“You still haven’t told me where we’re going,” she reminded Vito as he led her to one of the carts and had her climb in. Leo and Lynetta noisily burst through the side door and commandeered the cart behind them. They were followed by two other couples she’d been introduced to upon arrival though she couldn’t quite recall any names. Soon they were driving past the house and into the fields.
“Am I the only one who doesn’t know what’s going on?”
“You’ll see, cara. I think you’ll like it.”
Maya studied his profile as he drove. His hair ruffled in the wind as he picked up speed. A deep smile creased his lips. He had his shirtsleeves rolled up and the top buttons of his shirt undone. The man could carry off any look, like a male magazine cover model. He was just as strikingly handsome dressed in a casual shirt and khakis as he had been in a tailored tuxedo.
She recalled Lynetta’s words. In all fairness to Marina, she could see how a man like him would elicit strong and passionate emotions from the woman he loved. But what Lynetta had described sounded toxic.
Maya didn’t get a chance to further explore that thought. When they cleared a large hill, she got a glimpse of what all the activity was about. In front of them sat three large hot air balloons.
Maya couldn’t hold back her shriek of delight. “Oh, my!”
“Surprised?”
“Thrilled!”
A bolt of excitement shot down her spine. Vito came to a stop about a yard away from the balloons. Seconds later, Leo parked next to them.
Maya jumped out of the cart and took in the sight of the towering, colorful balloons. She’d never been in one before. To have her first ride happen in Italy was almost too good to be true. To think, in a few short moments, she’d be gliding through the air over some of Europe’s most majestic sights.
And Vito would be by her side.
She couldn’t help it. The excitement was too much. She turned and threw her arms around his neck. His reaction was immediate. His hands gripped her waist and he pulled her closer. Then he dropped a small kiss on her lips.
“I like knowing I’ve pleased you,” he whispered against her ear, his breath hot against her cheek.
Good thing he was holding on to her. Her knees almost buckled.
“Let’s go, you two.” Leo’s voice sounded from behind them. “You can do all your embracing after we ride.” Lynetta was hard on her husband’s heels. She seemed at least as excited as Maya.
“Shall we go, then?” Vito asked but made no move to release her.
Maya reluctantly pulled herself out of Vito’s arms. He kept his hand at the small of her back as he led her to the balloon in the middle. The pilot greeted them with a wide smile and helped her in.
Within moments, they’d lifted off. The breath left her lungs as they rose higher and higher. The thrill of it was exhilarating. She realized she was laughing out loud with delight.
Once they reached altitude, Vito came to stand behind her. He wrapped his arms around her middle, her back snug up against his chest.
“I don’t have the words to describe what I’m feeling right now,” she said over the noise of the burner that heated the air inside the balloon. To think, she’d almost spent the day back at her hotel, wallowing alone and missing Vito with all her being.
A small voice nagged at the back of her mind that Leo had been the one to initiate her presence here. Not Vito. She pushed the thought aside. All that mattered was that she was here. With Vito holding her as she enjoyed the experience of a lifetime.
In the distance, they could see the river Adige meandering through the city and out into the countryside.
“Turns out it’s the perfect evening for it, sì?”
“Sì, Vito. Everything about this day is perfect.”
He responded with another soft kiss, this one to the side of her cheek. Maya reveled in the sensation of having him so close to her, the way his lips touched her skin. The thrill of being up this high combined with the effect Vito had on her was wreaking havoc on her senses.
“I’m not sure what we would have done if you’d been afraid of heights, cara.”
She laughed in his arms. “Are you kidding? Do you know the number of times I visit the top of the Prudential building in any given year? My uncle does a lot of work in high-rise buildings.”