Forbidden Love

Ch. 1

The moon cast its silvery glow across the sky, while the rhythmic whispers of the ocean's waves provided a soothing backdrop for my sorrowful heart.

"Hey there!" Vin's deep, sensual voice greeted me as he settled beside me with a beer in hand.

I shivered involuntarily, unsure whether it was his sexy voice or the cold wind causing that effect on me.

"I thought you had decided to stick around to lend a hand," he playfully teased with a mischievous sexy smile tugging at his full lips.

Vin was both my best friend and my cousin. He had been studying at Stanford University but came to Florence to celebrate his twentieth birthday with his family and old friends. His dad, Uncle Xavier, was the Italian Mafia king. Although we weren't blood-related, our parents were very close. Uncle Xavier's dad and my mom’s dad were step-brothers.

"Sorry, Vin. I'll join you in a bit," I murmured, avoiding eye contact.

With a resigned sigh, I downed the last drops of my beer before tossing the empty bottle aside frustratedly. Snatching Vin's beer from his grasp, I took a generous swig.

"Easy there, Petal!" he chuckled, using the nickname he had affectionately given me over the years. "You've already had quite a bit tonight."

The first heartbreak could be so painful I never realized it, and I wanted to forget everything. I didn't care if I passed out from drinking too much. I took another long swig of beer, ignoring Vin's attempt to take it back from my hand.

"Hey, Petal, what's troubling you?" Vin's concerned eyes searched mine for an answer, and I had to look away before I got distracted by his enchanting gaze.

"I went to see Bruno today," I began, my voice quivering as I struggled to hold back tears. "And guess what?!” I snorted, trying to laugh at my misery. “I found him f*****g a girl in his bed."

"Motherfucker!" Vin cursed under his breath as his anger surfaced in his deep blue eyes. "He's not worthy of being your boyfriend."

A fresh wave of sadness washed over me, and the tears that I had been holding back for so long finally spilled down my cheeks.

"No one wants me as their girlfriend, Vin," I sobbed, remembering Bruno’s hurtful words.

I was the epitome of imperfections. I was a little chubby and my belly wasn't flat like those who spent hours exercising. My face had been covered in pimples since I stepped into my teenage years. No matter how hard I tried, my naturally wavy, sandy blond hair always appeared wild, despite my efforts to manage it. Oh, and those large, thick glasses only added to the awkwardness of my appearance. Yet, I didn't feel comfortable wearing contact lenses. I never cared much about my appearance. Instead, I preferred spending all my time with books in the library rather than in a salon. I was happy being myself. But it seemed like nobody desired a nerdy girl like me as their girlfriend. Everyone seemed to prefer someone hot and sexy by their side.

"What are you saying, petal? That's far from the truth," Vin's frown deepened.

"Yes, it's true, and I know it," I replied in a voice heavy with disappointment. "Bruno said he cheated on me because I'm boring and not even beautiful."

I sniffled, pushing my glasses back up my nose.

"He's an absolute jerk," Vin muttered, and his voice sounded sharp with frustration.

Leaning closer, he brushed some hair away from my face and gently tucked it behind my ears before delicately removing my glasses from my face, wiping them with the cuff of his long-sleeved T-shirt, and then placing them back onto my eyes. I averted my eyes as something tugged at my heart due to his sweet gesture.

"Look at me, Bella." Touching my chin, he gently turned me to face him, his touch warm and soft as his beautiful gaze peered deeply into mine.

"You are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, petal," he spoke with sincerity, his bright, mesmerizing eyes met my teary gaze. He tenderly wiped my cheeks before cupping my face in his large hands. "Bruno's just insecure because he can't handle having a girl as stunning and hot as you. So, he said those things to hurt you because you caught him cheating on you."

His words were like magic, igniting something strange inside me. His bright blue eyes, deep as the ocean, gleamed with unknown emotions, looking at me as if I were the most precious thing on this planet, stirring something in me. I had never felt anything like this before, not even with Bruno.

I didn't know what came over me next. Almost instinctively, my hands reached up, my arms encircling his neck, pulling him toward me. And before my thoughts could catch up, I pressed my lips against his.

The surprise flitted across his eyes for a brief moment, but then he responded instantly, deepening the kiss, taking me in his powerful arms and pulling me onto his lap. Our lips met with an intensity fueled by desire and longing, and we forgot about the world.

Before I knew it, Vin was hauling me into a room. We were yanking at each other's clothes, and then he was all over me, staring at me like he had been starving for years, touching me greedily and so intimately. There was not an inch of my body left untouched by his hot and hungry mouth, pleasuring me in ways I never knew existed. With skin against skin and our lips locked passionately, nothing was separating us. Vin turned into a whole different guy—possessive and dominating, knowing exactly what he wanted.

Soon, the room was filled with our moans and groans, a symphony of desire and lust.

The following morning, I awoke naked and nestled in the embrace of his strong arms wrapped around me protectively.

Panic surged through me as the realization hit: I had lost my virginity to a guy who had a reputation as an even more formidable player than my ex-boyfriend. Everyone knew Vincenzo Leonardi was a notorious playboy and incredibly popular among women, never having been in a committed relationship.

Oh, God, what did this mean to him?

Rebound s*x?

Perhaps pity s*x?

Or just a fleeting one-night stand?

None of those options were for me.

And... And he was my cousin?! What if our families were to find out about us?

It would tear them apart.

No!

It couldn't happen.

Before the situation worsened, I chose to slip away while he was still asleep, severing all ties to prevent any further complications.