The Italian Riddle

I had a blank piece of lined paper in front of me, one of many that needed to be full of words in two hours time as part of an end of year exam in my fourth year at University. I was reading modern languages, and this particular exam was assessing my ability to understand, translate and summarise the key elements of a complex business negotiation I had observed earlier, conducted in various sessions where the languages used were French, Spanish and Italian.

I am English with a fascination for Latin languages that began as a child when we used to travel to France most school summer holidays for a few weeks. I picked up the language easily and found I could do the same with both Italian and Spanish when I travelled there just before Covid. During Covid I used my free time to learn all three languages on-line, making a few friends on forums where we'd talk in their native tongue and then flip to English, an approach that helped us both, forming friendships that have endured.

I have never met the chap I'm friends with in France but I have visited both the others having lived in Milan and then Granada for six months each as part of my third year where I chose those Universities so I could be near my friends. Of all three languages I am most at home with French, I find Spanish easy, but it is Italian that I love immersing myself in, where the expression and passion of the language is so very different to English, French or Spanish. I also found it straightforward to integrate myself in student life in Milan, probably because my buddy had similar interests to mine so I enjoyed six months of playing rugby, riding my bike around some stunning parts of the Italy and delighting in the food, the best in Europe in my opinion. I am not a lothario but, and I appreciate this is a personal preference, I find Italian women the most elegant and beautiful so the eye candy whilst studying was marginally better in Milan.

So, here I am back in Oxford sitting an exam where concentration is key as the expectations are high given this exercise is the culmination of my time reading modern languages. The blankness of the paper before me isn't a concern right now as the exam only began five minutes ago, the concern is more the thoughts distracting me, thoughts directed to the tall Italian woman, a young professor who runs my course and who has helped me through my time here. I am generally confident around women and I believe I am good looking enough given the successes I have enjoyed but none have endured, mainly down to geography, but with this lady I feel quite intimidated and she is very aware of this.

In my second year she got cross with me during a study session she held after lectures where she dealt with me once everyone else had been taken through their work, sparing me the humility of the dressing down she gave me. Everything she said was correct, but it hurt all the more coming from someone I considered to be so perfect. I tried to raise my game, my results suggested my efforts were in the right areas but still she wanted more. This all came to a head in the last mentoring session we had just prior to my departure for Milan. This was all done in Italian, so it came with all the emotions and exuberant arm movements the language demanded, making her frustrations towards me appear all the more powerful.

"David, tell me, why can't you let go? I see glimpses of the real you from time to time, then it goes back into the shadows. I speak to my colleagues who tell me you are a passionate debater and will challenge them, but I see none of this. Your results suggest you are well beyond your peers but in my classes, you are average, at best. Why? Tell me."

Giulia or Professor Rossi, an appropriately named red head, whose long red hair framed a face dabbled with freckles that was now a little flushed with frustration as she paced around the desk we had both been sat around. My mouth was dry as I struggled to engage my tongue, my brain somewhat fried having watched the way her amazing body moved during that dramatic delivery. I was about to say something when she banged a book on her desk in front of me, the loud bang snapping me into action as I then blurted out the truth.

"Because you intimidate me Professor Rossi, Guilia. You are without doubt the most attractive woman I have ever met, you are intelligent, sophisticated, challenging and largely responsible for my progress to date, something I am hugely grateful for but a state of being that appears to make me incapable of behaving with you like I do elsewhere. You deserve the truth, and here it is, probably enough to strike me off the course, saving you the frustration of dealing with me." I am twenty-three and mentally strong enough to hold my emotions in check, but I was close to tears, feeling angry at being pushed to this following months of these dressing downs. I rose to my feet, slamming by notebook closed and stuffing my things into my backpack, keeping my eyes away from hers as I moved to leave the room.

My eyes failed me though when I heard no response, no angry demand for me to leave the room or to never insult her again, finding a strange expression on her face somewhere between a smile and a question.

I found some strength of character, holding her gaze as I carried on with, "Guilia, I apologise for the way I responded but I am tired of being told I am not trying hard enough by you, especially when I think so highly of you. Please forgive me for the other comments and I will completely understand it if you wish to take matters further and to have me dismissed but, as a person I look up to once told me, honesty is always the best policy."

I turned as I held the brass door handle, readying myself to leave, still surprised I had heard nothing in response.

"Wait David, I'm sorry, please, give me a moment." Professor Rossi walked around her desk until she was stood right by me, close enough for me to feel her presence and to appreciate the perfume she was wearing, something complex and stimulating like her.

"I see so much promise in you David," she continued, her eyes fixed on mine, "you are so like I was when I was here a decade or so ago and I am trying, but clearly failing, to push you beyond where you are. I appreciate your honesty and, being honest with you too, I am flattered as you are a very handsome man and, and I see this from your female peers, quite intimidating yourself when you have your moments, in a good way. This should be normal David not rare David, in my opinion, clear?"

"Clear and I appreciate your honesty professor."

"Guilia please. You can't tell me that you find me attractive and a little intimidating and then I have you call me professor."

"Thanks, Guilia. I hope I didn't offend you." I offered, hoping to close this little drama and to leave unscathed.

"Quite the contrary David and I hope I didn't offend you either." As Guilia said this her hand paused on my arm, the most intimate gesture she had ever made towards me.

"You didn't. Good afternoon Guilia." I started to open the door only for her hand to cover mine, preventing me from pulling the door open.

"I'm not easy to read David, deliberately so, like a riddle that sorts the wheat from the chaff. You are so close to solving it and, once you do, you should ask me."

"Ask you what?" I asked, blinded slightly by the glare of white teeth her smile gave me.

"Ask for anything you want," was the enigmatic reply that was followed up with the more revealing, "but hopefully me."

Guilia used her hand to move mine such that the door opened, her presence encouraging me out of the room as the penny dropped and I appreciated what she had offered me. She was all smiles as she bid me goodbye, her eyes sparkling where my own mind was now confused, excited and dazed as I fumbled my way into the corridor.

My twelve months abroad had been a helpful distraction but this puzzle, the Guilia conundrum, appeared in my mind most weeks during the quiet moments. During my fourth and final year back in Oxford I had worked hard to be what Guilia had described, making an effort to contribute, to challenge and, I guess, to intimidate in a good way. I was popular with the ladies in the fourth year, my 'brand' of the handsome academic who played a number of sports going a long way but it was my desire to solve the Guilia conundrum that prevented me taking things further with anyone else.

My desires were probably misplaced, particularly given she had doubtless found a partner who had managed to solve her riddle by now, especially as she seemed more desirable than ever of late. So, anyway, here I was sat with my pen writing away now, my thoughts finally focused and confidently apply myself to the exam. I was having to use all my powers of concentration to remain focused when, every few minutes or so, I heard the clip of Guilia's heels, impractical but visually amazing high heels, as she patrolled the exam room, drawing attention to her long legs encased in stockings and a short tight skirt.

My God she was distracting I mused, a smile forming on my face as a memory of that meeting wafted through my mind, clearing away to allow me to carry on with my exam. I was reading through my work in the final twenty minutes, happy with my efforts, when a commotion behind me distracted me. Guilia had tripped up whilst trying to collect something from the floor, her legs knocking my chair as she scrambled about behind me, which in turn knocked my pen out of my hand.

I got out of my chair to retrieve my pen and came face to face with Gulia as she picked herself up, smiling at me as our eyes met. My frustration with her got the better of me and I whispered, "take those bloody heels off and do us all a favour", my voice thick with frustration despite the quietness of it. I watched Guilia's face change before me, the sparkle remaining in her eyes with the hint of a smile as her cheeks flushed bright red as she mouthed, "yes sir, sorry."

I got a demure look from her as she used my desk to steady herself as she removed each shoe before walking off silently, using her toes to carry herself along whilst swishing that amazing behind of hers, hopefully for my pleasure. I was left with a busy mind as I raced through the last page, finding nothing obvious before turning my thoughts to what had just occurred.

Sporting an erection is not a good state to find oneself in during an exam but that was what I had as I mused over what this turn of events might mean where I believed I had found the key to the riddle. By the time we were all leaving the exam room I was decent thankfully, my jeans helping to hide my residual excitement, as I placed my paper on the appropriate pile. I saw Guilia near the exit busying herself with her bags as I drew up to her.

"I'm sorry about the noise," she said as I moved close to her, touching her lower back with my hand as I moved to her side which caused her to stand up straight, purring almost as my hand moved slowly down her back to the top of her bottom, moving away before anyone spotted my inappropriate actions.

"No problem. You can make it up to me later. I'll meet you at The Crown at six and then I'll take you out to dinner." I said, leaving no room for her to change, defer or decline.

"I look forward to that," she said her eyes darting from mine to the floor and back again whilst giving me a beautiful smile as she smoothed a lock of her long red hair behind her ear before adding in a quiet voice, "sir", the word sir elongated and made to sound sensual by her Italian accent.

~

Three hours later I entered the pub dressed smartly, a few minutes early with the objective of securing a table for us both. My eyes did a quick look around, spotting Guilia sat by herself in the corner, her smile beaming at me when our eyes met. She looked stunning in a short summer dress, a wide brimmed hat and flats rather than those distracting heels.

"You look amazing," I stated once I was stood by her, kissing her cheek for the first time as she rose to greet me.

"Thank you, David. You look very handsome." Guilia said as she sat down, smoothing the fabric of her dress to her thighs once she was sat down, effectively drawing my attention to them.

"May I get you a drink?" I asked, spotting that she didn't have one on the go.

"Yes please, you choose." Guilia asked, flashing me another dazzling smile.

I chose her a white wine, Italian of course, a pint of bitter for me and some crisps to share, my mind a whirlpool of thoughts as I dreamt where all this was heading. The 'sir' thing was a clue as was her response to my whispered command earlier.

I took a sip of my beer and dove right in, keen to cut to the chase where I was in a 'shit or bust' state of mind having, it seemed, to have solved Guilia's riddle to her satisfaction at least.

"So, all this 'mentoring', your pushing of me to the limit has been with the hope that I'll take command, so to speak, of you?" My cock lurched in my trousers as I uttered these words, visualising where this could go if I was correct.

"Exactly," Guilia confirmed, sipping her wine as she watched me, her face not revealing much as she listened.

"And I believe you would only let someone you consider worthy to solve the riddle?" I asked, my eyes watching her as she fidgeted before me.

"Precisely David." Guilia confirmed, the exposed top of her chest flushing now too, showing her rising level of excitement.

"I am honoured Guilia, truly honoured. I guess the paradox to the riddle, the real thread of the movie if this was one, is that you have been integral in forming the object of your desire and the man you want to dominate you?"

"Can we go to your flat David, please?" Guilia nearly begged, her upper lip swollen with desire, her eyes alive and her legs clamped tightly together as she seemed to try to hold herself together.

"Not yet Guilia. I'm enjoying myself, talking to you and drinking my beer." I replied, every bone in my body wanting to drag her to my flat as my brain challenged back, arguing that Guilia actually wanted to be frustrated a little more.

"Sorry sir," she said, changing how she was sitting again, seemingly trying to settle herself.

We remained quiet for a few moments as I sipped my beer, devouring her with my eyes as I devised strategies for drawing this out as long as possible.

"Tell me about what you are wearing under your dress." I commanded, my voice quiet, calm and strong.

"Very little sir. A half cup bra and knickers, both white, lacey and sexy." She replied, her back going straight as she spoke, responding to my questions earnestly I noted, delighting in the notion that she was showing respect for me.

"Thank you. You seem distracted Guilia so I would like you to take five minutes, go to the ladies, remove your knickers and pleasure yourself. Understood?" I held her eyes, acknowledging the nod she gave me, sensing her excitement. As she rose to walk I held her arm, pulling her down so I could whisper, "just use these two fingers Guilia and bring them back to me so I can taste you." I took her hand and sucked the index and middle fingers on her right hand, feeling her other hand steady herself on my shoulder as she whimpered quietly.

This was new territory for me, but I smiled to myself as I mused how well I was adapting, the need to be able to adapt and reflect changing situations being one of the attributes our course lecturers had drummed into us. We had been taught how important it was to blend in with the situation we were operating in, thinking on our feet, mirroring how people spoke, dressed and behaved in order to present the best possible interpretation to our 'customer'. I was mid daydream when Guilia returned, waiting by me as she surveyed the pub which was a little busier now with the tables starting to fill near us.

I took her right hand in mine, asking "feeling better?" as I kissed then sucked her two fingers, tasting a hint of her pussy on them.

"Yes, thank you sir." Guilia replied, placing her warm knickers in my hand before asking, "should I sit down now or are we going?"

"What's the hurry Guilia, sit a little longer please and tell me what you were thinking of earlier." I replied, holding the knickers to my nose, her body language suggesting she found my flagrant display of her balled up white lace knickers unsettling as she sat down.

"I hoped that I pleased you later sir." Was her cryptic reply.

"You need to be a bit more specific Guilia," I countered, sipping the little that remained of my pint.

"I thought how I might use my body sir, what I could do for you sir," she sensed my frustration with her lack of clarity as I too started to shuffle in my seat, my stare hardening, "I imagined pleasing you with my mouth sir, licking your hard cock with my dainty little tongue and then sucking you deeply, working my mouth up and down until you came in my mouth. I imagined doing a striptease for you, slowly revealing my body until you got frustrated and bent me over a sofa, fucking me, quickly, enjoying yourself until you came in me, that moment making me feel so happy I came so hard, all over my fingers."

"What if I would rather kiss you, strip you slowly before eating your delicious pussy, bringing you close to orgasm several times but not allowing you to cum until I said you could? How does that make you feel?"

"Like you really care for me, like you once said you did, and that I am in safe hands, hands that might one day love me." Guilia said, any anxiety about being overheard now gone, her face softening and with it her body language as she took my hand, leaning across the table to give me the most passionate and genuine kiss I have ever experienced. I smiled as I mused who was playing who here, my face probably reflecting that as I stood, offering her my hand as I made to leave the pub. I wasn't hungry for food at that moment, nor was she as we hurried silently to my flat.

~

Guilia's pussy was all I imagined it would be, petite, delicate and pretty with a tidy strip of ginger hair above the bald quim, as juicy and tasty as the ripest fruit. I had been eating her out for a while now, fully clothed myself whilst I'd ripped all her clothes off as we entered the flat, my bed ruined as she clawed at the sheets as she shouted out painfully, begging for permission to cum that I kept denying her. I didn't know what I would have done if had she cum, the point is she chose not to despite her need, fully respecting my command for her to not cum until I granted her permission.

In the end the need to find my own release made me clamber off the bed, stripping off my clothing as Guilia watched me as I revealed myself to her for the first time. Where she was tall for a woman with an athletic frame that was softened by full buttocks and large, firm breasts I was over six foot, a good 6 inches taller than her, broad and strong with a well-defined body from years of sports, particularly rugby where a bit of padding was important so I wasn't 'shredded'. I think Guilia approved, with her eyes focusing on my waist as I pulled my boxer shorts over my erect cock. I am 'big all over' as one ex-girlfriend describe me to her friends, a comment that afforded me plenty of attention in my second year and I saw something akin to lust as I crawled towards Guilia, moving myself until I was lying on top of her and between her legs as I kissed her.

"We drop the sir thing Guilia, you can cum as you wish now. This is just you and me, no façade, no barrier, something I hope you want as much as I do, OK?" I meant this, the submissive thing was fun, but it felt like a barrier, something I wanted out of the way as I didn't share her need to elevate either of us to a place where one of us had power over the other.

"You don't like being my master?" She asked, her voice suggesting a degree of hurt that was softened with a slightly teasing tone.

"Oh, I love it Guilia. I loved telling you what to do earlier in the pub and I find it a real turn on when you talk to me like that but, for this, when I fuck you for the first time, I want the real Guilia, free to say and do what she wants. I could tell you to do this of course but I'd rather you tell me you want this too. Ok?" I kissed her again, the head of cock nudging into her wet opening as we kissed.

"I've had three previous lovers David. The first was in my teens and was a naïve fumble for us both but the next two were both dominant in nature where sex was on their terms, something I found very exciting. You are the first man to be like this." As Guilia said this I felt her legs gently wrap around my buttocks.

"Do you like it?" I asked, pushing her hair away from her face so I could see her reaction.

"I love it," was her reply, her legs pulling me in, but I resisted.

"I should pop a condom on," I said, stretching to my drawer to fetch one.

"I'm clean David, please, no barriers as you put it." Guilia initiated the kiss this time, a deep passionate kiss where she gasped into my mouth as I slid slowly inside her, my thick length stretching her tight pussy open. Guilia bit my shoulder lightly as I held myself once I was fully inside her, "you feel fucking amazing in me," her swearing uncharacteristic of her.

I would be lying if I said we fucked for hours, making this sound like some athletic tour de force where we both moved together sensually, staving off the inevitable for a glorious, combined finish. The reality was that Guilia came very quickly, crying out once she let herself go, cumming violently under me. I worked hard to make her cum again, my efforts to fuck her through a number of positions thwarted by the way she clung around me with her strong legs and kissed me constantly after her first orgasm, moving to Italian as she called me her lover, her darling, her man, all of it enough to show me how much she cared for me.

She watched me as I began to cum, her soft words encouraging me to cum, to cum inside her and to let myself go, something I did as I cried out before falling into her arms as I came, her wide embrace cradling me as my cock vented inside her. We cuddled and kissed for a while, enjoying each other's bodies as we wallowed in that post sex bliss until my growling stomach made Guilia laugh.

"I'm sorry I made you miss your dinner," she giggled.

"We can still go out or get a delivery or I could rustle you something up. I make a mean pasta but, then again, with your heritage you'll probably despise it." I said as I pulled her in for a hug as I flopped on to my back.

"David, I think you could bring me some mediocre toast right now and I'll still be happy." Guilia said as she played with the hairs on my chest.

"That good?" I teased, as I stroked my fingers down her back.

"Si." Is all I got but it was enough, particularly coupled with the smouldering look she gave me before she jumped off the bed, grabbing one of my clean rugby tops from a pile on the lower shelf of my open wardrobe, the view she gave me as she bent down being one I committed to memory. She returned to my bedside grabbing my arm as she said, "Come, let me see what you have and I'll show you what an Italian woman can rustle up to show her appreciation to the first man to make cum with his delicious cock."

"I'll take that," I said, "even if I flunk the course."

"Not likely David, yours will be the easiest first-class degree to award. Come. I'm hungry."

"And a red head!" I added whilst pulling some shorts on.

"Exactly. An Italian red head with post sex hunger. Let's go." Thankfully Guilia was just tall enough so as she stroud ahead of me I could see her buttocks protruding from my rugby top, thanking my lucky starts as I did. Once I had shown her what I had she said, "this is good. Give me twenty minutes, maybe find some red wine and then we eat. After, well that's up you, sir, but you did say that I would need to make up for my behaviour later, so maybe, sir could use those big hands to show my big arse what happens if I displease him?" As Guilia said this she flipped up the back of my rugby shirt to show her pale, perfect buttocks.

"It's not a big arse. It's perfect." I countered, giving her food for thought as my palm cracked across them.

"Thank you, sir. I'm looking forward to later already."

"I wouldn't, it's a long list Guilia. You've got all the shit you gave me from my second year 'til now to pay for." I suggested, my cock filling up again as I imagined the long night ahead of me.

"And I'm a big girl who pays her debts. Now, let me cook before I have leaving you hungry to pay for too!"

~

Three things were confirmed that night; firstly, Guilia was a sensational cook, a wizard even. Secondly, Guilia paid her debts and loved every minute of it, especially when I smacked her bottom whilst fucking her hard from behind. The third, well, that's where we find ourselves now having started the journey that night, with me waiting nervously for her to finish getting ready to go out for dinner, my lines rehearsed and the ring in my jacket pocket.

Over the last six months we had discussed the age difference of twelve years at length, my honest view of it being that it was academic. The submissive thing was something Guilia needed from time to time but something I insisted would not be the main theme to our relationship, something she agreed to although, I wondered comically to myself if she was choosing to grant my wishes so both of us were happy. Whatever, we were both very much in love and I wanted to make that permanent.

I had graduated, with a first as predicted, and I was now working for the government, specifically on trade relations with our European partners so I was constantly flying in and out of various European cities, sometimes with someone to help me with my bags and to make my stays away as comfortable as possible. I'd met the in-laws, wooed her equally ferocious mother, another red-head, and earnt the respect of her father when I was able to talk to one of his English customers about a misunderstanding they had, one I sensed was down to a lack of understanding on their part of how Italians spoke and operated.

As we walked to the restaurant, we were quiet, I was a nervous wreck and Guilia was clearly mulling something over too. The waiter showed us to our table, one in a corner I had asked for when I booked, offering to get us some drinks as we looked at the menus.

"Would you like some champagne Guilia?" I asked, my nerves building.

"Are we celebrating something David?" She asked, adding, "just a small glass for me please."

"A regular one for me please," I told the waiter, watching him leave so I could speak to Guilia.

We both started simultaneously, both clearly having something to say, but Guilia insisted I go first despite my protestations.

I think the penny dropped as I got down on one knee, her hands going to her mouth as she watched me pull a ring box from my jacket, before I asked, in Italian of course, "Guilia, my love, I love you with all my heart. You have made me the happiest man alive since the day we met, a situation I never want to end, ever. So, would you do me the honour of being my wife?"

Her gleeful smile revealed her answer before she replied, "Of course I will, yes, I would love to be your wife, David." Our fellow dinners didn't need to speak Italian to understand what had just occurred with our display earning a round of applause and good wishes as I pushed the ring on her finger.

Guilia was sat on my knee kissing me as we sipped our champagne, about to leave when I asked, "so, what were you going to say before I rudely interrupted you?"

"Pass me my bag please," Guilia said, carrying on once I had passed her the bag, "timing is everything David and yours is perfect where mine isn't. I missed taking my pill a few weeks ago, I thought nothing of it until Monday this week. Anyway, here." I recognised the white and blue plastic thing she placed in my hand from the adverts, a blue line showing clearly once I had rolled it over.

"You're pregnant?" I asked, stating the obvious, my heart skipping a beat as it was filled with joy.

"I am." Guilia said, smiling, but with eyes that scoured me for my reaction. "You're not cross, are you?"

"No, silly, I'm over the moon." I held her in a big hug, relishing the moment, possibly the most memorable day in my life.

"I'm so happy David and with your proposal, this is a perfect day. Thank you. I love you with all my heart, truly I do." My future wife rarely cried but tonight she did, joyful tears streaming down her face as I hugged her.

"You should phone your mum," I suggested, "I imagine they'll be eager to know if you said yes to my proposal anyway."

"They knew?" Guilia asked with surprise, especially as she spoke with her mother every day.

"Yes, they knew," I confirmed, "I felt I had to ask your father's permission, so I doubt he was able to keep that from your mama, especially if he considered what would happen to him if he didn't tell her and then she found out."

"He will have liked that David, you showing him respect. They both love you, so I am sure they are waiting on bated breath. Can we call them now?" Guilia asked, reaching for her phone.

The exchange that followed was monumentally excited with Guilia confirming she had said yes and showing them the ring I had bought her.

"I have some more news Mama," the smile her mother gave Guilia suggesting she had already guessed, "I am pregnant, it's very early days but it seems God wants David & I together and with a family."

The call carried on for a little while longer, closing with Guilia's parents promising to be over in England very soon. We were both smiles as we perused the menus, both of us slightly distracted as we read but didn't really take in what was written down.

"David?" Guilia asked as she placed her menu on the table, clearly having decided what she was going to take.

"Yes Guilia?" I replied, quickly choosing something.

"I won't say 'to obey' in my vows, is that OK?" Guilia was projecting confidence as she spoke, her back straight and her face calm and relaxed.

"Good, of course it is." I confirmed, waiting for the 'but' I sensed was coming.

"I will though, obey you that is. That's a precious gift I give you, my complete trust and faith in you, one I know you will respect. Do you understand David?"

"From the moment I solved the riddle until the day I contemplated asking you to be my wife I understood, and I'm fine with it Guilia." I confirmed, draining the rest of my champagne.

"Thank you. Part of my needs include being shown who is boss from time to time, you understand this too I think David?" Guilia said, fidgeting in her chair.

"I do," I confirmed, meeting her eyes that sparkled with excitement.

"I need to be shown who is the boss tonight please David, I'm aching to be dominated by you, to be told what to do and to feel your hand slapping my backside." Guilia was putting emphasis into every word, my cock growing as I visualised what might happen later.

I ordered a large glass of red wine, my fiancé some sparkling water, waiting silently for the drinks to arrive before I continued, leaning in so I could be discrete.

"Guilia, remember what I asked you to do that first time we went out? Go, remove your knickers and bring them back to me when you have made yourself cum. When you play with yourself, imagine what it will feel like later when I'm fucking you from behind, your arse red with the marks I will make on it later and with your pussy dripping from licking I will give it when we get home. Do that for me now please." I commanded, adjusting myself as I moved back in my chair, sipping my wine.

Guilia bent down as she moved past me, whispering, "I'm not wearing knickers sir, I'd let you check but the waiter keeps looking our way."

"Who is the boss Guilia?" I asked sternly as I held her arm.

"You are sir," she confirmed, her voice faltering as she sensed what I might do.

"Tell me when he moves away," I commanded, my hand resting on her knee as I sensed her shiver.

~