19. Blair

"I can't getover how beautiful it is here."

"Not as beautiful as you," Raven whispers into my hair, keeping me close.

"You don't have to lay it on so thick," I laugh.

If possible, the streets are even more crowded here than Milan. Every sidewalk café is filled to the brim. Wine is flowing as people enjoy their summer holiday. Boats are zipping across the lake.

"It's true."

"Stop it."

"Hey." Raven draws me up short of our intended destination. "I am going to tell you as often as I can, while I can, because it's the truth. You're one of the most beautiful women I've ever met. Inside and out. So you better get used to this."

I can't help the smile that spreads across my face. Things have been different since I told her about Avi on the train yesterday.

Freeing. Like I don't have to hold anything back. I want to show her how I truly feel about her.

Because there's only a handful of people in my life I've told about Avi. The ones that have to know.

I wanted to tell Raven. Every wall I had up, she climbed right past and knocked over on her way up.

"Is that okay with you?" Raven's smile now matches mine.

"I suppose."

"Good." She gives me a quick kiss before pulling me between the trees. "Now can I give you your surprise?"

Wooden posts bursting with flower baskets line the rickety pier as we walk toward the waiting boat. "A boat ride?"

When Raven told me the location change for the final gala the other night, I was hesitant at first. But seeing Lake Como? Getting to come to one of the most beautiful places in the world?

I don't know why I thought twice. Maybe because I like our little bubble in Milan.

"You can't come to Lake Como and not experience the lake." Raven smiles, no doubt her eyes lit up behind her dark sunglasses.

"Ciao signorina y signorina," the boat captain greets us. "A beautiful day, no?"

"Gorgeous. Thank you for taking us on such short notice."

He nods, sweeping out his arm to allow us on the boat.

It's small, but there's a wide, open deck with bench seats, covered in navy-and-white striped cushions. Stairs disappear to a small kitchen below deck.

A table, complete with a full breakfast spread, is set at the stern of the boat.

"Wow. This is quite the setup."

Croissants. Fruit. Meats. Cheeses. A bottle of Prosecco.

"Make yourselves comfortable and let me know if you need anything." The captain nods before taking the stairs up to his spot.

"Grazie." Raven smiles at him. "You know, I have a lot of good ideas, but this might be my best yet."

"Wow. Ever the humble woman."

"Hey." Raven elbows me as she pops the bottle of Prosecco. "This deserves it."

The captain starts the engine, and we head out into the lake, away from the shore.

"You're right. I will give you that." Grabbing a piece of cheese, I pop it into my mouth as Raven pours us each a hearty flute of bubbly.

"Thank you." I accept it with a huge smile on my face.

"Saluti." Raven clinks her glass against mine.

"Cheers."

We enjoy a quiet breakfast as we head toward the other side of the lake. Everything about this place is stunning.

Deep blue and turquoise water shimmers in the sunlight. Terra-cotta-colored buildings line the mountains around the lake. The bright blooms of flowers can be seen even from the middle of the lake.

With the cool breeze blowing through, it's perfect.

Everything about this day is perfect.

Because I'm sitting here with Raven.

"Thinking pretty hard, Blair," she whispers in my ear. Raven wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into her side.

"It's hard to believe I'm here."

"You deserve the world, Blair. I want to be the person to give it to you."

It's easy to get wrapped up in this, thinking that this could be our every day together.

Except it won't be. We only have a few more days here. With the final gala here tomorrow night, our time in Italy is almost over.

As easy as our time is here, it won't last. No woman has ever fit into my life. They take one look at Avi and run the other direction. Not that I blame them. Who would sign up to help me raise a sixteen-year-old?

Besides, Raven will have her new company to manage. I'm sure of it. She wouldn't have time for us. Better to be let down now than in six months when she won't be bothered to give up her job for us.

No. It's better this way.

"C'mon. Let's go lay out."

I need to cut off these thoughts. Grabbing Raven's hand and the drinks, I lead us out onto the main deck.

It's hot, the perfect temperature for a dip in the lake. Raven drops her cover-up, and every thought of mine is consumed by her.

How is it possible to be jealous of a swimsuit? The way it clings to her like a second skin has my thighs clenching.

"You okay there?"

I straddle Raven's legs, dragging a finger along the hem of her suit.

"Mmm. Just enjoying the sights."

"I think you're missing them." Raven threads her fingers through my hair, pulling me close.

"I don't think I am."

I couldn't care less about the view in front of us. All I want is Raven. I kiss her. Slow, lazy, languid. Letting our tongues tangle as the wind whips our hair around.

It's a decadent morning spent with Raven.

"Would you like to swim?" the captain interrupts.

I groan, but Raven's eyes light up.

"Yes!" She pushes me to the side and runs to back of the boat. I take off after her, not a care in the world.

She goes flying in and I go right after her.

"Fuck! It's freezing!" It's like a thousand tiny needles are stabbing my skin.

"It's not that bad." She wipes the water from her eyes.

"Not that bad? My nipples could cut glass."

A devilish look crosses her lips as she swims over to me.

"Do you need me to check?"

One hand wraps around my waist as the other slides up my swimsuit-clad body. Her thumb strokes over my already hard nipple.

"Mmm."

The smallest touch has me arching into her.

"You know we're not alone out here, right?" A shiver leaves me, even though I can feel Raven's warmth start to seep into me.

"What a shame." Her mouth nips at my jaw. "What I wouldn't give to have this lake all to ourselves."

"I don't think there's enough money in the world for that."

"Settle for a kiss then?"

Warm lips take mine in a commanding kiss. Any thought of being cold is gone.

The swipe of her tongue into my mouth has me aching for her. A feeling low in my belly stirs, craving everything she'll give me. Her skin is cold as I dig my fingers into her, both of us holding on to each other as best we can in the water.

Wandering hands slip under the bottom of my top.

"Raven…" I tug her bottom lip between my teeth as she pushes her hand farther under my top, cupping my breast.

"Who has the power now?"

"God, you. You do." I throw my head back as she kneads my breast. I wish we weren't out in the middle of this lake right now. I'd rather be spread out beneath her and letting her feast on me.

"That's right." She licks a trail up my neck. "I love seeing how crazy I can make you."

"You're just mean."

"I am?" She nibbles on my jaw, squeezing a little bit harder. I can feel her smile in it.

"Yes. I want to be naked. Under you. Every which way you'll have me, but instead we're in the middle of a lake."

"Now you're giving me ideas for later." Raven pulls her hand back and swims away from me a little bit. "I think I'll wait until then."

"Are you kidding me?"

Every nerve is on fire. Each part of me is yearning for her touch. For her fingers to be back where they were.

"It'll just make it that much better."

I splash her. "No, it won't."

"Now you're being mean," she returns, sweeping both arms through the water to hit me.

The cold water now helps cool the raging heat swirling through me as we splash each other. The moment goes from heated to playful in the blink of an eye.

Something I love about Raven.

Shit. Love?

There's no way I could love her in this short of a time. But her bright eyes looking back at me, reflecting so much happiness, tell me otherwise.

I've gone and fallen in love with Raven West.

Now, how do I keep her past this week?

Because now that I've had her, I never want to let her go.