It takes me a moment to realize what he's doing. Lost in my thoughts and overwhelmed by intense and contradictory feelings, I quickly respond with what my heart screams when I realize I've been silent a bit too long.

"Yes, I will ! Of course, I want to marry you ! I exclaim, bursting with joy and tears.

Relieved and happy, he stands up and slips the ring on my finger. We kiss passionately, igniting our desire. We pause to catch our breath and decide to go inside to warm up.

Ezio looks at me intensely with that spark that betrays the crazy idea forming in his mind.

We quickly arrive at the church in question, and Ezio knocks on the side door leading to the priest's private quarters.

A still drowsy voice is heard behind the door.

"Who is it, and what do you want ?"

"Father, it's Ezio, Ezio Madini, and I have a favor to ask."

As soon as he finishes his sentence, the door opens.

"Ezio ?! What are you doing here at this hour ?" asks the priest, eyes as wide as an owl's, in his pajamas.

"I'm here to get married, and I want you to officiate our union."

The priest looks at me, surprised, and after a brief moment of reflection, he agrees.

"Stay outside for a minute. I'll come get you through the main doors as soon as I'm ready."

He closes his door, and Ezio looks at me with triumphant eyes.

"Admit it, you would have liked him to say no."

Despite myself, I can't hold back my laughter, which spreads like a wave in the calm of the night.

"To be honest, yes. Just to see your face and know how you would handle it, but I prefer that he accepted. Despite your pride, I really want to marry you."

He smiles and then kisses me tenderly. We hear the sound of two cars arriving. Turning towards the vehicles, we see Andy nearly crashing into Andrea's car.

"Damn it, can't you watch how you drive, you idiot?! You stopped so abruptly that I almost hit you !" she yells angrily, slamming her door shut.

"Did you see how you were driving ? You were tailgating me the whole way; it's no wonder you almost hit me, you moron. Did you get your license from a cereal box ?" Andrea retorts, on edge.

At this, Andy gets enraged and heads straight for Andrea, but Ezio intervenes.

"That's enough. Even if it's a miracle, you both arrived alive. Let's move on."

Fuming, Andy picks up a rock and throws it. Everyone looks at her, stunned, except for me.

"What ?! You want my picture ? He pissed me off, now I'm trying to calm down. I need to vent my anger, so it's either throwing rocks into the void or at his face. Which do you prefer  ?!" she snaps, holding another rock in her hand.

We all turn away, letting time pass in silence, the sound of rocks clattering against each other filling the air. After a few minutes, the doors finally open, and just as I start walking, Andy grabs my arm.

"May, what are you doing dressed like that ?"

"It's about time you noticed. Ezio and I are getting married, and if we called you here, it's to be my witness."

I leave Andy, stunned, behind me as I enter the church, preceded by Ezio and Andrea.

We arrive at the altar, where Andrea and Andy take their places beside us. The priest begins his speech, and finally, the moment comes to say our vows.

"Mr. Ezio Madini, do you take Miss May Torre to be your lawful wedded wife ?"

At the end of the sentence, Ezio's expression changes. He suddenly becomes more serious, fully aware of the commitment he is about to make.

"Yes, I do."  he declares seriously, impassive.

We then hear Andy's enthusiastic clapping echoing off the church walls as she stifles a cry of joy. The priest gives her a disapproving look, and I suppress a smile.

"Miss May Torre, do you take Mr. Ezio Madini to be your lawful wedded husband ?"

Without hesitation and with all my heart, I announce:

"Yes, I do."

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

We kiss tenderly as Andy bursts with joy, clapping with all her might.

After briefly thanking the priest, we hastily exit the church.

"Shall we celebrate, guys ? Drinks are on me !" Andy chimes in.

"We're going to celebrate more intimately." Ezio responds, pulling me closer with his arm around my waist, his eyes filled with desire.

Andy nods and steps back, giving me a knowing wink. Andrea follows suit, and we each leave as we came.

We arrive at the building, and once inside the elevator, without a word, Ezio presses me against the wall. He kisses me passionately, and I feel a warmth forming in my lower belly from the excitement. He grabs my chest and kisses my neck, then my collarbone.

"Ezio, we don't have time."

I feel his hot, humid breath on my skin, each of his gestures betraying his desire.

"Just enough to whet your appetite. he whispers in my ear before nibbling on it."

With one hand, he pins my arms above my head, while his other hand gently travels down to my crotch. He starts to tap his fingers over my pants, right over my lower lips. His movements are precise, and their intensity is perfectly balanced, increasing my desire and impatience.

The opening of the elevator doors surprises us, and I'm frustrated that the moment is already over. Ezio then picks me up like the newlywed I am. I laugh at the cliché we are.

"Dear Mrs. Madini, welcome to your humble abode." Ezio announces as he exits the elevator.

"Thank you, dear husband."

He heads towards the stairs to take us to the bedroom."

" Am I not too heavy ?" I ask, shifting slightly to unbalance him.

He exaggerates a grimace and clenches his teeth before responding in a mockingly breathless tone:

" A real featherweight."

He smiles and then laughs at his joke, proud of himself, which makes me laugh in turn.

Once we reach the bedroom, he throws me onto the bed, his gaze hungry. He removes his jacket, his bow tie, and then partially unbuttons his shirt without ever taking his eyes off mine. He climbs onto the bed and approaches slowly, his body hovering over mine. He stops at my neckline and places his lips there, kissing and licking up to my neck. He grabs my jaw and turns my head to the side to nibble on my ear and lick it, making me moan. He then straightens up and pulls a black satin scarf out of his pocket.

"This night must be unforgettable, my love. he whispers as he ties the scarf around my eyes."

I bite my lip, excited by the prospect of the pleasure to come. I feel him take my arms and tie them above my head to the headboard. He kisses me, unbuttons my blazer, and removes my pants. I am now only wearing my thong and my open blazer, leaving the rest of my skin at his mercy. I feel a cold liquid trickling between my breasts, its touch making me moan in surprise and excitement. Ezio's hands spread the oil over my bust, massaging my chest and making my nipples harden. Sitting on my crotch, I feel him harden as his hands roam my body, which inflames me even more. He sensually moves down to my thong and uses one hand to rub my clitoris with his thumb in circular motions. My desire skyrockets, and I feel electric shocks throughout my body. Overwhelmed by pleasure, I twist and beg for more. He lifts my hips with his hands and places his mouth over my thong, kissing my sex passionately. Moments later, he removes my thong and gently lays me back on the bed.

He puts my legs over his shoulders and kisses the inside of my thighs until he reaches my lower lips, which he licks passionately. I feel his fingers digging into my thighs, expressing his burning desire. Each stroke of his tongue makes me moan with pleasure and impatience; I need to feel him inside me. He then thrusts two fingers into my vagina, and I arch under the intense pleasure he gives me. I can't wait any longer and squirm, eager to touch him and share the pleasure. I hear the rustle of fabric, realizing he's undressing.

Sensing my impatience, he shifts his weight onto me. I shiver with desire at the contact of his skin on mine. He unties my hands from the headboard but leaves the scarf around my wrists. Then, without me realizing it, I find myself on my stomach. He lifts my hips, and I arch to give him a better view. In one swift motion, he penetrates me, and I moan with pleasure. He thrusts with fervor and precision, bringing me dangerously close to orgasm. My breathing becomes shorter, and Ezio places his fingers on my clitoris, stimulating it. The frantic pace of his thrusts and the circular movements of his fingers on my clitoris make me come within seconds. A wave of pleasure washes over me, the heat in my lower belly exploding throughout my body. This time, the orgasm is more intense and prolonged. I come so hard that Ezio, even more aroused, comes too. After catching his breath, Ezio unties my hands and eyes. I find his ocean-blue gaze filled with love; he kisses me tenderly, and we fall asleep in each other's arms.

The next day, I wake up with difficulty; the night was short and filled with sexual episodes. I open my eyes and find Ezio sitting beside me with a big smile on his face.

"Good morning, Mrs. Madini. How are you ?"

"It would be hard not to be well, but I admit I'm tired." I reply, smiling.

"I have a surprise for you."

Ezio pulls a box out of his pocket and hands it to me. I open it and discover two beautiful, elegant, and simple wedding bands, made of yellow gold.

"They're magnificent, Ezio !" I exclaim, moved and fascinated.

"I picked them up first thing this morning. I couldn't wait any longer."

Ezio takes the smaller ring, meant for me.

"May, receive this ring as a sign of my love and my desire to be by your side every day. To share your shadows and your light and to give you the best of myself."

He slips the ring onto my finger, and my eyes redden with emotion. I then take the second ring.

"I am yours, you are mine, until the end of our days."

I slip the ring onto his finger. Our gazes become one, and moved to tears, we kiss. The simple act of exchanging these rings makes me feel different, as if a void has been filled and I have found what I was missing. More fulfilled than ever, I begin this new day.