13. Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

Layla

"How's it going?" Charlotte asks while I'm enjoying a cup of coffee on our terrace in Como.

We just got back from Venice, and I can't say that we got much sleep. It was amazing. Josh did things to me, made me feel things that I didn't know were possible. My entire body is sore but in the best way.

He's taking a shower now after spending three hours on the train this morning. We decided to relax a bit today and enjoy a day on the water by the pool. I hate to think about the fact that tomorrow is our last day here.

"Italy is magical," I reply, then remember I was supposed to be on this vacation with her. "I wish you were here."

She yawns. "Me too. We'll just have to plan another trip once I've had this baby."

I smile to myself, loving the idea of being an aunt to my best friend's baby.

"Why aren't you in bed?" I ask. "What time is it there? "

"Ugh, it's four. I woke up and got sick, then couldn't fall back asleep. I figured it was the perfect time to call you to see how it's going. Is Josh behaving himself?"

Absolutely not. Josh is not behaving himself one bit, and I couldn't be happier about it. A small smile breaks free, and I'm suddenly glad that we didn't video call. She'd know I was hiding something in an instant.

"Ugh, he's totally annoying," I lie, trying to sound believable. "I still can't believe you thought it would be a good idea for me to spend a week with him."

She sighs. "Hey, I did the best I could for it being last minute. Is he really that bad? Does Asher need to call him when he wakes up?"

"No, no…" I stutter. "Don't have Asher call him. He's fine, I'm probably just being dramatic. You know me when it comes to Josh."

"I still wish you would open up to me about why you hate him so much."

"We can save that for another time. I should get going. We are going to go lie by the pool today, make it a slow day. I hope you can fall back asleep. Love you."

After I hang up the phone, I lean my head back for a second. I hate lying to her, but I can't just blurt out what happened last night. This is my brother's best friend, and she just so happens to be living with said brother.

"Pardon me. Don't mean to interrupt you. I know I can be soo annoying," Josh says as he walks out in his swim trunks.

Fuck me, he looks good.

"Sorry, I panicked. It would be obvious if I did a total one-eighty and now happy with you here. It would be too obvious. You don't want me telling anybody about what happened last night. Right?"

He shrugs. "I guess not."

I'm not sure if I'm reading into things, but I think he's kind of hurt that I'm keeping it a secret. It's a bit surprising, considering only four days ago, we were both bitching about spending time together.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I just thought that maybe we shouldn't…I mean, we don't even know what this…" I motion between the two of us, stumbling over my words.

"Yeah, got it. We don't know what this is. No need to explain." He lowers his sunglasses over his eyes. "Shall we go for a swim?"

I grab my bag and follow him down to the pool. The vibe still feels a little off as we sit down. I'm desperate to get it back to where we were this morning.

"I'm gonna go in," I tell him as I stand up and take off my cover-up.

I'm slowly descending down the stairs when I feel him behind me.

I turn around and smile. "You going to join me?"

I get in all the way and let my hands glide around the water.

"You don't see it, do you?" he says as he follows me in further.

"See what?" I ask .

"The attention you get in that damn swimsuit," he says with venom. "Every male around here, hell—probably even female, is looking at you in that thing. They're all wishing they can find a way to get you into bed."

I roll my eyes. "You're completely off base. No one is looking at me."

He grabs my hand and pulls my body against his. "You are just too sweet to recognize how sexy you are. Now, do me a favor and kiss me so everyone here knows you are mine."

I'm not sure why he asked because he just grabs my face and claims my lips. His mouth devours mine, making my body burn with fire. The water ripples around us as our kiss deepens. We move in perfect harmony with each other, a rhythm only we can hear. Every touch, every brush of skin against skin, sends a shiver of pleasure down my spine.

Whatever tension was there a minute ago is gone, replaced by a smoldering flame.

He pulls away and kisses my forehead. "There we go, Freckles. Now, I can go lie on the chair in peace, knowing that everyone here knows you are off limits."

He turns away and walks up the stairs out of the pool, and lies down on his towel. Except, now I'm all turned on.

I'm going to get him back tonight for that. He leaves me here all needy just so he can pump his chest and claim me in front of everyone. Okay, fine, it's sexy as hell that he's being that territorial over me.

Dammit, I'm so screwed! What are we even doing? We haven't even resolved our issues, and we've dove headfirst into this messy situation. Do I even trust him with my heart? I know I can trust him with my body. He has proven himself in that department.

Was it just bad timing all those years ago? Maybe he's different now, more mature. But what if he does it again? I won't be able to stand it.

I just need to keep reminding myself not to fall in love with him. This is probably just because we're alone in a romantic country. I'm sure when we get home, he'll go back to being cold and distant.

But I want to enjoy the last of the time I have left, and I know he can promise me a good time. I'm vowing to myself right here, right now, that I will not let myself get swept up in the romance of it all. I will recognize this for what it is: a fling in a foreign country.

With that, I dive under the water and swim a couple of laps. When I'm done, I join Josh on our lounge chairs.

"What's this?" I ask when I notice a fruity-looking drink on the table between us.

"I ordered you a peach Bellini," he replies.

"Ooh, that sounds so refreshing. Thank you," I tell him as I take a sip.

This must be fresh peach juice in here, it's incredible. I look over at the man lying next to me. His sculpted body and rigid lines, the view of the alps in front of us, and wonder how I got here. It feels like a dream.

I used to lie awake at night and think about a life with Josh. He was that one guy that always seemed unattainable, but my heart could never let go of him .

After dinner, we stroll along the water hand in hand. We talk for over an hour about everything. He makes me laugh along the way, in between deep conversations about our family and careers.

By the time we get back to our hotel room, I'm itching to get him out of his clothes. But he must've been feeling it too because he pushes me up against the door the moment we're in the room.

I can feel the urgency in his kiss. It seems he has also been on the verge of losing control. His hands rake my body as he presses me harder into the door.

"Fuck, Freckles. I can't get enough of you."

He reaches behind me and unzips my dress, then tugs it off until it glides down my legs to the floor. I couldn't wear a bra with this dress, so I'm standing in my black panties.

"Touch your breasts for me. I want to see you playing with yourself," he growls as his hand reaches for his belt.

I follow his command and let my breasts fill my hands. They are sensitive to the touch, but it's nothing compared to watching this man undress in front of me. His eyes are smoldering as they hold mine. Once he loses his belt, he unzips his pants and then takes a step backward towards the bed.

"Get over here," he demands. "Lie down on the bed and let me watch you."

My panties flood at his words. His domination in the bedroom really does something to me. I lie down on the bed and scoot back, leaning on my elbows as I wait .

"Tell me what you want me to do now," I whisper, then watch him as he loses his boxers. "Do you want me to touch myself here?"

I spread my legs and rub myself over my panties.

He groans as he takes his dick in his hand. I watch the veins in his hand and arm pop out as he grips himself hard. I begin rubbing circles over my panties, needing the friction.

"Lose the underwear," he insists.

I lie back and kick them off in seconds.

"Now spread those legs and let me see your perfect pink pussy."

With my legs spread open for him, I bring my hands between my legs and spread my lips open for him. I hear him cuss under his breath. I love knowing I can garner such a reaction from him. It only makes me more wet.

"Look at you, dripping wet for me," he says as he continues stroking himself. "Does someone wanna soak my face again like last night?"

I would've thought I'd be mortified by squirting, but he seems so into it, and it felt amazing. Before I can respond, he is on his stomach and burying his face between my legs.

His tongue moves quickly over my clit. I fist my own hair as the sensations in me build quickly.

I don't know if I'm going to last long.