Page 29

Katie

It’s amazing how quickly you can get things done when you’re Leonardo Guerra.

One hour after that very conversation, we are sat on Leo’s private plane, about to take off to Italy.

We would have set off ten minutes previously if Leo hadn’t requested that the plane be thoroughly searched a third time, checked for anything untoward.

Marco seems extremely inconvenienced by it all.

“It’s for your safety, too, Marco!” Leo frustratedly fastens his seat belt.

Marco grunts, rolling his eyes.

“Why don’t we play a game?” I suggest.

Marco's eyes bulge, and his nostrils flare.

“Eye spy, maybe, or cards? I think I have a pack in my bag." A necessity when traveling.

“Are you a child?” Marco huffs.

Winding Marco up is a little pleasure of mine. Especially now that I know he doesn’t actually hate me.

The flight passes quickly. For me, anyway.

I’ve never flown on a private plane before.

At the front of the plane, there are armchairs that have seat belts.

That’s where you sit for takeoff and landing.

The chairs are nothing like what I’ve seen on a plane before; these are leather armchairs you’d have in your living room.

The next cabin along has more armchair seats for guests.

Following that is the bar area with tables, chairs, and sofas.

The bedrooms are right at the back. It is a luxury I have never known existed.

I even got to meet the pilot. He was quite shocked when the three of us piled into the cockpit.

It was obvious nobody’s ever bothered to speak to him before.

When we land, it's early morning. The sun is rising, and the sky is a beautiful violet colour. The air is already warm. I take a deep breath, and I exhale with a smile; this is where I belong. We are heavily guarded by Leo’s men when we leave the plane.

Cars surround ours on the way back to the house.

There would have been a time when this would have freaked me out.

But it no longer fazes me. I trust Leo to keep me safe. As long as I’m with him, I’m happy.

I’m greeted with hugs and kisses from Alga and Sergio as soon as I walk through the door. It’s good to be back .

Leo gets me settled in the garden, my favourite spot.

Alga waits on me hand and foot, feeding me all my favourite foods, never allowing me to finish a drink before the next one arrives.

Spending the next couple of weeks pretty much wrapped up in cotton wool and gaining half a stone has me desperate to leave the house.

First, Leo takes me around the vineyards. I’ve admired them from afar every day, but this is the first time I have ever walked through them.

“We use a traditional method called pergola. This is where we train the vines to grow above in a trellising canopy.”

“It’s beautiful, Leo.” Walking beneath the canopy of greens and browns, I admire its beauty.

“We prune, trim, and harvest the fruit all by hand. It’s an old-fashioned way that takes more time, but it produces the best quality.”

Next, we explore the lemons. They’re unlike any lemons I’ve ever seen at the supermarket. “They’re the size of grapefruits.”

Leo nods proudly. He’s so handsome. The way he talks of the process with such enthusiasm, it’s clear he’s really passionate about the produce.

“Unfortunately, I don’t get much time to do any of this myself; I can’t remember the last time I was in here.”

Standing in front of him, I wrap my arms around his neck. When I look into his eyes, he looks so tired. He works so hard.

“I love you, Leo. So incredibly much.”

His eyes widen, and his face lights up in a smile, acknowledging the first time I’ve ever said that I love him.

“Love you, too, with all of my heart.”

Our lips crash together. My legs wrap around his waist, the need to be closer to him taking over my body. He spins us around in excitement, squeezing himself into me.

Placing me down gently, he disappears for a second before returning with a blanket he places on the ground. We both lie in each other's arms, staring at the fruits above us.

“I love it here, Leo, like this—so peaceful and quiet.”

“One day, my love, one day.”

Sometimes Leo talks in riddles. This is one of those times.

It’s been weeks since I felt him inside me.

Most nights, he’s been out working; when he has been home, he’s stayed fully clothed and held me while I slept.

His gentle approach has been appreciated, but now, I’m ready to be taken care of in a different way.

With one swift movement, I straddle him and remove my dress. Staring down at him in just my bra and thong, I lick my lips .

“What are you doing?” he breathlessly asks as he looks around, checking that nobody is nearby.

“You.”

Happy we don’t have an audience, he puts his hand on the back of my neck and pulls me towards him. Kissing me hungrily, he flips me over so I’m on my back with him straddling me.

“Are you sure you are okay for this?”

“So ready.”

He grabs my wrists and holds my hands above my head. Kissing and licking my neck, he pushes my legs apart with his own, grinding his hard length between them. Oh, how I have missed this.

“Keep your hands here. Do not move them.”

I nod in acceptance as he releases his grip. He reaches under my back, unclipping my bra; my breasts release perkily, craving his touch. He sucks my nipple into his mouth, and a cry of pleasure escapes my throat. I lower my hand, searching for his hair.

“No touching. Keep them here.” Grabbing both my wrists, Leo again holds them above me. “Trust me, do not move.”

Leo pulls a knife out of his trousers. The blade is thick and shiny.

He runs his finger gently along it, his skin splitting as easily as slicing through butter.

It's not deep, but beads of blood run down his finger.

He licks the blood clean, then covers my mouth with his.

The kissing and taste of his blood on my tongue is so erotic.

Moans and hums of pleasure escape from us as we grind to find our release.

Rising above me, he places the knife blade on my chest; the cold metal sends goosebumps across my skin.

He carefully runs it down my body, watching it constantly; he licks his lips.

When it reaches my thong, he slices through the straps at my hips.

With one quick movement, he rips the remaining material from my body, leaving me completely bare.

Feeling completely on display and extremely desperate for my man, I sit up to reach for his shirt.

“Did I say you could move?” He turns me onto my front and slaps my bum before pulling me back to face him.

The sting is delightful but just adds to my desperation for contact.

“Now, be a good a girl.” He does, however, reward me by removing his shirt.

Reaching to his right he pulls a lemon from a nearby tree.

After slicing it open with his knife, he squeezes it in his hands, letting the juice run down his arm and onto my body.

The drips tease my breasts, stomach, and hips before they run between my legs.

Leo opens me up and watches in pure lust and fascination.

Feeling the vibration of his growl, my yearning ignites.

My hips buck as I try not to move my arms. His head dips, and I wrap my legs around him, using the limbs I’m permitted to move to get what I need.

He kisses, licks, and presses that five o’clock shadow exactly where I need it. My legs quiver as I rise to him.

“That’s it, ride my face. Such a good girl.”

His words of encouragement and praise have me screaming his name.

Before I can recover, Leo removes his pants, and his cock stands proudly glistening, ready for action.

The look on his face melts me. I’m his. Every last bit of me is his, and he knows it.

With a smile on his face, he impales and claims what he rightfully owns.

“So what now?” I ask while our entwined, naked bodies recover from our lovemaking.

“You want to go again? I’m game for that.” Leo climbs on top of me.

Laughing, I push myself up to face him.

“No, I mean with us. Can we still get married?”

Leo half smiles, tilting his head to one side. “When you’re ready, yes.”

“I’m ready now.” I confirm.

His eyes narrow. “We don’t have a ring.”

“Yes, we do.” I grab my bag, and I take out the engagement ring he bought me when I first arrived in Italy.

“But you hate this ring?”

“I ‘hated’ this ring because I love this ring. This is the ring I wanted the love of my life to get down on one knee and ask me to marry him with. This is my fairy-tale ring.”

Leo takes the ring from me. “I’m no good with words. But I love you. And I promise to always protect you. Katie, please, will you do me the greatest honour and become my wife?”

Surrounded by lemon trees, this incredibly handsome, powerful man is naked and down on one knee, asking me to marry him.

“Yes, I will.”

Picking me up, he wraps me around him, kissing me with such love, I feel it in my bones. “Come on, let's get changed and go celebrate.”

Leo takes me to the first restaurant he ever took me to with the incredible sea views. The restaurant manager is flustered as he realises Leo's table is once again occupied like our first visit.

“Mr. Guerra, I’m sorry—I didn’t realise you were back; forgive me. One moment please, and I will have your table ready.”

Leo stops him. “No! ”

Other staff members look over in horror.

“We will sit at the bar.”

Leo takes my hand and walks us over to some bar stools. He helps me get seated and then sits in front of me.

Pulling my stool closer to him, I laugh.

“What is so funny?”

“Nothing.” He really has changed. Or maybe he’s always been this Leo, just very hidden.

We have a lovely evening, talking and laughing, touching and holding.

“When would you like to get married, Mrs.-Guerra-to-be?”

“As soon as possible, Mr. Guerra.”

Nodding, Leo taps my glass with his. “Cheers.”