Lussuria (New Version) (42 page)

“Lucca, the pain I felt when you stormed out that door crushed me more than any of that stuff in the journal. I couldn’t breathe thinking you were leaving me on my own forever. What you have done for me in the past few weeks nobody has ever been able to do. Please, don’t ever leave me. I love you, I need you and I need to be this close to you.”

He places his palms over my cheeks and brushes away a loose curl from my face.

“When I met you in the clinic that day at the club, I said I thought I’d met you before...I had a gut instinct.” I don’t know what he’s talking about. “I bumped into you in Casey Huddersfield’s office that horrendous December of the bad snow.”

That was a long time ago, but yes, I do remember bumping into a dark stranger just before Christmas in the therapists office.

The eyes. Lucca’s eyes.

“I was ending my therapy sessions after Fran and I split, and to help accept the grief about losing my son,” he continues.

“Lucca, I remember. I was mesmerized with the crystal clear brightness of your eyes and long dark eyelashes. I was really affected by you. I thought about you all the way home, I was angry with myself for letting a man get to me like that, but I was imprinted by you. When I saw you again in the club, I thought I recognized the sparkle in your eyes, but ignorantly dismissed the possibility that our paths were crossing again. ”

“God, I wish I could turn the clock back. I wish I had left with you or encouraged you to stay. I asked Casey about you because I couldn’t get over your beauty and innocence. I was so obsessed and intrigued by you...hell, I still am. I asked Casey many times after that encounter to give me your name, but she refused, of course. Doc, I think we were meant to meet, that our paths were destined to cross. I will be your therapy now and always.”

His eyes are filled with honest love.

He already is my therapy.

“Can I ask you something? You don’t need to answer me,” he nervously asks.

“Yes, I want to be honest with you,” I reply.

“Why did you tell me you were a virgin? That monster...that barbaric, fuckin psychopath...what he did to you…I just can’t…” He kisses me over and over, grasping me more tightly than he ever has before. He kicks his shoes off and pulls the sumptuous covers back, then climbs in still fully clothed, pulling me in with him. I snuggle into his neck and don’t let go.

“I never told you I was a virgin. You assumed because I bled. I’ve never had sex as an adult consensually with a partner, so you were my very first experience if that can be perceived as the same thing. You gave me your heart, and I trusted you, so I wanted to give you that.”

I take a deep breath before continuing. “He forced me as a child...was trying to copycat the unimaginable acts of his father….my father, and what he done to my mother. Michael parks despised me, resented me for being born, so he tortured me. He tied me up and photographed me for his evil pleasure.”

Lucca’s tight grip around me has made it a little easier for me to express.

Lucca’s body is stiff, and his face is chalk white. “Don’t tell me anymore. I can’t handle it just now baby, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for all of it, but please believe that your future, our future, is getting brighter. That I’m sure of. I’ll do everything in my power to bring you light.”

I place my hand on his heart and wrap my leg over his. We stay engulfed in one another, fully clothed, going in and out of sleep in this golden tower of a sprawling suite fit for royalty. We are not alone; we are surrounded by a presence of confessions, echoes of grief, and harrowing sombre memories.

‘Luminara’ – Lust, Love, Light

The sun beams through the beautiful French doors the next morning. Sprawling my legs, I tighten my grip around Lucca’s chest, filling my lungs with his scent to ensure this is still very real. He is looking down at me with those loving, bedroom eyes. He trails his hands down my wavy hair down my back. I smile and rest my chin on his chest, rubbing my fingers across the buttons of his ruffled grey shirt.

“I’m sorry about yesterday. I had no idea that I would react the way I did after reading your journal. I have a lot to make up for today, and I want it to be as special as possible.” He rolls his tongue in that sexy as hell Italian voice.

“Lucca, I wish I never let you read that bloody thing. I thought it would help.”

“It did help, but it wasn’t pleasant. In fact, I was sick at the thought, but I needed to know.” He leans on top of me, kissing me passionately. I crumble, fold and melt, clenching my sweet throbbing that’s aching for him. “Come on, we have a busy day ahead.” He pulls the cover back and jumps out the bed.

No, No, No…

Fuck!

File L for lack. Lack of lust this morning.

Mmmm.

“Don’t worry, there will be lots and lots and lots of love later, I promise.” He grins, cocking his head with his sexy as hell smirk, showing his dimple.

“Can we not just maybe have some loving now?”

He kisses me. “God, you’re adorable. I’d love to have you now, but I want later to be extra special. Come on.”

Well, I’m thoroughly pissed off now. I shower alone, a bit miffed that Lucca is not standing behind me. We normally shower together. It’s a strange sentiment being in here on my own. I dry off and walk through the suite with a towel wrapped around me. Lucca is sitting on a sofa making some calls and looking sexy as hell with his arm behind his head raising his top showing a hint of his rock solid rippled abs underneath. Core tease. I’m so used to him rambling about me being a cock tease that I never actually thought that he is, in fact, very much a core tease and my core is missing out on the action.

I sit opposite him and cross my smooth legs, the towel lifting a little high at the thigh and leaving little to the imagination. He groans and seems distracted as he carries on with his phone call, grinning at me while I twiddle a wet curl of hair in my finger and moisten my lips nonchalantly. I walk back towards the bedroom, and he follows me.

“I know what you’re doing. Stop fuckin teasing me, breakfast is on its way up. You are so fucking gorgeous, and I’d fuck you senseless right now, but we need to wait til later.”

I decide to play another move. I shrug my shoulders as if I don’t care, then drop my towel and glance over my shoulder as I stroll into the ensuite facilities. I hear him groan. “Lexi, stop it. I can’t see you like that. You know I’ll have you, and I want to wait until later. Quit tormenting me!”

I start applying my makeup. “Hmm,” is all I say as if I’m ignoring him. He mumbles something and storms into the suite. I smile into the mirror, satisfied with my teasing antics. Who would have thought I could be such a playful siren.

Teasing accomplished.

Covering up in a luxurious robe, we sit in the garden area where we are served breakfast. I twiddle my hair nervously until the staff have all left before I can relax. I lift my feet up and sit them on the edge of the sofa next to me as I eat the caviar, eggs and salmon. I’m famished since not eating yesterday. Lucca reads the local newspaper while eating his breakfast, continuing to smile up at me. I watch the sun shine over his handsome face and it makes me melt, enjoying this surreal moment, in our ‘Garden of Eden’.

Lucca makes a few calls, then leaves to walk back into the suite. “What’s up?” I ask.

“Delivery”

He puts his arms around my neck, leaning over to kisses my lips, then takes my hand and walks me back into the suite. There are four elegantly wrapped gift bags siting on the table in the foyer. “What’s that?” I ask.

“One of many gifts of the day,” he announces.

I sit on the regal looking sofa and open a huge Alexander McQueen box; a beautiful, orange, bustier, mini dress is wrapped up inside. It has a sweetheart neckline and thick straps around the neck with a sheer panel on the full skirt. I hold it up in front of me. “Lucca, it’s beautiful, thank you.”

“I thought you’d suit this colour with your tanned skin.” He seems very pleased with himself.

I open the other boxes. There is black, fine lace lingerie in one and a pair of black, patent honeycomb leather peep toe shoes with a gold winged skull brooch on them in the other. The last box has the matching clutch both from the Alexander McQueen collection. “I would have got you some more, but they won’t fit in your case for traveling home, so I’ll just have to wait to get you more when we go home,” he says confidently.

“Don’t bother. I’m not living with you if you keep buying me stuff.” I cross my arms over my chest.

“Fuck, Lexi stop getting me horned up with your fiery sexiness. I want to hold out until tonight.” I shake my head, trying to ignore the silly game he’s playing. He smacks my ass as I walk past, but I pretend not to notice.

I put the smaller diamond pendant on, earrings and Cartier watch. I feel like I have stepped straight off a runway. Standing in front of Lucca, his mouth drops. “Fuck, you’re not going out like that. It’s far too short and your breasts are fucking amazing in it. Jesus, Lexi, are you trying to kill me?”

“You bought it and I like it. I’m not changing, so deal with it,” I fire back.

“I’ll have something from the hotel store sent up,” he panics.

“No, you won’t. Can we go now?” I storm past him, turning around when I reach the door. “Are you taking me out, or do I have to wander about on my own out there?” I ask firmly. In no time at all he’s right beside me, grabbing my hand and pulling me into his side. Walking through the hotel, everyone is staring at us. I tighten my grip on Lucca’s hand.

“I told you, you’re beautiful, so get used to it because you’re going to get perved over all day,” he whispers in my ear.

We stroll around the Duomo and The Baptistery then stop at a little up-market restaurant for some coffee and cinnamon gelato in the afternoon. I pass my gelato over towards Lucca to finish; he does not come up for air then lifts his heads and grins at me fully satisfied. I can’t help but giggle but then shiver feeling as if someone is watching me; it’s making me slightly restless, Lucca senses my anxiety.

“What’s wrong?” he asks

“I don’t know...I just feel….”

Before I finish there is an older man standing next to our table with an army of bodyguards around him. He lifts his sunglasses onto his long grey hair. “There’s a face I can’t forget. Miss Robertson, what a pleasure. Can I say how wonderful you look today? Have you thought about my offer?” Mr. Giovanni Costanzo kisses the palm of my hand.

Fuck!

File under D for Disappear. Disappear because I don’t want to have that conversation.

Timidly, I introduce Lucca to Mr, Costanzo; Lucca does not seem fazed at all.

“You have a very beautiful girl, Mr. Caruso. Here is my card. Please convince this Bella Signora to reconsider. It would be a travesty not to introduce her into the world of photography. She’s simply stunning.”

“Yes, she is,” Lucca replies.

“Mr. Costanzo, I’m sorry, but the answer is still no. I’m not your girl.”

Lucca’s eyes are wide, wondering what I’m doing. “Leave it with me, Mr. Costanzo. I’ll be in touch if she changes her mind.” I draw him a dirty distasteful look.

Giovanni shakes Lucca’s hand and I stand, kissing him on both cheeks. He holds my shoulders, admiring me. “Ah, such perfection,” then strolls off with his soldiers marching behind.

“What the hell are you doing?” I yell at Lucca. “Did you not read my journal? We are not considering this…end of…period.”

“Calm down, and stop with the sexiness. We’re in public, so I can’t have you here.” He leans over to kiss me, and I know he’s humouring me, but I’ve folded. Crumbled and melted in typical weakness. Damn his tongue.

****

When we return to our suite, we order food from room service for an early dinner, and I leave Lucca in the library to prepare for tonight. He’s showering in the main bathroom which I find strange; he’s avoiding me again and it’s making me restless.

I have a shower, then dry my hair and pin it back and up, leaving just a few loose waves down the front and apply soft natural make-up. I put the diamond pendant around my neck and wiggle into the cream and black vintage lace dress. It’s tight with bones all the way around the corset on the inside running down to my knees then it flares out at the bottom with layers of chiffon circling my feet it looks very elegant on and I feel lovely in it. Finally, I slip on the designer black heels, grab the black and cream clutch, and spray some Tom Ford black orchid perfume as I’m feeling bold and want to make a statement.

I go to look for Lucca, feeling a little nervous and excited at the same time. He’s standing in the garden with his back to me, wearing a black tailored tuxedo. My stomach catapults seeing him.

Turning around, he stares at me with complete love, and stumbles back a little. I pick up the bottom of the swishing dress and walk towards him. He meets me in the centre of the outdoor green oasis and wraps his hands around my waist. “You are breathtaking. I have never seen such elegance or beauty. I’m so lucky to have you,” he whispers into my ear, then kisses me chastely. He moves the lose wave of hair flowing down the side of my face behind my ear.

“God, you look amazing. So fucking stunning.”

“You look incredible yourself, Romeo. In fact, I think I just fell head over heels in love with you all over again.” I straighten his bow tie a little.

He touches the pendant around my neck. “It’s perfect and looks amazing. Here, I have something for you.” He lifts a box from inside his jacket pocket, and I open it to reveal a charming diamond bracelet.

“Wow, it’s beautiful,” I say with a parched mouth. He places it on my wrist.

“To go with the others.” He lifts his lip at one end, revealing his dimple, then cocks his head at me, flashing his wicked smile. “Later, just your skin and the diamonds, baby, and that’s all.”

Oh my…

He’s core teasing me again and I’m wet for him. “Can we not just stay here?” I whisper hopefully.

He laughs. “We have all night, and I’m going make sure it’s a night to remember.”