I sit on the small balcony of the one-bedroom apartment I’ve hired for the month that we’re here. If I turn to my right, then I can enjoy the view of the ocean and of the cobbled stone street that leads down to it. The balcony from our bedroom has a direct view, and it’s Rachel’s favorite place to relax.

She should be relaxing now but as I watch her talk to her sister back in the states her shoulders are tense, and tears fall from her eyes. It’s difficult for me to sit here and wait it out, but I promised her I wouldn’t interfere with the call and I’m going to keep that promise.

Hearing Italian shouted rapidly three stories below, I glance down and watch a young couple dashing toward the ocean. There are a lot of arm motions while they seem to be shouting. I think they’re just enjoying themselves as opposed to arguing though.

My gaze follows them until they’re out of sight and then I turn and locate Rachel who is sitting on the sofa with her head and shoulders drooped.

She lifts her face and her eyes hold mine while she makes her way slowly toward me. I bring her onto my lap and hold her close allowing her the time she needs.

When she’s ready, she’ll talk to me and I’m just happy that I’m here to comfort her even if a small part of me realizes the problem here is me. It shouldn’t be. I love both of them. My heart belongs to Rachel, and Paige I’ve always considered a sister.

The situation is a mess and I want to be able to make it all go away because I hate seeing how upset Rachel is. Maybe when we get back I need to be the one to go and talk to Paige. Make her see how much I love and need Rachel.

“I don’t know what to say to her anymore,” Rachel says. “She was happy to hear my voice until I told her that you were here with me for the month. I asked her to talk to me instead of shouting and stating her opinion. I told her I really wanted to know what she had against us.”

Rachel sniffles into a tissue and sits up, her hands fisting in my shirt. “She told me she had nothing to say to me until I came crying to her … why would she think our relationship will fail? I know she loves you. Her attitude at the moment just doesn’t make any sense to me.”

I cradle Rachel in my arms and carry her into our apartment. It’s small and rustic, which is what I know Rachel was looking forward to. It’s probably more upscale than the average place in Florence, but I need some room to spread out my papers and pull the reports together.

We settle on the flowered sofa and enjoy the silence until I feel Rachel starting to relax in my arms. “Don’t let her ruin our trip to Italy okay? You’ve looked forward to this for so long.”

She nods. “I know. It just hurts.”

“I love you Rachel, and we’ll somehow get through to her when we get home.” I push her slightly away from me, which earns a frown. I grin. “I have an idea.” I quickly kiss her on the lips. “Why don’t we send her a postcard from here on a daily basis. We can just say ‘I love you’.”

“That’s a good idea,” she says excitedly, bouncing up from my lap. “I hope they all don’t arrive at the same time.”

“Some will probably arrive together, but not a month’s worth.” I grab her hand and tug her down and under me on the sofa.

She wiggles. “What are you after Mr. McKenzie?” Her grin is mischievous and then I feel her hands slip down the back of my gym shorts. Delicate fingers spread over the cheeks of my ass and squeeze.

I hiss. “You’re asking for the dirty kind of trouble,” I warn.

A dirty laugh bursts from between her lips as she rocks her pelvis against my hard on. “I’ve never done it in the ocean before.” A trail of heat follows her tongue along my neck and to my jaw. “I think it would be fun.”

I drop my forehead to her shoulder while moving my hips away from her. Trying to inhale when her hands are doing everything they can to encourage me to continue is killing me.

“Get your swimsuit on.” I hiss when her knee rubs my cock.

Quickly kneeling between her legs, I help her move from the sofa, hearing her chuckling as she heads towards the bedroom. I glance at my groin and groan, willing my erection down. As it is, I can’t go anywhere in public.

Seconds later Rachel rushes through the apartment to the front door. “I’m ready.”

“So am I.” Standing with my hands on my hips, I smirk when she looks me over, her eyes popping wide when they meet my shorts.

“Um, you can’t go anywhere with, um, that.” She points, which makes me grin all the more. “Do you want my mouth to suck you off before we go?”

“Fuck!” I stalk toward her and pin her against the door, rocking against her stomach. “You have to stop saying shit like that to me. We’re never going to leave this apartment unless you stop.”

She pushes back her fingers searching and finding my nipples. “I just thought it would be less painful for you if you come first.”

Cursing under my breath, I quickly shove her out the door. While I lock up, I rearrange my cock, only meeting Rachel’s gaze when I feel as though I’m back in control.

She smirks and raises a brow.

Intertwining our fingers together, we walk downstairs while I mumble, “I’m a grown ass man, I can control myself around the woman I love.”

“Good luck with that mate,” a British sounding guy replies running past us, his laughter lingers in his wake.

Walking along the cobbled street in the sun feels good. I’ve no idea where the British guy disappeared to, but my concentration is really on getting Rachel as quickly as possible to the ocean. If only she would cooperate.

Her eyes are full of mirth as she pulls me back. “Why the rush?”

My arms wrap around her and I nuzzle into her neck. “Someone promised me sex in the ocean. I’m having a hard time finding any patience.”

“I feel that.” She teases, “You always make me feel so good.”

My hands reach inside her cover up and that’s when I realize she isn’t wearing a swimsuit, but a bikini.

“Surprise.” She bites my earlobe and I find myself tempted to yank her into the alley and have my way with her. It would be over in two seconds flat with how primed to fuck her I am.

My skin tingles where she touches, and then she whispers, “I need to feel you sliding in and out of me.” My hands tremble as she continues, “The wet glide of your penis feels amazing and touches me in the right places.”

My breath catches in the back of my throat and my flesh jerks, leaking precum against my stomach at her words. I’m that sensitive that one touch and I’ll be coming. It won’t be pretty either with how worked up I am.

“Ocean,” is the only word I’m able to get out.

Her eyes glitter because she knows exactly how much she’s affecting me. “We’re here.”

Thank you God!

My prayer of thanks is short lived as Rachel tosses her cover up into my face, and I watch her saunter toward the water in a candy pink bikini. I’m not sure what I’m waiting for but the sight of her like this is one I won’t ever forget. She’s a mighty fine woman, and she’s all mine.