Page 115 of Tainted Obsession 1
“Where are we going?” I ask, curious about our surroundings.
Massimo usually takes me to opulent locations and lavishes me with expensive gifts and meals. This feels more rustic than previous dates he’s planned for us.
“The Baths of Queen Giovanna,” he explains, gesturing for me to take the next narrow step carefully. “You’ll love it here, I promise.”
We reach the bottom of the stairs, and my breath catches. A placid cove opens up before us, gentle waves lapping at the small, pebbled beach. High cliffs surround us on all sides, the rock shining with a golden hue beneath the summer sun. A small, arched gap in the cliffs at the far side of the cove provides a keyhole view out to the wider Mediterranean Sea. But inside this peaceful space, the water glows in a breathtaking teal blue that contrasts with the darker azure at the horizon.
I reach for my camera before I fully process what I’m doing. The urge to photograph this stunning, magical space is almost instinctive. Ever since Massimo gifted me with my Canon DSLR, my artistic nature has blossomed. His faith in my creative talent has unlocked my passion for photography in a way I’ve never known before.
When I pull the camera from its protective case, my brow furrows. This is a Nikon, not my Canon.
“I thought you would prefer a waterproof model today,” he explains, reading my confusion. “We can go for a swim without worrying about damaging your camera.”
My eyes sting with a surge of love for this perfect man.
“I love you,” I say with the weight of an oath.
I’ll never tire of saying it, never regret giving myself to Massimo, body and soul.
He sweeps me up in another devastating kiss, laying claim to everything that I am. I offer myself to him eagerly.
When I’m dizzy from the intensity of our fiery chemistry, he finally relents. His touch is slow with regret when he gently grasps my shoulders and directs me to turn away from him.
“Take your pictures,dolcezza.” His lips tease the shell of my ear. “I have plans to make you scream my name later. You’ll come so hard that you’ll beg for mercy. And I will have none.”
He nips at my neck, drawing a shiver from me despite the midday heat.
“You promise?” My voice is breathy in the way I’ve only ever known with him.
“I promise.”
A satisfied smile curves my lips. Massimo always keeps his promises.
I lift my camera and obediently snap the first shot of our stunning surroundings. His warm hands on my shoulders ground me, and I lose myself to the beautiful moment. Each gentle caress of his fingers over my arms, my neck, and the curve of my jaw keeps me thoroughly in his thrall even as I focus intently on my creative work. I sink into the sweet sensation of his touch, my mind going blissfully quiet in a way that frees my artistic instincts.
Massimo has unlocked my passion, and I’ve never been so prolific as I’ve become since he brought me to Italy. He’s imbued me with confidence for my gallery opening, erasing any lingering anxiety and self-doubt. He believes in me, and he insists that I believe in myself too.
I can’t deny him anything.
We strip down to our swimsuits and wade into the aqua pool. I dip beneath the surface of the water to take more pictures.
I surface with a gasp of delight. What I thought was a large rock in the center of the cove bears the unmistakable marks of masonry.
“What is it?” I ask, gesturing at the sunken ruin.
He drops a kiss on the top of my head. “It’s all that remains of a Roman villa that was built on the cliff. It subsided into the cove hundreds of years ago. Do you want to see it up close?”
I nod fervently and start to swim the short distance to the ruin. The water is cool and clear, small waves undulating around us. The biggest swells of the sea are broken by the small arched entrance to the cove, leaving the magical space placid and serene.
I take more underwater photos, diving deeper to capture the rugged beauty of the ruins.
When I finally pause to take a few deep breaths, I find Massimo lounging on top of the masonry, his body submerged to his waist where he sits on the edge of the stone. His powerful torso is on full, delicious display, slight shadows settling beneath his ripped muscles to show off the carved perfection of his body.
I lick my lips in wanton desire for him, and his eyes flash in the sunlight.
He extends a hand toward me. “Come here.”
I place my hand in his, and he pulls me through the water in an easy glide, closing the small distance between us. His hands bracket my hips, and he tugs me up onto the rock, settling me between his spread legs so that I face away from him.
