novelxo Sexting the Don: Chapter 21
Waking up to find the other side of the bed empty isn’t a surprise.
Stretching out, I can’t help but grin, feeling that telltale soreness that screams of a night well spent with Enzo. His absence is temporary, and physical reminders of our escapades are pleasantly lingering in every move I make.
Every time I’m here, I’m struck by the sheer scale of his room. Enzo’s bedroom could easily swallow my garage apartment whole and still have space for a dance-off.
I wander over to the massive windows and take in the view—his backyard is something out of a magazine, with a pristine garden and woods all around. Living in luxury like this isn’t my norm, but man, could I get used to it.
Feeling a need to wash off the remnants of last night, I head for his ultra-sleek bathroom. The water pressure in the shower is a dream, and as I let the hot streams massage me, flashbacks from last night flood in—Enzo’s commanding hands, the way his voice dipped when he told me exactly what he wanted, our wild ride. Each memory sends a delightful shiver through me.
There’s a lot to sort out with my family mess, but right now, in the sanctuary Enzo’s given me, I’m going to soak in the peace and quiet. Here, in his world, I find a break from mine, and that’s something to hold onto.
Fresh out of the shower, I’m feeling all kinds of refreshed until a nasty wave of morning sickness hits me out of nowhere. I make a beeline for the toilet, grateful that in a place as grand as this, my not-so-fine moments are drowned out by the sheer space. After the unpleasantness, I brush my teeth, glad to be alone in the giant bathroom where my queasiness doesn’t have to be anyone else’s soundtrack.
Still feeling a bit off, the smell of cooking from downstairs isn’t doing me any favors. My stomach churns but I clamp down on the feeling hard. I’m not ready to go public about the baby, especially not with the Jimmy drama still unfolding.
Thinking of my mom, I hustle to get dressed. She’s probably out there worrying about everything under the sun, and I need to check on her.
As I make my way into the kitchen, the scene in front of me throws me for a loop. There’s Mom, perched at the island bar like she owns the place, and Enzo, who’s flipping something in a pan that smells deliciously good. They’re deep in conversation, and seeing them together, chatting away so comfortably is kind of surreal.
Enzo looks up and spots me. Without missing a beat, he strolls over with that easy smile of his and plants a good morning kiss on my cheek.
‘Morning, gorgeous. Go on and sit down. How do you feel about veggie omelets?’ he asks as if it’s the most natural thing in the world to be cooking breakfast for us.
I nod, still a bit thrown off but pleasantly surprised. ‘Yeah, veggie omelets sound great,’ I manage, slipping into a seat at the bar next to Mom.
We settle in, and soon, we’re all munching on arguably the best veggie omelets I’ve ever had. Mom leans back in her chair, looking more relaxed than I’ve seen her in days.
‘Enzo, thank you again for letting us stay here,’ she says, her tone warm and grateful. ‘Your guest house is like something out of a dream.”
Then, with a sly glance my way, she adds, ‘I was beginning to wonder where Mandy had disappeared to last night,’ letting out a little chuckle. I feel my cheeks heat up but Enzo just laughs, the sound rich and genuine.
‘The guest house is yours for as long as you need it, Florence. I’m just glad you both feel safe here,’ Enzo responds, his tone sincere.
The conversation flows easily as we continue to eat. Mom talks about the garden she spotted from the window and how she used to love gardening back when I was younger. Enzo joins in, sharing a few tips about the plants he’s got and the best spots for the morning sun.
As we finish up, Mom stands and starts collecting the dishes, her old habits kicking in. ‘Let me help clean up. It’s the least I can do.’
Enzo immediately waves her off with a friendly grin. ‘You’re a guest here, Florence, and guests don’t do dishes. You just relax or get ready for work or whatever else you’d like to do.’
She looks at him, a soft smile playing on her lips, clearly touched by his kindness. ‘You’re a good man, Enzo. Thank you again,’ she says, then adds as she heads toward the door, ‘I better go get ready for work.’
‘Wait, do you have a ride?’ Enzo asks, concern flickering across his face.
Mom pauses, ‘I was planning on taking the bus, as usual.’
‘Not a chance with Jimmy possibly lurking around,’ Enzo says, his tone firm. ‘I’ve got a few cars in the garage. The keys are on the pegboard on the wall.’ He thinks for a moment, then suggests, ‘Take the Land Rover; it’s solid and safe.’
‘Thank you, Enzo. Really,’ Mom says, giving us both another grateful smile before heading out to get ready.
Once she’s gone, I turn to Enzo, a bit hesitant. ‘Mom and I will start looking for an apartment over the next couple of days. We don’t want to wear out our welcome here.’
Enzo looks at me, his eyes serious. “You and your mom can stay as long as you need. There’s no rush, and you’re not wearing out any welcome. This is a safe place for you, for as long as you need it.’
‘Thanks, Enzo, I mean it,’ I tell him, appreciating his support but fully aware my mom isn’t going to allow us to stay here for long. ‘But I know how she is. She’s going to feel like she’s imposing, no matter what you say.’
Enzo gives me a serious look, his voice decisive. ‘This isn’t about her feeling like she’s imposing. It’s about keeping you both safe. That’s the priority.’
I let out a sigh, knowing he’s right but still feeling a bit defensive. ‘Sure, I get that. But Jimmy’s mostly all talk. He’s full of hot air.’
He raises an eyebrow, his tone turning stern.
‘He hit her, Mandy. I saw the mark. And he hit you, too. He’s clearly not just all talk anymore.’ His voice deepens, filled with a seriousness that demands my full attention. ‘I’ve dealt with guys like him. They start with threats, and then they escalate. They don’t stop. They push boundaries until someone pushes back.’
Hearing that sends a cold shiver down my spine. The possibility that he’s right gnaws at me, but his confidence reassures me. ‘You really think it could get worse?’ I ask, a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach.
‘With his type, yes,’ Enzo asserts. ‘They test limits. And if they see a weakness, they exploit it.’
I take a deep breath, the reality of his words settling in. ‘I hate that you’re probably right,’ I admit, the weight of the seriousness of the situation pressing down on me. ‘It’s hard to see him as that kind of monster, even with everything he’s put us through.’
Enzo takes my hand, his grip firm and reassuring. ‘I know it’s tough, and I wish you didn’t have to face this. But you’re not alone. I’m here, and this place is a fortress. You and your mom should stay as long as you need to. I mean it.’
His assurance lifts some of the heaviness in my heart. ‘ Knowing we’ve got you makes all this a bit less terrifying,’ I say, squeezing his hand in gratitude.
‘Whatever comes, we’ll handle it together. I won’t let anything happen to you or your mom.’
I nod in agreement with Enzo’s assurances, feeling a surge of tenderness. Leaning in, I press my lips to his in a thank you that quickly turns into something far deeper. The kiss escalates, becoming a heated exchange as if our earlier conversation had stoked a fire between us.
Enzo’s hands start exploring, tracing the curve of my back and slipping lower, his touch igniting sparks that flicker throughout my entire body. My hands find the hem of his shirt, my fingers wandering beneath it, exploring the firmness of his waist. Everything about this moment—his scent, his strength, the way he responds to my touch—stirs my arousal deeper.
Just as things threaten to really catch fire, the shrill tone of my phone cuts through the haze of desire. Reluctantly, I pull back, a small groan of frustration escaping Enzo as I reach for my phone. Glancing at the screen, I see Natalie’s name flashing. ‘It’s Natalie,’ I murmur, hitting the answer button while trying to catch my breath.
‘Hey, Mandy! Can we switch our workout to the Equinox in Beverly Hills instead of my place today?’ Natalie’s voice is chipper, clueless as to what she’s just interrupted.
‘Uh, yeah, sure, that works,’ I manage to say, slightly flustered, having completely spaced on our planned session.
‘Awesome! See you in a bit,’ Natalie chirps before ending the call.
As I hang up, I shoot Enzo an apologetic look, my earlier heat morphing into a playful promise. ‘Looks like I’ll have to take a rain check on this,’ I say, a mischievous grin spreading across my face.
Enzo smirks, his disappointment swiftly replaced by mischievous anticipation. ‘I expect nothing less than a fun night to make up for it,’ he replies, the sexiness in his voice making me shiver.
‘Deal,’ I agree, excited for the workout and for what the evening will hold after.
With a quick kiss that promises more, I head upstairs to change into my workout gear.