Lussuria (New Version) (43 page)

We have some Cristal Champagne while we wait. Lucca receives a phone call, then he escorts me out of the suite, not letting go of my hand. I hear lots of awes and gasps as we walk through the hotel and the staff smile and nod politely to us as we walk by. I feel like a princess.

There is a black limo waiting to take us to Pisa. We sip champagne in the limo while the sun starts to drop. It feels very surreal being our last night.

We arrive at the Teatro Verdi di Pisa, for Puccini’s operatic production of Madam Butterfly. The opera is enchanting, romantic and a classical masterpiece. I’m entranced by the haunting sounds and dramatic uplifting performances. Lucca doesn’t take his eyes off me; every time I turn around, he’s looking at me with devotion and showing no regard for the opera. After the very loud encore, he turns around and claims my mouth, leaving my stomach fluttering with my own butterflies.

He pulls away. “I need to get you out of here before I take you in this box,” he pants. I’m so turned on that I actually think I would let him.

****

We arrive at a boutique family run restaurant overlooking the bridge over the River Arno; we don’t eat a meal, but enjoy some olives and breads and balsamic dips and Champagne. Windows, cornices and balconies, churches, palaces and shops have been donned with white wooden frames covered in candles. Lucca introduces me to the restaurant owners Dario and Anita who own the hotel rooms upstairs as well. He has made arrangements for us to watch the Luminara celebrations from the upstairs balcony of the small boutique hotel so that we’re away from the crowded streets.

We are shown to the balcony which is lit up with glowing candles. “A room with a view,” he gestures. The views are out of this world; music and bright lights ignite glimmer across the night skies.

As 11pm approaches, 70’000 candles in glass boxes are burning on the river, the streets are crowded with locals and tourists, and the music is synchronized and powerful. We watch the most spectacular firework display over the Arno, twinkling in the sky like flashing stars. Lucca stands behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, pressing his head against mine.

“Thank you. This has been the most amazing experience tonight,” I say, squeezing his hands.

“You’re welcome, baby. I told you I would bring you into my light. You’re my something special and I want you to always have something special.” He rubs his fingers across my knuckles. “You like?” he asks.

“I love,” I reply, kissing his lips.

After saying our goodbyes to Dario and Anita, we leave the restaurant which has long since been closed to the public. We walk through busy noisy crowds on narrow cobbled streets, and I struggle to keep up with my heels on. Lucca scoops me up and carries me back to the waiting limo. I rest my head on his shoulders and drift off to sleep on the way back to the Four Season Firenze. He carries me all the way back to the suite.

“Are you hungry, baby?”

“Yes, I’m famished, but I’ll settle for you,” I reply sleepily.

“There’s something I want you to see first.” Lucca takes me out to the garden, turning me around so I can admire the beautiful surprise. My breath hitches in my throat when I see the transformation. There are fairy lights and candles everywhere, and it’s flooded with fresh flowers in lots of summer colours. There is a circular table in the middle with heavy brocaded white linens draped over it, and two chairs upholstered in white linen with blue ribbons tied around the back. There’s a bunched bouquet of fresh blue orchid flowers in a tall vase in the centre, and candles in glass boxes. It looks exquisite, and ever so romantic.

“Lucca, this is incredible.” I lift my head to kiss him passionately.

He takes my hand and sits me over at the table, my exhaustion is long gone and a new surge of energy has awoken me. There are waiters on hand, standing discreetly in their finery waiting to serve us. Lucca sits down across from me and takes his blazer off, placing it over the chair as I kick my heels off from under the table.

Andrea Bocelli music is playing in the background; I sigh as I inhale the sweet smell of the fresh flowers all around us. I take his hand over the table. “Lucca, this is very special. It’s lovely, thank you.” I smile while he runs his thumb over my knuckles and fingers, watching me contently.

We are served an amazing light three course meal, but I have to laugh that we have good old cinnamon Italian gelato for dolci. We finish every bite, feeding each other sensually from the spoon.

“I won’t fit into any of those clothes you got me. You’re gonna end up with a tubby girlfriend.”

His lip curls up at one end, showing his cheeky dimple. “I’m hoping I’ll have more than that.”

What is he talking about? Oh God, please not the baby chats again.

His playlist has changed its Leona Lewis’s version of The First Time I Ever Saw You. Once the waiters leave the suite to give us privacy, Lucca disappears and comes back with a large rectangular box. “What’s this?”

“Open it.” He strokes my hand and places it in my palms. I unravel the white satin bow on the box, then delicately lift out the white silk journal. It is encrusted with pearls, crystals and lace. I look at him puzzled.

“I think the writing is helping you, and since you have opened up by writing about your past, I thought you would maybe like another journal to write about our life and future together. Something to hold onto with nice memories in it. Something new.”

Overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness, I rub my finger over the white silk. “That’s so thoughtful, thank you. Thank you for this, and thank you for everything else, and thank you for a wonderful vacation, and thank you for loving me, and thank you for not judging me, and thank you for being patient, and thank you for everything,” I say breathlessly. I’m feeling very emotional.

“God, I love you. Open your journal.”

I turn the first page. A pressed blue orchid flower is inside, and he has written in it again.

Lexi, io vi amo e desidera trascorrere il resto della mia vita con voi. Non mi fate l'onore e sposare me? Xx

Lexi, I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you do me the honor and marry me? Xx

Shaking, I put my hand over my mouth and gasp as I watch him bend down on one knee. He opens a box in front of me. Inside is the most magnificent diamond ring I have ever seen. My eyes well up and tears flow, straying down my cheeks.

“Doc, I love you. You have stolen my heart. You are the one I’ve been waiting on, and God knows I love you. Lexi, will you do me the greatest honour and marry me. Dolcezza, will you be my wife?” He places the ring on my finger.

I look at the impressive sparkly ring, then look into his big, blue eyes full of hope. “Yes…Yes…Yes.” He leans his head into my chest, and I wrap my hands around his neck

“Yes? Do you mean it”? He asks for reassurance.

“Yes. I love you and I want nothing more than to be Mrs. Caruso. You’re my something special,” I whisper.

Breathing heavy with relief, he stands and lifts my hand to join him. He claims my mouth passionately, and we hold each other tightly.

“Lucca, this ring…it’s just…just beautiful, breathtaking. I feel so special, and I love you so much.” I wrap my arms around his neck and he picks me up with him and twirls me round. I stretch my hand out behind his head and glance at the magnificent ring again.

“I was afraid you’d say no because we have just met. I thought you’d challenge me on this.”

I shake my head at him. “I told you, I never want you to let go of me. I love you.”

“You have just made me the happiest man alive. That first moment I saw you, I knew you would be mine.” He kisses me again and again.

“You’re going to have to run this by my granny and grandpa, of course, as well my mother,” I say, coming up for air.

He laughs. “Of course I will.” Andrea Bocelli’s English version of Can’t Help Falling In Love begins playing. “Lexi, I promise I will make you very happy. I’ll keep you safe and protect you forever. I love you, baby.”

I can’t control my tears of happiness. “I love you too…to the moon and back,” I whisper.

“Dance with me,” he says and we slowly sway each other to the romantic song, our foreheads pressed together. I close my eyes and feel my heart pounding heavily; I don’t want this moment to end. We continue to dance to Andrea Bocelli’s Because We Believe, taking me back to my first encounter with him here at Sofia and Franco’s Villa.

“I believe, I believe in us,” I whisper.

He softly sings the lyrics in Italian into my ear, and my heart flutters. I will cherish this moment forever. Then Lionel Ritchie’s Stuck on you sends flutters to my core whilst he moves me around the garden slowly while the bottom of my dress continues to swish around.

“I’m stuck on you baby forever and always.” He kisses me chastely, running his fingers over the decadent black lace of my shoulder and back. He closes his eyes momentarily, then picks me up. “Now, I make love to my fiancée. I want to have you over and over again as my fiancée. It’s going to be special, baby.” He bites my bottom lip.

“Take me to bed. I want you so badly it hurts,” I reply. He carries me into the sumptuous bedroom which has been illuminated with sensual candles. He puts me down in front of the flickering candle glow, undoes his bow tie and shirt, then slowly unzips the back of my dress, trailing his thumb down my spine to my lace panties. The dress flows to the floor in a delicate gathering of elegance.

I step out of it, and his breath catches in his throat. I lift my arms to take the pins out of my hair, allowing it to freely tumble down my back and around my shoulders, then slowly slide my lace panties down my legs, stepping out of them.

“Fuck! You’re beautiful. You have no idea what a vision you are right now naked with those diamonds...Fuck, I need you so badly.”

Closing the space, I press my jeweled naked body into him. He lifts me up and puts me down in the centre of the bed and leans over me softly caressing me. He stares into my eyes while moving a stray curl from the side of my face. “Can I have you?” he quietly asks for my approval.

“You can have me whenever you want. I’m yours. Now make love to me, Romeo.”

“You are something special. Have I told you that?”

Diamonds – Always and Forever

We sleep in the next morning, tangled in each other while my hair wraps around our skin like a soft warm blanket. I hold my hand up and admire the stone.

“I can’t wait to wake up with you as my wife,” he groans into my neck.

“Lucca, I think we should wait a while before we get married. I want to, of course but it’s all happening very quickly. I think we need to enjoy our time together, be engaged for a while.”

His body tenses under me. “To hell I am. I want to have you as my wife as soon as possible.”

I roll my eyes and give up, knowing this isn’t getting me anywhere. He’s so persistent. “Okay,” I say.

“What okay? As in okay? As in yes? You’ll marry me soon?”

“Yes, I’ll marry you soon. I’d like to spend my wedding night with you back here,” I say, rolling on top of him.

“You can have whatever you want, and yes, that would be nice. Now, I need a bit of help with something, Soon To Be Mrs. Caruso.” He thrusts his hips upward, pushing his erection between my legs.

****

We have a lazy day around the suite. We pack up all the cases once we have had our early dinner, then I stroll back into the gallery when I hear noises. Marissa, Antonio, Sofia and Franco have come to say goodbye and congratulate us. Sofia and Marissa both sob cuddling us both and admiring my ring, while Franco and Antonio hug Lucca and squeeze me nearly to death congratulating us.

“Look at you two, you are very happy and look wonderful together and I had a good feeling about you Bella” Antonio says. Marissa holds my hands and whispers in my ear, “I care for you a lot Lexi sweetheart, Please look after my boy. I know you’ll make him very happy. I’m delighted for you both and don’t leave it too long before you give me grandchildren.”

Tumbleweed.

We have some tea with them in the dining room of the suite. Anna has called screaming down the phone on loud speaker. She passes the phone to Cameron to congratulate us. I’m going to bloody kill him, why is he still hanging around with my soon to be sister in law. I warn him not to tell granny, grandpa or mom until we have spoken with them. I call Hazel next before Cameron tells her the news. She squeals down the phone with excitement and happiness. We have a very emotional goodbye send off from the Caruso’s; I’m touched they are so warm towards me. I feel so lucky to becoming a part of this wonderful family.

We settle into our first class seats on the flight and make plans for when we are home. First things first, I need to get Doris, who I’m missing terribly, check on Mr. Carlin, and call all my girls. I sip on a cold drink then lift the journal from my handbag.

“Can I borrow your pen, Lucca?” He lifts the Swiss pen I bought him from his shirt pocket, and I smile at the thought that he is, in fact, keeping it close to his heart like I suggested. I scroll through my iPod and find Amy MacDonald’s Caledonia and listen to one of my favorite nostalgic songs as I think of home. Then I listen to Tim McGraw’s It’s your Love I start a new page in the new journal and scribble some words.

****

 June 17th –

Yesterday was the best day of my life. I feel like my spirit has been lifted, and all thanks to the gift of Love from Lucca. As I agree to be his wife, I am walking towards his light and I want nothing more.

Entering into the next chapter of my life, I ask God to continue to grant me serenity, courage and wisdom. The trust I have given, and my ability to let go of old insecurities, has given me the serenity. Being honest and open has given me courage. Lucca’s kindness, patience and reassurance are helping to make me into a stronger person, giving me wisdom.