PASSION
This vacation was turning out to be a disaster, no,
that wasn't quite right, more like a big disappointment, but however you
described it, Melinda was wishing that she was back home in the states rather
than being alone in even such an exotic location as Naples!!! The food was
great, the sights were even better, but she was just so damned lonely she could
hardly stand it, because after having lived with Josh for the past three years,
their break up had almost crushed her spirit!!! Her best friend Lorie had
recommended taking a long European vacation to take her mind off of her
troubles, but while she should have been enjoying herself, all she could think
about was how much she missed him and how she wished she was back in Chicago
where she could at least plot to win him back!!! That night back in her hotel it
was the same as the three nights before, dinner in the hotel restaurant, a drink
at the bar, and up to bed to cry herself to sleep, which was not exactly what
the travel brochures advertised, so after tomorrow morning's sight seeing
expedition she would call the airline and make a reservation for an early return
flight back home!!!
The first thing she noticed about him was his dazzling white smile, the kind
that lit up a room, and the next thing was his laugh, so easy and gentle, yet
the kind that made you want to laugh along with him because it made you so
happy!!! How she ended up down by the water front while the rest of the group
was touring the city's main cathedral she'll never know, but the olive skinned
young man with the beautiful smile was making a pass at her and while she tried
to fight it, she couldn't help but enjoy the feeling of being pursued, after
all, it had been a long time!!! "You are American, no," he asked softly while
staring straight into her eyes as if he was trying to see deep inside of her!?!
"Uh yes, I'm an American," she replied shyly, "are you a a native of Naples!?!"
"But of course," he replied smoothly, "and how do you like our city!?!" "It's
the most beautiful city I've ever seen," she replied slightly red faced, "with
the volcano and all, it's very romantic!!!" "It is a city for lovers," he
answered, "you know the saying, see Naples and die, but I might add not to
quickly!!!" They both giggled at his little joke before he asked, "And what is
your name!?!" "My name is Melinda, Melinda Knight," she replied, "and what's
yours!?!" "My name is Antonio, but of course everyone calls me Tony," he
replied, "would you do me the pleasure of boarding my boat!?!"
This was it, a very handsome Italian man with a forty foot power boat asking her
to come aboard, if she did, who knows where it might lead, and really, was she
ready for something like this, especially since she was in such a fragile state
of mind!!! She looked at the boat and back at Tony who was standing there
holding out his hand to help her on board, and after taking a deep breath she
took his hand an climbed on!!! Still holding onto her hand he led her up the
stairs to the helm, and after warming up the twin diesels for a few minutes, he
put her into gear and headed out of the harbor into the bright blue
Mediterranean for a ride!!! With the wind in her face and the waves crashing
against the hull as they powered out to sea, she felt and exhilaration she
hadn't felt in a long long time!!! "This is quite a boat," she commented to
Tony, "is it really yours!?!" He gave her hand a little squeeze and again came
that infectious laugh and re replied, "If I told you I stole it would you be
afraid!?!" "Y-you didn't steal it, did you," she stammered while a stab of fear
shot through her!?! "Maybe," he teased, "but only from my father, it is our
family's craft, but I can assure you that he doesn't mind that I'm using it,
especially with such a beautiful young woman, in fact he would be quite proud of
me!!!"
...CONTINUES
IN THE MEMBERS SECTION