Lussuria (New Version) (26 page)

The handsome waiter hugs Lucca in a tight embrace, and they chat in Italian. Lucca has the biggest grin across his face as he introduces me to Lorenzo, Vincenzo’s son and his very dear friend. Lorenzo blushes, and takes my hand, kissing it.

“Such beauty, such perfection. You are very lucky, Lucca. Please take good care after the Bella ragazza.”

I look down with embarrassment, but Lucca lifts my chin up and kisses me on the lips. Everyone in the small restaurant gasps and looks over at us. The ladies are fiddling with their hair, eyes wide, definitely absorbing Lucca and his charms.

Fuck!

File D for divert. Divert your prying eyes elsewhere.

We are seated at a small table near the window overlooking the Tuscan sunset across the sea, the warm earthy colours of the sun skimming across the water.

“The food here is amazing. Vincenzo is one of the best chefs in the area,” exclaims Lucca as he chooses wine from the Bolgheri region to accompany our meal.

I order Crudo after Lucca tells me the raw fish is to die for, and spaghetti alle vongole, Lucca beams at me. “Wise choice. I will have the same as the beautiful lady,” he tells Lorenzo as he smiles at me.

The food is simple but absolutely delicious; fresh, and the flavours are extremely palatable. I don’t have much wine as I know Lucca is driving, and it would not be fair for me to get sloshed while he is sober. Vincenzo brings out an additional dish for us to sample; a seafood lasagne. It’s heavenly.

Vincenzo and Lorenzo sit with us as the restaurant is becoming quiet. Lucca and Vincenzo chat about their respective families, and I excuse myself to walk to the restroom. Lucca’s eyes follow me all the way there and back. Vincenzo, Lorenzo, and Lucca are in a casual discussion when I return, and they stand when I arrive at the table, causing me to blush.

We sit and chat while the other staff takes care of their duties around us. Lucca is completely relaxed and carefree; it’s such a contrast from the man who had a million boxes of designer clothes delivered to the farmhouse. Lucca holds my hands on the table while he sits back in his chair with one leg crossed over the other. He is so sexy. I would take him here on this table given the chance.

Oh my God. Did I just think that?

Lucca will not take his gaze off me, and he has a look of love in his eyes; its firing me up and turning me on. Lucca settles the bill after loud Italian banter. Vincenzo takes me in both hands, and places a kiss on either cheek, he is ecstatic.

He leans over, and whispers in my ear “Bella Ragazza, Lucca is in love with you, I can tell. He is head over heels in love with you and I see why. I’m happy for him, for you. Please enjoy every minute of loving each other. You are the one for him, I know it.”

If I wasn’t melting under the hot bedroom eyes of Lucca before, I most certainly am now.

As we walk back to the car, Lucca takes my hand and places a kiss on it.

“Take me home. I want to make passionate love to you every way I can.” I can’t believe I’m being this brazen, but I feel so special right now that I don’t care. I need him, and I want him to know it.

He looks at me, beaming his amazing smile, and grabs me around the waist. Pushing me into the car door, and pressing into me, he puts his hand under my dress and grabs my ass, then kisses me sweetly, his breathing heavy. “Fuck, I want you so bad. I won’t be able to concentrate on driving. Come on, I need to get you home.”

A New Journal

I’ve had another pleasant night sleeping. All this sex is definitely good for me. I smile, and it wakes up the butterfly wings just thinking back to the caring, sensitive love I experienced the night before. I roll over onto my side and look at him peacefully sleeping. I can feel my heart pounding as I lay staring at him because he really is perfect. Stroking the side of his glorious jaw, I trail my thumb over his lips and wrap one of my curls in my other finger. He opens his bright blue eyes and smiles, giving me the most heart stopping moment. Instantly, I roll over on top of him and kiss him with complete desire.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“Thank you for what? I should be saying thank you to you for waking me up and seducing me with your beautiful body,” he mumbles before kissing me back and grabbing my ass. His morning erection presses into me.

Leaning over him, I reply softly, “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, for being patient, understanding and loving. I’ve never felt so special, and I think I might be at a point in my life where I’m content and happy, and that’s unheard of for me. I’m so very lucky to be here with you.” My heart is pounding as I confess my feeling towards him, and I feel a little shaky, but I don’t look down this time; I stare at him directly, wading deep in the pool of azure blue water of his wide wet eyes.

“You are my something special; I will never let you go. I want you to move in with me when we get home.

I want to be with you always and take care of you. Will you move in with me?” he asks with hope in this voice.

I look into his eyes, and I can’t say no. “Yes, I mean I’d be willing to try.” I lean in and kiss him. “Yes? Really? You’re not going to challenge me on it?” He sounds surprised.

“Yes, I want to spend my time with you. Although, I don’t come alone, Doris comes with me.” “Who’s Doris?”

“My dog.”

“Done, but I’m not sharing you, so she’ll need to know you are all mine,” he says.

I roll my eyes “You see, that may be a bit difficult. She’s very much attached.”

“Not as attached as I am.” He rolls me over and we delight in making long, slow, tender love.

****

After breakfast, we tidy up a little around the kitchen, then Lucca makes some calls and I head for the lounge room.

I pick out an overpriced but fashionable bright lime green dress which has a simple v neck, thin straps and a v neck at the back, but not too low that my scars are visible. I pair it with navy high-heeled shoes and a navy colour block clutch.

After I shower, I call Hazel. She tells me that Lucca left a hire car for them, so they went sightseeing yesterday and are going again today. I learn that Dominic has taken my spot in the kitchen, and they’ve had a cooking lesson together. She tells me that she and Dominic have christened the sauna. A few days ago I would have been repulsed by this, but now I just giggle.

I wonder if Lucca has a sauna hidden here somewhere.

We agree to speak tomorrow, and I tell her I want to see her in the next few days. I miss my best friend, even though she is insufferable at times. We are usually together every day, so it’s odd not seeing her.

Lucca returns and swiftly follows me into the bathroom, turning the shower on. Once dressed, Lucca wraps his arms around me and kisses the side of my head. “Could you be any more divine?” he whispers.

I try to keep my composure while secretly melting under his sexy husk. Lucca has made arrangements with Marco to deliver more fresh groceries to the farmhouse for the next few days, so we walk out to the car.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“Florence for sightseeing and culture. We can have lunch there, if that is alright?”

“Yes, sounds lovely, thank you.” He inhales deeply, and squeezes my hand.

Keeping his eyes on the road, he drives effortlessly. The wind sweeping against my face and upper body is thrilling. With my sunglasses on, I lean back and look at the spectacular views and authenticity of the green outdoor sanctuary as we journey through the country side.

Florence is everything I thought it would be; filled with many tourist attractions, beautiful churches, museums, cathedrals and art galleries. The Firenze museums, palaces, and churches house some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. It’s a historic city, boasting magnificent architecture; visually the buildings are classic and timeless with their lovely stone masonry and red tiled roofs.

Lucca takes me to the Uffizi Gallery. He has arranged a private tour again, this time with the overly familiar Adorna.

What is it with him and tour reps?

Once again, I feel she has been acquainted with my new boyfriend, perhaps too friendly for my liking. I don’t like the way she flirts with him. He knows I’m nervous, so he doesn’t let go of my hand, holding me close to him. I tighten my grip on his hand, knowing I may possibly be his future, and do something out of character; I lean over and kiss him on the lips in front of her. I need her to know that he is mine. Lucca smiles; I think he likes my possessive approach.

He puts his hand under my shaggy bun gripping my head and passionately kisses me back, ignoring everything else around us. I was not expecting that. When we part, I rub my finger over his lips that I have sealed. Adorna is strolling on in front of us, clearly in a stupor. I feel very proud of myself in this moment.

Mine.

We savor the remarkable masterpieces as we stroll, the first being Botticelli’s ‘Primavera and Birth of Venus’. Adorna’s mood has not changed. If anything, she is a little colder towards me. Next is Filipino Lippi’s ‘Madonna and Child with Two Angels’. Lucca stares at this painting a lot longer, his eyes soft, receptive and loving. I put my arm around him knowing that he may be thinking of his own son. I pray that Lucca’s son has his own angels looking after him. Lucca looks up at me and looks lost.

I whisper in his ear “I said a prayer for you, I know your little baby boy is being well looked after by his angels” and tighten my hold on him. He turns to face me placing both his hands over my cheeks staring into my eyes. “Thank you, I said a prayer too….I also thanked God for bringing you in my life.”

“Mi dispiace. Ho bisogno di uscire, sono stato chiamato in caso di emergenza. Godetevi il resto della vostra visita e mi dispiace ancora una volta, la prego di scusarmi.” Adorna kisses Lucca on both cheeks and hugs him, then shakes my hand and storms off.

“What did she say?”

“She has been called away to an emergency. Adorna apologies, but has to go.” I think it all seems a little rude, but I just nod. I’m thankful Lucca and I have more private time. We take in Titian’s Venus of Orbino painting, then stroll around the many rooms looking at the art of Michael Angelo, Giotto and Leonardo da Vinci. It’s a treasurable experience, and a wonderful date.

Outside is buzzing with tourists as we walk through the horseshoe shaped building to make our way onto the bridge crossing the Arno River. I turn around and lean against the bridge facing the sun, enjoying the heat and looking across the striking skyline. Lucca leans into me, placing his strong toned arms around my waist. He places his head at the side of mine, and my heart skips a few beats. He moves his hands down until they are grabbing my ass.

“You know, we could always stay here in Tuscany, instead of going home.”

“I would love to, but I can’t. I have a job and I have Cameron, Doris, my friends, my fam…”

Shit! I nearly divulged too much information.

Lucca looks at me, deep in thought, but doesn’t say anything. He straightens up and takes my hand. “Let’s go and eat.” He walks with me back off the bridge and the silence is uncomfortable.

We eat antipasto, bruschetta and salad at a charming bar in Santa Croce square, not far from Ponte Vecchio. I have a refreshing cocktail with lunch, and Lucca has a peroni. I can’t help notice he is very distracted, quiet even.

“Is there something wrong?” I ask.

Lucca sighs “No.” The atmosphere could be cut with a knife. This is not good.

“You seem quite distant. Have I done something wrong?” I whisper quietly, looking down. There is silence for a long time, and my heart is ready to rip through my dress, I am panicking, and it’s a horrible feeling.

“Why won’t you tell me about your family, were they bad to you?”

Fuck!

File P for Persistent. I thought we were done with this.

“I told you about Cameron.”

“No, that’s not all. You referred to family when we were on the bridge.”

I need to think about this strategically. “Well, of course I have family. Everyone does, but I just don’t see them. I would like to think of Mr. Carlin as family. He’s part of my life.” I look down, place the back of my hand against my mouth, and twiddle my fingers.

“Doc, I’m sorry. I just feel like you’re closing on me. I hate not knowing all about you, and I thought because you said you trusted me that you’d confide in me more.”

I remember him telling me Francesca would not open up to him, and he’s lost respect for her. I don’t want him to lose respect for me.

Oh God. I feel sick.

“I’m afraid to talk about things, especially to you. You won’t give me your heart when you know. You’ll run a mile when you find out the real me. Who I really am. I know you‘ll see me differently. I have nothing but dark shadows. They follow me everywhere, Lucca, and I won’t drag you into them.”

My chest is rupturing into a million pieces, and the tightness is sharp and pinching. I steady my breathing; I’m determined not to cause another scene. I can’t look up. He is so quiet, and it scares me.

“You won’t drag me into any darkness. I’ve had my own fair share, remember? Nothing you tell me will change the way I feel about you. I have every intention of bringing you more into the light, my light….my luminoso” He strokes my hand and kisses my cheek. “Come on, you need distraction, and I have a good idea.” He settles the check and takes my hand.

How does he know distraction always works with me? I want to keep him close to me. Forever.

“No, I’m not going shopping. You’ve wiped all these boutiques out with all of the stuff you’ve bought me.” I‘m definitely putting my foot down on this one.

“Relax, we’re not buying clothes. Well, unless you want more?”

I frown at him, but I’m intrigued as to what he wants that is so important. We walk pass a lot of designer boutiques on Via Tornabuoni, then stop at an upmarket craft shop.

Hmm...

Oil painting was not what I had in mind, but then again, its apparently good therapy for my mother.

Lucca exits the shop with a little paper bag while I send Cameron a text. “Here, this is your gift of the day. I figured you were fed up with extravagant things for now, so I think this might be of more value to you.” Opening the little bag, I find a beautiful, indigo, silk covered journal. “I thought it might be easier for you to note down things, maybe your feelings and emotions. You don’t have to show it to me if you don’t want to, but I would like you to share it with me.”