BONUS STORY: TANYA & ENZO.

EIGHT:

Tanya's POV: 

After two rounds of wild, filthy sex, he was kissing me. A tender, slow kiss that felt a lot like it was going to ruin me completely.

Who am I kidding? 

I was already ruined.

Eventually, he pulled back, allowing us to breathe. He placed one soft kiss on my forehead and then fell back on his side of the bed. 

He stretched his arm invitingly. “Come closer, principessa.” 

Arghhh.

That damn nickname. It was going to be the death of me. Literally.

Couldn't he tell it was slowly killing me? I moved closer like he'd asked, lying on his chest while his fingers stroked my hair.

The cuddling after every sex was frustrating—I loved it and I hated it. I loved the feeling of having him this close, my ear against his heartbeat, feeling the rising and falling of his chest while his arm stayed wrapped around me but I hated that it was only temporary and would be coming to an end in four days.

FOUR DAYS.

My chest felt tight, and a sick, unmoving feeling settled in my gut.

I went right ahead to develop a crush on him knowing full well this was all to fulfill the lustful desires we had for each other. 

It's okay to judge me, I was arrogant, thought I could just have a wild adventure, filthy fun even though I knew the kind of person I was… Don't get me wrong, I've had casual flings and one-offs but with Enzo, I was reckless, I already knew I craved his attention, and yet, I dove in head first. 

I regret it and I don't regret it.

Letting him off my mind was going to be hard, I've been here before, it sucked but then, I think I would have missed out on this feeling if I hadn't—

“You're thinking too hard,” He murmured. “Is something bothering you?” 

I shook my head for fear that my voice would betray me.

“I know something is wrong, why don't you tell me?” He insisted and I squeezed my eyes shut, berating myself for making it obvious.

I heard him exhale deeply. “Tanya?” 

Shit. Why wouldn't he let it go?

“I'm fine,” my voice sounds like I swallowed nails. “I was quiet because I was trying to get some sleep.” 

There was a pregnant pause. I held my breath waiting for his reaction.

Moments passed, and then, he tried to sit up, pulling me off his chest.

Great.

He leaned against the headboard while I rolled on my back, drawing the cover up my chest as I stared at the ceiling.

“I think you're lying to me, principessa and I need to know why.” 

I scoffed bitterly. “Trust me, you don't want to know.” 

“Try me.” 

Ermm, nope. No way.

Maybe I'll tell him I'd developed feelings for him on the day I'll be returning home, the rejection then will sting a lot less, and the humiliation might be less intense once I am several feet high in the sky on my way home but not now, not when I still have days left.

“Enzo,” I said firmly. “Can we just go to bed, please?” 

~     ~      ~ 

Enzo's POV: 

Her attitude tonight stung a little and was beyond confusing. We had a great time tonight and every other night if I'm being honest so the drastic change was discomforting.

Had I hurt her? 

Was she sick of our little arrangement already? 

I wouldn't be surprised if it was the latter. For too many completely valid reasons. One, she was young, probably wanted a hot, wild sex adventure, especially after finding out what she did. Two, we both live in different countries, she has school, her mom, her life, and all before this happened. She probably wants to end up with someone younger and not me who's a decade older—this isn't about low self-esteem, I don't have an issue getting women but I'm aware most young people want to end up with people within their age groups, right? Right.

The list was endless.

I waited patiently for her to ‘open up’ but instead, “Enzo.” She said my name in a tone that was harsher than necessary. “Can we just go to bed, please?” 

A dull ache throbbed in my chest as I felt my stomach tighten but I nodded, making myself smile. “Sure, I'm sure you're tired.” 

“Thank you.” Even that was cold. It made me feel funny and not in a fun way.

I moved back to a lying position, holding my arm out as an invitation to cuddle. “Let's go to bed then.” My heart lodged firmly in my throat as I waited for her to either agree to cuddle or disagree.

Maybe it was strange, but something about having her skin on mine, feeling her weight on me, inhaling her scent while we both fell asleep was comforting and peaceful. 

A breath of relief escaped me when she snuggled in closer and wrapped an arm around me, placing her head on my chest… I listened to her breathing until it slowed to a steady pace indicating that she was asleep.

Just staring down at her made me feel a strong pull in my heart to just kiss all over her face, and her hair, hold her so tight until her body merged completely with mine… 

Fuck.

I think this lust and obsession was spiraling out of control.

~   ~    ~

7:39PM

I jogged to the kitchen to grab breakfast, blocking out the wild thoughts in my head because they were driving me crazy. She was going to leave whether I liked it or not and it would be better if I started to come to terms with that.

Zia was already there with some maids when I arrived, she was handing out instructions. 

I approached her and her face lit up with a smile as soon as she saw me. “Buongiorno, zia cara!” I kissed both of her cheeks

“My boy, how are you?” 

I laughed. “Carlo's always your son and I'm your boy?” 

She nodded firmly. “Of course! You're the younger one, you're the baby.” 

I shook my head, grabbing a plate. “He is only a year and a few months older.” 

“But still older,” she gave me a cheeky grin.

And I just let her be, she'd never stop anyway. I'd just added an extra piece of baked chicken to my plate when her words made me pause.

“She makes you look more human, less robot.” 

“What?” I turned to see her smiling. Hold on… what does she know!? 

“The Tanya girl, she is so kind,” she said. “You like her, yes?” 

My heart was doing a massive somersault but it was impressive how steady my voice was, “I don't know what you're talking about, zia.” 

“Nonsense!” she scoffed. “I saw her go to your place more than once, one time she went in at night and I saw her sneak out the next morning. I'm old, not stupid, Lorenzo.” 

I gaped while zia smiled widely.

Santo Cielo! 

I didn't know what to say, but there was no point denying it, “Don't tell anyone.”

She frowned, worry lines creasing between her brows. “And why not? You don't like her enough?” 

“No, no, zia,” I said quickly. “It's not that.” I think I already like her a little bit too much….

I let out a frustrated sigh, setting my plate down. “She doesn't want anyone finding out about us. It's just casual, zia, nothing more.” 

“Casual?” She repeated, her face falling. 

“Yes. When she returns home, we'll go back to being strangers.” 

She frowned deeply, shaking her head. “I don't understand you young people. Why do you keep complicating things for yourselves?” She huffed. “First, Carlo who doesn't know what he wants with that sweet girl and now you.” 

I know what I want but she has a point.

“Don't worry too much about that, zia. It doesn't harm anyone and it's often beneficial.” 

“I don't believe that, my boy. I saw the way you looked at her in the living room last night.” 

I stifled a groan. Trust zia to be blunt, a little insensitive and very oblivious to reading the room.

She continued as if she didn't just add salt to my wounds. “If you like her, chase her. We women aren't that hard to figure out. Generations later and you men still don't know what to do!” 

“Zia—”

“You've been single and alone for too long, my boy,” she cut in. “At least, Carlo's been married before, he has a son to look after him. What about you? I'd hate to go to my grave knowing that you're all alone.” 

The same marriage talks for the past ten years now. “Zia, some of us are destined to grow old alone. It can't be that bad and I'm not complaining.”

She huffed again, wiping her hands with a napkin. “All you children do is argue with me. I know you like that girl, I know you well, my boy. Talk to her, you never know what might happen if you don't.” 

And then, she was gone. Just like that, leaving me in the chaos she started. 

‘Talk to her, you never know what might happen if you don't.’ 

I really wish it were that simple. But it's not.

I don't want to know what negative response I might get after I talk to her. 

By now, it's obvious that I am attracted to her, and love spending time with her. I hate thinking about the fact that it was going to be temporary and a part of me wished I'd never let my obsession grow. 

I couldn't do anything these days without thinking of her, if I thought it was intense before, it was a lot scarier now that we'd crossed all boundaries.

Now I was stuck with these extremely strong feelings.

I'm not saying I'm in love—never been in love, to be honest, so I'm not quite sure. My whole life, I've focused on my work, building alongside Carlo and if I wanted sex, a casual hookup was always great. 

That way, I was in full control of my life. I didn't like complications or anything. Maybe it had to do with losing both parents at a young age? I don't know but I wasn't the man to try new things or move out of my comfort zone—well, until she happened but still, I like doing things in a pattern.

The whole thing was fucking with me. 

Fuck, I blame Carlo, if it wasn't for that job, I never would have met her. Yes, it was easier to blame him than myself.