The Seal of the Realm
The latest instalment of the SUPERFAST novella series
Did you ever hear the one about Johnnie Wilson, an old Ferrari, the Turkish belly dancer and the archaeologist who lost the Mandate of Heaven?
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Seven years of marriage, a new house and two children later, life couldn't be better for the Wilsons. Then Françoise receives an unexpected invitation to attend an extended photoshoot in Southern Italy but the experience might just test their relationship to the limit. Especially when the handsome photographer seems intent on eyeing up more than just the next frame.
ITALY
AUGUST 1976
Luciana’s long, elegant limbs were stretched out into the azure waters, gently oscillating like the tail of a mermaid. Her complexion was much darker than he had imagined. Clearly Luciana was of mestiço heritage, a mixture of Caucasian, Indigenous American and African ancestry that made descendants of the Portuguese Empire some of the most visually captivating people in the world. Her head was angled up to the sun, a pair of large sunglasses covering half her face and a smile of contentment stretched across her lips.
“Senhorita? Senhor Maldini está aqui.”
“Obrigado, Alberto.” she said as she rolled lazily onto her front, still propping herself up on her elbows. “Rico.” She began, sliding her sunglasses down her nose to peer seductively over the frame. “I am so pleased you are here.”
It took all of Rico’s willpower to meet her sultry gaze. He had heard of the extraordinary curves of the carioca ladies but even distorted by the water, Luciana’s behind bobbed above the waterline with a delightful globosity. Framing up her impish face in the viewfinder, he adjusted the focussing ring and captured the first image of his commission, freezing her seductive expression for all time.
“Why don’t you join me?” she asked enticingly.
“I don’t have my trunks on.”
“Shame.” She pouted, placing her feet onto the step and slowly rising out like an exotic, dark-haired Venus.
