If my life was a fairytale, I would be cleaning my little cottage in the woods barefoot, while creatures of the forest gather in my window to listen to me sing songs about being in love with a handsome man I met at the market. Then that man would show up after spending days searching for the enchanting woman he couldn't live without. He'd reveal he's a prince, and whisk me off to his castle to live happily ever after together.

But my life isn't a fairytale. 

It's better.

Early this morning when I opened my eyes, I discovered I wasn't dreaming, and was definitely in Enzo's bed with my head on his chest and my arm draped over his abdomen. A couple of hours have passed since then, but I have yet to move because I don't want to wake him and burst the bubble of bliss I'm experiencing. 

I can't stop staring at him.

Enzo's chest rises and falls softly as if he's deep in a good slumber. I hope he's dreaming of me, and I entertain myself by tracing my fingers over the cursive font etched across his right peck muscle. The tattoo is something written in Italian: Ogni giorno ha il suo amore e dolore. I'm able to translate amore and dolore, but the rest I have no clue. I want to Google what it means, but who knows where my phone is? 

Lifting my head, I spot my purse strewn across the floor with our clothing from last night. Then my gaze drifts to the white bedsheet covering the lower half of Enzo's body and I'm famished for more of him. 

Seeing him in the flesh last night, with shadows cast across the defined lines of his abdomen which flow into that sexy V pointing like a neon arrow to his well-endowed erection... I'm getting hot and bothered thinking about it. I could tell he had a fit physique under his suits, but naked Enzo was way better than I ever daydreamed. 

In fact, everything about him is better than I imagined. I used to think Josh was amazing in bed, then I met Kyle and thought he was great, but I was wrong about both of them. 

Last night I learned the difference between a man and a grown man. Josh never cared to go down on me, and would only do it if I begged, which made me self-conscious, wondering why he didn't like it. And Kyle rushes through it as if it's his way of getting me wet enough for the main act.

But Enzo...

Oh, Enzo. He buried his face between my legs and pleasured me like he was lapping up the nectar of the Gods that he couldn't get enough of. The actual sex part was quick the first round, and I could tell Enzo was embarrassed by how fast he burst. He even apologized, explaining it had been a long time for him, but he would make it up to me. 

And he did. 

Each time, Enzo was sweet yet eager to explore and was gentle when he needed to be gentle, and rough when he needed to be rough. It was like he knew exactly where and how to touch me, without me having to ask.

And now I want to experience it again.

I slide my hand down, under the sheet, and wrap my fingers around him, then softly caress back and forth. Enzo stirs, but he's not fully awake, so I begin kissing down his stomach, my hand still stroking. 

"Mara," he says in a groggy voice, right as I'm inches away from his cock. He leans up on his elbows and rubs his eyes with a yawn. "What are you doing?"

"Saying good morning." I continue kissing across his shaft, but pause to look at him.

"I... should probably stop you."

"Why?"

"I'm... not sure."

"Then I'll keep going." I grin and enclose my mouth around the tip of him.

Enzo releases a groan, muttering something about my magical tongue, and sinks back onto the mattress with his forearm flopping over his eyes. It's an ego boost and I can't help but smile while watching him melt as I pleasure him. When I'm done, he carries me into the bathroom, and have some oral fun while washing ourselves under the rain of water. 

In fact, the man loves oral fun. A lot.

When we're done showering, he goes for another round between my legs, and again as we get ready for lunch by the pool, and again before we head out the door. I think I've unlocked a beast. By the time we step into the elevator, I'm expecting him to slap the emergency stop button, and hoist my legs over his shoulders to eat me against the wall. 

But he doesn't.

Instead, he holds my hand with a tiny, satisfied smile curling at the edge of his lips as he checks work emails on his phone. 

"I'll have to mingle for a bit with potential clients," he says. "Meanwhile, you can order whatever you want at the poolside bar, and once I'm done we can spend the rest of the afternoon swimming. Sound good?"

"Sounds perfect. I need a tan." 

"It's going to be tough watching you sunbathe in that bikini, while I'm stuck doing work stuff." He leans in and whispers, "I might have to cancel everything and take you to our room." 

I bite back a smile. "I haven't worn you out yet?"

"Oh, I'm just getting warmed up, Mara," he laughs and kisses my cheek.

The elevator doors open. So we step out and venture toward the pool. It's barely noon, yet the desert heat is already palpable against my skin as if I've been sucker-punched by the sun. Nevertheless, the sun is out, the sky is clear, and I had an epic morning. Enzo and I part ways so he can conduct business while I pick out a cabana to relax. I kick off my high-heeled sandals, slink off my flowy kimono, and put on a wide-brimmed hat before spreading myself across the lounger in my clementine orange bikini. 

I inhale a breath of complete contentment, picturing myself as JLO, sailing on a boat somewhere out on the Mediterranean, but the heat lulls me into a nap. So, I doze off for a bit, but there's some laughter and chatter, which causes me to open my eyes. Staff members in chef's coats have brought out trays of food to serve buffet style and my tummy gurgles at the aroma wafting through the heat. I get up to see what's on the menu, and it's unlike any buffet I've ever been to with the food presented in ways that would make Gordon Ramsay jealous.

"I'm not sure what to try," A woman next to me says, biting her lip with furrowed brows. 

"Try a little bit of everything." I shrug.

"Easy for you to say. You're young and have a trim figure. Everything I eat goes straight to my ass."

"You look like a model," I laugh softly, and slide salmon with some sort of cilantro lime glaze onto my plate.

"More like Miss Montana twenty-five years ago..." she sighs. 

"Really? Well, you look great."

"You wouldn't understand. Once you go past forty, everything starts to sag. If I take off this bathing suit, my boobs will flop down to my knees, thanks to breastfeeding five babies."

"Five?" I gasp, adding roasted veggies to my plate.

"Yeah. My kids destroyed my body, but," she sighs again. "I love those monsters to pieces." 

"Don't be so hard on yourself. You look amazing. Whoever is Miss Montana now better clutch her crown," I say, grabbing a slice of cake.

"No, you're right." She finally adds a cut of filet mignon to her plate. "I just hate coming to these things. It makes me self-conscious, but I have to, or else women half my age will fling themselves at my husband, and well, you know how men are."

"Not all men cheat, and your husband must love you a lot if he gave you five babies."

"I wish that were true." She follows me with her plate, which would be empty if it weren't for the one cut of meat. Meanwhile, mine is piled high. My new friend drops her voice into a whisper, "After our third baby, he came home from a trip and his shirt collar smelled like a woman's perfume."

"That could have been from an innocent hug," I say, trying to be hopeful.

"Maybe, but I'm a firm believer in trusting your gut." We walk back to my cabana, and she continues chatting. "Ever since then, I've insisted on joining him on business trips. There is no way in hell I will allow some tramp to destroy my family," she says, making herself comfortable on the lounger. "So, which one is your hubby?"

"Boyfriend," I say, and point to Enzo across the pool. 

He's talking with four other people, and it's as if he feels me looking at him because he glances, then winks before going back to his conversation. A smile instantly spreads across my face. I don't think I'll ever grow tired of how he makes me feel like the only woman in the room.

"Oh... he's older."

"Yeah, he is," I reply.

"I'm sorry. I thought your boyfriend was closer to your age, and earlier I made that comment about young women throwing themselves at my husband..."

"It's ok. Enzo and I have an age gap." I shrug. "But it's new, and we're having fun."

"Is he..." she starts cutting into the filet mignon. "Married?"

"Divorced."

"Right. That's what they all say."

"He is divorced."

 She takes a bite. "Let me guess. He told you that she stopped being there for him or worse, that she cheated and that's why they separated."

"What are you getting at?"

"Look." She sets her knife and fork down. "I'm really not trying to come off like a bitch, but you're young and beautiful, and older men will take advantage of that."

"Enzo isn't taking advantage. We're both consenting adults."

"Yes, but he's probably still married and lying about it. I see it happen all the time." She sips her iced tea, then pauses midway as if a thought has occurred to her. "Unless you don't care that he's married."

"What?" I shake my head. 

"Such a classic cliché," she huffs.

"He's not married," I say, but she's no longer listening.

"A man past his prime, having a mid-life crisis, and goes after the hot, young twenty-something strutting past him. I swear, all men are the same." 

"We are not having an affair. Enzo is divorced!" I bark, and her attention snaps back to me.

"I hope that's true for your sake, and for his wife's, if it turns out he's still married."

I take a deep breath and look her square in the eyes. "I'm not a home wrecker. I've been cheated on before. So I would never do that to someone, and you're wrong about Enzo. He's not past his prime or having a mid-life crisis. I'm sorry your husband is a piece of shit you can't trust, but don't project that onto me."

Her jaw drops. "I... I wasn't."

"His ex-wife is remarried, and to the man she cheated on him with." 

Taking a breath, I contemplate grabbing my things and moving to another cabana, but this one is mine. She can leave. So, I continue taking bites of my salmon and kill her with the awkward silence. I'm so furious that I'm barely even chewing before swallowing. Why does everyone assume I'm some naive girl, and that Enzo is a playboy taking advantage of me? 

Is it really that farfetched to believe that a fifty-year-old man and a twenty-four-year-old woman can fall in love and have a healthy relationship? I pause from stuffing seasoned zucchini and squash slices into my mouth. 

Unless the falling in love part is only on my end? 

"What do you see in a man that much older than you?" the woman asks softly. "What's wrong with men your age?"

I stop chewing and take a deep breath with a sigh, "Because guys my age only see the physical, and not much else. Hell, even my ex boyfriend broke up with me because he doesn't see me as wife material—only a sexy girlfriend. But not Enzo. He doesn't take me for granted. Instead, he's respectful, caring, delicate, and I never have to worry if I'm safe around him. Most of all, when he looks at me, it's like he sees more than what's on the surface. He sees me."

"These are all things that he makes you feel. Not what you actually like about him," she says.

I push my plate away and look her in the eyes. "I love that Enzo is loyal, hardworking, and a protector. I love that instead of following in his family's footsteps, he became a businessman, and made a name for himself that has nothing to do with them. And I love that despite facing betrayal, it hasn't embittered him. Instead, he embraces the possibility of new love. Does that satisfy you?"

But I don't care to hear her reply. So, I climb off of the lounger, and dive into the pool. I stay underwater, swimming from one end to the next, and pop up away from that judgy lady. It also makes me sad. So far, the women I've met in Enzo's world have been cheated on or had affairs of their own. Maybe that's what life is like when people have a lot of money? Loyalty takes a backseat, and as long as there are riches, they look the other way.

I just hope I don't view life like that when I'm their age. 

"Hey, beautiful." Enzo crouches at the edge of the pool, smiling.

It brightens me right up.

"How's business, Mr. Esposito?"

"I've said enough pleasantries to reward me a free afternoon." He winks, and dips his hand into the water. "And I think I have a whale-of-client by the balls."

"What?" I giggle.

"This client is a big deal, from a well-known company. We chatted about me working with them full time instead of contractually, but... I like working for myself. So, we've been going back and forth. I can tell they really want me full time, but they would have to make it worth my while."

"Oh, so instead of you convincing them that they need you, the tables have turned and now they're trying to convince you why you need them."

"Exactly. I think by brunch tomorrow, they'll present me with a solid offer, but I'll still need my lawyer to look it over before I agree to anything. If I even want to. Like I said, I like working independently. Plus, I already make a damn good living. So I'm not hurting for money. Most people want more and more, and are never satisfied. Not me. I want to enjoy life."

"Well, how about you enjoy it in here with me?" I splash him.

"Hey!" he laughs.

"Come on, Mr. Esposito." I splash again.

"Alright, alright!" He holds his hands up, and unbuttons his shirt, grinning. 

He's already wearing swim shorts, so he kicks off his shoes, and tells me to watch out before diving into the pool like an Olympic swimmer. There's barely a splash, and when he surfaces, he shakes out his hair, then locks his gaze onto me and smiles wickedly.

"I'm gonna get you," he says.

"What?" 

"Here I come..."

Next thing I know, Enzo disappears underwater, and tugs my foot. I yelp before going under, but then his mouth is right there, on mine, and he breathes into me, filling my lungs. We don't kiss, but instead exchange oxygen while remaining underwater, and it's unlike anything I've experienced before. We're like mermaids!

Finally we pop back up, with Enzo's arms around my waist, and my legs wrapping around his, as if I'm a little monkey clinging to him. He wipes the water out of my eyes.

"I haven't done that in years," he says. "I used to go diving, and have been all over the world exploring reefs."

"I had no idea that you could help someone breathe underwater like that."

"Maybe we can get you a diving license, and then we can go swim with sharks."

"Sharks?" I squeak.

"It's exhilarating." He bobs his brows, and I exaggerate a gasp.

"Enzo Esposito! You are a thrill seeker." 

"A little bit, but..." he grins. "I'd rather explore you."

"Here?"

"Sure, nobody will see."

"Enzo!" I smack his chest, and he laughs.

"I'm kidding. I'd take you back to the room, of course."

"How about we go now?" I rest my head on his chest. "I thought I made a friend, but turns out she's very judgy about our age gap."

"Who?"

"Don't look, but it's the lady wearing the white bathing suit and linen pants with tan sandals."

"Oh, that's Beth. Her husband, Alex, is a total ass."

"You know him?"

"Unfortunately," Enzo sighs, still holding me tight and swaying us back in forth in the water. "Years ago, when I was building my business, I used to go to a lot of similar events like this, and we would run into each other. Sometimes we would have a drink, and the whole time I had no idea he was married because he never wore a ring. Then one time, I heard him talking to a client about his wife and kids. So, I asked why he never mentioned them before. He said work trips were his way of cutting loose, and getting to be 'himself'. I was flabbergasted because he always took women hack to his room at the end of the night. He even tried convincing me to do it, but I was married and said no thanks."

"Wow. He sounds like a total prick."

"Some people don't cherish what they have with their partners," he sighs again, and kisses my shoulder.

"Enzo, what are we?" I say, without thinking about what I'm asking, and the moment it rolling off my tongue I close my eyes in regret. 

What a stupid thing to ask! 

We have an arrangement, duh, Mara.

"Things are a bit blurry, now. Aren't they?" he says.

"Yeah..."

"I like what we have. We don't need to have titles. No one gets hurt that way."

"I see."

"It doesn't mean I don't want more. Of course, I do, but I also have to be logical, and understand there isn't a future with me, Mara."

I lift my head from his chest, my brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"When you're fifty, I'll be seventy-six. We wouldn't grow old together, and you'd become a widow too young. Also, let's be honest, once men get to a certain age, we become a science experiment," he laughs. "Can you see yourself wiping my ass and changing my diapers when I'm in my eighties?"

I take a breath and say, "Relationships require teamwork, loyalty, and selflessness. I look at my parents, and they've been together for thirty-five years—literally through sickness and health. My dad was there for my mom when she was battling cancer, and now my mom is there for him as he loses his memory. Some days are great, but other days are excruciatingly difficult when he doesn't recognize her. Yet, mother is still there, by his side, and that's the kind of love we all deserve—an unwavering one. So, I don't care if I have to wipe your ass when you're eighty-eight."

"Wow," Enzo breathes, gazing at me in a way that makes heat flood my cheeks. "You're incredible, Mara Santiago."

"Oh, stop." I roll my eyes, smiling.

"I mean it." He kisses me and cups my face. "Don't ever change who you are. Don't ever let anyone harden your heart."

We kiss again, and play in the water for an hour, but then it becomes obvious we need to leave the pool to go back to our room where we can play in private. Then, we spend the rest of the afternoon finding new places to have sex in the suite, but as fun as it is, we never solidified what we are to each other now that our relationship has turned physical. 

And I'm dying to know what we are now.

Is it crazy to want a fifty-year-old man to be my boyfriend, let alone dream of a future with him? I know Enzo was joking about me changing his diaper, but I would. 

I would do it because...

I love him.