Tuscan Skies
Part 7
J.R. and Sue Ellen were seated in their box seats, watching the opera. J.R. focused his attention on Sue Ellen. He was amazed by her reaction to the various scenes, and the beautiful, and powerful arias that accompanied each scene. Sue Ellen gasped, as the lead female character 'Butterfly' took her life. Tears streamed down her cheeks, as she stood up from her seat, and applauded when the opera ended. J.R. stood beside her, he reached out to touch her, and she turned to look at him. He tenderly wiped away a tear, as it trickled down her cheek. She tentatively smiled at him. He put his arms around her, and pulled her into his embrace. He kissed her tear stained cheeks. He said, "I love you, Sue Ellen. I'm glad you enjoyed the opera." She lifted her head and looked into his eyes. She said, "It was wonderful, J.R. Thank you so much. I love you, too." He kissed her, she put her arms around his neck, and pulled him closer to her. She deepened his kiss, as her lips parted, inviting him to explore her mouth. J.R. didn't care who might be watching their very public display of affection. He loved the woman he held in his arms, and anyone who didn't approve could simply go straight to hell. J.R.'s hands touched the skin on Sue Ellen's back. She inhaled, as his touch stirred her need for him. She pulled away from their kiss, and said, "Let's go back to the villa." J.R reluctantly loosened his grip, only on the condition that they resume their kiss once they were in privacy, behind closed doors. J.R. placed his hand at the small of her back, as they exited from the box seats to the staircase leading downstairs to the opera house lobby. J.R. kissed Sue Ellen's cheek, and said, "Give me just a minute, Sugar, I'll be right back." Sue Ellen watched him, as he walked toward the men's rest room.
Sue Ellen turned around, and glanced at a poster for the opera they had seen. She was deep in thought when a man said, "Mi scusi. Did you enjoy the opera?" Sue Ellen had been wiping at her tears, when she looked at him, and said, "Yes, I enjoyed it very much." The man introduced himself as Gian Carlo Montevideo, the owner, and manager of the opera house. He apologized for not introducing himself sooner, when he saw the look on Sue Ellen's face. He held out his hand, as he introduced himself, Sue Ellen slowly extended her hand, as he clasped it in both of his hands, and kissed the back of her hand. J.R. emerged from the rest room, and saw Sue Ellen standing next to the stranger, who was still holding her hand in his. J.R. bristled, his possessive nature told him to race over to her side, and give the handsome stranger a piece of his mind. He trusted Sue Ellen completely, but he had no idea who the man holding her hand was. Couldn't he see that Sue Ellen wore a wedding ring? J.R. shook his head from side to side, chiding himself for his last thought. It had never mattered to him if any of his past conquests were married or not, but, that was in the past. He had changed. Sue Ellen was his, and no other man was ever going to have her. He stopped by her side, and said, "Are you ready to go, Sugar?" Sue Ellen tried to pull her hand away from the man's grip. The handsome Italian smiled, and let go of her hand. He reached out his hand, to introduce himself to J.R. J.R. said, "How do you do? Now if you'll excuse us, my wife and I will be leaving." J.R. pulled Sue Ellen away from where she had been standing, and put his arm around her waist as they walked toward the exit. Their limousine driver was standing by the door, waiting for them.
Once they were safely inside the limousine, J.R. relaxed his posture. Sue Ellen turned to face him, as the limousine headed back toward their villa. She said, "Thank you for the opera, J.R. I enjoyed it very much." J.R. smiled, and said, "I'm glad you did, Honey. I wanted to surprise you, I know how much you enjoyed it the first time I took you to see it." Sue Ellen grinned, and asked, "You remember the first time? That is so sweet." J.R.'s voice deepened as he said, "I remember the first time we did lots of things." Sue Ellen touched his lips with her fingertip, kissing the spot her finger had touched. J.R. pulled her to him. His jealousy was fueling his desire for her. He kissed her hard, needing to erase any lingering thoughts she might have had about the handsome stranger she met in the opera house. Sue Ellen pulled away from him, to catch her breath. His eyes were wild with need. Sue Ellen searched his eyes, trying to determine his sudden eagerness. She wondered if he was jealous of the man she had been talking to at the opera house? She didn't want to anger him, so she kissed him, permitting him to continue his quest. J.R. pulled her into his lap. He lunged at her neck, devouring her. His hand went inside the bodice of her gown. He pulled her tightly to him, aching for the feel of her skin against his own. He kissed her shoulder, as his hand pulled the strap of her gown over her arm. Sue Ellen hoarsely whispered, "What about the driver?" J.R. looked over her shoulder, and raised the privacy window, using the button on the door panel. J.R. leered at her exposed skin. He lowered her to the seat, and lifted the skirt of her gown. Sue Ellen said, "I don't know how comfortable I feel about our makin' love in the back of a limo, J.R.?" He didn't say anything and continued his pursuit. He removed his tuxedo jacket, and dropped it on the floor. He unbuttoned his pants. He said, "I need you right now, Sue Ellen." Sue Ellen gasped as he claimed her. He didn't give a damn what the limousine driver thought about them. His only concern was fulfilling his desire for Sue Ellen.
Sue Ellen stared out the window of the limo when J.R. had finished. She had managed to regain her composure, and cover herself with the bodice of her gown. She was sure that what had happened between them had been fueled by J.R.'s insecurities, and his jealousy at seeing her talking with the man in the opera house. She wanted to ask J.R. what had fueled his need to make love to her before they were in the confines of the villa, but she was afraid that he might get angry, or worse. J.R. touched her hand, and asked "Did I hurt you, Sue Ellen? I would never want to hurt you, Honey." She looked at him, and said, "No, you didn't hurt me. You surprised me, though. I've never seen the look you had in your eyes, before, J.R. What has gotten into you?" He knew what she wanted to hear. Yes, he was jealous, Yes, he was possessive. He was insecure, but, he had seen the way some of the men they had seen recently, had been looking at Sue Ellen. She was incredibly beautiful, and looked much younger than her actual age. Her blond hair, and svelte physique would turn heads everywhere they went. He felt ashamed, suddenly, and withdrew his touch. Sue Ellen touched his arm, and said, "Don't do this, J.R. I thought we were past all of this?" J.R. smiled a weak smile and said, "I'm sorry, Honey. I love you so much. When I saw that man holdin' your hand, somethin' inside of me snapped. Can you forgive me?" Sue Ellen touched his chin, and smiled, She said, "I love you, J.R. You are the only man in the world I want to be with." She kissed him, silencing his fears.
They walked inside the villa. J.R. shut and locked the door. Sue Ellen reached for J.R.'s hand, as she started walking toward the spiral staircase leading up the master loft. J.R. was grateful that she wasn't angry with him for how he had behaved in the limousine. Sue Ellen smiled at him, and asked, "Care to join me in a bubble bath?" J.R. smiled, and picked up his pace, as he watched her climb the stairs ahead of him. Sue Ellen asked J.R. if he would help her unfasten the buttons on the back of her gown. He grinned, and said, "I'll do more than that, if you'll permit me?" Sue Ellen started to unbutton the buttons of his vest, and then started working on the buttons of his shirt. He threw his tuxedo jacket over his shoulder. He pulled her into his arms, and kissed her firmly on the mouth. When they had removed their clothes, Sue Ellen walked toward the jacuzzi. He held her hand as she stepped into the jacuzzi. He stepped into the bubbling water, and sat down facing her. Sue Ellen leaned over, and reached for J.R.'s foot. She started to rub his foot, as he closed his eyes. He could feel his tension melting away as she continued to massage his foot. She reached for his other foot, as J.R. muttered, "You are too good to me, Honey." Sue Ellen smiled at him, and said, "I'm sure you can think of a way to make it up to me." J.R. opened his eyes and chuckled. He knew exactly what she meant, and nothing could make him happier. Sue Ellen let his foot fall to the bottom of the jacuzzi, and climbed onto his lap. She put her hands on his shoulders, and kissed him. Her tongue darted around his lips. She was intoxicating to him. He put his hands on her hips. She lowered her eyes. She was seducing him. It was better than he imagined it could ever be.
The sound of rain falling on the balcony tile awoke J.R. He looked outside, the sky was overcast, and he wasn't sure what time it was. He glanced at the clock on the night stand. It was almost eight o'clock. He rolled over, and kissed Sue Ellen's cheek. Her eyelashes fluttered against his lips. He said, "Good Mornin', Sugar. I want to thank you for last night. You were incredible, Honey." Sue Ellen smiled, and said, "The pleasure was all mine, Darlin." She kissed him, and said, "Good Mornin'." She looked outside, and inhaled. Her senses were filled with the aroma of summer rain. It reminded her of the way Southfork smelled during a rain shower. She said, "Let's go outside, and stand in the rain, J.R." J.R. shrugged his shoulders, and said, "If that's what you want to do, I'm game." They put on their robes, and walked outside onto the balcony. Sue Ellen closed her eyes, and lifted her head. The feeling of the raindrops touching her face felt warm against her skin. J.R. lifted his hands into the air, palm side up, and watched as the drops of rain collected in his hands. Sue Ellen whirled around, not caring that they were getting soaked by the downpour. J.R. leaned against the door frame, and folded his arms across his chest. He was amazed at Sue Ellen. She took a childlike delight in dancing in the rain. J.R. watched her for what seemed like hours. She opened her eyes, and saw him staring at her. She laughed, and said, "Maybe we should go back inside." J.R. said, "No, I was just watching you, Honey. You surprise me, sometimes." He walked over to where she was standing, and held out his arms for her. She joined him, and he said, "You are soaked to the skin. I hope you don't catch a cold." She kissed him, and said, "I don't think I will. I love the feel of the rain on my skin." He brushed her soaking wet hair away from her eyes, and kissed her, tilting her head toward his face. J.R. pulled away, and said, "I think the temperature is droppin' Sugar. Maybe we should go back inside?" Sue Ellen said, "I don't know, it seemed to be gettin' warmer, from where I stood." J.R. grinned at her, and said, "I love the new Sue Ellen." She said, "I love how you've changed, too, J.R." They walked back inside the villa.
They took a warm shower together, to lessen the chances of their catching a cold from standing in the rain. They dried off and dressed before eating breakfast. J.R. asked, "What would you like to do today, Sue Ellen?" She said, "I wanted to go to Milan, and see a fashion show. Would you like to join me?" J.R. wanted to call Bart, and talk to Rattigan, to see if he had any more information to use against Don Lockwood. J.R. said, "I really don't think I'd enjoy myself. Would you mind if I stayed here, and caught up on some business calls?" Sue Ellen said, "If that's what you want, it's fine with me." J.R. kissed her, as they walked downstairs to eat. Their breakfast meal was waiting for them in the dining room. J.R. poured a cup of coffee for him and Sue Ellen. She filled her plate with fresh fruit, and cottage cheese. She picked up a piece of bacon, and took a bite. She asked J.R. if he wanted her to get him a plate of food. He said, "No, I'll get it. You have a seat, and I'll be right there." J.R. filled his plate with fruit, bacon and toasted bread. He sat down at the table, next to Sue Ellen. He asked, "What time does your flight leave for Milan?" Sue Ellen said, "I'll be leaving shortly after we eat. I've chartered a private plane from the airport to Milan." She continued, "I'll be back sometime later this evening. Are you sure that you don't want to go with me?" J.R. touched her hand, and said, "I'm gonna miss you while you're gone, but I'll be waitin' for you when you come back." Sue Ellen smiled, and said, "Will you walk me out to the limousine, to see me off?" J.R. said, "Of course. I hope you enjoy yourself. Call me when your plane lands to let me know you're safe?" She said, "I will." He said, "Call me, if you need anything. I'll be waitin for you." J.R. blew her a kiss as the limousine pulled away.
Sue Ellen sat in her seat in the chartered plane. She wore the white linen suit J.R. bought for her the day before. She opted not to wear a camisole underneath, when she saw how J.R. admired her appearance without one. Her hair was styled in a chignon, and she wore a pair of silver hoop earrings, and her platinum cuff bracelet. She glanced at the ring on her left hand. She contemplated her decision not to marry J.R. Marriage changed relationships, and her relationship with J.R. was as close to perfect as it could, or would ever be. She didn't want anything to change the status quo. She recalled their night together. She smiled, as she thought about their lovemaking. She shifted in her seat, as she remembered the way she felt when she had seduced J.R. in the jacuzzi. She closed her eyes, as she felt her face redden. She glanced around the plane, hoping that the other passengers hadn't noticed. She sat back in her seat, and looked out the window. The scenery had changed from lush green hillsides, to sprawling cities, filled with huge skyscrapers, and miles of highways. The captain announced that the plane would soon be landing in Milan, and the passengers should fasten their seat restraints for safety purposes. Sue Ellen reached down, and made sure that her seatbelt was securely fastened. She was excited for what awaited her in Milan. She had been to several fashion shows in London, but Milan was different. She nervously tapped her fingernail on her bottom lip, anxious for the plane to land.
J.R. called Rattigan, after he made sure that his operation in the Gulf of Mexico was running smoothly. Rattigan answered his phone, "Hello. This is Rattigan." J.R. said, "It's me. Any new information I should know?" Rattigan said, "Yes, J.R. I think you'll find what I found out to be very informative." J.R. rolled his eyes. He wondered how someone so good at his private investigating job, could come across sounding like such an imbecile during their conversations. J.R. said, "Well, tell me." Rattigan told J.R. that Don had secretly exhumed his late wife's corpse, and had her remains burned, and scattered so that there would be no way that the police could connect him with her death. J.R.'s eyes darkened, and he said, "I'll be damned. Are you tryin' to tell me that he tried to cover up his involvement in his wife's death?" Rattigan said, "Yes, sir. It would appear to be just as you said. I dug a little deeper than that, when I found out what he had done. Lockwood had a rather extensive criminal record, but it seems to have mysteriously disappeared from the Interpol record database." J.R. said, "That's impossible, unless someone inside helped him hide it." Rattigan said, "I've got an appointment with someone from inside Interpol headquarters in London, later on this afternoon. I'll call you after our meeting and tell you what he had to say." J.R. said, "You do that. I'll be waitin'." J.R. hung up the phone, and took another sip of his coffee. He carried the empty coffee cup over to the sink, and rinsed it out, before setting it in the basin. He walked into the main living room, and sat on the sofa. His thoughts wandered to Sue Ellen. He had to know more about how Don had treated her when they were married. He vowed aloud, "If that son-of-a-bitch ever hurt her, I'll kill him." He cursed under his breath, as his eyes were filled with rage . . .
