Daniel tipped the valet and leant against the gunmetal grey bodywork of the Aston. Even here, in the home of all things beautiful, the car received appreciative glances and comments. He knew better than to try and compete with the locals when it came to sartorial matters but in the automotive stakes Daniel felt he could more than hold his own.
A sharp echo of heels on marble reported across the open lobby as a glamorous blonde made her way towards the doors. Instinctively Daniel straightened his back and smoothed the linen of his suit jacket as she approached. Dressed in a short, electric blue dress, towering heels accentuating her long, shapely legs, the woman received even more admiring looks than the car. She probably wasn't Italian, the blonde bobbed hair and sparkling blue eyes suggested she hailed from a different part of Europe but as she neared Daniel, her beaming smile filling him with joy, her English accent answered the question for the interested onlookers.
"You scrub up pretty well, don't you?" she said.
"Marie, you look incredible," he said and took both her hands to draw her close to kiss.
"Mmm, you smell good enough to eat," she purred. "But I'm starving. Where are you taking me?"
Daniel grinned and opened the car door, holding it while Marie slid elegantly into the passenger seat, managing to remain utterly demure despite the shortness of her dress. "A little place I know," he said, closing his own door and starting the engine.
"Dominic's?" Marie asked.
"Where else?" Daniel laughed, and eased the car away from the hotel with only the slightest squeak of rubber on polished ground.
It was only a five minute drive and on such a warm evening Daniel had toyed with the idea of them walking but the lakeside promenade was simply made for slowly cruising along in a beautiful drop top with an even more beautiful companion. The Aston's baritone growl bounced off the steep cliff wall and drew yet more attention to them but here, by the glistening lake on a summer's night, that was absolutely fine. Daniel pulled into the square and parked between an immaculate white Maserati and a scruffy Fiat Panda. Opening the door he took Marie's hand to help her from the car, secretly thrilled even after years of familiarity by the daring plunge at the front of Marie's dress and the expanse of toned thigh made greater by the low-slung seat.
"Signor Smith," said the trattoria owner with a smile, shaking Daniel's hand and kissing his cheek, "and Doctor Smith. Que bella!"
"It's wonderful to be back, Dominic," said Daniel.
"And it is wonderful to see you both, especially you of course on your birthday, Doctor Smith," Dominic looked Marie up and down with a mixture of proud uncle and red-blooded male, and kissed her cheeks, holding her far longer than would have been acceptable in England. Daniel didn't mind one iota. For an English couple to be so warmly embraced in a traditional restaurant was a huge compliment and tonight, especially, he was more than happy for people to admire Marie's beauty.
Marie affected a certain degree of embarrassed English rose, just enough to play her part. "Dominic, you're too kind," she said. "You look younger every year."
"Per favore, come, come," Dominic said, and led them to a table covered, as was every table, with a red and white checked tablecloth. He pulled Marie's chair out for her then lit the candle on the table. "Now, my friends. A drink?"
"I'll have a Bellini," said Marie.
"And a Negroni," added Daniel.
"Prego," said Dominic.
Daniel and Marie looked around the packed restaurant. It was hot, noisy, and full of customers from every walk of life. The owners of both the Panda and the Maserati were almost certainly here, such was the reputation of the place. The décor could probably be best described as rustic. It was just how it should be.
"Everything looks in order," said Marie, satisfied with what she'd seen so far. The little table wobbled slightly. "I'm pretty sure this table rocked last time too."
"Only the very best for my darling wife," grinned Daniel. He felt in his jacket pocket and produced a small box. "Just a little something."
Marie's eyes gleamed as she slipped the sapphire ring onto her finger, holding it this way and that to admire the cut. "It's gorgeous," she said. "Thank you, darling."
"I'm glad you like it," said Daniel.
"I love it." Marie leant across the table to kiss her husband, her tongue skating across his own, and held his hand as she looked into his eyes. "And I look forward to thanking you properly later," she said, with the slightest hint of a pout and the merest suggestion of a wink.
Daniel raised an eyebrow. He was rather looking forward to that too.
Their drinks arrived, Daniel nursing his cocktail as Marie's Bellini rapidly disappeared and another was ordered. That was an excellent sign. They may have been married for years and together for much longer but when Marie knocked back a couple of drinks in double-quick time it was guaranteed to be a fun evening. Daniel gazed lovingly at his wife, allowing his mind to wander off to a potential scenario or two that the evening might lead to. Brains, beauty and utterly filthy when the moment was right, Marie was truly a remarkable woman.
"Are we still going to visit Cousin Louisa tomorrow?" Marie asked.
"Yes, she's expecting us for lunch at the yacht club on the island. We'll take a boat from the hotel," said Daniel.
"Good. I love the gardens there. Do you remember us getting caught in the act by that American?" Marie's eyes had a dreamy look as she reminisced.
"You were so shameless," laughed Daniel. "You just looked him in the eye and told me to keep going."
Marie giggled. "God, that was fun. I don't think he could believe his eyes."
"It didn't stop him staring though, did it? Dirty old sod," said Daniel.
Marie squirmed in her chair. "Let's just hope we have another chance tomorrow, eh?"
Daniel grinned and Marie took another drink.
