by Helena Smith
We fall asleep in each others arms, our legs are entwined. Robert appears to have fully woken up and within a nanosecond is hard again. He doesn’t have to work had to turn me on, I am the same a second later. He is inside me once again and ontop of me. His fingers in my hair, his sleep eyes locked onto mine as he moves in and out of me. We both cry out in our sleepy orgasm.
‘Morning princess. ‘
‘Morning’ I have a stupid grin on my face. This has been the best sex of my life. In fact, it has been the best 24 hours of my life.
‘Robert, when do we fly out to Italy?’
‘We fly out tomorrow.’
‘Wow, that has gone by quickly’.
‘It has.’
‘I need to spend some time with Ash before I go.’
‘Okay, well... why don’t we take you back after breakfast and I can come and pick you up tomorrow at 11am for the flight. How does that sound?’
‘Perfect’. I dive off to the bathroom and get in the shower. Blushing and biting my lip as memories of last night’s excitement flood back. I put the hotel dressing gown on and wander into the lounge. Robert has breakfast all laid out on the dining table and I join him. Realising how famished I am.
For so long I have dreamed of having the perfect relationship. A man to look after me and care for me. Someone who will be my friend as well as a lover. I feel like I have conquered some great challenge. Finally, I have met... the one. I can’t hide how smitten I am with him.
CHAPTER 21
Ash and I are heading into town to have lunch, with alcohol... the best lunch that there is. Then we plan to do more shopping followed by more alcohol at dinner later on. We spend the day trying on different clothes, some random clothes that we would never usually ever wear. The town is heaving with people, so much so that people are having to walk on the roads at time to make their way past the crowd. Its exhausting.
By the time we get to dinner that night, we both laugh and admit how our feet have doubled in size. We have gone to a little Mexican restaurant that always serves food with vibrant colours and flavours. Catching up on the latest with Ash and the latest with me. Our night goes to quickly. As we get home we both decide that we have had enough alcohol and decide on a nice cup of tea instead.
‘I am really going to miss you Bella.’
‘Me too Ash, me too. But I will be texting you all the time and I will be back in about 4 weeks. It will fly by.’
She nods in agreement. Chatting for a further 2 hours. It never ceases to amaze me that in all the years we have known each other... all the times we have spent together... we have never, ever ran out of conversation. Hilarious. We both head off to bed, admitting that we are mentally and physically exhausted.
The next morning after my shower I go downstairs and I can smell food... mmmm it delights my nostrils. As I walk into the kitchen Ash is slaving away over the oven. She is making a full on breakfast, and has a mug of coffee waiting for me.
‘Oh you are a star.’
‘I know... who is the best mate ever in the world? Yep that would be me! Robert will be here in half an hour to join us for breakfast. I thought it would be nice for the 3 of us to have breakfast together before you guys go.’
‘You’re so cute.’
‘I know I am.’
I laugh and go back upstairs to finish off my packing. I really do hope I have remembered everything, but I suppose if I have forgotten anything we can always buy it. Then low and behold the bell goes. Ash goes to the door and its Robert, he greets Ash with a big hug which is nice. I love the fact that they get on. Its important to me that they are close. Robert comes bounding up the stairs and sweeps me in into his arms.
‘Finally... we get to go away.’ He sounds so excited. I laugh in response...
‘Yes.... today we get to go away. I am just sad to leave Ash though. I am really going to miss her.’
‘Well...... here is an idea, why don’t you invite her to come and stay?’
‘Really? Would you mind?’
‘Of course I wouldn’t mind! She is your best friend, she makes you happy and makes you smile. So I have to look after her as well as you’
‘Robert….your wonderful. I love you so much.’ This is the first time I have properly told him... face to face. I brace myself for his reaction.
‘No where near as much as I love you.’ Oh my heart feels like it could explode out of my chest. We go downstairs and set the table. Ash starts loading up the table with different delights. From croissants, homemade hash browns, Spanish chorizo and egg... what a delight. We all sit down and chat while eating our breakfast. It was lovely. Then Robert says
‘Are you going to tell her then?’
‘Oh my god are you both getting married?’
‘Slow down Ash... not yet no.’ Blushing slightly at Ash. ‘But I was telling Robert how I am really going to miss you. So he said, that you should come out for a holiday. Can you get a week off?’
‘Hell yeah I can get a week off. Are you sure you don’t mind Robert? I really don’t want to get in the way. ‘
‘Nonsense. You will never be in the way. It was my idea Ash. And, its my treat. ‘
She jumps up and gives him a squeeze and is as giddy as a kid in a sweetshop. It makes my heart melt even more.
‘Have you got everything Bella?’
‘Yeah, I think that’s about everything. If I have forgotten anything now then it is tough.’
Robert opens the door to David, and David greets both Ash and I and collects all my suitcases. I turn to Ash and give her a big cuddle.
‘Let me know Ash when you can time off work and I will book the flights. I can’t wait for you to come out.’
‘My company isn’t that bad surely?’ Robert chips in laughing.
‘Nooo, of course not. But I will miss you Ash. So get that time booked off.’
‘Urmmm, you think your going to have to remind me about booking time off to jet off to Sicily. I am just too excited.’
With that, I grab my handbag and all important passport. Robert opens the car door and I climb into the leather seats, that give off that leather scent as soon as you sit down. He runs around and climbs in next to me and grabs my hand. Finally, we are on our way to the airport. The journey speeds by as I update Robert on my day with Ash yesterday. I love the fact that he has embraced her as well, and that he wants us to spend time together. As we pull up to the airport, Alex jumps out to collect the luggage.
Checking in was a breeze, but going through security is always such a pain. Why is it that you always get the people arguing about throwing away their water, and the fact that they haven’t put their liquids in a clear plastic bag. But I am past caring. I am with the wonderful Robert. About to meet his wonderful family, in delightful Sicily. I couldn’t be more excited if I try. Robert steered me towards the 1st class lounge and we both opted for the orange juice instead of the champagne. I love airports. I love people watching and trying to guess where everyone is going. We seem to board the plane quickly and the journey was equally as quick which suits me fine.
We land in beautiful Sicily. I have never been before, but I love the idea of Sicily. Its strange that Roberts accent has an American twang, but he explained last week how he had grown up between Italy and America. We get out of the airport in super sonic time and outside Robert, of course, has a driver waiting. We climb into the car and the driver weaves through the streets and dodges the traffic. The horns all beeping at each other as though they are having a conversation. I love going away, it smells different, sounds different and looks different.
It doesn’t take too long before the roads get quieter. Poor Robert, I have been glued to the window. So I lean over and kiss him on his cheek.
‘What’s that for?’
‘An apology, for not paying you much attention. I am sorry, I have been glued to the window, but I just want to... you know... soak the place in. ‘
‘Soak away baby... soak away’
With that
he squeezes my hand as I watch the scenery flash past. Kids playing in the streets in villages, practicing on being the next Ronaldo. Girls giggling with each other... no doubt about boys, looking at their age. The sky is a beautiful blue, with the odd fluffy cotton ball cloud. The rolling hills are a luscious green, and the air... mmmm the air is warm and now and again I get the waft of citrus. Or maybe its the drivers magic tree and I am just being too romantic about the whole thing.
‘Bella... look. Can you see the beach? It’s called Mondello beach.’
I look, and its stunning. We are coming over the crest of a hill and you can see the beautiful beach in a sort of U shape. The stunning blue water.
‘Oh Robert... it’s just gorgeous.’ I am grinning like the cat that has got the cream. Instead of going to what looks like the centre, we are heading towards the countryside. After about 20 minutes we make turn after turn and eventually we pull up at a set of huge gates. I can’t see a house though. The gates open after the driver has spoken in his beautiful language into the intercom. The grand gates swing open and the driver nudges the car through. It only strikes me now, that I am a little nervous. I don’t know how big Roberts’s extended family is, and I don’t know if they will all be here. What if they don’t like me? I can’t believe this has only just occurred to me now. Robert tilts my head to look at him
‘Why do you look so worried all of a sudden?’
‘Well... it’s a bit embarrassing really. I have only just realised I am going to meet your family and I am... well nervous. In fact.... I am more than nervous, I feel like I am going to pass out. What if they hate me?’
‘Why... oh why... would anyone hate you? You are perfect. Just... perfect. They will love you and you have nothing to worry about at all okay?’ He said firmly and with conviction, which makes me feel a little bit easier.
‘okay.’ The car swings round to a house, actually its not a house... it looks like a palace. Oh good grief, why can’t he just have a normal home. As we get out of the car and walk up the grand stone steps to the front door that was built for a giant, swings open.
‘Ciao Roberto!’ A grey haired large fella grabs him and kisses him.
‘Please... Uncle... English for Bella.’
‘Sorry... sorry Roberto. So you must be the beautiful Bella.’ My cheeks colour, and I nod and manage to squeak out.
‘Urmm... yes. So you are Robert’s Uncle?’ I smile at him and he gives me such a wonderful smile back.
‘Yes, I am his Uncle from his father’s side of the family.’ His accent is wonderfully thick but his English is superb. I again had not thought about the language barrier.
‘Come Bella.... You must meet a few members from Roberts’s family. They are all here and very eager to meet you’ He puts his arm around me and for a second I can see a slight amount of embarrassment on Robert’s face. His Uncle, who I still have no idea what he is called, ushers me through the hall, which is massive. In fact its the size of my house and I am dazzled by the shine from the marble. The staircase is a double staircase, a set on either side of the hall. Maybe if you get bored using the left side you use the right side? Why am I thinking of such trivial things? Nerves... always my nerves. Its all decked out in marble with... Jesus ... its the biggest chandelier in the world I’m sure of it. My head moves down and the banister for the stairs is made from beautiful wrought iron, in a wonderful intricate pattern. My heels click on the cold marble floor as Uncle... whoever he is leads me into the room just before the left hand staircase begins. He opens the door to meet a few members of Roberts family and there is over 50 people in this room. I feel so on the spot, and I have no idea what to say.
‘Hi…. everyone.’ I offer them a smile. They all shout a mixture of.
‘Hello, ciao, hi, buongiorno.’ one person shouted ‘hola’ which confused me even more.
Then came the time to introduce everyone. There is no way I am going to remember everyone. Uncle was doing the honours.
‘This is Roberto’s cousin, Nicky. This is Roberto’s other cousin, Maria. This is her husband Giorgio.....’ My head was spinning with all these introductions. Then a tall guy walked in the room with dark hair and a blank expression, unlike the rest of the people that were crowded around me.
‘Bella, this is Roberto’s brother, he is called Giuseppe.’
I look up at Giuseppe and I feel slightly intimidated, in fact... I feel intimidated by everyone. Its so much to take in.
‘Hello Giuseppe, its nice to meet you.’
‘Bella, I have heard alot about you.’ with that he kisses me to welcome me. With that he clink’s his glass with a silver spoon and announces.
‘Everyone, to welcome Bella to our family, please let us go outside now to celebrate as us Sicilians know best.’
As I manage to have a few moments where everyone is chatting frantically, I look around the lounge. There are several couches, all sumptuous with plenty of cushions. A beautiful large ornate gold mirror on top of the most grand fireplace I have laid eyes on. Flowers are in vases and give off the most beautiful scent, a mixture between Lilly’s and roses. As my eyes scan the room I feel like I am in a show room. The kitchen, is well ... for a foodie it is like a haven. Bowls of fresh fruit lie everywhere. The kitchen is cream units with granite work tops everywhere. There are numerous waitresses and waiters rushing about, replenishing their empty trays with more food and running back out. There are 3 chefs working away in the kitchen and the smell of tomato and fresh garlic hits me, and makes my stomach rumble. All of the staff nod at me and smile politely as they rush around. I ask Robert where the bathroom is, and he takes me upstairs.
Walking up the staircase feels like I have won the lottery. Robert shows me the bathroom, which is massive. It has a wrought iron stand alone bath. A shower that’s big enough for 10 people to get in, over in the corner a toilet and 2 sinks. Maybe, it’s in case you get bored with one sink I muse. The bathroom is decked out in marble that has glitter in. Its like this bathroom was made for me. I could spend hours in here. I mean at home I shower twice a day but I might be doubling that looking at this bathroom. I run to the toilet, and wash my hands in the luxurious hand wash. A smell of lemongrass hits me, delightful. As I come out, Robert is waiting in the corridor. He shows me our bedroom, as I walk in, the carpet is that thick my heels sink into the thick pile. This place is divine. The bed is massive and decked out in fresh white cotton, with some lime green silk pillows scattered. I smile at Robert and squeeze his hand and he playfully pushes me onto the bed. I scream in a playful way and he laughs. Pinning me to the bed with his hands and we start to kiss. I start to get lost in this moment as his mouth moves down my chest. Then I can hear shouting
‘Roberto... Bella? Where are you?’
‘Damn it, that’s one of my Uncles.’ He laughs, as our moment is clearly not going to continue. I don’t want all of Roberts’s family searching for us. That would be an uncomfortable first impression to say the least.
We go downstairs, and his Uncle looked at us amused.
‘I was showing Bella around the house Uncle’. He nodded but was still clearly amused.
We work our way out of the lounge, through the most beautiful patio doors and into the garden. The pool is huge and has a waterfall going into it. There is a small band in the corner playing background music, and caterers running around serving drinks. There is tables all over the garden with beautiful table decorations all laid out awaiting the feast to be devoured on each one.
‘Are you okay?’ Robert has slipped is arms around my waist and his lips are close to ear as he says it, before he nuzzles into my neck.
‘Fine…. just a little overwhelmed. That’s all. They are lovely’
‘Lovely... overpowering, but lovely. Don’t worry, tomorrow we shall go and explore so you can see the beautiful sites of Palermo. But tonight... well tonight is for the family. We often have get togethers but tonight it’s about welcoming you.’
‘That’s really sweet.’ Then I st
art giggling, and Robert starts poking me in my ribs.
‘What are you giggling at?’
‘Well, my family meal was this morning. Ash, you and me haha... in my dining room. Slight difference wouldn’t you say?’ With that we both start laughing. The family are all talking and laughing loudly with each other. Some of the kids are running about and playing together. So many of them. Then Robert informs me that this is just a few members of the family. Good grief. I am wondering whether or not all of Sicily is related to Robert. I feel dizzy with trying to keep up with everyone.
Wine is flowing, and the food.... well the food is some of the best I have ever tasted in my life. It is delicious and colourful, the taste.... well the tastes are just sublime. Tomatoes, taste so fresh and juicy. Everything is so fresh. We all sit at our tables, the centre pieces are lit as the sun has begun to set and the evening sky crawls along into darkness. After dinner, the music gets a little louder but it doesn’t intrude on our evening. I am surrounded by all the women chatting about fashion. They are telling me what the next big trends will be. I look to see where Robert is, and there is a group of men talking with him. They look serious. Caterina looks at me staring at Robert,
‘You both look very much in love.’
‘We are. They all look very serious.’
‘They are talking business, best not to interrupt them.’ With that she refills my glass and the evening continues, some of the children have passed out in their chairs, the table acting as their pillow. Before long the crowd starts to dwindle and announce their departure. We wave everyone off, apart from his brother. He apparently lives in this house as well.