I smiled happily at Sebastian, and he nodded his agreement.
“The bathroom is across the hall, signore; it is to share.”
He shrugged helplessly, as if to apologize for the smallness of his establishment, but I didn’t care. I imagined making love to Sebastian in that bed looking out over the Mediterranean.
“Breakfast is at 8 am, signore, signorina. There is a ristorante just two kilometers up the road. It is very good: run by my brother.”
“That sounds great,” said Sebastian.
“Ah, signore, one more thing: if you would mind not riding your motorcycle after dark. My mother doesn’t sleep well, you understand, and she has the room next door to yours.”
“That won’t be a problem,” I muttered, once he’d gone. “I’m not getting on that thing again tonight if you pay me.”
“Feeling a little tender, Ms. Venzi,” said Sebastian, grabbing me and rubbing my ass soothingly.
“Not really: it’s more the feeling that I’m still in motion.”
“I know something that will cure that,” he said, wickedly.
“Would that have anything to do with taking off our clothes and making mad, passionate love on that bed?” I said, frowning at him.
“It might have,” he said, eyeing me warily.
“Oh, alright then. I’ll try anything once.”
His double take was almost comical. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes, that’s a yes. But you’ll have to hurry, Chief – the ristorante probably closes before midnight.”
He glanced at his wristwatch, completely confused. “It’s only five o’clock?”
“Like I said: you’ll have to hurry.”
Understanding brought a smile to his beautiful lips.
“Well, in that case, woman, you’re wearing too many clothes.”
Finally, he was on the same page as me.
“By the way,” I said, before he got too caught up in the moment and knowing from experience that he could only concentrate on one thing at a time, “your fiancée?”
He grinned. “Seemed like a good idea at the time.”
“Hmm, well, I like my idea better: the one where we commit as many sins as possible in the shortest amount of time.”
And, to make my point, I unzipped his jacket and ran my hand down his chest, before tracing a finger around the waistband of his jeans.
I was interrupted in my further exploration by a knock at the door.
Looking irritated, Sebastian pulled it open.
“Ah, mi scusi, signore, signorina. I have just telephoned my brother: he is closing at 7.30 pm tonight. If you wish to eat there, it would be best if you leave now.”
“Thanks,” said Sebastian, shortly, and the little man darted away, not knowing how close he’d just gotten to a very pissed off Marine.
I couldn’t help laughing at his expression. “Rain check, Chief?”
He sighed, “Looks like.”
“Never mind: come on, let’s get you fed and then I can have my wicked way with you.”
“How wicked?”
“Not that wicked, so stop drooling. Just moderately naughty – it’s been a long day.”
Chapter 6
Hand in hand, we climbed up the steep lane to the ristorante. I couldn’t imagine how a place that was so out of the way could attract much business, but when we poked our heads through the door, I saw that my assumption was very wrong.
It was thronged with families, and children of all ages were sitting at the long, trestle tables like little adults.
The happy noise tailed off when they saw us, and an unsubtle whispering began. I heard the word ‘Americani’ several times before a man in a white shirt and black pants, whom I assumed was the owner, came hurrying over.