“Time,” he replied with a smile. “Now please get dressed or we’re going to be late.”
I stood there and glared at him, but he wouldn’t meet my glance. Instead I watched the smile deepen on his handsome face, until it gave way to a boyish grin, which turned into lips twitching back laughter.
“You’re such an ass,” I muttered as I walked past him.
Alejo laughed good-naturedly and turned the television off. I went over to my bags and pulled out one of my white loose off the shoulder tops that had the PARENTAL ADVISORY slogan slapped across it. I slung it over my shoulder and went back to looking in my bag for my favorite pair of black leggings, which I found almost instantly. I grabbed a brand new black push up bra and laughed to myself. Thanks sis. I laughed again when I saw the brand new pair of black lace panties that matched the bra. Sofia was working overtime when I wasn’t looking and apparently she wanted me to do the same thing when she wouldn’t be looking.
“You better thank my sister when we get back state-side,” I said to him as I walked past him and into the bathroom.
I knew it was childish of me to get dressed in the bathroom, especially since he had sort of fucked me already, but I did it anyway. It was obvious that tonight would be a “show me what you’ve got” night, so the more time I could spend alone the better. After I had taken off my lounging clothes and underwear, I folded everything neatly rested them on the sink. I pulled the tags off of the new panties and bra and quickly got dressed, eyeing myself in the mirror when I was done.
“You can do this Livie. It’s what you signed up for,” I said quietly to myself before grabbing my clothes and walking out of the bathroom.
Five
Alejo was standing in front of the window, hands in his pockets, looking at the Venetian skyline. I walked quietly to my bag and put the clothes next to it. Then I grabbed my wedged flip flops and slid them on.
“Ready,” I said. Alejo turned to face me and a wistful smile crossed his face.
“Qué bella,” he said softly.
“You too,” I replied sticking my tongue out at him. He chuckled and came over to take my hand and lead me out of the room.
I was pretty sure he had said I was beautiful but just the way his face looked when he said it was enough to turn me bright red.
We walked out of the hotel like two shy teenagers on a first date holding hands. He was quiet and so was I. My hands were slightly shaking and so were his.
“So, where are we going?” I asked as we walked down the street.
“We are going on a gondola ride.”
“At night time? Isn’t that a little dangerous?” I asked.
“No,” he replied with a chuckle. “I want you to see Ponte dei Sospiri.”
“What?”
“It means the Bridge of Sighs, and it’s quite beautiful.”
I nodded and let him lead me down the streets of Venice until we reached a place to board one of the gondolas. But it wasn’t just any random gondola, it was one that he had reserved especially for us.
The gondola driver, or guider, or whatever he was called greeted us cheerfully and helped me step in. Alejo got in behind me and sat down, pulling me carefully down next to him and wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
The gondola man asked Alejandro a question rapid Italian to which Alejo smiled and nodded enthusiastically. He gave me a squeeze and leaned back as the man opened his mouth and started to sing the most beautiful song that I never understood.
I leaned back against Alejo happily and looked up at him. He looked down at me and smiled before he kissed my forehead and turned his attention back to the gondola driver – err, steerer. Or whatever.
“This is so perfect,” I said happily.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it so far,” Alejo replied. “I believe things will only get better as the evening goes on.”
I didn’t ask questions because I didn’t want to ruin anything. Instead I just snuggled into him as the man’s singing tapered slowly off to silence. I clapped because I couldn’t help it. Something as amazing as what he just did deserved a round of applause.
“Look over there,” Alejo said sitting me up and pointing past our guide. “That’s it!”
I followed his direction and squealed happily. I don’t what it was exactly about the bridge that got that reaction from me, but it was hands down one of the most amazing pieces of architecture I had ever seen.
As we approached it on the lazy waters, Alejo turned my face to his and smiled, running a finger down my cheek.