Turn Towards the Sun (30 page)

I hear Enzo come in while I finish getting ready. He walks into the bathroom and watches me, as per usual. He’s wearing dress pants and a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and unbuttoned at the top. This is by far my favorite Enzo look.

“Breathtaking as always Ava.” He kisses me on the cheek.

We head out for our evening. I have no idea where we are
going,
and I don’t care. As long as I’m going with him.

The drive starts to look familiar. I’ve been here before. He’s taking me back to his house.
How sweet.
Maybe tonight we can christen it now that we’ve crossed that barrier.

We walk up the
driveway,
and I notice Enzo is very quiet tonight. He seems nervous. What is he up to? He opens the
door,
and we walk in.

“I had some lighting installed this week.” He says, still sounding nervous as he flicks on the lights.

“Surprise!”

I jump back and realize the house is filled with people on my behalf. Gabby is here and Camilla. Oh and there’s Stephanie. This is awesome.

I turn to Enzo and
hug
him. “Thank you.”

“I’m not done yet. I have more surprises for you.” He motions for me to turn around. The crowd parts and I see
Cassie and...
no way, Chris! Then Cassie moves
and...
oh my God! My mom and dad! I rush to them and hug them both as tight as I can. Everyone starts clapping.

“Mom! Dad! How did you know? Cassie I saw you leave!” Words
pour
out of my mouth. I am overwhelmed with emotion.

Cassie speaks first. “When Enzo came home yesterday he told me his plan and asked if I could get your parents out here. I couldn’t think of a better gift for you. I never left. I turned around and went back to the
hotel,
as soon as he got you away from the airport. Enzo was sweet enough to get Chris out here for me.” She explains.

I hug Chris. “I just came along for the ride Ava.” He laughs.

My dad squeezes me. “When Cassie called and told us what was
happening,
we had to be here for you. Plus
,
we wanted to meet the man who wanted to do all of this for our baby girl.”

My mom continues. “He arranged
everything,
Ava. We even flew first class!” My mom sounds like a
bumpkin,
but it’s endearing.

I turn around and look at
Enzo,
who is standing back
and
watching his planning unfold. I know for certain that this man loves me.

“Everyone!” Francesca raises her voice
.
The crowd quiets down and gives their attention to her.

“Yes, please take the champagne. Enzo will make a toast.”

Enzo walks and stands next to me. He clears his throat and lowers his head for a moment before he speaks. He seems nervous. Now I’m nervous.

“I’ve known Ava for just about a month
now,
but it feels like a lifetime. I wasn’t expecting any of this to happen when this striking woman sat next to me on the plane that day. Now I can’t imagine my life without her. I’m so happy that all
the
people she loves can be in the room for her tonight. I wanted all of you to know how I feel about this girl. She’s very special to
me,
and I love her deeply.”

I hear a few romantic sighs from the women in the room. I look at my mom who
dabs
tears from her eyes. Even my dad looks a little teary.

Enzo
continues. “So I promise I will always take care of her and always love her. And I will do my best to bring her the happiness she brings me. Happy birthday bella.” He kisses me on the
lips,
and the room erupts in whoops and hollers.

I am beside myself. I have never had anything this sweet or thoughtful done for me in my life. Lonely brokenhearted
pissed-off
girl no more.

He hands me a small box. He’s visibly relaxed now.

“Open it.”

I pull the ribbon and unwrap the velvet box. I open it and gasp as I put my hand over my mouth.

“What is it?” Cassie calls out.

I turn the box to the crowd. It’s a breathtaking and way too big for its own good diamond pendant necklace.

“Damn. He’s good.” Cassie says.

“Enzo I can’t believe this party. It’s
amazing.”
He puts the necklace around my neck.

“You’re amazing. You deserve it. I would give you the world.”

“You already have. How did you pull this off?”

“The travel arrangements were easy. Checca decorated. Paolo cooked. Easy.” He beams. I can tell he’s happy it all came together.

I spend the evening talking with my parents who are shocked of course. But after the Mayor of Loserville, aka Steve, I think they can get behind my new man.

“It was so sweet
Ava. Enzo
came to the airport
and picked
us up.
He treated us like royalty or something.” My mom is
wide-eyed as
she speaks.

My dad rubs my arm. “Yes, he did treat us very respectably. It was very impressive.”

“He’s like that dad. He treats me like royalty every day.”

“We’re glad you’re happy and
that
you found a nice guy.”

Francesca
approaches me and squeezes my arm. “I am
more hopeful!”

I am too.

Stephanie introduces me to her boyfriend Max. “Ava this is so exciting. The best part is seeing Enzo in his natural habitat.” I throw my head back in laughter.

Gabby and Francesca bring out my cake. It’s a
three-
tiered square
cake,
and it’s decorated with white fondant with delicate purple sugar flowers dotted throughout. Each tier is finished with purple ribbon. I turn to look at Enzo, grinning.

“Purple and white. A winning combo.” He kisses me on the cheek.

“I love it.”

We kiss as the crowd sings happy birthday to me. Best. Birthday. Ever.

Grayson and Paolo load up the cars with the out of town guests to take them back to Girasole. I say good bye to every person in the
room,
thanking them for everything. We wave as the last car pulls
away. Enzo stands
in the foyer with a big grin on his face.

“Happy?” He asks.

“More than ever.”

“The evening isn’t finished.”

What could he possibly have up his sleeve still? He takes my hand and walks me through the house. We walk down a long hall and stop at a closed door.

“This is our bedroom.” He opens the
door,
and I gasp.
Candles
light the room, too many to count. A huge four poster bed sits in the center of the room with pillows and sheer canopy panels draped around it. Romantic music plays softly in the background. He leads me around the corner to the bathroom and I see a large soaking tub filled with steamy water, rose petals float on the surface. On a small
table,
a bottle of wine and two glasses wait for us.

“It’s not finished yet of
course,
and I’ll want you involved in that process. But I want us to sleep here tonight. I want to make love to you in this house, our house. And I want to start by bathing your gorgeous body.”

He turns me around and embracing me, kisses me deeply. I fall into his
arms,
overwhelmed by his love for me. It’s all so sudden and amazing and perfect. Yes, perfect.

He unzips my dress and I step out, still wearing my heels. He slides down my body running his hands over my legs as he
does.
I feel his tongue quickly brush up against my
thigh,
and I inhale deeply. He removes each shoe as he has done before. I don’t know why this is so
sensual,
but it does it for me.

He rises, and standing behind me, unhooks my bra to free my breasts.
Finally,
all that’s left are my panties. He places his hands on my hips
,
eyes locked on mine. His thumbs slide underneath the
waistband
and
he
slowly
pulls them down, following them all the way to the floor as I step out of them.
Goodness,
this man is unbelievably sexy.

He holds my hand while I step into the
water.
I pinch
myself
to make sure I’m awake. Honestly, what girl doesn’t want a bath with rose petals just once in her life?

“Aren’t you getting in too?” I ask, watching him kneel down fully dressed.

“In good time.”

He picks up a bottle of body wash and pours some on his hands. He starts at my feet and washes every single inch of my skin avoiding the parts that are on fire from all this.
Finally,
he stands and begins to undress. I catch my breath as his beautiful body unfolds before me. He steps in the tub with me and sinks down, causing water to splash slightly over the edge. He runs his wet hands through his hair, slicking it back off of his face. He grabs my ankles and opening my legs climbs between them hovering above me, kissing me. I start to wrap my legs around him to pull him closer. He moves away slightly, shaking his head no.

“Not here. In the bed.” His voice is thick with desire.

“Don’t you want me to wash you?” I desperately want to get my hands on the hardness between his legs.

“I’m not dirty yet. But I’m about to be.” He grins. He stands and wraps a towel around his waist then holds a towel open for me and helps me out of the tub. We walk back into the main bedroom. My attention turns to the music. Oh no!

“It’s the Hot and Bossy mix I found on your iPod.” He’s reading my mind again. He didn’t know I had code words for him.

“I hope you don’t mind. I wanted to play the music you liked most. The title of the playlist caught my eye.” He’s still
smiling,
but I could not be more embarrassed.

“So you think I’m hot and bossy
,
Miss Bradshaw?” His tone teases as he moves slowly around my body. He tugs at my towel and lets it fall to the floor.

“Well I used to.” I admit.
“Y
ou’re still hot.”

“Don’t be embarrassed Ava. I couldn’t be more flattered that you thought enough of me
to create a nickname.”
He drops his towel. My eyes shoot down to take him all in. In just a little while
,
all of that is going in me. I shiver.

“As much as I’d like to boss you around right now, it’s your
night,
and I only want to do what pleases you.” His voice softens as he runs his fingers up the back of my neck.

“So tell me what you
want,
birthday girl.” He stops in front of me, looking me directly in the eyes.

“I want to kiss you.” He pulls me close and kisses me. I love the way his tongue moves around my mouth. I pull away. This could be fun.

“I want to suck you.” He arches his eyes in surprise but moves to the bed, pulling me onto it. I crouch between his legs staring at his massive shaft and slowly lower my mouth over it. I love the feeling of the smooth skin and underlying hardness as I suck it in and out of my mouth. He throws his head back.

“Ava.” He breaths my name
.
He reaches down and holds my shoulders.

“This
night is about your pleasure
, not mine.” He’s breathing hard.

“That was for my pleasure Enzo.” I grin. “Now I want
you to taste
me.”

“My pleasure.”

He quickly pushes me down on the bed and dives between my legs, his tongue licking me up and down until I can barely stand it. He sucks violently on my clit causing me to buck wildly.
How does he do this to me? It’
s effortless for him to bring me to the brink every time.
I pull his hair in between my fi
ngers
while my body tenses in response to
the
monumental orgasm creeping through my body. I grind my body into his face as I writhe around on the bed in ecstasy. He rises and pulls me up to look in his eyes.

“Say it Ava. Say what’s next.” His voice is low and raspy, demanding my next call.

I can barely catch my breath. “I want you to make love to me now.”

He lays flat on the bed and pulls me to him. “I want you on top Ava. So I can see you. All of you.”

I climb on top of him and hover over the tip of his cock, my legs shaking with passion. I lower down slowly, enjoying the sensation as my insides fill up with him. I start to rock back and
forth,
slowly at first, then pick up speed. His intense blue eyes focus on my every move, burning through me. He moves his hands up my body to my breasts and squeezes as I continue rocking.