Page 76 of Number 10 Affair

"Are you okay? I didn't hurt you right?" I asked, as my gaze roamed over her throat and chest.

"I have never been better, you don't need to worry, you can't break me so easily. I like when you're being rough with me," she said with a smile.

"You are full of surprises," I said, drawing my fingers down between her breasts. "Now, let's go for a swim."

I was ready to fuck her again, she was so fucking perfect, but I jumped into the water instead to push that thought away for now, because we really needed to head back. My head kept spinning, and the water felt so refreshing. I imagined owning a villa on the island. Maja would love it, and then I could invite the family here, too.

Laura hesitated for a split second before stripping off and getting into the sea.

She dove underwater then emerged, smiling at me. I brought her closer, and we floated, taking in all the sensations of the moment.

“I needed this break, so thank you for convincing me to come along.” She touched my cheek.

We locked eyes, and I shuddered, drowning in those green depths. My heart raced, and the realisation hit me like a bulldozer. I was falling head over heels for Laura, hard and fucking fast.

My own heart was jackhammering inside my chest at the unexpected realisation, but I held her close as we both drifted over the surface of the water. We stared at each other for a long time, silently communicating and knowing what was suddenly forming between us. We didn't need to say anything and deep down that petrified me a little, because I never had this with anyone else.

“Glad to be of service,” I replied, though I wanted to say something more meaningful and romantic. It was the fear of the past, old limitations and insecurities that turned me into a robot—how did I turn it off? “Come on, princess. As much as I want to stay here with you for the rest of the night, I don’t want you to be eaten by a shark.”

She laughed and kissed me. I cupped her head, devouring her mouth. Feeling her to the depths of my soul. When we parted for breath, her eyes screamed thousands of unspoken words.

I knew this love was either going to be my end or my beginning.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Laura

“Let me see if I've this right. Francesco is your second cousin, right? He’s married and has four kids?” I questioned Spencer on the way to Trapani to visit his Italian family.

Spencer’s security team was following behind in a separate van, and there was one more agent sitting in front beside the driver.

“Uncle Francesco is so funny, and Catarina, Domenico, and Pierre love playing with me, but they only speak a bit of English,” Maja shouted from the back.

Rupert had gone out and never returned home last night. I didn't know what was going on with him, but apparently, Spencer had spoken to him over the phone this morning. He had no idea where he was because Rupert didn’t want to tell him anything, which made me wonder if maybe he was secretly seeing Veronica. But how? She’d said she didn’t have time to visit Sicily, and if she did, she’d tell me, right?

“Don’t forget about little Luca, I think he’s almost two now,” Spencer said to his daughter.

This was our fourth week on the island, and I was looking forward to meeting Maja’s cousins. She was so excited and had barely stopped talking about them, although I wasn’t sure how she would communicate with them. Spencer mentioned she’d taken Italian classes before, but she only knew a few phrases.

A couple of hours later, after a very fun drive with the three of us joking and laughing, we finally arrived in Castellammare del Golfo, near Trapani, and Lorenzo parked in front of a large house on a hill. We all got out of the car, and I quickly pulled Spencer aside. The security team parked next to us, and a moment later, the agents started getting out. One of them nodded to Spencer before following the others inside.

Maja jumped up and down in excitement when a tall Italian man greeted her with an outpouring of affection and slightly broken English. Spencer grabbed my hand and walked me towards the gate where his cousin stood. The sun was blazing, and sweat was already dripping down my body. Spencer had on a white polo t-shirt and blue shorts. I always thought he was hot, but then he was like Adonis, especially when he was so tanned.

An old woman embraced me, speaking in rapid Italian while squeezing me tightly. After she finally let go of me, she took my face in her palms and gave me two kisses on both cheeks.

“Zia Sofia, st’è la tata di Maja e la mia ragazza,”1 Spencer said.

I really had to take lessons because I couldn’t understand a thing.

“Finalmente ti sei trovato una donna. Ma questa è solo pelle e ossa. Dobbiamo ingrassarla un pò,”2 Sofia pointed at me.

“So you must be Laura. Spencer can’t shut up about you. My name is Beatrice, and I’m Francesco’s wife.” Another woman appeared out of nowhere and finally freed me from Sofia. She cradled an adorable toddler in her arms.

“Yes, hello, it’s so nice to meet you. Maja has been so excited to see her cousins." I touched the face of the cutest curly-haired boy I had ever seen.

Shying away, he hid against his mother’s chest.

After exchanging pleasantries, we strolled towards the house.

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