s chest impelled her to explore every goose bump that blazed across Maria’s skin. She eased out of the kiss and pulled the jacket from Maria’s shoulders.
She froze. Her automatic response to seeing the weapon holstered at Maria’s side jabbed in her gut. She blinked and stepped back still trembling with desire and saw apology in Maria’s dark eyes.
Maria removed the holstered gun and placed it over the back of a chair. She lifted Simone’s chin and stared into her eyes. “Do you see me?”
Simone’s sex pulsed at the want emanating from Maria’s eyes. If Maria didn’t touch her soon, she would explode.
“Do you want me?” Maria whispered.
Simone’s voice broke. “Yes. Yes, I want you.” She stepped into Maria’s arms and held her face. She silenced the tremor in Maria’s lips with a tender, lingering kiss. Delicately, she nipped at Maria’s soft yielding flesh, though she wanted to devour her. The act of restraint increased her desire
and with the heat of Maria’s breasts pressed to hers, restraint yielded to a deep guttural groan, and she cried out.
Simone moaned again as Maria’s hand explored the curve of her waist and slid her hand slowly up her back. Maria eased back and looked into Simone’s eyes as she undid the buttons of Simone’s blouse. The trembling waved from Simone’s stomach to her hands and built as Maria freed the material and admired her breasts and stomach. Maria touched the top of her breast with a light brush of her fingertips, and Simone flinched.
Maria was staring intently at her breasts as she touched her. The tiny hairs on her skin tingled in response, and Simone saw the intensity in Maria’s eyes deepen.
“I’ve wanted you since I saw you at the opera,” Maria whispered.
Maria looked up from Simone’s breasts, and Simone gasped as heat erupted inside her. She bit down on her lip as she admired Maria’s body, the narrow shape of her eyes, the line of her jaw. “You are so…”
Maria silenced her with her mouth and urgently removed her own shirt and bra.
Simone thrust her body forwards and moaned at Maria’s warmth.
She held Maria’s head in her hands, kissed her cheeks and her neck, and ran her fingers through her short hair. As she met Maria’s lips again, she lost the power of thought and became lost in her sensual pleasure.
Maria’s arms felt strong around her and her kisses fierce as she carried Simone swiftly through to the bedroom. Maria lowered her slowly to the bed, and her kisses became tender as she undressed her and threw off her own remaining clothes.
The scent of Maria flooded Simone in warmth, and she moaned.
Maria lifted her high, and she wrapped her legs around Maria’s waist. The firmness of Maria’s abs massaged Simone’s sex and sent a ripple of fire shooting back up her body. Then, Maria flicked her tongue across Simone’s nipple, and placed kisses to the soft flesh of her breast, and the shockwaves jolted through Simone and she closed her eyes and gasped. “Please. Oh, yes.” She clasped Maria’s head firmly to her chest, flung her head back, and rocked her hips against Maria. “Please, fuck me.”
Maria slowly eased her body between Simone’s soft thighs. The sensation that gripped her halted her breath and for a brief moment, looking at Simone in rapture, time stood still. The profundity of Simone’s gratification flowed through Maria’s heart. I am in love with you. Pleasure,
sadness and…deep love inflamed the burning in her core and then an urge to hold Simone and never let her go came. She inched slowly up Simone’s body bringing the slightest pressure to Simone’s sex. I am so in love with you. Maria closed her stinging eyes and kissed Simone’s neck.
Simone jolted and released a soft gasping moan.
The scent of Simone lingered deliciously on Maria’s skin. The openness that connected them exposed her. But this love could not be denied. Maria tensed her abs and moved gently against Simone, eliciting another gasp from her. She came to Simone slowly and unhurriedly kissed her on the lips, her eyes, and her cheeks. Simone shuddered at Maria’s fingertips as she gently clawed the sensitive skin at her hips and inner thighs. She placed tender kisses down Simone’s body, enjoying the transformation in Simone’s skin as it flared in response to her touch.
Maria inhaled deeply and closed her mouth gently over Simone’s swollen clit. Savouring the silky sweetness, she licked and teased, and Simone bucked against her. She nipped and kissed, and Simone cried out.
She trailed her fingertips slowly across the soft flesh of Simone’s thigh and upwards as she circled Simone’s hot wet entrance with her fingers and tongue. Simone pressed hard against Maria and moaned, and Maria eased her fingers into the warmth of Simone’s centre and found the silky softness inside her.
Simone threw her head back and gasped. Maria penetrated Simone in a slow rhythm. Simone’s hips rocked with her. She moved deeper and explored her softness, and then Simone opened to her and she thrust harder and faster. Simone’s breaths came in a sequence of fast and shallow groans, and her movements became erratic. Maria held her tightly and stilled her fingers inside Simone.
Simone cried out. Her body tensed, and she shook violently.
Maria moved up and kissed the tears from Simone’s face. Her heart raced, and she felt the lightness and ease of a silk blanket cover her. She cradled Simone in her arms.
“You are delicious,” Maria whispered.
Simone’s breathing slowed, and the spasms subsided. She moved from Maria’s shoulder, lifted her head, and looked into Maria’s eyes. She ran her fingers through Maria’s hair, eased it back from her face, and looked at her intently. “You are so beautiful.”
Maria pressed her finger to Simone’s l
ips, and Simone threw her head back to brush them off. “You are.” She took Maria’s hand and kissed the fingers that had tried to stop her talking then held Maria’s palm against her chest and closed her eyes. “So beautiful.”
Maria moved astride Simone.
Simone blinked and opened her eyes as Maria’s lips met hers. She slid her fingers between Maria’s legs and moaned at the feel of her. “So wet.”
Maria rocked with Simone’s fingers deep inside her. “You feel so good. Please don’t stop.”
Simone quickly shifted to her knees. Facing Maria, she wrapped her arm around Maria’s waist and slowly entered her. Maria’s lips quivered, and her eyes closed.
Simone moaned in pleasure at the warmth of Maria at her fingertips.
Soft, and supple, and so delicious, her appetite was insatiable. She applied a gentle pressure that became stronger as Maria bucked against her, and she felt their intimacy in the delicate shudder that floated through her on a delightful, enticing wave. And then Maria entered her and paralysing flashes of bliss spread from Simone’s core, and the rush that came with falling over the edge took her by surprise, and the spasms that followed made her legs suddenly weak. She tumbled the short distance from her knees onto the bed, and Maria fell on top of her. Maria shook in her arms, smiled, and kissed her tenderly.
Maria lay on her side watching Simone’s eyelashes fluttering with the random movements that came when dreaming. Her skin looked slightly paler in complexion than when in the throes of making love. She smiled with the temptation to reach out and touch Simone’s lips, her breasts, and her sex. She would have to contend with the persistent throbbing between her legs. Of greater concern was the disconcerting ache in her heart that seemed somehow deeper and more present than it had been the previous evening.
She slipped out of the bed, put on her robe, and tiptoed into the lounge. Darkness revealed a hint of light on the horizon, tempting the world into morning. Opening the door to the beach, with the warmth of the incoming day on her face, she inhaled deeply. Pesto ran onto the sand, and Maria smiled. The beauty of the cove and her home. Pesto. The love she
