Still, we needed to get away from the station and out of sight. I'd been to Venice once on a business trip, and while I hadn't had time to thoroughly explore the city, I did know a couple places. The first thing we needed, however, was a boat. It wasn't that difficult to find a gondola. Once we settled in, I spoke to the nice Italian man smiling at us. “Portaci al Museo Guggenheim, per favore.”
“What was that?” Nami asked. “I caught part of it, but Italian isn't my strongest language.”
“I asked him to take us to the Guggenheim Museum,” I said. I released her hand and put my arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to me. “Now let's just look like we're enjoying the romance of the city.”
I nuzzled the back of her ear to make her laugh and it worked. I felt the last of the tension leave her as she turned towards me, her mouth covering mine. I made a sound of surprise as her tongue pushed between my lips. She turned her body towards me so that her breasts pushed against my chest, her kiss aggressive. My body began to respond and it was only the gondolier clearing his throat that kept me from taking things further.
“Young lovers?” His English was heavily accented but understandable. “From America, no?”
“Yes.” I gave him a charming smile. No need for Nami to tell him where she was from. A pair of Americans wouldn't attract that much attention. If Nami was from some place exotic, it might.
“I feel like I'm in a movie,” Nami said quietly as we settled back into more appropriate positions. “Something like Roman Holiday.”
“That's the one with Audrey Hepburn, right?” I asked. “I think I had to watch it in school once.”
She rolled her eyes. “You Americans can't even appreciate your finest accomplishments.”
I laughed. “Sorry. I'm a bit more of an action adventure kind of guy than the classics.”
“Ah, like the adventure we are on now.”
I kissed her nose. “Exactly.”
What was I doing? Acting like this was some cute little date? I'd always come across as suave and sophisticated. I didn't get women by being goofy or silly. I was charming. Cool, collected. A bit cocky.
Except around her. I'd been all those things yesterday, but today, I'd lost it. I found myself at a loss for words. Fell over my feet. And she seemed to like it. The odd thing was, I sort of did too. It was strange. I felt more relaxed around Nami than I had around any other woman I'd ever been with. Even Piper.
We pulled up next to the museum and I helped Nami up onto the sidewalk. We kept holding hands as we walked into the museum. I'd never been inside, but I figured this would be the best place to hide for a bit. Her bodyguards would have to search for her alone unless they wanted to make a scene by calling the cops and the impression I'd gotten from Nami was that no one wanted attention. Venice was full of places like this and the chances of them finding us right away were slim.
“You know,” Nami said quietly. “If I wanted to tour museums, I could've done that with Tomas and Kai.”
“Ah,” I said. “But could they give you running commentary about European Abstractionism or one of Jackson Pollock's greatest masterpieces?”
She raised an eyebrow. “You learned about art while getting your MBA?”
“Nope.” I grinned at her. “Learned it to impress girls. Did it work?”
She laughed, then slapped a hand over her mouth as the sound echoed. “I think that's one of the things I always hated about these places. I love the beauty of the art work, but I always feel like I'm in church, like I can't talk too loud or I'll be reprimanded.”
“I know what you mean,” I said, pitching my voice just as low. “And you know what?” I pulled Nami through a door that said 'Employees Only.' “It's always made me want to do something a bit...wicked.”
I shut the door behind us and pulled her to me. I couldn't say what it was, but I couldn't keep my hands off her. My mouth was hard on hers and she made a noise that sent my blood rushing south. I cupped her breast through her shirt while the other hand moved down to her ass. She ground her hips against me and it was my turn to moan. The things this woman did to me.
She pushed me back against the door and moved her mouth from mine, trailing kisses down my neck, pausing at the base to lightly nip at the skin. Her hand slid between us and she pressed her palm against my cock.
“Dammit, Nami,” I groaned. If she kept that up, I was either going to end up with a massive hard-on when we walked out of here or I was going to embarrass myself and come in my pants. Neither option was appealing.
“I think I should help you with this little problem.” She grinned at me. “Or…not so little.”
I stared at her as she went down on her knees. When I'd pulled her in here, I'd imagined making out, copping a feel over her clothes. Not this.
“What are you doing?” The question was ludicrous, but I couldn't stop myself from asking it.
“Having fun.” She winked at me as her hands quickly undid my pants, pulling them down just enough for her to reach into my underwear and pull out my cock.
I was already mostly hard, but the moment her lips touched me, that changed. My hands curled into fists as she took half of me, letting me swell in her mouth until she had to release me.
“Nami.”
“Shh,” she said, her hand running up and down my length. “We don't want anyone coming in here, do we?” She looked up at me, hints of cyan peeking through her thick lashes. “Unless that's what you want.” She flicked out her tongue against the tip of my cock and it twitched.
The mental image of what someone would see if they came in flashed through my mind. This beautiful woman on her knees, hand and mouth on my cock. It was gone as quickly as it came, the wet heat of Nami's mouth driving away all coherent thoughts.
I put my hand on her head, not to control her, but needing to touch her. Her curls were soft against my fingers, the sensation adding to what I was feeling as she began to suck on my cock, deep, steady pulls of her mouth that had my knees weak and my pulse racing.
“Nami.” I twisted my fingers in her curls. “I'm close.”
She looked up at me as my cock slid from between her lips. “I want you to go in my mouth.”
I swore. Where had this woman come from?
“Is there a reason why you shouldn't?”
I shook my head.
“Unless you don't want to?” Her voice was soft, uncertain.
I dropped my hand from her head and ran my thumb along her slightly swollen lips. “You have no idea how much I want to.”
She took the tip of my thumb in her mouth, sucking on it hard before releasing it. I rested my hand on her cheek as she leaned forward to wrap her lips around me again. My eyes closed, head falling back against the door with a thunk. Some women had a natural affinity for things of a primal nature. Nami had to be one of those because the things she was doing with her mouth and tongue...
My entire body stiffened as I came. I bit down on my bottom lip to stifle the sounds I wanted to make. My cock pulsed in her mouth, emptying even as her hand continued to work over the base, milking out every last drop. I could feel her swallowing and forced my eyes open. I looked down to find her eyes already on me, watching as she licked me clean.
I reached down and grabbed her arms, pulling her to her feet a bit more roughly than I'd intended.
“My turn.” The words were practically a growl and her eyes darkened at the sound.
I turned her so she was facing the door and quickly opened her pants. She gasped as I shoved my hand down beneath her panties. Her legs parted as my fingers slid between her folds.
“I wish you were wearing a skirt,” I said, my voice low. I pressed my mouth against her ear. “Because I really want my mouth on you.”
My fingers began to rub over her clit as my other hand slid under her shirt, moving up to her bra and pulling a cup down so I could get my hands on bare skin. Her nipple hardened almost immediately as my fingers closed around it. She rested her forehead against the door,
her breath coming in harsh pants as I drove her body towards climax. As much as I wanted to take my time with her, show her just how high I could take her, I knew this had to be fast, and there was something to be said for a quickie.
“You're so hot and wet.” I traced the shell of her ear with the tip of my tongue and she shuddered. “So wet for me.”
My cock rubbed against her jeans, the friction almost painful against my sensitive skin. I gave her nipple a sharp tug and she made a strangled sound, like she was trying to hold back.
“That's good,” I murmured. “Don't be loud. Wouldn't want someone to come in here and see you about to come on my fingers. And that's what's going to happen, isn't it?”
She nodded, every muscle in her body tense. She was close. I could feel it.
I nipped at her earlobe and moved my fingers harder and faster, pushing her. She began to tremble and then came with a cry.
“That's it.” I kissed the side of her neck, wishing I could mark her flawless skin as she shook in my arms. I kept my fingers moving slowly over her clit, coaxing out every last bit of pleasure I could. When I stilled, I kept my arms around her, my hand on her breast, until I was sure she could stand on her own.
She turned towards me, clothes still in disarray, her eyes shining. She reached out and took the hand that had been in her pants, raising it to her mouth. When she slid my fingers into her mouth, my stomach tightened. Her tongue moved over my skin, thoroughly cleaning each digit. My cock twitched and I knew if she kept it up, I'd be hard again in no time.
I pulled my hand away and leaned down to kiss her, tasting us both in her mouth. Her body pressed against mine and I wondered if there was any way I could get her in bed again before her day of fun was over. I didn't know why I wanted her so badly, and I wasn't going to take the time to try to figure things out. All I knew was we were both here and I was going to give her a day of freedom for her to remember.
Thirteen
Reed
What happened in the storage room hadn't lessened my desire for her. If anything, it had made it stronger. As we made our way through the city, I found myself constantly wanting to touch her. My arm around her shoulders, at her waist. Hand on the small of her back. Fingers laced between mine.
I barely registered the beauty of Venice even as our gondolier took us on a tour. All of my attention was on Nami and her reaction to everything. She was delighted at the architecture, amused by the other tourists. She was the strangest combination of maturity with child-like joy.
As we went, we also talked and I was again surprised at how easy it was to open up to her. By mid-day, I was telling her things I hadn't discussed with anyone.
“My parents decided that I needed to marry the daughter of this business partner of theirs. Britni.”
A shadow crossed her face, but was gone again before I could really be sure that I'd seen it. “Did you love her?” she asked.
I shook my head. “I barely knew her. She was a few years younger than me. I knew her brother was an ass, so that didn't make me more inclined to like the idea, but it was for my family.” I looked down at my left hand where I'd worn a gold band for the short time I'd been married. “I'd been okay with it until I met this girl. Piper. She was in my sister's class.”
“The spoiled one?” Nami was smiling, but her eyes were guarded.
I nodded. “I screwed up everything. I thought I was in love with Piper, but I didn't think I could break off the engagement with Britni, so I went through with it.”
“You're married?” Nami stiffened and started to pull away from me.
“No,” I said quickly. I kept my arm around her, but didn't try to pull her closer, not wanting to be aggressive. “I did marry Britni, but it was the marriage and Piper that finally made me see how miserable I was.” This was the first time I'd said all this out loud, I realized.
“What did you do?”
“Well, after I admitted it to myself, I knew I had to do something about it, but I wasn't sure what.” I twisted one of Nami's curls around my finger. “Then my brother-in-law did something awful and when I saw how his family rallied around him, I knew I couldn't be a part of it anymore. I filed for divorce.”
“And Piper?”
The words were flat and I looked down at Nami, wondering if I could read her thoughts on her face. I couldn't. I supposed I could've lied to her and told her that my divorce was the reason I'd come to Europe, but I didn't want to spoil what we had with a lie. Lies were what had gotten me into trouble in the first place.
“I went to her, told her about the divorce, but it was too late.” It didn't hurt to think about it anymore, which is what made me realize I hadn't been in love with Piper after all. “She'd found someone else.”
“I'm sorry,” Nami said, her voice sincere.
“I'm not,” I replied honestly. “She told me that the two of us had been drawn together because of circumstances, nothing else. We really weren't a good match.”
“Is she why you came to Europe?”
“Part of it.” I shifted in my seat and Nami moved with me, tucking her head against my shoulder. “My parents were furious about the divorce and threatened my job. That's when I realized I couldn't take it anymore. I was tired of doing everything they told me to do.”
“And did they accept your decisions?”
I heard the careful tone in her voice and knew we weren't just talking about me anymore. “Not exactly. I quit my job and left. That was a couple months ago.”
“And you haven't been back since?”
“No.” My fingers traced patterns on Nami's arm. “But I've talked to them a few times.”
“And are they okay with your choices now?”
“Not really,” I admitted. “But I don't regret doing it. Quitting or divorcing Britni. I've spent too much of my life doing as I was told. It was fine when I was a kid, but I'm far too old to be toeing the line like they wanted me to. I need to choose my own path. Work, love, family. They have to be my choices.”
Silence fell over us as our tour guide pulled us up to a spot where we could get off. I helped Nami out of the gondola and she put her arm around my waist, leaning her head against me. I was surprised, but wasn't about to complain. I put my arm around her shoulders and we headed for the Palácio rosado.
“It's so beautiful,” Nami said softly as we made our way inside.
She was right. The outside had been impressive enough, but the interior with its ornate high ceilings and breath-taking architecture, was spectacular. The tour guide was talking but I didn't hear a word he said and I didn't think Nami did either. She seemed to be deep in thought and I didn't want to interrupt her. Neither of us spoke through the entire tour, but as we broke off at the end and started to walk about on our own, she broke the silence.
“My family has planned my life out.” She was staring straight ahead and her voice was soft. I almost thought she might be talking to herself rather than me. “I told you that I majored in political science because it was what they wanted, but it's beyond that. I, too, am supposed to take over my family's...business.”
We stood at the Bridge of Sighs, oblivious to everyone else around us. I didn't know what was going on with Nami, but she was clearly dealing with some difficult choices.
“It's been in my family for generations,” she continued. “A legacy passed down to the eldest child, boy or girl, and we're expected to rise to it. We're trained for it from birth.” There was a hint of bitterness in her voice.
“And what if you refuse?” I asked.
“I can't.” She sighed and straightened, pulling away from me. “If my brother had lived, maybe I could have, but he died when he was only a few hours old.”
“I'm so sorry,” I said.
“I don't remember him,” she said absently. “I remember when my mother miscarried though. Twice. How sad everyone was. My parents weren't going to try for another one. Halea was their miracle baby. Four weeks early and so tiny. Even when she finally came home,
she was so small I was afraid to hold her.”
I had the sudden, sharp memory of my mother handing me a squalling, red-faced bundle. Rebecca had been a handful from moment one, but I'd loved her then. I supposed I still loved her, but I didn't like her very much. I felt a stab of jealousy for what Nami and her sister had. Her parents might've been similar to mine, but she at least had Halea.
“You see, if I choose to step down from my position, it would go to Halea.” Nami crossed her arms, rubbing them with her hands as we followed a group of people to see the dungeon. “And she couldn't handle it.”
“Does she want it?” I asked. “I know you said she's sixteen, but some people know what they want to do when they're that age.”
Nami shook her head. “It doesn't matter. She doesn't have the strength to do it, to deal with everything.”
I wondered what sort of business the Carrs owned, but I didn't ask. I was getting the distinct impression that she would only offer the personal details she wanted, and nothing more.
“She wants to please people,” Nami continued. “She hates conflict. Always the peacemaker.”
I could see where that would be a problem in the business world. While compromise and negotiation always required a bit of flexibility, someone who always wanted to make peace would certainly get walked all over. To be good at being in charge, a person had to have the right combination of stubbornness and a willingness to consider others' opinions.
“There's no one else,” she said.
I hated the tone of defeat in her voice. A wave of protectiveness washed over me, surprising me. I'd never been protective of anyone. Not really. I considered myself a gentleman and tried to look out for people, but it was never anything like this. I wanted to hold her and tell her that it would all be okay.