The next morning, after a hasty early morning breakfast, Christian ushered her into a car. “Have you packed whatever you need for a day trip?” he asked, eyeing her backpack.
“Yes. How long will it take to reach Pisa?” Skylar couldn’t help the excitement bubbling inside her. Dressed in a bright off-shoulder top and a pair of her favorite figure-hugging jeans, she knew she was looking smoking hot. How long could Christian restrain his urges?
“Not more than an hour.” Every time he glanced her way, his gaze swept over her curvy figure and his heart skipped a beat. He knew his resolve to stay away from her was slipping away every minute in her company.
She looked out as they sped away from Florence through the beautiful Tuscany countryside. The car drove through the rolling hills towards their first stop, Pisa. Lost in the view, she hardly realized when Christian closed the distance between them. Her arm brushed against his and goosebumps erupted on her bare arms. Startled, she turned to look at him only to find him inches away from her.
“Oh!” Acutely aware of herself, a gasp escaped her. “Umm, can you sit in your place?”
“This is my place.” His eyes didn’t miss the goosebumps on her skin or the steady rise and fall of her breasts at his nearness. It was clear it as affected her as he was. The incomplete experience last night left him craving more. If she didn’t admit it even tonight, it would be difficult for him to restrain his urges.
Skylar blushed, noticing the direction of his gaze. She wished she had worn a padded bra. At least her nipples wouldn’t stand out! This was so embarrassing! She scooted farther away from him, sticking to the door now!
“You’re squashing me. Please move over, Christian.” She had to be firm with him or else he would melt her resolve again in a jiffy and have her pleading to touch her. No, she wouldn’t give in, she wouldn’t plead. She didn’t need a man to please her.
“No, get used to me.”
“Why should I? It’s not like we’ll stay married for long.” Christian rolled his eyes at her. He knew she was upset!
“Oh, yes. We will stay married forever. You want me as much as I want you.”
“No. You’re wrong. I don’t want anyone.” Christian shook his head, leaning towards her.
“Liar!” He watched her face flush with color. Although she tried hard to ignore him, it was an impossible feat when his arms and thighs brushed against hers all the time. Skylar tried hard to not let it affect her. She tried to concentrate more on her surroundings than on the hottest specimen of the entire male species sticking to her.
“Must you stick to me?” she hissed while he just chuckled. Somehow, she had the feeling he was teasing her on purpose. But why would he?
“Yes. That’s what I plan to do. You don’t want me, so it shouldn’t affect you at all!” Skylar groaned inwardly. At that point, she wanted to scream with desperation and admit that she was affected by his nearness. Yes, she wanted him!
“It’s not affecting me that way. I’m just getting cramps from being squashed to the door.”
Christian chuckled and rolled his eyes at her concocted excuse. Didn’t she realize how bad she was at it? He could read her like an open book.
“Your naivety is turning me on, Skylar.”
“What the fuck!” She sat like a statue, looking out of the window all the way to Pisa. The car dropped them off at the stunning Piazza del Miracoli in Pisa and Christian led her towards the famous Pisa Cathedral. Christian showed her the highlights of the Romanesque masterpiece, explaining the unique pulpit and the Virgin Mary frescoes.
Next, they visited the Pisa Baptistry or the Battistero di San Giovanni.
“It’s as tall as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.”
“Can we see it next?” pleaded Skylar.
Christian complied, and they walked towards the Tower next.
“Wow! This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I want to take an I’m-holding-the-tower shot, please. The girls will be flabbergasted!”
“Sure, while returning.”
Skylar gasped at the immense marble steps as they climbed to the top. “It’s never ending!”
“No, there will be around 273 stairs. I can carry you if you’re tired.”
Skylar’s eyes widened, and she looked at the other tourists around them. “No, please. Don’t touch me. I can manage.”
However, it had the opposite effect on Christian. He placed his arm around her waist and crushed her to his side as they went up the stairs. It disturbed her a lot, making her body react to his touch, but what could she do? She couldn’t create a scene in front of everyone!
They reached the top, and Christian drew her into his embrace to click a selfie. “We look good together, don’t we?” Skylar gazed at the picture he took with wide eyes. Yes, he was right. They looked like a married couple already!
“Hmm, we look okay.” She blushed at the incredulous look on his face. She wanted to look unaffected and cool! How could she admit it out to him? It would prove to her otherwise.
“Coward!” he whispered in her ear, his mouth grazing the sensitive skin before releasing her.
For an hour, they explored the place. It was getting more and more crowded, and Skylar felt claustrophobic. “Can we leave? I’m not enjoying it anymore.”
Christian led her outside, and they took the photograph she wanted. Later, Christian showed her the ancient city walls and stopped for lunch.
“They serve the best food here. The crowd is much less, as most don’t know about the place.”
“How do you know so much about Pisa? I’m sure you’ve been here before,” said Skylar as they settled into a cozy family-run restaurant tucked away in a corner.
“Yes. After finalizing the deal, I came here with my General Manager and his family.”
“Oh, who all were there in his family?” she asked suspiciously.
“His wife and two daughters!” Skylar shot him a look. She knew it!
“Were they hot?” Christian laughed and shook his head while she waited for his reply.
“What? I asked you something.”
“You don’t want me. So it shouldn’t affect you at all.” Skylar scowled and fiddled with her phone. She was bursting with curiosity, but Christian sat with a smug look on his face. She was sure he was enjoying her discomfort.
“Forget that I asked.” She sulked and drank water while Christian watched her with amusement. Was it so difficult to give in? Their food arrived and Skylar ignored his existence.
“Don’t you like the food?” he asked her, unable to bear the silence.
“Yes, it’s too good. Thank you.” It was a polite little gesture with no warmth in it. Christian sighed, wondering if he was taking things too far with her.
“They were just thirteen.” She gaped at him for a second.
“What?” she asked in confusion.
“My GM’s daughters were just thirteen. You have no reason to feel jealous.” A blush appeared on her cheeks and she sucked in a deep breath to calm herself.
“I ..” she started, but he stopped her.
“Don’t deny it. I know you were jealous. I can read you like an open book, Skylar.”
Skylar gaped at him for a minute. So he knew she wanted him last night. Realization hit her then. He had pulled away at the last minute on purpose just to tease her. No, she wouldn’t give him the pleasure of seeing her so vulnerable again.
“It’s human nature to feel jealous.”
“You feel jealous only when you like someone more than necessary. When you want someone for yourself, you feel jealous of another who has him. Am I right?”
Skylar didn’t answer. It was a universal truth, and it wasn’t arguable.
Christian didn’t prod her further since she wouldn’t admit it ever. Her silence was her admission, in a way.
He took her next to Siena, the historic city of the Palio Horse Race. Afterwards, they visited the medieval village of San Gimignano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“We can try the world-famous Gelato here. Do you want some?” Skylar nodded vigorously since desserts were her weakness.
“I can do anything for desserts!” she gasped, clasping her hands with excitement. Her gaze fell upon the dessert shop opposite, and her mouth watered at the sight of it. Christian’s eyes sparkled with interest. This was a secret he wasn’t aware of!
“Noted!” he muttered, but Skylar was too lost in the world of Gelato to hear him.
They started the tour of San Gimignano with ample servings of Gelato and ended it with the same. The sun was about to set and they climbed into the car to return to Florence.
“It was worth the effort. I loved the trip,” she said, leaning against the seat to rest her tired body.
“I’m glad you did. You know what this means, don’t you?” Skylar gave him a blank look.
“What does it mean?”
“You have to thank me in my way.” Skylar gaped at him, realizing what he meant!