Chapter Three
Sasha and Rome walked hand in hand down the narrow street leading to Casa Di Giulietta. The sky was fortunately clear today of any clouds. Just being in the place that inspired Shakespeare gave her an excited chill, and the gothic style house up close was beautiful, complete with balcony and a statue of Juliet. Naturally, there was someone posing for a picture with their hand on her boob. Someone else was on the balcony shouting, “Wherefore art thou, Romeo?”
“I didn’t know you can go up on the balcony,” Rome remarked. “Go up there and I will serenade you.”
“Romeo didn’t really serenade Juliet. First, he startled her, and then he professed his undying love.” She playfully bumped her hip against his. “We’re going to go inside and take a tour.”
Inside, she had chills for a very different reason. Anytime they would stop to admire a piece of furniture or art, he would stand behind her, place his chin on her shoulder, and wrap his arms around her, and when they stopped in front of the staged bed, with ornate carvings on the wooden frame, his breathing became a little harsh, and his warm puffs of air on her skin sent a tingling sensation all over her body.
“I loved the bedroom scene,” he whispered, making her shiver, causing him to hug her tighter in response.
“The Franco Zeffirelli version is my favorite, too,” she whispered, her voice coming out all breathy. She was glad when they went over to the costumes, saving her from possible combustion.
They stood for a while admiring the beautiful Romeo and Juliet costumes used in the 1968 movie. Rome rested his chin on the top of her head this time. “I like this. You’re the perfect height to be my chin rest.”
She laughed and playfully smacked his thigh. “On heels, maybe.”
He glanced down at her shoes. “You’re wearing sneakers.” She heard him chuckle behind her, realization dawning on him that her sneakers had a hidden wedge. “Wow! You’re a shortcake.”
She nudged him with her elbow, causing an “oof” to escape him. “I prefer pleasantly petite when referring to my five foot-two-and-a-half size, thank you very much.”
“Let’s not forget that half,” he deadpanned right before crisscrossing her arms in front of her, trapping her hands and preventing any more attacks to his person.
Sasha turned her head to look up at him. “You’re that scared of little ole’ me?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He feigned being afraid, causing another fit of hysterics to assault both of them.
“You’re gonna keep me prisoner like this all day?”
“I haven’t decided yet,” he said, though he did let her go so they could move out of the way for others to take a turn.
When they were done with their tour, not only was her body on fire, but she was ravenous from the extra spent energy. Rome actually laughed at her when her stomach growled on the way out.
“Now you need to feed me for laughing!”
Rome grabbed her hand and entwined her fingers with his. “Ooh, you’re feisty when you’re hungry.” He kissed her on the side of her head and tugged her along. “Come on, Miss Growly-Pants. Let’s go get some food in you.”
They ate pizza and drank Amarone wine at the outdoor part of a pizzeria restaurant. She was a humbled New Yorker, because Italy definitely had them beat when it came to their pizzas and pastas, and she moaned in appreciation with the first bite.
Rome glanced down to her lips, and when he met her eyes again, she saw a hunger in them that was not for food. “What are you doing to me?”
Sasha swallowed what was in her mouth before she spoke. “Same thing you’re doing to me, I’d imagine.” She had no idea why that came out of her mouth. For some reason, she had no filter around this man, and blunt honesty was what she was giving him. She wanted him, like nothing else she’d ever wanted before, and she really didn’t care if he knew it. The good thing was that it seemed entirely mutual. She not only saw it on his face, but she felt it, and on a level so deep, especially for only having just met, it scared the hell out of her to think what would happen after their time here was up.
She stamped down those thoughts quickly and focused on the here and now instead. “I thought we’d check out a few of the local shops next.”
She liked to go inside and actually describe some of the items for sale as well as prices. Even if those items were no longer for sale later, it still gave her article the feel of taking the tourist inside the shop with her. She felt so lucky to be able to do what she was passionate about for a living, and then immediately her heart sank at the memory of Rome’s face yesterday when he talked about what he did. If anyone was a firm believer in the possibility of making life changes, it was her. She hated her old life. She missed her father, but her current regret was that she’d be going back home in a few months, but maybe after that, she’d never go back again.
“Do you have room for dessert?” he asked after they finished eating.
“I think you may have to carry me out of here if I take another bite.” She had eaten way past the point of being full. She did, however, polish off the rest of her wine.
“There’s always after dinner dessert then, and perhaps more gelato.”
She felt the huge grin split across her face. First, because Rome wanted to continue their day outing into night. She hadn’t wanted to assume, but she definitely had hoped. And second, he appeared almost boyish at the moment. “My, what a sweet tooth you have!” He was too adorable for his own good. A six-foot-three god of all that was sexy, exuding masculinity and power, and yet his face lit up at even the thought of eating gelato.
“I like things that are sweet.” She saw the devilish smirk appear, the one she was quickly becoming familiar with.
“I think I like things that are a little bit naughty.” Once again, she could not believe what came out of her mouth. “I…”
