by Nikki Ashton
Luke pulled Martha closer and tucked her hair behind her ears.
“Right, let’s get this straight. You could never be boring, you’re funny and feisty and a terrible drunk. As for the other stuff, well I happen to think it’s pretty special that you and I will have a lot of first time experiences together.”
Martha gave a quiet giggle. “Well, yes, Betty’s father hardly wined, dined and seduced me did he?”
“No, I guess not.” Luke smiled and kissed Martha’s cheek. “So as far as we’re concerned, we’ll see what happens when it happens, but, if you want my opinion, if two people fit, then they fit, and it’ll be amazing, if yesterday by the pool was anything to go by. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Excellent, now my mamma likes a good old soak in the bath, so let’s make the most of it.”
“Sounds good to me,” Martha replied as she leaned into his kiss, her body fizzing with both excitement and fear of what a relationship with Luke might bring.
Chapter 18
The party was in full swing. Everyone was drinking and dancing and not one person had tried to force Luke to sing. He’d told Uncle Gio what his problem was and he’d made sure everyone knew, because Luke was his famous, talented nephew whom he wanted to get well as soon as possible. Luke had felt a little guilty at his uncle’s sympathy, but Lucia had told him not to worry, Uncle Gio owed him anyway for all of the autographed photographs Luke had given him over the years to sell in his bakery shop.
The family had all welcomed Martha, and enjoyed telling her embarrassing stories about Luciano, apologising as they did so for their poor English, which was a thousand times better than Martha’s Italian. Luke didn’t leave her side all night, even when he was cringing at the stories. Instead he clutched her hand tightly and stole kisses whenever he could. They’d even danced together to a slowed down version of Volare, and Luke had sung every word softly, in Italian, into Martha’s ear, sending shivers of desire down her spine. She felt as though she was floating on a cloud of happiness and never imagined all those years ago, when Luke was all she dreamed about, that one day she would be embarking on a relationship with him.
“Are you having fun?” Luke asked lifting Martha’s hand to his lips.
“It’s great; you Italians really know how to party.” She glanced around the room, watching everyone dancing and drinking. There was laughter all around them. “What about you, how are you feeling?”
“Strangely okay. It must be having you here.” Luke’s eyes twinkled. “I felt a little nervous when we got here, but seeing as I can’t sing for them, no one is interested in me. Fickle bastards, eh?”
Martha started to laugh and leaned into Luke’s side. “You can’t have it both ways, either you want the adoration, or you don’t.”
“No, it’s just fine how it is. Now you, that’s different, maybe I wouldn’t mind a little adoration from you.” He pulled Martha into a heart stopping kiss, still holding onto her hand.
After a few minutes they pulled apart, both of them breathless.
“Luke,” Martha panted as she ran her hands through his hair.
“Hmm,” he moaned as he moved his lips to her neck.
“I’m ready,” she whispered. “I want you.”
Luke stopped kissing her and gazed into her eyes. He placed his hands in the small of Martha’s back and pushed her body against his so that she could feel his want for her.
“Are you sure?” He said.” I can wait, I want it to be right.”
Martha closed her eyes and shook her head, aware of the pulsing heat growing deep in her groin.
“Yes, I’m ready. When can we go back to the house?”
“Oh fuck,” Luke groaned. He looked quickly around the room for his mother. “Give me five minutes.” He kissed Martha, a quick, but passionate kiss, and then darted off to find Lucia.
Martha blew out a breath and pretended to look through her bag for something. She wanted to hide her face so that people wouldn’t notice the high level of wanton craving that was she was sure was written all over it. She felt scared but excited at the same time, and currently pleasure was winning the battle over fear.
Almost ten minutes later, Luke came rushing back, a huge smile spread across his handsome face.
“The Gods are looking down on us tonight,” he whispered into Martha’s ear. “Mamma was caught up talking to my Aunt from Sicily, they haven’t seen each other for about ten years, so she’s going to stay and catch up some more and stay at Uncle Gio’s tonight.”
Martha swallowed a gulp. She felt her legs start trembling.
“Okay,” she said, “let’s go then.”
Taking Martha’s hand, Luke pulled her through the crowd of people, out into the foyer of the party venue, hoping that the car was there already, otherwise he may just have to steal one.
Luke had every intention of taking things slowly with Martha; he’d taken on board her fears about being inexperienced and so didn’t want to rush her into anything she wasn’t comfortable with. The drive home though blew his reasoning out of the water. As soon as they were in the back seat of the car, Martha pounced and straddled Luke, hitching up her tight skirt so that she could get closer to him. She started to kiss him with such passion that Luke didn’t think he would be able to breathe again. As little moans of desire escaped her mouth, Luke’s hand found the switch which sent the privacy panel sliding up between them and their driver. He had no wish for their first time together to be in the back of a car, but the driver didn’t need to see the forerunner to what he could already tell was going to be a great night.
“I can’t wait to get you home.” Luke’s voice rumbled low as he whispered into Martha’s ear.
Martha let out a whimper as she continued to kiss Luke’s neck, her fingers threaded with his, holding his hands down by his side.
“I want you so much,” she groaned, nipping at Luke’s neck.
Luke gave a shuddering gasp and pulled his hands from Martha’s. He placed them firmly on her hips and pushed her against his erection so she could feel how much he wanted her.
The journey home was torturous for them both. They had plenty of time to kiss and fondle each other, allowing their passion to grow, heightening the anticipation, but they were also desperate for each other on another level. Finally, the car drew up in front of the house and Luke practically dragged Martha from the back seat, shouting a hurried ‘grazie’ to the driver.
As soon as they were inside the house, they began clawing and tearing at each other’s clothes. A tangle of limbs climbed the stairs and stumbled along the corridor to Luke’s room. Once inside, he pushed Martha onto the bed, and stood back to look at her.
Martha’s pencil skirt and stilettos had been discarded long ago in the hall, and her only remaining clothes were her unbuttoned, sheer black blouse and black lace underwear.
“You’re stunning, do you know that?” Luke groaned as he slowly dragged his eyes across her body. He climbed onto the bed beside Martha and dropped a kiss in the hollow of her throat. She moaned his name softly.
“God, Luke.”
“Martha, you have no idea what you do to me.”
Luke’s lips travelled up her neck as he gently removed her blouse and let it drop to the floor. His breath was coming out in short pants and his heart throbbed hungrily as he looked at her, with her long, plum coloured hair spread across his pillows.
Martha gazed at him and licked her lips.
“Do you want me to put on a condom?” Luke said.
“It’s fine,” Martha said. She pushed one hand into his hair while the other moved under his shirt and found his pierced nipple. Luke moaned into her neck as she gently twisted it. “I’m on the pill for medical reasons, so as long as you’re sure it’s okay. But please hurry, I need you now.”
Luke didn’t need any more encouragement. He pulled away and jumped off the bed, shedding his jeans and t-shirt in seconds - he’d lost his boots and socks somewhere around the time that Mart
ha had lost her skirt. He then got back onto the bed and lay on his side next to Martha. Luke reached out and ran the palm of his hand slowly across her stomach, allowing his fingers to trace the faint, silver stretch marks. Martha closed her eyes and sighed as Luke’s touch sent her nerve endings shivering. As he put a finger under the waistband of her thong, Martha stretched her arms above her head and moaned his name again, feeling a heat flowing down to her groin. Slowly, Luke pulled the thong down her legs and over her feet before throwing it onto the floor with the rest of their clothes. He moved back up the bed and dropped gentle kisses on to Martha’s stomach, his lips brushing gently against her skin, moving slowly upward, tantalising, teasing, with his tongue tracing soft lines up her body until he reached her bra. He reached behind her back and effortlessly unhooked it. She writhed beneath his lips and lifted her shoulders, allowing him to pull the bra from beneath her.
“Christ, you’re beautiful,” Luke said, gazing down on Martha’s naked body.
.As Luke leaned to her and started to kiss and gently bite her hard nipple, Martha thought she was going to explode. She arched her back, making him take it deeper into the hot, moistness of his mouth. His lips were magic and he knew exactly what to do with them. While Luke created waves of pleasure throughout her body, Martha reached down between them, wanting to feel him, but Luke caught hold of her hand and, threading his fingers with hers, moved them above her head.
“No,” Luke said. “This is all about you.” He laughed softly at the little whimper Martha produced as his other hand pushed her thighs apart.
“Oh my God,” she cried as Luke’s fingers traced soft circles on the inside of her thigh. “Luke, please.”
“All in good time,” he grinned. “Patience.”
As she came down from her fourth orgasm of the night, Martha wondered if life could get any better. Luke had been right, they did fit and it was amazing. Her inexperience hadn’t mattered one bit, Luke had taken the lead and guided her, but somehow she just knew what he wanted and needed, and if his shouts of satisfaction had been anything to go by, she was a bloody natural.
“Shit babe, you amaze me,” Luke panted as he rolled onto his back.
“Thank you,” Martha smiled. “It must be your teaching methods.”
Luke shook his head. “No, you knew exactly what you were doing. In fact I think you lied to me when you said you were inexperienced.”
“Well thanks for the vote of confidence, but you don’t have to be polite.” Martha leaned over and kissed him.
“I wasn’t.” Luke moved on to his side and propped himself up on his elbow. “Seriously, you were amazing.”
“Or as Betty would say ‘totes amazeballs’.” Martha’s smile dropped as she thought of her daughter.
“You look worried. Is it about what she might think about us?”
Martha nodded and moved closer to Luke.
“I feel bad because I’ve told her she can’t have a boyfriend, just as I’m getting one.”
Luke hugged her closer. “Don’t feel bad, she’s the one doing her A-Levels, you’re not. You’ve put your love life on hold for nearly eighteen years so that you can look after her, so it’s about time you had some fun, although Noah is a good kid you know.”
“No that is not happening, she has to study.” Martha’s tone was sharp.
Luke shrank back from her slightly. “Okay, I’ll make sure he knows that.”
“Anyway,” she grinned, slapping Luke against his chest in an attempt to lighten the mood. “Let’s not worry about them for now. I’ve enjoyed having a little action.”
“Ooof that hurt, you bully.”
“Wimp.”
Luke laughed and kissed Martha’s sweet lips again. He knew he would never tire of kissing her, and hoped beyond hope that nothing would take her away from him.
On the day of the family meal Luke spent the day in the kitchen, helping Martha to prepare everything.
“You don’t have to be in here with me, Luke. It’s lovely and warm outside, why don’t you go and sit with Lucia?” Martha said, kissing Luke on the nose as she passed him a bowl to wash.
“No, I want to help you. I’d miss you if I was outside. Plus I know that washing up is going to get me brownie points, which might add up to some action later.”
“Hah,” Martha laughed. “As if you need brownie points to get some action.”
Luke wiped his hands on a towel, pulled Martha to him and started to kiss her tenderly, one arm wrapped tightly around her waist, while his other hand caressed her neck. Martha clung to him, afraid that if she didn’t her legs would give way. He walked Martha towards the table and lifting her gently sat her on it, not once taking his mouth from hers. Pushing her legs apart, Luke stood between them and moved his hands to her hair and pulled out her pony tail, so that her hair cascaded down to the middle of her back. He took it into his hand and pulled it gently.
“Oh my god, Luke.” Martha moaned as she pushed her hand up his t-shirt, desperate to touch his skin.
She shifted forward and wrapped her legs around his waist as Luke’s mouth moved down to her neck. She could feel his heart pounding next to hers, and grabbed at his hair, running her hands through it.
“I’m going to hate myself for this,” Luke whispered, fighting the passion that was rising in him. “But we need to stop now babe, because if we don’t that food won’t be ready for when the hordes arrive.”
Panting heavily, and extremely frustrated, Martha nodded.
“Yes, you’re right. Where’s my hairband?”
Luke found it and as he placed it in her hand, he kissed her shoulder and sighed.
“I really can’t get enough of you,” he said, “and I promise that this will be continued later tonight.”
Martha let out a long breath and reached up to tie her hair up again. He said he couldn’t get enough of her, but she was becoming completely addicted to him, and every day they spent together caused her to need an even bigger fix.
Martha continued the cooking without further interruption, and that evening the meal was a huge success, with everyone complimenting the chef. Luke jokingly pouted and complained that he’d helped, and so Lucia had led a toast to her clever bambino too.
Lucia had spent a lot of time at Uncle Gio’s house, catching up with the family gossip, and so Luke and Martha had spent a lot of time in bed. Martha had called Betty a couple of times, just to check that she was studying and that she, Em and Ruby were keeping the house tidy. Betty had been fine, sounding extremely bright for someone who had exams in a few weeks. Martha had wanted to tell her a couple of times about her and Luke, but eventually decided against it. She told Luke it was because she wanted to tell her face to face, but in the back of her mind Martha still wasn’t sure she was doing the right thing. She adored Luke, and was having the best time ever, but the possibility that everything would somehow collapse when they returned home worried her.
“Mmm, you smell nice,” Luke said running his nose along Martha’s bare shoulders.
Even the touch of his nose on her skin sent her pulse racing. Heat pooled between her legs and her breath caught in her throat as he followed the same path with soft kisses.
“Seriously Luke, don’t,” she breathed. “I’ve only just gotten out of the shower after you ravished me, and we have to leave for your cousin’s house in an hour.”
Martha turned around to push Luke away, but once she looked into his beautiful green eyes, she knew she was done for.
“You are so bad, do you know that?,” she cooed as Luke kissed along her breasts.
“Hmm, but if you weren’t so hot, then I wouldn’t be so bad. I don’t know how I’m going to get through a night without you when we get back.” Luke reached over his head to pull his t-shirt off with one hand, while unbuckling his belt with the other.
Martha reached out to help him, taking his t-shirt and throwing it to one side. As Luke pulled down his jeans and kicked them off, Martha grabbed his hand and pulled him t
owards the bed.
“No,” Luke said, pushing her against the wall.
Martha let out a gasp as her back hit the cold plaster and Luke’s fingers dug into her hips. Luke dropped to his knees and started tenderly kissing her stomach as he put a hand under her bare thigh and lifted her leg over his shoulder. Then, with perfect timing they heard Lucia calling.
“Luciano, are you up here? I need your help sweetheart,” They heard her footsteps approaching Luke’s room.
“Oh Mamma, no,” he groaned, dropping his forehead against Martha’s stomach.
Martha giggled and poked Luke in the shoulder.
“Go to Mamma, Lukey.”
“Stop calling me Lukey, I only allow it when you’re drunk.” He stood up and gave Martha a quick kiss before pulling away. “Hey, Mamma, I’m just getting dressed, I’ll be with you in a second.”
“Okay, thank you.” Lucia’s footsteps stopped outside the door.
“She’s waiting outside the door for you,” Martha whispered before putting a hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle.
Luke put a finger to his mouth. “Ssh, she’ll hear you.”
“Are you sure you want to go now?” Martha moved forward and reached down for his now fading erection. “I could make it worth your while.”
“Martha, stop it.”
“What?” She mouthed silently.
Luke put his mouth against her ear. “You are in so much trouble when Mamma falls asleep later.” He picked up his jeans and pulled them on, before retrieving his t-shirt from where Martha had thrown it.
“Spoilsport,” Martha whispered in his ear, shivering in anticipation of what would happen later.
“Yes, Mamma?” Luke asked as he quickly pulled his bedroom door closed.
“You need to come downstairs,” Lucia hissed.
“Why, what’s the problem?” Luke ran a hand through his hair wondering what could be so urgent.