L'amore: The Luminara Series (57 page)

Caring.

Protective.

Sensitive.

He’ll be good for her. Just like Cameron and Anna have proved me wrong and seem to be good for each other.

“Well, the next diving trip, you are more than welcome to join us. My dad will love that you are a swimmer. He adores the water,” Marco says.

She beams with delight, and it’s lovely to see her striking movie star smile.

Cameron frowns as he watches the interaction and chemistry between them. I think she might have found her Cameron hangover cure, and he’s sitting right next to her.

Tall, dark, attractive, and Italian.

Result!

I ask Cameron to help me with the plates and leave Marco and Lucy chatting away after I fill her wine glass up again.

“Are you staying?” I ask him.

“Do you think it’s a good idea?” he asks, lifting his brow towards Lucy and Marco, who seem to be exchanging sweet talk and chuckling.

“I’m sure Lucy won’t mind. Anyway, we’re all adults and it looks as if they’re hitting it off.”

Devil’s advocate.

“Hmmm … I see that.” He runs a shaky hand through his shaggy, waxed hair, restyling it.

“Are you jealous?”

“Nope.”

He bloody well is.

Changing the subject, he tells me that he knows Jackson really likes me.

“Stop trying to divert the heat from you. Anyway, I know Jackson likes me. He told me so.”

He humours me and shakes his head smiling. “No, I mean, he’s hot for you. If Lucca weren’t so possessive, I think he would have tried to claim you by now. I had to speak to him about not overstepping the boundaries. He’s a great mate but you are out of bounds and he knows it.”

Now I’m blushing.

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous.” I flick him with the dish cloth.

“Just saying, he’s got it bad.”

“So do you want to watch a movie with us tonight, then?” I like when Cameron and I joke, laugh, and confide in one another. It’s much better than quarrelling, and I do adore his company.

“I suppose. I’m not seeing Anna until tomorrow, but none of that chick flick crap you watch, and definitely not fucking
Marley and Me
again.” He scoffs.

I laugh because he knows I’ve watched that movie a million times and cry every time.

Marco leaves after coffee, but not before getting Lucy’s phone number and checking with Men in Black. Lucy and I have a chat while Cameron takes Doris for a walk. She is definitely smitten with Marco because she asks why he’s not in a relationship or doesn’t have a girlfriend. I suggest that she go out on a proper date with him and try to get to know him since he definitely seems to like her.

I ask her if she’s angry or uneasy because Cameron is here when he’s outside talking to Men in Black, but she says she doesn’t mind and that she’s over it. I think a certain Marco da Vinci has distracted her, and I couldn’t be happier.

We watch some action movie which doesn’t hold my attention, so I’m relieved when Lucca calls. I excuse myself to go up to the suite to ask if there has been any development on Kimberley. Probing him, I ask why Marco doesn’t have a girlfriend, and he tells me his first love died. She was terminally ill with cancer and his soul was destroyed, so he vowed never to fall in love again. Lucca’s voice sounds distant.

“That’s awful. I had no idea. I think Lucy really likes him. That’s such a shame. Everyone deserves love.”

“Yes, they do.”

I press the phone to my ear as I tidy my dressing room. “Is that why you support cancer trials?” I ask innocently.

“How do you know about that?”

“I saw some documents when I was looking for a pen.” I forgot all about it until he mentioned cancer. Now I feel like I’ve breached his personal privacy, he seems annoyed.

“Fuck. No, it is not related to that. I wish you would have told me. I would rather those documents be kept private.” He’s not impressed.

“I’m sorry, but they were at the top of the drawer. I didn’t deliberately go snooping. It’s okay, you don’t need to tell me. It’s your business and I love that you’re passionate and generous. I just thought maybe it was the same thing.” I stop sorting through my makeup because of the fallen silence. I’m worried I’ve overstepped the mark.

“Lucca?”

I hear him sigh then clear his throat before continuing. “No, it is not the same thing, and it is not okay, Doc. I am sorry for snapping at you. You have done nothing wrong. Are you okay?”

“Yes, of course I am.” I yawn. “I’m just really tired now. It’s been an eventful few days.” I don’t press talking about the cancer because he is sensitive about something, and I have hit a raw nerve. He will tell me when he is good and ready.

“It certainly has. Stay on the phone with me and I will talk to you until you go to sleep.”

“I should get back to Lucy. Mind you, she’s with Cameron and they need to clean the slate. They will be having a chat,” I mutter through another huge yawn. I decide they need time alone and I am very tired, so bed wins.

I strip down to my lingerie, pull the covers back, and slide in bed. I reach my arm across his pillow and imagine he’s snuggled in beside me.

“Tell me all about your property developments and how your meetings have been going. I’m still here, but if I go quiet, I’ve fallen asleep. So I’ll tell you I love you now. I’ll dream of you.”

My eyes are already closed, but I’m still aware of Lucca’s husky voice and breathing, as if he were right here beside me.

I’m startled in the early morning when Lucy sits on the edge of the bed and rubs my arm.

“Hey, sleepy,” she says, looking refreshed, perky, and far too glamorous for this time of morning.

“Hey. Oh my gosh, Lucy, I’m sorry. I was exhausted and fell asleep. I missed our DBB. We never got a chance to cosy in bed and talk.”

“Don’t be. Cameron and I watched the rest of the movie then had a long chat and cleared the air, and I was really tired as well.”

“You never … did you?” I gingerly ask and lift my eyebrows.

“No, we didn’t sleep together, but we did fall asleep on the sofa. When he woke me up, he went into one of the spare rooms and I slipped in beside you. This house is amazing. It’s absolutely beautiful. I wish I’d brought my swimsuit.”

“Thank you. Bring it tonight.”

“I need to go to work, darlin’, but I’ll be back tonight. I’ll inform the girls that they need to break through the Royal Guards. Though I’m sure Hazel will find it very exciting.” She winks and brushes her hand down my arm.

“Oh yeah, I forgot about them,” I grumble.

“Tell Rose thank you for dinner and for the packed lunch she left in the fridge. She’s so sweet.”

“I will. She is very sweet. Will you be seeing the handsome Marco da Vinci in the future?” I need to ask her before she goes because I’m interested on how it went.

She smiles with those big luscious red lips. “Maybe, let’s wait and see.” She kisses my cheek and then she’s off.

She will.

I know it.

Pamper night

Wednesday goes by very quickly. My ankle is much better today after Mark worked on it. I apply some bruise cream and notice I can already put more pressure on it. I meet Rachel for lunch in Bothwell at the usual place, Bistro & Bake, and explain everything that’s happened in the last few weeks. I try to ignore Lloyd looking conspicuous sitting in the black SUV outside the restaurant, but it’s difficult to do, especially since we have a table outside. He’s watching my every move, and I try not to draw attention to my babysitter.

I tell her I’m sorry that she and Cameron have split up, and she says it was for the best. She’s travelling again, and the long distance relationship never worked for them before. She mutters something about history and heartache then changes the subject very quickly to avert my attention, but it’s not lost on me.

History.

Fucking history.

And I thought my life was complicated. Seems Cameron has his fair share of deep secrets and entangled mess.

I’m happy that Rachel and I can keep our friendship and would love to see her before she heads off to ski the French Alps. I wait until she leaves before Lloyd opens the door for me and then have him take me back home to pick Doris up.

I take her to the vet for her check-up then to Mr. Carlin’s. Doris makes light work tearing through his loafers. Again.

Oh shit!

It’s only ever Mr. Carlin’s shoes she seems to attack. I think it’s because she knows it infuriates him, either that or because she likes him. Lloyd takes us to the doctor’s for Mr. Carlin’s appointment but thankfully stays in the car. Then we pick up his prescriptions and stop to have tea in the coffee shop attached to the church.

I pick up some cards from the craft shop and some food shopping for Mr. Carlin then take him home and offer to make his dinner. He refuses as Julie, his home help, is due in and will take care of it. I miss doing these little things for him, although I’m thankful I did get to spend time with him today.

When we return home, I thank Lloyd for his help today. He nods, maintaining professionalism, but I see his lips form a smile. Doris growls then protectively sits next to Devon’s feet. She’s not wagging her tail and has the blinkers on again.

She’s guarding over him, not me. She doesn’t trust him …

“Miss Robertson. Flowers, mail, and a parcel arrived for you today. I’m sorry I had to open them, it’s protocol. They’re on your dining room table,” Devon says.

“Oh, um … okay.”

Definitely not okay. Far from it.

I walk to the kitchen grinding my teeth in anger. It could be lingerie from Lucca and he’s going through my private mail and parcels. Fury twists up a storm in my stomach. They are neatly piled where he said they’d be.

The flowers are white, no blue in sight, so I know they’re not from Lucca. I read the card curiously.

‘Alexis,

Something to wish you well. I hope you are making a speedy recovery with your ankle sprain and taking it easy. It was lovely to see you again even under such unfortunate circumstances. J x’

Oh my God, they’re from Jackson. Lucca will not be amused. The mail is all general, and the parcel is the course work I left behind at the clinic with a note from Mark.

I call Lucca but it goes to voicemail, so I leave a terse message asking why Men in Black are opening my mail.

To alleviate some frustration, I hit the gym for an hour, working on my core and doing some conditioning work, then have a hot shower and dress in clean yoga pants and a grey cotton tank top since it’s pamper night.

I have six missed calls from Lucca, so I call him back. “Hey, I tried to call you.”

“Sorry, I had no reception. I am in Milan now.”

My heart flutters.

Agitated?

Yes.

Jealous?

Very.

I pick some dry skin from my palms. “Is Fran with you?” I know she is, so why even ask?

“Yes.”

“How is she?” I ask with sincerity, as I do hope she’s making a good recovery after her failed suicide attempt in Tuscany.

“She is doing very well. I am looking at properties tomorrow, some mine, some not, but they could potentially accommodate her business. And I am meeting Giorgio. He’s in the city on Luminara business.” He still has his business voice on, so I know his intentions are purely professional. I just hope Fran has the same idea.

Business … not pleasure.

“Where are you staying in Milan?” I chew the inside of my cheek.

I’m secretly praying he’s not staying with Fran. It makes me extremely uncomfortable, considering their history, not to mention I would be envious. I do like her, and I shared an empathetic bond with her, recognising her grief and how fragile she is, but I draw the line at Lucca staying with her.

“We are having dinner tonight with Giorgio, and then I will go back to the hotel where I am staying.”

“Okay, good. I don’t know that I’d be okay with you staying with her.” Why did I have to speak out loud? My bloody thoughts need to get filed, not voiced.