I wake up with the warm rays of the sun on my skin. As I open my eyes, I have the pleasure of seeing Ezio still asleep beside me. Seizing the rarity of the moment, I take the opportunity to admire him. His relaxed features make him seem far away from everything, peaceful and far from the tortured look his eyes often hold.

"Enjoying the view ?" he asks, opening one eye timidly.

I smile despite my surprise.

"As always, but I must admit this is my favorite view. It makes me feel special to see you so vulnerable."

I caress his face, and he smiles with his eyes closed.

"You are someone special, May. It's only with you that I feel confident enough to let you admire me while I wake up."

At these words, I kiss his cheek, and he places his hand behind my head, sealing our lips in a tender kiss. I then hear his stomach growl.

"I think your stomach is crying out for food."

"Indeed, I could eat a whole cow after last night's efforts, he smiles, giving me a wink before getting out of bed."

Since we are both as naked as Adam and Eve, we dress before joining Andy and Salva in the kitchen.

"Hey guys, sleep well ?" Andy teases.

"Like babies," Ezio responds, smiling.

We have breakfast together, and then Ezio informs us that he is going to take a shower.

"Care to join me, sweetie ?" he suggests in my ear.

"Sorry Ezio, but I need to talk to May," Andy interrupts. "You'll have plenty of time to catch up afterward, I promise," she adds with a tone full of innuendo.

I watch Ezio leave, disappointed and frustrated, for the shower and then turn to Andy with a questioning look.

"Salva, can you give us a few minutes, please ?" she asks him.

He nods and withdraws to leave us alone.

"I saw Isabella at the restaurant last night."

"And that's why you deprived me of a passionate romp ?"

"Oh, listen till the end, Ezio's dick will still be attached when you see him after our discussion," she hisses.

More frustrated than curious, I cross my arms, looking at her skeptically, waiting for the rest.

"She was with Paola."

"I thought Paola was at the restaurant with Ezio."

"Yes, they were, but it was after their dinner. It was late, the restaurant was about to close, and Paola showed up out of nowhere. Isabella was dining with Raphael, and when Paola approached their table, Isabella seemed super embarrassed, and Raphael didn't understand what she was doing there. So, Isabella found an excuse to go outside with Paola, and away from prying eyes—at least what they thought—they talked, but it was a heated conversation. Paola seemed upset, and Isabella was even more annoyed and authoritative. By the end of it, Paola looked teary-eyed and seemed scared."

"Damn, do you think it has to do with the act between her and Ezio ?"

"Honestly, I have no idea. I tried to go outside to listen, but I couldn't hear anything clearly."

"Can you remember any specific details ?"

"Hmm, something like Isabella not wanting to be seen in public with her, that Raphael should never know, and I think I heard some threats, but I'm not sure."

"What a mess ! If they're in cahoots, this really stinks. I don't know what's going on, but it doesn't bode well, especially if Isabella is hiding things from Raphael."

"Are you going to tell Ezio ?"

"I don't know, we don't have much, and I don't want to sow doubt without evidence. Despite everything, even if I can't stand her, Isabella and Ezio get along well, and I can't get between them without a valid reason."

"Whatever you do or decide, keep me in the loop, because if you don't tell Ezio and you get into trouble, you'll need someone trustworthy to rely on."

"Of course, I won't hide anything from you."

"Isn't it a bit ironic or even cheeky that you're doing exactly what you reproach Ezio for doing ?"

"What do you mean ?"

"You're hiding your plans from him just like he hid his from you."

"It's not the same."

"Why not ? Just because you're the one doing it doesn't make it different."

"No, but here we're sure of nothing, and there are no other guys I have to seduce like what he hid from me."

"If you say so, but be careful, the path you're taking is dangerous."

"I will, don't worry."

We hug, and I join Ezio in the bathroom. To my disappointment, I don't find him in the shower but in the bedroom, wrapped in a towel, his hair tousled. Just seeing him stokes the flames of my desire. I bite my lower lip and push him onto the bed. I straddle him sensually, kissing him, and move down to his neck and chest. Then I feel his grip stopping me, making me look up in confusion.

"I would love to, my beauty, but we have a less pleasant plan for today, and I don't want to delay."

Deaf to desire, I continue to seduce him. Suddenly, I find myself beneath him, my hands pinned above my head. He kisses me passionately, and I feel him harden. Just when I think I've succeeded in breaking his resolve, he brushes his lips against my ear and murmurs firmly.

"I said we don't have time."

"But you want it as much as I do. We can be done in five minutes," I plead seductively, swaying my hips beneath him to make him crack.

Unyielding, he looks into my eyes and responds in his deep voice:

"May, when I fuck you, I want it to last more than five minutes."

With those words, he releases his grip and gets off the bed. Frustrated, I sigh and groan.

"Come on, get dressed. We're leaving in a few minutes. A tip: wear something comfortable."

"At your command, chief, I sigh, letting go of the last remnants of my frustration before getting up."

Once dressed, I find Ezio in the living room talking to Salva.

"Perfect, you're ready. We can go."

We leave the apartment, and I understand why Ezio insisted on comfortable clothes. A beautiful black sports motorcycle waits for us by the door.

"Ready ?"he asks, handing me a helmet.

"Absolutely !" I reply, all excited as I take it.

He sits first, and then I join him. I press myself against him, and he starts the engine.

I rediscover that sensation of freedom mixed with the adrenaline of speed, our senses heightened. Everything seems within reach, we feel powerful, as if we own the road and nothing can stop us. The motorcycle forces us to push our limits, to surpass ourselves, and to face our fears.

We ride for quite some time, leaving the city behind. The wide roads give way to winding paths before we arrive at a large, tree-covered plain. Amidst the trees stand hundreds of tombstones.

As I get off the motorcycle, I examine Ezio's face, which shows a grave, closed, and melancholic expression.