Fighting For Mr. Beautiful: Eternal City Love, Book 2

by Passarelli, Caterina

  While I’ve been having an inner battle in my mind, I notice Leo has an oyster ready to eat. I watch him tip his head back and slip an oyster from its shell into his mouth. He licks his lips and places the shell on his plate. Damn … those lips are so sexy. I want them all over my body, right now, at this table.

  I thought you didn’t do it in public places? Shut up inner voice—you let me be a slut in the past!

  My turn! I pick up an oyster shell, tip my head back, and slowly pour it into my mouth. It’s slightly salty but I swallow it and then suck my bottom lip into my mouth. Biting down on it, I sure hope this is sexy to him. I’ve never tried to seduce a man before, that I can remember anyway.

  Leo adjusts himself into a new position in his seat. It’s working!

  “Signor Forte, you look uncomfortable. Are you okay?” I coo at him in a whisper across the table.

  “I’m hard for you and I want to take you across this table.”

  There’s that honesty again and he’s definitely not a gentleman like I thought! I put my elbows on the table and lean in towards him, putting my breasts on display.

  “Do you like what you see?”

  He eyes grow dark and I swear I hear him growl under his breath. Actually growl, like a beast.

  “I see you know what you’re doing to me and if you don’t stop we are going to fuck in the bathroom or we will be leaving right now.”

  Stop? This is way too much fun!

  Just then I get an idea.

  “Excuse me, I think I need to use the bathroom real quick.”

  I stride towards the ladies room with my newfound confidence. I walk into a stall and slip my black thong panties down my legs and ball them up in my hand. I leave the stall and take a quick look at myself in the mirror. I don’t even recognize this woman but she looks happy … and sexy. Glowing actually.

  Walking back towards our table with my little gift hidden in my hand gets me excited. I head towards Leo’s side of the table, realizing he’s changed his seat. He’s now sitting directly next to me. I stick the panties into his jacket pocket and whisper in his ear, “These are for you.”

  I fight the urge to bite down on his earlobe.

  Leo takes the panties out of his pocket, keeping them under the table only for his eyes to see, and then he looks back up at me.

  “Finish your wine, cara.”

  Just when I think I’ve won this little game, I feel a strong hand grasp my thigh under the table. He keeps it there, not moving it an inch while I pick up my wine glass, and just as I’m about to take a sip he slowly drags his hand up my thigh towards my sex, my hungry sex ready to skip this dinner and eat him alive.

  Damn girl! Calm your horny ass down, remember you are in public.

  I squeeze my thighs together, trapping his hand, and chug the rest of my wine. He pushes my thighs part and continues his crawl up my inner thigh. Slow and tortuous. The combination of the wine, his hand, and working myself up over this moment has my skin flushed. I’m on fire!

  Leo’s hand reaches my pussy and he drags a finger through my folds. I’m wet for him and he knows it.

  “Leo, we are in public,” I say breathlessly in a whisper, trying not to draw attention to our table. We are sitting in the middle of the room, surrounded by other couples.

  “You started this cara, so we are going to finish it.”

  Before I can argue, he pinches my clit and I knock my thankfully empty wine glass over. The couple at the table next to ours stares at me and I just laugh it off; hopefully they’ll chalk it up to me looking like I’m trashed.

  Relentless in his pursuit, Leo starts to circle my clit with my juices and I feel my legs start to shake. I grab on to the tablecloth with my fist, trying not to display the absolute pleasure I’m feeling across my telling face.

  “Elena, you look a little flushed?” Leo teases me. But before I can retort back a smart ass comment, he sticks a finger inside my pussy. I’m hypersensitive right now, feeling every single emotion on overdrive.

  Leo thrusts his finger in and out of my entrance, pushing me towards my limit. I feel like I’m about to explode and black out. I let out a quiet moan and shut my eyes. Just then Leo pulls his fingers out of my core and starts to flick his finger over my sweet spot. I can’t control myself. I orgasm all over his hand.

  I keep my eyes closed for a minute longer and just when I open them I spot our waiter making his way over to our table. If he had shown up a minute sooner, then he would have seen you!

  “Oh my god. I can’t believe we just did that,” I say, making eye contact with the beautiful Italian man at my side.

  He takes his hand out from under the table, and I watch as he slowly brings a finger to his mouth and sucks on it. Fuck that was hot!

  “Spinach risotto.”

  “That’s me,” Leo says to our waiter.

  We have the rest of our meals, dessert, and after dinner espresso in comfortable conversation. We drop the game of ‘pretend it’s our first date’ and I notice how much I enjoy his company. He makes me feel at about myself—except when it comes to the sex talk of course. We chat about our latest projects at work, he asks about Marco and Alessandra (I realize I need to call her), and I tell him a little more about my last memories before coming to America.

  As we step out of the restaurant, a cameraman spots us heading to the car and rushes over snapping pictures. It’s dark out and the flash right in my face causes me to stumble, but I grab Leo’s arm. He doesn’t let me fall, instead wrapping his arm around me to pull me in close to his chest.

  Flash, flash, flash.

  “Leo! Elena! Any word on the shooter?” The pap shouts, even though he’s directly in front of our faces, hovering so close I can smell his garlic breath.

  “Are you nervous walking the streets of Rome?! Will you pose for a picture?!”

  Flash, flash, flash.

  Mateo pulls the town car up quickly to the curb, and we dash inside the backseat. I’m grateful that the car windows are tinted.

  “I apologize signor, I didn’t know you were finished eating,” Mateo says, looking at us through the rearview mirror.

  “It’s not your fault, Mateo. I should have texted you to let you know. I figured Elena and I could take a walk down the street, it’s my fault,” Leo says back to his faithful friend in a surprisingly calm voice.

  Leo pulls me closer to him. I’m practically in his lap now, but this feels perfect. Like it’s my spot. I feel safe in this strong man’s arms. You belong here.

  “Elena, you’re shaking. Are you okay la mia amore?”

  My love. My heart melts a little in hearing him say that—I love the way that sounds.

  “Yes, just got a little startled, I guess.” I nuzzle my head into his neck. “The other day I completely forgot that I should be on alert for my safety and now maybe I’m too aware of my surroundings.”

  “I will never let anyone hurt you again,” he says, pulling me even tighter against him, “I give you my word.”

  I cuddle into his warm chest and we drive back to my apartment in silence, remaining in each other’s arms.

  We pull up outside my apartment, and Leo walks with me until we reach my door. I smile up at him—my protector—and thank him for a lovely dinner. I want to thank him for a lovely orgasm as well, but I decide right now is not the time for my “smart mouth”—as he likes say.

  Leo leans in and plants a soft kiss on my cheek.

  “My pleasure. When can I see you again?”

  “Tomorrow?”

  I want to ask him to come in but I think that’s a little forward. He fingered you at the dinner table!

  “Tomorrow can’t come soon enough,” he says as he plants a kiss on the other cheek. “Goodnight bella.”

  9

  Knock, knock, knock.

  Again with this early morning shit?

  I glance over at my alarm clock and see it’s 6 a.m. Why me!? I drag myself from my warm bed and this time take a look at my sleepwear—y
ou never know who’s at the door. With black yoga pants and a T-shirt on, I head towards whoever is pounding on the front door.

  Knock, knock, knock

  I peak through the peephole and spot two police officers. Maybe they caught the shooter!

  I swing open the door, a little too excited.

  “Good morning Signora Scott, I’m officer Barsotti and this is officer Adessi.”

  “Come in officers. Would you like some coffee?”

  They take me up on the offer for coffee—like any good Italian should—and I invite them into the kitchen area of my open floor plan apartment.

  “We came because we wanted to give you an update on our investigation into the shooting,” officer Adessi says while taking a sip of his black coffee. “We are currently having the note that was delivered to Signor Forte analyzed for fingerprints.”

  I realize now I’ve never asked what that note said. Again with my carelessness.

  “It said—‘I’ve been watching you and your little girlfriend too’—and it was on a white card in a white envelope written in black ink. No return address, of course. Signor Forte said he didn’t recognize the handwriting. We should have brought it for you. If you want to come to the police station, then we could show you.”

  I’ve been watching you. Chills run down my body and I notice I have goose bumps, I knew I was being watched. I sit down on one of the bar stools, realizing I may pass out.

  “I can’t go to the police station today, I have a shift at the caffé in about an hour. Can I come after?”

  “Si, you can come anytime you’d like,” officer Barsotti says.

  “Are there any leads?” I know from Mateo and Leo that they don’t have any—I think the guys are in contact with the police every day—but I have to ask out of my own curiosity.

  “We have a few leads that have come through our tip line but they need to be checked out because most have turned up empty. We won’t know until we do a little more police work though.”

  “Grazie for coming to give me an update. I truly appreciate that.”

  They hand me their cards and let me know that I can call them if I think of anything or need any help. I escort them out of my apartment, wash their coffee cups, and stroll to the shower to get ready for work. Even though I got a full night’s sleep, I feel like I’m dragging ass now. Exhausted and scared.

  Snap out of it! You’ve never acted like you’re a victim when life throws you a curveball.

  Curveball? No, life shot a bullet at me. At Leo.

  I realize I need to ask him tonight who is bodyguarding him since he’s given me his main man, Mateo.

  My shift goes by peacefully and I’m starting to recognize regular customers again. Signora Lucca comes in every day to check on how I’m doing and to ask if I’ve gotten my memories back yet. I sadly have to tell her ‘no’ each and every day, but I find her comforting in her pursuit. I’m glad to have people in my life who care about me.

  When my shift is nearing its end a teenage boy dressed in a messenger’s outfit comes into the caffé asking for me. With a huge smile, he hands me a red envelope. Could this be from the shooter? Could this be the shooter? I drop the envelope and feel all the color drain from my face.

  “Elena, Elena. Are you okay?” Marco asks, picking the envelope up off the floor.

  “Open it please Marco,” I whisper with my eyes locked on the door of the caffé. Why did I let the messenger leave?

  “Are you sure you want me to open it?”

  “Yes! Just do it, please!”

  Marco does what I ask and opens the envelope and then his frown turns into a huge grin. “I think you’re going to want to read this yourself,” he says, handing me it back.

  Bella,

  Mateo is waiting outside to start tonight’s adventure! I will meet you at the end of your scavenger hunt—if you can find me. Can’t wait to see you!

  Your amore,

  Leo

  PS—Ditch the panties

  My face heats up with the line about the panties. I look up to meet Marco’s eyes and we both start laughing! Of course, he read that part too.

  “He’s smooth! I think if I told a lady to ‘ditch her panties’ she’d slap me,” Marco says in between catching his breath from laughing.

  “You just haven’t found the right lady to say it to yet!” I say.

  Marco is a great guy. I need to find him a lady friend, and he deserves it for sure.

  “What are you standing around here for? Go out and start your adventure!”

  Marco practically shoves me out of the caffé and into Mateo’s waiting town car.

  Mateo turns around from the driver’s seat smiling. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Mateo smile like this before. He looks genuinely happy.

  “Are you ready, Elena?”

  “Si! Let’s get this party started, Mateo!” I giggle.

  I don’t think I’ve been this excited over something in a long time. I actually feel a little nervous flutter in my stomach.

  Mateo drives for 10 minutes and I see we’ve pulled up outside a gelato bar. He comes around to open the door for me and tells me my next clue is waiting inside—giving me no further clues.

  I walk in and see the place is packed! Many Italians stand around the counter eating their gelato or drinking espresso. Through all the chaos of happy customers, a short Italian woman rushes up to me handing me another red envelope and a hazelnut gelato in a cup. She winks and then gets right back to work. She doesn’t even say a word.

  I take my ice cream and note outside. Opening the envelope—

  Enjoy your favorite dessert my sweet! I wish I could be licking it off your gorgeous body—maybe that’s what I’ll do later. ;)

  Go to the place where coins bring wishes.

  Your love,

  Leo

  I look up at Mateo who was waiting for me to finish reading the note. “We need to go to the Trevi Fountain.”

  I’m disappointed I can only take a few bites of my gelato because my stomach is still in excited knots—like a million little butterflies dancing inside. I hate the thought of wasting something so delicious, but this must be a sign of how eager I truly am. I never turn down gelato!

  We pull up outside the Trevi Fountain and I jump out of the town car like a kid on Christmas. I have no idea what I’m supposed to look for. I scan the people throwing coins over their shoulders and I have a sudden sense of déjà vu. Have I done this before? Must have been when I came to Italy when I was a teenager.

  I’m staring around, looking at everything with a detective’s eye, when a young boy and his mom walk up to me. The boy asks if I’m Elena, even though I can tell he knows exactly who I am. His mom smiles and urges him to hand me the red envelope he’s holding. I take the envelope with shaky hands and rip it open. When I look back up I notice the mom and son are gone.

  I will fight to gain back your trust.

  I will conquer your heart & make you mine.

  I will win your love.

  We are champions when we are together.

  Fight … conquer … win… champions.

  I got it!

  “Mateo! We need to go to the Coliseum,” I say, rushing back towards the car.

  “Wait! You need to make a wish at the fountain. Why waste the trip?” he says, handing me a coin. I really don’t want to waste time getting to the Coliseum, but Mateo looks interested in this game. Okay, I’ll throw the stinkin’ coin into the famous fountain. I swear this is super silly, but after all Mateo’s done for him, I’ll do it.

  I position myself with my back to the fountain and think hard about my wish. I decide I’ll wish for my memories of Leo back—yes, even the not-so-good ones—I want them all. I throw the coin over my shoulder and think.

  I wish for true head-over-heels love and death do us part marriage!

  Whoa. Where did that come from? That’s not the wish I was planning to make and it completely catches me off guard. But it feels right, like it’s meant to
be. Do I even want the things I just said? Well, yes, of course. Will Leo provide those things? I have no clue and I guess I’ll never know if I stand at this fountain forever.

  Mateo stops the car outside the Coliseum near a private entrance away from the huge line of tourists waiting to get inside. I’m escorted inside by a staff member and taken to a great view of the interior arena. I stand at the railing and look out at the enormous space and imagine what it would look like full of people. Terrifying yet thrilling. A piece of history.

  As I’m looking out, I don’t even bother to look for a clue as I figure someone will come up to me and, just like the past two locations, I’m correct. An older man with a cane walks up to me with a red envelope.

  “You’re just as lovely in person,” he says and hands me the envelope. I can barely say thank you before he darts away.

  There’s no clue for your last spot. Mateo knows where to go.

  If you’re ready to give me another try to win your heart, let him know you want to go to the next destination.

  If not & your fresh start still stands, I can’t bear the thought of me without you.

  You are my love.

  And I can promise you I’ve never said that to another woman, ever. I’ve never felt this for another woman, ever.

  There is no one else for me.

  Your Leo

  10

  I read the last letter a good five times before I head out of the Coliseum in search for Mateo. He’s standing nearby, of course, never taking me out of his sight. The older man gives me a look of ‘well, what next?’ but doesn’t say anything.

  I get into the town car and read the letter one more time just for good measure.

  You are my love.

  There is no one else for me.

  Isn’t this just what I threw a stupid coin into a fountain and wished for? A love like this. Maybe there was a reason I lost my memories. At first I was ‘boo hoo’ over having my memories gone, and then I was angry that everyone knew the details about my life but me, and then I just gave up with this charade of starting fresh. But maybe this was my fate? To wipe that drama with Leo away for a fresh start to see him in a new light. To give him the chance to prove himself to me. For me to see what I fought for—what I was willing to give my life for.