Page 48 of Influence

I stood beside her, absorbing the beauty stretching before us, where the horizon shifted in hues of orange and pink, each brushstroke of color painting a breathtaking picture as daybreak approached.

“I knew you’d love it,” I murmured, drawing her closer as we watched the dawn unfold its radiant hues.

This was the very spot where, as a child, I’d seen my parents greet each morning with quiet reverence. Now, every sunrise was ours to cherish.

“This place is all yours now, Laya. Together, we’re going to create beautiful memories here,” I promised.

“I don’t even know what to say,” she murmured against my chest. Holding her felt more natural, more right than anything I’d ever known. She lifted her head and whispered, “Thank you for sharing this with me, Niko. I can almost see you as a mischievous little boy, running wild and causing a bit of trouble.”

“I sure was a terror,” I admitted with a fond chuckle. “The staff’s patience was continually tested every time I visited.”

“I expected that.” Her eyes sparkled with amusement.

In that enchanting moment, our happy expressions intertwined, filling the air with anticipation for a future filled with new adventures and treasured moments to share.

My desire stirred at the sound of her laughter.

The thought of leading her to my luxurious bedroom suite overwhelmed me—a private realm where I planned to let passion flourish, keeping her entwined in desire for days. I was determined to make that fantasy a reality. However, I had an important matter to address first.

“I’m starved, darling,” I admitted, hunger and longing rising within me. “Let’s grab brunch. Everything should be ready for us in the rose garden.”

“That sounds lovely. After our earlier wicked escapade, it’s only natural that we’re both ravenous.”

I took her hand and guided her to the garden, where my attentive staff had meticulously organized everything, just as I anticipated. A lavish display of shimmering fruits and carefully crafted pasta awaited us. Chilled bottles of our vineyard’s crisp white wine sparkled in the ice, reflecting the sunlight, while clusters of pink lilies enhanced the table with their faint, sweet fragrance blending into the morning air.

I shook my head, enjoying the sight of Laya devouring pastries and croissants as if they were sent from heaven.

This side of her was beyond amusing.

She plunged her hands into a bowl of ripe strawberries, eating with such enticing abandon that I couldn’t resist joining her in that delightful indulgence.

After a few minutes, our pace slowed as intense hunger transformed into a contented fullness from savoring the delightful, homemade fig-filled pastries my chef had prepared just the way I loved.

Sensing the perfect moment for intrigue, I suggested, “Let’s play a little game.”

“What kind of game?” She lifted an eyebrow.

“Perhaps a little truth or dare?” I proposed with a smirk. “What do you think?”

She laughed, surveying our surroundings and the discreet flurry of staff moving about. “Something tells me the dares we’d exchange are best kept for the privacy of our bedroom.”

“Fair enough. Then tell me the truth. Share something I don’t know,” I prompted, quirking my brows.

“About what?”

“About you.”

She paused, her eyes narrowing as she searched her thoughts. I reached over, letting my fingertip trail seductively along her arm, delighting in the little shivers and goosebumps that followed my touch. “Tell me something you’ve discovered about yourself during our time together,” I encouraged her.

She grinned and replied, “So you want to delve into the realm of sex?”

“Why not?” I countered, letting my touch wander slowly up her shoulder. “When I’m with you, my thoughts are all about you and the art of desire.”

She bit her lower lip, an intimate gesture sparking a fierce, undeniable hunger within me and making my cock come to life. I’d never been so drawn to another woman in my life.

“Well,” she hummed, “I’ve learned that when you nibble on my clit, I lose all sense of thought.”

“That’s incredibly enticing,” I murmured, teasingly sliding my fingertip down toward her breasts. “What else have you discovered?”

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