IT'S NOT HAPPENING ~~~

Valentina POV

“I think my ass is sunburned,” I said as we rode back toward the stables. He smirked, looking very pleased with himself. And why wouldn’t he? I had just fucked him stupid out in a pasture under some olive trees. Between my legs was a sticky mess, but it had been worth it.

“Or perhaps it is red from the spanking I gave you last night.” Right. Of course, he would remember that. I grinned and tilted my face up toward the sun. It was hot but there was a nice breeze, which Rafael said came off the ocean. Today has been one of the best days in a long time. I loved being on a horse again, and Rafael explained the various plots of land and the animals they raised as we rode. His knowledge of the estate never failed to impress me. It was clear that he loved the land, and from the stories he told he’d obviously spend a lot of time out here.

We had stopped for a bite to eat, which Rafael produced from a bag tied to his horse. There were olives and figs, cured meats and cheeses. And one of Zia’s pastries, because he knew how much I loved them. We shared ciró from a bottle, except for when Rafael dribbled some on my naked breasts and licked it off.

He undressed me slowly, then put me on top of him. I had a thing for being naked while he was clothed a kink that was no secret from Rafael. After we came, he closed his eyes and I relaxed on top of him, just breathing in the scent of lemon soap and sex.

“I wish we could do this every day,” he whispered into my hair. My toes had curled into the grass, the flutters in my chest nearly an earthquake. I was so happy with him and he seemed happy, too. Now we were headed back to real life. “Are you returning to work this afternoon?” I asked him.

“Yes. I have a few important calls. Will you miss me?”

“No,” I lied. His expression said he didn’t believe me. “Since you are in a good mood, I must tell you that I’ll need to skip dinner tonight.”

“Oh.” Disappointment crashed through me. I liked eating dinner with him and his family. “It won’t be the same without you.”

“I like to hear you say it, dolcezza.”

“Do you have late calls?”

“No, I must go out for a meeting.” I pulled Piccola Monella to a halt. “You are leaving the estate?” He leaned forward on the saddle, bracing his forearms on the horn. “Yes.”

“Where are you going?”

“You know I cannot tell you that.”

“Why?” Bringing his horse closer, he reached out to touch my face. “You cannot ever know details of my business. I won’t risk getting you sent to prison.”

“The police won’t care if you tell me one tiny thing, Rafael .”

“No, Valentina. The only person who goes to prison is me.”

“I don’t want you to go to prison, either.” His expression softened. “There is an expression in Italiano: ‘Hai voluto la bicicletta? E adesso pedala!’”

“What does it mean?”

“‘Did you want the bicycle? Now ride it.’ I wanted the bicycle, Valentina . Whatever the consequences, I will face them alone.” I pressed my lips together and stared out at the cows grazing in the field. “Will you be safe?”

He dipped his finger inside my shirt, then inside my bra, to graze my bare skin. “I will take every precaution, if only to return back to this.” He fingered my nipple. “Will you wait for me?”

“Yes.” I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep, worrying about car bombs and bullets instead. “Are you taking guards with you?”

“Of course. And Marco.”

“Good.” The horses grew restless and we started toward the stables again. Worry had settled in my stomach, but I tried not to let it show on my face. The thought of losing him…. Something that had been bothering me popped into my mind. “Why doesn’t Marco like me?”

He tried to cover his surprise but failed. “What makes you say such things?”

“I can tell he doesn’t like me. You don’t need to hide it, Rafael . I just don’t understand why. We’ve hardly spoken two words to each other since I arrived.” I hadn’t ever seen Rafael uncomfortable before, but he clearly was now. He studied the ground and fidgeted with the reins. “He believes my attention is lacking, which is not true. But he blames you for it, for distracting me.”

My jaw fell open, but I closed it quickly. “You work more than anyone else I know.” Certainly more than my father or uncle. “Still, I have taken more time away in this last month than ever before. But it doesn’t matter who likes you, piccolina. Only if I like you.”

“And do you? Like me, I mean.” I sounded needy and insecure, but I didn’t care. Chuckling, he grabbed the reins of my horse and pulled us both to a stop. Then, he grabbed me by the back of the neck and brought our mouths together, kissing me deeply. It felt like a stamp of possession with no respite, no escape, and I revelled in every second.

“What do you think? Do I like you?” My grin nearly split my face. Who needed words when he treated me like a queen and kissed me like his life depended on it? “Yes, I think you do.”

“See? And they say Canadian girls aren’t smart.” I smacked his shoulder. “You’d better be nice or this not-smart girl won’t suck your dick again.” He made a dismissive hand gesture. “You could never resist my dick, even if you tried. You’re practically panting every time I take my clothes off.”

“True. I’ll have to think of something else to threaten you with.” I was smiling as we rode into the stables and dismounted. Rafael returned to the castello, leaving his horse with a groom, but I insisted on unsaddling and brushing Piccola Monella myself. Once she was settled, I decided to go in and shower. I smelled like sex, horses and Rafael .

In my room, I saw something green on my pillow. What on earth? Were those caterpillars? They were pea pods. Zia had obviously stopped by. Shaking my head at her, I started to get undressed while munching on the peas. The poor woman. Dimitri would give her great grand nieces and nephews, but probably not anytime soon.

And I knew I wasn't. I paused mid-chew. Wait, when was my last period? Had it been three weeks ago? No, that was Rome. Was it a week before that? Had I even bled since coming to Italy? Yes, when I first came, because I had been relieved to find tampons in the bathroom.

Panic started building in my chest, but I forced it down. It was too soon to be pregnant, right? I snatched my phone and opened my calendar app. I usually tracked my cycle, but my phone was back in Toronto. With the kidnapping and everything going on here, I hadn’t even thought about it. My shot should still be effective, right?

Shit. I hated that I was now doubting myself. I was always so careful. I looked back and tried to remember when I’d had my last period. Six weeks ago. My stomach dropped. This couldn’t be. It couldn’t be. I used the birth control shot, which had never failed me before. I’d never even had a scare with David. My cycle was as regular as rain.

I searched my brain for the date of my last shot. It was supposed to last for three months, so I should still be covered. My heart raced in my chest, my breath coming faster as I remembered that my last shot was four and a half months ago. That shouldn’t matter, right? I should be okay. This was not happening.