Sicilian Dreams

by J. P. Kennedy

  Cassie slowly felt herself re surface, her legs wrapped around Marco’s hips and his head thrust between her breasts, both of them breathing deeply as the throes of ecstasy ebbed and subsided within them.

  Marco was the first to stir, raising his head and gently kissing Cassie on the lips.

  ‘What do you do to me Cassandra?’ he whispered, ‘You are una strega, a witch.’ He spun her legs around so he was now carrying her through the water and he walked towards the shore. Cassie looked dreamily up into his eyes and she coasted on a wave of wonder and awe at what had just happened between them. She didn’t have a lot of experience in making love, but she knew that her body had never reacted or felt like that before and it felt like the first stirrings of a passion within her, hitherto unknown.

  She allowed him to carry her to shore and place her on a large flat rock that looked made for sunbathing. He climbed on the flat surface next to her and for the next few minutes they said nothing, as he took her hand and they lay basking in the sunlight like a couple of lizards. Cassie’s hair was spread out around her like a halo and she dried quickly in the hot sun. She could feel her hair curling and crinkling as it dried. Damn she thought, I really must use my straighteners on it this evening or I will start to look like an unkempt, wild woman. Feeling a shadow pass over her eyes, she opened them to see Marco half leaning over her, his green eyes alive with humor.

  ‘A mermaid for sure with her golden hair spread about her in the sun, or perhaps Lady Godiva. Do you think you could ride back without your clothes on, I am really liking the look,’

  ‘Oh yes, and how is that going to feel on my ‘delicate areas’ as I think you referred to them earlier?’ she smirked up at him.

  ‘I hope that those areas are going to become even more delicate with my attention,’ he whispered, his eyes half closed, gazing at her like a cat with a mouse.

  ‘Oh no you’re not, not yet, no way’ said Cassie, alarmed by the sudden passion filling his eyes.’ Besides I have to get back to the villa, we are going into Cefalu later and the girls will be expecting me.’ This was not strictly true as she and Liz and Kat were not actually going into town until late afternoon, but if the truth be known, she needed some time away from Marco right now, to sort out her tangled emotions, or perhaps just lie by the pool and dream about him all day. These conflicting feelings were unusual for Cassie, as she normally didn’t like someone else in control, however she recognized that on some primeval level she was also thrilled by the fact that Marco was able to dominate her. But no more of this right now, she thought, sitting up suddenly and swinging her legs off the rock and onto the pebbly sand. She was sure that Marco’s eyes were drilling into her as she walked up to the tree where she had left her clothes, and turning around, she confirmed it as he whistled appreciatively.

  ‘Cassandra, you have a perfect bum you know that? Perfect rounds like peaches. I would like to take a bite of them right now.’ He grinned at her lasciviously, lying propped up on one arm on the rock looking like a golden lion basking in the sun.

  ‘Well these ‘peaches’ are for looking not touching okay. Now are you going to perve at me all morning, or can we get a move on?’ She said cheekily pulling on her jodhpurs. She had lost her panties in the water thanks to Marco, but thankfully her long hair fell over her breasts as she bent over to slip on her socks and boots otherwise she was sure Marco would have been beside her in a flash, bent on mischief. He just laughed in reply as he climbed off the rock and strode towards the still patiently waiting horses. Cassie slipped the tee shirt over her head and secured the chinstrap on her hat. There, all set, thought Cassie, clothes make the man as they say, although this truism didn’t seem to bother Marco as he strode around like a Greek God trying to locate his clothes which had been strewn haphazardly all over the place. Cassie couldn’t help staring at him, he really had the most fantastic bod she thought, and doesn’t he just know it. He’s as confident and as strutting as a peacock.

  She turned away quickly as Marco glanced over at her, grinning wickedly as he pulled on his riding pants. Seems his underwear disappeared too thought Cassie, laughing to herself as she patted Stella’s neck. He better tuck himself in well, he’s got quite a package to look after.

  ‘Are you laughing at me Cassandra?’ asked Marco slowly.

  ‘No way’ she said, burying her face in Stella’s neck now trying not to laugh out loud.

  ‘Ok, but we’ll see who gets the last laugh,’ he said mysteriously, coming to stand beside her.

  ‘Seeing you don’t like to be lifted up, put your knee in my hand like this see and I’ll give you a leg up. Hold onto the pommel on the saddle to balance and then swing your leg over and into the stirrup. She did as he said and suddenly she was sitting on Stella’s back looking down at him.

  ‘Ok, ready?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes boss’ she answered and grinned at him. He patted Stella on the rump as he walked behind her and over to Diavolo.

  ‘Okay andiamo, let’s go, we will take the easy way home, it is getting too hot for fast riding.’

  Now he tells me there’s an alternative route, thought Cassie crossly as Diavolo moved off with Marco’s command and Stella fell into step behind him. We didn’t even need to go the death defying way to get out here. I wonder if he takes every guest who wants to ride the hard way, or is he just showing off? He had certainly taken her way out of her comfort zone this morning in more ways than one. She was well aware that they hadn’t used any protection, that the heat of the moment had overcome her, but she knew that she had been stupid. For heaven’s sake Cassie, she beat herself up, the guy is too smooth, too confident, and too good looking not to have cut a swath through the female population already, what were you thinking? What would Liz and Kat say? She decided then and there she was not going to tell them. She didn’t need anybody else telling her how foolish and reckless her behavior had been. But, even as she berated herself, a bubble of excitement kept popping up in her chest and she knew that she had allowed Marco to make love to her because she wanted him. Right or wrong, she wanted him and it had certainly been beyond any of her wildest dreams. It is just lust, she countered to herself, lust, lust, lust. Not anything else, don’t be silly Cassie, you will only get hurt with this one. A holiday romance, that’s all. Everybody has to have one of those in a lifetime right? Thinking about it that way made her feel glum so she tried to concentrate once more on the gorgeous countryside they were riding through. Going the easy way home through the gullies proved much quicker than Marco’s perilous outward bound route, so he decided they must end the ride on a high note and suggested that they canter the last five hundred meters back to the stables. Slowing Diavolo down beside Stella, he half turned around in his saddle, his hand resting on the horse’s rump, to reason with the protesting Cassie.

  ‘Cassandra you do not trust me even now?’ he said, looking at her with that little boy look which she didn’t trust at all.

  ‘Marco, plunging down the canyon was enough for any sane person, I want to make it back to the stables in one piece.’ She said sternly.

  ‘But come on, it is flat ground here and the horses love to race, I mean, canter slowly, the last part back to the stables.’ Seeing she still wasn’t convinced he exclaimed ‘look at how Stella’s ears are pricked up, she wants to get back to her cool stable. How can you deny her that and make her plod like an old mule?’ He looked at her pleadingly.

  Cassie knew when she was beaten and gave in grudgingly adding, ‘Ok Marco you win, but no galloping I mean it.’

  ‘Vai, Diavolo, vai’ shouted Marco in response and slapping his horses neck they took off kicking up clouds of dust. Bastard, thought Cassie before she screamed as Stella took off after Diavolo, determined to race him to the finish. Cassie’s heart beat sky rocketed and she held on to the reins and the pommel in a death grip as Stella flew into a gallop, her neat hooves eating the ground up as she sort to gain a lead on Diavolo. Cassie wasn’t aware of much apart from her fright but in som
e part of her terrified brain she realized that galloping on a horses back was easier than it looked. But just as quickly she realized that stopping might be harder than it looked as well. She clung on as Stella came close to Diavolo, but sensing this, the big horse simply turned on the turbo jets and took off, thundering away ahead of them until he came to a screeching halt with a whooping Marco, both of them lathered up and way out of control. Cassie pulled on Stella’s reins but she really didn’t have to as the well schooled horse simply slowed before the stable entrance, making a neat half turn and coming to a complete stop next to Diavolo, as if to say, this is the ladylike way to do things you silly great beast. Which is exactly how Cassie felt although she now started to verbalize her feelings and was rewarded with Marco rolling around on his saddle laughing like a drain. Clearly he has lost his mind thought a maddened Cassie. I wish I had a whip, because I would give him a good lashing right now. She was still glaring at him with eyes like daggers when Guido walked out into the yard and greeted them, taking her reins and helping her to dismount. Once again, on terra firma, her legs felt like jelly and she had to stand still for a few seconds until they began to feel like normal legs again. No so Marco. Still laughing at her, he swung his leg over Diavolo and dismounted like a jockey. Smart-ass fumed Cassie as he casually took Diavolo’s rein and led him towards the giant water trough in the corner. The next minute, to Cassie’s utter amazement and complete joy, Diavolo’s head dropped down and his big nose swung up bunting Marco in the backside and sending him flying through the air head first into the trough. The big horse snorted and Cassie could swear he was laughing at Marco as he emerged, spluttering and coughing from the depths of the trough. Cassie was hooting with laughter, jumping up and down like an idiot, pointing at Marco as tears ran down her cheeks, delighted that he had been given his just desserts by his own horse. It was a beautiful moment and Cassie wished that she had a camera on her. What a keepsake that would make she thought as Marco slowly climbed out of the trough shaking his head like a dog to get the water out of his eyes. Guido raced over with an old towel, trying not to laugh as Marco stepped out of the high trough one sodden boot at a time. He took the towel and wiped his face slowly, never taking his gaze off Cassie, who suddenly realized she was the only one still laughing. She stopped and coughed slightly.

  ‘Oh c’mon Marco, you’ve got to admit that was hilarious. ‘Diavolo’s my man,’ she said slapping the horse’s big strong neck in a parody high five. He did seem very pleased with himself she thought. I didn’t know horses had a sense of humor.

  ‘Very funny Cassandra, Diavolo will take advantage of me when he gets the chance which is not very often. But what is not amusing is your hilarity at my situation. I could have been injured,’ he said and Cassie recognized the voice of wounded male pride. Oops she thought, Mr Cool has been made to look the fool and he doesn’t like it one bit. She tried to stifle another giggle as Marco pulled off his boots and more water flooded out of them. Guido took the boots and went back inside the tack room muttering something in Italian, probably about trying to dry them thought Cassie. Good luck, they looked ruined to me. Meanwhile Marco had stripped off his shirt and was trying to wring the excess water out of it without much success and he finally threw it over the hitching post in disgust and strode over to her. Cassie could see the look in his eyes and she backed away slowly, not at all sure how to take this.

  ‘Cassandra, you may have had the last laugh today’ he said softly, with a steely undertone, ‘but remember, paybacks are hell.’ He smiled wickedly and Cassie felt herself growing very annoyed all over again.

  ‘Hello, earth to Marco, have you had a humor bypass this morning, or are you really as up yourself as you sound?’ She added. Marco looked momentarily confused. Maybe he doesn’t have access to an urban dictionary she thought. Good. She had to have some advantages over him.

  ‘You think I am filled with my own importance? That I am a pompous ass?’ he said evenly, his green eyes blazing. No translation needed I guess thought Cassie.

  ‘Hm’ she said, her lips pursing thoughtfully, ‘well not really the last part but certainly the first part, although ‘pompous ass’ is really good’ she said, grinning at him. Suddenly his arms were around her waist and he pulled her close, her face looking down into hers.

  ‘Ah, Cassandra, you feel so good’ he said soaking her front with his dripping torso.

  ‘Let me go Marco, you’re making me all wet’ yelled Cassie, but he hugged her tighter.

  ‘Oh look, your tee shirt is all wet and what do we have here?’ he said peering down at her nipples, which were stiff with attention and straining through the damp cloth. ‘Pompous ass or not you certainly seem to like me’ he added softly, his lips closing over hers sensuously. Cassie’s closed her eyes and seemed to relax into his embrace but then she put her hands on his shoulders and shoved him away, delighted to see the surprise on his face.

  ‘Tit for tat, excuse the pun’ she said, ‘I have had quite enough of your shenanigans this morning.’ Guido came back out into the yard, his car keys in hand. He said something rapidly in Italian to Marco, and then, pausing, said to Cassie ‘Signorina, would you like to me to drive you to your villa on my way? Marco needs to hose down the horses and will be some time.’ He smiled and winked at her.

  ‘Who is the boss around here,’ said Marco, with mock severity, his arms raised out wide.

  ‘Thank you Guido, that’s very kind, I wouldn’t like to keep Marco from his chores.’ said Cassie, laughing and walking with Guido to his truck.

  Round two to me she thought as they rumbled off down the road, Cassie turning to wave to Marco, who looked a more than a little peeved standing barefoot in his sodden jodhpurs in the stable yard, two hungry and thirsty horses by his side.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Guido dropped Cassie off at the villa and drove away with a toot and a wave. It had been hard to hear anything over the trucks noisy engine so they had driven the short distance in companionable silence and Cassie was glad of this. She didn’t know how much Guido had seen of she and Marco together at the stable and she really didn’t want to know either.

  Walking through the open French doors into the villa she heard laughter and followed the noise out to the pool. Liz and Kat had lined up three of the loungers side by side and were sunbathing, books and fizzy water bottles by their sides.

  ‘Morning gorgeous, how did it go?’ said Liz, taking off her huge sunhat and squinting at Cassie.

  ‘Hi Cass, how’s the head?’ said Kat. She had her hair wrapped up in a pink flowery turban, which seemed to match her bikini. Bright pink lipstick and huge sunglasses completed the look.

  ‘Buon giorno ladies’ said Cassie trying to imitate Marco’s voice and failing badly. ‘Feeling a lot better now thanks’ she added, ‘although I thought my head was going to fall off when I woke up this morning.’

  ‘Ditto’ said Kat, ‘it’s your fault for bringing out the limoncello Cassie. That stuff is poison.’

  ‘As I recall Kat’ said Cassie laughing, ‘it was when you started dancing to Abba and yelled ‘keep it coming’ that I brought out the damned limoncello. We had finished the wine remember?’

  ‘I only ever dance to Abba when I am tipsy’ qualified Kat.

  ‘So, give us all the gory details,’ said Liz, returning to her prone position. She was wearing a strapless black one piece that hugged her curves.

  ‘Well’ said Cassie, drawing out the word slowly, ‘my horses name was Stella and she was lovely and gentle and the countryside is gorgeous. I also learnt that the olive oil produced here on the estate is certified organic and the grapes are the Nero D’avola variety and produce a very drinkable vino.’

  ‘Fascinating’ said Liz, ‘but we are completely uninterested in the scenic details, or the name of your ride, unless his name is Marco that is.’ Kat squealed with laughter.

  ‘Remind me about the provenance of the vino this evening will you’ added Liz ‘it’s too early to be talking abo
ut wine.’

  ‘Get on with it Cassie, give us the dirt’ encouraged Kat.

  ‘Get your minds out of the gutter girls, I hardly know the guy’ said Cassie realizing as she said it that this was completely true. Oh dear, she thought, what on earth was I thinking? I just can’t tell Liz and Kat yet.

  ‘Well, he sure seems interested in you,’ said Liz, ‘Kat and I have not received an invitation to go on a personal guided tour of the estate with the gorgeous Marco.’

  ‘Yes, well I would be happy for you to take my place next time,’ said Cassie.

  ‘Thanks but no thanks’ said Kat ‘horse riding is just not my thing but I do enjoy going to the races for spring carnival every year.’

  ‘That’s called gambling Kat’ said Liz

  ‘Well, whatever, it’s a great excuse to get dressed up, drink champers and wear a hat’ Kat replied.

  ‘Actually, what are you wearing Cassie? Are those jodhpurs, said Liz lifting her hat once more and peering over at Cassie, who was now stretched out fully on the lounger, her eyes closing.

  ‘They’ve got all the kit at the stables,’ said Cassie quickly, ‘boots as well. I really looked the part, shame about the riding.’ Her tee shirt had dried quickly in the sun and she hoped she had deflected their attention enough that they could now leave the subject of Marco alone. It was not to be.

  ‘How does he sit in a saddle Cass? I bet he looks hot,’ said Kat.

  ‘He’s a very experienced rider and Diavolo, his horse is gorgeous’ said Cassie ‘I don’t know about looking hot thought’ she lied.

  ‘Hey girl, who do you think you are trying to fool here?’ said Liz ‘I know that tone of voice and I think you might be just the tiny bit interested in the Sicilian Stallion. Am I right?’ Damn, thought Cassie, Liz could always see through her.