Page 36 of Some Saviors Can Break You

“This was magical, it’s like traveling back in time,” she said, as she snuggled close to Eli to ward off the cold as they strolled down to where Eli’s car would pick them up to take them to the farm for a late dinner.

“There are so many places in the world I want to show you. If you're going to be as adorably curious and excited like you were tonight, then I'm going to have a hard time keeping my hands off you.” The look he had on his face when he looked down at her was hungry like he couldn’t wait to devour her. Florence knew that when it came to the two of them having sex the ball was in her court. He wanted it, but was holding back because he knew she wasn't ready, and as much as she wanted to be ready she wasn't quite there yet. It was a big step, it wouldn’t be like sex with her other partners, there was so much pressure. If they didn't connect in the way she knew Eli thought they would, then she was afraid he would walk away.

“You did an excellent job keeping your hands to yourself,” she teased to force herself to lighten her mood.

“That sounds like a challenge. Perfect timing,” Eli said as the car pulled up to the curb. “We have nearly thirty minutes to make out before we get to the farm.”

That was all it took for her body to be instantly on edge, ready and waiting with needy anticipation for Eli’s touch.

11:54 P.M.

Florence, Italy

“I don’t want to leave.”

The words were music to his ears. “I know, me either, I wish we could stay here forever, but unfortunately, you have work, and I have work. But we’ll come back and stay for a while so you can see everything you want to see.”

“I look forward to it,” Florence said with a tired smile. It had been a long day, a ten-hour plane ride, two hours walkingthrough the quiet streets of Florence, the drive to the Villa, dinner under the stars, they’d talked and laughed and made out a little, he couldn’t be more thrilled with how the date had turned out. It had exceeded even his wildest dreams. That Florence was no longer disputing that he planned on taking many vacations with her made it even better.

“We have to get going soon, it’ll take us about thirty minutes to get back to the airport.” Eli was every bit as reluctant to return to real life as Florence was, but he knew her, and he knew that any longer in the beautiful Tuscan countryside and she’d start getting antsy about her job and the case she was working.

“Just a few more minutes.”

They were curled up side by side on a bench on the back patio, they had blankets on their laps, the Italian countryside in front of them, stars sparkling down on them, and the most delicious meal of pasta in a spicy tomato sauce, and gelato. The meal had been the perfect ending to a perfect day.

A few more minutes passed in silence while they soaked up the vibes, preparing to return to the real world. This break had been exactly what he needed. To keep himself busy after his father’s death he’d been working sixteen plus hour days, seven days a week, he’d needed a timeout, and he and Florence had grown so much closer.

“Alright, princess, it’s time to go.”

“Okay,” she said, sighing as she stood.

“Better button this up.” He stood too and reached out to button up her coat, tucking the ends of her scarf underneath, then tugging her beanie down to cover her ears. Eli let his fingers trace the silky smooth skin of her face, and couldn’t resist curling his hand around her neck and drawing her in for a kiss.

Reluctantly, they joined hands and walked around the side of the house to meet the car.

The ride to the airport was filled with a companionable silence, but Eli intended to get Florence talking once they were on the plane. He wanted to know more about her, specifically about her fears of the two of them as a couple. But for right now, he wanted her to enjoy her final view of Italy.

Holding hands, they left the warmth of the car and hurried into the plane. Instead of taking seats in the main cabin, Eli led her through to the bedroom at the back.

“You have a bed on here?” Florence asked when she saw it. “Why didn't you show me this on the way here?”

“Because we wouldn’t have left it when we got to Florence. Once I get you naked, I intend to take my time exploring every single inch of that perfect body of yours with my hands and my tongue.”

“Ten hours wouldn’t have been enough time?” Florence snickered.

“Princess, a thousand hours wouldn’t be enough time for me to explore your body.”

Her cheeks turned pink in that cute way they did when she was embarrassed, and he had to wonder again why such a beautiful, sexy woman got embarrassed so easily when they talked about sex. She had to know how attractive she was, didn't she?

Not for the first time he had to wonder just how bad her childhood had been.

“Come on, let’s sit.” He shed his coat, and Florence did the same, then he led her to the bed, and when he sat, back up against the headboard, legs stretched out, she sat beside him. Eli wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and she immediately snuggled against his side.

“I can't believe this is how you fly, this plane is amazing, how am I ever going to fly coach again after this?”

“That is something you won't have to worry about, if my plane is unavailable, I fly first class, which means now so do you. So …” he dragged out the word as his hand traced lazily up and down her arm.

“What?” She moved back a little so she could look up at him, those suspicious crinkles in her forehead back.

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