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“It would have been easier if you’d just left a forwarding address,” I quip, taking another bite of pastry. “Although Saint practically handed it to me on a silver platter.”
Sebastian snorts. “So much for subterfuge. The guy has no game.”
“But he is good at making himself scarce,” I say with a smile. He texted us late last night to say he’d met a new friend and was traveling with her now.
An attractive, female friend, no doubt.
“So, what’s the plan now?” I ask, with a reluctant sigh. As much as I want to pretend that I’m here with Sebastian on some romantic getaway, there’s no avoiding the truth. I brace myself for the answer, but instead, Sebastian’s smile stays mischievous.
“Well, as far as I see it, there’s only one thing we can do here in Venice.” He pauses, and takes another bite of food for dramatic effect before announcing: “Sightseeing.”
I blink in surprise. “What, really?”
He smiles. “I’m still waiting on the papers for my new identity. They should be ready tonight, but until then, we might as well make the most of our time here. It is the city of love, after all,” he adds, taking my hand. “Don’t you want to explore?”
A part of me still wants to drag Sebastian back to bed and spend the day making up for lost time, but then a gondola glides past below us, and I see the city coming to life, the light reflecting beautifully off the canal.
I feel a flicker of excitement. After all the heartbreak and grief of the past week, getting to spend the day like a carefree tourist seems like a gift. A chance we can’t pass up.
“I’d love to,” I say finally, giving him a happy smile. “Let’s go.”
“But not just yet,” Sebastian adds, giving me a smoldering grin. “I’m still hungry.”
“For more food?” I tease, flirty.
He shakes his head, and then in a single motion, he gets to his feet, picks me up over his shoulder, and takes me back to bed to show me exactly what he’s got in mind.
It’sanother couple of hours before we drag ourselves out of bed. After Sebastian insists on helping soap every inch of me down in the shower, we finally dress and make it out into the city to explore. We’re dressed down, like regular tourists, and I even find an ‘I heart Venice’ T-shirt and baseball hat for Sebastian to wear, while I hide behind massive sunglasses and a big floppy sunhat.
Stylish, no. Discreet? I’m hoping. There’s no reason for anyone to give us a second glance, and we soon blend into the crowds, strolling in no particular direction as Sebastian shows me what he’s learned about the city since hiding out here.
I’m in heaven. We visit St. Mark’s Basilica, marveling at the beauty of the gold mosaics and altar. We visit artisans’ shops and a gorgeous opera house. We even go to a food market, browsing the bustling aisles and tasting the fresh oils and local delicacies.
The whole time, I can’t stop looking at Sebastian, loving the side of him that I’m seeing. He’s happier than I’ve ever seen him. His smile comes easily, and when we’re taking a touristy ride on a gondola, he exchanges jokes in Italian with the driver. I don’t understand what they’re saying, but the way they both laugh makes my own heart feel lighter.
I hope to God that this isn’t just temporary. That somehow, we can find a way to be this happy together into the future, even if that seems impossible right now.
I shake off the thoughts of the future, I pledged to ignore them for the day, and find that we’re strolling on a narrow cobblestone street of designer stores and boutiques. My eyes land on a chic little window, decorated with exquisite lingerie pieces in the finest silks.
Sebastian notices my stare. “Let’s go in,” he suggests, then takes my hand and leads us in to the tiny jewel box of a store, all plush velvet and glittering chandeliers.
An assistant materializes, an older woman with perfect red lipstick. “And what are we browsing for today?” she asks, immediately friendly.
Clearly, all the tourist outfits in the world can’t disguise Sebastian’s natural charisma and power.
“What do you think?” Sebastian asks me, a suggestive smile playing on the edge of his lips.
I smile back. “Why don’t you choose?”
His grin spreads. “Perfect. We’ll try that… and that… and of course, those…” he points out some of the gorgeous pieces, and the woman leaps to attend to us.
“Excellent choices. Please, come this way.”
By the time she leads us to the dressing room, tucked away at the back of the store, there’s a pile of lace and silk waiting for me. Sebastian plants himself on a wingback chair right outside the room.
“Start with the emerald green set,” he tells me, a flash of dominance in his gaze. “Show me how it fits, I want to see everything.”
I feel a shiver of excitement. “Yes, sir,” I reply with a smirk, and then pull the curtain closed as I strip down and try on the first outfit.
