Page 30 of Nicoli

“Ah-huh.” Leandra empties her second glass, flustered, and I suppress my laughter.

“He made her come, and the moans that left her mouth were pure ecstasy. I wanted that. I wanted to experience what she just felt.” I shrug. “So, I said yes.”

“Of course you did. If you said no, I’d tell you right now that we can no longer be friends.”

I laugh so loud that people sitting two tables from us glare at us, but give me one more glass of champagne, and I won’t care. “Imelda guided me onto the bed,” I continue. “She made me lean back against her, settled between her legs with my back against her chest. She told him what to do, and he did exactly what she said. He kissed me the way she told him to. Touched me as she directed. And when it came to…you know…taking my virginity, Imelda kissed me. She kissed me so hard, with so much passion and vigor, the next thing I felt was this deep pressure between my legs followed by a sharp pain that turned into this exquisite ache that I’ve never experienced before.” I suck in a breath, the memories becoming too real, my cheeks heated with embarrassment and arousal.

Leandra gapes at me, her expression both shocked and captivated.

I clear my throat and try to douse the heat in my system with a full glass of champagne. “And that’s how I lost my virginity. In a villa surrounded by vineyards in Tuscany.”

“Well,” Leandra presses her lips together, “it sure as hell beats losing your virginity in a boutique.”

Our hysterical laughter fills the restaurant, and I can’t believe I was finally able to tell someone. It feels good to share my secret, and it somehow makes it more real. More insanely erotic and beautiful.

“I spent every night with them after that, until one day I got there, and their villa was empty.”

“They left?” she blurts out. “Without saying goodbye?”

“Yeah. But it’s okay. Well, I mean, it sucked, of course. But somehow, it felt like it was time. You know? As if it ended while it was still beautiful, and that time would just have ruined it.” I weave my fingers through my hair, pulling the blonde tresses over my shoulder. “I spent two more summers in Tuscany after that, but I never went back to that villa in case I might find them there.”

“You didn’t want to see them again?”

“Of course I did. But I was afraid the three of us might get entangled again and that it wouldn’t be as beautiful as it was the first time. The memories I have are worth more than a second-rate experience.”

“It’s like I’m listening to a romance novel on audio,” she remarks, then grabs her handbag and stands. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I urgently need to go fuck my husband.”

I burst out with laughter, the moment filled with lightness. “We haven’t eaten lunch yet.”

“And I’m famished. But not for food.”

“That’s so unfair. At least you have someone to satiate your hunger. All I have is a bullet and a wand.”

“Oh, we have that, too. But Alexius gets jealous when it’s not his cock I’m riding.”

“Oh, my God. I’m getting visuals. Please stop.”

“It’s only going to get worse if you don’t take me home to my husband soon.”

“Jesus, yes. We’re leaving.” I grab my bag and take a quick last sip of my champagne while Leandra is already out the door.

I sigh, past reminders instilling a wistfulness in my soul. I’ve always had peace with what happened all those summers ago in that Tuscan villa. Never once did I regret a single moment I spent with them. It was the most liberated I’ve ever felt in my entire life. No tragic past or possessive Del Rossas breathing down my neck. I was free to just…be.

The only thing that remained a constant during my time with them was Nicoli. Not a single minute spent in that villa could douse the fire that burned in my soul for him—thatstillburns in my soul for him.

For as long as I can remember, he’s been the single most important person in my life—even if it seems like he hardly notices me. Yet I’m pretty sure he noticed me last night. Naked. Embarrassed. And a goddamn trainwreck.

My heels click across the polished floors as I weave through the tables and chairs, aiming for the exit, when a man steps in front of me.

“Excuse me.” He smiles, his eyes an intense brown.

I stop, bewildered. “Hi.”

“My name is Felix.” He clears his throat, his crisp white shirt stretching across broad shoulders. “I hope you don’t think I’m too forward, but I was sitting at the bar with a few friends, and I really tried not to stare at you like a stalker.”

My cheeks flush. “Well, um…firstly, thank you. I guess. Secondly, my name is Mirabella Tirelli.” I hold out my hand, and he takes it with gentle fingers, squeezing lightly.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mirabella.”

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