Nicoletta is waiting for us when we arrive back, and she rushes toward me.
I ignore her, striding into the Estate.
"What's happened?" she calls out after me. "Did you find Marzia?"
"No," I growl in reply.
She knows better than to follow me. At least the girl can read people well enough to realize I will not be fucking disturbed right now. I head straight to my quarters and slam the door shut after I enter my room. I pace the room, fingers going through my hair as I wonder what the fuck I'm going to do.
The worst part of thinking about Marzia is that she's got me used to fucking her so often and I'm a goddamned mess without her. Even now, my cock is straining painfully against the fabric of my pants, reminding me how desperate I am to claim her again. But she's not here. Not here to suck my cock, nor can I fuck her. Damnit, how I miss her.
Fighting the urge to punch a wall, I pour myself a double shot of grappa and down it in one go. I need to think about where they could have gone. I need to come to the bottom of this and get Marzia back. Every day, every hour without her stretches ahead, trickling slowly like molasses. I can't live without her.
With a groan, I unbutton my pants. My cock springs free. I need relief from the constant thoughts circling my head. I need Marzia. I need to remember my bambina, touch myself to the thought of her.
I feel guilty as fuck as I start massaging my cock. I think of the times when I missed women before. None of it mattered…I'd have someone else in my bed and my obsession would be instantly cured. But not this time, not with Marzia. I'm more desperate than ever to feel her body next to mine, to run my fingertips over her silky tan skin.
But I can't. Not unless I fucking fight to bring her back to where she belongs.
I groan as my fingers continue to stroke my cock. I need her here, with me.
What has to happen has never been clearer. Nicoletta has to leave and I have to do every-fucking-thing in my power to bring Marzia back home where she belongs.
I growl her name as I bring my cock closer and closer to an inevitable orgasm. I'm not going to stop until my load has spilled over my fingers. The only thing that will bring me relief right now isn't here, so I'll just have to fucking take care of it myself.
I grunt as I unload. Rope after rope of cum shoots ahead of me, on the hardwood floor. I pull my shirt off and toss it on the mess, falling back on my bed.
So much shit has happened. Ryder interrupting the wedding, Marzia disappearing.
But she didn't disappear, I remind myself. She left because she wanted to. She escaped.
No matter what I want from her, she doesn't want the same. She'd rather be with Vitto fucking Donatti than me. That's why she left, after all. She couldn't bear the thought of staying here and being mine.
It hurts. Knowing she chose to leave is hurting, cutting deeper than I ever thought it would.
How did I allow this to happen? How could I let myself develop fucking feelings for a woman like her? She isn't just a childhood obsession, not anymore. My heart beats for her, my body wants her, and she's fucked with my head enough to have me obsessing over her after just a few short months. And it's not fixable. I can only fix it if I bring her back.
Getting up, I head into the shower where the ice-cold water beats down my back. Every pelt of the water on me feels like a slap jolting me fucking awake. I can't allow myself to stop hoping now, to think I'm not going to get her back. I have to get her back.
There is no other option.
Two weeks later
Today, Father will break off my engagement with Nicoletta.
I've been looking forward to the day and something tells me my ex-fiancée isn't too sad about it either.
Still, she seems worried when Gustavo arrives, merely smiling nervously as he greets her.
We all sit down in the sun room where we have some tea. No one mentions Marzia ? Gustavo doesn't know she's missing ? and it doesn't fucking concern him.
"I hope I'm here so you can tell me you've officially gotten married," Gustavo muses as we all sit down.
Ryder wanted to be here, but Father wouldn't allow it, knowing Gustavo would lose his shit around him, since he was the one who stopped the wedding.
As grateful as I am for that, I'm not letting him take the fall this time.
"Unfortunately not," Father begins, clearing his throat.