Page 113 of Marcello

I’d seen it for years, ever since I’d been coming to the marina to drink, but had never gone inside.

“Let’s go to that hotel,” I suggested.

She glanced over in surprise, then grinned up at me. “Really?”

“Really.”

“…okay.”

“But first,” I said, “I want to see you without this on.”

She stiffened as I pulled her mask up over her head.

I figured she was afraid I wouldn’t find her as attractive, but she needn’t have worried. She was even more beautiful now that I could see her entire face.

There was an innocence to her that was on full display, where before it was hidden.

I cradled her face with my hands and grinned down at her.

“I want to see you,” she whispered, and pulled my mask away, too.

Now I understood why she’d been nervous. I felt exposed… and I worried she wouldn’t like what she saw.

It didn’t help any when she gasped, “Oh my God!”

“What?” I asked in concern.

She blushed deep red. “You’re even hotter than I thought.”

I laughed. “Well, you’re even more beautiful than I’d imagined.”

Her eyes went half-lidded with desire –

And we kissed for nearly a minute, soft and slow and romantic…

Before I took her hand and pulled her towards the exit.

36

We raced out of the castle, ran past the marina, and crossed the road to the hotel. The entire way, we were barely able to keep our hands off each other.

At the front desk, I plunked my AMEX Black card down in front of the night clerk and said, “Your best available room, as fast as you can.”

He glanced at Giulietta, smiled at me like You lucky dog, and got me the key in record time.

Again, I was a little surprised Giulietta didn’t remark on the credit card, or on my getting the nicest room – a suite that cost 2000 euros a night. She just acted like it was all very normal.

All those thoughts evaporated, though, as soon as the elevator doors closed behind us.

Giulietta and I were immediately all over each other.

As we kissed, my hands grabbed her ass and breasts –

And she frantically rubbed my erection through the front of my pants.

We stumbled out of the elevator, raced down the hallway, and opened the door to the suite.

The room was palatial – a king-size bed, enormous glass windows, and a balcony overlooking the harbor.