L'amore: The Luminara Series (39 page)

Music was a form of therapy for Cameron, and I suppose it distracted me too. After a great reception, we sing Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow’s duet, “Picture.” Cameron lowers his tone; he’s raspier and it harmonises well with my soft voice in this song. Once we’re finished, I give Cameron a kiss and tell him I’m going to get a drink. Cameron takes a break from playing as well and disappears with Anna.

Lucca’s enthusiasm looks deflated. Standing behind the bar, I ask Lucca why he’s frowning.

“You were amazing, baby … fuck, you just keep surprising me. That was breathtaking, and you truly sounded like an angel. I wish you would believe in yourself more.”

He runs his hand up under my vest, running his thumb along the bottom of my bra. The touch of his hand against my fired up skin, combined with the adrenaline rushing through my body, sparks shockwaves of electricity.

“Thank you, but I’m a little embarrassed. I admit I enjoyed it after I got into it.” His expression becomes conflicted and he digs his fingers into me. “I can tell something is wrong, Lucca. What’s the matter?”

He sighs, pressing me against the bar counter and holding onto one hip with the other against my bra strap as he leans his forehead against mine.

“You have an amazing tone, and you are very gifted, baby, both of you are. But it pained me when you sang about the dark because that is all in your past. I would love to hear you sing about the light someday, something to symbolise your freedom from that dark. The last song about the pictures … it just got me thinking about your insecurities and your distaste of photographs. I would love to help you with that.”

“Is this about Giovanni Costanzo?” I ask. We have not spoken about this since the well-known photographer offered me a modelling career in Tuscany. Lucca seemed to have the notion it would help me lose my insecurities if I saw pictures of myself.

“God no, but I do wish you would consider that offer. It would help if you had more self-assurance. You need to have faith in yourself. Faith in your beauty, your talent, and your warm heart.” He places his hand on my chest and smiles showing me his dimple smile.

“Don’t you think I’m getting better? More relaxed?” I have a moment of hesitation. This was a big deal for me tonight, letting go like that.

“Of course I do. You have made so much progress, but one day it would be nice to have pictures and memories of our own. You know, when we get married, people will want to photograph us …” He moves some hair away from my face and brushes his thumb over my cheek.

He’s right. I’ve never thought of that.

“Well, I’m sorry … I’m trying.” I drop my head with disappointment.

“No, dolcezza, do not feel bad about this. I just want to help you, and I think I know how. Leave it with me.” He lifts my chin, tilts my face back, then kisses me, and I explore his mouth, marrying my tongue with his. I absolutely love him with every beat of my heart.

The rest of the night is light-hearted and lively. I decide to lay off the cocktails and opt for juice as Antonia is sleeping in our room again and I want to keep my wits about me.

After Anna checks on the kids, she returns with a game of Twister.

Hazel’s eyes come alive. “Oh, have you seen my body balance poses? This should be fun!”

I swipe the cocktail from her hand. “Behave,” I warn her, but when I see her pout, I can’t contain my laughter. “Okay fine, you have fun. Just don’t dislocate anything.” I giggle.

The game is hilarious. Everyone has had their fill of alcohol, so they fall on top of each other buckled in hysterics. I don’t participate because I can’t put too much weight on my wrist yet, but I enjoy watching them fall on their asses.

While everyone is entangled in a mess on the floor, I take some empty glasses to the sink in the bar. Lucca thrusts against my back cupping my ass and pressing against me. “I’m glad you were not playing. The vision of that perfect, sexy little ass in the air would have me so fucking hard I would find it difficult not to take you there on the floor,” he rasps.

“Hmmm … well, maybe when my wrist is better we can play strip twister, just you and me.”

He growls, taking his hands off my ass and pressing his erection against the bottom of my back, then coiling his fingers around my hips and tugging me towards his manhood.

“How about I twist, bend, and shift you into position then fuck you shamelessly over my desk downstairs?” he growls in my ear.

My cheeks redden and my heart rate quickens with his crude suggestion. My throbbing sex is begging for just that.

“Let’s go and make some moves, Romeo.” I grind my butt against the bulge in his denims as my hands wrap around his hips.

I squeeze my legs together as excitement flares inside me. We sneak out, frantically kissing and groping at every corner, stair and doorway we pass until we reach his study. Once inside, he kicks the door shut, then locks it. I eye up the desk with devilish eyes, my chest shuddering against my blouse with anticipation.

“Tell me how you want it … ask, baby.”

He pulls his clothes off, and I strip my vest and jeans off nearly as fast, hooking my thumb under the string of tiny lace thong, teasing him, then brushing a loose soft curl of my hair against my lips suggestively.

His wanton eyes nearly catapult out of his sockets while he strongly bangs me against the door with his body. After overcoming my fear with singing, my bravado has taken over.

I tell.

I show.

I beg.

And I ask for more.

He gives it to me.

I take.

Take.

Take.

Maybe music is good therapy for me after all.

Losing count of my orgasms and Lucca’s perpetual climaxes filling me, I collapse. I’ve been thoroughly twisted inside and out until I’m so spent and lethargic I need Lucca to help me redress and carry me back to the suite.

After checking on the baby, he pulls me into his side, tightening his arms around me. “Okay?” he asks.

“I’m better than okay,” I murmur through sleepiness.

“I love you, dolcezza.” He kisses the side of my head.

My last thought as I close my eyes is that I love that game a lot.

Twister sex is my new favourite.

Compromises

The sun shining brightly through the French doors is a charming vision to wake up to.

Not as lovely as the illuminating golden Tuscan sunshine that I still fantasise about, or a certain Italian god and an adorable baby girl smiling over to me for that matter.

“Morning, beautiful.”

Lucca has his arm around Antonia’s waist while she bounces up and down on the mattress between us. He reaches over kissing me.

“Hmmm … morning yourself, handsome,” I mumble, yawn, then smile with loving eyes.

“Aunty Lexi is not a morning girl, Antonia. She is a little bit grumpy,” he chants to her. She chuckles.

Rolling my eyes, I hold my arms out to her and cuddle her into my chest, kissing her lips, cheeks, then forehead. She smells of baby bath and powder. It’s just lovely. Lucca leans on his side, propping his head up on one hand and resting on his elbow as he plays with my hair.

There is no television or music on this morning as the adults of last night’s party are feeling rather delicate. After a sleepy, quiet breakfast, everyone slowly starts moving, trying to hush the noise from the excitable children. Everyone is feeling the effects of last night’s alcohol, and we’re not as energetic as we were yesterday morning, but we all agree it was a great night and we must do it again.

As Lucca, Savio, and Armando cooked breakfast, Dominic and Cameron offer to clear up the kitchen, leaving Sarah and Kate to get the kids washed and dressed. I have a long shower and worry about Anna. Being used by your best friend must be soul destroying.

I take out a designer grey and black fitted dress with a thin belt for later but dress in yoga pants and a hoodie to take Doris for a walk on my own.

Walking through the park and reflecting on my week ahead of me, I’m sad to think of Lucca leaving me for a few days while he works. We’ve been together every day, but I suppose it’s healthy. We need our own space too. I’m used to being independent, so surely I will manage on my own.

When I return to the house, the girls decide they are going into Glasgow to shop, and the boys make plans to take the kids to the park before stopping at the garden centre in the Clydeside to pick strawberries and then for ice cream. Lucca’s face is electric at the thought of gelato. He’s more excited than the kids.

“Are you looking forward to going out with the girls?” Lucca asks, upbeat, watching me get dressed in the grey dress. It has a racer back so I opt to leave my bra off and the weather is mild today so my shoulders won’t be cold.

Placing the back of my hand to my mouth, I worry my fingers around in a nervous dance that tells Lucca I am thinking carefully. “I’d rather spend today with you since you’re going away this week. I don’t want to waste any time we have before tomorrow morning.”

“That is why I want you to come on my trip. It is not too late for me to arrange. I will only be in meetings during the day in London, and when I am looking at the properties in Sardinia and Milan, you can come with me. If I have time we can sightsee. I have an appointment I cannot miss, but then we can spend time together.” He moves my fingers away tilting my head up with his thumb then kisses my lips.

A twinge of nerves reverberates in my stomach from his soft kiss and I release a low groan, relaxing my muscles. I actually do feel helpless and nervous about him going away, but I need to keep some sort of boundary and independence. “If you keep kissing me like that, I’ll drag you in the hotel room, and you won’t make any of your work appointments.”

“Fuck, do not make this any harder for me. Please reconsider, Doc. I am not happy about this either, and I know you do not want to be here on your own. Your eyes have just confirmed how you truly feel about it. Si?” His tongue darts out to moisten his lip as he rubs his thumb across his jaw.

God, he’s good.

“Lucca, I can’t go with you. I don’t want you to go either, but I’m a big girl and I need to keep my plans for this week. My girlfriends all have time away from their partners, and they say it’s healthy. I’m worried I’m going to become too dependent on you emotionally. It took me a long time to move away from my family to start a new life, and I’m afraid to be on my own again. Can you understand that?” Sighing, I nibble on my bottom lip then straighten his collar.

“Okay, I will try and understand, but it is killing me and I am not happy about it one bit. However, I respect your wishes. I would have you with me 24-7, but I get that you need your space too.” He presses his lips together and exhales in a long sigh.

He runs his fingers down my jaw and throat then softly kisses it and rubs his thumb over my diamond pendant. Moving my head to the side and closing my eyes, I groan, basking under the heat of his tongue on my flesh, hot flutters across my skin.

“You know, there is something good about this though,” I seductively whisper as I follow the contours of his biceps with my fingers.

“There is nothing good about being separated from you, from this …” His hands travel to the swell of my breasts.

“The girls tell me that the sex before and after separation is hot as hell.” I absently brush the bottom of my hair over my lips.

He pushes his body against mine. “Do they now? What else do the girls say?”

“Hmmm … that it’s steamy, raunchy, and sexy as ever.” I bite down on the flesh in my mouth on the inside of my cheek, nervously feeling like a temptress.

“Lexi, it is all of that with you and more every time. You have no idea. I am looking forward to lots more of it tonight and when I get back from my trip.” He cups my ass and presses his arousal into the bottom of my stomach.

I wrap my hands in his wavy curls then assault his tongue with eagerness, but he pulls away.

“Baby, you will have me slamming into you and I want tonight to be special. They are waiting on us downstairs. Can you hold off? Have fun with the girls today and we will have fun tonight.
Lots of fun
.
” He smiles showing his sexy dimple.