Lady of the Morning

Zen_ and Me: Arianna_

This is the second story in my Zen trilogy. As with the first, I have taken things from Michael Dibdin's books and from Andy Harries' films and used and changed them to suit my stories. This story comes chronologically after 'Story of an Affair' but is a complete stand alone story.

As always, I must say that Zen belongs to Michael Dibdin; I am only playing with him for a while.

In the films, the delightful Inspector Zen is played by the equally delightful Rufus Sewell and his partner in this story, Arianna, is sparklingly played by Valentina Cervi.

.

The song that accompanies this is 'Miss you Nights' sung by Cliff Richard.

Miss You Nights

Midnight diamonds stud my heaven

Southward burning, like the jewels that burn my place

And the warm winds that embrace me

Just as surely kissed your face.

Yeah! these miss you nights are the longest.

How I miss you, I'm not likely to tell

I'm a woman and cold day light

Buys the pride I'd rather sell.

All my secrets are a wasted affair.

You know them well.

Thinking of my going; how to cut the thread

And leave it all behind

Looking windward for my compass.

I take each day as it arrives

But these miss you nights are the longest.

Lay down all thoughts of your surrender

It's only me who's killing time.

Lay down all dreams and themes once remembered.
>It's all the same, this miss you game.

Yeah, these miss you nights are the longest.

* * *

>
Lady of the Morning _

"This is Arianna" I said, when the familiar voice came on the line.

Zen.

Aurelio Zen.

Detective Chief Inspector of the Questura di Roma.

I met him when he was investigating the death of Ruspanti.

Suicide, possibly murder, with the possibility of a scam, with maybe long tenuous links with the Vatican.

I loved Ruspanti; he was my friend, a very dear friend who, though he was gay, when he was still in denial, had occasionally been my lover. It was he who had helped me get started in my business.

And yeah, he might have moved with the highest, both in the Church and the State, after all he was _Prince_ Ludovico Ruspanti, but he still was a wheeler and dealer.

Of the most discreet, of course!

So, if there was a hint of a scam, well, it wasn't something I would put past him. I have known him to pull scams before now. Sometimes illegally. Very successfully too. But recently things hadn't been too good for him. He liked to live high and often needed money, and I was the only one left who would lend any to him. And there was something, something else. I don't know what.

_Me?_

I am Arianna di ... well, that is enough; that is what I go by. Age 32. 5ft 5 tall, slight, dark red hair, slanting hazel eyes and a wide, funny, pouty mouth, that I have been told looks as though it has been stung by a bee.

Ruspanti, with his soirees and parties, had introduced me to his network of society friends and acquaintances from whom I soon built a select clientele.

Yes, I am, to put it bluntly, a prostitute. A high class one maybe, but still a prostitute.

A courtesan, I hope, is a better job description. I do not just sell my body. I am an escort. I have good looks, intelligence and wit, I dress elegantly well. I give my company, my encouragement, my sympathy if needed. I am well educated and well read. I have a good knowledge of politics and world affairs. I have a good if sometimes dirty, sense of humour, and I am extremely good in bed.

I am also extremely expensive.

It was after Ruspanti's requiem mass, I met Zen.

He followed me out of the church and spoke to me. I thought he was a middle-aged man on the pick-up. My clients come to me highly recommended and, even more to the point, discreetly.

I do not need to pick up men.

I do not get picked up either.

I thought I had seen him before. Somewhere.

I brushed him off.

"I am a professional mourner" I said, and drove off.

I _thought_ I had brushed him off.

He merely followed me back to my apartment: he told me he was a policeman and he wanted to ask me a few questions about Ruspanti. I told him I had an appointment with a client, which was true, but we could talk while I changed.

My apartment consists of three rooms; a small kitchen, a large luxurious bathroom, and a very large open room with a bed and wardrobe at one end, a large expanse of polished wood floor between, and at the other, a couch and a pair of armchairs with a coffee table before them, and some interesting pieces of art. Good investments, I have been told. Sheer white curtains hang at the full length, folding glass doors which lead out onto a balcony which has two chairs and a table. It is not overlooked. The whole place looks and is expensive. It does not have much else in the way of furniture, but then few people come here. Ruspanti was one ... But he is dead now.

"What can I do for you, Inspector ...um... ?"

"Zen"

"That doesn't sound Italian."

"It's Venetian" he replied. "And yours?"

"Arianna."

I went to my wardrobe and took out some dresses.

"Ludovico Ruspanti, you knew him?"

He knew I did; why else would I have been at his funeral?

"He was umm... you and he...?"

I smiled; he was embarrassed.

"You mean were we doing it? Why didn't you say?"

"I suppose it was the way I was brought up. I find it... difficult to ..."

"You don't know anything about him Inspector, do you? _Prince_ Ruspanti! He was gay." He was surprised " Mmm, we had been lovers, now and then, in the beginning, when he didn't admit it, not even to himself. But we were friends. Always friends. He helped me get started in my business."

I turned my back and said "Could you?" indicating my zip. He slid it down a little, turned away and turned back to see me step out of my dress. I was wearing my working clothes. An couture shift dress with a zip from neck to hips for ease of getting out, which is what I did then. Just dropped it and stepped out.

Underneath was my working underwear, a small black lace bra and fishnet tights.

If you have to undress a couple of times a night, you can get through a lot of fine tights. Besides, men find fishnets alluring. I can never see why myself but there you go!

I was amused to see him turn his back again hurriedly. A _gentleman_ cop!

I hid a smile and decided to play a game with him.

"What is your business Miss ...?

"Arianna will do. I suppose you could call me an escort."

"You mean you are a...

"A lady of the night?" I smiled. "Yes; but I am available in the afternoons too, if required. And I prefer to call myself a courtesan."

While we were talking, I was trying to decide which dress to wear. Holding them up and raising my eyebrows in enquiry at him before trying them on, he zipping and unzipping me. He was still embarrassed, but that did not mean he was not enjoying it.

If I had been alone, I would probably have put on the first thing that came to hand but it was fun with playing him. A sort of cat and mouse game.

"This?"

"Yes, yes, very nice."

"Or this?"

"Yes, yes. "

Every time he thought he was off the hook, I took my dress off.

"You are very polite, Inspector."

His manner did not alter; he continued to be courteous, and persistent.

He wanted to know about Ruspanti. So I told him the truth.

Some of it.

Ruspanti had been short of money, had been very down. He had slept at my apartment the night he died.

"He was here that evening; we talked, he was very low. He slept on the couch; I slept in my bed. I woke during the night to go the bathroom but he was gone."

"Hmm," He nodded.

"He always said that if things got too much, there was always the Tiber."

"Well, he missed."

"What?"

"He missed the river and landed on the embankment."

I gave a wry smile, blinking a little to make sure my eyes didn't fill up.

"That's Ruspanti. Now Inspector, your time's up."

As I ushered him out, he said "What do you know about the Cabal?"

"What?"

"Forget it."

If I thought he was finished, I was wrong. He was back a couple of hours later.

At least, he was on my _cellullare_.

Somehow, he had got hold my number; I don't know how!

And I thought I had turned it off.

It was at the most inconvenient time, the Minister was just climaxing.

I told Zen not to ring again but he said he would be at my apartment in the morning. I disconnected and the Minister asked what was wrong. So I told him the fuzz were hassling me and he said he would handle it. After all, the Polizia is part of his Department.

Nevertheless, Zen arrived at my apartment before eight in the morning and leant on the bell until I answered it.

I was wearing a negligee.

Yes, it was negligible, very short, diaphanous and red, and only just tied around me. It wasn't that I was trying to seduce him. It was the first thing to hand when I fought through bleary eyes to find something to wear to answer the door. After all, I hadn't got home till after three.

He appeared not to notice.

He sat on the couch, leaning on his elbows, his hands between his knees.

"I don't think your friend committed suicide." he said. "There was a note but I think it is a fake."

"So what do you think ..." when it hit me what he meant. "Murder ...you think he was murdered?"

"Mmm"

"But ...he left a note..."

"Cctv footage shows a man behind him as he fell. We think he may have been pushed."

He was watching me.

"But ..."

"_But_" he quoted me. "Have you told us everything?"

"Well..."

He raised an eyebrow cynically and yet, and yet, there was laughter somewhere there.

He was laughing at me.

A cop with a sense of humour? Then it came to me! That smilingly cynical look.

I **had** seen him before!

A couple of weeks ago.

The Minister's apartment.

The entrance hall.

I had just arrived and was hustled unceremoniously into the cloakroom as the Minister himself showed two men out.

Two men.

Amadeo Colonna, that cold bastard, and yes, Zen.

He had that cynical smile on him then.

As if the world amused him.

I thought.

My mind was like a rat in a trap.

"Do you mind?" he asked, waving a pack of Nationalis at me.

Yes I did, but there didn't seem to be much point in saying so. He lit one and leant back, crossing his ankle over his knee.
>Then he threw me!

"Who's your friend at the Ministry? Colonna?" I avoided his eyes.

"I don't know what you mean."

"Yes, you do. Somebody, Colonna, leaned on me this morning, telling me to stay away from you. Early this morning, very early! So it had to be after my call to you last night, and it had to be someone high up, very high up."

He drew on his cigarette, watching me through the spiral of smoke, his eyes narrowed, emerald glints.

Funny, when they were opened wide, they were olive, maybe grape green but when they were narrowed, when he was concentrating, they were emerald.

Oh! For God's sake Arianna, you have only met him twice. How could you know that?

"No..." he said thoughtfully, still watching me. "It's the Minister. Yeah, the Minister."

I caught my breath.

I looked down and didn't answer.

"You know Colonna too?"

"How did you know my number?"

He fished in the breast pocket of his jacket and held up a small brown card.

I knew what it was; one of my business cards. Arianna...Tel 039 324 34571, in red.

Nothing else. If you had one of my cards, you knew what my business was.

"Where did you get that?"

"What if I tell you Colonna gave it to me?"

"Bastard." I wasn't referring to Zen and he knew it. He tilted his head, a little smile on his lips.

"Now then Miss ..."

"Arianna. "

"Arianna, have you told me everything?"

There was a teasing note in his voice. I chewed my lips.

Ruspanti had told me years ago when I started in the business, "Don't tell the cops anything."

I suppose it didn't really matter now. Ruspanti was dead, I didn't care about Colonna, and I was beginning to like Zen.

"The suicide note, it isn't a fake."

"Oh I don't think so. Dead men don't push suicide notes under their own doors. "

"No! I did."He had been smiling but that stunned him. He rubbed his ear.

If I hadn't been so mixed up, I would have laughed.

"When I got up to go the bathroom that night, I told you he was gone but he had left a note on the table. It wasn't addressed to anyone, so I read it. I couldn't give it to the police, so I stuck it in an envelope, got dressed and went and pushed it under the door of his apartment."

"Why couldn't you give it to the police?"

I looked at him as if he were mad.

"The police would have been here! My name in the papers. My business is based on discretion."

"I ought to do you for obstruction."

He chewed his inner cheek. That was a habit of his, I noticed.

"Did you go in?"

"No, of course not. I haven't a key."

"The place was torn apart; the armchairs, couch, bed, the stuffing ripped out."

"But why? Who?"

He shrugged.

"A lover?"

"No, no, Ruspanti wouldn't make anyone want to do that? Everybody loved him even when he was pulling a scam."

"Then why?"

My turn to shrug.

"Do you know if he had a scam going on?"

"He _always_ had something."

"Do you recognise this" and he showed me a diary

"Well, it looks like his but I couldn't swear."

"What do you know about the Cabal?"

"You asked me that. I have never heard of it. What is it?"

"If I knew that, then maybe everything would fall into place."

"Well." He got up. "That's all for the moment."

I got up to go the door with him.

He raised his eyebrows, grinning. "People will think you're a lady of the morning too."

I was cool.

"This is my home, Inspector. I always sleep in my own bed! And I do _not_ bring my clients here."

He flipped his hand in a sort of acknowledgement, even apology.

As he reached the door, I made up my mind.

" Inspector! Zen!" He turned.

"Yes, I do know Amadeo; and yes, in the Biblical sense. He was a client until the Minister asked to be introduced. Then he dropped me."

If it sounded a bit bitter, it was. I wasn't in love with him but we had had some good times, not just sex; I had been his escort to parties, dinners, theatre.

It still stung.

He looked at me, surprised.

"Didn't it occur to you that maybe he was told to drop you?"

No, it hadn't.

"Why?"

"Even senior politicians don't like comparisons."

"I am a professional. I would not do that."

"Maybe not, but perhaps the Minister was concerned that you might. Maybe, the Minister's willy is smaller."

"I shall not comment on that."

"You have."

He was still chuckling as he shut the door.

.

Things were hectic over the next couple of days and I didn't have time to grieve for Ruspanti but I knew it would catch up with me sometime.

I had an appointment to see Guido Perotto, Ruspanti's lawyer, so I was up early. I had dressed in my Versace beige silk palazzo pants and matching top, with my face and hair done when the doorbell rang.

I was startled but I knew who it was. There was no-one else it could be.

Zen.

"What do you want now, Inspector?"

He looked me up and down and raised his eyebrows.

"You look very nice."

"Thank you. Now?"

"Going somewhere?"

"Yes!"

He came in and shut the door behind him.

"Oh? Where?"

"Is that a police question?"

"No, no, I thought, perhaps I could give you a lift, after we've had a few questions."

"That will not be necessary. I have my own car."

"Ah yes. I remember, an Alfa Romeo Spider...red. Very nice."

"Excuse me, Inspector. My breakfast." he nodded.

"Coffee? Cornetti?"

He was surprised but said, "Thank you, yes."

I went into the kitchen, put two cornettis into a basket and picked up two mugs and plates. I led the way out onto the balcony. A coffee pot

was already on the table. I poured two coffees and slapped his down in front of him.

" Er... um..."

"What do you want now?"

"Er ... Milk? ...and sugar and um ... jam?"

I stalked into my kitchen and then returning, slammed them down in front of him.

I don't know how people can eat so much sweet stuff _and _first thing in the morning too.

But he did; he ate his cornetti, and mine!

He got out his Nationalis and lit up.

"Just a few questions. What do you know about his finances?

"Not much.

"Where did he get his money from?"

"Family money but he was always short of money. Always."

"What did he spend his money on?"

"Inspector, everything and nothing. It went."

He was getting something out of his pocket.

"Do you know what this is?"

He put a small key on the table.

I looked at it

"It is a strong box key; a bank strong box. "

"Is it Ruspanti's?"

"They all look the same."

"True but we found it on him. Why would he want a strong box?"

I shrugged.

"Can you tell me which is Ruspanti's bank?"

"I can do more than that, Inspector. If that is Ruspanti's key, then I have the pair to it, and you need both to open the box."

"Christ! I have been trying to find out which bloody bank for the last two days. What is in the box? "

"That I don't know. I was with him to set it up but he never told me anything else."

"Have you finished? Can we go?"

Now _he_ was rushing _me_!

"I have an appointment with Ruspanti's lawyer at 9.30a.m."

"So I will take you there and we can go to the bank afterwards. Get your key and come on."

"I can go in my own car."

"I know that, but you will come in mine." It was said politely and he smiled charmingly at me but there was no doubt about it. I was going in his car.

Well, if I was, he could wait for me. I took my time in slipping on my Ferrogamo crocodile sling-backs, then my suit jacket, before finally picking up my bag.

As we were going downstairs, he said "Arianna, I think that Ruspanti was setting up an enormous scam involving maybe high-ups in the Vatican. I think the answer is in this box, I think that this is the answer to his murder."

"But Zen. I am sure he killed himself...the note..."

"Yes Yes, I know he did. I know, but... who was the man behind him on the bridge?"

.

He waited for me outside Ruspanti's lawyer's office.

When I was through, we drove to the bank. I looked sideways at him, he was tall and broad, with long legs, dark curly hair cropped quite short, and big green eyes. He had two scars on his face, a large one that cut through his left eyebrow, and a smaller one by his mouth. I wondered idly how he got them.

He was extremely handsome. In my experience, cops don't look like him.

O.K. I haven't had any professional experience with them. In fact, he is my only experience with them but commonsense tells me they don't look like him.

Another thing he smiled, no, he laughed a lot. He seemed to see the funny side of everything.

I looked again with my professional eye this time. I suppose he was about forty. fairly fit, not sixpack- fit but yes, ok. Large, beautiful hands, and his crotch looked comfortably well filled.

"What's your name?"

"Zen."

I tst-tsted exasperatedly.

"Aurelio."

"And is that what they call you?"

"You mean apart from bastard, swine, sod."

He was smiling. He really did have a nice smile. A naughty little boy, goofy one.

" Yes it is."

"Are you married?"

"Yes," he stopped. "separated...going through the motions of getting a divorce. "

The smile had disappeared.

"Girlfriend?"

"Yes, "he paused. "She's away."

He fumbled in the glove box and found his cigarettes and lit one from the dashboard.

"Probably not coming back."

I got out my sunglasses and I studied him from behind them and we drove in silence for a while.

He turned right and pulled in outside Ruspanti's bank.

When we opened the box, there was another box inside; nothing in that one, nothing, not even any dust.

I laughed. I mean really laughed for the first time in days. For the first time since Ruspanti died.

We sat outside in his car, Ruspanti's box on my lap.

"Well, what now?"

"Well, now we let it be known that we have the box and the keys and then we wait."

"What for?"

"For whoever killed Ruspanti to make himself known."

"Zen, Ruspanti killed himself."

"Yeah, yeah I know. Well ok, for whoever was behind him on the bridge. For whoever ripped his place apart. Because there _is_ someone. There _is_ something." He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, whistling soundlessly through his teeth.

"Right! Home now?" he asked.

"Um, could you take me to Ruspanti's apartment? His lawyer wants it cleared. I'm his executor. He has asked me to look and see what needs to be done, as soon as I can. I can get a taxi afterwards.

You_ have _finished with it? The police?"

"Yeah, sure" he paused, thinking. "I might come in and have another look around. I might see something."

He turned sideways to look at me.

"Arianna, can I ask you something?"He hesitated. "Will you do something for me? Ruspanti was your friend?"

"I loved him."

"In your line of work, it is possible that sometimes you may see or hear something ... which might be useful to me."

"Are you asking me to be your snout?" I interrupted sharply. He inclined his head, a bit embarrassed and looked away.

I sighed and agreed.

I was saying something, as with Ruspanti's box tucked under one arm, I wrestled the key out of the door, and followed him into the living room of Ruspanti's flat. He answered me with something so ridiculous.

"Yes my mother would love that. Come anytime."

I looked at him astonished, and saw he had his finger to his mouth for silence.

I saw what he had seen; the balcony window was open. There was someone in the flat. He moved silently further into the room. Then, the someone came from behind us. It was Perotto, Ruspanti's lawyer and he had a gun in his hand. I was immediately a gibbering wreck and Zen didn't look too good either

"Where is it? what was in the strongbox. It is mine."

_I had told him in his office, that I was going to the bank to get the strongbox. _

"It's mine. I gave him the money. He needed it. I gave him mine." His voice was high, almost hysterical. Me too!

_He had asked me to clear Ruspanti's flat._

I was holding the box. Shaking, I held it out it to him.

"Put it on the bed."

_If it was a trap, he didn't know Zen would be with me._

_**I**__ didn't know Zen would be with me._

I sidled sideways and did what he asked.

He was a different man to the one I had seen in his office an hour ago.

He was greasy with sweat and maybe fear.

Not as much as me.

He was the one holding the gun.

"Give it to me! Give me the key."

"Yes" said Zen. "Give it to him, Arianna. "

I looked at him amazed
>"I haven't got it. You had it!"

"No I gave it to you."

"NO! You didn't."

"I did."

I caught on to what he was doing, he was distracting Perotto, so I went along with him.

"NO! You had it "

Then, so fast I hardly saw it, he kicked the gun out of Perotto's hand and across the room. Grabbing his wrist, twisting it, he pulled Perotto down on the bed, slapping hand cuffs on him. Then he pulled his own gun. I gasped. I didn't know he carried one. I suppose I should have known but I didn't, and you would never know from the cut of his suit.

One thing I was right about: he **is** fit, even fitter than I thought. The speed at which he moved stunned me.

Zen told him the box was empty; that it was all one of Ruspanti's scams.

"It couldn't be! I gave him my money. All my money! He said he could make us rich. We were going to make a life together. He loved me; I was his lover. I loved him. The Cabal would do it for us."

"What is the Cabal ?" Zen asked.

"I don't know," he sobbed ""I don't know; he never told me. He wouldn't explain. How could he do this to me? It was you, you little whore. I loved him but it was you, you little slut. Talking to him, telling him things. What am I going to do?" He sobbed again.

"Did you kill him?" He looked up, his face raw with tears.

"No, no. "

"But you were there on the bridge?"

"Yes, I saw him leave her flat. I was waiting outside. I followed him, caught up with him, tried to talk to him but he pulled away and then he was ...I ran to try to stop him. I was too late."

Zen walked across the room and picked up Perotto's gun, unloaded it and put the bullets in his pocket. He went back to Perotto and unlocked the handcuffs.

"What is the Cabal?" Zen asked again.

"I told you. I don't know. He said it was best I didn't know. Ludo, Ludo." His face was in his hands
>"What am I going to do? I have nothing, nobody.."

"I have to arrest you. You must accompany me to the Questura."He spoke very gently to him.

"My money, my law practice. I am ruined."

Zen turned to me. "I will have to take him in. Will you be OK to wait here for a while? Better for you here than at the Questura. I will handle everything."

I nodded.

He touched my shoulder. "Sure? I will pick you and take you home as soon as I can."

We heard a shout from the street and turned. He had gone. He had jumped from the balcony. Zen tried to hold me back but I had seen him...his body.

Zen held me. I was shaking against him.

.

He rang me a day or so late; they had wound Ruspanti's case up.

"Suicide."

I waited but he said nothing more.
>"What about that...um... what was it? Cabal?"

"They decided that it was all part of Ruspanti's scam and we should forget it."

I have known a lot of men. There was something in his voice. The powers above him might think that, but he didn't.

So it was wrapped up, Ruspanti's case. It was eleven days since he died and just eight since I met Zen at his funeral.

All wrapped up.

Prince Ludovico Ruspanti. R.I.P.

.

The crematorium rang.

"Why me?"

"You are the executor of his will. There is no-one else."

"But what do I do with them?"

The man at the other end was non-plussed.

"Keep them or scatter them."

I sat and let my mind jitter around and then I picked up my phone and rang him.

"This is Arianna." I said when the familiar voice answered the phone.

"And what can I do for you, Arianna?" The laughter was there in his voice.

I took a breath.

"The crematorium rang. Ruspanti... Ruspanti's remains are ready for collection."

I couldn't go on. How could I? I was choked.

Then he said "You want me to come with you?"

"Would you?"

"Of course. When?"

"They said today, tomorrow."

"What are you going to do with them?"

"I don't know."

"Let me see... Um...um. Today is awkward ...Tomorrow? Tomorrow afternoon. Shall I pick you up about"

"Today," I interrupted and my voice broke. "Today please, if you can."

There was a pause.

"Hold on a moment,"

There was muffled talk, then he was back

"Yes, ok. Shall I pick you up about two? At your apartment?"

He was there at 2p.m, prompt, dapper, elegant, but then he always was.

"Thank you for coming with me, there was no-one else. I couldn't do it on my own."

He shook his head slowly, pursing his lips.

"It's nothing."

We drove out of the city in silence and then I said "I been thinking; the river, the Tiber. He always said... if he did ... where he ..."

He nodded, "Yes, good idea."

"There are no regulations to stop me?"

"None that I know of and if there are ..." a little smile "I'll bend them."

.

We stood on the bridge where Ruspanti had stood. I scattered them and as the ashes floated down, a barge came from under the bridge and they settled in a fine mist over its cargo.

"It wasn't meant to be." Zen said, with his little boy grin.

"Best laid plans ... That's Ruspanti."

When we arrived back at my flat, I said "Come in, have a coffee, glass of wine?"

My mind was saying stay; I needed company. I did not want to be alone.

We sat on my balcony with our coffees and his cigarettes and let the evening pass. Sometimes in silence, sometimes with spurts of conversation with little flickers of laughter, easing the ache.

We had a limoncello or three and the blue of the evening deepened.

At last he gathered his cigarettes and lighter and stood. "I had better be on my way."

I got up fast, almost turning over my chair.

"Don't go," my voice was gravelly. "Stay! Stay with me."

He opened his mouth in surprise.

"I don't think so." he said slowly.

"You don't find me attractive?"

"On the contrary, I find you very attractive."

"Then stay."

" Arianna, I think you are out of my league."

" You know I didn't mean that. I'm not touting for business."

"I don't think it's a very good idea."
>"I am very discreet, ask your Minister, ask Amadeo."

He gave a small smile, refusing.

"Please, please."I placed my hand on his chest. "Please Zen! I don't think I could bear to be alone tonight."

He looked down at me, chewing his inner cheek, his green eyes flickering over my face. He nodded slowly.

I took his hand and led him inside.

He stopped, a comical expression on his face
>"Condoms! Christ, I haven't got any condoms." I smiled a little smile. There is something rather nice about an unattached man who doesn't carry condoms.

"You are talking to a professional, Zen."

Smiling I went to my wardrobe. On the shelf were several commercial-sized packs, tubes of lube, and other assorted things, tools of my trade. I grabbed a handful from the first open box and took him on towards the bed. I threw them on the bed and turned my back, gesturing to him to unzip me. He put his Nationalis and lighter on the night table and did just that.

I waited till he unhooked my bra and dropped them both on the floor, then rolled down my pantyhose and slid into bed, pulling the sheet up to my chest and lay propped on my elbow, watching him as he undid his tie and took off his shirt.

He was undoing his belt when he saw the condoms and exclaimed, "Five! Five, Jesus! Arianna, I hope you are not going to be disappointed."

He was naked now and No! I didn't think I was going to be disappointed. He was broad shouldered with narrow hips and his personal equipment, surrounded by a mass of black curls , was pretty good; his balls hung full and heavy; and his cock was ...well, I have had clients with longer; I have had clients with thicker, but not at the same time. It was already erect.

No help required from me!

He sat on the edge of the bed. He was chewing his cheek again.

Arianna" he stopped. "They say, I've been told, um, ladies ...of your profession ...do not kiss?"

"No, working ladies do not. But I am not working."

I pulled his head closer, my hand on his neck just under that little curl that rested on the nape.

His lips touched mine, those finely sculptured lips. I moistened mine, then his with the tip of my tongue and his slid into my mouth, exploring, finding my tongue, taking it into his mouth. He tasted of cigarettes and limoncello and him.

We kissed slowly and I began to feel like a teenage girl with her first boy.

He moved to get in with me and paused.

"Condom "he said, and opened a pack.

"Do you need any help?" I said.

He turned, winking at me.

"I can do it. I'm a big boy now."

"I can see that." I giggled and watched him. "Very competent."

He took me in his arms and suddenly, I wasn't laughing. I said, "Do it for me, Zen. I do it for my clients. Do it for me tonight."

He said nothing but touched my face, then kissed me again.

Long and slow and gently.

And I began to forget about everything, about Ruspanti, death, men with guns, empty flats, being lonely.

I could feel the warmth of his body against mine, his arms holding me, his hips pressed against mine.

I am good at sex, I love it, I love my job and I am good at it because I love it. I enjoy it but it has been a while since I felt like this.

Oh God! The desire swept through me and a shudder went through him.

He turned me onto my back and gathering my hands in his, held them to his mouth, kissed them and put them around his neck.

His hands moved down to my breast a slow smooth movement. He went on kissing me as he stroked caressed and kneaded my breasts. They are not big, but they are firm and the nipples are large, he ran his fingertips over them and found them hard and waiting. The sensation was exquisite. His body was hard and warm against me and pressed into my belly. He played with my nipples rubbing, rolling and pinching them gently. Bending his head, he took one in his mouth licking sucking first one, then the other. We turned till I was on him, then I lay on my front and he kissed all over my back lapping up my spine, behind my ears.

Turning again, our thighs intertwining with each other, my hands holding his face, in his hair, touching his ears. His hand moved over my breast down over my belly, his finger circling my navel, down again till his hand was on my mound pressing squeezing. I was gasping out little sounds. His fingers opened my lips and slid into my wetness,spreading it over me, over his fingers till one was on my clit I gave a shuddering gasp of pleasure. "There?" he whispered against my ear. I nodded and he went on.

I was making little mewling sounds that became please, please, and he slid into me, the thrusts making waves of intensity.

He left me, to do it again

He was saying something or was he only gasping with pleasure too.

He left me again and his hands and mine demanding so much more. He came into me again and we came together; we lay clutching each other in a slick of sweat.

"Was that good for you?"

I laughed, little bubbles of laughs.

"You know it was!"

He slid off me and we lay side by side, little laughs still coming.

It was dark now and I could only see the faint gleam of him next to me.

"That triple score trick? That is worth knowing; take it from me. Where did you learn it?"

I knew he had been smiling; until I asked that. The smile went. I waited.

"My wife," he said. "_She_ was a lady of the afternoon; on a strictly amateur basis, of course. Or at least, my friends never told me they had to pay."

There was a hint of bitterness underlying the lightness of the words. I was thinking about that as I drifted off to sleep.

.

When I woke, my head was resting on his chest, my hand on his midriff. He was still, with one hand behind his head but I knew he was awake. Nobody sleeps like that.

I let my hand trace the fine line of hairs that led to his crotch and he turned to wrap his arms around me and the delight began again.

The laughter, the fun,

"Where are the rest of the condoms?"

"They were on the bed."

"They must have fallen on the floor."

I stretched across him to grope on the floor but we were nearer the edge than I thought. I almost fell off. I gave a little giggling scream and he held me, almost falling himself. He was even fitter than I thought, his stomach muscles tautening to pull us back. The laughter nearly tipped us over again.

I was the one who put the condom on him this time.

You are very naughty." he murmured.

"So I've been told. Do you think that is a good thing or bad?"

"Oohhh!" He blew a long considering breath.

"Ohhh, bad, very bad."

He ran his fingernail down my spine

"I think you are quite high up in those stakes yourself, Inspector"

"Me? I'm an ordinary sort of bloke."

Oh Yeah? I thought, and I'm the Queen of Sheba.

I thought again; didn't she have that fling with Solomon and wasn't _he_ a crafty old sod too.

I giggled to myself.

Another thought. I have laughed more in the last few days then I have for, oh! I don't know how long.

.

The early morning sun was filling the room with a golden light when I woke. I put out my hand but I already knew he wasn't there. I thought he had gone, till I saw the lift of the gauze curtains at the open balcony doors and smelt the cigarette smoke as it drifted in. I tied my negligee around me and went out to him. He was dressed, collar and tie fastened, jacket on, leaning one shoulder against the dividing wall, cigarette in one hand, a mug of coffee in the other.

"Going?" I asked.

"Not without saying Goodbye." He held out his coffee, offering it to me. I refused it. I leaned with my hip against the balustrade and watched him finish it and put the mug on the table.

"Will I see you again?"

"Sure, if, you know "he trailed off.

"You know that's not what I meant. "

He said nothing for a moment and then dropped his cigarette on the floor and stubbed it out.

"I don't think it would be very wise."

"No?"

"Arianna, I am a serving police officer."

I looked at him. In spite of being up half the night and needing a shave and a fresh shirt, he still looked incredibly beautiful.

"No regrets?"

"How could there be?"

I studied my toes with their crimson nails.

"It was pretty damn good."

"Yeah." he said.

"_I_'ve one regret though,"

He looked down at me.
>"I never gave you a blow job."

His eyes and his mouth made three big shocked circles in his face.

"Though it's not too late."

I leaned forward and cupped his crotch, rubbing it gently.

"The spirit indeed is unwilling but the flesh is up for it. In more ways than one." I misquoted.

I gurgled with laughter as he caught my hand and moved smartly out of reach.

He held my hand for a moment and kissed the inside of my wrist.

"You are a nice man, Zen."

He smiled at me and gave me a little salute.

"Ciao."

I turned away. My eyes were prickling. I listened to his footsteps on the wooden floor, and I heard the click of the apartment door.

Is this what it is like?

Being a Lady of the Morning?

Watching your man drink his breakfast coffee, smoke his first cigarette, leave for work?

Would I like it?

Perhaps.

Who knows?

It seemed an eternity but could only have been minutes because I heard the chirruping of a cell phone and looking down over the balcony, I saw him answer it as he crossed the road to his car. He lit a cigarette before he opened the door and got in.

I watched as the car started and slowly moved off.

"Ciao, Zen" I said softly.

End file.

Lady of the Morning by Roofran411


A Story of An Affair

ZEN and ME: Tania

A Story Of An Affair

This is the first story in the Trilogy, Zen and MeWhen I read that Rufus Sewell was to play the part of Aurelio Zen, I read all the books. After seeing the three feature length films, I knew it would not be very long before I wrote my own Fan fiction stories. My friend Numbatstuff wrote a story about the three women mentioned in the films and this spurred me into writing about them.

Michael Dibdin is the creator of the delightful belongs to Michael.

Like the characters in my other stories, I have only borrowed Aurelio.

Andy Harries and his team took him and adapted him to suit their films. I just have taken what I wanted from Michael's books and Andy's work and twisted and turned them, changing times and conditions to fit my stories.

I have not written about Zen's cases as these stories are about Zen as seen through the eyes of the women who pass through his life.

As the title suggests, this story is rather steamy. If you think this is not to your taste, please do not read it.

In the three films Tania is played by subtly and voluptuously Caterina Murino.

.

Torn Between Two Lovers sung by Macgregor Mary is the song which I feel fits this story perfectly.

.

Torn Between Two Lovers

There are times when a woman must say what's on her mind,

Even though she knows how much it's going to hurt.

Before I say another word, let me tell you, I love you.

Let me hold you close and say these words as gently as I can.

There's been another man

That I've needed and I love.

But that doesn't mean I love you less

And he knows he can't possess me

And he knows he never will

It's just this empty place inside of me that only he can fill.

Chorus

Torn between two lovers

Feeling like a fool,

Loving you both is breaking all the rules.

.

You mustn't feel you failed me

Just because there's someone else

You were the first real love I ever had.

And all the things I ever said

I swear they are still true

For no-one else can have the part of me I gave to you.

Chorus

Torn between two lovers

Feeling like a fool,

Loving you both is breaking all the rules.

.

Couldn't really blame you

If you turn and walk away

But with everything inside me

I'm begging you to stay

Torn between two lovers feeling like a fool,

Loving you both is breaking all the rules.

Loving you both is breaking all the rules.

* * *

>
A Story of an Affair

.

I stood in front of the mirror in the bedroom of my new flat and looked at my equally new lover.

I had made it very clear that I would not sleep with him until I had a flat, a nice flat, in a nice area, and if he couldn't help me, there were others who were willing.

At least I hadn't put it that way. Not quite! But he knew there was a book on who would be first to sleep with me and that Vincenzo Fabri was in the lead. Even if he knew that Vincenzo had no chance, it didn't harm for him to know there could be others. And now, I had a flat, smart, and elegant in a smart elegant area of the city.

And a lover!

He was lying on the bed, propped on one elbow watching me.

He was in his underwear, vest and pants in a khaki grey which flatters our honey coloured Italian skin tones.

He is tall and slim, broad but not in the muscularity of the gym goer. His hair is dark, thick and curly with little sparkles of silver although he is still only forty. He is quite beautiful, totally masculine but beautiful, a long straight nose, high cheekbones and sculptured lips. He has the most incredible eyes, candid, humorous, cynical yet vulnerable, honest. Large eyes, green with the longest lashes, lashes that any woman would kill for.

.

I am married, have been for ten years, the last five of them unhappily, and now I am separated from my husband.

We had married young, because I was pregnant. It was means of getting out of my family home.

Oh! I had been in love with Luca and he with me. I was a junior typist and he a car mechanic. We got our own place; both sets of parents had said live with us, but I knew we would never get out if we did.

When I lost the baby, I knew there would be the constant nagging too.

"When are you going to have another baby, Tania?"

I was ambitious. I wanted more, more money, better job, and better flat, better than the social housing flat we had beside the motorway.

So when my husband wanted to stop using condoms, I agreed but went on the pill.

He didn't know.

I worked hard, changed jobs, always moving upwards, always striving for promotion in my work.

I could hear them, our families.

"Oh Tania has such a good job...no, no babies."

I joined the civilian staff of the Polizia.

I loved it, it made me feel important.

My husband was content with our life. I was not. As I said, I wanted more. Our marriage disintegrated slowly. Sex was never a problem. We were always physically attracted to each other but we communicated less as my ambition in my job and to improve our status grew. In the end, sex was all that kept us together and even that was deteriorating as his jealousy grew and it was getting difficult even to leave the flat.

I decided I would leave him and get a divorce.

The man on the bed was the means of our separation.

Not the cause.

I met him when I was assigned as P.A to Superintendant Mascati, Chief of Detectives.

He is Aurelio Zen, Detective Chief Inspector, of the Murder Squad, Questura di Roma. He has a reputation throughout the Rome police dept, for honesty and incorruptibility but although I had heard of him, I had never met him until I changed departments.

The Murder Squad was full of men wanting to shag any new secretary and I knew there was a book already opened on who would be the first to shag me.

I wasn't interested in any of them.

My name is Tania Moretti; I am thirty-two years old.

I am tall and have full heavy breasts, and a narrow waist which from which my hips flare out. My breasts had developed early. Men like them. I learnt that at an early age; my cousin taught me. I was 14 and he was 15. I suppose we taught each other.

I learnt then too, that I like men.

It was another cousin who took me further, I kept pushing him away until I realised I wanted wasn't long before it were both desperate to do it. We lost our virginity in our Nonna's kitchen on her table while she was watching TV. I was 16 and he frightened ourselves to death; but not for long. It lasted till he went to do his army service.

There was no-one then, until I met my husband, Luca.

No shagging! I mean.

There was petting, heavy petting usually.

That was how I learnt how much power I had over men.

It wasn't by letting them touch whenever they wanted.

More... a hint of a promise.

I've had lovers since I was married: brief flings when I have been away at conferences, two or three brief affairs with people I have worked with but not since I started at the Questura.

I enjoy sex and the fact that Luca and I were still attracted physically to each other and that he was good in bed, held us together long after it should have finished. That and the fact I had no place to go.

I wanted a nice place but I had no means of getting one or even affording one. I was not going to leave to go to some awful dump somewhere worse.

I met Zen in the lift one morning.

I had settled into the department while he had been away for a few weeks on a case.

We nodded Good Morning to each other.

I did not know then who he was but an immediate spark shot down to my groin and I could tell he felt it too.

God! He was good-looking and he had a good body.

We looked away from each other as the lift stopped and we both got out.

I walked down the corridor to my office and as I booted up my computer, I looked through the opened connecting doors down to the Murder Squad's office and saw him go to his desk.

So that was Zen.

His reputation went before him. He was clever, astute and had been instrumental in securing several convictions but in a world of corruption and backhanders, his honesty and integrity annoyed and irritated both his colleagues and superior officers. He had been promoted more than once only for his quirkiness to knock him down again.

I must say nobody had mentioned his looks.

In the next few weeks, the other detectives touched, pinched, brushed up against me and chatted me up and the odds went up and down.

Zen was always pleasant to me. Only pleasant.

He went away once or twice on a couple of cases.

.

I asked about him discreetly. A question here and there.

He was married but separated.

His mother lived with him but he wasn't a mummy's boy. He had brought her from Venice to live with him.

He didn't have a girlfriend and if he'd had affairs, no-one knew about them.

The odds on him scoring were so high, that eventually he was scratched.

.

.My home situation was worse. We were rowing more; Luca was jealous of my job, even my time.

The incessant rows were wearing me down.

I sussed out my cousin to see if he knew someone who could talk to me about a separation but it was so difficult for me to get out in the evening.

I brooded about it.

What I needed was someone to help me to get out to meet this lawyer.

I have always been able to persuade men to help me.

I needed someone above suspicion and who would not expect anything back.

Maybe Zen?

I was leaning against the wall outside the Questura, smoking a cigarette before going into work, thinking about this, when he crossed the road, his hands in his pockets, and joined me.

"Can you spare me one?" he said. "Mine are upstairs."

We smoked in silence for a while.

God, he was beautiful; I could feel the pull of attraction. We turned toward each other and started to talk at the same time.

"No" he said. " You go on. "

So I took the plunge.

"Inspector Zen "

"Aurelio."

"Aurelio, would you do me a favour?"

"Yes"
>"You don't know what it is yet."

"It doesn't matter."

So I explained. I needed to get out one night but my husband... things were not good between us: it was difficult.

"So I thought if someone ... if you ...could ring me from the office, calling me back to work." I trailed off.

"Sure, sure." he said. "Tonight?"

"You will?"
>"Sure. "

We finished our cigarettes and went into the office together. We parted to go to our offices but when I looked down through the opened dividing doors, he was looking at me, we smiled. I looked down at my papers and looked up again, he was still watching me. There was that jolt again and my nipples ached.

.

Luca and I were in the middle of another row when the phone rang .We didn't answer but let the answer phone pick it up. It was on loudspeaker, so we both heard the message.

"This is Detective Chief Inspector Zen, Murder Squad, Rome Questura, for Signora Tania Moretti. All staff recalled to base immediately. Repeat all staff return to base immediately. Message timed at 18.55pm." Luca snatched up the phone

"What the hell is this? She's only just got home and you are calling her back." he yelled down it.

Clear as a bell I heard Zen answer, "I don't like myself, mate but that's the job."

I grabbed my coat and bag and left, Luca's imprecations following me.

I didn't care.

I was out.

As I left our building, a car flashed its lights and slowly came up to me.

It was Zen.

"Get in."

"What are you doing here?"

"I thought you might need a lift. "

"Oh there's no need."

"Get in; I'm going back to town."

I got in.

"How did you know where I lived?"

"I'm a detective, remember? Your address is on file." He smiled at me and there was that shot of fire between my legs again. Oh God!

"I heard your message. It was very good, very authentic. I believed you myself."

I thought I had better explain: despite his protests that he didn't want to know.

I knew he was lying.

He did want to know.

"I don't believe you now. "

He smiled ruefully, "Well, only if you want to tell me."

"You're a nice man" I thought, and said so.

He smiled again, "I'm just an ordinary sort of bloke."

That's the last thing he was.

So I told him the truth: that I was meeting someone who could advise me about a separation from my husband.

I was a little out of breath; we talked now and then till we got back to town and he dropped me outside a cafe.

Inside my cousin was waiting and we left to meet his lawyer friend and we discussed my separation.

When we were finished, I sat with Tony, my cousin, in his car and talked. Then he turned towards me and kissed me, not cousinly, open mouthed, and his hand slid inside my coat.

"Tony" I protested.

"Come on, Tania, it's not like we haven't done it before." His hand was moving, squeezing. "I taught you to like it. "

"We were 15. We're cousins! You're married. "

"We were cousins then, too. So I'm married and so are you. Come on, I'm not asking for a shag, just cop a feel. You know you like it"

And that treacherous feeling started by Zen got stronger.

"Not here. "

He drove a few streets away and parked in a dark spot.

God, I love it. The wonderful exciting foreplay but I wasn't thinking of him. No! Not Tony!

Home.

I lay on my side of the bed and my husband sullenly on the other. I I thought about Zen, I wondered about him and what he would be like to shag.

.

When we met in the morning, outside the Questura, I suggested that I buy him a drink that evening, as a 'thank you', he refused politely and said that it was unnecessary. I suggested several other days and again he refused, said he was busy.

There was something about the way that he said it.

He knows, he saw me with Tony; he thinks I used him to slip out to meet someone. Well I suppose I did but not as he thinks.

I watched him down through the office and when he left, I went after him. I caught his arm and tried to explain about Tony.

"You don't have to explain; It's none of my business."

"But I want you to know; I met my cousin, he was taking me to meet a lawyer to discuss a separation from my husband. "

He shrugged and went back into his office and I went to mine. I caught his eye but he looked away.

Someone spoke to me, and then my phone rang.

"I find I am not as busy as I thought I was. I can make that drink after all."

"Tonight? After work? Where?"

We arranged to meet on a roof terrace bar where it was unlikely that anyone from work might see us.

We smiled at each other down the length of three offices.

As we met, the evening was turning into that lovely blue of dusk.

"I can't stay long. My husband ..."

We laughed and talked and the time flew. We were so at ease, yet there was a tension between us.

"I must go."I said.

We left the bar and walked through the streets to the taxi rank. As he put me in the cab, I turned back and looked at him. He looked back with a little quizzical smile.

"Are we going to have an affair?" I asked.

I waited.

"Oh yes, I think so."

And I got in my taxi and went home to my husband.

.

.

I was having my pre-work cigarette the next morning, and I saw him go into the coffee bar across the road and I couldn't stop myself. I went to join him. "Good morning, Inspector Zen."

"Good morning Signora Moretti, Coffee?

"No thank you, a word though. "

I moved further back to a corner table at the back of the bar. He joined me; a quick look around and he had me pushed against the wall. I could feel the length of him against me, his chest, his hips, his thighs. His mouth open on mine, his tongue searching for mine, he tasted of cigarettes, orange juice, and toothpaste. He tasted heavenly.

We heard a scrape of a chair and we moved apart fast.

I left first and was at my desk when he came in. We looked at each other down the open length of the offices.

God, I was throbbing,

.

The betting was high. I had all sorts of propositions from drinks, to meals, to, from Vincenzo, an offer to help with my flat situation. He had high family connections so it was a possibility but he _was_ a bit of a slimy bastard.

I relayed this to Zen.

We had had a drink and talking about our situation in his car.

I was pushing him.

"Well! If Vincenzo can get you a flat, take it; but be careful. Knowing him, it will come with strings."

"I know, I know ... Aurelio, can't you do something?"

"I can ask around but ..."

I leaned towards him, stroked his jaw, my mouth making little kisses on his.
>"Aurelio, I want to have sex with you." My breast brushed against him.

"Thanks very much"

"Don't make fun of me, Aurelio"

I moved again.

"Is that what you think?" and he put his hand on my breast.

Oh I wanted him.

I fought with myself.

"if we are going to have sex, I don't want it in the back of a car. I'm not a teenager."

"I'm a bit past that myself." I could feel him smile against my cheek

"We could get a hotel room"

I pouted.

" I can't do that. I can't get out all night; I won't rent a room for a few hours. I'm not a tart."

"We could go to my place."

"Your mother's there!"

He smiled

"She's a very nice woman. You'd like her. She got on very well with my wife."

Another little smile.

"Better than I did!"

His mouth found mine; I was limp, my mouth working against his. I couldn't stop myself. I opened my blouse. His hand brushed my bra strap down and his fingers were on my nipple stroking, rolling, sending wonderful jolts down me, my mouth was wide, hungry. I wanted him desperately.

He was the one who stopped.

Me! I would have had him there in his car.

In spite of everything I said.

In spite of all my plans.

He moved back in his seat.

"You... **we** deserve better than this, Tania."

.

He was involved in a new case and was called to several times to the Ministry.

Vincenzo Fabri asked me to lunch at one of the swishier restaurants.

I told Aurelio.

Yes, it was to push him a bit further.
>"Be careful, he always wants something in return." he rubbed his ear; "Er,"

I've noticed he does that when he doesn't know quite what to say.

"I have an appointment with Nadia Pirio. Lunch."

She is an Assistant Attorney in the Attorney General's Department.

A beautiful, cold, hard, ambitious bitch.

"What does she want with you?"

He raised his eyebrows quizzically.

"My body?"

"Humph! I hear she eats men like you for breakfast."

I was our table with Vincenzo, when she swanned in. Aurelio arrived shortly after. They were barely seated when the Minister came in, accompanied by .Amadeo Colonna, his chief of staff.

They stopped briefly to speak to la Pirio and Aurelio.

I chewed this over till Vincenzo said where was I?
>I smiled at him but my mind was still on the other side of the room.

I had set out to make him jealous but it was I who was jealous.

Aurelio!

I sneaked glances at him.

He's having lunch with _her._

He knows the Minister and Colonna.

Surely one of them could help with a flat.

He could be such a high flier.

If he wanted!

.

The Forlani case that he was working on was wrapped up.

Satisfactorily, he said.

A week or so later, I picked up my phone.

"Can you meet me lunchtime? Something I want you to see?"Aurelio said.

One of the secretaries was standing by me; I glanced up briefly at her and said in a business like tone.

"Of course! And where would that be?"

"My car, across the road, the turning to the left of the coffee bar. 12.15?"

"Yes, that would be fine."

At 12.15, I got into his car and we drove away

"Where are we going, Aurelio?"

"Wait and see!"

So I did. We stopped in a quiet up-market road and he took me into one of the buildings.

Up in the lift to the fourth floor.

Excitement was rising in me!

He stopped in front of a door and put a key in it.

He led me from kitchen, to dining room, to a living room with a balcony and view over the city. All elegantly furnished.

I looked questioningly at him.

"Yours," he said, "for as long as you want it."

He held up the keys to show me and then dropped them on the side table.

I turned slowly around looking at it.

"Is there a bedroom?" I asked coolly.

"Um ...um... I think so." he said laughing and grabbed my hand and we fled there

We didn't undress but collapsed on the bed, mouths greedy for each other. We ripped open buttons and zips pulling at clothes, hands on each other roughly, wildly, demanding:.

We didn't need foreplay; we had been waiting for long enough.

"God! God! Condom!"

He was rummaging in his jacket pocket.

"No! No need. I'm on the pill. God! Now! Aurelio!"

And he was in me, his hands on my breasts and I was moaning. I was losing control, slipping... God, don't stop and I could feeling it rising in me, my climax, his powerful thrusts, then a great hard surge and we lay gasping and laughing. I grabbed his face and gave him a big noisy kiss.

"That was wonderful!"

"Oh!" he said, in an actorish sort of voice. "Did the earth move for you, darling?"

"Yes," I shouted. "Did it move for you?"

"Well, either that or we fell off the bed."

We laughed.

"Oh God I could murder a coffee and a cigarette. Aurelio, where did I leave my bag?"

"I've got a pack here in my pocket and my lighter. Oh!"

A little hiccup of laughter came from him.

"They're a bit squashed."

"What do you expect? You didn't take your pants off."

"Never mind, they will taste the same. I brought coffee, milk and sugar but I don't know if here's a kettle or a pan to make it in."

"Did you?" I leaned over him and kissed him." You are a wonderful man." He stuck two bent and battered cigarettes in his mouth, lit them, then put one in mine.

"What time do you have to be back?"

"Two."

"I have to see someone at the Ministry at three. Will I see you tonight?"

"I have to go home."

"Will you move in tonight?"

"I think... tomorrow... Luca goes to work Saturday morning, I can pack and leave before he comes back. I will leave a note. He would never let me go if he was there..."

"Do you need help?"

I smiled a little doubtful smile. "No, Aurelio, no. It is better this way."

I got up.

"God Almighty, how can we go back to work like this? We need to wash. Our clothes, they look ragbags."

"There is water, cold but water, no soap, no towels "

"I will have to take my panties off, they are um ... I can't wear them like ..."

"Go without!" He smirked, a dirty little grin. "I will think of it all afternoon."

I managed to splash some water over my face and dried it with my hankie. I was brushing my hair when I saw him; still sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at his cigarette.

"What is it, Aurelio?"

He shrugged." Nothing."

There was something. I knelt in front of him.

"Aurelio?"

He looked at me, and then studied his cigarette again.

"It's the first time I've committed adultery."

The first time? He hadn't done it since...?

"You've been separated, how long? "

"Separated but still married."

I touched his hair.

"You're not sorry?"

He looked at me with those beautiful green eyes for a long moment and slowly shook his head.

We exchanged glances down through the open office doors, throughout the afternoon till he had to go out.

At home that evening, I sneaked things into bags and hid them.

In the morning after Luca had left, it took very little time to finish and call a taxi.

I dropped the bags off and went out and bought some food, a kettle, towels and bed linen. I could get the rest again

It was early evening when the doorbell rang. I looked through the security hole; I could see no-one. I put the chain on and opened the door.

It was Zen.

"Haven't you got a key?"

He lifted his key ring to show me that he had.

"It's your place. It is right that I should ring; at least the first time."

He pulled me to him; my mouth under his and I melted into him.

My lips inches from his. I said "Coffee?" shakily.

He raised his eyebrows at me. "I can think of better things."

We looked at each other not quite smiling. I took his hand and led him into the bedroom.

"I need the bathroom. " I said.

There, I undressed to my undies, and sprayed and powdered myself; stepped back into my four inch heels, then went back to him.

.

I stood in front of the mirror in the bedroom of my new flat and looked at my equally new lover

He was lying propped up on one elbow, watching me.

He had undressed to his under wear too.

God he was so beautiful.

Holding his eyes in the mirror, I undid my bra and dropped it on the floor

Still watching him in the mirror I slowly began circling my nipples.

He watched me.

"If you come here I could do that for you." He voice was husky.

I turned on the balls of my feet to face him, so my legs were crossed and I continued to circle my nipples. He held out his hand to me. The bulge in his crotch had grown.

I paused, then went slowly to him. I knelt on one knee beside him. My breasts hung over him. He cupped them, and then began circling my nipples running his fingertips softly over them until I gasped. They were aching for his touch. I moaned again. He slid his hands down over my waist down to my hips,

Holding the cheeks of my bottom, stroking .squeezing.

I felt as though I was drowning in his eyes. green, green. I bent my head to kiss him. At the touch of our lips his tongue slid into my mouth and found mine. The taste of him, cigarettes, coffee and that something that was just him. His tongue; the feel of it against mine; his hands, fingers, my fingers in his hair. The world was swirling around us, my body demanding, throbbing , beating to a drum that was only ours.

"Fuck me Aurelio"

"I am going to." He tightened his arms around me and I fell onto him

Oh! His body felt so good. There were little jerks between us, between our hips.

He turned us onto our sides and whispered against my throat.

"Go on, Tania"

I pulled his vest off then pushed his shorts down.

God, it was beautiful, and big and hard and ready to play.

I closed my eyes and thought about it going into me

His mouth, his tongue in mine, drawing, sucking my tongue into his. His hands stroking my back, down my spine, inside my panties, pushing them down, tugging them off, he rolled us onto our side. I had his cock in my hand and it was so hard and yet so soft, velvet soft, I cupped his balls, they were full and heavy, I could feel my juice, he was stroking and pressing my mound. The heel of his palm rested on it, and his middle finger slid inside my lips and found my clit. I gasped into his mouth. I was so hot for him..

I soon settled into my apartment. It was everything I ever wanted. I paid no rent and I asked no questions; I assumed someone was doing a favour.

When I lived with Luca, he paid the rent, and gave me housekeeping, and my salary was mine to do what I wanted. I thought if Aurelio moved in, he could help with the running costs; then I could afford better clothes; things more in keeping with where I lived now.

He was reluctant; his mother, their apartment. He could spare a little money if I needed it.

"You are not ready to commit." I said sulkily

He was quiet.

"My wife wants a divorce. She wants to get married again."

"Well?"

"It is so final."

"That's what divorce is. Isn't it? Aurelio? Final? "

"Hmm. It is admitting you've failed."

"Hah"! I exploded. "Tell me when you have decided what you want to do".

I stormed off.

Things could be so good. We could have such a good life.

.

If only he would speak to some of his connections about promotion. The superintendent was ill; perhaps he could act up, then if the super didn't come back, perhaps?

He smiled sceptically when I said this to him.

A new super was appointed.

Hueber.

Hueber was making everyone's life a misery, particularly Aurelio's.

Even more so, when Hueber was called to the Ministry and told to bring Aurelio with him.

There was a case they wanted him to handle and Hueber was not told what it was.

He was foul. To everyone.

Aurelio could not tell me about the case; he was tight lipped and I knew he was brooding bout it.

I was shutting down my computer to go home .It was late and everyone had gone home

Most of the lights were out. I saw Aurelio sitting at his desk in the light of his desk lamp, his head resting on his hands.

I bit my lip. I had been a right bitch over the last few days.

This morning he wanted to talk about Luca. "You never mention him."

"Why, why should I? Do you talk about your wife? "

I turned away from him.

He got out of bed, then turned back.

"Is this the end of an affair? Or is it the start of a relationship?"

"I don't know. Perhaps it is both."

I didn't know how I felt

Were things not working out how I thought?

I don't know.

He had been at the Ministry all afternoon.

What _was_ it about this case?

I went to him. I touched his hair

"Aurelio?"

He turned and rested his head against me.

"What is it?" He shook his head.

"This case?"

He sighed.

"I can't tell you Tania, not now. Not yet. Maybe in a few days."

To make him smile, I said "You should be glad you weren't here this afternoon. Hueber was off again about immorality and sex in the workplace."

He gave a little smile, "We've never had sex in the workplace."

"Not yet!"

I held him. I whispered "Want to have sex? Come on! I want to. I want to do it on Hueber's desk. "

The surprise on his face made me laugh and I pulled him out of his chair and we went into Hueber's office.

I don't know how they make furniture these days because we had hardly started when the bloody thing collapsed.

That didn't stop us and very satisfactory it was, too.

I helped him to put it back together afterwards.

It didn't look very good to me.

"We don't know anything about it, Tania." he said to me.

He was at the Ministry again the next day.

He stayed with me the next four nights.

He came to the flat in the early evening, he was carrying a briefcase.

"This case I'm on; it is the Miletti kidnapping case. They want me to be the carrier."

I caught my breath. Paying ransoms is illegal in our country, with jail sentences for anyone involved. If they want him to do it, it is because they need a patsy if anything goes wrong.

"But they can't ask you. You're a policeman. "

"It's the Ministry who are asking. Telling me."

We looked at each other. And he pulled the briefcase to him.

"This is it. Five million Euros. Do you want to see what five million looks like?" and he emptied it out onto the floor.

I have never seen so much money.

"The Milettis are expecting them to ring tomorrow telling them the drop off point."

God! Suddenly, I felt hot.

"Aurelio" I breathed. "Let's do it. On the money! Come on, let's do it."

He laughed, the first time I had seen him laugh in days.

And we did.

"Whose idea was it?" I said to him later. We were sitting on the money in our underwear.

"The orders came from the Minister, but it was Colonna who set it up and gave me the money from some slush fund."

"But what if you get caught?"

"If I do, you may be sure they won't be connected. Do you know, Tania, I didn't even have to sign for it."

"You didn't?"

He shook his head slowly.

"You could do a bunk with it. Just think what we could do."

"Yeah, we could walk out of here. Get on a train. No proof."

"You could go and say goodbye to Mama, and we could be gone. Anywhere."

Suddenly I wasn't joking, and he knew it. He knew he only had to say the word.

He got up and went to the window.

And I knew then I that he never would.

Deflated, sick with disappointment, I sat in all that money.

"It is not ours, Tania".

"They would drop you in it without a thought."

"It isn't ours."

I joined him at the window and put my arms around him. I rested my head on his shoulder.

"Aurelio" I stopped. "They shot the last carrier." I murmured.

"I know."

My mouth against his shoulder blade, I said "Do you know what you are doing?"

"No."

He went to kneel beside the money and started to pack it back into the case.

"I've got to go out. "

He dressed and left taking the case with him.

Perhaps he didn't trust me.

Perhaps he was right.

He didn't come back to me that night. When I went into work in the morning, I found out why.

Hueber had arrested him. It had been a set up, or someone had informed.

He had been in a cell all night and the Minister was there and Colonna, both looking grey and strained.

.

Then it was over and he arrived at his desk, whistling tunelessly, his beautiful face bruised and grazed.

I could hear the other detectives.

"We thought we'd seen the last of you. Thought you'd gone down".

"What for?" he said.

"You know."

"What about the money?"

Surprised, he said "What money?"

Later, he told me that when Hueber had accused him and had insisted on him opening the case, there was only bits of newspaper and magazines in it.

"Where's the money Aurelio?" I asked.

"Money?" then he smiled and tapped his nose.

Hueber was near incandescent with rage and frustration.

He didn't mention his false charges against Aurelio, and he didn't mention his broken desk. Everyone had denied all knowledge of that and was laughing behind his back.

.

In the afternoon I went to the Separation and Reconciliation tribunal with Luca.

It was dreadful: the things his lawyer said. Luca had no intentions of making things easy for me

That evening, Aurelio and I went out for a meal and were walking back to his car.

In spite of everything, we were happier than we had been for days. We got in his car and he leaned to kiss me when the rear window imploded. Without knowing what we were doing, we were out of the car.

Someone jumped out from the rear of the car behind us. Someone with a gun.

Aurelio pushed me behind him. He thought it was someone from the kidnap gang but I knew.
>It was Luca

He hesitated, pointing first at Aurelio, then at me. Then he turned the gun and shot himself.

I went with Luca in the ambulance.

The next few days were terrible. The fear and worry, the police, the ambulance and medics, reporters.

The guilt, the shame, and humiliation

Luca would live; he was badly injured but he would live.

I didn't see Aurelio. I was at the hospital.

I had time to think.

I heard first that Hueber was sacking both of us.

I didn't care.

Then the Minister stepped in and re-instated him.

Later again, I heard that Miletti had been found dead. Then suddenly, everything was wound up.

The family had done it, of course.

Where did the money go?

I assumed that Colonna had it back, if the kidnappers didn't have it.

One thing I knew; Aurelio didn't have it.

Then I heard Colonna had stepped in with something on Hueber and he was moved to another department, out of Rome.

It didn't matter to me.

I was not going back.

I left most of my bags with the concierge and gave him the keys to the flat. I told him I would pick up the bags later and then ran down the three steps to the waiting taxi. The cobbled road was wet and the yellow light of the taxi sign was reflected in it.

I was getting in the car when something made me turn. He was standing about ten paces away in the shadows.

I hesitated and then went to him.

"You were going?"

"I must...he is ... he is my husband... I have blamed him for everything. Not enough money, not good enough job, flat, blamed everything except me. I am going to stay with my mother for a while. I must think."

"Without saying Goodbye?"

I bit my lip and lowered my head.

"Will I see you again?"

"Yes ...of course..."

Then" Maybe. not..."

We looked at each other.

Then he said "Ciao, Tania."

I turned and ran back to the waiting car and got in.

I wiped the rain from my face.

I had to leave, I told myself.

I love my husband more than Zen.

Don't I?

Don't I?

If I stayed even only one more day, I would have loved Zen more.

I wiped my face again but it wasn't the bloody rain that kept coming, rolling down my cheeks.

The car started; I did not look back, though I knew he was still there.

I whispered "Addio, Zen."

.

End file.

A Story of An Affair by Roofran411


jacksepticeye and i

it was my second day in America, it was my 19 birthday and it had been my dream to meet jack. we had spoken on twitter and facebook for an hour yesterday and he asked if id like to meet today. being a huge fan i said yes.

'ok i will wear this' taking out a jacksepticeye logo shirt and a pair of shorts. 'these will go with my black high tops :D' i get changed and then do two fish tail plaits in my hair

'done'

i walk out of my hotel room and go to the place he wanted to meet. i sit down on a bench next to a guy in a hood. jack said i will know him when i see him so i keep looking round

'what is speed?' the guy whispers to me, his hood covering his face

'duuh! speed is key' i whisper back

he looks up

'Jodie?' he speaks my name

i look up only to be greeted by the warming stare of his light blue eyes. my cheeks redden over the shock that i have finally met my idol

'Jack'

'c,mon follow me' he stands up off of the bench and holds out his hand. i look up, blushing, and take hold of his hand. after what seemed like only two minutes but had actually been 20, we get to his house. he opens his door

'wanna see my set up? ' he smiles, his eyes becoming me in

'sure' i walk into his house.

he leads me upstairs past his roommates. he glances at one of them and they smile and nod my way. i nod back. he leads me into his room and we end up talking for around and hour.

'i am pretty thirsty, want a drink?' he asks standing up from his bed.

'yes please, if that's not too much bother' i blush

'none at all' he walks downstairs leaving me in his room. i have a look round. my eye skims across his famous hat. i cant believe i am here, in his room. i hear him walking up the stairs so i scurry back to where i was sitting when he left.

'here' he smiles passing me a can of pepsi. 'so where were we?'

'oh ...i cant remember, haha' i blush looking his way. he looks at me.

'it doesn't matter' he smiles. he grabs his pepsi and cracks open the can and takes a sip. i take mine and open it, only to have it go all over my shirt.

'oh I'm so sorry' i feel so stupid and blush bright red with embarrassment as i set down the now half empty can.

'no it's my fault, i must of shook it by accident walking up the stairs' he stands me up

'right go and take a quick shower' he passes me a towel and shows me into the bathroom

'but i have nothing to change into' i blush

'don't worry, we will find you something when you are washed' he smiles looking into my eyes.

After i have a shower i put back on my bra and pants and then wrap the towel around me and walk into his room

'all clean?' he jokes and smiles at me

'yes thank you' i smile back

he looks me up and down and beckons me over to his bed

'sit here while i find you a shirt' he fondles thru his wardrobe before finding one of his shirts 'this should do' he hands it over to me and sits back on the bed.

'should i go into the bathroom to change' i look over at him, still holding my towel

'no i think my roommates gone in there so just get changed in here, don't worry i don't bite' he winks

i giggle before walking to the other side of the room. i drop the towel gently and pick up the shirt, looking at it i see him in the corner of my eye walking over to me and before i say anything his lips are touching mine. omg is this really happening i think to myself as his kisses me softly. his hands intertwine with mine as his kisses me. he stops and looks at me

'you are beautiful, I've been waiting for that kiss all day' he smiles before wrapping his arms around my waist and gently caresses my neck.

shivers fall down my spine as i run my fingers thru his chestnut brown hair. with a swift movement his shirt is off and he is lying me on the bed while kissing me. i know what is happening but i let it continue, my heart thumping. he unzips his trousers, slips them off and not long after the bed starts creaking and moans from both me and him can be heard. I'm reaching my climax and so is he. when i tighten around him it tips him over the edge and he explodes in me.i feel it oozing and it feels heavenly. he waits a while before pulling his pants up then lies beside me, getting into the covers. i pull up mine up and join him. he pulls me closer and lays my head on his chest. the sound of his heartbeat falls me into a calm sleep.

he leans over to my ear and whispers ' i love you'

End file.

jacksepticeye and i by xxCookieMonstaarxx


IANTHONY SMOSH FANFIC (KINKY)

**ianthony **fanfic

**"What would you rate this meal?"**

**Anthony turns the camera to ian**

**"I'd give it ..six adult diapers out of seven"**

**Anthony turns the camera back round to him**

**"that's a lot of diapers. Bye" **

**"Bitch"**

**They switch the camera off and clean the table. Ian slumps on the sofa and anthony slumps beside him. **

**"Well that was a weired episode" **

**ian looks I'm from his phone**

**"Yeh. Deffinetly some of the questions"**

**anthony looks at ian. Ian blushes a little but hides his face in time.**

**"Wanna drink?" **

**Anthony stands up from the sofa.**

**"What?..oh yeah sure"**

**Anthony walks up to the counter Anthony comes back with a few beers**

**"dude we aren't at work tommorow" **

**anthony passes ian a can and sits back down After an hour of drinking both were pretty pissed and was giggling about god knows what on the floor**

**" O my god. Dares. And truths"**

**ian takes another sip of his beer**

**"Ok.I pick...dare"**

**anthony crosses his legs **

**" I dare you...to... Dare yourself"**

**Anthony thinks for a while**

**" I dare myself to do this..." **

**He kisses ian on the lips before breaking the touch. They look at each other before Going straight back in for another. They was holding each other. Tongues exploring each other. Anthony breaks away before leading ian to the bedroom. **

**They take off there tops and kiss once again. Anthony starts to kiss all the wan down ians torso to his zip. With a few swift moves the both had there clothes off. Ian was pleasuring anthony in ways he only dreamed of. before long anthony was already in position.**

**Ian bent down infront of him He slips in the tip, making ian wince in delight. he slowly pushes all the way in. He gets faster and faster. Ian moans louder and louder. His hips moving the same time as anthony.**

**This was pure bliss for both ian and antthony. Anthony was reaching his climax.**

**"Pull out!?"**

**Anthony keeps pushing **

**"no."**

**Anthony last a few more pushes before exploding inside ian. They fall to the bed. Anthony lies panting next to ian. Hand in hand. Ian whispers to anthony **

**"time to repay the favor" **

**leave a review if you want anymore :D tell me what youtubers or celebrities you want andwho you want them with. it can be you but you will have to explain yourself and your name :) thanks for reading :D**

End file.

IANTHONY SMOSH FANFIC (KINKY) by xxCookieMonstaarxx


NOT STORY

p style="text-align: start;"Not a story trying to be beta sorry /p

End file.

NOT STORY by Hungergames00