Reunited with Her Italian Ex by Lucy Gordon

could be closer to each other. Mario stood below, reaching up, while Natasha leaned down to touch his hand while the camera clicked away.
    â€˜Perfect,’ Giorgio cried at last. ‘You two are doing a great job. It’s wonderful how well you work together.’
    They said what was necessary and followed him back to the ballroom, where another selection of garments was laid out for them.
    â€˜Romeo believes that Juliet is dead,’ Giorgio said. ‘So he comes to the crypt where her body lies. He finds her there, says his farewells and takes his own life. Then she wakes, finds him dead, and she too chooses death. We’ll shoot this scene in the cellar.’
    With the maid’s help, Natasha donned a plain gown and they all went down to the hotel’s cellar, where a stone bench had been prepared for her to lie on.
    â€˜Ow!’ she said, stretching out on it. ‘That stone’s really hard.’
    â€˜Is it really painful?’ Mario asked her quietly.
    â€˜No, I’ll be all right.’
    â€˜Let me put something under your head.’
    â€˜No, that would spoil it. But thank you.’
    He still looked worried but let it drop.
    â€˜Walk up to her body,’ Giorgio said. ‘Look into her face as though you can’t believe it’s true. Good. Just like that.’
    Lying there with her eyes closed, Natasha yearned to open them and see Mario’s expression, to meet his eyes. But she must resist temptation and be content with the feel of his breath on her face.
    â€˜Lay your head on her breast,’ Giorgio instructed.
    The next moment she felt him lying against her and gave a slight gasp.
    â€˜Now kiss her,’ Giorgio said,
    She braced herself for the moment his mouth touched hers. It was the faintest possible sensation but she told herself to endure it.
    â€˜Again,’ Giorgio said. ‘Remember, you’ve lost the only woman in life that you could ever care about.’
    Mario kissed her again before laying his head once more on her breast. At last Giorgio called out that the scene was over.
    â€˜Now for the big one,’ he said. ‘The moment when they meet.’
    In the ballroom Natasha donned the glamorous gown and watched while the maid worked on her hair. When everything was ready Giorgio guided ‘Romeo and Juliet’ into position.
    â€˜It’s during the ball. Juliet is standing there, watching everyone, particularly Paris, the man her parents want her to marry. But then she sees Romeo watching her. Their eyes meet.’
    Mario turned his head so that he gazed at Natasha. She gazed back.
    â€˜He advances towards her,’ Giorgio continued. ‘That’s right, Mario, a little nearer. He takes her hand, and asks forgiveness for touching her because he says he isn’t worthy. But she says he is.’
    Now Natasha’s hand was clasped in Mario’s. He was close to her, watching her intently.
    â€˜And Romeo dares to steal a kiss,’ Giorgio said triumphantly. ‘Go on. Let’s catch that on camera.’
    Gently Mario dropped his head, laying his lips on hers.
    â€˜Good,’ Giorgio said. ‘But I wonder if we should do it again. Natasha, it might be more effective if you put your arm around him.’
    â€˜It’s too soon for that,’ she said quickly. ‘She doesn’t yet know how she feels.’
    â€˜Nor does he,’ Mario said. ‘How would Romeo kiss her at this point? Would it be like this?’ He laid his lips briefly over Natasha’s. ‘He might do it respectfully because however much he desires her he fears to offend her. Or is he a shameless character who simply takes what he wants, like this?’
    His arm went around her waist, drawing her against him, while his mouth covered hers firmly and purposefully.
    She was stunned. The brief, light kiss he’d given her a few moments ago hadn’t prepared her for this. Instinctively, her hands moved to