Amici ed Amanti

Amici ed Amanti

~*~

Roman Holiday – Part 7

She awoke in the middle of the sun drenched bed alone, immediately feeling the other side of the bed for Liam, but it was cold and empty. Last night must have been a figment of her imagination, it was the only explanation. She sighed and rolled over on her side totally unprepared for what she saw through the half opened bathroom door.

Liam was standing in front of the sink shaving, wearing just a fluffy white towel wrapped loosely around his hips. She took the time to study him - his long, lean back marred only by a thin scar under his left shoulder blade, his slicked back trademark Malfoy blond hair, his rock hard thighs and calves from years of Quidditch playing. It never ceased to amaze her that he was half Weasley, yet had nothing to show for it, physically at least.

She watched as he charmed away his morning stubble and dried his hair; fingering the fringe that fell over his forehead until he was satisfied it was perfect. He was worse about primping in the mirror than Stephie ever dreamed about being. She couldn't help snorting at the thought.

"Find something funny do you?" he asked, padding into the room in just his towel. It was all she could do to tear her eyes away from him.

"Yes," she giggled, "you're worse than Steph in front of a mirror!"

"I resent that," he said, crossing his arms over his chest which she noticed had a very fine smattering of golden hair.

"Well, it's true!"

He grabbed the covers, snatching them off the bed in one quick motion. "At least I don't lounge in bed all day!"

Lucy Ann squealed as she frantically tried to pull her nightgown down to cover her bare thighs, a strap slipping off her shoulder in the process causing her cheeks to flame. "Liam!"

"What?" he asked with a smirk as he admired his handiwork.

She could feel his eyes traveling up the length of her body from her bare legs to her heaving, almost exposed chest then finally up to her blue eyes. He stared at her for a long moment with smoldering eyes, like he was trying to memorize her every feature.

Just when she thought she couldn't stand it anymore, she broke the tension. "I should get ready," she said, drawing in a deep breath before practically running into the bath.

Minutes past before she was able catch her breath and process what just happened. Their playful moment turned serious so suddenly that it had caught her by surprise. She cursed herself for being so stupid - he looked liked he was about to say something and what did she do - she ran out of the room like a silly little school girl.

She had to be honest with herself, she was afraid of what he might have said. The very thought of him rejecting her was more than she could bear. What was she thinking, sitting here barely dressed as he took in all she had to offer, of course he was going to say something.

He was probably going to tell her to put some clothes on.

It did her no good to think about such things. He'd made it more than obvious they were nothing more than friends. She went on about her morning routine, but her stomach would get fluttery every time her mind wandered back to the look he'd given her.

He was gone by the time she emerged from the bath dressed in her blue swimsuit and floral printed nearly sheer sarong and sandals. She knew he couldn't have gone far so she waited for him out on the balcony. He returned within half an hour with croissants and a small jar of strawberry jam. They enjoyed a leisurely breakfast as he told her of his plans for their day that included sailing in the morning and an evening concert.

The afternoon in-between time was spent relaxing and napping in their room. She'd collapsed on the bed, worn out from their adventures out on the Mediterranean. It was a good thing he knew how to sail because if it'd been up to her, they would have both drowned.

Liam woke her just as the sun was getting low in the horizon so she could get ready for their last evening in Pimobino. He left her alone to get ready with the promise that he'd be back within the hour.

She slipped into a simple black silk crepe ankle length straight dress that skimmed her soft curves. It was sleeveless and high in the front with a deep V that stopped just above the small of her back and a long slit that ended mid-thigh. A pair of strappy black high heels completed her ensemble.

A long, low whistle distracted her from last minute fussing with her curls. She turned to face her long time friend with a smile.

"Wow," Liam said, looking her up and down. "You look bloody amazing."

She could feel the blush rising in her cheeks as she smiled and looked down at her feet. "Thank you."
"You're going to turn quite a few heads tonight."

"I don't think so." She turned back to the mirror to tuck in an errant curl.

He came to stand directly behind her to look at her in the reflection. "I think so."

"Now, I know you're being silly," she laughed. "Women will be throwing themselves at your feet." She turned to straighten his tie.

"Of course they will," he stated as his brows furrowed. "I'm a Malfoy after all."

She playfully swatted his chest. "If you'll put your ego away, we can go."

"You got a little sun today," he murmured as he helped her slip on a burned out velvet wrap.

The way he was looking deeply into her eyes, it was like he was waiting for something. Her breath began to quicken as all she could think about how tantalizing close his mouth was and what she'd give to taste him. Just as her eyes fluttered closed and she began to lean toward him, he cleared his throat to break the moment.

"We should go before we're late," he said huskily, taking her hand and pulling her toward the door.

She nodded, feeling the sudden loss of the moment. "Yes, before we're late."

They attended an outdoor performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, in the large piazza in the center of the town under the stars. He wrapped an arm around her when she started feeling a bit chilled as the evening wore on. After the concert they dined in a small café, lingering over dessert and a second carafe of wine before taking a moonlit stroll on the beach.

They left their shoes on the front steps of the Bed and Breakfast before heading out hand in hand to walk silently along the water's edge.

"I can't believe that this is our last night here," she said, finally breaking the long silence.

Liam looked out over the dark bay, not saying anything for a long time. "I can't believe you'll be going home in a couple days."

"I know," she said, hugging herself to his arm. "I don't want to go. I love it here."

"I wish you didn't have to go." He held her close by the hand, resting his cheek against her forehead.

It was all she could do to fight the instinct to confess her love for him right then. He was making her lose all sense of her self-control as her heart pounded in her chest just from his nearness. His mouth was so close, all she had to do was tilt her head back a little and their lips would brush. She wanted nothing more in that moment than to tell him that she loved him.

She forced herself to giggle to break the tension. "Look at us being silly, I don't return to London for a few days yet."

He seized her free hand, bringing it to his lips so he could press a light kiss to the palm then the inside of her wrist. His lips skimmed the soft skin of the inside of her arm as he used it to pull her fully in front of him before looking intensely at her.

"Liam?" she asked shakily as his eyes darkened. She bit her bottom lip, unsure of what she should do, but she could sense something between them had just changed drastically.

"Come with me," he commanded, pulling her by the hand behind him. He didn't stop until they were in their room with the door firmly shut.

"Liam, you're starting to scare me." He didn't answer her, only continued to look at her. "Tell me what is going on right now." She wasn't sure she liked this new turn of events with him acting strangely.

She slowly backed up as he started across the room for her, his eyes never leaving hers, until she was nearly against the far wall. He stopped just short of her.

"Lucy Ann, I," he started, but gave up to take another step closer to her. "I-"

Instead of finishing his thought, he leaned in to brush his lips against her mouth. Lightly to begin, his arms slipped around her waist, pulling her firmly against him as the kiss deepened. She wrapped her arms around his neck, opening her mouth to him, all the while thanking Merlin for whatever had brought this on.

She lightly sucked his tongue, eliciting a groan from him. His hands slid down to cup her derriere, his mouth finding its way down the long column of her throat to lightly suck a tender pulse point. She frantically tried to divest him of his tie and shirt as he slowly walked her toward the bed. He pulled away long enough to pull the offending clothing off before he reclaimed her mouth in a searing kiss. Her fingers eagerly explored the hard planes of his chest as she tried to urge him on with her mouth. She wanted all he was willing to give.

He managed to get her on the bed without breaking their kiss. She didn't even realize what was happening until he was resting his weight on her and she could feel his hardness pressing against the softness of her belly. Her fingers tangled in his hair as his mouth trailed kisses down her body and her hem mysteriously rose.

Every thought she ever had about this and about him went right out the window because it was nothing compared to the real thing. She never dreamed it would, no, could, feel this good. A deep moan escaped her lips as he pressed an open mouth kiss to the inside of her knee as his fingers slowly inched up her thighs.

She could feel his smile against her thigh as her hips bucked involuntarily with his light teasing, his fingers worked a magic she never knew existed. Everything he did only served to make her want more and she thought for the briefest of moments that she should probably be ashamed, but just couldn't bring herself to care. If this was what it mean to be in love, then she was all for it.

His fingers boldly grasped the waist of her lacy boy cut knickers, tugging downward. Her body stiffened slightly before she could quell her nerves. Never in her wildest dreams did she think things would get this far so quickly.

The sense of loss was immediate when Liam rolled onto his back next to her, gasping for breath. He kept muttering something she couldn't quite make out.

"Liam?" she whispered, reaching out for him, but only having him pull away.

"Fuck," he muttered again, sitting up on the side of the bed and running his hands through his messy hair. "Fuckity fuck."

"What's wrong?" she begged. She desperately wanted to fix whatever had just happened.

"Oh sweet Morgana," he said in utter disbelief. "What have I done?"

Lucy Ann slid up behind Liam and tried to wrap her arms around him, but he pushed her away and stood from the bed.

"Liam," she asked again, her voice quavering. "Did I do something wrong?"

He looked at her then and she could see the terror in his grey eyes. "No, I almost ruined everything."

"Ruined what?" she asked in confusion.

"You, I almost ruined you. You and me. Us. Everything. Fuck." He staggered halfway across the room. "I'm so fucking stupid."

"No!" she said, tears filling her eyes. She reached out to him. "Liam, please, it's my fault."

"Don't touch me," he warned, backing away further away from her with a panic stricken look on his face.

"You didn't ruin anything, I swear," she pleaded. "Nothing!"

"I've got to get out of here."

"Please, don't leave me!"

"I've got to go."

"Please!"

She watched him scoop up his discarded shirt and slip it on before yanking the door open. He turned to give her one last look before he pulled it firmly closed behind him.

Tears began to fall in earnest as total devastation of what just happened began to sink in.

Everything was perfect one minute and the next…

Overwhelming helplessness began to crush her chest making it hard to breathe. She had no idea how to fix things with Liam because she didn't understand what had just happened.

Lucy Ann leaned against the closed door of their room, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I love you, Liam," she whispered. "I love you."

~*~