He laughed, but turned away obediently, waiting patiently while she maneuvered herself onto the seat behind him, wincing at the hot leather touching her raw backside and trying to tuck the front of her dress down between her thighs.
‘Anyway, I don’t think I could look otherwise we will never make it lunch’ said Marco. ‘In fact, shall we just go inside now, I have another hunger building’ he said.
‘No, just get going’ squeaked Cassie.
‘Ok, andiamo, hold on tight Cassandra,’ he yelled, gunning the big engine and taking off in a cloud of dust, wheels spinning. Oh heck, thought Cassie, wrapping her arms tight around him, I hope Speedy Gonzales knows what the hell he is doing on these roads. They whipped down the white gravel road, past the main house and turned right onto the windy, narrow road, after the briefest of pauses at the big gates of the estate.
Cassie clung onto him, tucking her head down onto his shoulder, peeking up every now and again as they wove down the steep road that led down into Cefalu. Finally acknowledging to herself that she was probably going to make it lunch in one piece, she looked up and about at the panoramic vista of the coast unfolding before them. I could look at this view forever, she thought. It is picture postcard perfect. Soon they reached the bottom of the hill and followed the main road into town. When they arrived at the old town on the harbor, Marco slowed right down but continued driving into the maze of narrow alley ways, people scattering right and left as they heard the big bike coming slowly up behind them, growling softly. Cassie was amazed that any vehicles were allowed in the old town during the day, but here and there she saw the odd funny little old fiat or scooter, parked at inexplicable angles in incredibly tight spaces. The narrow street became quieter as they neared the end of it. Now Marco turned right onto another lane, which Cassie realized must run along the other side of the harbor, the seaward side of the old town, it’s back turned away from the open sea. He pulled up outside a set of grand wooden doors that opened inwards to the restaurant. Steering the big bike nearer to the wall, he killed the engine and parked.
‘You have to get off now Cassandra,’ he said, gleefully. ‘Quickly before the Maître D’ comes out to help you.’
Cassie leapt off the back of the bike like a scolded cat; her sunburnt butt sticking slightly to the leather seat; yanking down her skirt with both hands; and thanking her lucky stars that there was no one else around. She pulled off her helmet and shook out her hair, rearranging her sack bag back over her shoulder instead of across her front as it had been for the ride.
Marco pulled off his helmet and put his hand on the small of her back and guided her gently through the doors into the cool, marble tiled interior. The restaurant was long and narrow with a very high ceiling, and the room ran all the way back to an open terrazza which jutted out over the sea. He took her helmet from her and placed them both on a small side table inside the entrance. As they walked further inside the long, narrow restaurant an older man appeared from the cashiers desk to their left, his face creased into a huge smile and his arms open wide in welcome.
‘Marco, bentornato, welcome back' he said, followed by a stream of rapid Italian as he grasped Marco to him in a hug, reaching up to kiss him on both cheeks.
‘Ciao Eduardo, tutto e’ posto?’ he said. ‘I would like you to meet a friend of mine, Signorina Cassandra Hayden.’ He put his arm around Cassie’s waist and pulled her forward.
‘Piacere Signorina’ said Eduardo, taking both her hands and smiling warmly at her. ‘Welcome to our ristorante.’
‘You will want a table outside on the terrace no?’ he asked, switching to English with ease.
‘Si grazie Eduardo’ said Marco, stepping to the side and allowing Cassie to go in front of him. They followed Eduardo out onto the covered terrace to a corner table. The terrace was cantilevered out over the rocky sea wall and Cassie could see the waves lapping against the rocks below them. Eduardo pulled out a chair for Cassie and she grimaced slightly as she sat down, then rising slightly and re seating herself, one butt cheek at a time.
‘Is everything alright signorina?’ said a concerned Eduardo.
‘Yes, fine thank you’ she replied, then to deflect his attention she added, ‘This is gorgeous, what a wonderful setting for a restaurant, right over the sea.’ Eduardo puffed up proudly as if he had conjured up the perfect day and the perfect view all by himself.
‘I will bring water to start. Naturale o frizzante?’
‘Si, naturale sta bene’ said Marco, smiling and leaning back in his chair, his eyes fixed on Cassie.
‘What is the matter Cassandra? You look like you are in pain,’ said Marco.
‘No, I’m fine,’ said Cassie, ‘just a little stiff from the ride yesterday.’
‘Ah, yes, it can be painful if you have not ridden for some time. I am happy to give you a massage to help ease the pain.’ he smiled lasciviously at her. Before she could come up with a smart retort,
Eduardo returned with a bottle of mineral water and two flutes of champagne.
‘An appertivo Signorina?’ he asked politely. Cassie nodded her head enthusiastically and he placed the glasses in front of them. ‘Prosecco, enjoy’ he added smiling before leaving them in peace to enjoy their drinks.
‘Salute’ said Marco, raising his glass to touch the rim of hers.
‘Hm, this is delicious,’ said Cassie, taking a sip and laughing as the bubbles went up her nose.
‘This is my favorite restaurant in town,’ he said. ‘They have the best seafood, so fresh. The chef is his brother Roco. The fishermen come here everyday with their catch and Eduardo and the chef decide what they want.’
They gazed out over the water as a yacht sailed past.
‘By the way, that reminds me’ said Marco, ‘Kat told me last night that you girls are keen to visit the Aeolian islands during your stay. She asked me what is the best way for you to reach them from here. It is a longer trip from here than from Milazzo; which is further down the coast; about two and a half hours by boat, but better I think than having to drive 1 hour and a half to Milazzo before you even get to the ferry. I have already organized tickets for you on a boat leaving from here at 7:30am tomorrow morning. Davide is a friend of mine, and it is his own boat. He takes charters out to the islands.’ he added.
‘Wow, that was quick,’ said Cassie. ‘I didn’t even realize this had all been planned. We had just spoken about it yesterday. Do you always work this fast?’ she said, one eyebrow rising speculatively as she smiled at him.
‘Yes, I am a fast worker when I see what I want’ he grinned wickedly at her. ‘I wish I could come with you tomorrow but I have to be in Palmero for a meeting, peccato.
It is a shame, the islands, they are beautiful, especially Panarea. The water is so clean, perfect for snorkeling.’
‘The water looks clean here in the harbor,’ said Cassie, looking down into the crystal clear depths just below their table.
‘Si, every year, Cefalu receives the ‘blue flag’ eco label. The beach in front of the town is clean and the water is very clear. You can still see the bottom from a way out into the bay and past the marina.
Eduardo returned to their table with a basket of fresh bread rolls and thin breadsticks, which he placed between them.
‘Are you ready to order?’ he asked.
‘Si, Eduardo’ said Marco. ‘To begin, we would like Roco’s Risotto al frutti di mare, and Spaghetti con Aragosta. Then whatever is the fish of the day for secondo,’ he added.
‘Bravo’ said Eduardo ‘and to drink?’
‘A Tasca d’Amerita bianco from the Regaleali estate.’ said Marco.
‘Si, certo’ said Eduardo, smiling with approval. ‘I will bring it immediately.’
Cassie couldn’t contain herself. She wasn’t used to anyone taking control and ordering her meal for her without consulting her first, and she experienced the strange feeling with mixed emotions.
‘Pray tell Marco, could you explain what you just ordered for us?’ she said inquiri
ngly.
‘Of course’ he said, completely unaware that he may have done the wrong thing. ‘We will start with a seafood risotto, one of Roco’s special dishes. It is buona. I also ordered the spaghetti with lobster because I want you to try it. It is rich but one of the signature dishes of this restaurant. Because we are starting with these dishes, I ordered grilled fish of the day for our mains. They will bring a salad with this course,’ he added helpfully. ‘The wine I ordered is from the Sicilian interior and it is perfect with seafood.’
‘Do you always order for your guests, or are they allowed to choose their own meals?’ she asked him archly.
‘Only when I know what is best for them,’ he grinned at her. ‘Cassandra, why fight it, you know that I know best in this instance. Trust me.’
‘I never trust anyone who says ‘trust me’’ quipped Cassie. ‘Besides, you never even asked me if I have allergies or anything.’
‘Do you have allergies?’ he enquired, his green eyes dancing with amusement.
She was prevented from answering as Eduardo returned with the wine. He uncorked the bottle and poured a small measure for Marco to taste, waiting for Marco to agree that the wine was good before pouring a glass for Cassandra and filling Marco’s.
There were several other couples and a large table in the center of the terrace with what looked like several generations of family seated together, talking and laughing amongst themselves. Cassie took a sip of her wine and sat back in her chair, relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere and the glorious stretch of coast before her eyes. It doesn’t get much better than this she thought.
Eduardo returned, balancing two plates in one hand, a long pepper grinder in the other. He placed the dishes between them and quickly returned with two more plates to serve on to. ‘Bon appetito’ he said. Marco spooned some of the seafood risotto onto Cassie’s plate. ‘Please start,’ he said, before serving himself a portion. Cassie tasted the risotto, noting that it wasn’t creamy and that she could taste each individual grain of rice. The mixture of squid, tiny mussels, clams and fresh fish had been gently poached in the seafood stock and they melted in her mouth. ‘Oh, this is superb’ she said in appreciation. ‘It tastes so light and refreshing.’
‘Here, try some of the lobster. I won’t try to break it up. Use your fork and help yourself from the plate.’ He took a sip of wine and sat back and watched her as she twirled some spaghetti and a chunk of lobster onto her fork.
‘Wow, this is amazing’ she exclaimed, helping herself to another forkful. ‘I think it is one of the best dishes I have ever tasted.’
‘It is one of my favorites too’ said Marco, using his fork to spear a chunk of lobster and popping it into her mouth. She did the same for him, scooping up a spoonful of the risotto and laughing as a little spilled from his mouth. He used his linen napkin to wipe away the grains of rice and leaned over to kiss her on the lips. ‘You are so beautiful when you laugh Cassandra.’ he murmured. ‘I want to eat you up like the lobster.’
Cassie blushed and looked up at him through half closed lids.
‘No one has ever called me beautiful when I have been eating before’ she said.
‘That’s because no one has ever seen you like I do’ said Marco. ‘Beautiful Cassandra, my lovely lobster eater.’ he grinned at her. They finished their first course and Eduardo whipped away their plates, pouring more of the mineral water in their glasses.
‘What are you going to do in Palermo’ tomorrow?’ she asked.
‘I have a meeting with a property development company. They asked me to design some of the concept villas they are planning to build and sell in a development near Taormina. We have finished the drawings and this is the first presentation to them.’ he replied, taking another sip of his wine.
‘You’re an architect?’ said Cassie. ‘Like your cousin Luca?’
‘Si, in fact, we own the company together. He was my inspiration for becoming an architect. I wanted to do something different, not just work in the family business.’ His frowned a little and Cassie wondered again about the obviously strained relationship between he and his father.
‘So you mostly design homes?’ asked Cassie.
‘We do some commercial work as well. We like to do renovations as well as design modern buildings. In Sicily as you can imagine, there is more old than new and it is important to preserve the past, but using modern design and technology to make the whole functional and current for today’s needs and purposes.’
‘It sounds fascinating’ said Cassie. ‘I would like to see some of your projects if you would show me.’
‘That can be arranged, I would be happy to show you some models of what we are currently working on.’ He looked happy and carefree again and Cassie could see that his work was a real passion for him, a creative outlet for his larger than life personality.
A sudden thought occurred to her. ‘Did you design the renovated villas on the estate?’ she asked.
‘Si, they were my designs. Before, they were just crumbling old farm cottages that hadn’t been used for many years. It was my idea to renovate them and use them as extra accommodation for friends or, for a short time each summer, as rentals. It was my way of bringing some creativity and new life to the estate,’ he added simply, shrugging his shoulders in that uniquely Italian way. ‘But my father was not so keen to open up the estate this way.’
‘How long have the villas been operational’ asked Cassie.
‘For three years now.’
‘What does your father think now?’
‘Now he is happy. He thinks it was all his idea,’ said Marco, grinning at her. ‘I told you Cassie, he is hard man to please.’ Cassie realized that subject was now closed to discussion much as she would have enjoyed discussing it further. Eduardo reappeared at their table carrying a platter containing a whole fish baked in a salt crust, while another waiter stepped up to their table carrying two plates and a bowl of mixed salad.
‘Sea bass’ announced Eduardo, breaking the crust with the fish slice and then carefully pulling the tail up from the platter. He used a fork to peel away the flesh and carefully filleted portions of the fish, removing any bones before placing it on to their plates. The aromas of gently cooked fish and lemon wafted up to Cassie and she felt her mouth beginning to water. He added lemon wedges and passed Cassie her plate then did the same for Marco. Finally he suggested that they drizzle the house olive oil over the fish.
‘Bon appetito’ he said again, refilling their wine glasses and putting the bottle back in an ice bucket beside their table. The fish melted in Cassie’s mouth and she couldn’t suppress a groan of satisfaction. ‘Mm, this is sublime,’ she cooed happily.
‘Are you pleased now that I ordered for you?’ said Marco, smiling at her and taking a mouthful of fish. ‘Si, it is buono,’ he agreed. They finished the fish and even though it seemed to Cassie like they had eaten a lot of food, she didn’t feel over full or uncomfortable. It was a different story on her rear end though as she moved gingerly in her chair again, trying to get comfortable. Damn, I really need some Aloe Vera cream she thought.
‘Is your chair uncomfortable?’ asked Marco, watching her as she leaned her body slightly to the side, resting her forearm on the arm of the chair, in order to lift her most sun burned side off the seat.
‘No, no’ lied Cassie, ‘just a little stiff like I told you.’ She sat back in her chair and pretended that she didn’t feel a thing.
‘Okay. Without being presumptuous again and ordering something before I have consulted you, would you like some dessert?’ he asked.
‘I should say no but I have a feeling that it would be my loss. What do you suggest maestro?’ she smiled over at him.
‘Now that you have acknowledged my superior authority, at least at this table’ he laughed, ‘might I suggest the Soufflé’ al Cioccolato, and a Sicilian Cannoli, which is a traditional pastry. The desserts are all made in house. I personally recommend them.’ he said with a theatrical flourish.
He gave their order for dessert and espresso to a passing waiter, just as two young men carrying guitars stepped onto the terrace and sat down at an unoccupied table. They casually set up a sound system and then began to play a medley of songs, from modern Italian songs, which Cassie didn’t recognize, through to jazz and some Frank Sinatra. The vocalist had a clear, melodic voice and Cassie was spellbound by the entertainment unfolding before them. It’s like a movie, she thought. These people are so natural and unselfconscious. She clapped enthusiastically at the end of each song and even sang along quietly to the ones she recognized.
Suddenly Marco stood up and grabbed her hand, swinging her up from her chair and onto an impromptu dance floor between the tables. His arm went around her waist as he twirled her around the floor, the other diners clapping and cheering them on. Several of the children at the large family table got up to join them, causing more whistles and cheers and Cassie felt herself caught up in the moment, looking up into Marco’s eyes and he spun her once more and he lent her back in his arms in a tango finish at the end of the song. Pink cheeked and laughing, they returned to their table, Marco dropping an E20 note into the cap of one of the singers, which had been discreetly placed on the floor at his feet.
‘You are a pretty good dancer yourself Marco’ said Cassie. ‘You are very light on your feet. Where did you learn to dance like that?’
‘At school, where else?’ said Marco. ‘It was the best way to meet girls so I used to turn up for all the lessons.’ he added with a cheeky grin.
Their desserts were placed in the middle of the table so they could share them and each one was a work of perfection. The chocolate soufflé had a little raspberry compote next to it and a scoop of vanilla gelato. Cassie dipped her spoon into the soufflé and liquid chocolate flowed out as she lifted it to her mouth. ‘Mm, this is heaven,’ she said with delight, licking the back of her spoon. Try some Marco before I eat it all.’
‘Okay, but try the cannoli as well.’ he said. Cassie broke a little of the crisp shell with her spoon and scooped it up with a generous blob of the filling. ‘Unbelievable.’ she exclaimed. ‘What is in the filling, it’s to die for.’
Sicilian Dreams Page 11