With her chin perched similarly on her arm and her feet crossed behind her, Lia shrugged a tiny bit.

"It's amazing I'm alive. If it weren't for Uncle Joe and a few very good friends, I wouldn't be so lucky. But, when you end up swimming with sharks, you have to adapt or be eaten. Business just happened to come naturally to me."

A cool breeze blew over the beach, gently waving the brim of her sun hat. She was relieved that Marco hadn't been overwhelmed by everything, although she couldn't blame him if he had been. She hated lying, even for her own safety. 

​​​​​​"How about a dip in the water?" 

Marco grinned as he quickly popped up to his feet and followed her down to the water.

"More swimming with the sharks, eh? So tell me- what sort of businesses do you run?"

With each foot making its way into the warm water, Lia felt her spirits lift. She waded in waist-deep, then sank backwards and began to tread water.

"I own an Escort Agency in Las Vegas, very high-end girls. Then  in Philadelphia, I have a massage parlor. Mind you, it's not the sleezy kind. Both do very well, but it can be tiring traveling between them both all the time. They're on opposite sides of the country."

She got quiet for a few moments, looking around. 

​​​​​​"It's not like here. Everything is close...and quiet. It's just beautiful here. Especially at the estate. It's like something out of a fairy tale."

Lia was smiling as she spoke, her eyes sparkling. 

Marco waded out with Lia, but as the waters rose above his waist, he dove in with gusto and submerged himself, swimming and popping up a dozen feet away.

"Escorts and massages parlors? You really are heavenly."

He winked, right hand moving his hair back from his eyes. He spun and floated as well.

"Tell me about the estate? To be truthful, I've never really left Palermo."

The sun, higher in the late morning sky, highlighted Marco's olive skin, and glinted off his black hair. Lia didn't realize she was staring until Marco said something about the estate, and Palermo.

"Hmm? Oh, the estate. It's extremely old, but I can't remember exactly how old. It was started by Giuseppe Viacelli, and was then passed to his daughter, Regina. She was the first to take the wines to America and sell them there. She sold them in Chicago and New York. After she died, my Godmother Sofia took over the winery and vineyards. Sofia helped expand the export operations. Unfortunately, she passed away before she could set up a successor. So, for now, her brother Marco and sister Carlotta keep things going."

She swam closer to Marco, paddling around him as she continued. 

​​​​​​"The estate is hundreds of acres; rolling hills of grapes as far as the eye can see. We ride horses to get around quickly. The presses have been in operation since Giuseppe started it, though there are many more modern parts. I love it. The colors of the hills in the early mornings...it's hard to describe. You just have to...well, you should really see it!"

Marco smiled as he spat water out of his mouth in a stream.

"Very well- I accept your invitation! I've never been to an estate, but I'll be happy to make an exception for you."

He winked as Lia paddled around him.

"You have marvelous form, you know that?"

After some more swimming, Marco paused.

"How long do you think you'll be here for, before you go back?"

Standing, Lia shrugged, pulling her wet hair back over her shoulders. 

"There's no way of knowing, really. I've already been here a month, and nothing much has happened in the way of fixing the problem. It could be months, it could be a year. I'm pretty sure I'll be here through the winter, at the very least."

​​​​​​At least, she thought to herself. Lia pushed aside the creeping thoughts that whispered to her. The ones that said she could stay here and be happy. That was a battle she wasn't ready to fight  Not yet. 

After another half hour or so in the water, they decided to get lunch. 

"I'm staying in Palermo for three days, at least. Paul and Donny made a reservation at the Palazzo Sitano. Maybe we can have lunch there and let me get settled into my room, then figure out what to do next."

Quickly, she added

"I mean, if you're not busy. I don't mean to assume you...well, I mean, I don't want to keep you from anything. I just...enjoy your company."

Marco grinned wide.

"Well, I hate to see you displaced from your home- but I'm happy to hear you'll be here for a while longer yet. And I enjoy your company as well, Lia. Very much."

He winked as his hand rested on her back, helping her towards the shore. 

"You could never keep from anything. The day you met me was a lucrative one. And the nice thing about my job? Flexible pay, depending on my luck... but, eh, flexible hours as well."

The Palazza was only a short walk from the beach, so Lia and Marco decided to walk and enjoy the sun and sights. Of course, Paul and Donny followed in the car, but kept enough of a distance that they didn't seem imposing.

Along the way, Lia saw a shop with cameras displayed in the window. She stopped dead in her tracks, and broke into a grin.

"I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner!" 

She grabbed Marco's hand and practically ran inside. After a few minutes and some translation help from Marco, the two left the store with a brand new camera. It was amazingly small enough to fit into her bag. The shop owner had showed her how to load in the film, which Lia bought plenty of. 

Once out of the store, Lia grinned mischievously at Marco. 

"Smile!" 

Right as Lia was about to take the picture, Marco leaned over and kissed her, still tasting faintly of sea salt. 

"Ah! And now we've immortalized this, our first kiss! Not to worry- there will be many more."

He leaned back in, mostly expecting another kiss but at least 10% prepared to be slapped. 

Lia snapped the picture just as Marco's lips crushed against hers. She was surprised, but delighted. She laughed, blushing brightly as she looked into his eyes. There was such a passion in him--such fun and lightness for someone who...possibly lived on the streets. 

She giggled and stammered. 

"That was... I mean...i liked that. That is to say, I wouldn't mind if you...you know..." 

'Oh, stop being a ninny, Stella' she thought to herself. She reached out and put her arms around him, standing on her tip toes, and returned his kiss. 

​​​​​​

Marco had started sliding his hands down Lia's waist when he heard a man clearing his throat, which caused Marco to jump about a mile.

"Ah, where were we? Making our plans, yes? Where else would you like to go this evening?"

Lia jumped when Marco did, then laughed. 

"I don't know. What I do know is that I could use a shower, and something to eat. Let's find the Palazza and check it out. I promise I won't drag you into another store."

She winked and they took off; Lia still snapping pictures. 

----

The Palazza Sitano was a beautiful white stucco building with ornate, wrought iron balconies on the windows. The lobby was done in marble and tile, and gave off a distinct Mediterranean feel. As a bellhop began to gather her bags from the car, Lia suddenly felt a pang of worry. Marco didn't seem to feel terribly uncomfortable as Lia threw cash around like a tourist, but she worked that it might come off as boastful. 

Marco and Lia entered the elevator to head to her room. She stood quietly, nibbling absently at her lower lip nervously. 

Marco whistled as they walked into the lobby. He'd seen the Palazza Sitano before, of course... but never from the inside. As they were in the elevator, Marco winked at Lia, who'd he noticed nibbling on her lower lip.

"What are you nervous about? Running out of money?"

He laughed.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I just got lost in my thoughts for a minute."

The elevator dinged as it reached the third floor. Paul and Donny were already standing on either side of the door as they approached room 334. Paul opened the door for them. 

The room was not overly big, but certainly generous in size. There was a queen sized bed with a beautifully carved wooden headboard and footboard, and matching night stands on either side. There was a large dresser and mirror, and a Victorian style couch upholstered in the same dark red color of the bedspread. There was also a simple missionary desk with a telephone, and a chair. The bathroom had a toilet and bidet, and a heavy claw-foot tub and shower. The luggage was already arranged neatly in a corner. 

Lia hopped onto the bed, sitting cross - legged. 

"So, a shower and then lunch? Or, maybe we can send for something and just relax for a bit?" 

​​​​​

Marco quickly sprawled out on the bed beside Lia, resting his hands behind his head. But when he heard Lia, he immediately popped to his feet.

"A shower, then. I won't be long. Unless you join me- in which case, the opposite is true."

With a wink and a devilish grin, he moved toward the bathroom, tossing his jacket as he went.

She watched with a little grin of her own as he walked into the bathroom. Her mind seemed to be constantly running, and she was more than ready for it to shut up. There was no way she was going to spend the next few days worrying about everything. If Marco felt awkward with her wealth, he'd say something. He said he was an open book, and she trusted him in that. Whatever was blossoming between her and Marco, Lia was resolved to enjoy it and not look for anything more than what was in front of her. After all, she was still young, despite the way her work made her feel sometimes.

Brushing all that aside, Lia stood and slipped off her dress, slip, and stockings. She pulled her partially wet hair down, and walked quietly into the bathroom where Marco was standing, facing the tub and running water. She slid her hands slowly up his back and out to his lean and strong shoulders.

Marco looked over his shoulder with a grin.

"Thank God- I was hoping it was you and not one of the bodyguards."

After that, he didn't talk for a long time, as he moved toward Lia and pinned her against the wall of the shower. The water fell on them as he traced a line of kisses down from her mouth to her neck.

As predicted, the shower lasted some time, steaming up the bathroom mirror and windows. Marco was a passionate lover, with an appreciation for the female form that was apparent in the way he touched her. His hands were strong, but gentle and attentive to every part of her body. 

-----

They ordered lunch and lounged comfortably in the bed while waiting for the food to arrive. Lia, with her head laid on his bare chest, loved listening to him talk about Palermo, and his adventures in the streets. As he talked, an idea formed in her mind. She let her fingertips trace gently over his torso.

"Marco, I was wondering something. Since you're going to come back to Catania with me after the week is over, would you...stay with me, here? I like being with you, and I thought maybe you could help me with the Russo's project, too." 

Marco shrugged.

"I'll have to leave every now and then, since I suppose I can't fully depend on my mysterious, beautiful benefactor to support me for the rest of my life? Unless you're proposing? In which case, I accept."

He chuckled.

"And if by 'the Russo project' you meant eating more food, I'm in. If it's business? Ehhhh. Not my forte. Still, whatever you need."