Chapter 73

***Kenya.***

***Thursday, present day***

"You've been awfully quiet since we entered here this morning," I said to Levi, as we stood before the white marble sculpture of Dionysus.

He turned to me, tensed.

"Nothing, Baby. Am just watching the sculpture like you are." He smiled. But I saw pain. He had something on his mind and I only wished he would share.

I woke up this morning, well rested and sore, from all we had done yesterday. When I turned in bed, he was still asleep, his arms possessive round my waist. His handsome face, so relaxed, innocent, as he slept. His hair, tussled. Some locks fallen over his face. I trailed my fingers along his face and he stirred.

I just lay there, watching him sleep. His breathing even, and I couldn't help my thoughts returning to last night. The sex had been different. Tender, passionate. A connection. And I couldn't even speak of the eventful day we had shared; talking, ordering takeout and more sex.

"There is still more to see inside. Shall we?" Levi's voice urged me out of my reverie. I nodded, giving him my hand, as he guided us inside the Vizcaya mansion. The surrounding water and environment, reminiscent of an era that once was.

Built in the early 20th century, the estate was beautiful. An architectural wonder even in this modern day. We saw a couple or two, taking wedding shots inside the villa and I smiled, recalling our own wedding. I wish things had been different. I wish ours had been borne out of true feelings. Rather, it had been forceful. Displeasure threatened, shattering the ease I finally found again in his presence. But I banished it.

"Look at that couple." I nodded in their direction. Levi followed my gaze and smiled, tenderly.

"They look beautiful, right." He remarked, absently. I nodded. He leaned in and placed a kiss on my forehead.

After a while of silence, as we strolled inside the villa, checking the rooms, like every other guest, I spoke.

"You can tell me what bothers you. I might not be able to help, but I'm a great listener." I encouraged. He laughed a little.

Exhaling, Levi spoke. "I remembered something from my childhood, when we gazed at that sculpture." He started. I nodded.

"Good ones." I pressed. He shrugged.

"Some good. Like the one where I had visited the museum in Philadelphia and saw my favorite sculpture. Degas' sculpture."

"No way! You also love Degas?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes, very much. And from your tone, you do as well." He chuckled.

"Of course. My favorite artist, because of how he always painted ballerinas." I beamed.

"I do. I've accumulated some good Degas paintings over the years," he said. I didn't know that. Perhaps I had been too engrossed with my pain, I hadn't even noticed the paintings.

"In all the houses?" I asked, intrigued. He nodded.

"Didn't you see them?" He asked, turning to me. I felt embarrassed acknowledging my clumsiness. He smiled. No judgement in his expression.

"Perhaps we will watch some of the paintings when we get to the house." He suggested. I nodded in acquiescence.

We stopped at a tapestry decoration in one of the rooms and examined it. It was beautiful. An artistic Italian tapestry that looked very expensive. Covered in intricate patterns. I wished we could live here. The renaissance outlook, the history it had.

"This is a beautiful and historic piece of art. Timeless. Even in this age, it's one in a million," I appreciatively said. My eyes filled with admiration.

I felt Levi's gaze on me, even before I saw it. Our fingers interlaced, his warmth travelling through me.

"You're my art piece. You're one in a million. I'd buy you on my wall, any day." He moved closer, lowering his lips to my ear. I shuddered at the intimacy. Levi was killing me.

"I don't think you want to initiate sexual innuendos in such a crowded place." I raised a sultry gaze to him.

He smiled, seductively. His fingers found the small of my back. His soft, welcoming strokes, burned me.

"What if I do?" He asked, his gaze holding mine. "We aren't strangers to danger, are we?" He asked me. I smiled shyly, knowing his meaning.

Someone came to stand beside us and we both giggled at our mischief. I liked this new side to us. It was funny, comfortable and there was no tension. Although the past occurrence still hung between us, but I could go around that. I could let us be friends.

Perhaps more than friends.

***Levi***.

It was 8 pm and we were getting ready to go to the club.

I already phoned Liam that we were on our way. A certain tension gripped me, since last night that I whispered a confession into the ears of a sleeping Kenya. It was like her tenderness with me had made me admit a part of me, which I had never accepted even to myself. The absence of her resistance had weakened me. And now I was vulnerable. Like I needed her very existence for my survival. I didn't even know what I meant by that.

I had on black long sleeved shirt, my top buttons off, and black slacks. I hid my flick blade inside my ankle, so that Kenya wouldn't see it. I had work to do tonight, even if I promised her fun. However, I was going to do my utmost best to ensure she had a great night.

I even promised her a private tour of my own, if she behaved tonight. Something crazy that would beat the fun those pups had planned for her in that new club on 57th. She had told me about her friends' efforts to have her visit the club with them. But my marriage to her had ruined those plans.

Now it was up to me to give my wife a fabulous first night in a club.