I watch Enzo hand out a hundred-dollar bill to the bellboy and my mouth falls open.
“A hundred bucks?” I ask when the young man is gone.
“Yes, it’s a thankless job, so it’s the least I can do.”
“Mr. Over the Top.”
“Does it bother you, my generosity?” he asks.
“Not in the slightest. It awes me.”
“Why?” He genuinely looks perplexed.
“Do you know how long it takes normal people to make a hundred dollars? When I used to come here, that was like half my gambling budget for the whole trip. And you just gave it to him like it was a five-dollar bill.” I shake my head.
“It makes me happy to be able to do things like that. I have too much money for one person, even for ten people,” Enzo explains. “I like doing things with my money that will help make life easier for someone else.”
“Like me?”
“Yes, like you, before we were married, but now it’s your money too. You can do whatever you want with it, you know. You’re still very frugal.”
I smile. “Old habits die hard. So how much did this trip set you back for all of us?”
“I didn’t pay for the entire trip. It was split between me, Calvin and Checca.”
“Oh? I didn’t know that.”
“Yes, this is how we do it every year, and we just invited guests this time. Last year we stayed at the Palazzo, and the year before that at the Encore. It’s a ritual.”
An unwelcome thought flashes through my mind. If he came here every year, he probably always had a date. I have no reason to feel jealous about it, but I do.
“Hey, look at me.” He lifts my chin up so my eyes meet his. “I know what you’re thinking. It’s all over your face. You think I brought women with me on my trips, don’t you?”
I shake my head, even though I know it’s useless. Poker face fail.
“Ava, I never brought anyone here with me, ever. The one time I came out for a hotel opening, I had a date arranged for me through a colleague. We come alone every year, all three of us. Sometimes we invited other friends along, but no romantic interests.”
“How do you do that?” I ask him. “How do you know exactly what I’m thinking all the time?”
“Because I know you,” he replies. “I know how you over-think everything and that my past still lingers in your mind. And it’s easy to understand why as it has certainly reared its head more than a few times. But we’re here, you and me, and we’re going to make new memories and new traditions… starting today.”
My face spreads into a huge smile. “Can we go back to what we were doing on the balcony?”
“Do you want to do it on the balcony?” His eyes twinkle.
“That’s not a bad idea, but I think we could be seen, couldn’t we?”
Enzo glances out the window. “Yes, you’re probably right. I don’t think any of our friends need to know us that well.” He laughs.
“We haven’t seen the rest of the room yet. Maybe we should test the bed and see if it’s comfortable enough.”
“A test run? Good idea, Mrs. Milano,” he says with a wink.
“I’m full of them, Mr. Milano.”
He laughs. “I used to hate it when you called me that, or sir. Now I find it quite attractive.”
“It’s likely you hated it because I was being a raging smart ass when I said it.”
“That could be why as well. Shall we go take a nap?”
“As long as you have no intention of sleeping,” I answer.
“I assure you, I do not.”
****
“I need some food. Can we go out to eat soon?” I ask, stepping out from under the hot water.
The shower is almost as nice as the one at home. This bathroom is gorgeous. The area is covered in caramel-colored marble with a glass surround, a rain showerhead and water jets down both sides. In the corner is an inviting-looking soaking tub that looks like something I’d like to use before we leave. The vanity is black marble, which sets it off nicely from the lighter marble. The hotel provided fluffy robes, which I promptly wrap myself in.
“Certo. What are you in the mood for?” Enzo asks when he finishes brushing his teeth at the vanity.
“A buffet.”
He crinkles his nose. “A buffet? Amore, that food is usually not very good.”
“Listen, I know we’re going to do Vegas your way, but I want to do it my way too. And my way includes buffets.”
He sighs. “As you wish.”
“This is part of being regular. Regular people who come to Vegas eat at buffets.”
Enzo grabs me around the waist. “I’ll indulge you in this, because it pleases you, but it’s time you shook off this idea of being regular. Our life is our life, and there is nothing regular about it. I want you to embrace everything that life has to offer. I want to shower you in the finest things. Do you understand how much pleasure it gives me?”
“I do. Have I offended you?” I ask him. “I don’t want you to think I don’t appreciate our life together.”
“I’m not offended, but sometimes it feels like you try to avoid the lifestyle that money gives you. I don’t understand it.”
“Honestly, it’s not the money, it’s the privilege. It feels strange to me because I didn’t earn it. You did. I do enjoy it, but I always feel like I should try to remember what it feels like to be a peasant.”
He laughs. “Peasant? Where did you come up with that?”
I feel my cheeks blush. “I just mean that it feels as if we get treated like royalty.”
“Listen, Ava, you did earn all of this. You’re so good and loving that you deserve everything I can possibly give you. If that means you’re treated like a princess, so be it.”
I laugh. “Working on it. I’m much better than I was, right? My closet is full of the proof.”
“Yes, you are a good shopper,” he agrees. “In fact, I expect you to use your privilege while we’re here. Vegas has some of the best designers around. I want you to have anything you want.”
“I know. I have an Amex card taunting me inside my handbag.”
“Excellent. You can start after lunch. You don’t have a dress for tomorrow night yet, right?” Enzo asks as he unties my robe and runs his hands over my hips.
“That’s correct. I probably shouldn’t dress shop after gorging myself, but I’m going to anyway. The girls and I are going to shop.”
“Va bene.”
“What will you boys do?”
“Gamble.”
“Really? What do you play?”
“High-stakes poker, baby,” he answers, his eyes glimmering with excitement.
“Wow. That’s serious stuff.”
“It is. Why do you think they roll out the red carpet for me? I’m a big spender and they treat me as such.” He plants a kiss on my neck. “Last time I was here, I won twenty-five thousand dollars, but I probably spent fifty.”
“Fifty thousand..?” I ask, staring at him.
He nods.
“Seriously? I can’t even imagine spending that much money on anything.”
“It was incredible fun,” he remembers. “Maybe that should be your goal this trip.”
“What?”
“Spend fifty thousand dollars in two and half days. Can you do it?”
“Boy, you are a gambling man.”
“Are you up for it?” he asks, grinning.
I shake my head. Spend fifty thousand dollars? How am I going to do that? I know I can do some shopping damage, but that’s excessive for anyone.
“Can I spend the money any way I want?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Why are you challenging me like this?”
“I want you to know what it feels like to spend freely. I want you to have the mindset of spending rather than the opposite that you presently walk around with.”
I grin mischievously. “Okay, you’re on.”
“One caveat – you can’t tell your friends
.”
“Why?”
“Because you’ll get too much help,” he replies.
“But I can buy them things if I want to?”
He nods. “Certo.”
“I accept this challenge. Be careful what you wish for, sir.”
Enzo’s eyes twinkle. “When you talk to me like that, I just want to bend you over and smack that smart little ass of yours.”
Whoa, that came out of nowhere. Trigger word – sir.
“Is that so? You’ll have to catch me first,” I yell, running past him out of the bathroom. He quickly catches me and throws me down on the bed, pinning my hands above my head.
“Shall I spank you now?” he asks.
Enzo’s deep blue eyes penetrate straight through me and I find myself wanting it. My breathing quickens with excitement. “Yes, please.”
His eyes widen and a seductive smile graces his face. “Are you sure?”
Mmm, raspy voice is back. I love that I have this effect on him.
“Do you want to?” I ask.
“More than you know.”
“Then I want you to.”
Pushing my robe open, Enzo runs his hands all over my body. He then takes my hand, pulls me up from the bed and walks me over to the sofa in the room. Sitting down, he stands me in front of him. His hands glide up my body to squeeze my breasts. I throw my head back and soak in the pleasure.
“Kneel down,” he commands.
A tingle of pleasure shoots through my body at his words. I clamber onto his lap, face down. He lifts my robe up over my ass and runs his hands over my skin, which feels on fire under his touch. Enzo gently pulls my robe off and throws it onto the floor. I’m tense with anticipation. Is he really going to spank me? Will it hurt?
“Your skin, Ava, is so beautiful. If you want me to stop, just say so, okay.”
“Okay.”
“Promise me,” he says.
“I promise.”
Enzo’s hand comes down, softly in a tiny smack. He slaps both cheeks in this way, rubbing them in between.
This is okay. I can handle this.
Smack! His hand meets my skin, leaving a slight sting as it does.
This feels great, just like that morning many months ago.
Smack. Ah, yes.
Smack. It feels harder this time.
Smack. His hand slaps my skin really hard. Then he rubs my stinging flesh as the blood rushes to my head.
All I can hear is Enzo’s breathing, which is heavy and lustful. Every slap produces a loud exhalation from him and every rub an inhale. This is really turning him on. It’s doing the same to me.
Three more smacks come close together. I wince each time, but I don’t want to ask him to stop. I like it. A lot.
Enzo parts my legs slightly and slides a finger in between, swirling around in the wetness gathering there.
“This feels good, amore?”
“Yes.”
“You’re wet.”
“Yes.”
Suddenly, Enzo flips me over and stands me up, before spreading my legs open and pulling me closer. He pushes a finger into me, pumping my engorged sex slowly. Without warning, his hot mouth is upon me, kissing my stomach and my thighs. Instinctively, I open my legs wider, allowing him access to me.
I feel his tongue press against my clit, swirling in decadent motions, sucking gently. I brace myself on his shoulders and wrap one leg around his back. One finger, then two, plunges deep within me. He knows exactly how to make me come and I love the feel of it. Writhing against him, I push myself into his face and his fingers, restless, longing for one more orgasm.
Enzo pushes every button of mine perfectly and I can’t get enough. I throw my head back, my hair tickling the top of my ass, where the fingers of his other hand dig into my flesh. I grind a little more, moaning loudly and saying his name.
“That’s right, Ava, say my name.”
“Enzo, baby, it feels so good.”
“Who does this to you? Who makes you feel so good?”
“You.”
He pumps his fingers into me, fast and hard, hitting me in just the right spot. “Who do you belong to? Who owns your orgasms?”
“Oh God, Enzo, you do. Always…”
“That’s right, always. You’re mine, Ava.”
“Yes, yours.”
“Now you need to come for me. Come for your husband…”
Enzo sucks hard on my clitoris, pushing me into an unbelievable climax. I dig my nails into his back as he grips me tightly to keep me from falling backwards. Grabbing me around my waist, he turns me down onto the sofa, face down. His hands pull my hips up until I’m on my knees and then he enters me quickly without any build-up. Silently, he thrusts into me, pounding away as he holds my hips. I’m filled with him and I’m beyond emotion, crazy with passion.
I feel his body tense and realize he will come soon, so I arch my back to push into him more, knowing how to get him excited. A low, deep noise leaves his throat as he climaxes, pumping slower now as he releases himself into my depths. We slump together, his weight pressed against my back and heat emanating between us.
Kissing my shoulder, Enzo rises from the sofa, extending his hand to help me up. Pulling me against him, he kisses me. “That was amazing,” he says.
“Yes.”
“The spanking was okay for you?” he asks softly.
“I liked it. It turned you on?”
“You turn me on.”
“But you enjoyed spanking me?”
“Yes, very much,” he replies.
“You can do it again.” My voice is soft. “We can do lots of things together, Enzo. Anything you want.”
I need him to know that I am not afraid of his past. I want him to feel like he can express himself sexually with me, however he wants.
“I know.”
“I want to be your fantasy, babe,” I tell him. “Everything you want or think, you can have with me.”
Enzo wraps his arms around my waist and kisses my cheek. “You are my fantasy. Do you know the first thing I do every morning when I wake up?”
I shake my head.
“I look at you and watch you sleep. I touch your gorgeous skin and your beautiful, shiny hair. Then I kiss your sweet face, and thank God you’re there, lying next to me. You are beyond my fantasies.”
“You’re so sweet.”
“You inspire me.”
“Thank you.”
“I want to be your fantasy too. Do you have any thoughts that you haven’t shared with me yet?” he asks.
“Our sex life is amazing,” I answer. “I don’t have time to think of fantasies.”
He looks deep into my eyes. “Doesn’t mean you don’t have any…”
“I’ll think about it. Let’s get dressed. I’m freaking starving.”
“You get dressed. I’ll call everyone and tell them where we’re meeting.”
I head into the bathroom to freshen up after my unexpected ravishing. That little spanking interlude was pretty hot and I would happily do it again. I brush my teeth and wrap my hair up.
It has been a long time since I’ve fantasized about anything. With Enzo, what fantasy could live up to him? I’ll have to think about that question for a while. I finish my face with some eye cream and lip gloss, and throw on some jeans and a sweater. Then I head back out into the living room where Enzo is talking on the phone.
“Yes, it’s a buffet. Ava wants to go there and she says it’s good.” He chuckles. “I know. It’s new for me too. Okay, see you in a few, Cal.”
I feel my cheeks heat up in the realization that this is slumming to them. Enzo and his entourage are used to eating at the finest, trendiest places and now they’ll have to eat with the commoners. Part of me feels embarrassed and part of me feels like I should be able to do whatever I want.
I hear my phone ring. It’s Cassie.
“Hey girl,” I say, cheerfully.
“Ava, what the fuck?” she complains. “A buffet – really?�
�
“Is that a problem for you?”
“Uh, yeah, for a couple of reasons,” she replies. “First of all, we are going dress shopping in a couple of hours and I don’t want to feel like a stuffed pig. Second, I want to go somewhere nice. There are so many posh restaurants in Vegas. I’ve been saving up for this trip for two months. I want to have fun.”
I’m outnumbered. “Alright, I give.”
“Just like that? You’re not going to fight me?”
“No, Cass. I’m not fighting all of you.”
“What’s wrong, girl?” Cassie’s voice softens.
I sigh. “Nothing, I’ll see you in a few in the lobby.”
“Ava? Come on, it’s me. I was just teasing.”
“I know. I’m fine. We can chat later.”
“Okay,” she replies. “See you soon.”
Enzo comes up behind me and rubs my shoulders. “Amore, what’s wrong. You seem sad.”
“I’m not sad. I’m just… adjusting.”
“Adjusting to what?” he asks.
“To everything, all of this,” I tell him. “We don’t need to go to the buffet. We can go anywhere that everyone else wants to go. I was just trying to keep it real.”
“Keep it real? I don’t understand.”
“It means to remember where you come from – not be a diva,” I try to explain.
He smiles, and it’s such a sweet smile. “Be a diva. Remember the challenge?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“Shall we go?”
“Yes.”
I put on a light jacket and slide into my boots. “I’m ready.”
“Ava, I love you with every ounce of my being. I want the world for you. I just want you to remember that.”
“I know. I feel the same.”
“Don’t let the money thing get to you,” he says, soothingly.
“I’m working on it.”
He kisses my cheek.
We make our way down fifty floors to the lobby where everyone is already waiting for us. Cassie jumps up and runs over to hug me.
“Are you mad at me?” she asks.
“Don’t be stupid. Of course not.”
“So, where are we going?” Enzo asks the group.
Calvin stands. “I thought we could go over to Otto Enoteca Pizzeria. It’s in the Venetian.”
Turn Towards the Sun Book Two: After the Rain Page 24
