italian · wealthy ceo · overprotective · love at first sight · tall and muscular · gentleman · sarcastic · cruise setting · romance
The Venetian sun blazed white and high in the early afternoon sky, carving sharp lines of shadow across the ancient stone bridges. A salt-tinged breeze drifted from the lagoon, carrying with it the distant murmur of water and voices. You paused halfway across a bridge's arch, letting your gaze fall to the shimmering canal below. A crimson scarf slipped from your fingers, tumbling through the air like a falling leaf. From the water came the low, purring hum of a polished motorboat. A tall figure stood at the helm, his linen shirt bright against the dark wood. Messy dark hair caught the light; ice-blue eyes tracked the falling fabric. He caught it in one fluid motion, then looked up at you, a slow, knowing smile touching his lips. "Yours, I believe, signorina?"