Storming Venice

by Anna E Bendewald

  “Markus.” Markus shook hands with him. “Pleased to meet you.”

  “That’s a heavy accent. Russian?”

  “Ukrainian.”

  “Ah, pleased to meet you. I’m a friend of Raphielli’s.”

  Carolette cut in, “And his cousin is a friend of Fauve’s.”

  As Alphonso and Raphielli were taking their new seats on the other side of the table, he could see Zelph surmising the atmosphere between the cool Ukrainian and the beehived French hussy. Markus appeared to be in a good mood and paid no particular attention to Carolette. Zelph visibly relaxed and rested his hand on the small of Carolette’s back. She responded by pressing herself against him.

  Leonardo and Vincenzo seemed to be having a good time, laughing and chatting with the group. More “who’s who” from the fashion show arrived, and strobes flashed with increasing frequency as society photographers made a beeline for the Verona’s table to get photos of Ava and the women she had dressed. They insisted on getting photos of Raphielli and Giselle posing together, and within minutes the image was shared on social media around the world.

  As the gathering broke up, Alphonso walked Raphielli to the front of the hotel. “C’mon, I’ll see you home.”

  They stood close under the awning that protected them from a light falling rain, and he told the valet they’d take one of the Gritti’s luxury water taxis. Soon they were in a warm cabin making their way to her palazzo. Outside, the lamplights winked reflections on the water and turned raindrops into diamonds in the frigid night. He draped an arm around Raphielli’s shoulders, and she turned to him. “I don’t want to be alone in that big house after so much fun with friends.”

  He gave her a squeeze. “I’ll come in, and you can tell me all about your day.”

  “I can tell you that Fauve said I’m one cognac away from taking you as my lover.” She laughed lightly.

  Alphonso produced his phone and sent a quick text. As he returned the phone to his pocket and put his arm back around her, she asked, “What was that?”

  “I’ve just arranged for a bottle of cognac to be delivered to your place.”

  She smiled and snuggled against him.

  He said, “I’ve always liked that Fauve.”

  When Dante opened the door for them, he pointed to a wrapped package that had just been delivered from an all-night liquor store. Alphonso was grateful that Dante pretended not to notice as he and Raphielli walked off toward her suite.

  Domina had supplied a full mini-bar cabinet complete with cut-crystal brandy snifters, so he poured each of them two fingers of cognac. Raphielli accepted it with an enigmatic smile.

  She looked like a new woman and had even been given a nickname by Carolette. He’d always found her beautiful, but now she looked pampered outside and glowing from within. Sitting next to her, he felt like anything was possible. And the way she was acting—more than just relaxed—he hoped she wanted him to kiss her.

  They reclined together on one of the big sofas in front of the fire, a soft blanket thrown across her lap and bare feet. The open bottle of cognac sat on the low table before them, and they sipped their drinks as she told him how unabashed the French girls were about their bodies and sex.

  “They do seem…liberated.” He thought of Giselle’s behavior he’d witnessed and how Carolette flaunted herself for Zelph, who most assuredly was still out painting the town with her.

  Raphielli took a sip and sighed. “I had no idea what they were talking about with orgasms and vibrators. According to Fauve, I should be a basket case since I’ve never experienced either.”

  He laughed softly and made a mental note that he’d been right about her limited experience.

  She added, “Oh, and I should have the complexion of an octogenarian.”

  He laughed harder at that comment coming from such a fresh-faced young woman. To make certain she stayed in charge of her faculties, he took her glass and set it on a side table.

  “But I feel as if I’ve never had sex. My husband took my virginity, but he was so cold and violent.” She shuddered.

  “I hated Salvio from the moment I met him.” Alphonso felt a stab of sadness. “I wish I could wipe away your memory of him.”

  “Me too.” It was the smallest whisper.

  “I’m sorry you had those terrible experiences. And your friends are right. Letting someone love you can be healing.” He hoped she wouldn’t bring up that taking a lover was a sin in the eyes of the Catholic Church, and he was relieved when she gave him a slow smile.

  “Elli, I want it to be me. I love you.” He picked up her hand and kissed it. “I’m not asking if you love me. But do you want me?” She looked at him, and with the professional makeup, she was a smoldering temptress.

  Her other hand stroked one of her glossy curls, and he knew he’d provoked something within her. “When I first saw you, I thought you looked like one of those men on the cover of a romance novel. The ones I’ve never been allowed to read.”

  He bent over, put his hand under the blanket, and gently took hold of one of her feet. “If you’d like, tonight I’ll make love to you. We’ll begin to find out how much pleasure we can give each other.”

  “I like what you’re doing to my foot…” She hesitated and then pressed on. “But I feel greedy because I want you to give me pleasure like I’ve been hearing about.”

  He let go of her foot and leaned forward, taking her hand again. “That’s the most natural feeling in the world, Raphielli.” He grazed his lips over her knuckles, then turned her hand over and gently kissed her palm. “When we’re attracted to another person, we become greedy. The bed is a selfish place where you give pleasure in order to receive it.”

  He felt his stomach clench as she watched him silently. He kissed her wrist. “When you love someone, there’s a heightened connection, the hunger is more intense.”

  He moved forward and kissed her mouth, but she didn’t respond. He leaned back and looked at her. “Have you ever been kissed before?”

  She licked her lips. “No.”

  “Come here.” He leaned over, and as his lips caressed hers, he slipped his fingers into her hair and tilted her head back slightly. He pressed his lips against hers and then stroked his tongue along the inside of her upper lip. Their tongues began a deliciously slow dance, their breath mingling. Their bodies shifted until they were pressed together, and ever so slightly building up friction as they leaned into one another. He was out of his mind after about ten minutes, and she was panting lightly.

  He kicked off his shoes and led her over to the bed. He unzipped her dress and gasped at her lush body. Her full breasts barely contained by her lace bra…no underpants…and no hair. “You are glorious, Raphielli.”

  She sat on the edge of the bed, watching as he took his clothes off. “Oh…my…your body is so beautiful, Alphonso.” She let out a long breath.

  He climbed onto the bed and motioned for her to join him. “It’s easy to see that I’m ready, and now let’s find out how ready you are.”

  They lay side by side, kissing and exploring each other with their hands. Stroking, caressing, and gently scratching. Raphielli loved touching his skin—he reacted with such pleasure. She’d never felt so alive. She was relaxed and excited at the same time. Everywhere he touched her, her body was waking up. He was enthralled with her large breasts, and finally rolled her onto her stomach to unfasten her bra. He caressed and kissed her back, and then softly nibbled her round bottom. She rolled onto her back and pulled him close for a deep kiss.

  She loved exploring his body and tasting his skin, and seeing the desire in his eyes as he ran his hand down over her newly waxed areas was thrilling. She grabbed handfuls of his long hair, and when his mouth found her nipple, she felt unleashed. He entwined her fingers in his, and they explored her sex together—inside and out. Raphielli was so aroused by his excitement in pleasuring her, she felt like a snake eating its tail. She didn’t know where his excitement ended, and hers began. When h
e entered her, he did so gradually and gently rocked in and out. She felt treasured, claimed, and complete.

  They gave themselves over to pleasure for hours and he’d taken care to pull out of her each time he orgasmed. Finally, they lay still in each other’s arms.

  She smiled at him. “I want to never stop doing this.”

  “Me neither.”

  “Now I see what all the fuss is about.”

  “Great works of art, poetry, music, it all comes from this.”

  “And I’m out of my head because I love you.” She pushed herself up on one elbow and looked down at him, her hair a wild mane. “I love you, Alphonso.”

  He pulled her to him and wrapped his leg around her. “I love you, and hearing you say you feel the same is the best thing that could happen to me.” He fitted her comfortably against his chest and murmured, “Wait until you experience an orgasm with me.”

  “How do you know I didn’t?”

  “Well, I guess…I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure because I didn’t feel your inner muscles clenching me…in a sort of…well…it’s hard to describe.”

  “I think you’re right. I felt a lot of great feelings, but no clenching.”

  “We’re going to have a lot of fun finding out how to give you one.”

  “I certainly felt different kinds of pleasure tonight. Don’t think I’m too old fashioned, but I think the best part is the intimacy with you…you’re all man. And you love me.”

  As they drifted toward sleep, she whispered into his chest, “The nuns at the abbey had a very good reason for making sure we didn’t do this. Sex is incredible.”

  “Once you’ve experienced carnal pleasure, there’s no going back.”

  CHAPTER

  12

  When Raphielli woke up, a faint glow of sun was illuminating the room, and Alphonso was kissing her shoulder. He had used the bedside remote to ignite the electric logs and retract the blinds. He got out of bed, and she admired his muscular physique as he walked across the room. He came back from the closet holding two robes. With some embarrassment, she realized that Domina had bought “his and hers.”

  He beckoned for her to stand and helped her into her robe. Having a man dress her after years of Rosa’s perfunctory ministrations was very nice, indeed. She followed him along the plush heated carpet runners to the bathroom, and they stood side-by-side brushing their teeth. Domina thought of everything. When he opened his robe, went over to the toilet, and peed standing up, she felt like a naughty kid just being in the room.

  She needed someone to talk to about this! As Giselle arrived at the shelter this morning, she was going to drag her someplace private and tell her everything. She needed to confide in somebody.

  All thoughts flew out of her head temporarily as they went into the shower together and lost themselves in pleasure once again. If Rosa came in to dress her, she must have heard the sounds coming from the steamed-up bathroom and retreated. Raphielli dressed herself, and she and Alphonso had excellent appetites at breakfast, finishing everything on their plates before he walked her to work.

  When Giselle arrived in the shelter’s office, she was right behind Juliette, and both contessas were obscured by large bouquets of flowers. As Giselle set her bouquet down, she waved a hand in front of her face and then gripped the side of Raphielli’s desk.

  “Woo! The scent of these flowers is making me woozy.”

  Raphielli was about to offer an excuse to get Giselle alone to talk, but Giselle looked so dazed she found herself saying, “Goodness, Gigi, did you get any sleep last night? What time did you and Vincenzo leave the Gritti?”

  Giselle stood up straighter and waved her hand again. “Oh, not late. I’m fine, got plenty of sleep. I just got dizzy from the perfume these beauties are putting out.”

  “Ah! Spring flowers!” Kate said, “An excellent way to stave off the looming winter doldrums.”

  Raphielli felt herself blush as she thought of ways to spend long winter nights. She made an excited face at Giselle, who did a questioning double take at her before turning to Kate.

  “They’re from the fashion show,” Giselle said. “Aren’t they magnificent?” As she stepped back to admire the flowers, she abruptly changed directions and raced for the office bathroom. Unable to pull the door closed in time, she threw up in the toilet, and then, as if her strength had been sapped, she sank weakly to her knees. Juliette bolted to her side, put a hand to her forehead, and rubbed her back. Giselle sounded confused, “Woah, sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

  Juliette’s eagle eyes were searching Giselle’s. While Kate tut-tutted with concern, Raphielli came in and ran cold water on a paper towel.

  “Giselle!” Juliette cried. “Oh, my dearest daughter! I have waited for this moment to come!” Juliette took the towel and wiped Giselle’s mouth, then dropped to her knees beside her, smoothing her hair and examining her face. “Sì! You have hormonal eyes! Have you thrown up before this?”

  “No. I’m fine. I’m sure it was that rich lobster Vincenzo insisted we go eat after the Gritti. I had too much of it. I didn’t need that second serving.”

  Raphielli helped both women to their feet while Kate was saying, “Well, if you’re pregnant, the baby will tell you what it wants. Rich foods may put you off for the next few months.”

  Raphielli knew firsthand how important an heir was to an old family, and squeezed in to hug Giselle. “See? Just because it can take us a while to get pregnant doesn’t mean we can’t do it! Congratulations, mama!”

  Juliette guided Giselle back into the office, then went to the doorway and called out to the reception area, “Gina! Come quickly!”

  Raphielli didn’t know Gina was in the shelter, but she must have been nearby because she appeared immediately.

  “Sì, Juliette?”

  “Giselle is pregnant.” The contessa was all business.

  Gina’s face lit up and she waited eagerly for instruction.

  Giselle sat limply on the edge of Kate’s desk as Juliette whipped out her cell phone and placed a call. “Ippy. Giselle is pregnant. Call Doctor Gugliemoni and tell him we are on our way. Call Horace at the flower shop and tell him I’ve asked Gina to cover here in the nursery for Giselle.” Juliette clicked her phone off, dropped it in her handbag, and started to pull Giselle off the desk. “Gina, leave the flowers for now. Kate will have one of the residents distribute them. Please go upstairs and help in the nursery until eleven.”

  “Sì, subito,” Gina said and then blew a kiss to Giselle.

  Raphielli got a strange feeling watching how Gina reacted to Giselle but didn’t have time to think about it as Juliette led Giselle across the office. “Raphielli, I need you to cover my home economics class. Teach them to cook something simple… like the ditalini in brodo con parmigiano we made in my shelter.”

  “I’m on it.”

  Giselle looked confused as she accepted kisses and pets on her way out the door.

  Kate waved to them. “Tell us as soon as it’s confirmed.”

  Raphielli had a great time teaching the cooking class and realized she’d learned a lot from volunteering in Juliette’s kitchen. Look at me, I’m acquiring skills! The women were so diligent that, for much of the hour, the only sound as they worked were implements grating, chopping, and stirring. The class ended at lunch, and they ‘oohed’ and ‘ahhed’ over the comforting broth and baby pasta.

  Raphielli had just come back into the office when Kate said, “I don’t think you have time to sit down. This afternoon you’re shopping with your designer friend.”

  “Oh! Right!” Raphielli hurried to Ava’s rented apartment feeling more than a little self-conscious in her usual boring clothes. She buttoned her old coat up like a protective shield that she could hide behind. The clothing she’d ordered from the fashion show had yet to be delivered, and she worried Ava would be disappointed seeing her in this plain outfit.

  But when Ava greeted her with a hug, she didn’t have a word of
criticism.

  “Hello, Elli. No need to come inside, my driver is ready to head out.” She spun Raphielli around and over to the jetty where they boarded a boat.

  “So, when you travel for your fashion shows you rent apartments and drivers?”

  “Always. I’m like the circus. I have a team, and in each city we set up clothes, models, stylists, everything we need. Then when the show’s over, we move on.”

  “So glamorous.”

  “Sometimes,” Ava said with obvious pride. “In between I go home to France and dream up the next collection.”

  “I love the way your clothes feel and make women look pretty,” Raphielli said. “There are clothing shops in this direction?”

  “Some very good ones.”

  “I never knew that.”

  “Well, yesterday at lunch you said you spent most of your life away at school, so unless you started exploring Venice recently, I imagine there’s a lot of the city you don’t know.”

  “Would you believe that until recently there were whole wings of my own house I wasn’t familiar with?”

  “Uh, now that’s a mind-bender.”

  Over the next three hours, Ava took her shopping in some of the best stores in Venice. Raphielli learned that her only criteria for choosing clothing was to flatter her body, so she tried to learn how Ava selected items to suit her body type. At Ava’s direction, the sales people brought pieces by the armful, and Raphielli made no objections as blouses, sweaters, jackets, lingerie, and a whole array of body-smoothing tops with built-in bras, and even winter ski apparel, were stacked up in dressing rooms for her to try on.

  Setting aside her innate mortification at being exposed, she allowed items to be pulled on and off her body, she obediently bent over on command for a dressing assistant to reach into her bra, scoop each breast and lift it to the proper position inside the cups like Fauve had done. Until recently Raphielli hadn’t considered she might have been mashing her ample bosoms, but now with her breasts prominently lifted in a tight sweater, she felt she’d never seen these assets before. Answering the look on Raphielli’s face, the dresser said, “Each time you fasten your bra, bend over and lift your breasts into place.”