ANTHOLOGY OF SINFUL DESIRES

“Your father is gone, Alessandra.” Usually, the afternoon sun slanting through the high windows of the Florence apartment felt like warm gold, but to Alessandra, it had suddenly turned to ash as she read the words again on her phone screen. Her fingers trembled slightly and the whole room spun. This was not happening, it couldn’t be! “The funeral arrangements are being made. You need to come home immediately after your graduation.” The message from her mother felt like a blow to the guts and a strangled gasp escaped her throat. She had spoken to him just yesterday, how could he be dead? Her life was over! Alessandra doubled over on the edge of the unmade bed and tried to breathe. The ticking clock had finally run out. Her mother could’ve softened the news at least, not thrown it at her like this. What was she to do now that she could not inhale and she could literally hear the walls of her life caving in? "Ale?" Alessandra quickly swiped at her eyes at the sound of the front door clicking open and Xavier’s voice. His footsteps grew louder, making her heart leap in her chest. Xavier stepped into her bedroom, bringing with him his signature woodsy cologne. He had his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, looking every bit the handsome man she had spent four years of college falling head over heels for. The moment his dark eyes caught her trembling frame, he frowned. "Hey…hey, sweetheart, what is it?" Alessandra dropped the phone onto the duvet and a soft sob broke from her lips. With two strides he was in front of her and she let herself fall forward into him as she cried into his chest. “Shh, I've got you,” he cooed softly, pressing a tender kiss into the crown of her hair, then to her temple, his deep voice made her heart ache. “I'm right here, baby. Tell me what happened. Talk to me.” Alessandra buried her face in the crook of his neck, breathing in the scent of him and clutching at his shirt. She couldn’t tell him. “Hmm? What is it?” He coaxed, drawing small circles against her back. Alessandra pulled back just enough to look up at him, and sniffed. “I... I just can't believe we're almost done, you know? We're graduating in two days, Xavier. It’s just... it’s so overwhelming. Everything is moving so fast.” Xavier’s thumb brushed away a tear trailing down her cheek, his touch impossibly gentle for a large man as himself. "Hey, look at me,” he commanded softly, cupping her face in his broad hands. "Nothing changes, Ale. We’re in this together. I am never going to leave you, you hear me?" He pulled her in, hugging her so tightly she could feel the steady beat of his heart against her cheek. “We're going to build that company we've been dreaming about, hmm?” She nodded slightly against him. “We're going to take over the world, put our names on skyscrapers, and become rich motherfuckers. You and me." A tiny laugh escaped Alessandra despite the agony in her chest. One time, he had joked that they would name their first company, “The Rich Motherfuckers.” He pulled away and looked at her. "There’s that smile," Xavier whispered, kissing her nose. “No more sad thoughts, vita mia.” He stepped back reluctantly and she stood with him. Slapping his hand lightly against her hip with a grin, he said, “Alright, get ready. My mom called earlier.” “Oh?” “She’s inviting us over for dinner tonight to celebrate early." "Dinner?" She blinked, forcing a soft, bright smile for him. "Okay. I'll get ready." It was already late afternoon, not that she had any other plans for the day. If anything, she needed all the time she could spare to be with Xavier. "Good. I’ve got some deliveries to make.” He leaned down, catching her mouth for what was supposed to be a quick goodbye kiss. But the moment their lips touched, Alessandra clung to him, opening her mouth to his with a desperate, sudden passion that caught them both off guard. Xavier groaned, his hands immediately sliding to the small of her back, lifting her until her legs were wrapped around his waist. The kiss turned deep, hot, and consuming. She wanted him…she wanted this without end. With that thought in mind, she did a slow grind with her hips, his other hand resting lightly on her ass, feeling the motion. "f**k the deliveries," he muttered, his hands tightening on her waist. He was ready to put her right back onto the bed. "They can wait." She bit his lower lip lightly, eyes shut, savoring him. Xavier’s hands slipped beneath her skirt and her eyes flew open. If they decided to go down that road, none of them would make it to his mother’s dinner. Alessandra giggled softly as she pressed her hands against his chest, pushing him away just an inch. "No, go get those deliveries. Your mom is expecting us, Mr. Yamine. Go." Xavier wasn’t letting go as he trailed kisses down her neck, his tongue flicking at the dip of her delicate clavicle. “Xavier.” He sighed with discontent, kissed her cheek, then her lips one last time before gently dropping her to her feet. "You're cruel, Grant. I'll be back in an hour’s time. Don't be late." She watched him walk out the door, listening to the heavy thud of his boots echoing down the hallway until the front door clicked shut once more. The silence that followed was deafening and Alessandra lowered her head into her hands, the smile vanishing instantly. Slowly, she reached out and picked up her phone from the bed. The screen flickered back to life. A new message had just popped up underneath the first one from her mother. “The flight is booked for the morning after graduation. Marcus Cole is already preparing the announcement for you and Richard. Do not make a scene, Alessandra. You belong to the Cole family now.”