Sweet Christmas Kisses (117 page)

“What’s so special about this place?”

“It was a Roman bordello.” He stepped inside the little house.

“Seriously?”

“Look at the erotic painting on the walls. Naked women and exciting scenes. A nice little whorehouse.” He burst out laughing at her shocked expression.

They kept walking through the old streets and stopped to examine what looked like a bench with several round holes bored into the marble. The guide called them around and explained, “These are stalls. In winter, rich noble men used to send their male slaves early in the morning to sit on these benches and warm them so that their masters could come later and relieve themselves on a comfortable seat.”

“What about the women?” Julia blurted.

“No such luxury.” The male guide laughed. “They were supposed to behave decently and hide in the bushes.”

“Even back then, men were jerks,” Julia huffed.

“Much more than now.”

“I’m glad you’re part of a nice minority, Tony.” The tender note in her voice sent alarming tingles along his spine.

“Taking care of you is a pleasure.” The pleasure could get out of control in no time if he allowed it to. Damn it, he couldn’t believe how important Julia had become to him. He didn’t want their happy cruise to end. Soon he’d have to face the harsh reality that she was the pampered daughter of a wealthy senator and he was nothing but a hateful doctor in her eyes.

“What are we doing after Pompeii? We haven’t booked another excursion for the afternoon and I don’t want to go home yet.” She chuckled. “I mean to the ship. It has become my home away from home.”

“Our home.” He squeezed her hand. “How about we take a boat to Capri? We have four hours until the ship sails away from Naples. I’m glad we are both wearing comfortable sneakers and windbreakers.” For the last two days, Julia had surprised him by appearing in her
comfy
blue jeans,
as she called them. He called them tight, sexy and gorgeous on her.

Tony informed the guide they would not go back to the ship. He stopped a taxi that drove them straight to the port where they caught the next excursion boat to the island of Capri.

“
Grotto del Azura
,
signor e signora
?” A sailor called when they landed on the island.

“Why not? Julia, why don’t we visit the famous grotto first, then we can have a coffee and something to eat.”

The sailor helped them climb into the low-bottom row boat and sat in front of them. The boat glided inside the pitch black rocky cave. Tony wrapped his arm around Julia and she snuggled against him.
O Sole Mio,
the sailor sang.

“
Kiss me, my darling
,” Tony hummed against her hair. “My grandfather was Elvis’ biggest fan. He sang it all day long. I remember the words.”

“Oh how lovely,” Julia whispered. “A bit chilly, but such a romantic place.” He couldn’t resist and captured her lips for a searing kiss.

Slowly, their eyes adjusted to the darkness. He released her mouth but kept her in his arms. An ethereal blue color enveloped them and the music echoed from every stalactite in the rock. “It’s paradise here,” Julia said, expressing his own feelings.

The boat circled the grotto and brought them out to the light of the day. In Capri, they climbed to the top of the island and admired the view from a café while savoring a sandwich and a cappuccino. Later, Tony bought her a straw hat with
Capri
embroidered on it, and she offered him a blue cap with the same label. They wore them and had a passerby take a picture of them together.

Julia didn’t ask him what he wanted to do in the evening. Their routine included dinner, a show, and dance till the late hours. For nothing in the world would he give up the blessing of holding her in his arms for three hours while listening to the music. Later, he’d accompany her to the fourteenth deck landing but would not leave the elevator. He’d promised himself he’d not give in to temptation and risk hurting her again. Not when they had known each other for less than two weeks—but what a wonderful time that felt more like two years.

Standing in front of the elevator doors to prevent them from shutting, Julia held his arm. “Tomorrow is our Day Four with a stop in Rome and a business day for me. What do you plan to do while I attend the fashion convention?”

“I’m accompanying you.” He couldn’t wait to see her in her professional environment. “Unless you don’t want me there.” He arched a questioning eyebrow.

“Seriously, you want to come with me?” Her face brightened with a cheerful smile. “It might be boring for you, all these people discussing clothes and the latest designs.”

 “A new experience for me. I’m really interested. Don’t worry I’ll stay out of your way if you have to talk to colleagues. What’s the dress code? Casual or suit?”

“You look good in anything.” She winked at him.

“No fair. That should be my line, sweetheart.” He tickled her nose. “So how does my expert designer want me to dress? Something flashy and
avant-garde
or maybe a silvery science fiction costume?”

“A simple suit would do, mister. We’ll have a luncheon with the models and designers.”

“Very good. I’ll strive to be an appropriate and discreet companion tomorrow. Good night and sweet dreams.”

****

The next morning, at 6:30 a.m., Julia rushed to the gym in her spandex gym pants and top, her hair tied back in a pony tail.

“Good morning, sunshine.” Tony was already running on the treadmill.

After an hour of rigorous exercise on various pieces of equipment, they grabbed a muffin and a coffee. “See you at 9:00 am in the atrium, on deck five,” she specified before they split up to shower and get dressed.

She’d already prepared the orange and brown jersey shirtdress with collar and short sleeves and its matching cashmere jacket. Her brown stilettos and Coach Satchel handbag would be quite suitable for the event. After fluffing her hair on her shoulders and applying her makeup, she sprayed perfume on her neck and wrist and clipped big golden loops to her ears. The digital clock on the night table indicated 8:45, enough time to collect her short coat, wrap a silk scarf in a fancy bow around her neck, and check that she hadn’t forgotten her Smartphone, makeup kit and key. A last glance in the mirror reassured her she looked professional enough, at least for her line of business.

On deck five, she spotted Tony leaning against a column and playing with his phone. Darn but he looked good enough to eat with his gray suit, black shirt and red and silver tie. For a change his dark, wavy hair was neatly combed back. He smiled at her and she strode toward him.

“Julia, Julia.” The loud female voice sent a cold shiver along her spine. Determined to ignore it, Julia accelerated her pace. Running feet pounded behind her. “Julia, wait.” The high-pitched tone amplified and fingers clawed her shoulders.

Julia turned to face her former classmate. A big hug engulfed her. Of all the bad luck, the daughter of her father’s worst rival was on the same cruise ship. What a bummer.

Stifling her annoyance, Julia extricated herself from the woman’s arms. “Hello, Mary-Beth.”

“I saw you from far off. I couldn’t believe it was you. Good God, what are you doing here? We read the announcement. It said you postponed the wedding. Why? What happened? Where is your groom?” The questions torpedoed one after the other.

In the background, Tony straightened and arched his eyebrows. She rolled her eyes. He’d already approached and stood not far from them, craning his neck to catch bits of the conversation.

Julia slowly shifted her position to face him and have Mary-Beth giving him her back. “Nothing much happened. As you read, the wedding was delayed. That’s all.”

With a brusque movement, Mary-Beth clutched Julia’s hand and shot her a sardonic look. “You’re not wearing your famous rock. So you called off the wedding, Ms. Dutton, and you’re enjoying the cruise on your own. What a pity.”

“Thanks for your concern,” Julia answered with the same tone. “My ring is in the safe at home. Too big to risk losing it abroad. And yes I am on my own here. On a business trip,” she added on a sudden inspiration.

“A business trip on a cruise?” Mary-Beth exclaimed. Her laughter grated on Julia’s ear. “Who are you kidding?”

Julia raised her chin and stared the woman down. “A fashion convention in Rome, my dear. You know I made a career as a designer of women’s clothes. Since the cruise was already paid, I wasn’t going to waste it and fly to Rome only for the convention.”

“Oh I see. Is Clyde with you?”

“Of course not. He’s busy at his hospital.”

“Ah, so something happened between you two.” Julia was tempted to smack the woman’s satisfied smiled. “When a bride cancels her wedding a week before the ceremony there’s always a good reason, right?” She laughed. “A juicy one, obviously. I’m sure you didn’t come on your own. So who is he? You can trust me with your secret.”

Julia suppressed a huff. “You’ll have to excuse me. I don’t want to be late for my conference.” She frowned and noticed Tony had loosened his tie, shoved it in his pocket, and ruffled his hair on his forehead. Good God, he was coming toward them with a swaying stride.

What was he up to?

“Julia,
cara
, you are gonna make me late for the fashion show,” he drawled with an exaggerated Italian accent and an effeminate lilt. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other and tilted his head. Laughter bubbled in Julia’s throat. She pressed a hand to her mouth and coughed a few times.

Mary-Beth’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets. “And who is that?”

With both hands, Tony raised the collar of his shirt and arranged it over his jacket with affected mannerism. “Julia, why are you waiting to introduce me to your friend?” Without waiting for Julia to clear her throat, Tony took Mary-Beth’s hands with the tip of his fingers and hardly pressed them. “I’m Tonino, Julia’s assistant. And you are one of her best friends, yes?”

“Mary-Beth Anderson Thomas is my former classmate. She’s also the daughter of Herb Anderson who is running against Dad for the senate.

“I am charmed to meet you, Ms. Anderson. Now, Julia, if you are not coming right away I am going alone. I can’t afford to be late and miss the first presentation, usually the best one.” He turned away as if to leave.

Mary-Beth leaned toward Julia’s ear. “He’s cute but...” She chuckled. “No wonder Clyde let you go on this cruise. A gay protector? Interesting. Have a great day at the fashion convention with Tonino.”

“See you later, Ms. Anderson.” Tony grabbed Julia’s hand and pulled her away toward the landing gate.

They showed their room cards to the security officer and disembarked. “We’ll need a taxi,” Toni said.

“Walk to the end of the dock. You’ll find dozens of taxis.”

“Thank you.” They strolled along the dock.

“You were pretty funny with Mary-Beth, but why did you put on this act?”

“To get you out of her clutches and protect our backs in case she sees us together again. Now she’s convinced there’s no juicy story between you and that gay fashion designer.” He said the last part with a thin effeminate voice and she burst out laughing.

 In the taxi, the pre-cruise events and stress hit her full bore. A deep sigh escaped her.

“Talk to me, Julia. Are you worried your family will learn about the cruise and my presence with you?”

“No.” She shrugged and rubbed her knees. “I couldn’t care less. No one has the right to interfere in my life.”

“Okay, maybe you’re afraid of a scandal affecting your father’s campaign?”

“Scandals are bound to surround every campaign.” She huffed. “Ten years ago when my father ran for the senate for the first time, an asshole reporter dug deep into my family past and found out that my parents separated years ago because my father had an affair. Mom forgave him though. They got back together and I was born nine months later. I didn’t know their secret. Mom cried a lot thinking I would hate my dad. Josh got upset and beat the reporter. Finally things settled and Dad was elected. So I don’t care if I generate a new scandal.”

“
Dove undarre
?” the taxi driver asked.

“Huh...” She tried to remember the address. “
Via Vennetto
, the Art Theater.” She turned her head toward the window but hardly paid attention to the monuments they passed.

“So what is bothering you so much?” Tony took her hand in his. “Julia, please share your feelings with me.” Tenderness underlined his words. She squeezed his fingers back.

“This week we’ve been in dreamland. A moment of paradise we stole from our reality.”

“I feel the same, Julia.” He kissed her fingers one after the other.

“We were roaming freely on the ship, sharing dinner, dancing and exercising together, enjoying every minute.
She
spoiled our freedom, our time together.” Julia sniffled, fighting tears at the thought she wouldn’t be able to see Tony at her leisure.

“Listen, sweetheart. We have only a few days left. Today we’ll be at the fashion show. Tomorrow we’ll visit Rome on our own and then Venice. We won’t be on the ship much.”

“There is a formal dinner tomorrow. It would have been fun.”

“We’ll attend the formal and I promise we’ll have fun. And if
she
catches us together, I’ll wave my little finger and play my act.” Julia chuckled at his antics. “Meanwhile, since I’m not gay, I need a taste of heaven.”

He cupped her face between his palms and molded his mouth on her.

Oh Tony, I want to kiss your every day and every night.

Tony had never thought he’d enjoy a fashion show so much. For him, the real entertainment was observing Julia while she watched the parade of models. “Tony,” she gripped his arm. “This is my first outfit. How do you like it? Notice how the navy linen pants flare at the ankles, and the white lace enhances the scoop neck of the blouse.”

“Hmm, I’m sure it would be even nicer on you.” He sent her a sideways glance. With her lovely figure, any piece of clothing would look perfect on her—and the lack of it would be much better. He closed his eyes to reverse the erotic direction of his thoughts.