Page 39 of Wicked

“You don’t seem as uptight as many of the women here.”

Raven explains she believes she is a free thinker, and the two women debate the concept. I stay on the sideline, and again, it is nice to observe.

“Indeed,” Nonna agrees. “And well said. It’s often healthy to ditch society's dusty shackles. Dante and I have agreed on that for decades, have we not?”

I nod, and it’s suddenly nice to be home, with her. My grandmother lifts her glass. “To freedom for all.”

“And open minds and hearts,” Raven adds.

“And to running in the long grass and swimming naked in the night,” my grandmother says.

We laugh, toast, and drink before we sit in silence for a moment, taking it all in.

My grandmother sighs, and she takes my hand. “Well, it’s good to have you back, darling. I’ve missed you, Dante.”

I squeeze her hand tight. “You too, Nonna. And I’ll come visit soon.”

“Please do,” my grandmother says before motioning to Raven. “And make sure you bring my new friend.”

I am touched, but I am confused with the colorful night.

After saying farewell,we head for the cars. That is when I realize we’re both technically drunk, and I know I should not drive.

Several minutes later, a second cousin drives by and we convince him to drop us home. It is a short drive to the villa, and minutes later, we pull up in his Maserati. As we thank my wine producing relative for his kind act, I help the virgin out under the moon.

As the car heads into the night, Raven turns to me next to the villa. She lifts a brow, lifts her gown, and runs fast.

15

RAVEN

I sprint up the stairs, feet ahead of Dante, with my shoes in my hand. We enter our rooms and slam the doors at the same time. I put the shoes down, and I try to work out if Maria lives in the building and if we need to be quiet.

As I wipe off my lipstick in the mirror, I look at myself one last time. The gown is stunning, and I will never forget tonight.

As the alcohol in my body makes mefeel alive,I reach back. I cannot reach the back of the gown, and I huff. To put it on, it had taken forever, even with a mirror. I’d also had to weirdly twist it around my chest.

Growling, I leave it on. Yanking off my satin thong, I grab my towel and run out the door.

As I pull open the bathroom door, I grin, wanting the hot water on me. As hot as can be.

I toss my towel, go for the bath taps, but I find Dante in the shallow bath filling with water.

“No way!” I yell, flustered and drunk.

I spin away, then turn back angrily. Dante places the fluffy body scrubber over his junk, and I get even more pissed. Our eyes meet, and I stamp my foot down hard.

“Shhhh, Maria is likely asleep downstairs.”

The window to the sea is open, and music wafts in from a bar a few doors down. Dante drinks another Campari and soda, and he nods to another glass on the edge of the window.

I fake smile an angry thanks as I remember the dress still on me.

Walking over to him, I spin, offering him my butt. “Please?”

Suddenly, he stands naked. He reaches out and he yanks me closer to him. I gasp as I face the window. “You rogue.”

Dante unclips the many clasps one by one, and he puts his warm, wet fingers on my neck to help hold me in place.

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