Page 24 of Nobody's Girl

He smiled, his arms tightening around her. “No. It isn’t. Nothing is too much for you.”

So now, it shone against her skin and Sofia had never felt more alive, or sexier, or loved. Ivo had moved his chair close to hers so he could press his lips to her bare shoulder. Their guests were a running a little late – Elli Navaro had sent an apologetic text a few minutes ago. The evening was warm, and all around the restaurant, tiny white lights were scattered in the shrubbery, amongst the plants and trees. A low hum of chat mixed with the soft music playing. Sofia thought she had never felt so relaxed or chilled-out. She and Ivo had spent the afternoon making love back at the hotel – the incredibly luxurious suite which overlooked the Grand Canal, and was twice the size of Desiree’s entire apartment. They’d walked, hand-in-hand through the Venetian streets to the restaurant and now Sofia leaned into Ivo and kissed him. “Thank you, Ivo. For everything. You have changed my life.”

He pressed his lips to hers, not caring who was watching, kissing her deeply, passionately. “You are my world, Principessa.” He leaned his forehead against hers.

“Hey, hey,” said a soft voice and they looked up to see a beautiful, dark-haired woman smiling at them. Holding her hand, a tall, dark man, gloriously handsome. Ivo and Sofia stood to greet them. “Sofia, Elli and Indio Navaro. Guys, this is my Sofia.”

Elli hugged Sofia. “It’s wonderful to meet you. Ivo’s raved about you.”

Sofia blushed and Ivo rolled his eyes. “Way to ruin my game, Els.”

Elli grinned unrepentant. “My work here is done.”

They enjoyed the evening with Elli and Indio and Sofia began to think that talking to Elli for the profile would be easier than she had thought. Elli reassured her. “We won’t talk about anything you’re uncomfortable with, Sofia. This is just to introduce you to the art world. Ivo, you’re meeting with Maceo?”

Ivo nodded. “Maceo Bartoli,” he explained to Sofia, “is Italy’s most prominent art dealer. He was my mentor – still is in many ways. He’s excited to meet you.”

Sofia smiled at the warmth in his voice. At the end of the meal, after they’d lingered over coffee, they said their goodbyes. Elli smiled at Sofia. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Sofia. We’ll have some girl chat.”

Sofia and Ivo walked back to their hotel. Ivo’s thumb stroked the back of Sofia’s hand. “Did you like Elli and Indio?”

“Very much. What a lovely couple. They seem so in love.”

Ivo nodded, smiling. “They’re probably saying the same about us.”

She flushed, wanting to tell him how much she was in love with him, but somehow couldn’t form the words. “Elli’s really gorgeous.”

“She is, such a lovely woman. One day, I’ll tell you Elli and Indio’s story – it’s quite the rollercoaster.”

The streets were quieter now and Sofia couldn’t stop herself falling in love with the picturesque city, the rustic buildings, the empty, peaceful alleyways and bridges, simply lit.

“It’s so beautiful here,” she sighed and Ivo smiled.

“I’m glad you think so.” He pulled her into a dimly lit alleyway and gently pushed her up against the wall of a building. “But what I’m looking at right now,” he murmured, brushing her lips with his, “is even more beautiful.”

Sofia wound her arms around his neck, gazing up into his handsome face. She loved the lightness of his green eyes against the darkest black of his thick, long eyelashes, the scar next to his eye, the shagginess of his dark curls tumbling over his forehead. “Ivo, you may be the most gorgeous man I’ve ever met. You put your movie star father in the shade. I’m trying but I can’t quite capture the essence of you in my painting. Nothing compares to you in the flesh.”

Ivo smiled. “That’s a nice thing to hear. But right now, I just want to do this…” And he bent his head and kissed her deeply, sending Sofia’s senses reeling. Ivo’s lips were soft at first then as their passion grew, rough, his tongue massaging hers, as his hands slipped under the skirt of her dress, stroking her thighs. As they moved high, they encountered bare flesh and Ivo’s eyes opened in surprise.

Sofia grinned, flushing a little. “After what you said on the plane,” she murmured, “I dressed accordingly.”

Ivo gave a little growl and then he was stroking her clit, making her moan. Her hands went to his fly, feeling his cock already hard against the fabric of his pants and when she freed it, she stroked the length of it. Ivo lifted her up and thrust into her, as Sofia wrapped her legs around his waist. They kissed ferociously, as Ivo thrust deeper and harder into her, a quick, adrenaline-filled fuck. They came quickly, then started laughing, breathless and panting. A small crowd of people passed by the end of the alleyway and Ivo silenced Sofia’s laugh with his lips, before both of them burst out laughing again.

“Almost got caught,” she whispered and he grinned.

“I quite enjoy the idea of being found out, don’t you? Or someone watching us fuck.”

Sofia brushed her lips against his softly. “Kinky.”

Chuckling, Ivo took her hand as they began to walk back to the hotel. “So, tell me, what are your kinks, Bella?”

Sofia thought about it. “You know, I don’t know. Before you, as you know, sex just wasn’t something…I know I sound like a freak when I say this but it was never a concern of mine. Of course, now, I can’t get enough. But I don’t know what my kinks would be. There is something thrilling about almost being caught. I think I’ll find out what my kinks are with you.”

“Well,” Ivo kissed her, “I know you like me kissing your belly.”