Cara stirred under the covers and reached over to Vittore, but he wasn’t there. She opened her eyes and surveyed the room and saw him sitting out on the balcony hunched over a laptop and muttering “miseria” and “maledizione” as he jabbed at the keys. He heard her giggle and turned his head and looked into the room, “Mia Bella, bourn giorno, how are you feeling this morning?”

 He lifted a carafe and asked, “Cappuccino?” She nodded. He prepared a huge cup of the steaming brew stirred it with a stick of cinnamon and brought it into her.

“Molte grazie!” she said as he sat it down on the nightstand.

“Scuzi? Parla Italiano?" He put his fists on his hips and his robe opened to reveal his chiseled chest softly draped by the black silk and smiled, “Molto Bene, Cara! I will now need to be careful what I say in your presence.”

“Do you always have to look so damn sexy!? You drive me nuts every time I look at you, I want you so bad, but I can’t move!” Cara groaned and slid down further under the covers. “Go put something on that would make you less sexy. Only I have no idea what the hell that could be. Shoo go away!”

“You do not like the way I look Cara?” he slid onto the bed and lifted her chin, “I always like the way you look, you do not hear me complain. Do I say Cara, put on clothes I no longer want to look at your body! But if you insist I can put on a pair of shorts and a tee shirt, trust me, you will not find me sexy in those.”

Cara thought about him in a pair of shorts and her eyes narrowed and she shook her head, “Your right or a baseball cap, why is that?”

“Good Cara, we have established that I will not wear shorts, since it seems to repel you. But I thought that was purpose.”

Horror crossed her face, “Please don’t tell me you wear a Speedo to the beach.” Cara held her hand over her opened mouth, her eyes spread wide. “Oh god, please don’t tell me you wear a Speedo!” She rolled on the bed laughing at the image!

“Most women want their men to look good and you imagine ways for me to look ridicules. And no Cara, I do not wear a Speedo, I swim naked.” He gently tweaked her nose, “Drink your Cappuccino, we travel to Umbria in a few hours and I still need to feed you.”

“Umbria! Sounds like I’m not catching a tour bus? Have I changed my mind?”

“Si Bella. Your mind changed and you will enjoy having me as your tour guide.” He kissed her lips, relishing the taste of the Cappuccino lingering on her mouth.

“What’s in Umbria?”

“I have a villa there and partner in a winery. It has been over a month since I have been there, plus it is where my gioia piccolo lives and I want her to meet you. So get up and shower, I will order breakfast then we will leave.”

“You’ve called me piccolo before what does that mean?” Cara was determined to learn as many words of Italian as possible.

“Piccolo is little.” He climbed off the bed and began packing up his laptop.

“And “gioia”?”

“I will let you discover that on your own. Now hurry, I want to leave the city this afternoon, it is several hours to Umbria.”

Cara climbed out from underneath the sheets and snuggled her naked body against his bare chest, “Do you want to join me?”

He held her at arm’s length, “Cara, I am staying away from you, you are dangerous! And I will not allow myself to be tempted. I decided last night no more fountains and no fruit!” He shook his finger in front of her face. “I am not going near you today, Cara, go shower!”

“The strawberry was your idea” she protested as she flipped around and headed to the bath, wiggling her butt at him.

He sent a prayer heaven ward.

Vittore had breakfast brought up and was sitting on the balcony sipping espresso. Below him were the sounds of morning traffic as Roma awakened from its sleep. Horns blared as drivers vied for the right of way and shop keepers swept the dust from the front of their stores. He gazed over the roof tops seeking out the dome of St. Peters Basilica.

The St. George sat on the east side of the Tiber River directly across from Vatican City on a street popular to Romans, Via Giulia. The street was filled antiques dealers, churches and held an ancient palazzo that locals enjoyed gathering at. The side streets that surround it such as via Del Pellegrino and via Dei Cappellari, still bore the ancient Sampietrini paving stones. It was an ancient street in this ancient city.

Cara emerged from the bath, flush from the steaming hot water, hair wet and smelling of the hotels signature scent, sweet figs. “That shower is amazing! I didn’t want to get out.”

She towel dried her hair as she too gazed out over the balcony capturing the morning activities. “How do men get ready so fast?” She turned and leaned against the balcony balustrade looking at Vittore dressed in black jeans, an Armani white on white shadow striped shirt and a black lambskin leather ¾ length coat. Did he know how handsome he was?

A gentle breeze teased the hair out from behind his ear and sent a dark strand dancing along his cheek. She stepped forward and eased it back into place.

Vittore kissed her wrist and smiled, “Magic. Sit Cara and eat. My mother would be proud of my sexual prowess but starving a woman is unforgiveable.”

“Your mother; gioia, that’s who you’re taking me to meet, right? Your little mother?”

“No, my mother is not yet ready for you, I will need to prepare her for that encounter. No, gioia is not mother, that is l’madre.” He was going to enjoy this game with her; he knew it would continue the entire trip to Umbria.

“I knew that! Sister?”

“Cara, manjiare, manjiare; eat, eat.

Vittore avoided the multilane Autoban that led out of Rome and opted for the Autostrada instead that wormed its way north then meandered northeast to Narnia.

“Cara, you are following alongside one of the worlds’ most ancient roads” Vittore pointed to his left, “We are following the Roman road Via Flaminia built by Gaius Flaminius in the 3rd century. It is good to be your tour guide. When wonders are at your doorstep, one takes them for granted when seen every day. I am glad you allowed me to share this with you.”

Vittore revved the engine of his Bugatti and slid it into a higher gear. The Autostrada allowed Vittore the pleasure of not only the speed but the maneuvering that his Bugatti did so well. He took turns at speeds that left Cara speechless and whenever they approached a turn on the mountain roads leading further north into the heart of Umbria towards his home in Montefalco, she covered her eyes and squealed.