don't call me 'baby'
PART 8 | SERIES
Pairing: Steve Harrington/fem!reader
Warnings: Sugardaddy!Steve, SMUT (18+), angst, unprotected p in v, daddy kink, oral sex (f & m receiving), cum play, ddlg dynamics, dom/sub dynamics, swearing, alcohol use, smoking, age gap, no use of y/n
Wordcount: 10.2k
A sugar daddy modern AU, a whirlwind summer romance in Italy, and two people from completely different walks of life, somehow finding each other in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. But, what will happen when summer ends?
Notes: I know, the Italian/descriptions of this area of Italy are not 100% accurate. Sue me! But seriously, I wasn't too focused on accuracy, so just take it as it is!
PART 8 | drinkin' on the beach (with you all over me)
“So, will you tell me where we’re going yet?” you asked slyly.
“You’ll see when we get there,” he replied, fighting a smile. He extended the hand not carrying your suitcase, which you took as you descended the rest of the steps.
“I just don’t get why you’re not -”
You stopped mid-sentence, realizing what Steve was leading you towards.
“Is that -?”
Your question was answered as he popped the trunk of the red Ferrari, placing your suitcase inside.
“It’s mine. Well, ours, I guess. For the week.”
“You’re - you can’t just rent a car like this -”
“I can,” Steve said, slamming the trunk close. He smiled smugly, then shrugged. “I know a guy.”
You managed to pick your jaw up from where it was hanging and rolled your eyes.
“Of course you do,” you said, making your way to the passenger side. “So -”
“Hop in,” he said, opening the door for you. “You’ll love it, I promise.”
You took his hand and let him help you in, Steve closing the door behind you and coming around until he was in the driver’s seat, right next to you.
“Wow,” you said under your breath.
“What is it?”
“I just - I realized I’ve never actually seen you drive before. Or, been in the front of a car with you, really.”
He chuckled, sitting back in his seat.
“Well, there’s a first time for everything. Ready?”
You nodded, clicking on your seatbelt as he pulled away from the curb.
“So - what did you say to Robin to get her to agree to taking me away all week? She usually loves to go all-out for my birthday, as much as I tell her she doesn’t have to.”
He shrugged. “I’m pretty good at sweet talking.”
You thought about your roommate for a moment, and the idea of her being sweet-talked into anything, and snorted. “Cute, what did you actually do?”
A pause. Then, “I promised I’d pay for your belated birthday party. Whatever she has planned, I said I’d help make it happen.”
“Oh my God.”
“What?”
“You don’t understand! Robin loves birthdays! And like, I don’t hate them, but I’ve just never been much of a big celebrator or anything, and she always goes nuts. And now you’re giving her a budget? You’ve created a monster, Harrington.”
He laughed, reaching down to take your hand. He gave it a tight squeeze.
“Well, I’m sorry. But, I’ll do my best to rein her in, yeah?”
“Yeah, sure, good luck with that.”
It’s only several minutes later, after you’ve both laughed it off, that you realized he was still holding your hand as he drove. Had he ever done something like that before? Before you could dwell on it, you pulled your hand away, hoping that reaching for the water bottle in the cupholder made it seem nonchalant.
You cleared your throat.
“So - can I know where we’re going yet?”
“You certainly can guess, if you want.”
You sighed, throwing your head back against the headrest.
“Okay - well, you said I didn’t need a passport, so we’re not flying anywhere. And, you said to pack bathing suits, so I’m guessing the beach, or pool, maybe. So, staycation? In Italy, somewhere?”
His face remained neutral. “Maybe.”
“You’re impossible.”
He chuckled, taking a moment to glance over at you.
“Just, trust me, yeah?”
After a moment, you sighed, giving up.
“Yeah, okay.”
As you drove out of the city, you turned the conversation towards his business trip. You asked him about work, how it went, and leaned back and listened. He mostly vented about it, but you paid it no mind - in reality, it was just nice to be with him again. You tried not to think about that part of it too much, though.
The highrises and busy city streets began quieting, giving way to residential townhouses and open roads. The traffic had lessened, the scenery becoming greener, the road narrower.
“So, how long until we get there?” you asked.
“About 4 hours, give or take,” he said. “It’ll be worth the road trip, I promise.”
“I don’t mind a road trip.”
Not with him, you didn’t.
You found yourself glancing over at Steve every now and then - he had only been gone a week, and you had forgotten just how unabashedly handsome he was in-person. As he stared straight ahead at the road, you took in his side profile, and the way his hazel eyes shone in the sunlight, his hands gripped firmly on the wheel.
Feeling your eyes on him, he spared a glance in your direction. Instead of looking away, you just felt yourself smiling, keeping eye contact.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Nothing - it’s just… you really didn’t have to do… whatever this is. You spoil me, you know.”
His hand found itself on your thigh, giving it a squeeze.
“It’s my favorite thing to do, baby.”
Baby. He had started calling you that more often now outside of the bedroom. You didn’t protest when he kept that hand there, for most of the drive.
Eventually, you found yourself dozing off, the steady motion of the car and low hum of the radio lulling you to sleep. You only found yourself waking when the car came to a halt, blinking groggily.
In front of you was a pier, boats bobbing in the water as cars lined up. The sea stretched out before you, bright blue in the late morning light.
“What are we -”
“We’re catching a ferry,” Steve said.
“So, an island vacation?”
He just shrugged, pulling the car up to the dock to load on. You sighed.
“You know, I barely had any idea what to pack. I just threw stuff into a bag.”
“Don’t worry about that - I brought another suitcase for you, bought you some stuff.”
“Of course you did.”
You still had the inner instinct to lecture him, to berate him for spending so much money on you. But, you couldn’t ignore the way he grinned, proud of being able to spoil you. If you asked him to bring you the stars, he’d probably find a way.
The ferry trip was about an hour long, Steve following you to the upper deck to stretch your legs. You leaned on the edge, looking down at the water below you, the wake of the boat making the bright blue water churn into white seafoam. The salt air blew through your hair, Steve’s arm finding its way around your waist.
Before too long, you found yourselves back in the car and driving off the ferry. You took a moment to assess your surroundings, blinking in the afternoon sun. The port was busy, green hills and rocky mountains stretching out before you in the distance, dotted with colorful buildings. The sea was sparkling, clear as day with an aquamarine hue. The harbor was bustling, boats of all sized docking at the port. People rode their bikes along the pier, the sounds of the water breaking along the coast a consistent din in the background.
“Okay, now can you tell me where we are?”
Steve laughed.
“Yes - It’s called Ischia Island. It’s kind of become a tourist trap recently, but don’t worry, we’re going to the other side of the island - it’s much quieter.”
“I don’t care about that -”
“I know, but - I guess it’d be nice to have some privacy, you know?”
So you let Steve continue to drive, bypassing the main port and heading up the small dirt road, slowly climbing the mountains. It was beautiful - from up here, the views of the coast were breathtaking. For the first time, you truly realized how much Steve wanted to make this special, pulling out all of the stops for you. In all of your time in Italy, you had never had the time or money to do anything touristy, let alone take an actual vacation. Suddenly, it was nearly overwhelming. You glanced over with Steve, taking him in for a moment. Then, the idea hit you.
“How far are we?”
“Close - probably like 15 minutes. I think you’re going to like where we’re staying.”
“Is this road busy?” you asked quietly.
“Here? No, not really. It’s pretty quiet, I kind of wanted it to be -”
“Okay, good,” you said, cutting him off. “Because you’re going to find a place to pull over.”
He glanced over at you, perplexed.
“Why? Are you feeling alright?”
You nodded, leaning across the console to press your lips to his ear.
“I want to thank you, Harrington. Preferably by sucking your cock.”
You were surprised he didn’t drive the car over the edge of the road and into the ocean.
*******
You and Steve didn’t reach your destination until about 45 minutes later, after you had your way with him. In the end, he was a mess, begging you to put him out of his misery after prolonged teasing from the passenger seat. Afterwards, you were shocked he was even capable of driving again.
Finally, though, you saw it - the place you were presumably staying. Steve pulled the car up a small dirt driveway, to where a beautiful villa was tucked at the top of a hill. Its white stucco exterior was striking against the rolling green mountains, stone steps leading up to it. Steve helped you out of the car, gesturing to the house behind him.
“Is this -”
“It’s all ours, baby,” he said, beaming.
“I - I just assumed we were staying at a hotel or something -”
He nearly scoffed. “A hotel? No way, not for this. It’s just us here, the whole place to ourselves.”
He popped the trunk, pulling out the bags, insisting to take yours, too.
You practically bounded up the steps, not even containing your excitement as Steve unlocked the door and waved you in.
Inside, it was bright and airy, the white walls stretching up to high, arched ceilings. There was an open kitchen and eating area, the floor a beautiful blue and white mosaic pattern. With the windows open and curtains pulled aside, the villa was bathed in sunlight. You found yourself going towards the back of the house, gasping at what you saw. Before you was a balcony, with a breakfast nook and, most notably, a pool. But, the most stunning part was the view. The Tyrrhenian Sea stretched before you, sparkling and bluer than the sky, the city barely visible behind the trees. It smelled like salt and citrus, presumably from the trees abundant with fresh fruit. For the first time, you understood what people meant when they said paradise.
You felt Steve coming up behind you, his presence strong and warm.
“Well - what do you think?”
You paused for a moment, turning around slowly to face him. He looked down at you expectantly, and you reckoned he’d probably be crossing his fingers right now if you couldn’t see them. For some reason, he still thought you were hard to impress.
“You did all this… just for me?”
He nodded.
Before he could even say anything else, you had his face in your hands, kissing him so fiercely that you could barely breathe. He pulled you closer, fingers digging into the small of your back. It was only when you pulled away to catch your breath that you spoke again.
“Where’s the bedroom?”
******
You hadn’t even taken time to explore the rest of the house, tumbling into bed with Steve without a moment’s hesitation. Neither of you took your time, too hasty to touch one another after being separated all week. Steve made quick work of your clothes, pulling you into his lap before sliding into you. You nearly cried at the feeling of him inside you again. Sex with Steve was like a drug, and you were finally able to admit to yourself that you were addicted. It wasn’t long before you were both messes, coming undone in a matter of minutes.
“Fuck,” he whispered, lips pressed to your neck. “So fuckin’ perfect, baby - just like that, oh fuck -”
He was thrusting faster now, practically pounding up into you. You dug your nails into his back, dragging them down as you writhed in his arms, hips meeting his thrusts. Your finger picked up the pace on your clit, and you felt yourself losing control. You bounced in his lap, legs caging him as he pulled you closer.
“Oh, I - ah! Steve - oh, shit, just like that - you feel so good -”
“Yeah? You like when daddy stuffs you with his cock?” he grunted.
“Mm, yeah - I’m so full, I feel you everywhere -”
“Keep squeezin’ me, baby - shit, you’re really going for it, so wet - are you close?”
You bit your lip and nodded, moaning as you felt the tension building in your core.
“Yeah, so close - I’m gonna cum -”
“Damn right you are - such a good girl, always cumming on daddy’s cock.”
“Only for you,” you whispered in his ear, pulling him closer, arms wrapping around the nape of his neck. That was the final straw for Steve - he cried out your name, hips stilling as he painted your walls with his cum. You felt the warmth of him fill you, and you sighed. He stayed there, heavily for a moment.
“Fuck,” he said after a moment. He pressed a kiss to your shoulder, and you ran your fingers along his scalp soothingly.
“Wait,” he said, pulling back to look at you. “Did you finish?”
You considered lying - it was nearly instinctual, having done it with other partners in the past. But, there was something about Steve that made it impossible to lie to him.
“No,” you admitted. “But, I came close, really close - you always make me cum, it still was good -”
“Nope, not happening,” he said, brow setting with determination.
“What are you -”
But he was reaching down, thumb finding your clit where your bodies met, his softening cock still inside you.
“Steve, what are you - oh! Shit, I -”
You threw your head back, feeling yourself re-approaching your peak as he rubbed deep circles around the bundle of nerves, slowly picking up the pace.
“Steve - you’re still inside -”
“I know,” he whispered. “I want you to cum around me, can you do that, baby?”
“Yes,” you breathed, gasping as his free hand found your breast. “I’m going to cum on your cock, because I’m your good girl -”
“And tomorrow,” he said, coating his fingers in the slick mix of both of you to stimulate your clit, “you’re going to cum over and over, until you can’t walk. I need to make up for it, gonna make you forget your own name, baby.”
“Fuck,” you groaned, feeling yourself squeezing around him. “I’m gonna -”
“Let go,” he encouraged. “Do it, for me, baby.”
And you did. You screamed his name, pulsing and convulsing around his cock as he continued to work you through it. He was still working on your clit, gradually slowing down as you let the wave of pleasure wash through you.
After, you both just stayed there, tangled in each other as you struggled to regain your breath. You felt his heart thudding against yours, bathing in the afterglow as he rubbed soothing circles on your back.
“I missed you,” you finally admitted. “I missed this.”
His hand stilled. For a moment, you wondered if you had said the wrong thing, if you had crossed a line. But, then:
“I missed you too,” he whispered, pressing a kiss into your skin.
You felt your face heat, and just pulled him closer to you, deciding not to say anything else, at risk of doing something you couldn’t come back from.
After a while, you found yourselves laying in bed in a comfortable silence. You could hear the crashing waves and cries of seagulls in the distance. You propped yourself up on your elbow, properly looking at the man beside you.
“So - now that we’re here - what’s the plan? For today?”
Steve stared up at the ceiling, thinking.
“Well, we really only have the afternoon now, so - I’ve got stuff for us to do over the next few days, so it’s really up to you. We can go into town, or hit the beach. Or, just hang out here - what do you think, birthday girl?”
You rolled your eyes.
“It’s not my birthday yet -”
“As far as I’m concerned, this entire week is your birthday, baby.”
You felt your heart flutter, and bit your lip.
“Well, if I get to decide - beach?”
He grinned, reaching across to brush some hair out of your face.
“Sounds perfect, baby.”
******
Steve had presented you with a new bathing suit and beach cover-up, practically demanding to see you in it immediately. And, you rarely found it in yourself to say no to him. When he first saw you wearing it, you were genuinely concerned he was going to immediately ruin it by tearing it off of your body. But, he managed to control himself enough to make it out the door, his hand snaking around your waist as you headed down to the beach.
The closest beach to you, as it turned out, was only a short walk down the road. And, it was a pretty quiet one. Steve explained on the way how it was a lesser-known alcove, only really used by locals and not well-known amongst the tourists. Sure enough, the white sandy beach was relatively sheltered on all sides by the rocky cliffs, making you feel both so in-the-open and hidden.
You sighed as you settled onto the beach towel, soaking in the sun as Steve set up an umbrella, eventually finding his place beside you. The afternoon was relaxed and quiet, Steve allowing you space to read your book and sunbathe. You tried to think about the last time you let yourself relax like this - it was possible that you never had.
Eventually, the water just looked too inviting, the sun becoming just a bit too oppressively hot, and you found yourself wandering down to the shoreline. You let the water lap over your feet, the waves warmer than you expected. It was only after you had waded out up to your waist that you heard the water breaking behind you, a telltale sign that Steve was joining. Before you could turn to him, his arms were wrapped around your waist, making you jump and squeal.
“Steve!”
He spun you around in the water, making a big splash in your wake.
“Hey, beautiful,” he whispered. It was almost too affectionate, the way he said it, but you decided not to question it.
You just smiled, leaning in until his nose was brushing yours.
“Thank you, for this,” you murmured. “I know I’ve been saying it, but - I don’t think I’ve ever taken time to do anything like this, well… ever.”
His face softened a bit, and he brought his hand up to cup the side of your face.
“You’re welcome. Also, I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
A devilish grin, then, “For this.”
Then, he was pulling you into his arms and under the water with him, causing you to yelp with surprise as you became submerged. When you broke the surface, he was laughing like a little kid, earning a playful smack in the arm from you, followed by an indignant splash. And, for even just a few moments, it was easy to forget about everything, other than how much fun you were having.
Yes - this trip was exactly what you needed.
********
The next morning, you woke up slowly, blinking in the bright sunlight filtering into the bedroom. It took you a moment to remember where you were - then, the sandy-colored walls, the soft linen, and the lingering smell of salt water and sunscreen reminded you.
You rolled over in bed, reaching across to find it disappointingly empty. You groaned, sitting up and rubbing the bleariness from your eyes. After scrounging around under the sheets, you eventually unearthed a t-shirt, the one you had pulled off of Steve last night. Shrugging it on, you padded through the house towards the back balcony, where the sounds of the outdoors filtered through the open door. Surely enough, there he was, his back to you as he set plates on the table. You wish you had a camera to capture it - the vision of Steve, shirtless with his disheveled morning hair, the sea sparkling behind him in the early sunlight. But, before you could appreciate it anymore, he seemingly sensed your presence and turned.
“Look who's finally risen!” he declared. “I was worried I’d have to wake you up before the food got cold!”
You raised an eyebrow.
“Got cold?”
“Yeah - I made a veggie frittata, I hope that’s alright. I got some pastries too, and fruit. The coffee’s almost done.”
“I - you cook?”
He stopped, crossing his arms.
“What, did you think I couldn’t?”
You shrugged, throwing up your hands in defense.
“No! I just - I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen you cook before.”
You walked towards the table, accepting the chair he pulled out for you as you sank down and settled.
“When did you get all this stuff?” you asked, taking in the spread before you somewhat in awe.
“Oh, um, this morning - I went for a run, and stopped at the market on my way back. Town’s not far.”
You couldn’t even fight how impressed you were, shaking your head in disbelief.
“How long have you been up?”
“A few hours,” he said, shrugging. He cut into the frittata and started loading it onto one of the porcelain plates, passing it to you before sitting down. “I’m usually up pretty early, you know that. I wanted you to sleep in though, glad to know I didn’t wake you.”
“Right. Well, thanks.”
It almost felt like too much, him going to all these lengths for you. Yes, buying you a meal was one thing - he did it all the time. But cooking for you, and with such care… it felt like a different thing entirely. But, you accepted it gratefully, not even realizing just how hungry you were until you started digging in.
You could get used to mornings like this - breakfast on the beach view balcony, fresh coffee and breakfast, Steve’s knee brushing yours under the table. After a while, Steve leaned back and smiled, taking a sip out of his cup of coffee.
“So - are you feeling up for an adventure?” he asked, sounding slightly mischievous.
You raised an eyebrow, taking a bite out of a strawberry.
“What kind of adventure?”
“The kind you need a bathing suit for,” he said. “Preferably a bikini, but that’s really just for my benefit.”
You laughed. “Is that so?”
That was how you found yourself pulling on a bathing suit, pulled out of your bag along with a cover up and sun hat. Steve was already waiting for you when you emerged, a cooler bag slung over his shoulder, holding your beach bag out to you. You were finally starting to learn to relax, not even asking what he was planning - if it kept going the way this trip already had been, you knew he had a good surprise in store.
He took your arm in his, leading you out of the villa and to the car, tearing down the small dirt road until it became a larger, cobblestone one, descending down the hills into the main little town. The day was warm and bright, prompting Steve to lower the roof of the convertible. You let your eyes close, leaning back against the seat to feel the sun and breeze. You barely even noticed when Steve’s hand came to rest on your thigh.
You didn’t really open your eyes until the car slowed to a stop, realizing where you were. It was the pier, with boats of all different sizes and grandeur bobbing in the water. There was a bit of a hustle and bustle, with people loading and unloading, motors starting, dockhands untying boats and sending people off. You looked over at Steve quizzically, only to be met with a smile.
“You ready?”
“Are we -”
“Taking a boat out? Yes, yes we are,” he said, killing the ignition and hopping out of the car. He came around the other side to open the door and let you out before you had a chance to do it yourself. You had to fight the urge to roll your eyes as he took your hand, deciding to indulge him.
He led you to the dock, and you couldn’t help but start eyeing the prospective boats waiting for you. Eventually, you stopped at a small motorboat, docked and ready to go.
“We - you’re driving?”
Steve nodded, throwing the bags onto the boat and hopping on.
“Yes - I’ve got a boating license.”
“Since when?”
“Since my dad made me get one when I was 16.”
Somehow, Steve Harrington remained an enigma - what else didn’t you know about him?
He turned, offering his hand up to you to help you on board.
“Do you trust me?”
You nodded, not even hesitating.
“Yes.”
“Good - then come on, I promise it’ll be fun.”
It was so easy to believe Steve, to trust him - when did that happen?
After passing some cash to the dockhand, the boat was untied and sent out, Steve manning the wheel as he headed out into the harbor. You leaned back in the leather seat behind him, holding onto your hat as the boat picked up speed. The waters gradually became less busy, the expanse of blue before you growing greater as you headed out to the sea.
“Where are we going?” you finally asked, practically yelling over the sound of the engine.
“A surprise,” he said.
“Of course.”
This earned a chuckle from him, followed by a gesture towards the cooler pack.
“By the way - I packed some drinks, if you want them. And food, too, but that’s for later.”
You grinned, unzipping it and pulling out a bottle of rose, still cold and wet with condensation. You poured it into a plastic cup that you found in the bag, smiling endearingly at the thought of Steve doing all of this - shopping, planning, packing, doing everything with you in mind. You sighed, sipping your wine as the boat cut through the waves, the breeze blowing through your hair. Finally, you reached what you presumed was your destination: a smaller island came into view, surrounded by big rocky outcroppings sticking out of the water. You couldn’t even see any other boats docked around it.
“Where are we?” you asked, standing as the boat slowed to a stop. Steve threw the anchor down, with more ease than you expected.
“It’s called Sand City,” he said, propping a leg up on the boat’s edge as he tied the knot. “Well, that’s what locals call it - I’m not sure what it’s actually called. But, barely anyone knows about it - if I had to guess, we’re probably the only ones here.”
You glanced over at the rocky beach - from what you could see, there wasn’t another soul.
“Knowing you, you probably rented out the place,” you joked.
Steve chuckled. “I mean, if I could, I definitely would’ve.”
You laughed, but when he didn’t, you stopped.
“Wait, you’re serious?”
“Completely.”
You came up next to him, glancing over the side of the boat - the water was crystal clear, the current gentle and calm.
“So, how do we get out there?” you asked.
Steve grinned, pulling his shirt up over his head in one movement.
“We swim.”
You couldn’t help but smile as you dove in after him, the water a relaxing relief from the sun. The pair of you made your way to the shore rather quickly, pulling yourselves out of the water and onto the beach. Here, there wasn;t much of the soft white sand that you had seen on the main island. Instead, the coast was rocky, Steve taking your hand as he helped you weave through to spare your bare feet from the brunt of it.
“You know, for a place called ‘Sand City’ - there’s not a lot of sand,” you observed, following Steve up the beach.
“There’s a reason for that,” Steve said, leading you further up the beach. “See, like a hundred years ago, this place was used for sand mining - and it was a major port. But, they drained the resources, and couldn’t develop anything. See?”
He gestured further down the shoreline. Sure enough, in the distance there were larger wooden posts sticking out of the water, worn and dull with time.
“Those used to be the dock, before it collapsed. But, since there’s a steep dropoff after the sandbar, people like to dock their boats and make day trips out here. Like us, for example,” Steve explained.
“How do you know all this?” you asked, tone laced with surprise.
“I did some research,” he said, shrugging.
“Why?”
“Honestly? I wanted to impress you,” he admitted somewhat sheepishly.
You laughed, louder than you meant to.
“What?” he asked indignantly, stopping in his tracks.
“Nothing! It’s just kind of cute that you’re trying to impress me, I guess.”
“Shut up,” he muttered.
You stayed a few steps behind him, smiling to yourself. This was maybe the most relaxed you had ever seen Steve - he seemed younger, almost boyish. You wondered if this is what he was like, years before you met him. When he was your age, was he less hardened? Did he have less walls around him? You had to assume he did.
At one point, he leaned down to pick up a pebble, skipping it across the water.
“Nice, that skipped like, five times,” you remarked.
“You try,” he said, extending a flat pebble to you.
“I’m not any good at this,” you confessed.
“I’ll help you, here -”
He placed the stone gently in your palm, his hand engulfing yours.
“Just follow through like this, and kind of flick your wrist.”
You did your best to ignore how your skin tingled at his touch, following through on his guidance a few times before finally letting go. The stone skimmed the water’s surface, skipping once, before plopping in.
You threw your hands up in the air in celebration.
“Okay, I know that wasn’t much, but - better than anything I’ve done before!” you exclaimed, throwing your arms around Steve’s neck.
He pressed a kiss to your cheek, and you pulled away quickly. Before he could say anything, you gestured for him to keep leading the way.
******
The rest of the afternoon was a bit of a blur. Steve led you up the island to a thatch of trees, where you came across the old ruins of a submarine. You spent a while investigating it, grabbing a fresh peach hanging off of the trees. You and Steve shared it, eventually returning to the water and swimming out to one of the rocks past the sandbar. You let yourself lay out and sunbathe, Steve by your side. Eventually, though, the one peach you had split didn’t seem to tide you over, your stomach grumbling. You groaned.
“Don’t worry, we’ve got a picnic on the boat,” Steve assured. “Want to head back?”
You agreed, welcoming the cool water as you dove back in, clambering back up onto the motorboat. Steve produced a true spread from the cooler, of crackers, cheeses, and grapes, topped off with a bottle of white wine to split. It was so idyllic, floating in the middle of the ocean, with the fresh charcuterie that Steve had so carefully packed for you. After you were full and satiated, you couldn’t help it - you had to start touching Steve. You found it hard to keep your hands off of him, tracing his constellation of moles on his back beneath the sun, both of you laying across a towel. You began to trace letters and words, asking him to guess - Steve’s name, your own, smiley faces and stars, anything you could think of. Steve, as it turned out, was shit when it came to guessing.
You found yourself feeling just a bit mischievous, deciding to press your lips between his shoulder blades instead.
“What’re you doing?” he asked, voice a bit rougher than it had been.
“What’s the chance of another boat passing us here?” you asked.
“Uh - minimal. Really slim, we’re pretty isolated,” he answered quickly.
“Good,” you whispered. “Because I wanna ride you, if you’ll let me.”
And he did, scrambling onto his back, gripping onto your hips as you straddled him. Your bathing suits were shed in a matter of moments, and you wasted no time in sinking onto him. The boat rocked precariously, but it was part of the thrill - Steve came undone in a matter of minutes, cumming deep inside of you. You followed shortly after, convulsing around him with your head thrown back, underneath the bright afternoon sun.
*******
The next few days passed in a blissful blur - Steve took you all around the island. One day, he rented a Vespa, having you wrap your arms around his waist and hold on tightly as he drove you around to the other side, where a music and art festival was happening. He followed you around, dancing with you and buying you whatever you wanted from the vendors, insisting that you picked out whatever you wanted. Used books, fresh pastries, a sunhat, handmade mosaics, seashell earrings - whatever caught your interest.
One of the items you picked up was a pack of disposable waterproof cameras, which you immediately made quick use of. You began snapping photos of the town, the ocean views, and most of all, Steve. You caught candids of Steve walking down the street, running his hands through his hair, or his side profile, when he wasn’t paying attention. You got him to pose on occasion too, insisting on taking pictures at each new site you visited. Soon, Steve took one of the cameras, playing your own game and sneaking photos of you throughout the trip.
“Pose for me, baby, for the memories,” he insisted, pulling back to capture you every chance he got.
You and Steve made use of the villa, too. On the third day, you woke up to the sound of rain pattering on the roof. Steve bemoaned the inclement weather, but you just snuggled further under the covers.
“What are we going to do, then?” Steve grumbled.
“We can just stay here… in bed… all day,” you replied, pressing a kiss to his neck.
“Oh yeah?”
“Mmm hm - actually, today’s a perfect day to practice your Italian,” you added, smirking.
“What do you -”
“Here’s the deal,” you said, sinking a bit further below the covers. “I’m going to quiz you on what I’ve taught you so far - if you get it right, I keep sucking you off. You get it wrong, though… I stop, until the next one you get right. What do you say?”
You spent that morning edging Steve, who quickly became a whimpering mess at your mercy. His language retention, it turned out, wasn’t great. Every time he screwed up an Italian word or phrase, you pulled your lips off his cock, looking up at him with disappointment.
When he finally did cum, he begged to do it all over your tits, which you obliged. That, of course, led to a bath in the clawfoot tub, where Steve happily joined you, insisting on reciprocating. The rainy day, as it turned out, wasn’t a waste at all.
Another day, he took you out on a small ferry cruise to go snorkeling. You both dove through the shallows, exploring coral reefs and swimming through schools of fish. You were fairly certain that you’d never get over the color of the sea here - the bright, aquamarine water was stunning, and you were certain that if it was flatter underneath, you’d be able to see through the ocean for miles. You snapped a few photos underwater, hoping that they’d reflect what it looked like in-person. You doubted it, though. At one point, when you both broke the surface and climbed back onto the rowboat you had taken out, Steve was holding a lump of sand in his hand.
“What is that?”
He smiled, shaking it off under the water to reveal what looked like a gray rock. You furrowed your brow, confusion only growing and Steve produced a pocket knife. He cut into it along the edge - it was an oyster.
“In the mood for shellfish, Harrington?”
He just shook his head, prying the shell open. He squinted, then smiled.
“Well, looks like I’ve got some pretty good luck today!”
Before you could ask what he meant, he reached into the shell and pulled out -
“Is that a pearl?” you asked, eyes widening.
He nodded enthusiastically, holding it out to you.
“For you.”
You shook your head.
“No, Steve - do you know how rare that is? Just to find a natural pearl? I shouldn’t -”
“I was hoping to find one, just for you,” he assured. “Seriously - I want you to have it.”
You took it hesitantly, turning the small white stone in your hand. It was so small, perfectly round, with a few grains of sand still clinging to it. You shook your head incredulously.
“I - thank you,” you whispered. You fished your wallet out of your beach bag, tucking the pearl safely inside.
******
The evenings were filled with sunsets and wine, Steve insisting on bringing you to the best restaurants that the island had to offer. When you returned to the villa, you would take a dip in the pool - bathing suits optional. That’s why, by the time your actual birthday came around, it wasn’t a surprise that you were physically exhausted.
The morning of your birthday came on a Saturday, the last full day of your trip. You had attempted to stay up until midnight on Friday to properly ring it in, but you were so exhausted from the sun and copious amounts of wine consumed during the day that you were asleep before 11.
That night, you dreamed. Often, your dreams weren’t very vivid. If you remembered them at all when you woke up, there wasn’t really anything concrete. And, you supposed, this wasn’t really any different. You felt warm, only really seeing flashes of golden light, dancing behind your eyelids like stars. Your skin tingled, and you were just relaxed. You sighed in contentment, suddenly feeling your brow furrow at the realization that you could feel the mattress you were lying on, the soft sheets fisted in your fingers.
You weren’t sleeping anymore, not completely. You weren’t exactly sure when you had stopped, crossing the line between dreaming and consciousness. But suddenly, you were acutely aware of the air on your skin, the quickening of your breath, and, most notably, the feeling of warm lips pressed to your skin.
“Mm - Steve?” you grumbled, voice still groggy from sleep.
“G’morning, birthday girl,” he murmured from below the sheets, pressing a kiss to your navel.
“What’re you -”
“I wanted to make today extra special,” he whispered. “Starting right now.”
He continued to pepper kisses across your abdomen, traveling further down, down, down -
“Fuck,” you gasped as his breath ghosted over your bare cunt. “Steve -”
“Shhh, baby,” he whispered. “Today’s all about you - just relax, okay?”
Anything else that you wanted to say died on your tongue, your breath hitching as soon as his mouth made contact with your core. He licked a stripe up your slit, his tongue settling to swirl around your clit.
“Steve! Oh, shit - just like that. Oh my god -”
You felt your back arch as your hips bucked up to meet his mouth. His fingers were digging into the soft flesh of your thighs, spread wide for him as he devoured you.
Soon, one of his hands wandered from your thigh, gathering your slick as he circled your entrance.
You moaned, eyes squeezed shut as you threw your head back.
“Please, Steve,” you whined. He paused for a moment.
“Please what?” he asked, pressing a kiss to the inside of your thigh. He started sucking, and you already shivered at the thought of him leaving a mark there, a reminder for later.
“Please - your fingers,” you begged.
“What about them?” he asked, feigning innocence.
“Inside me - please - fuck me with your fingers,” you exclaimed.
“If you insist, darling.”
That was your only warning. He plunged two fingers into your sopping entrance, returning his tongue to your clit. You practically screamed, writhing in the sheets as he loved on you in the best way he knew how.
He kissed and licked at your cunt like he was worshiping it. He grinned against your skin at the sound of your whines when he added a third finger, pumping in and out of you at an unrelenting pace.
You found your own hands wandering, looking to grab onto something, anything. Between his ministrations, you heard Steve murmur, “Your tits, baby.”
“What?”
“Touch your tits, sweetheart, you know you want to.”
You didn’t even question it, obeying as your hands found their way to your breasts. You cupped and palmed them, moaning at the added stimulation as Steve continued to eat you out.
“I’m close,” you breathed, feeling your face flush, your heart thudding in your chest. There was pressure building in your core, ready to snap at any moment. You continued feeling your tits, toying with your nipples and squeezing at the soft flesh.
Your orgasm felt like a dam breaking. You screamed Steve’s name as the pleasure washed over you, intense and white-hot like a tsunami. He worked you through your high, continuing to lap and lick at you, gradually slowing down as your whole body shook. By the time he removed his fingers from you, you were a mess. You felt boneless, certain you’d sink all the way through the mattress if you weren’t careful.
Your breathing was deep and labored, not even capable of forming a coherent thought as Steve pressed soft kisses to your inner thigh. Just as he had started, he kissed his way back up your body - your stomach, your breasts, sternum, collarbone, neck - and, finally, your lips. You still faintly tasted yourself on him, and sighed into his mouth.
After several moments, you finally spoke.
“Jesus Christ, Steve.”
“So, that was good?” he asked.
You turned your cheek down to your pillow, bringing you face-to-face with the man lying next to you.
“Yeah,” you breathed. “I - I think that was the hardest I’ve ever cum in my life,” you admitted.
Steve practically puffed up with pride, fighting a smile.
“Is that so?”
You reached across the bed, running your fingers through his hair.
“Yeah, really. Best birthday ever.”
He rolled his eyes. “It’s barely started yet!”
“Still - that would’ve made it just perfect, no need to do anything else.”
He laughed, throwing his head back against the pillow.
“Well, that’s definitely not all I have planned. We’ve got a whole day ahead of us.”
You sighed, shaking your head.
“Of course we do. Well, if that’s the case, I’m going to take a shower.”
You rolled out of bed and padded towards the bathroom, not even bothering with the fact that you were stark nude. You felt Steve’s eyes practically burning a hole through you, prompting you to cast a glance over your shoulder.
“I might need help, you know,” you said suggestively.
He didn’t need to be told twice.
********
Most of the day passed without a hitch. In fact, you would call it perfect. Almost, at least. You had breakfast on the balcony, the morning relatively slow and relaxed. Then, Steve took you to the sea, renting another boat until you reached what you learned to be Aragonese Castle. The ruins sat on a volcanic rock formation, accessible via a footbridge going across the water. On the island, you explored the castle, marveling at the sight from the top. You stood atop the structure, something older than you could even comprehend, staring out across the sparkling sea. Steve took your camera, snapping a few photos of you before you noticed.
“Come on, birthday girl, pose for me,” he begged with his go-to line, smiling as you grinned and threw your hands up in the air for the camera.
After, you took the boat around the coast to another smaller island, making your way up to the little village there. Steve made good on his word, and as you wandered through the market, did his best to name all the items in Italian. Every time he got something right, you kissed him. For everything he got wrong, he had to buy you something from that vendor. In the end, it was working out much better for you, your bag filling more and more as you walked through.
You both walked along the beach, finding yourselves carrying your shoes as you let the water wash over your feet on the shoreline. The afternoon waned to the early evening, the sun moving from beating on your backs to golden, slowly sinking towards the horizon. You had returned to the main island, Steve insisting on returning home briefly to change out of beach clothes. You followed his lead, trusting whatever he had planned. As you were throwing on some makeup, you barely noticed him come into the bathroom behind you, too focused on yourself in the mirror.
“So,” he started, leaning against the doorframe. “I know we haven’t exactly had an occasion for something like this yet, but I had this made for you - I was kind of hoping you’d wear it tonight.”
He held up a clothing hanger, shrouded in a garment bag. You smiled at him through the mirror, bounding over excitedly to unzip and look at what was inside.
“I - wow.”
“Put it on for me?” he asked. “It’s part of your birthday present.”
You obliged, kicking him out of the room, insisting that you wanted him to be surprised. You slipped on the dress easily, your breath catching in your throat as soon as you saw yourself in the mirror.
It was a vibrant, deep red, made of some kind of shimmering silk. Somehow, it both flowed over you and hugged you in all the right places - more than anything else Steve had gotten made for you, this had to have been done with you in mind. Somehow, you were certain it was the best you had ever looked. Valentina had outdone herself.
You opened the door slowly, mainly for dramatic effect. Steve was sitting on the edge of the bed, dressed in a suit jacket over his button-down, the first few buttons notably undone. At the sight of you, he sat up quickly. His eyes widened, looking you up and down as he scrambled to his feet.
“Well, what do you think?” you asked.
It took Steve a moment to say anything, his mouth opening and closing a few times as he searched for words. Then, softly:
“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
You felt your face heat, the blood rushing to your head creating a dull roar in your ears.
“You’re a liar,” you insisted.
“With you? Never.”
“Well, just one thing,” you said, coming closer to him before turning around. “I need help zipping it up.”
You felt Steve’s hands at the small of your back, pulling the zipper up slowly. His fingers brushed your exposed skin on the way up. And, when he finally reached the top, he pressed a soft kiss to your shoulder.
“I have something else for you,” he whispered in your ear. Before you could ask, you felt something cold around your neck, a weight resting against your sternum. Your hand came up to touch it - a necklace. A ruby pendant to match the dress, the chain lined delicately with diamonds.
“Steve-” you said, turning to face him.
“Don’t say anything,” he said, beating you to what you were about to say.
“But - you’ve already put together this whole trip… I can’t -”
“You only turn 21 once,” he said. “It’s a big deal, you know.”
“Maybe in the States - not really so much here -”
“I guess that’s why I wanted to make it special, just for you,” he whispered. “Will you let me?”
His eyes were so soft, begging you to just say yes, and your chest suddenly felt warm.
“Thank you,” you finally said. “Really.”
Then, he was kissing you. It wasn’t hungry, or heated, or demanding. It was soft and slow. When he pulled away, hand cupping your jaw, it felt like you should say something else - but what? Before you could decide what it should be, he was holding out an arm to you. You hooked yours through it, letting him lead the way.
Sunset hadn’t happened yet, but it was probably soon - the sky was bathed in the deep golden of the sun, the day aging and giving way to the evening soon enough. You took the Ferrari, the top down as Steve drove down the hill and into town.
The place Steve had reserved for dinner was tucked into the mountain, made of old stone and terraced into the Earth. You were on the rooftop, your table set out so that you had a view of the city below, and the sea beyond. The sky was turning shades of orange and pink, promising a stunning sunset.
“Steve,” you started once you were settled into your chair, “this place - it’s stunning.”
You couldn’t even hide your awe, realizing for maybe the hundredth time that week just how lucky you were.
“Just wait until sunset,” he said. “This is the most in-demand restaurant on the island.”
“And you got a reservation?” you asked, perusing the wine menu.
“I pulled some strings.”
“Naturally.”
You brought your feet to rest on top of his under the table.
After ordering a bottle of wine, Steve reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his tobacco and rolling papers.
“Hope you don’t mind,” he said.
“As long as you share,” you replied, grinning as he started rolling a second cigarette.
As you lit yours up and took a deep inhale, you allowed a moment to fully take in the sight of Steve.
The last week had changed him. You thought about him, and how he had said that this was the first time he had taken a vacation from work. His skin was tanned, his hair a bit lighter from the time in the sun. It had grown a bit longer, too, since you’d first met him.
As he breathed out smoke, donning sunglasses and bathed in the golden light of dusk, you felt your chest ache. For better or for worse, Steve Harrington has changed your life.
After enjoying a decadent meal of seafood, flatbreads, and pasta, all shared with Steve, it was properly dark out. The only light came from the strong lights hanging around the patio, and the candlelight on the table. You were a bit tipsy from the shared bottle of wine, feeling warm and hazy. It was during dessert, as you were sipping a cappuccino and tasting your tiramisu, that Steve cleared his throat.
“So, I have one more present for you,” he announced, straightening up in his chair.
“Steve - no.”
“But -”
“You’ve already gotten me the dress, the necklace, this entire trip. And, well… everything else.”
The arrangement, which you two barely spoke of anymore. At least, not directly. He just sighed, pulling an envelope out of his pocket and sliding it across the table to you.
“It’s the last thing, I promise - please?”
You stared at him for a moment before finally conceding. Grabbing the envelope, you tore it open, pulling out the piece of paper inside. You stared at it for a moment, squinting in the dim candlelight. It was a map - a map of the night sky. You vaguely recognized it, thanks to the astronomy class you had to take during your first year of school.
“It’s - the sky?”
“Well, it’s a certificate, for proof.”
“Proof of what?”
He pointed to the text at the top. You read it once. Twice. Five times. You felt your eyes widen, your mouth hanging open.
“Did you - did you name a star after me?”
Steve nodded slowly, assessing your reaction.
“Yes. Well, specifically - it’s kind of stupid, but… it’s a star that’s over Rome in late May, right around when we met. I don’t know, I just thought - it was just an idea.”
When your eyes met his again, he was asking a silent question - expectant, nervous, his gaze asking, do you like it?
It was then that it hit you. It was like a train, knocking the breath out of you. And, without thinking, you said it:
“I’m in love with you.”
As soon as it tumbled out, you swore your heart stopped. Everything was spinning, and you were certain you were going to be sick. But, after an agonizing moment, Steve just raised an eyebrow.
“So, am I supposed to know what that one means?”
“I - what?”
“Are you quizzing me again?”
A wave of relief washed over you - you had said it in Italian. What Steve had heard was sono innamorato di te. You let out a deep breath, laughing nervously.
“Oh - yes. Yeah!”
“Okay - what does it mean?”
“Just, um - it means I love it. The gift, I mean. It… it was really thoughtful.”
He breathed a sigh of relief, visibly relaxing in his chair.
“Oh, good. I’m glad. I wasn’t sure what you’d think, to be honest.”
You stared down at the paper, avoiding his eyes. You did your best to just focus on the page, hoping he couldn’t tell that your hands were shaking.
“No - it’s great. Thank you, really.”
You forced a smile, meeting his eyes again. Then, you stood up suddenly, your chair sliding out behind you. Concern flickered across his face.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Me? Yeah, I just - I need to use the ladies’ room,” you mumbled. You took a step towards him, placing a quick kiss on his cheek before heading downstairs to the lower part of the restaurant.
As soon as you were locked in the bathroom, you braced yourself on the sink. You did your best to steady your breathing, gripping to porcelain for dear life. That was a close call - too close. You immediately started chastising yourself - you were an idiot, a fool. Your one job was to not fall for him. It was the most important part of the agreement. Wasn’t the whole point of this to avoid complications, and heartbreak?
You took a deep breath, assessing the facts:
You loved Steve Harrington.
You weren’t supposed to love Steve Harrington.
Now, every time you were with him, you’d be lying to his face
In a month, he’d be out of your life.
You felt nauseous, the room starting to spin. This couldn’t be happening. But, it was. You stared at yourself in the mirror - your eyes were glassy, threatening to break into full-on tears at any moment. No, you couldn’t do that - you weren’t going to ruin this perfect day, perfect week. This was so you, to ruin everything for yourself at the last minute. You gathered yourself, fighting the urge to cry. You were going to make this work - you had to. Steve never had to know how you were feeling, how much you had fucked this whole thing up. So, you straightened yourself up, doing your best to regain composure, and headed back upstairs to the table.
Steve visibly relaxed when he saw you approaching.
“Everything okay?” he asked as you slid into your chair.
“Oh - yeah. All good, it’s just - I’m stuffed!” you declared, laughing half-heartedly. “Seriously, this was delicious, but - I can’t eat or drink anything else.”
Steve nodded. “Oh, no problem - I can get the check.”
“Yeah, okay.”
You had to seem normal - to make yourself feel normal. Nothing had to change between you two, as far as you were concerned.
So, you let Steve take you home, your hand on his leg making him drive the car borderline recklessly. You both stumbled through the door of the villa, shedding one another of your clothes like your lives depended on it.
Maybe you were reading too much into it, or maybe something truly had shifted. More likely, the reality was somewhere in the middle. But, the sex wasn’t desperate, or urgent. You took your time with one another, exploring each other’s bodies like it was the last time you’d ever do so. Steve held you close, kissing every inch of you, his lips whispering prayers and sweet nothings into your skin.
You gave it all back to him, thanking him for everything he’s done for you with filthy words whispered in his ear, telling him how good he was making you feel.
He sucked bruises into your skin, and you left scratches down his back. When you came, it was together, the pleasure peaking and flowing through both of you in unison. After, he laid on top of you, your fingers running gently through his hair as you stared at the ceiling. You just let yourself bathe in the afterglow, hanging on to Steve like he’d disappear if you didn’t.
It was later, after your head had settled onto his chest with his arms wrapped around you, that he finally spoke.
“So - did you have a good birthday?”
“Mm,” you hummed blissfully. His heartbeat thudded steadily against your ear, grounding you.
“Best birthday I ever had,” you added.
“Really?”
“Yes,” you affirmed. “You - you made me feel special. I don’t think anyone’s bothered to do that before, not like this.”
A pause.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Steve said solemnly. “You deserve better.”
You shook your head, burying your face further into his chest.
“You’ve made up for that,” you assured him. “Trust me.”
His hand rubbed soothing circles on your back.
“Good,” he said. “I mean, we’re doing round two next weekend, with Robin’s not-surprise party.”
You groaned.
“I forgot about that.”
“It’s only because she loves you, you know.”
You swore your heart skipped a beat at the word. You immediately felt stupid for even letting that happen, as if it was voluntary.
“Yeah, she does,” you conceded.
“I don’t want this trip to end,” Steve admitted. His voice was lower, words slurring a bit. You realized that his breathing had slowed down considerably - he was drifting.
“Me neither,” you admitted. “Let’s just stay forever.”
It sounded like a joke, earning a low chuckle from him. It didn’t feel like one, though.
“Whatever you want,” he murmured.
After a few moments, Steve went completely silent. His heartbeat was slower, and you sighed, rolling over to stare at the ceiling.
Without him to distract you, your mind started racing. The anxiety was gone - no, the feeling now was pure and utter dread. But, the most horrible part was when you glanced over at the man beside you - all you felt was butterflies, churning in your stomach like some sweet sickness.
You stared at Steve for a while - the rise and fall of his chest, his disheveled hair, the way the moonlight cast over his form, highlighting his silhouette.
“Hey, Steve? You awake?” you whispered through the darkness. No response.
You brought yourself up onto your elbow, leaning in just a bit closer. You’d never be able to tell him to his face, but this was the closest you’d get - maybe you just needed to get it out of your system. At least, that was what you told yourself.
“I love you, Steve,” you whispered. No response.
You promptly turned over under the covers, burying your face in the pillow. And, finally, the tears came. Fast and hot, they leaked onto the pillow, marking it like acid as you did your best to sob silently.
You were fucked. Completely and utterly ruined. For the first time in ages, you cried yourself to sleep. Before you finally drifted off, one question was on your mind:
What were you going to do when Steve left for good?
author's note: hi everyone! Thanks for your patience for this update! Work has been kicking my ass, and it's been harder to make time to write. Before anyone says anything, no, I don't speak Italian, nor have I been to Italy. I did my best, but some details were fabricated for the story, so if it's not accurate - oh well! Thanks to everyone for all the kind messages, and to my bestie Em for the endless inspiration. Likes, reblogs, and comments are always appreciated!
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