“If you remained in this piazza, you’d be cold when winter comes.”
“Not if I had you to warm me.”
A smile pulled at his mouth. “I’m glad you find me useful, if only as a warming device.”
“You’re also an excellent tour guide.”
“Another way in which I’m useful.”
“And since your Italian is better than mine, you’re an effective translator.”
He brought his mouth to within inches of hers. “Shall I translate my favorite words? Labbra? Lingua? Seno?”
She traced the fullness of his lower lip with her middle finger. “Lips. Tongue. Breast. You’re very provocative this evening.”
“You’ve forgotten the most important way in which I’m useful.”
“And that is?”
His gaze grew heated and he lowered his voice. “As your lover.”
He nipped at her finger slightly, before drawing it into his mouth. He toyed with her for a moment, laving her skin with his tongue, before releasing her.
“I’m afraid that if you persist in staying in this piazza, my capacity as a lover will be sorely diminished.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “Diminished?”
“For example, I couldn’t possibly do this in a piazza.” He brought their lips together.
Julia hummed her appreciation and Gabriel deepened their connection, his tongue stroking hers.
His hands moved to her face as Julia’s slid to his shoulders, pressing him closer.
“And I couldn’t possibly do this.” Gabriel spoke against her mouth as his thumb glided down the side of her breast.
She shivered.
“Or this.” His hand slid over the curve of her waist and around to her lower back. He ran a single finger just above the waistband of her panties, almost as if he were contemplating their removal.
“Or this.” His eyes suddenly alight, he covered her bare knee with his palm before coaxing her legs to part.
Julia’s skin grew warm at his touch.
“Move your hand any higher and we’re going to get arrested,” she whispered.
His eyes appeared to darken. “It will be worth it.”
She placed her hand over his, stopping the slow, teasing ascent.
“I think we’ve been the subject of enough scandals, Professor.”
“Then you’re going to have to leave this piazza before I slip my hand under your dress and show you what comes next.”
“Where would we go?”
“I know a much quieter piazza nearby.”
She stifled a laugh. “Is that the best you can do?”
“There’s always the hotel. I have a view.”
She cocked her head to one side. “A view?”
He lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm.
“The only sight worth seeing in this city is you. But the view from my hotel room isn’t entirely unfortunate.”
She lowered her eyes and blushed.
He squeezed her hand. “Florence has exceptional architecture and art. But Brunelleschi’s dome lacks your compassion. And no painting in the Uffizi could ever capture the beauty and warmth of your love.”
She lifted her gaze to meet his.
“Are you flirting with me, Professor?”
Gabriel brought his mouth to her ear. “This isn’t flirtation, Julianne. This is seduction. And I won’t rest until I enjoy the wonder that is your body, lying underneath me again.”
He kissed the shell of her ear, before moving down to the side of her neck. He pressed unhurried kisses against her skin, brushing against her collarbone.
“This is just the beginning,” he whispered, his hand caressing her side. “Think of the delights that await you.”
She hummed softly. “I’d like to hear more about that.”
He stood, holding out his hand.
“I’ll do more than tell you. But I’m afraid you’ll have to leave this piazza.”
Julia glanced over his shoulder at the fountain. She sighed.
“It’s hard for me to leave, knowing what awaits us at home.”
“But we’ll be together.” He tugged her into his arms. “Tonight I’ll help you touch the stars. And when you fall back to earth, I promise to catch you.”
She looked up him, at his tender, intense expression, and lightly cupped his angular jaw.
“What about you, Gabriel? Don’t you want to touch the stars?”
He smiled his slow, sweet smile.
“You’re the only star in my sky.”
She kissed him fiercely, before taking his hand and walking hurriedly toward their hotel.
Fin.
“An Umbrian Swim”
An Outtake from Gabriel’s Redemption
July 2011
At a house in Umbria . . .
“Julianne.”
Gabriel’s voice startled her and she sat bolt upright at her desk.
He was standing in front of her, watching her hungrily. He was clad only in a pair of black swimming trunks, a towel slung over his shoulder.
“Oh, I didn’t hear you come in.” She admired his bare chest over her laptop, her fingers poised over the keyboard.
“It’s time for a swim.” His voice was a throaty whisper.
She gave him a guilty look. “I have so much work to do.”
“Ah, yes. I do recall having to work now and then when I was a graduate student.” His lips twitched, as if he were resisting a smile. “And what is Signora working on this evening?”
“I’m brushing up on my French.”
His blue eyes fixed on hers. “Pourquoi?”
“Because it’s one of the languages I need for my research.”
Gabriel nodded and walked toward her. “This is very good news.”
“It is?” She looked up at him, for he was tall.
“Yes. Not only do I speak French, but I’m proficient in their kissing style as well.” He lifted his hand to sweep her dark hair behind her shoulders, running the backs of his fingers down the column of her throat.
“I seem to remember that. I think I needed to ask you for a translation.”
“No translation necessary. I know you speak the language of love.” He brushed their lips together.
Their mouths met, innocently at first. Then the moment Julianne parted her lips, his tongue teased hers, retreating backward until she followed.
“Come on.” He spoke against her mouth.
“I’m working, Gabriel. I can’t.”
“You can’t kiss me like that and go back to work.” He frowned. “Have mercy on me.”
“I don’t mean to tease you.” Julia glanced down at her French dictionary. “But there’s so much to do.”
“Just a few minutes. A midnight swim will clear your head of all the regular and irregular verbs and you’ll parles français in no time.” He kissed the palm of her hand, his eyes darkening slightly.
When she didn’t move, he continued. “Paris wasn’t built in a day.”
Gabriel leaned forward, bending at the waist. His eyes focused on hers. “And I want my Julianne back for a few minutes.”
They exchanged a long look.
Julia nodded.
He kissed her hand once again and led her to the master bedroom. She changed into a purple bikini while he retrieved another beach towel. Then they walked hand in hand to the outdoor pool.
Julia watched as Gabriel eschewed the outdoor lights and instead lit a series of candles, placing them around the perimeter of the pool. Soon the area was dappled in a warm, flickering glow.
“Bathing suits are optional.” Gabriel smirked, placing their towels over a chair.
“I don’t think so.” Julia lowered herself into the warm water.
“Our nearest neighbor is over a mile away. I think your modesty is safe.”
Julia tilted her head to one side, regarding him in the semidarkness. “My modesty is never safe when you’re around.”
Gabriel joined her, swimming to her si
de in three short strokes. “Oh really? I’d like to hear more about that.”
“You—do things to me.”
“Let’s explore that. What kinds of things?”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply, delicately exploring her mouth.
Julia wrapped her arms around his neck just as he pulled away.
“You amaze me.” A look of admiration softened his features.
“By my ability to stand in the shallow end and kiss you? I don’t think I’d qualify for the Olympics.”
He chuckled and kissed the end of her nose. “I was referring to the way you are—the way you kiss with abandon, and laugh easily. The way you accept me.” His expression grew grave.
Julia pushed a lock of his hair back from his forehead. “I love you, Gabriel. Of course I accept you.”
“Not everyone would be as forgiving as you. Not after what I did.” He grimaced, lowering his gaze.
She pressed her hand against his stubbled jaw, forcing him to look at her. “Love is hearing the truth and still choosing to love. You chose to love me despite what I did.”
“I can’t imagine my life without you.”
“Good.” She smiled.
She stretched out in his arms, lying on her back on top of the water. She looked up at the stars as they winked at her from an ink-black sky. The moon was a sliver, its light pale and remote. She moved her hands lightly over the surface of the water.
“I love this time of night—when everyone is asleep and the world is quiet.”