Sienna

"This looks really bad." Tristan panicked for the millionth time, his voice still very husky with sleep.

He was holding my hair up and running his hand down my back. I didn't want him here but I didn't exactly have the willpower to push him away.

I clutched my stomach and groaned. "No, I'm fine, I'm just—" Bile curled up my throat again and I lowered my head, hurling more waste into the toilet.

Fuck.

I couldn't believe the first thing I was doing in Italy was throwing up like a freaking preggo.

This sucked.

"You're starting to scare me, Sienna, maybe we should call a doctor."

"No, don't." I croaked, shaking my head. I was done now. I didn't think I had anything left in me to give away. I let go of my hold on the tank and flushed the mess down the pipe. When I finally regained enough composure, I got up and could feel his eyes on me as I walked slowly to the sink and turned the faucet on.

He watched me rinse my mouth and face. I didn't know what to say to him, he had every right to be worried. I turned the faucet off and wiped my face with one of the fancy hotel towels. I was too tired to even begin admiring the state-of-the-art bathroom. Right now all I wanted to do was go back to bed and collapse into sleep.

Tossing the towel aside, I finally turned to meet my man. He stood there, tall and strong and very much naked save for his black briefs. His hair was tousled all over his forehead from sleep and how he managed to make those early morning eye bags look sexy I still didn't know. I blinked my doe eyes at him when he wouldn't stop staring at me with growing concern. "What?"

"You look sick."

"I look fine." I was fine. It was nothing serious. I was just a little sick from the flight.

"I'm not having this, I'm calling a doctor."

"You're worrying over nothing, babe."

He frowned. "This is the second time you're throwing up."

"I'm fine, Tristan, trust me."

He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "I don't believe you."

Sighing, I took his hand and placed it over my forehead. "See? no fever, no nothing, I'm perfectly fine."

He stared at me, his dark eyes surveying me as he pondered my words, and after a moment of silent debate, his shoulders dropped. "Fine." He resigned with a sigh and retracted his hand to my cheek. "But please don't fall sick, I only just got you back."

Smiling, I lifted my hand to brush a strand of hair away from his eyes. "I won't, I promise."

His thumb brushed my bottom lip. "I love you, princess."

"I love you too." I smiled ruefully. "Let's go back to bed."

***

"You're not eating."

I snapped out of my inner musings and looked up from my plate to find Tristan watching me, his eyes warm and focused. How long had he been staring?

"I am," I told him, picking up my cup of cappuccino. The wind blew past us, reminding me that we were having breakfast on the private rooftop terrace that offered a view of the bright and inviting lagoon and the lustrously painted century-old buildings.

We were more or less surrounded by water, and although it kick-started my anxiety, I couldn't deny how beautiful it was. Nowhere really did beat the unique beauty of Venice.

"You haven't touched your croissant," Tristan stated, summoning me from my thoughts. His brow furrowed. "Don't you like it? Do you want something else?"

I shook my head. I didn't know, I just don't have much of an appetite. "I'm not hungry," I said faintly. The croissant looked nice, smelt almost too good even. The table was filled with croissants, delicious-looking cakes, fresh cheese, scrambled eggs, and yogurt—I just didn't know what was wrong with me. Maybe I was sick.

"You should eat," he urged, his eyes dropping to my stomach. "You have nothing in there."

"I'll try," I told him and he watched me intently as I reached for a croissant, broke a little piece, and chewed slowly.

"Do you like it?"

I nodded and sipped my cappuccino. "It's nice."

A moment passed and when I didn't make a move to reach for another bite, he frowned. "That's it? That's all you're eating?"

I dropped my cup and licked my lip. "Mmm."

"That won't do." He said sternly and leaned back in his chair. "Come." He tapped his thighs. "I'll feed you myself."

I shook my head. "I'm not a child, you don't need to spoon-feed me."

"In certain circumstances, I do." He argued, tapping his thighs again. "Now come."

I remained defiant. "No."

"You know better than to fight me on this princess." He warned, giving me a hard stare that oddly sent warmth to my belly.

"Fine," I pretended to grumble as I got up and perched softly on his hard thigh.

His left arm came around my waist and he released a rumble of satisfaction from deep within his throat that further deepened my flush. I squirmed a little, biting my lip. Times like this made me realize I was indeed in love with a guy ten years older than I was.

"Here." He summoned, bringing a piece of cake to my lips. I opened my mouth.

"Good girl, taste good, doesn't it?"

I nodded and chewed slowly.

He broke a piece of croissant next. "I booked us a private Gondola ride through the Grand Canal." He informed, bringing it to my mouth. "Right after, we'll visit the Museo Correr and then have lunch."

I wasn't particularly keen on getting into a boat. Sailing the private jetski last night to the hotel already took a huge toll on me, but you couldn't really enjoy Venice without a ride in the Gondola. I nodded. "Sounds good."

"It does." He brought another piece of croissant to my mouth. "Eat up, we still need to go shopping first."

I quirked an eyebrow at him. "Shopping?"

He bobbed his head. "You need to get more dresses."

"I'm fine with the ones you already got me." This morning, one of the hotel attendants had walked in with a variety of dresses. I was wearing one right now; a yellow strapless summer dress ending just above my knees.

"I am not, we will get more."

"I don't need them."

"You will."

"Tristan."

"I insist, Sienna."

"I don't."

"Let's not argue about this princess, I am your man and I want every man and woman to look at you and know you are been taken care of."

His point was a valid one but it just didn't feel right to have him spend this much on me. "I don't need to be donned in designer dresses for people to see that I am being taken care of."

"Need I remind you that you are dating Forbes's top eight most richest man in the world?" He quirked his lips. "Keeping up to status is very important, why do you think I never repeat a suit?"

I rolled my eyes heavenward and gruffed. "Way to show off."

He laughed. "Don't worry princess, with time, you will get used to the lifestyle." He brought another piece of cake to my mouth but I turned my head away and moaned in distress.

"I'm full."

"You've only had three bites."

I shook my head. "I don't want anymore."

He frowned. "You're going to eat what I feed you or I will bend you over this table and paddle your ass like a naughty little girl."

Instant chills raced down my spine.

His hand holding me firm glided down and slid over the curve of my ass. He squeezed. "Do you want me to spank you?"

His words lashed me. I squeezed my legs together, feeling my insides contort with liquid need. I would never admit it to him but I loved it when he talked dirty like that, it electrified me in the most carnal of ways.

I shook my head, flushing hot.

He squeezed me tighter. "Use your words, princess."

I sucked my bottom lip into my mouth and muttered the tiniest. "No."

His lips tugged slightly on one side. "Good," he brought the cake again to my lips. "Give me your biggest ahhh."

What a weirdo. Hiding my smile, I opened my mouth and ate from his hand.

***

"Yes, I'm fine mum." I guaranteed my worrying mother as I eased into my leather sandals.

"Are you sure? Is Tristan treating you well?"

I picked up my purse. "Yes, he is, we're fine."

She exhaled heavily. "I'm just glad you landed safely, I had my heart in my hands all night long."

"I'm sorry I made you worry."

"It's alright. I hope you two aren't getting funny with each other?"

I gave a little laugh through my nose. She would die of shock if she found out how many times Tristan and I went at it last night. "No, mum."

"You better not. I'll call you later, I just got to the pastry shop, I'm making cupcakes for Mrs. Rebecca's son's birthday."

"Alright mum, be careful and say hi to Ax for me."

"I will. Bye now. I love you, my girl."

"I love you too, bye." I hung up and placed my phone on the table.

"Who was that?"

I looked up at the mirror in front of me and caught sight of Tristan standing in the doorway, wearing a loose-fitting cream shirt that was buttoned halfway up, leaving the inky lines of his tattoos on display.

His eyes locked with mine and he smiled. God, he was so hot. "My mother," I replied with a small smile.

Releasing his hands from his pocket, he crossed the room to me in a few long strides and wrapped his arms around me. "And what did she say?"

My nose wrinkled. I sneezed a little.

His brows creased. "Are you okay?"

I nodded. "Yeah I'm fine, I'm just—" I sneezed again. "Excuse me, sorry it's just your cologne is a little—" I sneezed again and this time shifted away from him.

"I'm wearing the cologne I always wear, Sienna."

"Are you sure?" My stomach twisted. I clutched it. "Because I can smell something off you and it's—" Bile stroked my throat. I gagged and slapped a hand over my mouth. Oh God, not again. Brushing past him, I rushed into the bathroom and retched over the sink, losing my breakfast.

"Christ, Sienna." He came behind me, placing a hand on my back but I paid little light to his presence as I struggled with the discomfort in my belly.

Why was this happening to me, why now?

I finished quickly and rinsed my mouth out on the sink. He wasn't going to believe me now if I told him I wasn't sick. I spat and took another mouthful of water, swishing it about.

I knew he was staring at me but I couldn't meet his eyes. When I finished, I held the sink, thinking of ways to handle this but he took my hand and suddenly spun me to face him. "What the hell is actually going on Sienna?"

The cologne curled into my nostrils and my stomach twisted again. "You smell really horrible and it's making my stomach —" I dry heaved and with a curse, he took a quick step back.

"I'm sorry." I apologized. "I'm just—" I gagged.

"Fuck this." He grabbed his shirt and tossed it over his head, discarding it in a far corner.

The turmoil in me calmed. I sighed, my shoulders sagging. "Much better."

"No it's not better," he spoke tersely. "And don't you dare lie to me that you're not sick because this is not okay."

I bit my lip. "I'll get my period soon." I lied. "It's probably the reason why I'm acting up, I'm fine."

But he waited, unmoving, staring down at me and watching my expression carefully as he pondered on my words.

I really hated lying to him. "I'm fine," I said, stepping forward to smooth the frown lines on his forehead with my thumb. "You worry too much."

He sighed in that moment. "How can I not." His eyes lowered to my stomach. He gazed at it, assessing it, and then he flattened his hand over it, taking me by utter surprise.

"Be good for both of us please."

My cheeks instantly turned beet red and a million flutters filled my belly.

He removed his hands shortly and wrapped them around me. He expelled his long breath, resting his forehead on mine. "If you feel anything just let me know, okay?"

I gave him a rueful smile. "I will."

"Good girl." And then he kissed my head so tenderly and held me in his arms until everything else faded and it was once again just us.

***

This all seemed like a dream. I couldn't believe I was in Italy!

And I couldn't believe I was riding on a gondola without having a panic attack!

Maybe it was because I had Tristan with me and he was holding me so tight it was impossible to not feel safe.

Venice was such a beautiful place. The city of canals, as Dario, our sailor for today had called it. The postcards certainly didn't do enough justice to its historic grace—from the striking architecture to the beautiful arched bridges to the great Renaissance palaces—everything seemed aesthetic and I would have loved to explore some more had Tristan not coerced me out of the gondola and into every single expensive boutique he could find.

I couldn't even say no, there was no use fighting him. He was really impossible when he wanted to be. Right now, we had a cruiser full of shoes, bags, clothes, perfumes, and cosmetics that cost enough to pay my rent for a decade, and he still wasn't done. In fact, right now we were inside an exquisite-looking jewelry shop,

"Portami l'oggetto più costoso che possiedi." Tristan said to the bald man standing in front of us with a welcoming smile, and I was honestly taken by surprise because I had no idea he spoke Italian.

"Va bene signore, ci vorrà solo un momento." The dealer stated, his eyes alight with concealed joy, and then he turned and walked away.

"I had no idea you spoke Italian." I started.

Tristan shrugged, surveying the wide range of jewelry displaced on the glass shelf. "Only a little."

"And what did you say to the man that had him looking like he won a lottery?"

His lips curved but he said nothing in return, and I didn't need a rocket scientist to figure out exactly what he had demanded for.

I exhaled. "Tristan, we talked about this, you need to stop—"

The dealer returned, halting my protest.

"Here." He opened a black box housing a silver band with a pale pink stone looking like it was surrounded by diamonds sitting in the middle. "Here we have a ring made with the world's rarest type of sapphire sold at a Christie's auction in 2017 for the equivalent of 2.5 million dollars."

My lips fell apart and I blinked, dazed.

"It's perfect for a promise ring," Tristan stated, stepping forward to take the ring.

"But it's too expensive," I argued, staring at the piece of shining gemstone. "You can't possibly—"

"We'll take it." He interjected, dismissing me.

"Grande!" The dealer said with a thrill in his voice and then proceeded to scurry off again.

I sighed. This man was honestly hopeless.

"Tristan."

He turned back to me. "I can afford it, princess, you know I can."

"You've given me so much, Tristan, I don't know how to repay you."

His lips twitched. "You could always zip my pants down and—"

I clamped my hand over his mouth and glowered at him. "Don't you even start."

A chuckle rumbled low from his throat.

I withdrew my hand. "It's easy for you to throw around thousands and millions knowing you're going to impress me and I love that you do but it saddens me that I cannot give you anything in return."

"Princess." He cradled my face in his palms. "You've given me everything a man could ever ask for. I don't need anything else okay, your presence, your forgiveness, it's enough for me."

My shoulders dropped. This man was something else. "I love you so much, Tristan."

"I love you too, Amore mio." He said with a grin so infectious I couldn't help but smile back.

***

After visiting the Museo Correr and soaking in the impressive collection of both art and artifacts from centuries past, we had lunch in one of the nicest restaurants in Venice, Ai Mercanti. It was a family-run restaurant down a little hidden street. The service was amazing, the ambiance was romantic and the meals were full of exciting flavors.

Right after, we walked hand in hand through the floating city's maze-like streets eating gelatos. It was a labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys, I swear, if I didn't have Tristan with me, I would've gotten lost.

Eventually, we ventured into the local market where I got us free matching I heart Venice baseball caps that Tristan refused to put on.

"What. Stop, you're going to look cute in it." I tried to convince him whilst placing the cap on his head but he swatted my hand away.

"No, I don't want it. It's childish."

"It's cute."

"No."

"Please,"

He shook his head.

I pushed out my bottom lip in a cute pout. "Pleaseeee."

"No, let's go." He shoved his hand into his pocket and started to walk away.

What a buzz kill. I folded my hand over my chest, watching him go. He really had a fine ass though. Eventually, when he didn't feel my presence, he stopped, turned, and exhaled. "Sienna, come on."

"No." I protested.

His shoulders dropped and he pinched the bridge of his nose and after a moment of internal battle, he started to walk back to me. "Never met a woman so stubborn in my life."

I tried to hide my smile. "I'm not moving, not until you accept my offering."

His lips pursed. "Fine." He grabbed the cap and wore it with a grunt.

I smiled in triumph. He looked so hot with a baseball cap over his head, and those sunglasses just made it seem like I had my own personal bodyguard.

"See," I teased, rearranging the cap. "You look stunning."

Rolling his eyes, he turned and started to walk away again.

Snickering, I ran after him. "Wait for me!" I caught up with him and held his hand. I could tell his social battery was starting to diminish. He hated the market and made it clear the moment we stepped in. I knew he was enduring it for me and I loved him even more for it.

"Where do we go next?"

"Back to the hotel room."

"It's still too early." I looked around the market, searching for a possible exploration and that was when the purple tenth lodged between two old toy stores came into view.

"How about we get our palms read? There's a palm reading store over there." I noted, pointing at the sign that read. Fortunes told here.

He scrunched his nose in utter disgust. "There is no way in hell I am letting some delusional woman touch my hand."

I chuckled. "Come on it'll only take a second plus it'll be fun."

"They are a waste of time."

"Come on!"

I didn't believe in fortune tellers myself and had never engaged them before but for curiosity's sake, I pulled his hand and dragged him along with me to the entrance of the tenth but just as we were about to step in, his phone rang.

We stopped.

He grabbed it. "It's Stefan, I'll stay outside and take this,"

I narrowed my eyes. "Can't you call him when we're done?"

"Might be important. Go on without me."

"But—"

"Bye, princess." He cut me and gave me a quick kiss on the lips before walking away.

Great.

I turned to the entrance of the tenth, inhaled a deep breath, and entered.

It was dark in here and smelled a certain type of way that had my stomach churning. I proceeded forward, trying not to be spooked by the skull sitting inside a bowl of what I wanted to believe was red paint, and on the right corner was—

"Benvenuto."

I gasped and turned sharply, and the sight that met me made me gasp even louder. It was a man dressed in black, his hair dyed purple and his eyes ladened with more mascara than a runway model.

I held my chest, breathing heavily. "Hi," God, I hoped he spoke English. "Do. you. speak. English?"

He stared at me for a moment, and then he turned and started to walk away. "Come, child, manman is waiting."

So he did speak English. I exhaled a breath and followed silently behind him to a tiny corner of the tenth housing a really old woman who sat with legs crossed on a mat, chanting something through her barely open lips.

The crystal ball sitting between her legs shone, illuminating the thick aging lines on her face and her blood-red lipstick going beyond the outline of her lips.

I turned to the man standing behind me and mounted the words. "What do I say?" To him.

"Place a coin on the offering bottle." He instructed, nodding towards the glass bottle filled with gold coins. I opened my purse and fetched for a quarter. I placed it inside the bottle and nearly jumped when her eyes suddenly opened, meeting mine.

God everything about this place was creepy as hell. Maybe coming here for a bad idea.

"Accogli mio figlio, dammi le tue mani." The woman said, stretching out her hand.

Confused, I looked up at the man standing behind me. "She says you should give her your hands."

Oh. I extended my hand quickly and turned my palm over for her to see. She took it in hers and examined it quietly for more than it made me comfortable. "Sei giovane, pieno di luce e tanto amore." she said, tracing the tips of her finger down the faint curvy line that ran from my wrist and ended between my thumb and forefinger. "Sei un bambino speciale."

"She says you are special."

I smiled at that. Maybe this wasn't so bad after all.

She continued to look at my hand, tracing the thick curvy lines with her fingertip. She smiled and looked up. "Hai un'energia molto forte che cresce dentro di te."

"She says she can feel a very strong energy growing inside you."

Uhhh. I chuckled nervously. "What does that mean?"

She leaned forward and all of a sudden touched my stomach. My breath hitched.

"Due cuori che battono forte."

"She says two strong beating hearts."

My shoulders tensed. "I don't understand, what is she talking about?" I asked, now very confused.

She clutched my stomach. "Bambini che piangono," her smile died and her face contorted into that of concern. "Vetri rotti, pericolo, lui, pericolo."

"She hears babies crying."

A chill ran up my spine. Babies? Okay, this was getting ridiculous.

"But there's danger," he continued. "You're not safe with him."

She retracted her hand and grabbed my palms forcefully and the look of horror on her face made my heart start to pulsate. "Lacrime, sangue, morte, stai lontano da lui."

"She sees tears and blood and death. You should stay away from him."

"From who, what the hell is she talking about?"

Her hands began to shake on mine. "Parti, vai, sopravviverai, sarai felice senza di lui, la passione verrà ma solo se te ne vai."

"She says you should leave. You will be happy without him and you will find love again, but only if you go."

Alright, I'd had enough. I pulled my hands away from hers swiftly and scurried to my feet. Tristan was right, this was just absurd.

"Thank you but I'll take my leave now." I announced.

"Il dolore ti distruggerà!" The woman recited.

"The pain will destroy you." He interpreted but I moved past him and made my way towards the door as fast as I could. I was going to be sick, I needed to wash up.

Outside, I doubled over and released a breath I didn't know I held. What the hell was all that? two beating hearts? Death? She thought I was pre—

"What did she say?

I gasped, nearly jumping out of my body at the sound of Tristan's voice. I turned. "Christ, you scared me."

He shrugged. "Well, what did she say?"

For a moment, I contemplated telling him everything I had heard but I decided against it. "You were right. It was a total waste of time."

There was no way I was pregnant. There was no way Tristan would hurt me.