Now that I’ve gotten my release I know how not to be selfish. I take her hand and lead her to the shower, turning on the water while I fondle her breasts and suck hard at each nipple. Then I tease her clit, massaging my thumb over her bundle of nerves.

When the water is warm enough, I step into the shower, pulling her with me, grabbing her throat and kissing her, then slipping my fingers inside her pussy. She lifts a leg up and hooks it over my hip and I drive three of my fingers deep inside her, stopping only when I feel her body shaking against mine, and feel the warm liquid come out of her.

Once we’re both satisfied, the shower feels comforting, and we take turns washing the sweat off our bodies.

We get out of the shower together, wrapping ourselves in towels, and making our way to the bed. Tired, drunk, and now completely spent, I fall asleep with Emelia lying on my chest.

Chapter Twelve

Emelia

I can feel Luca’s warm body against mine and hear his soft and steady breathing.

I open my eyes, slowly wriggle out of his embrace, and sneak out of the bed, heading into the bathroom. I’m not ready for him to see my freshly-woken-up face just yet.

I look at myself in the mirror—my hair a mess, tiny bruises already forming all over my naked body where his fingers had pressed hard into my skin, and a stupid smile stuck on my face.

I did it. Not once, not even twice because last night was so many times I couldn’t even count. I got Luca Baldini to bare himself to me, in more ways than one.

I know that he thinks he took control and had his way with me, but I enjoyed every second of it. Every time I felt him enter me, every time his hands were on my body, I could feel my plan coming together with each moan and gasp between us.

I brush my teeth, rinse my face in cold water, and tidy my honey-brown locks. I can hear Luca starting to stir in the bed, and I quietly make my way back, managing to slip back in next to him just before he opens his eyes.

For a second, I worry that he’s going to wake up in a different mood from the one he went to sleep in. I’m hoping it’s not instant regret that he opens his eyes to.

I’m lying with my back to him, to soften the blow in case he does jump right out of bed as soon as he realizes I’m next to him.

“Buongiorno,” he says softly, stroking my arm. “I’m starving.”

I turn to look at him, smiling. His steely blue eyes are soft this morning. “Buongiorno. Should we go and get breakfast?”

“Mmm. Let me just shower.” He stands up and walks to the shower. I watch his naked body from behind, my thoughts flashing back to last night and the electricity that sparked between us.

I’m tempted to jump in the shower with him, but I’m not sure my body can take much more right now. Instead, I wait until he’s done and then quickly shower myself.

As soon as we’re both dressed, we head out of the room and down to the big dining room, where family members are already out having breakfast. Luca holds my hand all the way from the room to the dining hall, and only lets go when the women greet me and pull me away from him.

I give him a little smile and blow a kiss as I follow the ladies to the mimosa table and we discuss the previous night’s party.

The food set out is an absolute feast. There’s muffins and quiche galore, as well as platters upon platters of fruit. On another table, I see a buffet of plain scrambled eggs as well as huevos rancheros, plus some bacon and sausage and those crumbed mushrooms that I love.

None of these women seem too shy about loading their plates and eating their fair share, and it makes me feel easier about indulging a bit. It doesn’t hurt that as soon as my mimosa glass is looking a little empty, it gets refilled immediately.

I can tell that these people like me. I usually make a good first impression on people. And I am confident enough in myself and in this situation that I’m sure if Luca hadn’t brought me with him, things would not have gone his way so quickly.

For the rest of breakfast, Luca is outside with the men and I am inside. I chat a bit with each of the women, and then sit down at a table by myself as soon as I have a small break.

I look at my phone and open my period tracking app. I smile as I see that what I thought was correct. This weekend falls perfectly within my ovulation period. And since there was no time for condoms last night, while Luca was quite literally fucking my brains out, there is a chance that I could be carrying a Baldini heir right now. The thought sends a spark through my stomach.

I'm not alone with my excited thoughts for very long when the other women come to the table and join me, inviting me to their day of shopping and lounging by the pool. Which let's be real, sounds pretty perfect.

But almost as soon as the food is done, Luca comes to pull me away from my new friends. “I’m so sorry, ladies, but Emelia, darling,” I smile as he throws in the endearment, “we need to pack up and get ready to head home, sadly.” It’s his turn to smile, but it’s directed at the partners’ wives, who all make sad sounds at the announcement of us leaving.

“Of course, honey.” I enjoy being able to throw in my own loving nickname for him. “I'm right behind you.” We need to do a bit of a clean-up in the room, too, after our escapades last night. Thankfully we were careful enough that nothing broke, but the room looks like a warzone currently.

Luca and I head back to our room and clean up and pack mostly in silence. I can tell he’s busy mulling things over in his head, and the details of this deal are a lot.

We take our bags down to the cars and say our goodbyes to the partners and their families. Even the kids come out to say goodbye, and Carlos’ youngest son has drawn a picture of me in my purple dress.