Vincenzo had said there was a pool. One I've chosen not to utilize for a while. It's one of the only places I feel a bit embarrassed to be in. Someone could walk in on me. Yet that seems to be the opposite case as I step into the pool area.

My eyes fall on Sergio, water dripping from his dark hair and the tattoos inked on his skin. There is no denying that Sergio is a handsome man, but there is much more to him than just his looks. A lot I want to know but choose to keep things the way he seems to want them. Which means me out of his way. Not getting to know one another and yet we still kind of did. The days tend to blur, especially with him usually in his office and me in the library but I know it's been days since we last saw one another.

I creep in silently, peeling my eyes from the gorgeous man as I slip the towel from my body. I take a seat at the other end of the pool and dip my toes in. The water is warm and comforting. I want to slip into it... My gaze betrays me every so often looking in his direction. He must have not noticed me.

Though it's probably for the best after I had almost kissed him and then pretty much ogled his body. I  shake the thought from my head, lowering the shirt on my body more to cover up a bit.

"Are you going to get in?" He asks with his back turned to me.

That answers my question.

I stare at all those tattoos and those scars decorating his back. "I'm just adjusting." I kick my feet gently against the water. "I didn't think anyone would be here. It's usually empty when I walk by."

"I usually use it at night." He looks over his shoulder. "Mostly to look at the stars above."

I blink twice, drifting my gaze up to the ceiling. "That would be a beautiful sight. The stars glistened in the water."

"It opens up, you know."

"Can I?" I ask, pushing myself up. "The sun seemed to be setting on my way in."

He turns and points behind me. "Control is on the wall."

I walk over and press the button, letting in the sun as it set over the horizon and the sky that slowly began to turn into night. "Wow..."

Pink and purple hues blend together across the sky. It's almost like someone made one long stroke with a paintbrush over reds, whites, and blues.

"We don't have this. A pool but not with a view," I tell him as pry my gaze from the view and move back to the pool. He's standing there, the water resting just below his belly button. I sit down and slipped into the pool, keeping my shirt on.

He looks up, and my gaze follows. Even the ceiling opened up... "Shame... I only have this because..." He shakes his head. "It doesn't matter."

I look over at him. His face contorts like he is trying to keep himself from revealing any sort of emotion.

"It does matter," I say, "but you don't have to share with me. Maybe one day you will."

My body gravitates toward him and it settles comfortably beside him. "For now we can just enjoy this together. Yeah?"

"You're standing too closely next to a naked man."

N-n-naked? My gaze drifts dow— I stop myself. Heat flushes to my face as I look away and take a step to the side. "W-wh-why are you naked in the pool?"

"It's my pool and it's comfortable. You should try it."

Try it... but... I glance over at him as he continued to look up at the sky. "Promise not to peek?"

"If you don't want me to, I won't."

I blink twice. Was that true? He wouldn't so long as I said so? What was that saying my mother used to tell me?

In this life, there's only one way you'll survive my principessa. And that's by being brave, bold, and ballsy.

I take a deep breath.

Be brave, be bold, be ballsy. I pull the shirt off my head and placed it on the edge of the pool. "And if I wanted you to?"

"You'd have to tell me and be sure about it." He doesn't even look at me. I'm captivated by every word coming from his lips.

"Why sure about it?"

"Because I don't want you asking for something you're not ready for, princess."

"It's only a peek right?" After all, I did get a glance at him. I move further away and lower myself into the pool so the water reaches my neck. "You can look."

He chuckles, not even doing to do as I say. Instead, he closes his eyes. "It's fine, Aria. I don't need to see you naked. Just enjoy the moment with me."

I blinked twice. His laughter... it's a different kind than what I've heard before. I nod, moving closer to him. My gaze drifts up to his face. He looks so calm and relaxed. And even under the now moonlit sky... he looks even more handsome than he had before. "Am I still too close?"

"I don't know, Aria. I'm not looking." His lips curl into a smile. "Want me to check?"

A small giggle leaves my mouth. "I think this is ok. But... you can check to make sure."

His eyes open and he drops his gaze to my face. My pulse quickens. I suddenly want to be closer. I want him to keep looking at me like that... like I'm the most precious thing he's ever laid eyes on.

"You're beautiful under the moonlight, Aria," he says.

It's suddenly harder to breathe. "T-thank you..."

"Are you alright?" He asks, tilting his head.

Be brave, be bold, be ballsy.

"Can... can I touch you?"

He raises an eyebrow, almost as if he's unsure as to why I would even ask such a thing. "You don't have to ask me. Just do it."

I move in front of him. My fingers graze over his tattoo... and then one of his scars. "You must have endured more than just physical pain."

He shrugged his shoulders. "Nothing I couldn't handle. We all have our demons... I have conquered mine, though."

"Sergio?" I look up at him, hand pressed to his chest. "You look handsome under the stars."

He chuckles, shaking his head. His hand covers mine. "You should keep away from me, for your own good."

"Will you'll tie me up in a dungeon and torture me?" I ask, surprised by my own words.

"Are you going to give me a reason to do so? Or is it something that you want me to do?"

I shake my head instantly. "Neither. I was only wondering if you would if I still stayed beside you."

"You're only here until your brother holds his end of our deal." He took a step closer to me. "Whenever he does that... You can leave and live your normal life again."

"There's nothing normal about this life." I lower my hand from his chest. "No matter where I go."

"Would you like for me to make it normal for you? At least for a second?"

Normal for a moment..."That would be nice."

"Really?" He moves closer, forcing me to back up. "Do you really want me to?"

I take one final step and my back hits the edge of the pool. I nod.

He smiles and lowers his face inches from mine. "Close your eyes."

I do as he asks. His breath brushes against hers, but a laugh leaves his lips and the distance grows between us. Is he making a joke of me? I turned from him, and place my hands on the edge, ready to push myself up.

Sergio's arm wraps around my waist and pulls me into him but not enough for our bodies to touch. "I'm sorry, princess. I couldn't help it. You looked too adorable."

"Is this what you mean by normal? Feeling embarrassed is normal, uncertain, and yet certain at the same time?"

"Yes." He smiled. "Is it working?"

"It feels a little like torture... only a different scenery and no ties."

"Want me to torture?" He rests his chin against my shoulder and presses his lips to my neck. A shiver runs through me.

"S-Sergio?" My hand found its way to his arm.

"Yes, Aria?" He asks, his breath brushing against my skin. "What do you want?"

What do I want? I'm not exactly sure, but I am about one thing... "I don't want you to stop whatever this is."

"Good." He spins me to face him. His tongue darts out, tracing over his bottom lip. He hasn't even done anything and he's setting my body on fire. He tugs me closer to him. Our bodies fit perfectly but all I can really focus on is his lips as they crash over mine. My mouth opens freely, giving him and his tongue access and after a moment of hesitation, mine follows his.

I pull away, my forehead presses to his. "If this is what normal feels like, I want to feel like this more often."

"I can." He kisses me again. "Do that." He smiles as his fingers slide down my hips and up between my thighs. "Do you want me to show you?"

"Please?"

His finger suddenly climbs higher, over my sensitive spot... and then into a place no one had ever touched before "Is this better?"

I dig my face into his chest. My teeth bite down onto my tongue. This... this is something else... something different... a foreign touch. And yet, I don't push him away. My body craves more. "Sergio.." a soft sound comes from my mouth.

"Yes, Aria? Tell me, what do you need?" He thrusts his fingers inside.

What do I need? I don't know... I'm sure. My head feels light and my eyes blur with every stroke. He inserts another finger. "Sergio... please I... it's too much."

I grip his arm, digging my fingertips into him.

"Of course." He stops and slides his fingers gently out from inside me. "Have you ever been touched, Aria?"

I shake my head. "Not in the way you touch me."

"Never?" He seems shocked. He takes a step back, looking me over.

I close my eyes, shaking my head once again. "Never..."

"I'm sorry," Sergio says softly. "I wouldn't have... That's a lie. I would have. Just more... gently."

My arms wrap around myself for comfort. "Did I ruin our normal moment?"

"No. Of course not." He inches closer to me and presses a kiss to my shoulder. "This just means I have to be more careful..."

My gaze searches his. I know he's not a monster, especially not when he talks to me like this. His hand cups my face, and his thumb brushes over my cheek. He pulls me gently, pressing his lips to mine.

"Boss," Vicncezo's voice echoes in the room.

Sergio pulls away, looking over my head. "Yes, Vinny?"

"You have a visitor."

Sergio rolls his eyes and glances down at me. "Let them know I am busy."

"I would but they insisted on speaking with you."

A growl erupts from Sergio's chest. It's not for me though, I know it for a fact. "Let them wait..."

He leans in, but I move back, lowering myself so Vincenzo can't see me. "Sergio..."

"Don't worry, only I can see you." He chuckles as his hand reaches up and cups my breast. "All of you... right now."

I bury my face into his chest, as he rubs his thumb over my nipple. I could feel him growing against my stomach. "I'm nervous."

"About what?" he asks. "I haven't done anything yet."

"It feels like you are."

"We can stop, Aria. If you're that concerned. After all, I am a dangerous man.".

"Not enough if I can almost kill you on accident." I chuckle softly, looking up at him.

"Lucky shot." He laughs and then lets out a sigh. "Do you want me to continue or do we leave it here and try next time?" His gaze drifts over me again, "Since Vinny can't take a fucking hint."

"You should go. I can wait."

He nods and leans down, pressing his lips to mine. "We can continue this right after my meeting..." He plants a kiss on my neck. "Get ready for me..." with that he moves away and gets out of the pool. "Wear something nice or maybe nothing at all?" He winks and grabs a towel, drying himself off.

"Should I meet you somewhere or will you find me?"

"In my bed." My gaze follows him as he walks to the door. "I hope you like it rough."

Rough... he is going to touch me roughly this time? I take a deep breath as I watch him leave the room and close the door behind him. My gaze drifts up to the sky.

What have I gotten myself into?

❤︎❤︎❤︎

total ONC word count: 12,561

thank you so much for reading along! ❤︎