by Emma Nichols
Weakness moved through Simone, and she felt her knees giving way. She grabbed the back of the seat and took a slow breath. “Could I have a glass of water please?”
The usher frowned. “Is everything—”
“Yes, I’m fine, thank you.” Simone smiled and stood taller. She let go of the seat. The usher smiled and closed the door behind her. Simone turned back to the auditorium and stepped closer to the edge of the box. She scanned the bustling movement around her as guests took their seats in the circle and stalls below her. The warm air was constant, and perfumed, and heady. She closed her eyes and brushed her fingers across the gold trim.
The sensual feel of the suede against her sensitive fingers caught her breath.
She stiffened her back and her eyes opened. The image of Maria came to her in a flash of desperation, then it disappeared. She searched the auditorium and became quickly overcome by a dense feeling of exhaustion.
Anger boiled below the surface of her unfulfilled wishes. She sat, closed her eyes, and inhaled deep slow breaths. Why did I come here?
Musical notes started up in harmony from the pit at the front of the stage; violins, joined by wind instruments, and then percussion, and Simone’s heart eased into a soft, gentle rhythm. She opened her eyes and stared at the stage. The increasing complexity of the sounds, the musky scent that was the building’s unique signature, and the subdued lighting that
seemed to compliment the orchestra’s resonance as they prepared for the first act, swept her away.
Then the music shifted in tone, sending a message to those who lingered to take their seats, and she smiled. Mumbling voices became quieter, deeper in tone, and the lights dimmed lower. A hum of anticipation arose from below her, lifting the air to dance around the room.
Simone didn’t respond to the soft click of the door.
The glass of water appeared in her peripheral vision and was placed on the table. The fingers clasped around the glass registered as vaguely familiar, and then there was the unexpected pressure on her shoulder that jolted her to look up. She blinked repeatedly, then the force of her head spinning fully around in recognition threw her to her feet. Her hand smothered her gasp. The thundering behind her ribs pounded erratically. No words came to her. She became rigid, and no breath moved within her. She stared wide eyed and trembling.
No, no. it can’t be you.
The thought had become concrete in her mind, but she couldn’t trust her vision. This was a mirage. A dream she so passionately desired to be tangible. She shook her head and stared intently.
Maria smiled at Simone and looked into her eyes.
The black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt and a bright red bowtie, just as Maria had worn the first time that she set eyes on her looked very real. Simone reached out and tentatively made contact with the fine material. She swept her hands slowly over Maria’s body, warm to the touch.
She inhaled sharply as if she were taking her final breath. She shook her head and took a step back. She leaned forwards and blinked. Then a flash of fire rose up, and she slapped Maria around the face.
The sting burned and watered Maria’s eyes, and she cupped her cheek. “I’m sure I deserved that.” She smiled as Simone gasped and then tumbled into her arms. Simone caressed her cheek frantically, earnestly, and then tenderly, and it felt so good to be touched.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to… What? How?”
Simone stuttered.
She shook her head, and her fingers trembled as she touched Maria’s face, her head, her shoulders, and her neck. Maria took Simone’s hand and placed it against her thundering chest. “You feel it beating?” Simone was looking her up and down, shaking her head, and frowning.
“You’re alive?”
The confusion Maria saw in Simone’s eyes seared through her chest and clamped her heart. “Just about.” Her dry mouth and tight throat and the fragility in her own voice, reflected the uncertainty she had lived through in the past months.
Simone’s hand tensed, and her eyes narrowed, and then her teeth clenched. Maria feared another slap was coming and braced herself. And then Simone pulled back.
“Why didn’t you contact me?”
Simone’s tone held frustration and concern in equal measure.
Maria’s lungs deflated from the punch, and she hoped Simone could see the ache in her heart that she would have to live with for the rest of her life.
Profound sadness radiated from Simone’s eyes and ripped through Maria like locusts stripping a field of corn. She turned away and swallowed hard.
“I must have no contact with Sicily, Simone. None.”
Simone’s stare deepened the wound in Maria that would never heal.
“What about your family?”
Maria bowed her head and inhaled deeply. “It was the only way, Simone. My mother always expected this time would come.” She will grieve. “I took an opportunity that arose to create a future.” Maria felt the pressure tighten against her hand, and her heartbeat thumped harder against her ribs. Pain and joy burned behind her eyes. She tugged Simone to her chest and blinked as a tear slid down her cheek. Simone’s hair felt soft and silky at her fingertips. She kissed the top of her head.
She hadn’t forgotten how incredibly beautiful Simone was, but the intensity of the feelings she had for Simone had transformed during her time convalescing. Simone had given Maria the will to live despite all the odds against her. She had taken a huge risk, against medical advice, to be treated on the Octavia as she and the doctor travelled to Spain. If she had gone to hospital in Palermo, she would never have been allowed to die.
Being here, now, was nothing short of a miracle, and the money that had changed hands had been worth every euro.
She closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of apple blossom. So delicate, so sweet. Slowly she opened her eyes and held Simone closer. “I nearly didn’t survive. If I’d tried to contact you, you would have been in danger. The only people in Sicily who know I am alive are Giovanni and
the doctor who treated me. Both I trusted with my life.” She lifted Simone’s chin and kissed her. “I am Mariella Sanchez now.”
Tears trickled onto Simone’s cheeks. “In my world you died and left me.”
“In my world I died and became reborn.” Maria thumbed the wetness from Simone’s cheeks and smiled. “We can have a life together, Simone.”
Simone sniffled and her eyes reflected the soft, ambient light as she cast them over Maria’s face. Maria kissed Simone’s fingers and held them to her lips. “You wore the red dress.” She admired the soft curve of Simone’s breast and the prickling of Simone’s skin under her fingertips. As the shade of Simone’s soft flesh darkened, Maria felt a rush of heat cover her. Simone gasped. Maria tugged her closer. She reached her hand around Simone’s head and ran her fingers through her hair, and when she brought Simone’s lips to hers, it felt as though they tingled. So soft. So tender. She groaned and bit Simone’s lip. So real. The musical notes echoed distractingly around the auditorium. She released Simone and looked into her dark eyes. Her lips trembled and the urge to kiss Simone was strong.
Simone appealed to Maria through a frown as she shook her head.
“Don’t you dare do that to me again.”
Warmth settled like a blanket around Maria’s heart. She kissed Simone to quiet her and smiled. “I promise.”
Simone leaned her cheek against Maria’s chest. “I want to hear your heart beating again,” she whispered, “just to check I’m not dreaming.”
Maria’s spine tickled, and then softness enveloped her as her thoughts drifted to the night to come. Simone would explore the sensitive scars on Maria’s chest, and she would tell Simone everything she could remember about the incident on the boat.
Rafael had kept Maria informed. Vitale had been arrested for his involvement in covering up her father’s death, and although Alessandro wouldn’t ever be charged with Don Calvino’s assassination, he had paid the price and ju
stice had been served. Two of Don Chico’s henchmen had taken the fall for the hit on Alessandro and Maria on the basis that Chico stayed out of Sicily. Who knew how long Chico would comply? But Patrina had taken control of the Amatos business, and she would incriminate Chico if he broke their agreed truce.
Tonight, she didn’t want to talk. Maria wanted to hold Simone if she wanted to be held. She had nothing to hide from Simone. And while it might take Maria time to adjust to her newly found freedom of expression, she would talk openly with Simone about anything and everything. No more secrets. No more lies. No decision would be taken without Simone being a party to it.
The future she had fashioned while in the hospital bed filled her with vibrant energy and something too profound to be labelled. I love you.
She squeezed Simone tightly, hoping she felt it too.
The ballet drew Maria’s attention. White swans glided and twirled gracefully around the stage. She had seen this moment from as far back as she could remember, long before meeting Simone. Her dream had come true. Her heart sang in harmony with the musical notes reverberating around the auditorium, and she smiled at Simone. “Will you enjoy the ballet with me?”
Simone nodded. Maria saw the answer to the other question she intended to ask flash through Simone’s eyes. “Will you spend a lifetime with me?”
Simone bit her lip harder. The fizzing inside Maria intensified. She stared at Simone. Amazing.
Simone turned from the stage and looked at Maria. “What?”
Maria’s smile broadened. “Nothing.” She continued to stare at Simone. Stunning.
Simone kept her eyes on the stage. “Watch the ballet.”
Maria continued to stare at Simone. She couldn’t take her eyes from her. She wanted to hold her and never let her go. Later.
Simone turned to look at Maria and gasped softly. Maria smiled at the longing she saw in Simone’s eyes. She took Simone’s hand in hers and intertwined their fingers and met Simone’s quivering lips with her own in a delicate kiss. The intensity of the vibration that moved through Maria watered her eyes, and her voice broke.
“I am so in love with you,” Simone said though her words were muted by the booming orchestra.
Maria smiled and turned her attention to the ballet, enjoying the sensation of Simone’s hand in hers, Simone’s love caressing her heart. I know.
About Emma Nichols
Emma Nichols lives in Buckinghamshire with her partner and two children. She served for 12 years in the British Army, studied Psychology, and published several non-fiction books under another name, before dipping her toes into the world of lesbian fiction.
You can contact Emma through her website and social media:
www.emmanicholsauthor.com
www.facebook.com/EmmaNicholsAuthor
www.twitter.com/ENichols_Author
And do please leave a review if you enjoyed this book.
Reviews really help independent authors to
promote their work.
Thank you.
Other Books by Emma Nichols
Visit getbook.at/TheVincentiSeries to discover The Vincenti Series: Finding You, Remember Us and The Hangover.
Visit getbook.at/ForbiddenBook to start reading Forbidden Visit getbook.at/Ariana to delve into the bestselling summer lesbian romance Ariana.
Visit viewbook.at/Madeleine to be transported to post-WW2 France and a timeless lesbian romance.
Visit getbook.at/thisisme to check out my lesbian literary love story novella.
Visit getbook.at/SummerFate, viewbook.at/BlindFaith and getbook.at/christmasbizarre to enjoy the Duckton-by-Dale lesbian romcom novels.
Thanks for reading and supporting my work!
Document Outline
Thanks
Dedication
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
About Emma Nichols
Other Books by Emma Nichols
