“Actually, I might get a private one built out on the balcony. Making love to you in a steam-filled room is definitely on my list of things to do, and soon.”
I laughed. “Sounds hot!”
“You’re punny,” he said cleverly.
I smacked his chest lightly. “Come on, we’ve got so much to see today.”
The hotel was situated in the middle of Rome’s high-end shopping district, but as tempting as shopping in Rome sounded at that moment, I was keen to see the Vatican City and the Colosseum.
We finished our shower and dressed warmly, although, it was not bitter cold, and surprisingly once the sun came out, it was a beautiful fresh day. A limousine was waiting at the front of the hotel to take us the short distance across the Tiber River to the Vatican City. I was beyond excited at the prospect of seeing famous places and landmarks up close and in person, giving me the ability to decide for myself as to their brilliance and stature.
As the limousine approached, I spotted the top of St. Peter’s Basilica, and tingles of exhilaration prickled all over me. When the limousine finally stopped, I wrenched the door open and let myself out, breaking protocol and surprising the driver.
“Alexis,” Bryce chuckled, “you might want to wait for me.”
“You snooze, you lose,” I called back with a smile as I headed for St. Peter’s Square.
The sound of the limo door shutting came quickly, and his footsteps gaining on me followed. I squealed when I felt his arms scoop me up. “I’ll never let you get away.”
I placed my hands on his shoulders as he helped slide me back onto my feet. “I’ll never want to,” I whispered to his lips. “Now let me go. We have sightseeing to do.”
Walking around a place so rich with history, art and religion was not only a wonderful experience, it was made even more wonderful by being able to share that experience with Bryce. We held hands as we strolled through the Apostolic Palace and Sistine Chapel, getting a sore neck from the long endured craning to really appreciate Michelangelo’s painted masterpiece.
After a quick lunch at a café and an espresso to keep me awake for days, we headed to the Colosseum. As we approached the ancient ruin, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would’ve looked like in its prime. Of course I’d seen pictures and movies depicting it standing vibrant and full of spectators to a brutal battle of gladiators, but to see it in the flesh in all its glory would’ve been amazing. I was surprised at how much of the amphitheatre had collapsed and it saddened me. Unfortunately, preventing destruction by natural forces was impossible.
***
We arrived back at our suite in the late afternoon.
“Are you feeling lucky today?” I asked Bryce as I slumped on the bed.
“What?” he shot out, as if I’d sprung him doing something suspect.
I lifted my upper body from the bed, propping myself up on my elbows. “Maybe you’re not feeling so lucky then.”
“Sorry, I was just thinking about something,” he said dismissively. “Am I feeling lucky? I hope so. You have no idea how lucky I hope to feel, why?”
“Because...I was going to let you rub my feet. They are fucked.”
He walked toward the bed, removing his shoes in the process. “It must be my lucky day then.”
He had a grin so wide it made me scoff and roll my eyes. “Whatever floats your boat, Mr. Clark.”
He took hold of my foot, the one I broke, and gently removed my shoe. I watched him delicately trace his fingertips over my scar. “How does it feel?”
I lowered myself back down to the mattress with a thud. “Good, although I gave it a good test today.”
“Well, we won’t be walking tonight.”
“Tonight?” I queried, feeling a little too exhausted for anything.
“Yes, I have a special reservation.”
“Where? What are we having?”
“Italian.”
I playfully kicked him with my other foot. “Derrr.”
***
I was pleasantly surprised when we stepped out of the hotel to find a scooter instead of the limousine. Bryce handed me my helmet and put his on—the one I bought him for Christmas.
“Scooter? Really?” I asked, astonished and unsure if I was excited or not.
“We are in Italy. It’s the best way to get around.”
“I’m going to ruin my hair.” I said while looking at the helmet.
“Nothing about you can be ruined, Hunny.”
I tilted my head to the side and gave him a cynical grin. “If only that were true.”
Sliding on the helmet, I positioned myself onto the scooter behind him, thankful I was wearing pants.