Royally Claimed - By Marie Donovan Page 0,46
conversation dimmed as they ate their lunch, but grew in volume as the wine flowed and the eating slowed. It was a mix of English on her behalf and fast Azorean Portuguese. Weather, politics, the local economy were all hot topics that brought out fervent gestures and much fork-pointing.
During one particularly vigorous argument, Julia leaned over to Frank. “I didn’t know you were such a philanthropist.”
He grimaced. “I tried to stay anonymous, but Benedito likes to brag about me. He and his wife have three daughters, so I’m the closest thing he has to a son.”
“But that’s so sweet.”
“No, you are.” He caught her hand under the table and squeezed. She squeezed back and he smiled at her, his eyes like melted chocolate.
No, Frank was sweet. Sweet to her, his friends, their hosts who respected him for being a decent man more than just a duke. Nobility was an accident of birth, but good character was no accident.
She realized they had been staring into each other’s eyes for quite a while when the table quieted. She and Frank broke eye contact and Julia stared at her plate, her cheeks hot.
Conversation quickly picked up, but Julia caught a twinkle in José’s eye and quickly hidden smiles from the women.
Goo-goo eyes and holding hands at a table full of doting Azoreans—phone lines would be burning hotter than the volcano ten seconds after they left.
Frank gave her hand one last squeeze and picked up his wine glass. “I would like to propose a toast to our host José and his lovely wife Magdalena for inviting us into their home, and to all of you as well for welcoming Julia and me to Furnas. Saude! Cheers!”
His sentiments were echoed amidst the clink of goblets. Madgalena brought out a huge American-style chocolate cake and traditional pastries. Julia had to decline a second dessert. “I don’t want to tip over the motorcycle.”
“A little girl like you,” Madgalena scoffed, clearing away a plate. “Me, on the other hand…” She patted her well-rounded hip.
José grabbed her around the waist. “More of you to love, meu bem. And there are other things to ride.” He wiggled his bushy salt-and-pepper eyebrows.
“Oh, you!” She swatted at him with her dishtowel, blushing fiercely.
“What? Like a bicycle. Or a car. Or a donkey.”
“I’ll give you a donkey!” Magdalena gave him one last smack with the towel before flouncing off to the kitchen, José’s uproarious laughter in her wake.
Julia smiled at their comfortable relationship, much like her parents. Maybe that was why she’d never gotten terribly serious about any of the men she’d dated. They had been pleasant men but she’d never felt truly at ease with them. She hadn’t been able to imagine herself years in the future, older and plumper, pouring wine, setting out a nice dinner for them and their friends.
She offered to help in the kitchen but was roundly rebuffed for being a guest. Frank chatted with the men for a while, but then stood and made his goodbyes, reminding Julia they still had to run their errands and get back to Belas Aguas before dark.
They put on their jackets and helmets and rode away with a roar, waving goodbye until they turned the corner.
The earlier haze had burned off and the mountains were even greener as they rode along, reminding her of photos of Hawaii with its rich volcanic soil.
Frank was warm and solid in her arms, and she wished they were back on the boat so she could hold him face-to-face. As they got farther away from Furnas, she could swear that he was hitting bumps on purpose. Every time he hit a bumpy spot, the throbbing between her thighs increased, and her hands tightened on him. Once they got back to the boat, she would free him from his pants and take him inside her, make him relieve her aching desire.
He found a spot in the road that probably hadn’t been paved since her first trip to the Azores and she let out a moan. The road, the throbbing of the engine, the sly touches and teasing…
Frank unexpectedly slowed and pulled into a narrow country lane. He drove the bike under a canopy of hanging trees and shut off the engine. The sound of the countryside gradually returned to her ears as they adjusted to the sudden silence.
He swiveled on the bike and flipped up his visor. “Julia, are you in pain? I didn’t realize this road was in such poor condition.”
“No, Frank, I’m fine.” She fought