Page 114 of Marcello

I barely gave it a glance. The only thing I cared about was seeing her naked.

Suddenly, though, she stepped back like she was frightened.

I froze, confused.

Had I been too rough? Too fast?

“Is everything okay?” I asked.

She looked up at me, her eyes full of fear. “I… I haven’t ever done this before.”

I figured she was just giving me the I’m not normally like this disclaimer so I didn’t think she slept around. “You mean go back to a hotel with somebody? I know, it’s – ”

“No,” she interrupted. “I mean… I’ve never done this before.”

It took a second for her words to sink in.

“You mean, you’re a virgin?” I asked in shock.

She nodded slowly.

“Huh…” I murmured.

“What?” she asked nervously.

“I’ve never been with a virgin before,” I admitted.

Her expression was a mixture of sadness and pain. “Do you not want to sleep with me?”

“No! No, I do, I just – ”

“What?” she demanded.

I put my hands tenderly on her waist and looked deep into her eyes. “Are you okay with me being your first?”

She stared up at me… smiled… and nodded.

“Then I’m going to do everything I can to make sure this is the best night of your life,” I whispered.

And I leaned over and kissed her slowly…

Gently…

Romantically.

I took it slower with Giulietta than I ever had with anyone else in my life.

I undid the headscarf tying back her ponytail, and watched her mane of curls spill down her back.

I undressed her bit by bit…

Sliding her dress off one arm and kissing her shoulder…

Then the same on the other side…

Pulling her dress down centimeter by centimeter…

Kissing the tops of her breasts as they appeared…