An Honorable Surprise

by Sally Graham

  “Well, you do seem to have a good head for alcohol,” Simon said seriously. “In fact, I’d say you’ve had a lot or practice!”

  “Don’t be horrible, Simon. You kept filling my glass!”

  “I was too busy boring you to notice.” He glanced at his Rolex. “But I’m ready for a nap. I’ll get the boat moved further along the coast where we can overnight and won’t be bothered by intruders. Photographers are a lazy lot you know. If they can’t get you coming out of a club, or within twenty minutes of a harbor, they’ll give up quickly. Coming?”

  Simon took her hand and walked towards the steps that led to their quarters. They walked across the stateroom with its polished dining room table and easy chairs, but then he slowed. “When I said I was ready for a nap,” he said, “I suppose the thought crossed my mind that maybe we could doze together?” He bent to kiss her again, but this time his tongue found hers, and Tamara yielded to his loving embrace, tasting his passion and pressing herself against his hard body.

  “I think I’m beginning to fall for you,” he whispered, as he opened the door to his cabin, and drew her inside.

  “Simon, I’m not sure -“ Tamara started awkwardly. “I’m not sure I’m ready for this.”

  “Hush, it’s ok,” he said, gently drawing her to the kingside bed and pulling her gently towards him. “I don’t want to rush things. I just want to make you feel great. Because you are.”

  Tamara slowly climbed on to the bed beside him, knowing that she was crossing a line. She trusted him implicitly, and she wanted desperately to make love, but not now. Not yet. But waves of lust were surging within her, and she opened her mouth willingly as Simon leaned towards her and began to kiss her again, but with greater urgency and feeling. He was so tender, and so gentle, that Tamara felt herself relaxing and allowing him to slide the thin straps of her swimsuit off her shoulders before he gently uncovered her breasts and began to kiss first one, and then the other.

  She could feel her body responding as he teased her body into submission, and she could feel his erection pressing against her thigh. It had been so long, and this man who she had misjudged so greatly was being so gentle as he made love so tenderly.

  She knew, deep down, that she wanted to be possessed, utterly. He was placing butterfly kisses on her hot skin and moving down her body, edging her swimsuit off her in small, delicious movements. In a moment she would simply have to lift her hips slightly and he would be able to slide the material under her bottom and she would be utterly, swooningly, naked beneath this godlike lover.

  “Ah -hh - hh “ she sighed, arching her back and stretching her arms above her head. “That is so lovely,” she whispered. “But - “

  Simon paused his delicious kisses. “It’s OK, my darling. We’re just having fun,” he said gently, pulling her swimsuit up.

  “No-oo,” she moaned. “I don’t want you to stop.”

  “But you’re not certain you want me to go on either,” he whispered. “And that’s why I’m falling in love with you, Tamara.”

  Chapter 10

  For a moment Tamara couldn’t remember where she was. She turned over sleepily and suddenly rolled against Simon’s naked back.

  “Mmmmm - that feels nice,” he murmured. “Don’t move an inch!”

  “I’ll kiss this inch then,” she whispered, and started to kiss him gently, moving her mouth across his skin, tonguing his shoulder and neck.

  “If you go on doing that, Ms. Tremaine, I might not behave like a gentleman! What time is it anyway?”

  “We’re on holiday. Time doesn’t count. Only these count,” Tamara said softly, still kissing him.

  “My God - “ Simon sat up suddenly. “I’ve missed a conference call with the office - “

  “No you haven’t. You’re the boss, aren’t you? You can rearrange it. You’re on vacation, after all?”

  He looked at her, and smiled. “You’re a disgraceful temptress, aren’t you? One moment I’m being pushed away, the next I’m being encouraged to throw inhibition to the wind!”

  “Not inhibition, I promise you. You’re doing things to me that I never expected, feelings I thought were shut away. I’m having to adjust, Simon.”

  “What are you telling me, Tamara? What don’t I know?”

  A shadow crossed her heart but she moved only slightly and sat up beside him. “We’re in an unreal world here, Simon. This boat is an island and we’re cut off. In a few day’s time we’ll be flying back to Sydney and, well, things will be back to normal.” Her voice trailed off, uncertainly.

  He didn’t answer, but leaned over and tilted her chin, kissing her lips hungrily until Tamara moaned into his mouth as he grasped the nape of her neck. He tasted divine and her body yearned to be possessed and taken, as she ran her hands through his hair and arched her back in exhilaration.

  I don’t care if he finds out about my family. I don’t care if he hates me. I just can’t stop. Ahhh…..

  She moved he hand down his stomach and gently stroked his erection. He moaned slightly, and lay back against the pillow so that she could trail kisses down his body until she was able to take him into her mouth, her tongue swirling around the end. Tamara felt gloriously wanton as she took him deeper and deeper, tasting his wetness and revelling in his arousal.

  Simon moved slowly into her, thrusting his hips so that she only had to hold him in her mouth as she caressed him into delirium, unhurriedly at first, but then stroking him confidently, up and down, further and faster, intoxicated by his mounting excitement, until with a guttural cry he poured himself into her.

  ****

  “You’re not looking at me. Why not?” Simon asked.

  Tamara took off her sunglasses and squinted at him. “I was looking at you. In fact, I was looking at you for so long I was wondering when you would finally notice. And, no, it wasn’t because of your gorgeous body either!”

  “Now, now, don’t embarrass me! OK - so what else caught your attention?”

  Tamara pushed away her coffee, trying not to let her eyes linger on his honed torso, glistening with suntan oil. “You aren’t reading a spreadsheet or a financial report. If I’m not mistaken, you are actually reading a tourist guide! Am I right? Are you finally relaxing, Simon?”

  He laughed, and held up the guide book in surrender. “I give up. But after this morning I’ve found it extremely hard to concentrate.”

  Tamara blushed, the memory of her love making still fresh and exciting. “So what are you learning?”

  “I’m finding that I’m very much looking forward to acting like a tourist and discovering people and places - specifically, you and your body - “

  “Simon! Shut up,” Tamara hissed, glancing over the rail at the deck below. “There are people around listening!”

  He grinned wickedly, and went on unconcernedly. “I bet you don’t know why they called the town Positano? It’s all here,” he said, reading from the guide. “A wicked pirate stole a relic from the church and escaped by sea. A voice called ‘Posa, posa’ which means ‘put it down’. The relic was returned and the town was called Positano.” And this remarkable change of attitude you’re noticing in me is because I just can’t put you down from my mind.”

  He took off his sun glasses. “You were right, this morning. This ship is an island. In fact, it’s claustrophobic. We need to get off it and explore. Apparently you only have to drive a few miles into the hills away from the coast and you get away from everybody. So that’s what we’re going to do. Let’s have dinner in the town tonight, and then maybe tomorrow hire a car and disappear into the mountains.”

  “On our own? Seriously? What about Charlie’s Angels?” she teased, getting off her sun lounger and walking over to him.

  “Now, now. I’ll feel safer if we take Gina tonight in case you attract any more unwanted attention. But, no, we’ll fend for ourselves later when we explore. Besides, you’ve already persuaded me that I’m neurotic about security! Hey - stop, get off me!”

  Ta
mara bent down and kissed his shoulder, tasting his sweat and suddenly feeling strangely aroused.

  It’s as though I’m losing all my fears. But it’s crazy to think anything can seriously happen between us.

  “It’s a great idea,” she said lightly, sliding her hands down his chest. “ Let’s go ashore in good time so we can wander around before eating.”

  ****

  “So what do I give to the man who has everything?” Tamara teased.

  Her arm was in Simon’s as they sauntered past the shops in Positano. It was early evening, and still warm. “I could answer that question in several ways, most of them highly questionable,” Simon quipped, squeezing her hand. “But let’s play a game. We’ll choose a shop, give ourselves ten minutes, and each choose a present. But the rule is this. The present has to be cheap, tawdry and ridiculous!”

  “You’re on,” Tamara laughed, amazed to see him so relaxed and buoyant. “But no peeking at what we’re each looking at. And we’ll give each other’s present after dinner. Deal?”

  “Done,” he laughed. “And unless I’m mistaken, we’ve reached our treasure trove. Tourist kitsch. I love it!” Holding her hand, he pushed through a bead curtain and led Tamara into Il Emporio, a treasure trove of souvenirs, trinkets, postcards and china ornaments.

  ****

  Tamara kicked off her heels and sank back into the pale cushioned couch in Simon’s stateroom. “What an amazing meal. I mean - it was just simple, everyday ingredients, local caught fish. But it was more than delicious.”

  “It’s the Mediterranean diet, I guess,” Simon sighed. “You’re right - we were spoiled. But then, Italians always strive for la bella figura, and you’ve got that, in spades.”

  “Bella figura?’ What’s that?” she asked, lifting her legs and resting them across his knees.

  “Difficult to translate. Translated in black and white it means ‘beautiful figure’ but in Italy it stands for style, and beauty, and class, and - sexiness!“ Simon stopped speaking and leaned towards her, bending down and kissing her leg, moving slowly towards her knee and thigh.

  “Stop it!” Tamara shouted, pulling her knees up. “Don’t be greedy!”

  He looked crestfallen before he realised she was teasing. “And I never even had the restaurant’s famed desert! It looked delicious too! The trouble is, you put a man off his food.”

  Am I dreaming? I want him. I want him so badly.

  “Hey - we haven’t given each other our presents,” she cried, suddenly grateful for the chance to somehow give themselves some space. She got up and found her purse. “You said we had to choose cheap and cheerful, so, well, here you are,” she ended shyly, passing Simon a tiny parcel tied with purple gift wrap.

  He looked at it carefully, held it up to the light, and then shook it, listening carefully. “Hmm - I can’t guess what it is. And you know how I hate surprises. Can I open it?”

  She rolled her eyes. “No, you can just throw it overboard. Don’t be silly!”

  A moment later Simon gazed entranced. “You are so clever,” he breathed. “A tiny model guitar! It’s beautiful!”

  “No, it’s cheap!” Tamara laughed. “But those were the rules we agreed. As soon as I saw it I knew it was the perfect present for you. It reminded me of that evening at the palazzo when I first listened to you playing your guitar.”

  “I can’t match that,” he laughed. “But maybe my present cost less than yours?” He reached into his chino pocket. “Here you are. Be careful. It’s very fragile!”

  Tamara unwrapped his gift slowly. “I feel like it’s Christmas,” she said, before finally removing the last piece of wrapping paper. “Wow - I don’t believe it? It’s a fish? No, it’s a tiny silver lobster!” She turned it over carefully, “With amazingly lifelike claws as well?”

  “It’s an evening of firsts, I guess. Your gift is to do with the first time you heard me playing, and this reminded me of our first meal together at the Club when I ranted on about saving the lobster! You were so polite but I could tell you were bored stiff!”

  “Simon, it’s lovely! It’s going to join my other charms!” She stood up and carefully fastened the small trinket on to her bracelet. Simon flushed with pleasure, and ran his hand through his wavy hair.

  “I’d say he’s a very happy lobster. No one’s going to eat him anymore!” He got up and stood beside her for a moment, and then gently pulled her towards him, kissing her cheek and neck. Tamara felt overpowered by his potent masculinity as Simon held her wrists behind her back so that she arched upwards and pressed herself against him. Her breathing altered and her heart raced as he released her wrists carefully. Still kissing her, he slowly unbuttoned her white blouse and pulled it free before reaching behind her and unclipping her skirt, allowing it to fall to the carpet, so that she stood naked before him save for her black bra and panties.

  “You have the most beautiful skin,” he breathed, reaching down and stroking her slowly. Tamara felt wanton as her body quivered with life.

  “Keep doing that to me,” she said huskily.

  “Can I make you come like this?” he whispered, his eyes never leaving hers, his hand never ceasing its insistent, arousing, caress.

  She didn’t answer but her desire was screaming at him in her head as the delicious slow build of pleasure began to thrum throughout her body.

  His eyes were molten as he stroked her harder and deeper, before sliding his hand under her panties.

  She squirmed with slippery delight, holding him tight as he entered her wetness.

  “Don’t stop,” she gasped. “Please, don’t ever stop!” With a groan of abandonment Tamara thrust herself against Simon’s fingers, willing him to take her utterly as she lost all restraint and then cried out in utter release, all calm of mind, all passion spent.

  Her breathing was ragged and her body shook as wave after wave of delight flooded through her defences and fears until, slowly, her heart slowed and her heat cooled.

  “Don’t say anything, my darling, don’t move,” Simon whispered, holding her tightly, before withdrawing from her slowly. “Here, let me carry you.”

  He reached down and scooped her up effortlessly. Tamara allowed herself to sink dreamily into his arms as he carried her to their bed and laid her gently on the cotton sheets.

  “Simon? Don’t you want to -“

  “Shhh,” he whispered. “We have all the time in the world!” He undressed quickly, throwing his clothes on the cabin floor so that his lean, solid body was framed by the window, silhouetted against the moon.

  Before she drifted into the sleep of satisfied fulfilment, Tamara felt Simon stroking her back and nuzzling her hair, and pressed herself against the protection of his hard body.

  Chapter 11

  “Ah - the walk of shame,” Simon teased as Tamara joined him for breakfast. “I seem to recall you didn’t even take off your underwear before you fell asleep!”

  “SIMON!” she grimaced. “Don’t be unkind! It was your fault anyway,” she added coyly, grabbing the coffee.

  “I won’t ask if you slept well, then,” he answered, smiling at her.

  God, he looks divine. I can’t bear to think it’s going to come to an end in a few days.

  “Now - slight change of plan. I’ve got a video conference call in an hour or so, but I’ve emailed your office to sort out a car for us so we can get off before lunch. I’ve done some research on the web and printed out where we might go.” He got up and walked round to Tamara with a sheet of paper. “Here,” he said, bending over her shoulder, “It looks as though we leave the town this way, and then take that road to head up into the hills. After that, we’re on our own!”

  Tamara’s stomach fluttered. Even in the cool of the morning she sensed his body heat. “That sounds amazing,” she just managed to say calmly. “Who’s going to do the map-reading?”

  He looked at her in surprise. “Who said anything about maps? Haven’t you heard of sat-nav? We’re guided automatically to wherever
we want to go. Just like this.” And he trailed his finger across her shoulder and along her collar-bone. “Wherever we want to go.”

  She slapped his hand in mock anger. “You’re so predictable. Like all men!”

  No - that’s not true. He’s not like any other man I’ve known. Simon Henty is one in a million.

  ****

  Tamara spotted the blood red Ferrari convertible beside the harbour before their launch had even moored. She turned to Simon. “I thought you wanted to be incognito when you travelled? You’ve already got petrol heads gawping at it .”

  He smiled, but then frowned. “I hope they don’t put fingermarks over it! Listen, Tamara - when in Italy, do as the Italians do. I believe in buying local produce, as you know, and Ferrari is, well -“