Turn Towards the Sun (33 page)

“Yes. I’ll be escorting you and your friend around when needed.”

I scowl. I didn’t know that. I glare at
Enzo,
who raises his hands.

“I know Italy and you don’t. I’m only protecting the most important thing in my life.”

Flattery, well played sir, well played. He smiles and pokes me playfully in the side. I shift trying to avoid
him,
but he grabs me again and tickles me until I laugh out loud. Everyone in the car is smiling at
us,
including Grayson.

We clear security and I’m thankful we didn’t have to get spot checked. No girl on the planet wants a TSA agent fondling her delicates. Grayson and the boys carry our bags. I could get used to traveling like this.

We head to the British Airways gates. Enzo walks towards the boarding line for first class. Gabby’s eyes light up. I nod but say nothing, trying not to think about how much five
first-class tickets
to Italy cost.

We’re flying direct from Phoenix to London. We have a
two-hour 
layover in London then we’ll be on a short flight to Florence. I’m beyond excited at
this point,
but I’m trying desperately to maintain my poise. We settle into our seats and sit back for the long flight
.
Shortly after takeoff, Enzo’s demeanor changes and I see the hint of Mr. Stoic return. He squeezes my
hand,
and I realize he doesn’t like to fly! A man who travels the
world,
hates flying. Well isn’t that ironic?

“You okay?” I rub his hand.

“Certo.”
Aww, h
e’s embarrassed.

“Enzo, it’s me.” I try to comfort him.

He leans over and whispers in my ear, “Just hold my hand okay?”

I nod discreetly.

He looks over at me. “Does this seem familiar Ava?” He kisses me on the cheek.

“I think we should order a drink. Lambrusco my prince?”

He
laughs,
and I can see him visibly relax.

We finally start our descent into Florence after eighteen hours of traveling. We all look exhausted, even Enzo looks weary. It’s nine o’clock the following morning.

“We’ll go straight to the hotel and freshen up then we’ll meet for lunch.” Enzo explains as Grayson and Calvin make their way to the car rental counter.

“We’re going to need two cars.” Enzo answers my questioning eyes.

“Gabby can ride with Calvin.”

She gives me a look.

“Oh don’t think I didn’t notice all the chit chat and giggles
during
the flight.”

Her face turns bright
red,
but she smiles. We make our way to baggage claim. I lean against a column, holding up my tired body. Enzo comes up and presses against me.

“My favorite person in my favorite place.”

He kisses the top of my head. I reach up and brush his cheek with the back of my
hand,
and he moves his face to kiss it. We grab our bags and head to the curb to find Grayson and Calvin.

“Do you want to ride to the hotel with me Gabby?” Calvin asks.
“Sure.” Her face lights up.

Enzo and I climb in with Grayson.

I’m so tired I barely notice the drive. We arrive at the Hotel Michelangelo and check into our rooms. Walking through the lobby to the
elevators,
I feel like I’ve stepped backwards in time to Renaissance Italy. The floors are marble, the walls covered in stunning frescos. The whole place is meant to look antiqued even though modern amenities abou
nd. The lobby is
furnished with
gorgeous sixteenth-century
sofas and tables where various tourists
sit
discussing their plans. We walk to the far side of the hotel to the mirrored elevator doors and step in. This is such luxury. I’ve never be
en in a place like this before.
This place makes Girasole look like a dump.

Exiting the elevators, I wink at Gabby as we head in separate directions. We walk down the plush carpeted halls to our room. Enzo opens the door and steps
back,
allowing me to enter first.

I am… speechless. I’ve just stepped into a
fifteenth-
century palazzo. I walk into a room with creamy white marble floors.

“These are from
Carrara,
where Michelangelo got the marble for
David.”
His accent sounds even more Italian in this room.

I walk in further and see it’s a full suite, with a kitchen, living and dining room
,
and en suite master. The furniture is dark wood, covered in cream upholstery. A large tapestry covers one entire wall. A huge Venetian mirror covers the opposite wall. On the dining room table stands a replica David
statue.

I walk into the bedroom to find a huge
four-poster
wood bed with a red silk canopy above. The bedding is cream and gold and feels soft to my touch. At the foot of the bed, a chaise lounge covered in deep brown silk sits invitingly. Two imposing armoires stand in opposite corners. Each has an elaborate inlaid wood pattern down the front.

The bathroom is a modern masterpiece of pure white marble. Two sinks that seem suspended in midair line the
wall,
and a large marble shower encased in floor to ceiling glass stands beside them. A standalone white porcelain
claw-foot tub
sits in front of a large window, overlooking a scenic view of the Arno River and the Ponte Vecchio Bridge. The modern and strange looking toilet and bidet sit tucked back in the corner. I turn around to see that Enzo has followed me on my tour.

“Well, does it meet your standards?” His eyes twinkle with laughter.

“I don’t know if I can get used to this.”

“Well you better. This is how you live now.” He plants a quick kiss on my mouth and heads back to the bedroom.

Yes,
Ava, this is how you live now. Can I get an
amen?!

I follow him back to the room.

“We should rest for a little while then we’ll meet up with everyone else to get some lunch. Va bene?” I’ve heard him say this before and take it to mean okay.

“Yes, va bene.”

He grins. The phone on the nightstand rings.

“Pronto?” Enzo answers, then laughs and hands me the phone.

“It’s Gabriella.”

“Hello?”

“Ava what the hell. Have you seen these rooms?”

“Well I’m standing in one right now.”

“Right.” She says, trying to compose herself. “This is amazing. Everything’s covered in marble and mirrors!”

“I know.” I’m trying to suppress a giggle with Enzo still in the room.

“Just enjoy it.” I encourage. “Enzo says we’re going to meet back up around one for lunch. So rest, take a shower, and we’ll see you soon.” I hang up with Gabby.

Enzo is watching me again. “I’m so happy you’re here with me Ava.”

“So am I Enzo.”

“Let’s rest amore. I set the clock for two hours.”

As
usual,
Enzo is up before me. He’s hanging his clothes in one of the armoires. He looks at me and smiles.

“Time to get up bella.”

I stretch and smile. I’m in Italy. Holy shit. I
get
up and go into the bathroom. My pants are still not wrinkled.
Impressive.
My shirt is though.

I peel off both and turn on the sho
wer. Enzo has unpacked my
bag for
me,
and I see my toothbrush, hairbrush, and eye cream on the floating vanity. I step out of my bra and panties and into the scalding hot water letting it rush down my travel weary body.

I close my eyes to rinse the conditioner out of my hair and suddenly feel his hands on my back. Opening my
eyes,
I turn to him. He cups my chin and tilts it towards him, kissing me.

“Bella Ava, la bellissima.
I couldn’t resist a chance to see your body again.
” He murmurs as the hot water washes over
us.
“I
can’t wait
to make love to you tonight, you know that right?”

“
Yes
.”

He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me tighter. I gasp and reach my hand down to stroke him.

“Make love to me now Enzo.”

He moves away
,
shaking his head. “No. I’m saving it all for tonight.”

How
d
oes he do that?
It drives me crazy!

“Tonight we’re going to a dinner held in my
honor,
and then I’m going to take you around Florence at night. After that, I’m going to strip off whatever you’re wearing and pleasure you until you can’t take it.”

I already can’t take it. We step out of the shower and towel off. I walk into the bedroom to see he’s hung all my outfits and laid out my shoes in the armoire. How sweet.

I grab a yellow sundress and a sweater and slip on black sandals. I braid my hair down my back until I figure out how it will react to humidity. I put some gloss and perfume
on,
and I’m ready to go. He pulls out his phone and calls Calvin and Grayson.

“Calvin says he’ll pick up Gabby.” Enzo says. “I think he has a thing for your friend.”

“I would say the feeling is mutual.”

We meet in the lobby and head out on foot. We walk through Piazza Signoria to a little pizzeria.
Little red umbrellas fill the
outdoor eating
area.

“We’ll eat here, no?” Enzo asks. We all agree and find a table. A man comes out to greet us. His eyes light up when he sees
Enzo,
and they hug and kiss like old friends. They have a brief exchange in
Italian,
and Enzo pulls him over to meet me.

The man holds my face in his hands. “Bella Enzo, bellissima.”

I know what those words mean so I smile in response. Enzo nods,
his
face full of pride. We let Enzo order. We start with zucchini flowers, filled with mozzarella cheese, lightly battered, and fried.
Next,
we get a platter of assorted meats, cheese, and olives. I gobble down as much prosciutto as I can. Enzo smiles. I know he’s pleased I’m enjoying my food. 

He orders several different
pizzas,
and we all pass them around sharing. The crust is so thin it won’t hold up if you try. Enzo shows me how to fold my slice in half and dip it into my mouth. It’s so good. The sauce is lightly sweet and a little tangy, bursting with fresh tomato taste. Hot gooey cheese drips down my throat.

“Mmm.” The sound rumbles in my throat. Enzo makes a startled face and winks at me.

“Don’t make noises like that Ava, it’s distracting.”

“I can’t help it. This is so amazing.”

Gabby is busy trying all the different pizzas and Calvin attentively serves her. Grayson looks amused by it all.

“Okay.” Enzo
says
. Everyone looks up. “After this I need to take Ava to get ready for a dinner I must attend this evening. Everyone else is free to do as they please.” He aims his comment directly at Calvin.

“Grayson you have the evening to yourself.” Grayson perks up.

We stand up to leave and Enzo and I walk through the piazza.
 

“Are you tired amore?”

“No. I feel fine.”

All around the piazza are artists painting, drawing caricatures of tourists, and peddling replicas of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci masterpieces. Cafes line the piazza, with tourists and locals intermingling over cups of afternoon espresso and gelato. We make our way back to the hotel.

“Where is the dinner Enzo?”

“It’s across town. I have another driver coming to get us. I
sometimes
use his services while I’m in Italy. His name is Fabio.”

“So you brought Grayson just to follow me around?” I narrow my eyes.

“I brought Grayson so he could enjoy a vacation. It’s just a bonus that he can keep an eye on my treasure.” 

“Doesn’t sound like much of a vacation babysitting your wayward treasure.”

Enzo sighs and frowns at me. “If I told Grayson it was a vacation he would have balked. I had to give him a job. He can see all the attractions he follows you to see. And I told him to hang back so you and Gabriella can have your girl talk.”

“You are a mighty smart man Enzo.”

“Smart enough to know I should hold on to you.” We enter the elevator again. He presses up against me and kisses my neck. “I can’t wait to get my hands on you later.”