Chapter 61 - Sex in Venice

Orion’s POV

The next day followed Holly's perfect honeymoon plan, every moment a scripted performance. I woke to the scent of strong coffee and the faint hum of Venetian traffic filtering through the open window.

The sun painted golden streaks across the room, but none of it pierced the fog in my mind. The bed beside me was empty, the sheets cool. Ava was already playing her part.

By the time I joined her on the balcony for breakfast, she was the picture of effortless grace, sipping orange juice in a white sundress that caught the breeze just right. She looked... different. Softer. Dangerous, in a way I couldn't place.

"You're late," she said, not looking up.

"Didn't realize we were on a schedule," I muttered, taking a seat across from her.

She finally met my eyes, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "We are now."

***