I turn back to Noah and swipe at the annoying tear streaking down my cheek. "I loved her. I did."

He nods, "I know. You never would've went groveling back to her if you didn't. The question is how do you feel about her now?"

Chapter 13

We arrive in Italy early in the morning. Selene looks beat even though she swears she napped during her break. I'm thinking it has more to do with the fact that she hasn't worked much in the last month due to her ear infection and the stomach virus that followed shortly after. She still has a problem eating. I think her body is just worn down and tired.

"We'll take a nap once we check in at the hotel," I suggest while taking in the sights around us as the small cab works its way through the crowded streets.

"I'm fine," she yawns. But the heavy bags under her eyes tell me otherwise.

"Well I'm not," I lie. "At least you got to lie on something flat, I was stuck in that shitty seat. And unless you want to be dragging my cranky ass around for the next few days I need to catch up on some sleep."

"And by sleep you mean sex?"

"Give me a little credit. There was no need to come all the way here just to have sex when we could easily do that at home. I can wait a few hours."

She smiles, and Italy is that much more beautiful.

"You really need a nap?" She narrows her eyes at me,

"Of course. Why the hell else would I want to stay in?"

"Okay," she gives in, resting her head against my chest.

*

Eight hours later, and I'm going out of my mind in the hotel room. Selene's still passed out on the bed. And she barely stirs when I nudge her. It's making me nervous. What if there's something wrong with her? I run my hand through my hair wondering who to even call if something is wrong. My mind races to all the worst possible scenarios. Drugs. Cancer. Brain tumor. I try to fight these demons and stomp the life out of them by keeping myself busy looking through all the brochures and planning our days here, but it's not working. I have a niggling feeling that something's wrong.

"I just want to close my eyes for a few minutes. Are you sure you don't mind?" She asks once we make it up to our room.

"Nope. It's all good, go rest."

Her stare burns into me. I feel like she's sizing me up, making some sort of judgement. She looks like there's something she wants to say. Her mouth opens, and I wait, because whatever it is, I can see its importance in her eyes.

"Cooper?" She sucks her bottom lip between her teeth. My heart races. Something is wrong. I fucking knew it! "Will you hold me? At least until I fall asleep. I'm so much more relaxed when I'm next to you."

I let out a relieved breath, then reach for her face. My eyes take in every nuance of her creamy skin. It's perfect. Like porcelain. I brush my thumb back and forth over her cheek. "Were you afraid to ask me? Do you think I could say no to you?"

She shrugs, "I don't do needy well."

I pull her into my arms. "This isn't needy. This is lo . . ." I stop myself. I won't say it. My heart is racing to a frenzied beat. I. Will. Not. Say. It. "Come on." I lead her to the bed and kiss her neck as I help her out of her skirt.

"I thought you said you could wait for sex," she smirks.

"I can." I give her a quick peck on the lips as my fingers work the buttons on her shirt. Once she's in nothing but her bra and underwear I pull the covers back and pat the bed. "I'm just motivating you to fall asleep quickly. The sooner you regain some strength and stamina, the sooner I can wear you out again."

*

"I'm so sorry, Cooper," She says stretching her arms overhead. My eyes drop down to her tits. I pay attention to how they're filling out and pressing against the material of her bra.

"It's fine. You just had me worried for a while."

"It's the flying and the different time zones. I'm always wiped out after a trip, maybe it was worse this time because it's my first time on such a long flight?"

I don't mention that I was on the same flight, and I'm not half as tired as she is. "It doesn't matter, as long as you're okay," I say leaning against the dresser of drawers in front of the bed.

"I'd be even better if you were closer."

"Oh yeah?" I raise my eyebrow. "How close do you want me?" I ask suggestively.

"This close," she answers getting out of bed and walking over to me. I hold back from wrapping her up in my arms until I've regained control of my shaking hands. I'm still wrecked from worry. Five minutes ago I promised myself if she didn't wake up I was going to call the concierge and ask for a doctor to check on her. I don't want to have to admit how freaked out I was.

Selene doesn't notice. If she does, she doesn't say anything. Instead she presses her mostly naked body against me, but I resist, determined to pay her back by not giving in. Not even when she meets my lips with hers and clasps her hands behind my head. I don't respond immediately.

The kiss isn't lusty and passionate. To my surprise it's slow and tender. My disobedient lips can't help but react to it. She deepens the kiss, melding her lithe body against mine. I don't hold back anymore. I give in, completely, wrapping my arms around her and hoping she can feel my emotions through this kiss the way I feel hers.

I grab her hair and pull her head back gently, breaking the contact of our lips. "Don't ever do that again," I growl. I wish my voice didn't sound so gruff, that it didn't hold so much emotion in it.

"What?" She asks with a teasing smile.

"Scare me," I say pulling her head to my chest and smoothing her hair. "Don't ever scare me like that again," I whisper.

Chapter 14

Everything here is beautiful. The hills and mountains. The people strolling through the streets. The intricate architecture that holds more love, pride, and culture than the finest buildings I've seen in the states. The majority of windows and entrance ways are arched, giving them a fancy, lacy look. Now I understand why Italy is often referred to as the "old country." It's unlike anything I've ever seen.

Looking around, I know I'm in the present, but if feels like I've stepped into past. Everywhere I look, every church, every fountain, every stone on the street; they all feel like they have their own story to tell. A story that began hundreds of years ago in which the ending is not yet written.

I marvel at the genius of taking muddy, swampy lands and turning them into one of the most well-known and sought out tourist attractions in the world. Who can vacation in Italy and not seek out a ride through the waterway running through the streets of Venice?

Selene and I are lucky enough to score an empty gondola. We sit cuddled close on the bench while the gondolier paddles. I kiss the top of my girl's head while he looks on and flashes us a smile before filling the air around us with song. I don't have a clue what he's singing because I don't understand the language, but it doesn't matter. It's beautiful and adds to the atmosphere.

He stops singing every now and then to call out "Oye," I didn't get it at first, but after the fourth time, I realize it's traffic control. He does it every time he makes a turn.