world we created, paul lahote

Chapter 35

Ravello, Italy unfolds like a picturesque postcard, where dramatic cliffs rise steeply from the azure Mediterranean Sea. Lucia had been pleasantly surprised when they'd landed in Italy, having had no clue where exactly Paul had planned on taking her. Thinking back, she probably should've realised Charlie and her aunt June were in on it--their knowing smiles and vague hints having been nothing but confusing during the days leading up to Lucia and Paul's wedding.

Paul helped his wife out of the car, her smaller hand fitting perfectly in his. He shut the passenger door behind them and guided her on the gravel path. Surrounded by lush gardens filled with fragrant lemon trees, the villa stood proudly before them, beckoning the couple to enter by following the pathway leading up to the front door. The sound of waves crashing against the rocks below the cliff the villa was perched on provided a soothing backdrop, while the gentle sea breeze rustled through the leaves.

Paul's hands came and rested on her shoulders, pressing a kiss to her temple as she took in the place they would stay for the next few weeks. It was beyond perfect and knowing her husband had done all this for her caused a kaleidoscope of butterflies to flutter around in Lucia's stomach. She turned to face Paul, eyes bright from their wedding and the delightful surprise.  "I can't believe you thought of this. I never would've expected it."

"I would give you anything you ask of me, Mrs Lahote," Paul murmured, leaning down so his lips brushed against hers. His hand came up to cup the back of her neck, toying with the hair at the nape of her neck. "And I can't let my darling wife think I've gotten comfortable with the bare minimum, now can I?"

Lucia grins and, without a word, rises to her tippy toes, her arms circling Paul's neck and kissing him lovingly. He hummed in satisfaction, his hands circling her waist and drawing her closer. Their lips moved slowly, neither of them in a hurry as they soaked in the presence of one another, their hearts beating in sync.

"I suppose I've got to start stepping up my game then," Lucia muses once they pull away, her sandal-clad feet meeting the ground beneath her once more. Paul can't help but smirk at that, his brow raising in amusement. "I can't have you outdoing me at every turn."

"I look forward to your attempts, sweetheart, but I'll make sure to outdo you every time." He leans down and drops a chaste kiss on her lips before sweeping Lucia off her feet and carrying her over his shoulder, a startled laugh escaping her at the sudden action. "Now, as nice as this moment and the view is I think there's something, or rather someone, I'd much prefer to admire and have a taste of."

"Well, don't let me stop you." Lucia could help but giggle and he slapped her ass as he walked up the driveway. Paul released a low chuckle that sent a delicious shiver down her spine and unlocked the door, shutting it with his foot. He carries her to the bedroom, his hands planted firmly on her waist, taking care not to lose his hold on his precious cargo.

He places her down on her feet, and Lucia grasps Paul's arms to steady herself. He turns her around, her back pressed flush against his front and her eyes trained on the mirror before them. His hand reaches up, removing her hair tie and tossing it to the four-poster bed a few feet away.

"Look at how beautiful you are," Paul murmurs, brushing her hair from her neck and pressing a kiss to her thrumming pulse. He doesn't look away from her reflection in the mirror and Lucia seems utterly enthralled by the darkness in his eyes as he stares at her. His hands run up and down her sides, pausing from time to time to squeeze the soft flesh of her love handles. "But I'd like to do a little more than just look. If you let me."

Lucia barely registers his request but nods cutely, unable to find her voice as she loses herself in the dark abyss of his eyes. His hands hike up her daisy-printed mini-summer dress and pull her panties down her legs which she steps out of without thinking. He pockets them and returns his attention to her, his large hand cupping her warm, pulsing sex, teasing the bundle of nerves between her legs.