The Paris of South America, as the porteños liked to call their beloved home, was one of the few cities that could give Napoli a run for its money. Not that Littorio would ever admit that.
Buenos Aires, the city of fair winds. The Queen of El Plata. Arguably the most European city in the Americas. The jewel of Argentina and the shadow hanging over the rest of the country. Cosmopolitan like the Mediterranean but with the grit and tenacity of the frontier town it started out as.
A pleasant place for a shore leave, and, though it would get them in hot water with the brass, a perfect backdrop for a tryst. But she liked her danger. The thrill of conquest far outweighed any possible risk. And her man was a man of daring. Perfect, in her mind.
A dancehall in Palermo was the stage for the affair. Sensual beats and rhythms from the interior and the coast set the tone. Forget Gardel; the almost risque tango would be the dance tonight.
"Mm. Who would've thought a rugged Corso could do the tango so well~?" Littorio purred and giggled. "It's enough to make my heart race, and I, Littorio, do not allow just anyone to do that."
"Oh, so because I'm a 'rough' Corsican, that means I can't be cultured?" the Commander raised an eyebrow, yet they didn't pause even one bit. "I have you know that I was born in the same place Napoleon came from. Are you saying the Emperor was a savage, Littorio?"
"My, the Austrians would have thought so!" Littorio giggled once more. "But no, caro mio, I'm only teasing. Besides, you have proven me wrong. You're an excellent dancer. Where did you learn to dance like this? Or are you going to say that it's a family secret?"
"I'd say it's the latter, purely just to keep you wondering," the Commander gave a sly smile, and she gave her own, a coquettish one, a finger trailing down the lapel of the man's jacket.
The beat of the music picked up, pulsing the blood faster, the two bodies swaying closer together.
"Oh, is that so? You really think that I, Littorio, cannot get that little secret out of you?" the battleship whispered, her voice a low, sultry growl like a lioness on the prowl. "That little secret...and more?"
"Careful now, Littorio, or you'll find things you don't want to see."
The Commander was thankful for the cologne because the sweat was pouring down in the heat of the moment and not just from the exertion. Littorio was no better, the beads glistening like jewels as they trickled down places she wanted him to see and perhaps even touch. That was the reason she picked the dress, after all. Not just for ease of movement, certainly.
"Littorio is a daring woman, Commander. You should know that by now."
She pressed closer to him, the heat of the dance hall becoming a furnace, enough that her cheeks became rose-red. She could feel the Commander's tension, how his muscles were straining. Not wanting to give up and yet not wanting to take advantage. How quaint and honorable, she mused. How...charming.
"...Daring, eh? I wonder, are you as daring as this?"
The Commander spun her around and dipped her. It took her by surprise, and her cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red. But no, she wouldn't let herself become undone like this. She, Littorio, had to return the favor.
And so she did, with her own spin, catching the Commander off guard and giving him a taste of his own medicine. Their faces were only inches apart, like lovers. Their lips were nearly touching, like lovers. They could even smell the wine on each other's breaths, like lovers.
"It takes two to tango, and two can play at that game," the Glory of Naples whispered.
One last smirk, and she claimed her prize.
"Mmph!"
The Commander made token resistance, but it was half-hearted at best and only due to surprise. Littorio took full advantage of his distraction and slipped her tongue inside, swirling around in the sweet, wet heat, taking in all the taste and flavor.
Only remembering where they were kept it from going further and longer. She pulled back and gave a long, lingering lick over his lips.
"Mm. Better than the finest vintage. And a thousand times more intoxicating."
She relished in the taste and the feeling of victory. The Commander quickly snapped out of his daze and she knew despite getting the best of him now, her conquest was not yet over. And she was yet to have her fill. So she looked back at the Commander, the languid gaze silently challenging him to make his move, or her to make hers.
He let out a laugh as he stood them back up, only for him to spin her around again, making her gasp in surprise and her spine tingle before pulling her back into him. He leaned in, and she felt his hot breath tickle her ear, his body stiffing.
"If I didn't know better, I'd think we're really just engaging in a friendly dance."
"Well, aren't we?" she replied in the most innocent voice she could muster.
"Then I'd say you are a good dancer," he whispered back. "And a good actress."
The music reached its crescendo, the pace faster, the tempo more frantic, the passion mounting. Twirling, twisting, turning. Hips swayed, muscles rippled, and beads of sweat flew as the other pairs parted as if making way for a duel, and indeed it was. The battle was heating up, and both competitors were ready to go in for the kill.
The Commander dipped her one final time, holding her there as the music came to an end.
They stood and panted, both breathing heavily.
"My, my. Looks like you got the last word in," Littorio sighed. "Or the last dance. Whichever suits you."
"But you're no slouch yourself. I'll be feeling that for a while."
"That was the idea."
With the dance over and the heat in the room dying down, Littorio could look around. A crowd had gathered to watch, murmuring and chuckling and clapping. The Commander noticed it as well.
"Looks like we made quite the scene."
"Oh, but of course. For Littorio to get all the eyes on her is what she lives for. It's just what she deserves."
"Yeah, keep bragging like that; don't blame me if your head bursts from all the hot air," the Commander said, grinning when she gave a huff. "Perhaps we could go somewhere less...crowded? To cool off."
"Mmm. Now there's an idea."
Littorio took the lead, pulling the Commander along and away from the dance hall. Even late, Palermo was a busy place, and they had to weave around people who were out and about. Some were clearly on a mission to get drunk. Some were out there for a romantic evening. Maybe.
The bohemian atmosphere of this part of town was charming and lively and yet still a touch scandalous. A sense of freedom and wild energy that reminded her of those decadent nights in the Calabria or Campania. She knew that she could get away with much, and that was always thrilling.
And she wanted to get away with a lot more tonight.
But the Commander had other plans and led her into an upscale bar, the kind frequented by high society and diplomats. Not exactly the place she expected, but then again, he was full of surprises.
"So, is there a reason you decided to stop here?"
"What can I say? I want to have more Torrontés right from the source. And while we're at it, the Malbec, too. Can't get them easily in the Mediterranean."
"Ah, yes. There's always something to enjoy in this beautiful, diverse country. And you have an excellent choice of wine. Though, I do wonder..."
She leaned over, the fabric of her dress clinging to her body and exposing just a bit more of her generous cleavage, enough for the Commander's eyes to wander. She licked her lips and whispered.
"What will you drink afterward? Me, or the wine? I can't wait to see how you'll react, knowing which one you'll have."
The Commander smiled, and her heart beat a little faster.
"We'll see."
"Ugh..."
Her head was pounding, and the morning light streaming through the window was far too bright. Littorio sat up and rubbed her forehead.
Was it a hangover or just a lack of sleep? She didn't think they had too much to drink. It didn't matter because they did it.
The previous night's activities were coming back, piece by piece.
They really did the deed. And not even in this bed. No, even more adventurous. They did it against the wall in the alley behind the bar, barely managing to get back to the hotel without attracting attention and questions, staggering up the stairs, and then promptly collapsing onto the mattress.
She glanced at the Commander, lying beside her and snoring, still in the clothes from last night, only much, much more wrinkled.
The taste of the wine exchanged in the flurry of kisses, and the feel of him inside her made her blush. But then, so did the thought of what happened last night, the thrill of the hunt and the thrill of the victory.
Were they in a proper bed, she would love to bask in the afterglow. But even the thrill had not quite dulled her common sense. Stay there, and they would likely be found. And that would not bode well for them.
Her dress, left disheveled in the rush to get dressed and the need for sleep, had slipped down a little, the straps hanging on her shoulders. She adjusted them and reminisced about how the pair of hands deftly pulled it down the first time, leaving her in nothing but her black panties and heels and the cool night air caressing her bare skin.
A glance to the side and she could see the marks, the bite and the sucking and the hickeys, left in all the places they had explored. She would have to be careful later, but oh, it was worth it. The dress, though, would not be worn for a while.
Looking at the clock, she noticed they had a few hours before they needed to meet the rest. Looking down at her body, she decided a shower was definitely needed. It was pleasing to be so covered in love, but not practical.
As she got up and slipped the dress down, the Commander stirred and rolled over, eyes slowly opening.
"Mmm. Hey."
"Buongiorno, caro mio," she said, sitting back down and caressing his cheek.
"...Buongiorno. Last night...we actually did it."
"We did, and it was glorious."
"Yeah, it was," the Commander smiled, reaching up and tracing his fingers over the mark he left on her collarbone. She herself had left many of her own on him, the proof of her conquest. "Taking a shower?"
"Well, we've had an eventful night. We're both sticky and smelly, and a bath is just the thing to cure that."
"Yeah. Well, since you are already naked, do you want to go first? I'm still a little groggy."
"Tsk, a shame. I was hoping that you'd join me," she winked and brushed a lock of hair from her face.
"...Something tells me that if I did, we'd probably spend longer than necessary in the bathroom," the Commander said, chuckling and shaking his head. I'll wait for you."
Her countenance softened, which was so rare, like the blue moon, and she leaned over, her hair cascading down like a curtain and blocking out the light. Her lips touched his cheek in a quick, chaste kiss before she hurried to the bathroom.
The Commander, left alone, smiled, and laid his head back.
It was this kiss that reminded him of the moment, the real reason they did it.
She might have been a tease, a shameless flirt, an outright sinner. But beneath that, she was a woman with a tender heart and a passionate soul.
She might have framed the tryst as a conquest, a duel, a battle. And there was some truth to that. But the underlying reason, the one she couldn't quite admit, was that she wanted to know how he truly felt. At least, that was what he thought.
A maiden in love.
Who would've ever thought of seeing her as that?
Even he didn't at first, thinking it was only an infatuation.
That he was the one who fell first.
"But I think we've fallen together."
Maybe she would say the same thing.
Maybe she wouldn't.
She finished up, the bathroom door opening with a cloud of steam and a fresh, clean Littorio. Her hair was damp and clinging to her, a towel wrapped around her.
"All yours, caro mio," she purred and gave him a smile.
"Grazie. I won't take long."
"Mmm. I'd certainly hope so. Don't keep me waiting," she sauntered to her luggage, dropping the towel and bent down to get a change of clothes.
The Commander couldn't help but look, and his cheeks flushed.
"Oh, don't look so shy, not when I've seen all of you, and vice versa," she turned and winked. "Besides, what's the harm in indulging?"
"...Right. Oh, by the way..."
He paused at the door, turning and looking back at her, smiling.
"Ti amo, Littorio."
She looked adorable when she blushed like that. Not many things could, but those words were a rare thing. And yet, she recovered quickly.
"Oh...oh, you...you smooth talker, you! Buuuut...ti amo anch'io."
The Commander laughed and disappeared into the bathroom.
"Amore, amore," she said to herself, sighing. "What a lovely word. And what a lovely feeling."
She hummed and put on her clothes for the day.
So that was how he felt, was it? He loved her as much as she did.
It wasn't just a passing fancy.
"Amore..."
She threw herself down onto the bed, smiling to herself.
"Amore."
She is Littorio.
She could have anyone.
They would adore her, worship her, love her.
Like a sun surrounded by planets, their orbit would revolve around her.
How the mighty had fallen!
The great Littorio had fallen in love.
Never did she imagine that such a thing would happen.
Now, she couldn't imagine a world without it.
She had never loved before.
Now she could.
That storied, celebrated, unfathomable, maddening, tormentous emotion, now her own.
The Commander returned, all dressed up, and she looked up.
"Are you going back to sleep now?" He inquired.
"Hmm...no. Just lost in thought," she replied, sitting up.
"About me, I hope," the Commander teased, earning a soft, gentle swat to the shoulder.
"Don't push it," she warned, though her voice had none of its usual sharpness, and her gaze had none of its usual intensity.
"I'm a lucky man, nevertheless. Well, then, shall we go before we miss the roll call?"
"No, not yet," she said, getting up and taking his hands in hers. "First, a little something."
"Another kiss?"
"Of course. What else?"
So she leaned in and did just that.
"You're the best, Littorio."
"But of course, amore mio. But of course."