Lucca's Lust: The Luminara Series Book 3 (29 page)

Now, things have changed. I am more mature, settled, level-headed, careful, considerate, and I have found the perfect woman in Lexi to love, cherish, and honour. Even after such a short space of time, no one has ever made me feel the way I do with her.

Vincenzo’s words have me thinking about Lexi being a wife and a mother. Is that something she would want? Is it too soon to think irrationally like that? Would Lexi even want to stay with me long term?

I have never been so confused, but at the same time absolutely positive and sure in my life. Conflictingly, I know what my heart wants, but my mind tells me it is too soon to think like this, and it is several types of crazy.

I fell for Lexi very quickly. The lust I feel for her is explosive. I have never experienced instant lust desiring someone as much in my life after just minutes. And now with the more time I spend with her, I am falling deeper for her. I know that I love her. I have known since she climbed on my lap and compassionately comforted me when I broke down telling her about my son.

I just do not know if she feels the same way. She harbours her feelings and is very deep. Telling her I love her just now might be too much for her. She lacks confidence and this relationship is all new to her. I have only just earned her trust, and I do not want to abuse it or take advantage of that, but I am an impatient man at times. I would love to tell her how I truly feel when the time is right.

All I can do is be true to myself and love her the way she should be loved. In time hopefully she gives me a piece of her heart, if not all of it. Would that not be something? It would complete me.

Reaching the farmhouse, I kill the engine. I take in her luscious legs, smooth and silky. Her dress rides up her thigh. Too tempting. Leaning over, I grab a handful of her hair and crash my lips against her in a dirty, needy, open-mouth kiss. My tongue tortures hers greedily so that when we part lips, she is left reeling and gasping for breath.

My hand slips under the hem of her dress and up the inside of her legs until I find her nectar centre already wet for me. She throws her head back and wiggles under my touch. Her mouth parts, a sharp gasp hitching in her throat, when my fingers edge under her knickers and tease her clit.

Her back arches, legs spreading further, when my fingers enter her, bending to reach that sensitive spot while my thumb circles her clit. Throatily, in a deep growl, I tell her how good she feels and how when we get inside I am going to suck, kiss, and lick every area of that pussy until she cannot take anymore, before driving my cock so far inside her to make her scream.

My words are her undoing. Clamping her hot tight walls around my fingers, she lifts her hips, thrust against my hand, whimpers my name, all while gripping the seat and throwing her head back, riding out the tremors that seize her with her first orgasm of the night.

I plan on making it a very long night for us.

Part one: Lussuria ~ Lucca’s Words

“Lussuria ~ Chapter Twenty: A New Journal”

Pens, Paper, and Words.

Waking up with Lexi in my arms is the best fucking way to start a day. Feeling blissfully happy as Lexi lies across my chest, hair fanned all around me, I twirl some of her locks in my fingers, thinking about the emotions which overwhelmed me last night.

Nonno’s words come back to me when he said Rome was not built in a day and to be patient. Not exactly an easy task for me. I need things done yesterday. Have always been that way and always will be, I think. Gradual steps. I need to wake up with her like this, and Rose is right … my house is too big, my bed too empty. I need Lexi at home with me.

“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,” Lexi says, sitting up to stare into my eyes. I seize the moment with my next step.

“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? We could wake up like this every morning and fall asleep in each other’s arms every night,” I ask with hope, caressing her skin, before moving that unruly wave that always flops over her face behind her ear.

“Yes, I mean I’d be willing to try.” She smiles then kisses me chastely. My heart thuds wildly. A buzz of excitement surges through me leaving my breath labouring in my chest before I exhale with relief. It seems too flawless, too good to be true. She answered me without hesitating. That has to be a good sign right?

“Yes? Really? You are not going to challenge me on it?” I delve to ensure she is not fucking with me.

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

Establishing that this is the protective dog she mentioned before, I think I might have a fight on my hands vying for Lexi’s attention. I do love a challenge. God, she has made me so happy this morning. Rolling her over, I worship her body and make long, passionate love to her until she begins to fall asleep on me again from exhaustion.

Smacking her ass, I convince her to get up and showered. I want to take her out to Firenze today for some culture and sight-seeing. While she picks out clothes, I call Marco and ask him to arrange fresh groceries as we will be staying here a little longer. I also ask him to contact Adorna at the Uffizi to arrange one-on-one tour.

Adorna is a qualified art historian, and if anyone knows her stuff it is her. I believe Orianna still keeps in contact with her from time to time. Scanning the wet towels on the floor, I call Violetta, my housekeeper, and ask her to have the farmhouse cleaned and fresh bed sheets put on the bed while we are out today.

Since Lexi takes longer than me at getting ready, I use the opportunity to check in with Suzanne and Omari regarding the legal documents I need for putting an offer in for Dino’s land. I am not happy with his plans. I will have Andy Johnston, my project manager, work on my own plans, but the land is appealing to me.

Next, I shoot Chris a quick text to tell him I will not make five-a-sides this Sunday. He will be pissed, but he needs to manage without me. My girl is more important. I call Nonno just to make sure Hazel and Dominic are okay and settled and the hire car I organised for them was dropped off. Satisfied they are good, and have even had a cooking lesson together, I do not feel as guilty about keeping Lexi holed up here.

Adorna provokes a nervous disposition in Lexi. She has not let go of my hand during the tour. I sense she feels threatened. Adorna has treated me the same way she always does, flirty and friendly, but it may be unsettling to Lexi. I know Adorna would never cross the line, unlike Gina, but I am annoyed at myself for putting Lexi in an uncomfortable position yet again.

To assure her she has nothing to worry about, I grab her hair and treat her to a lip-smacking, long, leisurely kiss. It seems to appease her because she relaxes and thanks me with her gorgeous smile. I have no interest whatsoever in what Adorna makes of my public display of affection; it was for Lexi’s benefit … to make her feel better and more confident. While Lexi studies the artwork, I take some more discreet photos of her with my phone for my collection.

Taking in
Madonna and Child with Two Angels,
I sigh, feeling overwhelmed and drained. For the first time I pay great attention to the masterpiece in a spiritual sense. I have seen this piece of art before, but all the thinking and talking about my son lately has me hoping his angels are taking good care of him.

Lexi seems to understand. She just gets me. Wrapping her arm around me, she whispers that she said her own prayer that his angels are looking after him.
Jasmine and Genaro
. God, she
is an angel
. It means so much to me that Lexi is considerate and non-judgemental … in a way exactly like Jasmine was. Sweet, caring, and patient.

Adorna interrupts our reflective moment to excuse herself. I am happy to continue on without her and am grateful she was not rude towards Lexi. I do feel saddened and somewhat dark, and the only person who can make me feel bright and happy is Lexi, so I am pleased Adorna has left to let us be.

Outside on the bridge over the River Arno while Lexi leans against the bridge, facing up to the sun, I snap some more pictures. Thankful for sharing these precious moments with Lexi, I suggest we should just stay here in Tuscany together. I will be happy wherever we are together, but ultimately most of my time needs to be spent in Scotland because that is where my head office is. Although, I have enjoyed our time here together so much, I would love to stay longer here with her.

She becomes defensive and anxious, pleading a case on why she needs to go home, letting the fact she has family slip out. I know about her brother, but she has not mentioned anyone else. Running my fingers through my hair, I tense up with frustration.

I am trying to take things to the next step and bring her closer into my life, but her priority seems to be pushing me away and closing me out. I do not understand. Is she embarrassed of them? Have they let her down? Did they neglect her? There is a reason she will not talk about them, and it starting to niggle at me.

On the bridge surrounded by tourists is not how I want to question her about it. Quietly trying to keep my calm, I lead her to a boutique style restaurant in the Santa Croce square, not far from Ponte Vecchio.

She wiggles her fingers in front of her mouth, chews the inside of her cheek, and cannot even look at me. This is killing me that I have upset her, but I do not know how to keep my frustration concealed.

“Why will you not tell me about your family? Were they bad to you?” I ask trying to mask any irk of displeasure in my tone.

“I told you about Cameron.” She frowns and wrinkles her nose. Cute, but I am far too worked up to melt for her adorable sweetness.

“No, that is not all. You referred to family when we were on the bridge,” I add, rubbing my hand over my jaw.

“Well, of course I have family. Everyone does, but I just don’t see them often. I would like to think of Mr. Carlin as family. He’s part of my life,” she barely whispers, her voice broken and sad. She drops her head, her eyes squinting with pain. I feel like a right prick now. I really have upset her.

“Doc, I am sorry. I just feel like you are closing yourself off. I hate not knowing all about you, and I thought because you said you trusted me that you would confide in me more,” I softly say, dipping my head, trying to encourage her to look at me. She looks up and I hate that she has paled, yet her chest is blotchy with an anxious rash.

“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 about 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.” She pushes her plate away from her and wraps her arms around her chest.