Licence my roving hands and let them go before, behind, between, above and below.

Keira's POV

"I like blue." I answered Madeline's question about my favorite color. I like other colors as well but I'm fond of blue. "What about you?"

"Purple!" She squealed.

The three of us spent the day together, exploring Florence. It was fun. I haven't had this much fun in a while to the point it feels illegal. Nick is downstairs at the party. It's in full swing. I felt awkward because of the attention being paid to me. Nick was getting touchy. Sweet nothings getting whispered in my ear as I sat on his lap could have gone to dangerous places. I wouldn't want people to see us intimate. He's not shy about it. He would have crossed some lines because his hand was already in between my thighs. Thank goodness it was under the dark sky but anyone paying attention could have seen. I escaped his arms to come up here and hang out with Maddie. She was bored out t her mind.

Braiding her hair gives me a sense of what it would feel like to have a daughter of my own. If Nick is the father, then she will definitely be blonde with blue eyes. If I am not fortunate to have my own, I will still love his daughter as though she is my own. I can still be a mother.

But I suddenly chided myself from the thoughts. Nick is Margaux's husband. Madeline is Margaux's daughter. I am just the other woman. I shouldn't hope for too much. When the flame burns out, Nick will leave me. Isn't that how it goes?

"Now I see how you got my brother hooked."

I was startled from braiding Madeline's hair as we both looked up at the brown eyed man with a cheeky gaze. He is as tall as Nick, but with a slightly slender frame. He is very handsome in a bad boy kind of way.

"Uncle Tony!" Madeline leaped off the bed running towards him.

He picked her and span her around while kissing her cheeks. "Would you look at that lassie, you've grown up!"

"I'll be as tall as you!"

"I bet you will love. Introduce me to your friend."

I have seen him at a distance downstairs. He was paying attention to what Nick and I were doing. Who is he?

"That's Keira, daddy's friend."

"Daddy's friend you say?" Maddie nodded. "Why don't you leave uncle Tony to have a grown up talk with daddy's friend while you ask nonna to give you milk and cookies before bed love. I'll come to tuck you in."

"Okay." She agreed and ran off leaving me alone with the stranger. He stopped smiling after he closed the door and pressed his weight against it.

I stood up from the bed, wrapping the silk robe tightly around myself.

"What can I help you with?" I asked him.

"We almost met you once! Nick's father brought us to your home by invitation of your father. You came home and went to bed. We were too fascinated by the horses. Just like that Nickolas never met you. A slight miss if I'm allowed to say. Who knows, you could have taken the place of all those women he has been with since and maybe save him from himself."

"Are you a relative? A friend?"

"How bloody rude." He left the door and walked towards me. "Marc Anthony. Nick's younger brother."

We shook hands. They look nothing alike! Absolutely nothing alike!

"It's lovely to meet you."

"How did you like the wine?"

"It was okay."

"Only one glass?"

"I didn't want to get drunk."

"Is that why you left?" He asked me. It feels like an interrogation.

"Yes." I answered.

"Now that we are done with the foreplay, we might as well just get to it love. What do you want from my brother?"

His English accent is thick.

"Nothing."

"We always expect something to result from a relationship Kei. Come on! It's human nature to give and take. So, Kei, what do you want from him?"

"Respectfully, it's between Nickolas and I."

"My brother is a generous man. He gives too much. Keira, I know you and Jason aren't faring well in the financial department. Are you sure it's not his money you're after? If it's money you want I'll write you a bloody cheque if you promise to walk away."

"I promise you, it's not about the money." I countered.

"I have looked into you and I don't trust you. The last time I allowed Nick to just get with a woman, he ended up trapped in a loveless marriage. This time, I won't let him make the same mistake. I have my eyes on you love. Hurt him and I'll hurt you." He told me with a brilliant smile as much as his eyes spell danger.

When he left, I breathed for what felt like the first time. He is intense.

Sighing quietly I sat down on the bed my hand shaking slightly. Tonight will be my last night here before we head back to reality. Jason has been leaving angry voicemails on my phone. He came back home and I wasn't there. He is throwing a fit, threatening to break my legs and make me bed ridden. While I'm scared of what awaits me, I don't regret being here. If he will beat me up then I may as well have something pleasant to hold onto after..

I went over to the door and was about to lock it when someone turned the door knob.

I paved way for Nick's mom.

We haven't said much to each other except for greetings and fleeting smiles after she called me his mistress and laughed in my face.

"Is this a bad time?" She asked.

"Not at all." I answered.

Looking at her I realize Tony looks a little like her. Nick took after the Greek side of the family.

"What are you doing up here alone? The party is downstairs."

"I... I... " she makes me nervous. I tightened the silk robe around my body.

"You're waiting for Nicko." She asked pulling out the chair in front of the dresser. "Have a sit." I sat down and faced the mirror. She picked my hair brush and slowly started running it through my long hair. "I have always wanted a daughter." I noticed a smile on her face. "She would have long dark hair and big brown eyes... a mini me to be precise. I hoped Nicko would be a girl but well... I can't complain. What about you, any children?"

My eyes met her own in the mirror's reflection. She makes strong eye contact like Nick. They don't speak to each other. Nick will acknowledge everyone and disregard her. This morning she served everyone a plate and gave Nick an empty pot. He was angry and the three of us had to leave. We ate out breakfast in Florence.

"Not yet."

Part of the reason Jason is so mad, is because we are supposed to be trying. What is the point if I wake up sore with nothing to show for it?

"What would you wish for?" She asked with a small smile.

"A boy." I told her. "A girl. I honestly will accept either with appreciation. I am not picky."

She stopped brushing my hair and pulled it up playing with different hairstyles.

"You have beautiful hair. It's as dark as the night. It's so soft and really long. I love it. You have to share the list of products you use."

"Thank you. I'll write it down for you."

"A boy with Nicko's blood will be trouble. Trust me I know. A girl like you would be nice."

"Uh..." I don't know what to say to the woman with an intimidating presence.

She laughed graciously releasing my hair and pressing my shoulders. Some measure of anxiety escaped me.

"Don't worry bambina. I know who you are. I know what my son is up to and I can assure you a world of pain before the two of you are ever happy." She spoke with a serious tone. "Not that I will cause it but your situation is tough."

I stood up and faced her.

Before I could find out what her words meant, Nick pushed open the bedroom door and stood there giving his mother a questioning gaze.

"You two have a pleasant night." She whispered kissing my cheek and walking past Nick.

"Did she say anything mean to you? Tell me and I'll deal with it." He looks ready to go after her.

"No... no... it was just a friendly talk. Don't worry." I assured him.

He entered the bedroom and closed the door turning the lock. I certainly didn't miss that. Turning locks is a silent way of asking for privacy. Excitement is radiating off him. Is it the wine?

"If it was friendly why do you look flustered. What did she say?"

"Don't worry Nick, I'm okay. I'm just anxious." I told him hoping to deflect the conversation. "How is the party downstairs?"

His frown is still there.

"About what?" He persisted. "What would make you anxious?"

I have been fantasizing about this moment for a while now. If I wasn't hiding my bruises, I would have dropped the silk robe off for him to see me naked. If I do, it will make him ask questions I am not willing to answer.

"Why did you lock the door?"

"Because I want to be alone with you. Alone and uninterrupted." He stalked my way, slipping his hand into the silk robe."Mmm... yeah. That feels nice." He cupped my bottom. "I want to make love to you and I'm not taking no for an answer."

He pulled the robe open. It slid off my body.

His lips got close to mine, at first grazing me then biting before kissing me. He filled his hand with my breast. I moaned at the gentle squeezes. He rubbed my peaked nipple through the thin silk nightgown. He broke away from my lips to kiss my neck, right under my jaw, inching lower to my collar bone. He easily lifted me to sit on the dresser. He spread my legs to stand in between. His hot mouth anchored on my nipple through the soft fabric. I'm gasping with need! His hands are sneaking into the robe.

He wants to undress me!

I snapped out of it. "Slow down." I held his face.

"I'm not taking no for an answer."

I slid off the dresser but he wrapped his arms around me pulling me back against his body. My bottom felt his bold interest. It's bold all right! My eyes bulged not just with excitement but fear that once we cross this line there is no salvation for us!

Again he filled one of his hands with my breast. He squeezed to his fill, grinding against me like he did in Cuba.

"Nickolas!" I moaned.

"No excuses mia amore." He stepped back. I faced him. My eyes left his dark hooded gaze to notice the significant bulge in his pants. "Take it off." His shirt left his body exposing tight muscles.

"Lights off." I told him. "I like it when it's dark."

"It's our first time. I want to see your body." He got rid of his belt. My heart is in my throat as I wait in anticipation to see what we are working with. "Plus I don't do it in the dark. I'm a visual being Kei. I want to see."

I have to come up with something... Anything.

"I am a little self conscious. Please, just for tonight."

He dropped his pants. His boxers followed. He's not shy! He's packing it thick. "This once. Just this once." He walked over to switch off the light.

The balcony has enough light to light the room. It's enough to help me conceal my wounds.

I got out of nightgown. I felt his bare hands on my waist.

"You feel soft." He whispered. He suddenly pushed me and I fell on my back. I sat up quickly. "You'll find that I'm not the vanilla kind."