Chapter 29

Her giggle was almost his undoing! She reluctantly pulled her foot back and slid it back into her sandal. When he could once again concentrate on eating, he finished his meal. After their meal he asked her to dance again, and she eagerly moved into his arms. She felt so at home there!

Holding her close, Sturgis inhaled her fragrance. It was as intoxicating as the night itself! Breathing deeply, he tried to memorize that scent. He could always remember the greatest moments in his life by the scents involved. From his favorite memories of his grandmother's kitchen, to the awful smells of the hospital where his mother died. But this was a wonderful memory he was recording.

As they were dancing, Francesca brushed the back of his neck as her arms slid around his neck. Sturgis tighten his hold on her and pulled her closer to him. Smiling as she felt the evidence of his desire for her, she dreamt of later that night.

"Francesca, I know that you took a room here in town in the hopes that we would begin our physical relationship this weekend, but have you really thought this through? I don't want to rush you in any way."

"Sturgis, I feel like it is me, rushing you! I was the one that suggested that you stay with me when you come to Italy on your vacation, and me that got the hotel room instead of staying with my father this visit. I don't want you to think that we have to make love because of that, but I also want you to know that I do love you and am ready to move our relationship on to the next level whenever you are ready too."

"I want to make love to you more than I can say, but with my upbringing, I was taught that you didn't do that with girls or women you respected and wanted to marry."

"Marry?" she asked breathlessly.

He smiled tenderly at her, "Where did you think this was leading, darling?"

"You really want to marry me?"

"Well, I hadn't intended to propose just yet, but I can see our relationship heading in that direction. Can't you, Francesca?"

"Yes, I can, and you're right that it might be too soon to talk about marriage yet, but I can see it in our future…someday!" she smiled up at him.

Neither one wanted to leave the dance floor that night since they felt so at home in each others arms, but eventually they knew that it was time to make the move to leave. They both wanted to take the next step in their relationship, but it was also something that neither wanted to mess up. In the car, on the way back to the hotel, there was an awkward moment when Sturgis asked, "Francesca, if I stay, do I need to make a stop at the drug store, before we get to the hotel?"

"Not unless you are worried about disease, Carino. I am on the pill and have been for several years now. I am also not a health risk, I had a complete physical just a few weeks ago," she smiled at him tenderly, pleased that he had the consideration to ask her.

"I just had my yearly physical last month, so I am healthy, too. So, I guess that means that we can go right to the hotel?"

"Yes, my love, but if you're not sure that you are ready, it doesn't have to be tonight," she assured him.

"Francesca, I am more than ready to make love to you, I just want you to know that it is not just sex that I am after. I respect and love you!"

"I know that, Sturgis, I would not be asking you to stay the night with me if it was any other way."

They walked arm and arm into the Willard, again unaware that they were being watched. Both were so wrapped up in each other, they would not have noticed a parade going by them! Francesca opened her purse when they stood outside of her room, and handed Sturgis the key card for him to open the door. He smiled at her; there was no turning back now. He would stay until morning, if she let him!

Once inside the room, Francesca placed her purse on the dresser and turned to Sturgis, he took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly.

To be continued…