Suddenly, my idea no longer seems such a good one.

I mean, I’ve already bathed in this canal, and I’m sure once is already one time too many.

But now that I’ve suggested it, Dante has gone out of his way to arrange the gondola. With a little trepidation seeping through me, I sit in it.

Why is it that I blurt things out before I think about them? Where was the filter?

If I had actually thought about it for a microsecond, I would’ve remembered my dip in the murky water and probably not voiced my wish for another ride in the gondola.

Now that I’m here, I guess I’ll just have to make the most of it.

I watch tiny bits of light dance across the dark surface of the water. The moon is out, and its light is reflected everywhere. It’s simply magical.

As we glide past alleyways and dark buildings, I can see an occasional shadow of what looks to be cat, and I’m reminded of the old movies. I think of the Hitchcock films and the cat woman. A shiver runs down my spine.

Eventually, I take my eyes off the water and find Dante.

My husband.

The words are so strange. And yet he’s such a dashing figure I don’t mind calling him my husband.

His tall dark figure is handling the ore of the gondola with ease.

He sees me looking at him and smiles.

“Milady has a particular request?”

Do I ever. Each and every one of my nerve cells is begging—no, screaming—to be touched by him.

I mean, I thought I was going to lose my virginity on my wedding night. My wedding night has been and gone, and I’m still a virgin. What will I need to do?

“I can think of one or two,” I reply and inch toward him.

There’s so much distance between us. It feels like an entire ocean.

“Well,” he prompts. “Am I going to have to guess, or are you going to spill the beans?”

His words make me laugh.

Funny how Ryan never made me laugh. In fact, Ryan rarely laughed himself. And here, Dante has this amazing ability to put humor into just about each and every one of his sentences.

“For starters, the gondolier could take a break and come a little closer.” I pat the seat beside me.

I’ve got no idea if one of these things can just float by itself in the canal or if you need to keep a hand on the rudder at all times. Come to think of it, I don’t even know if it’s called an oar or a rudder. Is there a difference?

Who cares? I decide.

Dante chuckles and ties a rope around the piece of wood he’s been holding.

We seem to keep gliding silently through the water.

The contrast of the city at night to during the day is amazing. There’s no one about, and it’s not even particularly late.

Not a soul can be seen or heard.

“Now that I’m here,” Dante whispers into my ear, “what does the lady want?”

Ohhh.

My insides are about to melt at his words and his presence. I can feel his warm breath on my neck, and I ache for him to touch me.

I have no idea what’s gotten into me.

I mean, I never felt like this in all the time Ryan ever got close to me.

“You could start by doing this.” I take his hand and put it on my tits.

Now he’s looking me straight in the eyes.

Tiny electric sparks fly between us. I can feel them.

Whereas before my insides were warm and fuzzy, his look has ignited a raging inferno in me. The heat is strong, and it engulfs all of me.

Right now, a dip in the cool of the canal water would be a welcome relief.

His hand starts to rub across my nipple. Gently, he moves from side to side while his other hand now travels along the inside of my thigh to find my pussy.

A sound escapes my lips. It could’ve been a moan, a groan, or a combination of both.

Instantly, he pulls his hand away.

What the fuck was he doing?

“Nicole,” he whispers, and I feel like pushing him down on the floor of the boat and demanding he take me. “I…” he starts and stops.

I’ve not known for him to be ever lost for words.

Was there something wrong with me?

“It’s your first time, isn’t it?”

I nod.

“I…” This time, I’m kind of lost for words. What does one say now?

His fingers play with the edge of my top. Our eyes lock. Do it, mine says, and his are filled with concern.

“I just want you to be sure,” whispers Dante in my ear and starts to nibble on my lobe.

“I’m sure,” I mumble and let my hands travel up and down his back.

Slowly, he peels my top off and throws it on the floor.

For a while, he just stares at my pale skin and deep purple lace bra. I know my chest is heaving, but try as I might, I can’t slow my breathing.

Almost in slow motion, he first pushes down my right bra strap before doing the same to the left. Then he unclasps it, and the next minute my tits are free. They bounce up and down a little, as if celebrating their freedom.

I close my eyes as his mouth covers my tit and nipple. His tongue caresses, and his teeth nip and pull.

My body shudders with pleasure.

Briefly, I wonder if one can die from too much pleasure. If so, I may not be much longer for this world.

As his mouth is doing the most amazing things with my right tit, he’s using his hand to make sure the left one’s not feeling left out.

I throw my head back and close my eyes. My body feels as if it’s going to dissolve from all this intensity.

And then, just like that, he stops.

I see he’s breathing hard and fast. My eyes rake over his body and linger on the huge bulge in his pants.

When will he pull his cock out? Should I ask, or should I be leading?

As he’s looking at me, I extend my hand forward and put it on his crotch.

A mixture of emotions crosses his face.

“Shit, Nicole,” he growls and grabs my hand.

I stare at him.

His reaction leaves me a little confused.

“I…” he mutters and shakes his head. “Have you seen the full moon tonight?”

Seriously?

Had he really just asked me about the fucking full moon?

I mean, give me a break.

For the briefest of seconds, I hesitate. Then I make a decision. It’s time I take charge and lead the way.

Like the Roman emperors lead their army into battle, I’m going to lead myself into losing my virginity. I fear if I don’t, it might not happen tonight either.

As far as I’m concerned, I’m well and truly ready. I’m so fucking ready I’m about to go up in flames.

If he wants certainty, I’ll give him certainty.

Without warning or saying anything to him, I get up and push him backwards.

The element of surprise is on my side, and I’m pleased to see Dante now lying on his back on the seat of the gondola.

Before he can get up again, I straddle him. I put a leg on either side of him and put my pussy right up against his crotch.

Granted I’m still clothed, but my intentions are fucking clear. If he doesn’t get what I need now, I don’t know what else I need to do.

The second I’m in position, his hands find my tits again.

I lean forward and kiss him.

Our mouths melt into each other, and my tongue pushes right into him.

At first he kisses me gently and softly. But after only a few seconds, his restraint seems to be wearing off.

The animal in him is being unleashed. The shackles of restraint are broken.

His hands leave my tits and find my ass. He squeezes and massages and pushes me on him.

Now this is more like it.

I don’t complain when he sits upright again because I know he’s just changing position.

We both have to get rid of some of our clothing to get down to the nitty-gritty.

With one quick movement, he’s out of his pants.

I gasp as I catch sight of his massive cock. It’s totally erect, standing straight up in the air. It’s huge, and I wonder how it’s going to fit into me.

Frozen, I forget to take my own clothes off. But Dante’s here to help.

He’s done this before, I can tell. Expertly, he peels me out of skirt and panties. Then he sits me back on top of him.

If I thought he was just going to force his way into me, I was wrong.

He’s got other plans.

Shivering with excitement and anticipation, I marvel at the feel of his cock against my naked skin.