Tuscan Skies

Part 17

Tuscany, Toscana in Italian, is the best-known Italian province, and the name itself evokes images of sun and sand, La Dolce Vita, and picturesque little towns, Tuscany has a historic reputation, and is well worth a visit for both those who want to relax, read a book and bask in the sun, as well as those individuals going for high-brow culture. The Tuscan region offers delicious food and great wines, an enjoyable combination that adds to life under the Tuscan skies.

Tuscan cities such as Florence, Pisa, Lucca, or Siena offer many sights, and all of these cities have an old historic town one could spend hours wandering through. Siena is an interesting historic town, but it is most famous for the "Palio," a medieval horse race where different parts of town race through the historic city. The coastal region of Tuscany is squeezed between the Liguria, and the Apuan Alps. This is an area of high, rolling chestnut-covered hills, and medieval villages, such as Fivizzano and Fosdinovo. The island of Elba offers excellent summer holiday facilities for hiking, a day at the beach, and visiting the historical towns. Nightlife in Tuscany is altogether different.

Gustavo stopped the limousine in front of Badia de Passagnano: Osteria di Passagnano, located between Sambuca and Greve. The interior of the restaurant is lovely with soft tallow walls, and white linen tablecloths. The tables are beautifully set with hand-blown glasses, and heavy linen napkins, tied with raffia. The restaurant has a warm atmosphere, and the lighting is soft, offering the perfect ambience for a romantic dinner for two.

J.R. and Sue Ellen were seated at their table, and presented with a small wooden tray, filled with strips of toasted bread, and olive oil for dipping, with just a hint of artichoke flavoring. They shared an order of antipasti Il Chianti-classico, small samples of traditional Tuscan fare, the lightest chicken pate' with vin santo, porcini mushrooms, salami with fresh figs and small cubes of pecorino and pears in a very light olive oil with walnuts. Sue Ellen ordered le Paste fresche farcite al pecorini di Corzano, three different raviolis and light pastas. J.R ordered Spaghetti con cipolline fresce, fagioli zolfinfi e santoreggio, a spaghetti with fresh spring onions, beans and santoreggio cheese. Secondi consisted of veal with potatoes and procini gratin. The veal was a thick cut, and so tender, that J.R. could cut it with a fork. Sue Ellen was full, after eating her meal, and sipped on her water, while she waited for J.R. to finish eating.

Gustavo drove J.R. and Sue Ellen to the Elite Club prive', a private dance club on Via Panoramico in Massarosa, Lucca. Gustavo opened the door, and offered his hand to Sue Ellen, while she lifted her other hand to the neck of her gown. J.R. thanked Gustavo for his courtesy, and took Sue Ellen's hand, as he escorted her into the club.

J.R. removed his wallet to pay for the cover charge, but the doorman said, "Non ci รจ carica di copertura per il tale e la donna incredibilmente bella."

Sue Ellen blushed, as she smiled at the doorman, and said, "Grazie molto, io allineare sono adulati."

J.R. waited until they were inside the club, before asking Sue Ellen what the doorman had said to her. Sue Ellen grinned at J.R., and said that the doorman refused to accept a cover charge from such a well-dressed couple. She felt compelled to include J.R. in the doorman's compliment, although Sue Ellen understood that the doorman had actually said that he could never accept a cover charge from such an incredibly beautiful woman.

J.R. held out his arms, inviting Sue Ellen to dance, as the band played 'Torna a Surriento,' Take me in your arms. Sue Ellen inhaled, as she felt J.R.'s hand on the bare skin on her back. His touch was warm, and helped her to relax, as they swayed to the music playing in the background. The band played beautifully orchestrated love songs the rest of the evening, as the dance floor cleared, leaving only J.R. and Sue Ellen, dancing arm in arm, under the mirrored ball reflecting the lights overhead. Sue Ellen's head was nestled against the side of J.R.'s neck.

He whispered romantic words in her ear, as the evening hours progressed into the early hours of morning. J.R. dipped Sue Ellen, as the band played the last song. He pulled her upright, and into his arms, as he kissed her, unable to resist the urge to feel her lips against his own. Sue Ellen closed her eyes, as J.R. continued kissing her. She hadn't felt this way in years. It reminded her of the way J.R. kissed her when they first fell in love.

They left the club at two o'clock in the morning, and climbed back into the limousine. J.R. had another surprise for Sue Ellen, a night in one of Florence's finest hotels, the Strozzi Palace Hotel on the via de' Vecchietti. The Strozzi Palace Hotel is situated in the heart of the Florence city center in an elegant nineteenth century building, and manages to mix an antique and stylish interior decor with convenience and modern technology, to satisfy even the most demanding of clients.

J.R. had reserved the hotels most luxurious, and expensive suite. The drive back to the villa would have taken longer than J.R. wanted to wait before he and Sue Ellen could make love. He kissed her as he opened the door to the suite. The room was elegantly decorated, and furnished with the finest nineteenth century vintage collection available. J.R. and Sue Ellen didn't notice the furnishings, they were too wrapped up in the heat of the moment to notice anything but the intense current that consumed them. J.R. held Sue Ellen in his arms, as he kissed her neck, and trailed hungry kisses down her neck, and over her shoulder, stopping at the silken straps of her Versace gown. He lifted his head, and eased one of the straps over her shoulder, his lips following the path led by his fingers. Sue Ellen shuddered against him, as her need for him increased with every touch of his lips.

Sue Ellen hoarsely whispered, "I . . . I need you, J.R."

J.R. lifted her into his arms, and carried her over to the bed. He lowered her to the mattress, and removed his jacket. He loosened his tie, and tossed it aside, as he quickly unbuttoned his shirt. A gentleman never keeps a lady waiting, he mused, as his eyes devoured Sue Ellen. He lowered himself on top of her, as his hands moved through her hair, removing the pins she had used in styling her hair. His fingers pulled her hair, forcing her head back against the mattress.

Sue Ellen's eyes pleaded with J.R. to continue his pursuit. J.R. placed his hand under the other strap of her gown, and wrapped it around his fingers, as he pulled it over her shoulder. Sue Ellen watched, as his hand pulled the strap down over her arm. She lifted her hands to his head, and lowered his head to her mouth. She greedily sought his lips, and parted his lips with her tongue. J.R. welcomed the invasion, and met her urgency with an unbridled response, that left her breathless. J.R. held Sue Ellen in his arms, and gently stroked her hair. She closed her eyes, and listened to his breathing, as his touch lulled her to sleep.

J.R. carefully rolled over, onto his side, to watch as Sue Ellen slept. The room was dark, but J.R.'s eyes had adjusted, and he could easily make out her features. Her long eyelashes touched her cheeks, her perfectly formed nose, and high cheekbones were the envy of aspiring models everywhere. Her exquisite figure was coveted by women everywhere they went, and the men had to be beaten away with a stick, as far as J.R. was concerned. How could he have been such a louse to such a desirable woman, he wondered? He had been a fool, an arrogant fool. He promised to change his behavior when Sue Ellen had returned from London, and they had kissed by the tree at Southfork. He remembered how incredible that single kiss had made him feel, and how quickly it made him realize how deeply he loved Sue Ellen, and always would.

Sue Ellen opened her eyes, and glanced at the clock on the night stand. She looked around the hotel suite, and noticed a large bouquet of red roses on a table in the corner of the room. She smiled appreciatively, as she rolled over on her side, facing J.R.'s back. She put her arm around him, and pressed up against him, enjoying the warmth of his skin. She kissed his shoulder, as she softly blew against his neck. J.R. stirred in her arms.

He said, "That'll get you into a world of trouble, Sugar."

Sue Ellen laughed and said, "Mmm, I love trouble, Darlin'."

J.R. rolled over, onto his back, and pulled her on top of him in one swift movement. Sue Ellen gave him a surprised look. He pulled her to him, and leered at her, as his mouth devoured her. He was insatiable, and she was enjoying every minute of it . . .