Maya took a deep breath, bracing herself for the conversation she knew she had to have. She had been thinking about it all day, and now it was time to finally address the issue with Sarah. She pressed the intercom button on her desk and called her assistant into the office.
"Sarah, can you come in here for a minute?"
A few moments later, Sarah walked in, her usual bright smile in place, though it faltered slightly when she saw the serious expression on Maya's face.
"What's up, Maya?" Sarah asked, trying to keep her tone casual.
Maya gestured for her to sit down. "We need to talk about something important."
Sarah's smile faded completely, and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Okay… What's going on?"
Maya leaned forward, folding her hands on her desk. "You've been a great assistant, Sarah, but I've been discussing with the partners, and we've decided that it's time for a change. There's an opportunity for you in our San Francisco office—a promotion, actually. You'd be working as the assistant to one of our new partners there. It's a great chance to further your career."
Sarah stared at her in disbelief, her eyes narrowing. "A transfer? To San Francisco? Are you kidding me?"
Maya kept her voice calm, though she could see the anger building in Sarah's expression. "I'm not kidding, Sarah. This is a great opportunity for you. San Francisco is a vibrant city, and this promotion could really open doors for you."
Sarah's jaw tightened, and she crossed her arms defensively. "So, you're just shipping me off because of her, aren't you? Because of Carina?"
Maya shook her head, trying to keep the conversation professional. "This isn't about Carina. This is about your career. You've been doing great work here, and this promotion is a recognition of that. But it's also about finding the right fit for everyone involved."
Sarah scoffed, leaning back in her chair. "Right, and that 'right fit' just happens to be me out of your life. You think I don't see what's going on, Maya? You're just trying to get rid of me."
Maya sighed, knowing this wasn't going to be easy. "I'm not trying to get rid of you, Sarah. I'm trying to give you a fresh start in a new city with a bigger role. You deserve that."
Sarah stood up abruptly, her face flushed with anger. "I don't want a fresh start, Maya. I want to stay here, where I belong. But I guess that doesn't matter to you, does it?"
Maya remained seated, keeping her tone steady. "I understand this is difficult, but the decision has been made. The transfer is happening, and it's going to be a great opportunity for you. I want you to see that."
Sarah glared at her, her hands clenched into fists. "You think you can just control everything, don't you? But you're making a mistake, Maya. You'll regret this."
Without waiting for a response, Sarah stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind her. Maya exhaled slowly, leaning back in her chair. She knew it wasn't going to be easy, but she also knew it was the right decision. Now, she just had to hope that Sarah would come around and see it that way too.
As the door slammed shut behind Sarah, Maya sighed deeply, letting the tension of the conversation slowly dissipate. She barely had a moment to collect herself before the door opened again, and Jack stepped in. He glanced over his shoulder, watching Sarah storm down the hallway, then turned his attention back to Maya.
"That didn't look like it went well," Jack remarked, raising an eyebrow as he closed the door behind him.
Maya leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples. "No, it didn't. I knew she wouldn't take it well, but I didn't expect it to go quite that badly."
Jack walked over and took a seat across from her, his usual laid-back demeanor now tinged with concern. "Did you offer her the promotion in San Francisco?"
Maya nodded. "I did, but she was furious. She thinks I'm pushing her out because of Carina. She wasn't even willing to hear me out about the opportunity."
Jack frowned, folding his arms across his chest. "Sarah's been around a long time. I'm not surprised she's taking it personally, but this is probably for the best. You need to focus on your work and your relationship without all this extra stress."
Maya let out another sigh. "I know. But I still feel like I'm sending her away, even if it is for a good reason. She's been a great assistant—when she's not overstepping boundaries, that is."
Jack gave her a sympathetic smile. "You're doing what you have to do. And honestly, she'll be fine in San Francisco. It's a great city, and if she's as good as you say, she'll thrive there. Plus, it's a fresh start for everyone."
Maya nodded, though the weight of the decision still hung heavy on her shoulders. "I just hope she can see it that way eventually. I don't want to leave things on bad terms."
Jack stood up, offering her a reassuring look. "Give her some time. Once she cools down and sees the opportunity for what it is, she might come around. And if not, well, you did what you could. It's time to move forward."
Maya managed a small smile, appreciating Jack's support. "Thanks, Jack. I guess now we just wait and see how she handles the news."
Jack gave her a quick nod before heading to the door. "You're doing the right thing, Maya. Just remember that."
— — —
After a long day at work, Maya and Carina found themselves unwinding on the rooftop of their penthouse, the sun slowly dipping below the horizon. The sky was painted in hues of pink, orange, and purple, casting a warm glow over the city. It was one of those perfect summer evenings where the air was warm but not stifling, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the potted plants scattered around the rooftop terrace.
Carina had prepared a couple of cocktails, a glass of wine for herself, and a whiskey neat for Maya. She handed the glass to Maya with a smile, brushing her fingers lightly against hers. "Here's to surviving another day," she teased, her Italian accent wrapping around the words with a playful lilt.
Maya chuckled, accepting the drink and taking a sip. "And to making it back home to each other," she added, clinking her glass gently against Carina's. They settled into the comfortable outdoor lounge chairs, side by side, as they watched the sun sink lower in the sky.
For a while, they simply enjoyed the peaceful moment, the city sounds distant below them, the sky shifting through its palette of colors. Carina leaned into Maya's side, resting her head on her shoulder, her fingers gently tracing patterns on Maya's arm. Maya, in turn, wrapped her arm around Carina's shoulders, pulling her closer.
"This is nice," Carina murmured, her voice soft. "I love our time like this, away from everything, just us."
Maya nodded, taking another sip of her whiskey. "I do too. It's moments like these that remind me how lucky I am to have you."
Carina tilted her head up to look at Maya, her eyes soft with affection. "I feel the same way, Bambina. No matter how crazy life gets, I know I have you to come home to. And that makes everything worth it."
Maya smiled, leaning down to press a kiss to Carina's forehead. "You're the best part of my day, every day."
Carina smirked, "You know what would be amazing also?"
Maya laughed, "What crazy thing do you have in mind, I can see it in the look on your face."
"Well its not that crazy and we did already discuss it some." Carina started, "Remember when we said it would be wonderful to have a hot tub or a small infinity pool up here to relax in especially on cold winter nights."
"Oh, yes I do remember us talking about this after a particularly athletic session in the hot tub" Maya laughed, "What vision do you have in mind?"
"Ok, so I have been thinking," Carina turned towards Maya, "I think we should get a hybrid plunge pool. That way it an be cooled in the summer and warmed in the winter."
Carina then got up walking to the area of the roof she imagined the hot tub in. "See if it was placed right here not far off the wall we could get a small rock waterfall feature also. The gardens we can shape around the area with an almost secret walking path into the plunge pool. I was looking at some models but I do think a custom built one would fit best. If we did a 'T' shaped pool, it would give us the ability to seat 8 if we want, and would not interfere with the view of the sky line and the sound. We can get it set up to be salt water system with a jet in the middle to create a static swim option to do laps or exercise if you wanted."
Maya walked over wrapping her arms around Carina and pulling her close. "So you did a little thinking on this matter." Maya laughed "I guess we are going to have to hire a pool guy also."
"Well the best thing is it has a lot of built in automated cleaning, but yeah, I wouldn't know what I was doing if I tried to maintain it." Carina smiled as she kissed Maya.
"I guess you should hire that pool guy then" Maya laughed.
"Is this a yes?" Carina shouted.
"Yes, I mean now that you explained it to me I can't wait to be in the pool next to you." Maya kissed Carina deeper.
They lapsed into comfortable silence again, watching as the last sliver of the sun disappeared below the horizon, leaving behind a deepening twilight. The city lights began to twinkle, mirroring the stars that were just starting to appear in the darkening sky.
Carina got up to head back into the penthouse as the air got a bit chilly. She grabbed Maya's hand to follow her. As they got inside Maya wrapped her arms around Carina from behind, kissing her neck from her ear to her collar bone.
As Maya begins to run her hands under Carina's shirt she finds the feeling of lace, and smiles into Carina's neck while she is kissing her. Carina turns pushing Maya up against the wall of their bedroom, grinding her knee just perfectly against Maya's rapidly hardening bulge.
"Off Now" Maya whispers as she begins to help Carina remove her clothes revealing a white lingerie set, Maya had not seen before.
Maya's fingers trace over the lace at Carina's neckline, and her eyes follow. "How did I get so lucky? What did I ever do to deserve someone like you?"
Carina put your hand over Maya's. "I'm the lucky one." Maya looks up at Carina and kisses her again, softly and slowly. It's so lovely and sweet.
"Mmm," Maya hums, and her hips grind against Carina.
"Please." Carina begs feeling some of the needed pressure in-between her legs.
"Soon, baby," she says, and then Maya kisses Carina again, her hands are on Carina's face. Maya's cock is rock hard, and she's grinding against Carina. Her hips are moving in circles, and Carina is so wet and ready.
Maya pulls away and looks down at Carina. Her eyes are hooded, and her breath is heavy. "Fuck, I want you."
"Maya…Cazzo" Carina pleads
"I will. But first..." Maya starts kissing down Carina's body. Her mouth trails down the middle of Carina's chest, over her stomach, and then Maya's tongue dips inside her belly button, making her gasp. Maya's lips are so soft against Carina's skin, and when she gets to Carina's core, her eyes are looking up at Carina, asking permission.
"Yes. I'm yours." Carina pants
"Fuck yes, you are," as her hands pull down what's left of Carina's lingerie, and she throws it on the floor with everything else. Maya leans forward and places a kiss on the inside of each of Carina's thighs, and then her tongue is on Carina's clit.
Carina gasps, her head falling back, and then she look down at Maya. She's so sexy, with her hair all messed up.
Maya flicks her tongue against Carina and then licks the length of her core, her eyes on Carina's the entire time.
"Maya," Carina moans.
Maya keeps going, licking, sucking, nibbling. Carina's hands go to her hair, grasping, pulling. She hums against Carina's skin, and it vibrates through her body.
"Maya...please..." Carina begs. Maya doesn't stop.
"I need you," Carina whines. Maya's tongue enters Carina, and she moans. Carina bucks against Maya, wanting more, but she's holding Carina down. Maya keeps licking, her tongue slipping inside and out and then back on Carina's clit. Carina tries to move again, and this time, Maya lets her.
Carina thrusts against Maya's mouth, Carina's clit rubbing against her lips. Maya sucks it into her mouth, and Carina cries out.
"That's it," Maya murmurs. "Cum for me."
"Cazzo!" Carina screams. Maya's mouth is on her, her tongue circling around, and she slides a finger inside Carina.
Carina grips Maya's hair tighter, and then her orgasm is building. Carina's body is tense, her breath is ragged, and Maya's so good at this, and Carina's so ready, and then her fingers are curling inside Carina and Carina cums, crying out, pulling her hair, shaking. Carina collapsed back onto the bed, panting.
"Mrs. Deluca-Bishop," Maya says in awe. Carina smiles, and she climbs up Carina's body and kisses her.
"I can't believe you're mine." Carina smiled.
"Always," Maya's lips are on Carina's, and she's rolling her hips. Maya's cock is hard and pressing against Carina.
Carina reaches between the two of them and takes her in her hand, stroking Maya's cock, and then she's positioning herself at Carina's entrance.
"Tell me you're mine," Maya whispers.
"Always," Carina answers.
"Say it." Maya begs.
"I'm yours, Maya I'm yours." Carina pleads. Maya kisses Carina and enters her. Both Carina and Maya moan, and her forehead rests against Carina as she slowly fills her.
"Baby," Maya whispers.
"Mmm," Carina hums, her hands resting on her back.
"You're mine." Maya smiles as she thrust inside her.
"I'm yours." Carina panted back. Maya slowly moves her hips in and out."Dio, Maya. I love you." Carina said before she knew the words leaving her lips.
Maya paused her thrusts, leaning back to look Carina in the eyes. Maya could see lust, slight panic and something else flash through Carina's eyes.
"I Love you too, baby. Love you so much." Maya breathed out as she resumed her thrusts. Maya's brain attempted to start overthinking but the pleasure coming from her dick sliding in and out of Carina's slick folds over rode any chance for that to start.
"I'm all yours. Forever." Carina cries out as she locks her legs around Maya's waist.
"Forever," Maya kisses Carina again, her tongue entering Carina's mouth as she moves inside her. Maya picks up the pace, her cock thrusting into Carina, and then her hand slips between them, and Maya's circling Carina's clit with her thumb.
Carina moans, and Maya's mouth is on hers. Carina tightens her legs around Maya's hips, pulling him closer, and Maya's hand is in Carina's hair, pulling.
"Cazzo, Maya," and Carina's orgasm is building again.
Maya kisses her neck, licking, sucking, biting, and then her voice is in Carina's ear. "Cum for me, amore." Maya's cock is thrusting inside Carina, her thumb rubbing Carina's clit, and her breath hot on Carina's skin, and then her voice is telling Carina she loves her, and Carina is falling apart.
Carina cries out, her nails digging into Maya's skin, her legs tightening around Maya, and then Maya's cumming, too, her cock throbbing, her mouth on Carina's neck, her breathing ragged.
"Maya, yes," and Carina is riding out the wave with Maya.
After, stilling Maya's lips are on Carina's neck, and her arms are wrapped around Carina. Carina can feel Maya inside her and never wanting her to pull out.
"Maya," Carina whispered.
"Mmm," Maya mumbles.
"I love you." Carina whispers into Maya's ear.
"I love you, too." Maya whispers back placing a kiss on Carina's neck.
Carina runs her hands up and down Maya's back, and Maya kisses her neck lovingly.
"I'm yours, Maya." Carina repeats.
Maya raises her head to look at Carina. "Always."
Carina smiles. "Always."
Maya kisses Carina, her cock still inside Carina. She starts to move her hips, and then she's hard again.
Carina gasps, and Maya's kissing her.
"Ready?" Maya asks.
"Cazzo, yes," Carina answers, and then Maya's moving inside her.
— — —
Carina woke Maya up early the next morning, her voice soft but insistent as she gently shook Maya's shoulder. "Bambina, wake up. I have a surprise for you."
Maya groaned, half-asleep, and buried her face deeper into the pillow. "What time is it?" she mumbled, her voice muffled.
"It's early," Carina replied with a playful smile. "But trust me, it's worth it. I'm taking you to the farmers market."
That got Maya's attention. She turned her head to look at Carina, blinking away the sleep. "Farmers market? I've never been to one before."
Carina's eyes lit up with excitement. "Exactly! That's why we're going. It's one of my favorite things to do on weekends, and I want to share it with you. Plus, we can get fresh ingredients for dinner tonight. You'll love it, I promise."
Maya yawned and stretched, slowly sitting up in bed. "Alright, alright. I'm up. But only because you're so excited about it."
Carina beamed, kissing Maya's cheek. "You won't regret it. Now, get dressed. We need to get there early to find the best produce."
Within half an hour, they were out the door and on their way to the farmers market. The morning air was crisp, and the sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden glow over the city. As they walked, Carina's excitement was infectious, and Maya found herself looking forward to the experience despite the early hour.
When they arrived, the market was already bustling with activity. Stalls lined the streets, overflowing with colorful fruits, vegetables, flowers, and homemade goods. The air was filled with the scent of fresh bread, herbs, and coffee, mingling together in a way that made Maya's stomach rumble.
Carina took Maya's hand and led her through the market, pointing out her favorite vendors and sharing stories about the different stalls. "This is where I always get my tomatoes," Carina said, stopping at a stall overflowing with ripe, red tomatoes. "They're the sweetest you'll ever taste. And over there," she pointed to a stall selling fresh bread, "they have the best focaccia. We have to get some."
Maya watched Carina with a mix of amusement and admiration. She loved seeing this side of her wife—the way Carina's eyes sparkled with excitement, how she chatted with the vendors in Italian, and her obvious passion for food and cooking. It was clear that this place held a special meaning for Carina, and Maya felt honored to be a part of it.
As they moved from stall to stall, Maya found herself getting more and more into the spirit of the market. She picked out a bundle of fresh herbs, sampled some local honey, and even bought a bouquet of wildflowers for their dining table. Carina smiled approvingly at her choices, offering tips on how to use the ingredients in their meals.
By the time they left the market, their bags were full of fresh produce, bread, cheese, and other goodies. Maya felt a sense of contentment and satisfaction that surprised her. "You were right," she admitted as they walked home. "That was actually really fun. I can see why you love it."
Carina smiled, leaning in to kiss her. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Bambina. I loved sharing it with you. Now, let's go home and make something delicious with all of our finds."
Maya grinned, feeling a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the rising sun. "I'm all in. Lead the way, Chef DeLuca-Bishop."
— — —
Carina stood at the kitchen counter, the aroma of freshly chopped herbs and sizzling garlic filling the air as she prepared lunch. The sun streamed through the large windows, casting a warm glow over the space. Maya sat at the kitchen island, her laptop open in front of her, tapping away at the keyboard as she tried to juggle work and conversation with Carina.
"Something smells amazing," Maya commented, glancing up from her screen to watch Carina move gracefully around the kitchen.
"Grazie, Bambina," Carina replied with a smile, tossing the herbs into the pan. "I'm making a simple pasta dish. Something light but flavorful."
Maya nodded appreciatively and returned her attention to the email notifications that had just popped up on her screen. As she scanned through them, one in particular caught her eye. It was from a well-known lifestyle magazine, requesting an interview about their recent honeymoon and their relationship.
"Hey, Carina," Maya said, her tone curious as she looked up from her laptop. "I just got an email from a magazine. They want to do an interview about our honeymoon and relationship. Did you get the same email?"
Carina paused for a moment, then turned off the stove and faced Maya, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "Yes, I did. I've been meaning to talk to you about it. I wasn't sure if you'd be interested in doing the interview."
Maya leaned back in her chair, considering the idea. "I mean, it could be fun, but I'm also not sure how much I want to share with the world. Our honeymoon was so special and personal. I don't want it to feel like we're putting our private life on display."
Carina nodded in agreement, her expression thoughtful. "That's exactly what I was thinking. While I love the idea of sharing our story, I'm also protective of what we have. Some things are just for us."
Maya smiled, appreciating Carina's perspective. "We could always set some boundaries if we decide to do it. Share what we're comfortable with and keep the rest for ourselves."
Carina returned the smile, moving to stand beside Maya. "I like that idea. We could focus on the travel aspects, maybe even talk about how our relationship has grown, but keep the intimate details to ourselves."
Maya reached out to take Carina's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm glad we're on the same page. Let's think about it a bit more, and we can respond together when we're sure about what we want to do."
Carina leaned down to kiss Maya softly. "I love how we make decisions together. It's one of the many reasons I'm so happy with you."
As they enjoyed their lunch, Maya and Carina settled into a comfortable rhythm, savoring the meal and each other's company. After a few moments of quiet contentment, Maya looked up from her plate with a thoughtful expression.
"Do you remember last night?" Maya asked, her voice soft but carrying a note of nostalgia.
Carina glanced at her with a warm smile, her eyes twinkling. "How could I forget? I had four mind blowing orgasms"
Maya nodded, setting her fork down. "I've been thinking about it a lot today. We were pretty amazing together last night. When we first said 'I love you'… it was just so perfect."
Carina's smile widened as she remembered. "It really was. I've been reflecting on it too. I was worried a little at first, when we said it during sex."
Maya leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "I remember feeling a mix of nervousness and exhilaration. I was so sure about what I felt for you, but saying it out loud made it so real."
Carina's gaze was tender as she reached out to take Maya's hand. "For me, it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I had been feeling these emotions so strongly, and when you said it, it felt like we were sealing something beautiful and lasting between us."
Maya squeezed Carina's hand gently, her eyes reflecting her deep affection. "I think what made it even more special was how natural it was. There was no pressure, no expectations. It just happened, and it felt like the most honest expression of what we have."
Carina nodded in agreement, her eyes softening. "Yes, it was. And hearing you say it made me feel even more connected to you. It's like we're building this incredible life together, layer by layer, and that moment was a beautiful addition."
Maya smiled, her heart swelling with love. "I'm so grateful for us, for everything we've shared, and for how we continue to grow together. It's moments like these that remind me of how lucky I am to have you in my life."
Carina's smile was radiant as she leaned across the table to give Maya a quick, affectionate kiss. "I feel the same way. Last night was just another reminder of how deep my love for you runs. I'm excited for all the future moments we'll share."