Sweet Christmas Kisses (119 page)

His answer came right away.
You OK? T.

She texted back.
Great. Glad she didn’t find any evidence. LOL. J.

While enjoying a hot shower, Julia pondered the early visit of her father’s rival’s daughter. The woman was determined to stir trouble. Julia mentally thanked Toni for being extra careful. Now that her head had cleared, Julia realized she’d rather avoid a scandal that would cause her and her family a lot of hassle. But how on Earth would she avoid her nemesis tonight at the formal ball?

In a record time, Julia donned her blue jeans, a black turtle neck, and sneakers. Without bothering with makeup, she pulled back her hair and rolled it into a tight bun she hid under a cap. No need to attract attention with fancy clothes or hair floating on her shoulders. After she exited the ship, she strolled along the line of cabs waiting for passengers.

A man approached her. “
Signorina
Julia,
Signor
Tony is in my taxi.”

“Good.” She followed him, climbed in next to Tony and nestled in his arms. His fresh masculine scent reassured her. With him she’d never have to worry about spiteful people.

“So the woman is a pain. Let’s forget her for the day,” he suggested.

“Oh I’m determined to enjoy our tour of Rome. Can we start with St. Peter’s Basilica before the lines get too long?”

“Absolutely.”

After a short wait in line, they entered the magnificent cathedral. At the door, Tony stopped her. “Make a wish. My Italian grandmother said we should always make a wish when entering a church for the first time.”

“Does it work?”

He shrugged. “We’ll see.”

She frowned and bit her lip, and wished to keep Tony forever at her side, to have him love her, to get rid of Clyde permanently, to avoid scandal for her parents.

“Boy, that’s a very long wish.” Tony chuckled. “You’ve been rooted in place for two minutes. Can you share?”

“Nope. A wish in church is sacred. Come, let’s kiss St. Peter’s toe.”

“St. Peter’s toe?”

“Yes, I read in my tour guide of Italy that in the Middle Ages, pilgrims who reached Rome touched and kissed the foot of the statue.”

Tony contemplated the bronze statue of St. Peter holding the keys to the kingdom of heaven while Julia bent to kiss the big toe of the saint. “No wonder it’s worn thin.” But he followed suit and touched the famous toe.

They toured the Basilica and stopped to admire the various altars and the vaulted ceiling, then they rushed to the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, and stared at the
Last Judgment
painted by Michelangelo.

On St. Peter Plaza, they found their driver waiting for them. “Coliseum next and then the Forum,” Julia requested, following the list of Roman landmarks she’d noted as important to visit.

“I’ll have to come back to Italy and visit all these places at my leisure,” she declared when they left the Palatine Hill and the Forum monuments.

“It’s already three o’clock and we haven’t eaten anything all day.” Count on Tony to worry about his meals.

“We only have two hours left, hardly enough time to see the Spanish Steps.” Julia insisted on climbing the hundred and thirty-five steps leading to the Church of the Trinity.

“We should head for the ship soon.”

“Only one more stop. To the Trevi Fountain. We have to throw a coin to be sure we’ll come back one day.”

“If you say so,” Tony said with a resigned tone, but his eyes lit when the driver told them that the
gelato
store in front of the fountain sold the best ice creams in the world. While Julia kept studying every statue in the fountain, he bought them two delicious
cassata siciliana
and savored his with an ecstatic smile. “
Delicioso
.”

“Now let’s hurry to the ship. I hardly have time to get dressed for the formal.” Julia grabbed his hand and ran to the taxi.

Later in the evening, Toni couldn’t take his eyes off the lovely vision exuding bold, elegant appeal in a black, sleeveless floor-length dress with a sequined mesh overlay. And the
Murano
necklace he’d given her adorned her neck.

“Well, you did wonders in such a short time.” The side slit of her evening gown and the stiletto sandals enhanced the length of her gorgeous legs. “Did you design it too?” A pang of jealousy speared him at the thought of Julia’s ex-fiancé inspiring this seductive dress.

“Of course. And I sewed it myself because the seamstresses were too busy with clients’ orders. This was not one of my honeymoon outfits. I made it especially for our cruise.”

Joy exploded in Tony’s heart. She had him in mind while sewing it. “Stand still and smile. I want a picture. Actually several.”

She offered him a dazzling smile. Little did she know he was already utterly dazzled by her sleek silhouette and the generous décolletage exposed by the deep V-neckline. He clicked on his camera. “Now we can go to dinner.”

“I should compliment you too. You’re smashing in your tuxedo.”

“You like it? I rented it on the ship. You’re so beautiful. I didn’t want to embarrass you.”

“Oh Tony, you could never embarrass me. I’m so happy to hold your arm.” To prove her point she hooked her fingers in the crook of his elbow.

While leading her to their dining room, Tony surveyed the crowd waiting at the door and groaned at the ogles coming in their direction. His companion was too stunning not to be noticed by the male population, but with three-thousand people on board scattered between five restaurants, they might not encounter irritating acquaintances.

At the end of the dinner, the lights were turned off and music blared. Waiters and cooks, wearing their tall chef’s hats paraded, each holding a plate of
baked Alaska
adorned with a lighted candle as they sang a well-known tune. The guests joined in the song—Julia included. Tony shot more pictures and wished he could freeze the moment in time.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the maître d’ announced. “I hope you’ll gather in the atrium where our lovely ladies will start the flow of our champagne fountain.”

“Let’s go, Tony.”

Soon the guests bustled around the four decks of the atrium. Not too far from the band playing lively tunes on the lowest deck, Julia remained at Tony’s side. Partially hidden by a Christmas tree from the eager tourists bending over the rails to click pictures, she watched the waiters stack the champagne flutes in the form of a tree.

Helped by ship officers, the elegant women climbed the three steps leading to the high platform and the sparkling tree, and poured more champagne on the top glass. The bubbly liquid cascaded down from one flute to the other forming a charming fountain.

“Isn’t that lovely?” Julia stepped forward for a better look.

“And now to fill the last glass...” The cruise director scanned the crowd. His gaze settled on Julia. He smiled and came to her. “Ms., please, would you do us the honor of pouring the final bottle?”

“Sure.” She smiled, glanced at Tony, and accepted the cruise director’s arm to be led to the platform. She climbed up the steps and poured the last bottle. The crowd cheered and applauded. Camera flashes flared.

Soon the waiters distributed the champagne while a band blasted rock music. Tony tugged Julia to the dance floor. They started swaying, shaking, and kicking their feet to the music while the waiters cleared the platform. Her handsome companion spun her into his arms and out again. She laughed as they moved to the fast-paced songs.

When the rock series ended and the lights dimmed, Julia nestled in Tony’s arms for a welcome slow dance. More couples cluttered the dance floor and formed a human hedge around them. With no sign of her nemesis, Julia enjoyed every minute of the reception. “Oh Tony, what a fantastic evening.”

Would her happy time last beyond the cruise? What would it take to keep dating Tony?

“You were the most elegant lady here tonight,” he murmured against her hair. “The most beautiful woman on this ship. Actually, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.” His warm breath fanned her nape and he rained kisses along her temple and cheek.

Delighted by his attentions, she tilted her head just enough to meet his lips. He responded without hesitation and his mouth closed over hers. She forgot her worries and the crowd around her. His breath-stealing kiss was the best gift he could give her.

When he glided his lips to her jaw, she opened her eyes and sighed, utterly content.

Leaning against the rail of the deck above them, a camera in his hand, a man grinned and waved.

She flinched. Jeff Anderson, Mary-Beth’s husband.

“Anything wrong?” Immediately on alert, Tony frowned. He didn’t know Jeff.

Why spoil their cozy moment? She offered him a tender smile. When he relaxed, she raised her gaze to the upper deck. The man was not there anymore. He’d probably already taken all the pictures he’d wanted and left the area.

A shudder racked her. But did she really care about any pictures or scandal? Only Tony counted now.

She heaved a deep sigh. “The cruise will end after tomorrow. We have only one day left together.”
And two nights
.

His gaze caught her eyes and smoldered with intensity.

“One day and two nights,” he whispered against her mouth.

“Slow down. Where are we going?” Julia said as Tony pulled her by the hand to the elevator.

“To your room. Can you change into something simpler?”

“Sure.” Her lips parted on a smile. “Are you staying in my room?”

“I can’t. This opulent place holds too many ghosts. You ex and your former classmate.” He didn’t say more and withdrew into his somber thoughts.

Her smile slanted into a grimace. What would he say if he heard about Jeff?

In her room, he pulled her into his arms. “Darling, I have a better idea.” A mischievous spark danced in his hazel eyes.

“Yes?”

“Just go change for now. Something low key.”

“No problem.”

He gave her a quick kiss on the lips and opened the door. “Meet me in our favorite Skywalk lounge.”

“That’s all?” Darn, she loved dancing with him, still she hoped...

“For the time being.” He winked at her and closed the door behind him.

Groaning and huffing, she carefully slid down her special dress and hung it up. Her irritation slipped away as she recalled Tony’s admiring gazes and the kisses that had followed. She caressed the expensive material with a light hand. “You didn’t do too badly. Let’s see what he has in mind to finish the night the right way.” If only he could finish it the way she dreamed of... with her in his arms and a promise to keep seeing each other in Boston.

Determined to have faith in Tony, she donned a pair of black silk pants and a matching see-through lace blouse, and brushed her hair on her back. A glance at the mirror reassured her. Sexy enough. She sprayed a good dose of perfume on her neck and décolletage, and behind her ears. Another look at the mirror worried her. Too sexy, maybe too obviously eager?

Heck, she wanted him to like her, to love her and keep her. She shrugged and topped her outfit with a white silk jacket just in case she needed a more demure look. At the door, she hesitated. What did Tony have in mind?

To be on the safe side, she rolled up her gym spandex and shoved them into her handbag, with a few other items that could come in useful after a gym session. Too unnerved to risk meeting people in the elevator, she strode through the corridor and climbed up the stairs toward the Skywalk lounge.

Tony met her halfway. “Actually, we’re going downstairs. I have a surprise for you.”

“I love surprises.” They climbed down to the eighth deck... His floor?

Sure enough they strolled to his room and he opened his door. On the credenza, a bottle of champagne and a tray of pâtés and fruits awaited them. She arched an eyebrow.

“We had a wonderful evening. I didn’t want it to end too early but I didn’t want you to keep scanning the passengers for fear of your father’s rival harassing you or snapping pictures. I hope this is okay? We’ll have our own celebration here.”

“It’s perfect.” Better than she’d expected.

She took off her jacket and sat on the side of the bed while he popped the cork and poured the champagne into two flutes. “To you.” He clanked his glass against hers, but didn’t drink. His gaze lingered on her top and then he chugged his whole glass in one gulp. She suppressed a smile.

“Was this top also designed for me?”

She bit her lip. “No, but it’s the first time I’ve worn it.”

“Are you trying to seduce me, Julia?”

 Her breath caught.
Not to seduce you but to keep you.
Doubts invaded her mind. Maybe she’d been too obvious, too pushy. She averted her eyes and reached for a strawberry. “Are you hungry?”

“Only for you, Julia darling.” He pulled her up in his arms and lowered his head.

Without hesitation she hooked her arms around his neck and parted her lips for his eager mouth. They tasted each other, their tongues careening and waltzing, their breathing labored and their hands impatient.

Every doubt, every question vanished with his frenzied kisses. He slid her top above her head. She unbuttoned his shirt and peeled it off.

Had they reached the point of no return?

Her hand curled on his belt but he stopped her.

“Not too fast, my Julia.” The tips of his fingers brushed over the curves of her bra and his gaze scorched her skin. His lips followed suit, leaving a trail of moist kisses along the lacy edge. “Beautiful,” he whispered. “With or without clothes you’re a man’s perfect fantasy.”

She blushed but he didn’t give her time to return a compliment. He dropped onto the bed and pulled her onto his lap, covering her mouth with his. The heat of his lips burned her sensitized flesh. Her heartbeat accelerated and she raked her fingers through his hair curling the unruly waves.

“Enough,” he groaned. He slid her from his lap onto the bed and switched off the lights, leaving the night table lamp on.

“Tony, can you...” she croaked. “A glass of water, please.”

“Champagne will help better,” he said with a knowing smile. He handed her a flute and she gulped it all.