CHAPTER TWO

The next few days fly by in a whirlwind. I spend them in back-to-back meetings with Santiago, hammering out the final details for the renovations of the Costanzo Hotel in California. It feels like a whirlwind, but we're nearing the finish line with the deal.

Today, Saturday, I wake up early, courtesy of a nightmare that seems to have been triggered by my return to Italy, but it was expected. I rub the sleep from my eyes, glancing out the window of my room, and witness a scene that jolts me awake completely.

There, in the early morning light, I see Aurora engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat with a man. It's a sight to behold, and I can't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for her opponent. Aurora is a force to be reckoned with, precisely delivering punch after punch.

Aurora maintains the upper hand despite the man's attempts to defend himself. She has him pinned to the ground, between her legs, and it's clear he's struggling to keep up. It's either tap out or face the consequences, and I can see the desperation in his eyes as he grapples with the decision.

As I watch them, a thought crosses my mind: maybe I should take Aurora up on her offer. A few days ago, she suggested I join her for training sessions while I'm in town. She made a compelling argument, mentioning how it could help me hone my skills and offering an alternative to my usual Saturday morning routine of sipping coffee and munching on croissants.

Sure, the idea of improving my combat skills doesn't exactly scream "vacation," but there's something intriguing about the prospect of training alongside Aurora again. Plus, it could be a fun way to spend time together and challenge myself in a new way.

I change out of my pajamas and slip into a comfortable workout outfit, a set of clothes I had packed along just in case the urge to do yoga struck me during the trip. The fabric feels snug against my skin, imbuing me with a sense of readiness for the physical activity ahead.

Descending the stairs, I make my way towards the backyard, the crisp morning air filling my lungs with each step. The soft rays of the sun cast a warm glow over the surroundings, adding a touch of tranquility to the scene. I approach the designated training area, and I come to a halt once I reach it.

"Andrea, you decided to take up my offer," Aurora says, appearing at my side with a smile that radiates warmth. "Come, you won't regret it." She reaches out, gently pulling me towards the center of the space.

"I hope so," I reply, returning her smile with a mixture of anticipation and curiosity.

"Aurora, take a stance with your partner for today?" The sudden voice startles me, and I spin around to see who it is. My heart skips a beat as I recognize the voice, and there he stands, more captivating than ever, his gym attire accentuating every contour of his sculpted physique. The sunlight cascades over him, casting a golden glow that enhances his already mesmerizing features. His tattoos, peeking out from beneath his sleeves, add an air of mystery and allure. Our eyes meet briefly, but he barely spares me a glance before looking away. Ouch!   

"Sure, Andrea, come on," Aurora says, her voice pulling my attention away from the captivating figure of her brother. I raise a curious eyebrow at her, silently questioning her intentions. She nods subtly, gesturing for me to take my stance. It dawns on me then: her brother, Stefano, is her combat trainer.

"What's our first move?" I inquire as Aurora leads me to the center of the field. We position ourselves opposite each other, anticipation coursing through my veins as I await Stefano's instructions.

"Aurora, initiate the attack. Your partner will focus on defense," Stefano commands, his voice echoing with authority.

"Alright, Andrea, brace yourself," Aurora apologizes before launching a punch in my direction. Instinctively, I deflect her strike, countering with one of my own, which she skillfully blocks.

"Aurora's partner, I need you to focus solely on defense," Stefano interjects, his tone tinged with irritation.

"Understood," I respond, a pang of hurt gnawing at me as he neglects to address me by name.

Aurora unleashes a relentless barrage of punches and kicks, each strike testing the limits of my defense. Despite my best efforts, I can't evade every blow, and a few land with stinging force.

"Stop!" Stefano's voice cuts through the chaos of our sparring session. "What the fuck are you doing, Aurora's partner? I told you to defend yourself, not get pummeled," he snaps, his frustration palpable.

"I'm doing my best. Sorry if it's not up to your standards," I retort, my annoyance simmering beneath the surface. It's clear to me that he's being unreasonably harsh. Anyone observing would say he's being excessively tough on me. And he won’t address me by my damn name.

"I don't want your apologies, just do as I fucking ask. Defend yourself, don't just stand there and take hits. Let's start again!" Stefano's voice is firm, leaving no room for argument.

"Fine," I reply, my determination fueling my resolve to prove him wrong. I watch with a mixture of frustration and fascination as he pulls out a cigarette, lighting it effortlessly. The sight of him, cigarette between his perfect pink lips, exhaling smoke with an air of nonchalance, Mamaentarily distracts me.

Before I can fully register the danger, a punch connects with my nose, causing my vision to blur and my head to swim. I curse myself inwardly for allowing my attention to wander, realizing too late that I shouldn't have been gawking at him.

"For God's sake! What's wrong with you? I give you a simple instruction, and you do the exact opposite. Aurora, step aside. Aurora's partner, attack me so I can demonstrate what I fucking mean," Stefano commands, his tone bordering on exasperation as he disregards any concern for my well-being. Despite the sharp pain throbbing in my nose, I can't help but feel a surge of irritation towards him. I sniffle, pushing aside the discomfort, and steel myself to retaliate.

"Alright, and it's Andrea," I assert, growing increasingly irritated by his refusal to address me by name.

"I don’t fucking care," he retorts, his tone dripping with nonchalance as he flexes his impressive biceps. His dismissive words sting, fueling a fiery determination within me to best him.

With a surge of adrenaline, I launch into my attack, fueled by both frustration and the desire to prove myself. I aim a punch towards his jaw, but he effortlessly blocks it, his movements fluid and precise.

Undeterred, I shift my focus, targeting his ribs with another strike. However, he anticipates my move, seizing my arm and swiftly maneuvering me to the ground. As I tumble, my leg swings out instinctively, aiming for his face, yet he intercepts it with his arm, blocking the blow.

Stefano's skill as a fighter is undeniable, but so is my own. As he deflects my knee aimed at his ribs, I seize the opportunity to retaliate. Using my other leg, I leverage my weight to tackle him to the ground, a fleeting Moment of triumph coursing through me.

But my victory is short-lived as I lose my balance, tumbling down with him. I find myself sprawled atop him, our bodies pressed together in an intimate embrace. Our chests rise and fall in perfect harmony, our breaths intertwining in the small space between us. Time seems to stand still for a heartbeat as I gaze into his captivating green eyes, their depths drawing me in with an irresistible pull. However, the Moment shatters as he swiftly flips us over, asserting his dominance once more.  

"Aurora, change your partner. Fight with James," Stefano commands as he rises from the ground, and I gather myself, a sense of pride swelling within me for the way I held my own against him.

We press on with our training, the intensity building until early afternoon when we finally call it a day. Aurora and I make our way back towards the house, the lingering adrenaline from our sparring session still coursing through my veins.

As we walk, I seize the opportunity to broach a question that has been weighing on my mind since before our training began.

"Aurora, why was your brother the one training us today?" I inquire, curiosity piqued.

"He's actually my trainer,"

"Oh, alright,"

"Yeah, and I'm so sorry for the way he behaved. I can't believe he refused to call you by your name," Aurora apologizes, her tone tinged with disbelief.

"I know, it's like he's still holding a grudge from when I spilled wine on his suit at the brunch party,"

"True, but I doubt that's why he behaved like an asshole,"

“I actually think that's why, especially if he still hates me.”

"Nah, he doesn't. It's been years; I don't think he still hates you,"

"Then explain his asshole behavior,"

Aurora pauses for a Moment, contemplating my question before nodding in agreement. "Yep, he definitely still hates you," she concludes with a laugh.

"I know, and it's too bad that I want to fuck him," I fake a pout. The truth was, I was attracted to Stefano, but not to the extent that my comment implied. I had only said it to get a rise out of Aurora.

"Hey," Aurora lightly slaps my hand, her expression stern. "That's my brother you're talking about."

"Sorry," I offer a sheepish smile, meeting her gaze with doe eyes. She rolls her eyes in response.

"Forgiven, but never lust over him in front of me, please. It's disgusting," she scolds, shaking off a shiver of disgust.

"Yes, my lady," I jest, offering a mock salute before following her as she enters the house through the back door.