Focus. This is important. “You shouldn’t shut people out just because things get complicated.”
An excited shiver ran down her back as she felt the bulge of his erection begin to throb against her thighs. He unzipped the back of her dress and lowered it, exposing both her breasts to his eager mouth. She gave in to the pleasure of it and buried her hands deep in his hair, holding his head as his mouth teased and worshipped her. We can continue this talk later.
Across the cabin of the plane the attendant coughed nervously, and then Julia heard the sound of the cockpit door opening. What had she seen? It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered as the heat of the moment enveloped both of them. Theirs was a need that overrode everything else, even modesty.
Gio picked Julia up and turned her so she straddled his lap, claiming her mouth possessively with his as he did. He pulled at both sides of her gown until the material was bunched around her waist. His deft fingers pushed the material of her silk panties aside and dove between her lower lips.
“I need you. Here. Now.”
Julia hastily unbuttoned his shirt, pushing it aside so she could run her hands over his muscular chest and down his rock-hard abs. Between hot kisses, Julia said, “God, yes.”
He claimed her mouth, plundering and demanding, all the while working her with his fingers until she was wet and eager for him. “Stand up,” he ordered.
She did. She would have done anything for him in that moment.
“Take your dress off.”
She pushed her dress the rest of the way down and stepped out of it, and her satin panties.
He laid a hand on her stomach. “You are so perfect.”
He stood and also stripped, then pushed her down in the chair and pulled her forward so only the edge of her ass stopped her from falling to the floor at his feet. He sat in the chair across from her, and took his hard cock in his own hand. “I want to see you come for me, Julia.”
Julia slid a hand into her own wet folds and rubbed her throbbing clit. She rubbed it with an increasing speed. Slowly at first, then faster and faster. As she did, she watched him stroke himself, up and down. Growing even larger.
She reached up and kneaded her own breast, imagining that it was his hand. Spread open before him, she felt his hot gaze on her sex like a caress. Her hand clenched as heat spread through her and she came to a shuddering orgasm while he watched.
He stood, sheathed himself in a condom then pulled her to her feet and turned her around so she was facing the chair. With one hand he bent her over. His first thrust was deep and powerful and she muffled her cries in her hand. He held her hips in place and thrust again. Deeper. Harder. Building heat and waves of pleasure on what she’d brought to herself.
Julia gripped the chair arms as he pounded into her from behind. He slowed and eased himself out, then thrust back into her, and she cried out again before she thought to muffle the sound. He repeated the move and she stopped caring who heard her. She wanted it again and again. When she finally came it was with such volume that she was sure someone would open the cockpit door to make sure they were still alive.
He joined her in the orgasm. Then withdrew, cleaned himself off, and pulled her into his lap.
She collapsed onto his bare chest, loving how his heart beat loudly in her ear . . . slowing as hers did when they both came regained their senses.
As sanity returned, so did Julia’s questions. He gave his body to her freely, but when it came to his heart he still closed her out. She stood and put on her dress, adjusting it so it covered her once again. Gio disposed of the condom and refastened his own clothing. Both rumpled and flushed, they stood facing each other.
Julia asked, “Where are we going?”
He sat and pulled her back onto his lap, this time tucking her against his broad chest. “Venice.”
The idea of visiting one of the few places of her dreams was enough to distract her. She sat up. “Are you serious? Oh, my God, Venice. I forgive you for making me miss the wedding.” He didn’t look nearly as happy as she did about the idea. “If you were hoping to take someone who wouldn’t be excited about it, you picked the wrong woman. I’ve always dreamed of going there. The architecture. The bridges. The gondolas. I could orgasm again just thinking about it.”
He gave her a small smile. “My competition is a city?”
Julia didn’t deny it. “Only one. There is something about it that has always called to me.”
He studied her face. “It called to my father, also. He owned a palazzo on the Grand Canal.”
“A palace? Right on the main canal? Does your family still own it?”
“No.”
She placed a hand lightly on one of his cheeks. “Help me understand, Gio. I’m trying to.”
He looked out the plane window, collecting his thoughts before answering her. “I don’t completely understand it myself. I swore I would never return to Venice, but when I’m with you the past matters to me again. The truth matters.” He breathed in deeply, then said, “We should be landing soon. Tonight we’ll stay in a hotel north of Venice. Tomorrow we’ll take a water taxi into the city.”
Julia closed her eyes to a rush of emotions she couldn’t contain. She wanted to shake him and demand that he tell her what had upset him.
But she knew she’d lose him if she pushed him.
And she wasn’t ready for that.
*
The next morning, Julia stood beside Gio in the back of the water taxi as it sped across the lagoon toward Venice. The wind had whipped her long curls around until she’d rolled them into a ponytail and contained them with one hand. The taxi bounced in the waves, jostling her against Gio. He moved behind her, holding on to the wooden top of the boat with both hands and supporting her with his body. She smiled at him over her shoulder, and his breath caught in his throat.
She pointed to islands along the way with childlike enthusiasm. “What is that island?”
He studied the small, deserted island. “Isola Compalto?” He wasn’t sure.
She gave him a funny look. “You don’t know?”
He shrugged and shook his head. “I’m not a fan of Venice or Venetians. I don’t see the point. Why pour so much energy into something that was doomed from the start? So what if it sinks into the ocean? Build another city on better stilts, if that’s what you want, but don’t whine about the water if you choose to live in the middle it.”
Julia turned so she was facing him. “You are completely missing the point of Venice.”