“The ladies are waiting for you to throw the bouquet,” Thomas then informed her with a big smile as he took her hand and began making their way back to the table where she had left it.
Lia smiled back thinking this should be fun. She didn’t hesitate to reach for the blossoming bouquet and laughed seeing all the ladies in the crowd hustling up to take their positions. She turned her back on them and hurled it as hard as she could through the air and quickly spun back around to see who caught it. A middle aged woman, nice looking but Lia had no idea who she was but laughed anyway at the woman’s own excitement.
Maybe she will be Randle’s wife she then thought but quickly put that possibility out of her head. The last thing she wanted to do now was spoil her wedding. She had every intention of making this work out for the better and refused now to let her sudden jealousy of ever seeing Randle marry another woman ruin it for her.
Thomas grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. “Are you ready?” he asked.
“Yes,” she answered energetically.
They turned hand in hand and made their way out the front door to the waiting limo. The driver opened the door and she turned now to look back toward the house. Randle was standing in the doorway wearing his dark sunglasses with his hands pushed deeply into his trouser pockets and she knew surely he was staring straight at her but he made no effort of coming to her. She raised her right hand slowly and waved. He finally broke a small grin and nodded his approval then turned and shut the door. She could no longer see him but once again felt his pain but turned and got into the car with every intentions of making her new life a happy one.
Thomas slid in next to her and when the door closed and she saw the partition between themselves and the driver was also closed she knew they were alone together for the first time. A bit of nervousness now came back as the car began to move and she couldn’t help but to turn her body and place her hands on the back of the seat and stare out the window at her childhood home and watch until it was completely out of her sight.
She came again to sit next to Thomas and stared up at him. “I’m sorry,” she told him with such emotion.
“It’s quite alright. I told you I fully understand. This has all happened so quickly but as I promised before…once you get used to me you’ll never wanna be anywhere else.” He seemed so sure about it. So confident she finally smiled again.
She crossed her legs and tried to get comfortable as they drove. But she could feel his eyes scanning her legs and finally meeting hers again. Then his arm slid around the back of her neck and again he kissed her with so much passion she couldn’t fight it.
“Lia Bransford, you just don’t know how proud I am to have you as my wife,” he then stated softly.
Finally she became nervous again about their first night together as man and wife. Could she go through with it? Never had she slept with a man and never had she really had the desire too, but now…she could feel her body burning from deep within and she was greatly anticipating it happening.
“How old are you?” she then asked trying to cool things down.
“Twenty-six,” he chuckled back seeing she was trying to change the subject.
“Wow, you’re only two years older than me. I’ll be twenty-five next June,” she then informed him but he looked at her with no surprise. As if he had already known it.
“Lia, just how close have you and Randle been?” he then asked much to her surprise as if he were insinuating they were lovers.
Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open with shock. “Oh Thomas, it’s not what you’re thinking. Randle and I have never been like that, I promise.” But from his gaze she wasn’t sure whether or not he believed her but she wasn’t too concerned. She knew that soon he would know for himself that she had never slept with any man and that he too could trust her as well.
He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead as if it was of no great concern to him but she knew it was.
The car finally pulled up to the curve at the airport. “I hope you don’t mind. I don’t have a private jet like you’re used to,” he then stated.
“Of course not,” Lia laughed at him now. “I’ve only been in Randle’s jet once.”
Thomas finally turned to her with a serious expression about his face. Now she feared she had angered him in some way.
“Can you do me just one favor?” he asked gently.
“I can try,” she stated nervously.
“Can we please try not to say his name anymore? I know it’s gonna be hard at first, but it’s just me and you now and I really want this marriage to work,” he stated as he took her in his arms trying his best not to upset her.
She looked at him seriously. “I promise,” she replied. “I may slip from time to time but I will do my best.”
“That’s all I ask,” he then stated then took her hand and they made their way through the airport and onboard their plane.
Again she found herself feeling a bit nervous knowing what a long flight this would be but she knew she was actually leaving the states with her new husband who was turning out to be the most romantic and passionate man she had ever met.
As the plane began it’s take off it was she who was now squeezing his hand as if begging him to protect her from whatever was next to come.
“Don’t worry Lia. I’m not going to leave you,” he promised.
She gazed at him admiringly now. “I trust you completely,” she finally admitted as she sat back and relaxed at last.
Lia suddenly felt her body slightly shaking. “Lia, Lia,” she then realized was Thomas’s voice as he was trying to wake her up. She must’ve fallen asleep the remainder of the flight. She turned groggily toward him and stretched out her arms while she yawned.
“We’re about to land. I didn’t want you to miss it,” he then informed her.
“Oh wow,” she exclaimed finally perking up and immediately turning to the window. It was early in the morning now in Venice as the plane began its descent.
Thomas grinned at his new bride as she now seemed like a young child peering out at her new surroundings.
“You’re gonna love it here,” he then stated as he watched her.
“Oh wow,” she echoed out again. “This is awesome. Look at all the water…those buildings are beautiful. And what’s that?” she then asked pointing.
Thomas leaned over her to look out. “What?” he asked not too sure what she was pointing at. They were still pretty high up.
“That!” she exclaimed again still pointing. “It looks like a canoe.”
Thomas laughed at her now. “They call them gondolas. This city is built on several canals and is the most beautiful place in the world.”
“I believe you,” she replied finally looking back toward him. “Are we gonna ride in one?”
“Absolutely, now buckle your seatbelt before you get us in trouble,” he chuckled out.
The plane finally made a smooth landing and Lia couldn’t seem to get off of it fast enough.
“Slow down would you?” Thomas urged from behind as they made their way through the airport. “I don’t wanna lose my wife this soon,” he then teased. Finally he grabbed her hand and held it tightly so he could slow her down.
At last she admitted, “I am getting rather hungry.”
Thomas grinned. “We’ll be at the hotel in a few minutes,” he informed her as they made their way out front with their luggage in tow and he waved down a cab.
Lia’s eyes scanned every building and admired the architecture of this gorgeous place that seemed to be made of stone. Her body nearly ached she was so ready to tour all it had to offer.
The car finally pulled up outside of their hotel and she thought it to be the most beautiful building of all.
“The other side of this hotel fronts one of the most beautiful canals in the city, The Grand Canal,” Thomas then told her as the valet loaded their bags on the cart and made their way inside.
Lia’s eyes were sparkling at just the site of the
foyer as they entered. The architecture was magnificent with walls and floors of solid shiny marble and the room decorated with expensive vases and paintings. Thomas went over to the front desk to get their reservation in order then led her over to the elevators. He placed his hand on her back as if to guide her while her head was turning in all directions trying so hard to soak it all in.
Finally they were entering their suite and again she was aghast. “This is more like a house instead of a hotel,” she gasped out admiring the matching marble walls and floors as they entered into what seemed to be a living area complete with sofa and arm chairs strategically placed around a huge fireplace.
“It is one of our finest,” the bellhop informed her as he followed behind with their bags.
Lia watched as he disappeared off through another doorway assuming it to be the bedroom. She wasn’t quite ready to see that one just yet now remembering why she was here.
“What’s wrong?” Thomas asked seeing her change in expression.
“Oh nothing really,” she tried to cover. “I’m just hungry.”
“Of course,” he replied. “We’ll go down to the café. You’re really gonna love that.”
She wasn’t sure what to expect now but knew it must be grand. Thomas tipped the bellman then took his wife’s hand and she followed him out the door. They took the elevator back down and she anxiously followed his lead.
“Oh my!” she exclaimed again as they walked through the door and into a café built overlooking the Grand Canal. The patio style café was filled with round glass top tables covered with umbrellas and a marble railing all the way around it overlooking the water. Lia ran quickly to the edge so she could lean and look out to watch as the gondolas slowly made their way by.
“Come on my love,” Thomas then urged as he again took her hand and nearly had to pull her over to one of the tables. He pulled out a chair and waited for her to finally sit before taking his own seat across from her. The weather was much cooler than she was used too but she loved the way the cool breeze was blowing threw her hair.
“You’re even more beautiful when you smile like that,” he then complimented.
“Thank you,” she replied again feeling a little embarrassed. “This is more beautiful than I ever imagined it to be. Thank you so much.”
Thomas was the pleased one now. “You’re quite welcome. I knew this would be the perfect place to get to know you, the perfect place for you to become comfortable with me.”
“I do believe you were right,” she answered softly as she finally met his gaze and began to calm down at last. She was beginning to feel funny inside. Am I falling in love with this man? she began to wonder to herself as the waiter now placed their food before them. She ate as fast as she could but couldn’t stop looking around at her magnificent surroundings and also found herself a little intrigued by her handsome new husband as well.
“Come on my lady,” Thomas then stated as he stood from the table and reached for her hand again. “It’s time for me to show you around this great city.”
Lia accepted his invitation excitedly. “The boat first,” she demanded.
“The boat first,” he agreed with a laugh.
They made their way to the wooden pier only a few feet away and Lia watched anxiously as Thomas paid the fare then motioned for her to get in first. “After you my lady.”
Lia giggled as she hopped inside the canoe shaped boat and sat on the bench and Thomas came to sit beside her. She watched with envy as the man at the head of the boat took his pole and shoved them off into the water.
“He’s called a gondolier,” Thomas then informed her. “He will make sure you see as much as possible.”
Next thing she knew Thomas had his arm perched smugly around her shoulder as they glided across the water and she felt as if this were the most romantic thing she had ever imagined in the world. Pointing and laughing they made their way along the water admiring the buildings that looked like palaces and the smartly designed arched bridges that crossed the water.
Then the gondolier began to sing to them and her eyes widened at the beauty of it. She was so amazed that without thinking she found herself cuddling to Thomas as if she’d known him forever, her arm around his stomach and her head reclined on his shoulder.
“This is the most amazing place in the world,” she let out with exasperation.
“Yes it is,” Thomas replied softly, his head now leaned on top of hers, his arm still around her shoulder.
Finally they again dined having dinner at another beautiful restaurant overlooking the water as the sun began to set. Lia was getting tired but fought it trying to see as much as she could. Thomas again toasted her glass of wine.
“Don’t worry my lady,” he started. “We are gonna be here an entire week. You can’t see it all in one day.”
“A week? Really? That’s awesome,” she exclaimed as she returned the toast and sipped her wine.
They made their way back to their hotel room at last after Lia finally admitted she couldn’t go anymore. Thomas laughed at her courage for trying.
“I told you, we have plenty of time,” he assured her again as they now stood in front of the fireplace in the sitting area. “But if you don’t mind for now I’m gonna take a shower,” he then stated then gave her a quick peck on the nose.
Lia smiled widely at his gesture. “Ok. I think I’m about due one too. I’ll go when you’re done.”
Thomas grinned then disappeared through the doorway at the end of the room. After she waited a few minutes she heard another door close and knew he must be in the bathroom and she finally got the nerve to check out the rest of their suite. Slowly she peeked through the door and her jaw dropped again. The bedroom was massive and held the same design as the rest of the suite with its marble walls and floor. The bed had a huge fabric covered headboard with carved edges lined with wood painted gold and a huge drape hanging on the wall behind it pulled back as if to look like a window.
A round nightstand sat on each side of the bed with table cloths made with fabric to match the headboard and a glass lamp with gold shades sitting on each.
Then she saw their luggage sitting on the floor at the foot of the bed. She picked up her bags one at a time and began to open them and hang some of her things in the closet. If they were to be here a week she figured she may as well make herself at home. Then she became nervous again hearing the bathroom door open. She looked toward it not knowing what to expect. Thomas appeared wearing his white hotel robe exposing only the leg portion of his blue satin pajama bottoms and bare feet. Relief bestowed her.
“Your turn,” he exclaimed as he neared her standing next to the bed then leaned over to kiss her cheek from behind.
She closed her bag and placed it back on the floor. “And I sure need it,” she answered back a little embarrassed. She then reached for another bag she knew contained her night clothes and a few other make up and accessories.
“I saved you plenty of hot water,” he then added trying to relax her now seeing she was again becoming nervous with his presence.
“Thank you,” she meekly uttered out. She made her way inside the door and again was flabbergasted. “This is a bathroom?” she exclaimed out loud. She could hear Thomas laughing behind her.
“Yes, that’s a bathroom,” he chuckled out.
Lia’s eyes scanned again at the long narrow room made of marble, amazed at the huge sunken Jacuzzi tub on one side of the room, the gold double sinks on the other with marble counter tops and an elegant golden little table at the end of the wall for decoration purposes only.
Slowly she closed the door and put her things on the counter top and began to undress nervously not knowing what to expect when she again emerged into the bedroom. She chose to shower instead of getting in the huge tub. As she swirled under the water she felt her wedding rings spin around her soapy finger reminding her again she was now a married woman. She lifted her hand high in the air and gazed admiringly at its sparkling beauty.
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br /> I can do this she again told herself. Thomas is an amazing man and I think I could fall in love with him easily. Finally she turned off the water and grabbed her huge fluffy towel and rang it through her long hair then dried her body. She emerged and now faced the huge mirror in front of her as she dried her hair and brushed it through.
She then opened her bag and stared at its contents for a moment trying to decide what to wear. She didn’t want to seem too forward but didn’t want to look old fashioned either. Finally she slid on a pair of her skimpiest white laced panties and her white satin nighty that slightly snuggled to her body and dropped barely down to her upper thigh and covered it with a matching robe that fell just a bit lower and tied it closed. Again she reached into the bag to get a bottle of perfume, just the right one, nothing too strong and sprayed it quickly at her chest. She closed the bag and faced the door then took a deep breath. Finally she reached out and opened it.
The room was dark now except for the dim light coming from the lamp on the table next to Thomas. She saw his head turn in her direction and he grinned as she slowly neared her side of the bed.
“Feel better?” he asked cheerfully.
His jolly demeanor automatically made her feel relaxed again and the tumbling in her stomach went away. “Much,” she finally answered as she sat on the edge of the bed. Her eyes scanned his body already covered with the blanket except from the chest up. This made her even more relaxed.
Finally she slowly rose and untied the robe and dropped it to the floor and sat again. Then she raised her legs up onto the bed pulling the blanket back and quickly covered herself with it as she now came to lie next to him. He was staring back at her still smiling as his head reclined on his pillow.
“Are you okay?” he then asked.
“I’m fine,” she replied again showing her nervousness as hard as she tried not too. She turned to her side so she could face him.
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