Ciao Vernazza
an excerpt

She had not noticed that Guiliano was sitting at one the tables in the back of the bar area when she walked in. It was not until she turned around to grab some sugar that her eyes landed on his. She smiled a relaxed smile as she still felt drunk with the accomplishments of the day. Guiliano got up and motioned her to his table without really speaking a word. She was happy to sit down and relax without having to be alone. She was even happier that it was with him.
“Did your friend leave early?” he asked suspiciously. “I hope that I did not cause problems last night.” His smile was full of charm and very sexy. It was a smile that he didn’t use often enough, but when used at the right moment, Julia thought that it could probably make any woman melt.
“No, you didn’t make him leave early. He is a co-worker. We had work to do, and now we are finished.” She didn’t want to give him too much information. She felt a little undercover and wanted to keep it that way. “But thanks for being protective of me. I felt like I had a big brother here.” She smiled sweetly, but she was only testing his reaction by saying this.
“Julia, you can think whatever you like,” he paused with a look of complete mischief, “I am not your brother.” He reached his hand across the table and placed it lightly on hers. “I protected you last night as I would always protect something of great beauty. Something that I find enchanting.” He sat back in his chair and smiled more with his eyes than his lips never taking them off of her even when she looked down shyly.
“Guiliano, I don’t have a lot of time left here. I hope you will spend some of that time with me. Do you think that we could have dinner tonight?” The words had left her mouth before she knew what she was saying. No second thoughts were allowed.
He looked shocked but then Julia could see he was relieved and happy that she had responded to his advances. He considered her request for a moment and said, “Yes, but this time, no Mama.” At that point, he rose from the table and leaned in to Julia, “Eight o’clock tonight. I will come to your room. Is there any place that you would like me to make a reservation?”
“Just show me your Vernazza. I want to know what you like.” Julia was already planning what dress to wear and which high heels to strap on.
He smiled and walked out of the Blue Marlin with a new swagger that Julia enjoyed as she turned and watched him leave. When she turned back around, she noticed the lady behind the counter was staring at her strangely. She felt suddenly felt a little awkward about the private moment being noticed by someone else and decided against ordering another cup of coffee. She hurried her exit and decided to take a quick walk around the village to wake herself up. It would be time for a bath by the time that she got back to her room at the inn.