ValentineI knew I looked like shit but I had a smile on my face today. Earlier I'd gotten a message from Petra saying she wanted to meet for lunch. And she'd even sent me a picture from her photoshoot. It was breaktaking. It made me wonder if Adira or Petra had set it up. I had every intention, if Petra and I worked things out, to print the photo she sent me for my desk.I had decided to cook today instead of having my father cook and invited him and Matteo over. I was actually running behind because I'd been so relieved hearing from Petra that I'd accidentally fallen asleep on the sofa. I hadn't slept much or well the last few days and had woken up to my cousin at the door. He took one look at me when I opened the door and asked me who died. I just rolled my eyes and walked to the kitchen to begin prepping dinner. He followed me and I quickly explained to him what had happened before there was another knock at my door. I told Matteo to go get it since I knew it was my fat
AdiraIt was hard sitting there at dinner and not staring at Valentine. He looked worse than I expected him to with messy hair, wrinkled clothes and dark circles under his eyes. I know I probably didn't look much better but I actually felt bad for him. I was glad that Gio was there guiding the conversation. I could easily see how him and his cousin got into lots of trouble together when they were younger. He had that mischievious glint in his eye even now. Gio walked me out to my truck so we could have a moment to speak."I'm glad you made it to dinner cara. Does it help you feel better about tomorrow?" Gio asked as I held the door open for Charlie to jump in. I nodded and replied "Yes. I took the time and listened to his voicemails and read all his messages. I probably could have been more understanding and I hate to see him suffering the way he is. But at the same time I knew I needed to stand up for myself. You aren't mad are you?"He pulled me in for a hug and we stoo
ValentineI saw her face lit up when I handed her the roses and her kiss made everything better. I knew that I could apologize to her and that I hadn't completely ruined things between us when her lips touched mine. I had already spoken to Vicente about lunch - fresh bruscetta, a light salad, some zuppa tuscana soup and tiramisu for dessert. Once we sat down and she agreed to what I'd chosen for lunch I took her hand in mine. I could see the question in her eyes and was glad I didn't see any anger lingering there."Bella, I am so sorry that I didn't not listen the first time you told me no. I had no reason to be that way nor do I have an excuse other than I only want you on my arm. You are an amazing woman, beautiful, kind, smart. I want to be able to proudly show you off. I want the world to know that I am worthy of such a woman, that I have put my past behind me. I have never felt this way about a woman before and I want to see where this goes," I said. "I guess you could
AdiraI hadn't realized how much we had both needed that lunch. I felt things were a little more out there on the table afterwards and even though it made my feelings a little more scrambled I felt better knowing how he felt about me. I still had a few hours before dinner with Sebastian so I took the time to edit the photos like Adrian and I had talked about and spent a little time double checking the others before submitting them. Then I brushed up the others and sent them to Adrian so he could see what magic he could work.I made sure Charlie went out and had dinner before I got ready for dinner with Sebastian. I pulled my hair up in a high pony tail, the curls making it look a little fancier. I had washed the makeup off my face as soon as I'd gotten home so I just redid a little eye liner and some tinted lip balm before slipping into some soft gold sparkly dress pants with a solid black halter top. A pair of large gold hoops, some gold bangles and my strappy black heels comp
SebastianGod it felt like forever since I'd seen Adira, or tasted her lips. I was really starting to hate when she was away for more than a day or two but I knew that she enjoyed her job. I was glad to see she was just as anxious to go as I was. Luckily my place wasn't far and once we were in the elevator I let my desire for her take over. The call I'd gotten earlier hadn't actually been work but I'd deal with it later.I grabbed Adira and pinned her up against the wall in the elevator my hands under her ass to hold her up as I devoured her mouth. I nipped her bottom lip and when she gasped I dove right in. I could still taste the sake on her as our tongues danced. I felt her legs tighten around me, locking her in place as her hands took down my hair so she could burry her hands in it.When the doors opened to my floor I carried her out, our lips still sealed together. I held her up against my door one hand supporting her while the other unlocked the door. I carried her stra
Adira I smiled as I glanced over at Charlie who currently had his head out the window of my truck as we flew down the driveway to Gio's house. I hadn't seen my benefactor, who really was more like a father to me, in over a month. It had been worth it though. The shots I had gotten in Egypt were mind blowing. I couldn't wait to show him.Getting that contract was putting me one step closer to my ultimate photographer's dream of Greece. Of course, I could have gone already but I wanted to be INVITED. As I pulled up to the front of the mansion that Gio lived in there was an unknown sports car parked there. My heart started beating faster and after parking I took a few seconds to breathe. Charlie was over the center console and on my lap hugging me the minute I parked and his weight and warmth reminded me I was here and so was he. I wasn't expecting Gio to have company, even though I knew he was a busy man. He would normally let me know if he was with someone else so I could
AdiraThat was two years ago and he was still just as handsome and almost cold. Though he did not know he'd met me. "Charlie, down. Heel," I called out to the 120 pound rottiweiler who had been my constant companion for the last 6 years. He came right to me and sat down at my feet. I rubbed his favorite spot behind his ears as Gio called out to Valentine."Son, come meet Adira. You've seen her prints at the office and probably many other places now," Gio said smiling with pride.Valentine stood to his full height and walked over to where we were standing. I kept one hand on Charlie's head letting his presence calm me and vice versa and held the other out to Valentine. He smiled a smile that didn't quiet reach his eyes as his large warm hand engulfed mine. I had forgotten how tall he was as well - 6'5'- as the last time we'd met I'd been wearing heels that were much taller than the tims that were currently on my feet. "I'm sorry we're both a little dirty but it's nice to me
GiovanniI always watched Adira's photojournal entries when she posted them online so I was able to keep up with most of her shoots as she vlogged quite a bit of them. But seeing the final photos was something entirely different. I listened to her talk about each shoot and was glad to see her smiling and laughing as she told me her stories. She had finally been making really good progress with her anxiety and it was really starting to show in her work and what she was capable of doing. She had been participating in more of them in front of the camera again and had even picked up a few side jobs there, which didn't really surprise me as she'd been doing that more and more. I picked out several to get prints enlarged for the office. I had sold the last set she'd brought back from her trip to Alaska. Clients and associates alike would ask about the photos and after her second destination trip we had both agreed that I would allow them to buy them when she brought a new set, but t