We were walking back from the restaurant that sat along the water, both of us had been eager to eat there and it was a perfect location to have lunch. So we'd decided to walk there and were now walking back.

"Wow look at this!" Amara pointed at a poster on the wall with the most animated look on her face, I smiled coming to look at the paper. It was an advertisement for an outdoor festival coming up, they were giving out sparklers and supplying alcohol.

"Looks like fun." I shrugged. Though I knew I wouldn't be drinking, drunk people were entertaining to watch and interact with.

"Can we go?" she bounced then clasped her hands together, "Per favore?"

I chuckled. "Of course." She was just too cute, I couldn't refuse.

--

"Do you want juice?" I heard her shout from the kitchen, shouting back a quick 'yes' I folded the tapestry in my arms and grabbed some cushions from the linen cupboard.

I tossed my findings on the sofa, "You good to go?"

Amara was packing a bag full of drinks and snacks. She turned to face me, zipping up the bag, "Yep, let's go."

I grabbed the heavy bag she'd packed and she cupped the blankets in her arms, I was one leg out the door before she pulled on my arm – causing me to stop and turn around. "Problem?" I inquired trying not to let the heavy door shake my balance.

She shuffled a little, "Shouldn't we invite the others?"

I scoffed, "No way. That would be a problem."

We were driving now to the venue, I was sure the event would be lively – festivals were where people went to unwind and live life. I enjoyed being around people who emit good vibes and positive energy, I didn't grow up with much of it and I could get high off of the stuff.

The city seemed brighter today than normal, we were huddled up on Dominic's motorbike and he'd lent me his helmet. I had no idea where mine went off to. The streets seemed empty, shops were being closed and people closing their curtains. I had a feeling people were either planning ignore or attend the event.

The buildings were beautiful, I loved watching them as we drove past – Italy was a gorgeous place and I'd love to live here forever, the environment was emitting positive energy. Though it was well known that this was the birthplace of the mafia – I hardly cared about that.

We pulled up alongside the open space the event was set up, the line was so long it wasn't funny and I wasn't looking forward to spending half the afternoon waiting here. We pulled to a stop, Dominic retrieved the bag and blankets from the compartment of the bike and I wiggled my bum to slide off as he attempted pulling a blanket from under me.

I slid off and landed, trying not to let my dress brush the dirt. I was becoming quite fond of maxi dresses lately but unfortunately you can't hide jack sh-t in a sheer maxi gown. No weapons for me.

"You're not – " I gestured with one fingered at Dominic's torso.

He frowned, "What?"

"Carrying any..." I gestured around my torso, he cocked his head to the right. I sighed, "Weapons."

"No." he answered swinging the bag over his shoulder, "We'll just steal someone else's if we have to."

I chuckled at his idea of stealing someone else's, picturing a confused attacker suddenly missing his gun whilst Dominic holds it up behind him. "Something funny?" he asked me as he started to walk ahead.

I jogged a little to catch up, "Not really."

We came up to the line, Dominic looked around the people before us to observe the length of the line and was conveniently spotted by the host. The host – who wore a bright fluro color in his hair – came to stand before us.

"Brian." He held his hand out, Dominic simply looked at it so I shook it instead. "Nice to meet you. Had I known you were coming to my event I would've put you on the VIP guest list!"

"Oh," I laughed, "There's really no need – "

"Rubbish." He brushed it off, "Come with me." I stared after him but Dominic simply started following, this was a treatment he was used to surely.

We were led by Brian to a space sectioned off by curtains, inside there was purple and navy sofas and cushions. A couple people sat around but there weren't many. After Brian excused himself we sat our stuff down on one of the ottomans and looked around.

Dominic turned to me, "Why don't we go join the party?"

I smiled, "That sounds like a good idea."

We went out to the direction of the music, the VIP area had a sectioned off area but Dominic just jumped over the fence claiming 'they're having more fun anyway' to which I agreed. VIPs were not fun people.

We danced for a while, I couldn't tell you how long but soon we got tired. It was much darker, bordering on sunset. We sat on the rocks, on the edge of where the water started. "Drink?" Brian offered, Dominic denied but I figured 'why not?' and took one.

Dominic eyed me drinking it. "What?" I smiled, "Just because you don't drink doesn't mean the rest of us don't."

"I never said anything."

I pouted, "Stop judging me."

--

The sun had fully gone down now, people were not getting tired – if anything the venue had grown by twice as much. The music was much louder and unfortunately Amara had had more than enough to drink.

"Look! Look at this!" she was crouching on the ground, one hand held a half empty cruiser and the other a white rock. I walked over and crouched next to her, "Its pretty isn't it?" she marvelled.

"Yep." I nodded, she placed the rock back on the ground – satisfied with my reply.

She tugged my arm, "Hey Dominic."

I hummed in response, letting her tug me along. "You wanna do something fun?"

I smiled at her accent then nodded again, "Okay," she bounced before pulling me to the back and leading me to the side of the back set-up.

"Where are we going?"

"Have you ever," she dragged, "gone skinny dipping before?"

"Not that I know of." I replied cautiously, the idea had crossed my mind once before but it was always too risky with the paparazzi following everything I did.

"Well, let's go." She huffed as we came to a stop at a part of the beach that was between a rock wall and a rock cliff – enclosed, with a cave behind it.

I rubbed my temple then sighed, "Why not."

She beamed at me before running to the entrance of the cave and putting her cruiser down, then starting to untie her dress at the back. I turned around then walked a little further forward, how did she even know about this place? She must've seen it when we were sitting on the wall, and put two and two together.

Okay it's cold.

"Hey." I sang from behind the wall, for some reason Dominic was still dressed and was just simply staring at everything.

"Hmm?" he hummed before turning around.

I was hugging myself but I was behind the wall so he couldn't see anything. "You mind? Hurry up."

"Right." He acted like he'd forgotten or something. I glared.

I was soon heated up as I avoided watching his getting undressed, which was just weird. He'd spared me the awkwardness and I should return the favour. At least I wasn't cold anymore. I was leaning against the wall I hid behind as he got ready, I hadn't heard him approaching – probably because he wasn't trying to be heard.

"Hey!" he came up from around the corner of the wall, catching me off guard them scooping me up.

I squirmed as he jogged to the water, "Wait! Wait!" I kicked my legs, I wasn't ready – the air was cold because the ocean was cold and if the air was this cold...

"Don't be a baby Amara." He chuckled as he stepped into the water then kept walking deeper and deeper, I looked over watching his walking calmly as if the water was lukewarm. I became easily distracted by the fact and totally missed him moving to throw me in, by the time I was aware I was far from being able to grab back onto his torso.

I let out a shriek as I became submerged in the water, standing up I wrapped my arms around myself and shivered. He chuckled pulling me towards him and engulfing me into a hug, "Better?" he smiled, I looked up nodding. I hadn't realised we were actually naked, at an actual public beach. Whose idea was this?

My breasts were pushed up against his chest, his hands held just above my butt and my arms were around his upper torso. I wasn't even going to try locating his other body part. I looked up at him with wide eyes, his face was contoured by the moonlight and I could tell he was in a totally dreamy state. I studied his face like a textbook, every edge and every crease - I even noticed his eyebrows weren't the same shape and his eyes were slightly different in size, colour was another story. Thats how close I'd been studying.

Eventually he grew tired of observation and decided to kiss me, which I didn't mind at all.

He smiled, "How about we head home?"

I nodded, "That sounds... nice."

We got our clothes back on, together this time which caused an awkward silence if there ever was one. I chugged the rest of my cruiser, Dominic simply picked me up bridal and started making our way back.

"Hey." I whispered trying my best to keep my head up.

"Hmm." he hummed in response.

I licked my lips, "Do you wanna know a secret?"

"Sure." he said as if he was tolerating a child.

I pulled closer using his shoulder for support and got really close to his ear, "I have a crush on someone."

"Oh yeah?" he chuckled, "Who?"

"You." I said quickly as if I'd said 'boo' which I wasn't too sure which one I'd said.

"I fancy you too."

"Who says fancy." I snorted, mocking him.

He frowned, "I do."

"Okay," I sighed, "I'll let you off but only because I like like you." I tapped his nose before laying back restless in his arms.

"Va bene." he breathed.

I giggled, "You're pretty." I said in a raspy voice.

"Grazie."

"De nada." I said proudly.

He breathed a laugh, "Bambino that's Spanish."

My eyes went wide, "You speak Spanish too?!"

"Ssh sh sh." he shooshed me, "No I don't."

I scoffed, "Liar. You just said it was Spanish."