Tuscan Skies

Part 4

J.R. spoke to the flight attendant on Al Italia Airlines. The attendant's name tag read 'George'. J.R. assumed that he spoke English, based on his name. J.R. said, "Excuse me, George. Do you speak English?" The attendant smiled and said, "Yes, sir. I speak English, and Italian." J.R. said, "Wonderful. I was wondering if it would be possible to hire a limousine to take me and my wife to our villa, when our plane arrives in Florence?" The attendant glanced at Sue Ellen, and smiled. He said, "Yes, sir. I will have the captain phone ahead and request a limousine for you. I simply need to know the name your reservation will be listed under?" J.R. said, "Ewing. The name for the reservation is Ewing." The attendant replied, "Very well, sir. I'll inform the captain, and let you know as soon as the reservation has been confirmed." J.R. sat back in his seat. Sue Ellen reached for his hand, and said, "I thought we were going to take a taxi from the airport to the villa?" J.R. said, "I thought about it for a while, but I figured, how often do we take a vacation? We might as well travel like we're accustomed to, don't you think?" Sue Ellen smiled at him, and said, "I'm glad we decided to take this trip, Darlin'. You seem to be enjoying yourself." J.R. lifted her hand to his mouth, and kissed the back of her hand, saying. "As long as you and I are together, I would enjoy myself in a black hole in Calcutta." Sue Ellen laughed at his reference. The plane's captain informed the passengers that they would be landing in Florence very soon, and wished them an enjoyable stay in one of Italy's most frequently visited cities. The flight attendant stopped by their seats and told J.R. that a limousine would be waiting for them when their flight landed at the airport. The driver would be waiting for them by the baggage carrousel. J.R. shook the attendant's hand, and said, "Thank you, George, and thank your captain for me, too." The plane started its descent. Sue Ellen watched out the window as the objects on the ground became easier to identify. Sue Ellen pointed to several large construction vehicles parked at the end of the existing runway. J.R. said, "They are upgrading the airport, by lengthening the take off, and the landing runways by about 250 meters. They should be finished with the runway sometime next year." The plane came to a stop at the Aeroporto di Firenze -the "Amerigo Vespucci" Airport.

J.R. removed their carry-on luggage from the overhead baggage compartments, and placed the straps of both of the bags over his shoulders. He waited while Sue Ellen grabbed her purse, and the bag containing the souvenirs she had purchased in Zurich, for Miss Ellie and John Ross. They exited the plane, and walked through the jetwalk into the terminal. J.R. reached for Sue Ellen's hand as they walked through the concourse to the baggage carrousel. The limousine driver was waiting for them, as they retrieved their luggage from the carrousel, and walked toward the driver. The driver had a baggage cart waiting for them. J.R. lifted their luggage onto the cart, and the driver placed their luggage into the trunk of the limousine while J.R. opened the door of the limo for Sue Ellen. She said, "Thank you, Darlin'," as she stepped inside. J.R. climbed inside and sat next to Sue Ellen. J.R. put his arm around her shoulder, as the driver asked which villa they were staying in. J.R. said, " The Castelnuovo in Chianti." Sue Ellen was shaking with excitement. J.R. pulled her into his arms, and kissed her, as his hands wrapped around her waist. She returned his kiss with such a passionate response. He was caught off guard. J.R. whispered, "I can hardly wait until we're alone, Sugar." Sue Ellen reached her hand inside his jacket, and started unbuttoning his shirt. She smiled, and said in a low voice, "Neither can I, all of this excitement is almost too much to take, J.R." J.R. rolled up the privacy window inside the limousine, and kissed Sue Ellen. His eager mouth traveled from her lips to her cheek, then down to her neck as his arms tightened around her waist. J.R.'s eyes lit up, as he removed her jacket to reveal her lacy camisole. He huskily said, "I want you, Sue Ellen. I can't wait any longer." Sue Ellen managed to regain her composure, and touched her finger to his lips, and said, "I promise when we're all alone at the villa, you can have whatever you want from me." J.R. reluctantly released his vicelike grip around her waist. He said, "I'm going to make an honest woman out of you when it's just the two of us." Sue Ellen put her jacket back on, purposely rubbing her body against his chest. His eyes were blazing with desire, as he felt her chest brush against his arm.

The limousine stopped in front of a 30-hectare farm in the rural Tuscany countryside. The farm was a long way away from the bustling city of Florence. The farm house was recently renovated, and obviously well maintained. J.R had rented the entire farm for him and Sue Ellen, for the next two weeks. They would be the only occupants, aside from the servants, and farm hands. They would have privacy, and seclusion in the lush, rolling hills of Tuscany. The driver would bring their bags to the main farmhouse, while J.R. and Sue Ellen familiarized themselves with the architecture of the villa. They walked hand in hand through the front gate, into the courtyard. The farmhouse had been turned into apartments for tourists, but J.R. had paid for full occupancy, even though there were only the two of them. The villa boasted an Olympic size pool, fabulous mountain views, and a charming rustic atmosphere characteristic of the other villas that had been constructed in the area. J.R. handed Sue Ellen the master key, and watched as she opened the door to the main villa. She grinned, as she unlocked the lock, and exclaimed, "Oh, J.R. this is perfect." The high ceilings were visibly trussed, and the entryways were arched. There was an ornate wrought iron railed spiral staircase leading up to the expansive, loft style master suite. Sue Ellen climbed the staircase, glancing down at J.R. as she reached the loft. She squealed with delight, as she encountered a grand fireplace, and a floor level jacuzzi. She leaned over the loft rail, and said, "You have got to see this room, Darlin'." J.R. quickly climbed the stairs and said, "I'll be damned, the brochure from the travel agency didn't do this place any justice at all." Sue Ellen opened the doors to a massive armoire, and inhaled the scent of the rich mahogany wood. She closed the doors, and walked into the master bath. The room was tiled in marble from floor to ceiling. The garden tub was surrounded by bouquets of Bougainvilleas. The ceiling boasted a row of skylights, and the corner shower stall was as large as one of the bathrooms at Southfork.

Sue Ellen walked out of the master bath and held out her arms for J.R. She smiled deliciously, as he closed the distance between them. She said, "You have outdone yourself, J.R." He laughed and said, "I haven't even started, Honey." J.R. kissed her firmly on the mouth. She reached her hands up to his shoulders, enjoying his kiss. He moved his hand underneath her jacket, and unfastened her skirt. She could feel the garment sliding off of her hips. She held her arms at her sides, allowing J.R. to have his way with her. He removed her jacket, and threw it on top of a chair. Sue Ellen stood before him in a lacy camisole, and a half slip. J.R. removed his tie, and threw his jacket over the back of another chair. Sue Ellen looked at him, and softly said, "Do with me what you will." J.R. was almost feral, as he lifted her into his arms, and carried her to the four-poster bed, that was covered with a filmy canopy. He ripped at he buttons of his shirt, trying desperately to free himself from one of the few obstacles standing between him, and his prize. Sue Ellen edged her body toward the pillows on the bed, as J.R. removed his pants. Sue Ellen lifted her hand into the air, and motioned for him to join her with her index finger. J.R. hovered over her, as she lifted her hands and touched the silver hairs on his chiseled chest. J.R.'s sharp intake of breath made her smile. He kissed her, unable to restrain his need for her. He traced his fingers over the lace of the bodice of the camisole she wore. She arched her back toward him, as the heat from his touch heightened her desire. She called his name, as he silenced her words with his mouth. J.R. explored her as he never had before, leaving her completely exhausted. He pulled the sheet over her, as the breeze from the fan cooled off her perspiration dampened skin. J.R. cradled her in his arms, kissing the back of her neck. She lifted her hand, and pulled his head closer to her. She groggily said, "You are the most gifted lover I've ever known." J.R. gently tugged at her ear with his teeth, and said, "I'm glad you liked it, Honey. Imagine what a few weeks here will do for both of us."

Sue Ellen dried off after her shower, and asked J.R. if he was hungry. J.R. grinned at her, and said, "I just had dessert, Sugar." Sue Ellen winked at him, and said, I'm serious. What you did to me made me work up quite an appetite." J.R. watched as she wrapped the towel around her torso, and walked over to unpack her suitcases. J.R. stood behind her, as she bent over, and pulled out a dress from one of the garment bags. He tugged at the towel, and pulled it away from her. She stood up, and turned around as he pulled her into his arms. He said, "I love you, Sue Ellen." She smiled at him, and said, "I love you too, Darlin'. I don't know how I'll ever be able to thank you for this trip." J.R. flashed her a wicked grin, and said, "You'll think of somethin'." Sue Ellen said, "Let's get dressed, and go eat dinner. I'm starvin'." They changed clothes, and walked outside into the courtyard. J.R. had requested bistecca alla Fiorentina. They were delighted when they saw the feast that had been served for them. Two platters with huge T-bone steaks, garnished with a side of trenette al pesto, flat pasta with Genovese sauce - very aromatic, sauteed with garlic and basil. Sue Ellen said, "How in the world are we supposed to eat all of this food?" J.R. laughed as he sat down at the table, and said, "You said you worked up an appetite, Sugar. Let's eat." J.R picked up his eating utensils, and cut a piece of the steak, and put it in his mouth. He closed his eyes as he chewed the succulent morsel. He mumbled. "Oh my God, this is delicious, Honey." Sue Ellen lifted a fork full of the pasta to her mouth. She closed her eyes, as her taste buds were introduced to freshly seasoned pasta. She said, "You have got to try the pasta, J.R." They continued eating their meal, until they had to push the platters away from their reach. J.R. lifted his glass in the air, and said, "To my lover, and my best friend." Sue Ellen smiled her dazzling smile at him, and said, "I'll drink to that," as she lifted her glass of water to join him in the toast.

They decided to take a walk around the farm, as they waited for their food to digest. Sue Ellen held onto J.R.'s arm, as they glanced around the countryside. The mountain views were breathtaking. The neighboring vineyards seemed to go on for miles. They stopped on top of a hill, as the sun was setting over the city. The panoramic view from where they stood on the hill, added to the beauty, and old world charm of the city. J.R. held Sue Ellen in his arms, as they watched the sun sink into the horizon. Sue Ellen held her arms around J.R.'s waist, as she rested her head against his shoulder. J.R. pulled her hair away from her face, as the evening breeze softly whispered through the trees that were scattered on the hillside. She looked up at him, and asked, "Are you disappointed that we aren't getting married?" J.R. kissed her forehead, and said, "I'll never be disappointed, as long as you and I are together. I am totally committed to makin' our relationship, and our life together work. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Sue Ellen – only you." Sue Ellen tightly hugged him. She kissed the side of his neck, and said, "You don't know how long I've waited to hear you say those words, J.R." He lifted her head, and kissed her lips. He smiled at her, and said, "Let's go back to the house, and pick up where we left off." Sue Ellen gave him a sultry look, and said, "You just made me an offer I could never refuse, Darlin'." They walked back to the main house, as the last glimmer of daylight meshed with the lights of Tuscany . . .