Lussuria (New Version) (12 page)

Sweet Jesus.

I go weak at the knees and my pulse quickens. He turns the lamp off and wraps his arm around me, gently stroking my arm with his fingers. It sends me back to sleep again.

****

When I wake in the morning, the sun is glorious with the warm rays shining brightly through the open doors. I can hear birds chirping, and dogs barking, which makes me think of Doris. I’m missing her terribly. I yawn and lift my arms to stretch them. They are lethargic and sore, but nowhere near as bad as last night, and my head is still thumping, though not as heavy. I manage to turn slightly and see Lucca propped up on the bed reading a newspaper. When he sees I’m awake, he smiles at me and drops his paper on the bedside drawers.

“Morning, beautiful.” He is in a good mood.

“Morning.” I groan. “What time is it?”

“Its 9.30am. You were sound asleep, so I thought I’d let you be.”

“I can’t believe I’ve slept this long. I must have been shattered.”

“Are you hungry?” Lucca asks.

“Yes, I’m famished.” No surprise after emptying my stomach contents all over the pillow.

Oh, mortification of the worst kind!

I watch Lucca making a phone call, speaking all in Italian.

“I need to call Hazel. She must be worried,” I say.

“She came in last night when you were sleeping. She knows you are okay. I think she had a bit too much to drink last night. From what I could make out it involved grappa, Vin Santo and cocktails, so she’ll probably be sleeping it off.”

Lucca looks amused, but I’m not. This is the girl I rely on in a crisis and she was sloshed. What chance do I have? But it is her vacation too, and she most likely got drunk because of the stress and too much sun yesterday.

I notice Lucca has changed his clothes. He has on a white, short sleeved, fitted t-shirt and beige cargo shorts. He looks model perfect. In the corner of the room I notice a coral chiffon sundress, underwear and sandals sitting on the chaise lounge; the dress I borrowed from Jess.

“How did my clothes get here?” I’m panicked at the thought of him going through my clothes.

“Hazel stumbled up with them last night. She mumbled something about it being a good job you unpacked or else you’d be getting the first thing thrown at you.”

I smile, and Lucca smiles back. The same one he showed me in the clinic the other day. It’s sexy as hell.

“It’s nice to see you smile and relax, Lexi. You have such a beautiful smile, dolcezza. I thought after you have something to eat and get ready, we can take you to the hospital and get you checked out.”

That wiped the smile off my face. “Who’s we?” I ask

“Well, I have a car so I’ll drive you. I don’t think Hazel will be in a fit state to take you. Besides, she doesn’t have insurance to drive any of our cars.”

“I thought you had to work,” I mutter.

“This is more important. How is your head?”

“Still painful, but I’m sure it will be fine. Nothing to worry about,” I reassure him.

There is a knock at the door, interrupting us. Sofia and Franco enter with a huge tray of scrumptious food and coffee. They lay the food down on the dresser, then walk over to the bed and give me a kiss on each cheek.

“You had us worried, beautiful girl. I’m thrilled you’re okay. I knew Lucca would take good care of you.” Franco pats Lucca on the shoulder as he directs his conversation to me.

Remembering my antics from last night, I feel the need to apologize. “I am so sorry for everything. It’s bad enough I ruined your dinner, scared your guests, and smashed your glass, but then I had to go and vomit on the lovely bed sheets.” Looking down at my hands, I frown my brow, my cheeks flaring up rosy-red like those vivid poppies outside.

“Nonsense, nonsense. It’s all irrelevant as long as you are okay. Don’t you be worrying yourself. We want you to go to the hospital to get checked over. I have told Maurizio to hold back on your first cooking lesson until you’re as good as new,” says Sofia. “Your friend Hazel was really worried about you, and I’m afraid I may have given her a strong grappa to calm her nerves. She was showing us, some sort of body moves.”

“…Body Combat, that’s the one,” Franco adds.

I place my hands over my face and shake my head, slightly mortified. I’m going to kill her when I muster up the strength. Lucca chuckles; he is finding the whole thing hilarious. I enjoy watching him laugh. He is even more handsome, illuminating something very attractive indeed when he smiles and laughs.

Butterflies.

“I just want to thank you all for everything you did last night. Thank you for helping me and being so kind. I truly am sorry.” I look at Lucca. His eyes are wide, and he looks awe-inspired. Sofia smiles and nods her head at the same time, carefully watching me stare at Lucca.

“Please eat. You must be famished,” Sofia says.

We will let you enjoy breakfast. Good luck at the hospital. Lucca will tell us how you are, and Lucca, you have a special girl there… I feel it,” Franco says with a cheeky twinkle in his eye as he walks away.

I try to perch myself up on the bed, but it’s a struggle. Lucca places an extra pillow behind my head and moves my hair to the side, then brings me over a tray with fresh fruit, orange juice, a smoke salmon frittata, hot bread with parmesan and Italian cured meats. He puts a piece of melon in his mouth then holds up the tea and coffee pot in each hand. I nod towards the coffee, smiling. It is heaven; smooth and strong. This is exactly what I need to perk me up.

“Please, eat. Don’t wait on me,” he says softly.

I begin eating, enjoying it tremendously. Breaking a piece of warm bread, I savor the little mouthful. It’s sweet and airy, and the frittata is light and flavorsome. He prepares his own plate and sits beside me on the bed. Having breakfast in bed is something I never anticipated doing with a man ever.

There is an awkward silence while he watches me. “Promise you’ll trust me when I say that I’m not going to hurt you. I’ll keep you safe. I want to get to know you.”

What the hell? Where has this come from?

“You were talking in your sleep last night, and I can’t get some of the things you said out of my head,” he mumbles.

Fuck! I don’t even remember what I was saying, although I do remember my dream. It’s the same one I always have.

“I know you’re not willing to talk about it, but please understand I’m here for you and I’m very worried, especially with some of the things you said in your sleep. It makes me feel sick to the core thinking about it.”

Why does he have to go and spoil everything? Damn right, I’m not ready to talk about anything, and I don’t think I’ll ever be. And why does he feel so sick? Suddenly, I‘ve lost my appetite. I push the tray off my lap, and force myself up, swinging my legs around to stand up.

Walking over to the dresser, I grab my clothes. My head is delicate, but I need to keep going. I storm into the bathroom and slam the door behind me. I throw the clothes down and lean against the wall, trying to inhale new air to fill my lungs. I lean my head against the wall for support, when all I really want to do it lay back down. I want to cry, but I’m numb and I can’t shed any more tears, so I close my eyes instead.

I hear a gentle knock on the door. “Can I come in? I want to apologize.” His tone is soft and warm.

“Yes,” I reply quietly.

He opens the door and looks horrified to see me slumped down on the floor with my head leaning against the wall. He doesn’t say anything; he just sits down in front of me and puts his hands at the sides of my head. Holding me there, he stares straight into my eyes. God, he’s so infatuating. My pulse quickens, my skin tingles and then I start shaking all over again.

He faces me and sits up on his knees, lifting me up with him, so that I’m sitting on my knees as well. Wrapping his arms around me, he pulls me into his chest and drops his head on my shoulder, burying it into my tousled hair. In response, I wrap my arms around his neck and squeeze as if I am clinging onto dear life. My chest is rising up and down in rhythm with my heavy breathing as I quiver and twirl his long hair in my fingers. Unfamiliar feelings of lust have claimed me.

Lust?

Lucca’s breathing has become erratic, almost needy, filled with urgency and desire. He squeezes me hard and I wince. “Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Are you okay?” he asks in his husky sexy voice, dipping his head to gaze into my eyes.

“Yes,” I sob.

He lifts his head from my shoulder. “No, Lexi, please don’t cry. I’ve got you, and nothing is ever going to happen to you again. I promise I have you, dolcezza.”

These words are my undoing. I let go with renewed force, uncontrollable crying, my shoulders shrugging up and down with each heavy sob, pools of tears dripping down my cheeks.

“Lucca, it’s just...I have never…well, never been like this before or let go in front of…I’ve never had these feelings before with anyone. You confuse me and provoke emotions in me...I’m sorry,” I sniffle.

“Sssshhhh, it’s alright.” He entwines our fingers, fisting our hand together, then slides it around my body to rest on the bottom of my back. It’s a firm, close protective hold on me, and I like it. “It’s me who should be apologizing. I distressed you last night, and I’ve done it again. Please forgive me.”

He places his forehead against mine, and we sit quietly for a few minutes. When he releases both hands and holds them on my waist, I don’t protest, dropping my head on his shoulder as I feel a rush of blood. He holds one hand on my waist and the other on the back of my head, stroking my hair, then places a gentle kiss on the top of my head, one soft, caring kiss that feels divine.

This is wrong on so many levels. Why am I not stopping it?

I lift my head, tears trickling down and wetting my lips. As I coyly pass a piece of hair through my fingers that brushes against my moistened mouth, he groans in response. “Fuck…you’re so fucking sexy. It’s unreal.”

He lifts both hands up to the side of my face, leans forward and ever so softly kisses me chastely on the lips, keeping his eyes fixated on mine. It’s warm and tender...so nice, so welcomed. He now shuts his eyes and pauses before releasing his lips, faltering his breath. Opening his eyes, he looks at me to see my reaction. I stare at him with wide my own desirable eyes as he leans back in to do it again. My sensitive area is throbbing, pulsating with longing and in need of passionate lust. I react to his kiss by tilting my head and opening my mouth to allow him access as he grasps the nape of my neck and enters my mouth with his tongue.

An explosion of sweet pleasure...a heady explosion...my tongue touching his, swirling and teasing, back, forth and sideways acclimating to his merciless tongue.

I feel his erection through his cargo shorts pressing into my stomach. He wants me as much I think I want him. My sensitive womb is vibrating with want in response to the slow seductive kissing. I lift my hands and run my fingers through his hair. My nipples are pebbling, straining against the lace of my bra as I push my tender, aching breasts forward, my nipples tightening as they touch his chest. His tongue caresses mine, seducing me—it’s divine.

I want this. I need this. I can do this.

He takes his hand to my back and strokes down my spine with his fingers, all the way to the dimples above my ass and back up again. I throw my head back and groan with anticipation, tilting my head to the side as he kisses my exposed neck, pulling me in closer. I arch my back and push myself forward, desperately seeking more. He lifts up the bottom of my floaty dress, drawing his hand slowly up my leg and cupping my ass, causing me to tremble slightly. His hand is sprawled across my ass cheek, warm, smooth and tantalizing, tracing the hem of my black lace panties, causing me to reverberate with shivers, teasing me with sensual kisses on my neck.

“You are so fucking beautiful. Perfect. I can’t resist you. I’ve never desired anyone as much as I do you.”

I lift my head and hold his face, offering my tongue to him again. Furtively, I inhale, luxuriating with his words which ignite all my erogenous zones. Stopping to look at me, he stares right into my eyes, silently asking for approval.

“Yes,” I whisper, surrendering to my body’s desire.

He slowly unzips my dress and teasingly lifts the straps off my shoulder, careful not to touch the square dressing on my shoulder and arm. I feel my sex becoming more wet, soaking me with desire. I need him, my body wants him. He lets the dress drop around my waist in a delicate whisper of swishing fabric, then stands, lifting me off the floor with him. The dress falls to my ankles in a bright pool of electric blue.

I am swimming in unfamiliar waters and I want nothing more than to swim away from the shore right now.

He looks at my exposed body and draws his breath, holding it. His eyes widen, and he shyly smiles. “God, Lexi. You are fucking beautiful… I can’t take my eyes off you. I want you to be mine; I need you to be mine. There is something about you, something I feel every time I look at you.”

His hands trail across my bra and over my panties. I press myself against him, savoring his words as my heartbeat speeds, my pulse quickens...I’m panting. It’s so erotic, so desirable.

Finding courage, I kiss below his ear, and his neck, circling my tongue in soft wet strokes as he did to me...kissing his jaw, his neck, down towards his broad shoulder, exploring his toned skin with my lips and tongue. Groaning, he places one hand on my ass, squeezing and pulling me toward him as his hand moves lightly and seductively across my navel, then under my panties. My skin erupts in an explosion of goosebumps, and the intense reaction when he touches my wet flesh sends surges of energy to my very core, heady, intense lustful energy. He gently strokes and caresses my pulsating flesh.

“God, this feels amazing,” I whisper as my pupils dilate and a new rush overwhelms me. I’m receptive to his touch, hungry for more.

“You feel amazing. So fucking wet...God, Doc, you’re sexy as fuck.”

I throw my head back enjoying the covetous sensation, and he kisses my neck again, his fingers circling my wet clit.