Page 1 of Finally Forever
1
Ainsley
Living in hiding from the mafia has its perks. This view, for one thing.
I gaze out the French doors, beyond the terrace, to the Mediterranean Sea. Shades of coral paint the morning sky. A beam of sunlight glints across the sapphire blue water as if fireflies dance on the surface.
I wouldn’t compare this shoreline to the luxury coasts of St. Tropez, Cannes, or Monaco; but this secluded French villa, perched on a seawall of rocks overlooking the Bay of Cassis, is ours.
Four months ago, Sebastian took me on a private tour of France. We were disguised the entire time and visited places more beautiful than I thought possible. Loire Valley, Versailles, Paris, Avignon, and most of the south coast. When the three-week excursion ended, we needed to pick a place to live, and we settled on Cassis.
The small fishing village wasn’t too far from Aix-en-Provence, where I could attend a few classes that would go toward finishing my interior design and historical architecture degree. Not that I need it, or a job. Sebastian and I have enough money to live as we choose, but I like having something to do and feeling like I’m part of the world in some way.
Most of my courses are online—per Sebastian’s safety precautions—but occasionally, I take a trip to Aix, as the locals call it, and sit in on a class or meet up with students to study. That part is nice, even if it comes with the always-present fear of being caught.
Tension creeps into my shoulders. I blow out a breath and focus on the view. Olive trees dance in the breeze, casting shadows over the patio. Fuchsia bougainvillea grows over the trellis and covers the dining table, the flowers fluttering like butterflies that never take flight. I follow a ripple in the pool water, watching as it scatters to the infinity edge and disappears, as if diving into the sea.
A year ago, I wouldn’t have dreamed this could be my life. I had one goal: Make enough money so I could transfer to a college far away from my controlling mother. All that changed after a chance meeting with Sebastian. He was the infamous senior surrounded by mafia rumors, which I didn’t believe were true until it was too late. So many events, good and bad, occurred to get us to this little slice of heaven. I can’t say it wasn’t worth it.
I open the French door, the terrace and view calling to me, and breathe in the sea air. A cold gust sweeps into the house, chilling my skin and sending my golden strands spiraling behind me. I shiver and yank the door closed. Fifty-four degrees is too cold for what I’m wearing.
Being raised in Central Florida, anything below sixty is too chilly. I froze last winter in Germany and Paris. It was my first time experiencing snow. That was cool, and I got to enjoy the colors of fall like I’ve always wanted. For some reason, I thought spring would be warmer here, but then, it’s only May.
“Now that’s a view I’ll never tire of.” Sebastian’s voice comes from behind me.
I glance over my shoulder. His eyes are on me, not the Mediterranean Sea outside the doors, as he strolls across the great room dressed in cotton pajama pants and a T-shirt.
“You should put some clothes on before I drag you back to bed.” He wraps his arms around me, hugging his chest to my back, and kisses my neck. His scruff tickles my skin.
I shiver and let out a small squeal, but I don’t try to get away. He’d catch me.
“I am dressed.” In one of his shirts. They’re my favorite to sleep in.
“This material is thin. I can clearly see the outline of your body. It’s tempting me.” He slides his hands under the hem of the shirt and runs his palms across my stomach. His thumb brushes the bottom of my breast.
I smile and moan, leaning into him.
He groans and buries his nose in my hair. “Never gets old. You know I love how you respond to me. Almost as much as I love being able to do this every day. Sometimes, I still can’t believe we’re together.”
“I know.” I sigh and fold my arms over his, which are tucked under my shirt and wrapped around my waist. “Sometimes, I wonder if I’m dreaming, and I’m scared that when I wake up, this will be gone.”
The odds of that happening are very real and occurred not that long ago. When we were in the Protection Program, our former handler, Agent Clark, would alert us if Sebastian’s family behaved out of character or traveled. If that happened, the rule was to separate me and Sebastian for a short while. For four months, we were in protection under her care. Then we left and hired our own private security, which was always Sebastian’s plan.
Xavier is our bodyguard, informant, and handler. He’s ex-military and ex-CIA. He also knows Agent Clark and uses a lot of the feds’ protocols to keep us safe. One time, after learning about major activity in Italy involving Sebastian’s grandfather, the Don, he separated me from Sebastian for a week. The Don was in the hospital, and they suspected it was his time, but he ended up pulling through.
It was the longest week of my life. When he were apart it felt as if I were missing an arm or a leg, and I physically ached with a deep pain in my heart that was almost too much to bear.
“You’re tense.” His nose skims up my neck to under my ear. He presses a kiss there. “What are you thinking about?”
“Separating.”
“Why?” He angles his head, trying to connect with my eyes.
I turn in his strong arms and go up on my toes, locking my hands behind his neck.
His beautiful face greets me, his full lips curved with a smile, his chocolate eyes, with those stunning blue starbursts around his pupils, filled with concern.
I kiss the scar under his bottom lip. “I don’t know why. Lately, I’ve had a strange feeling, like something bad is going to happen.”
