Lucca's Lust: The Luminara Series Book 3

by SJ Molloy

  Lucca then laughs and rubs his thumb across his head. “I had to wipe flour from her forehead, and I remember she was really embarrassed but the chemistry we shared at that moment when I touched her skin again was explosive. God, I wanted my hands on her, in her hair and all over her. I wanted to touch and caress every inch of her body until I crawled into her heart and touched that also.” Lucca places his hand over his chest and winks. I gasp.

  Oh my, he is as sweet and romantic as he is portrayed. I think my own heart just went into overdrive. The room is completely silent other than the distant buzz from the air conditioning, and I swear the others can probably hear the beating of my heart. I’m spellbound. His sincerity and honesty is enchanting.

  “I knew after that moment, I would make her mine. That I would give her my light, keep her with me, worship and cherish her. She was so vulnerable and I could not help feeling some sort of guardianship over her. I knew I could not push her because she was so shy and timid, but I knew what I felt and I could see it in her eyes too. She wanted me just as much. Her body responded to mine in such a way that I knew I had her and would share my bed with her, then … and always. But I needed to be patient. The lust I felt for her was like nothing I have ever experience before. I knew it would only be a matter of time before I fell head over heels in love with her. I could not have stopped those feelings even if I tried. The all-consuming love shared between us came very quickly after. What we have, it is a forever kind of love. It is L’amore … the love, the only one that will ever matter.”

  “That is the sweetest thing and very romantic. So you knew that after your pastry-making class that you would be together? What if she had said no? Did you have a backup plan?” I tease playfully and Lucca laughs roguishly.

  “Saying no was not an option. I actually had met her before the cooking lesson, at my club in her physio clinic. I was infatuated by her and so taken with her beauty and grace. I asked her out to dinner. She declined, but I do not give up easily. I am a very persistent man when I want something, and I very much wanted her. I would have stopped at nothing to get her to go on a date with me,” he assures me.

  “So the cooking lesson was that part of your plan? Did you organise that? How did it come about?” Desperate to know, I practically jump from my seat.

  “No, no. She turned down my offer for dinner and also refused to treat me as one of her patients. She mentioned she was travelling to Tuscany on holiday. I thought that was a huge coincidence. When we bumped into each other in the very same villa, I was just as stunned as she was. I am convinced fate played a big part, but I was not giving up easily either. Alexis Robertson was going to be mine.”

  “So, you hooked her in with your charismatic charm until you had her, until she was yours?” I watch Lucca place his pen back in his pocket before unbuttoning his jacket and allowing it to casually hang by his sides. The satin finish shirt clings to his rock-solid body showing the shadows and shapes of his defined abdominal muscles. I turn my focus elsewhere, feeling a little flustered.

  “Pretty much. I craved her. As I mentioned, she is my addiction. I made sure to wine, dine, and caress her. I made her feel. I listened and I took her to places she never knew possible. I worshipped and smothered her with my love and affection, as well as passionately spoiled her with my lust and gifts. I gave her all of me, and I will continue to do so until the day I die. Although, I would say that my sweet, beautiful girl actually has me. She has me, all of me, and I am hers, every piece of me.” He taps his heart with his hand and bites his lip.

  “That is beautiful. You are both very lucky to have found each other. It’s poetic.” I bite down on my bottom lip mimicking him because I’m entranced, feeling a lovely sense of humming tingle all over my body.

  “We are and yes, it is,” Lucca replies confidently and smoothly.

  “So I need to ask, do you have lovers’ tiffs? Do you have disagreements?” I know that I do with my husband from time to time, and so far their relationship sounds too perfect and idealistic. I want to know what they quarrel about.

  “Honestly? Yes we do. We are like any other couple. Sure we argue, but we always find a way to work it out.” Lucca has a devilish grin spread across his face while his eyes reveal all. Kiss and make up.

  “So who’s the boss?” I smile cheekily.

  “Definitely my beautiful girl. No question about it,” Lucca replies without a second thought.

  “Do you have any flaws? Is there anything that is not perfect about you? If Lexi could answer this what would she say?” I ask with intrigue. Now we’ve fallen into a relaxed and casual conversation. I feel I can be a little more risky with my questions.

  “Lexi, my mamma, and my nonna would tell you I swear far too much. Lexi frowns upon it, and she also thinks I am too bossy and persistent. I need to remind her that it is because I love her and want to protect her. I just get carried away because the alpha male in me wants to shield her and give her the best. I just seem to know what she needs and when she needs it. I am used to being proactive and in control from a business point of view; I guess it transfers to my personal life too. ”

  Yes, the man is in fact perfect from what I can tell!

  “Can you give me an example of when you quarrelled or had a difference of opinions?” I continue to ask while tapping my knee impatiently with intrigue.

  “I will not bore you with our disagreements, but I will give you an example of when I have felt inadequate. Understandably, Lexi does not like to be kept in the dark. She likes honesty, and although I vow to always be honest with her, there was a time I had to avoid telling her the truth to protect her feelings when I found out about … um found out about … Micha— Fuck!”

  Lucca realises he has unintentionally brought up the subject which is to be avoided. Panicked, he looks towards Omari who slowly shakes his head in a silent plea that Lucca does not go too far with disclosing information. Evidently our director is almost jumping on the spot and throwing his hands up in the air because he wants me to delve deeper. I swallow hard and dive straight on in … head first without taking a deep breath.

  “I know you’ve explicitly said you don’t want to discuss Michael Parks, and I don’t blame you, but we all are wondering how you’re really doing with the knowledge that he’s looking for Lexi and that he’s been seen in the distance but has disappeared for now? Are you able to tell us how you feel?”

  Lucca clears his throat, closes his eyes, and clenches his jaw. I know he’s finding this topic difficult to discuss because he looks uncomfortable. Opening his eyes, he pauses and slackens his tie before replying. I’ve hit a raw nerve. I see mist behind his eyes, a grave and raw pain-stricken expression across his face.

  He sighs. “I am an honest man and will not fabricate this, Rebecca. It is fucking destroying me, goddamn fucking eating me inside. I can barely think straight. My beautiful girl is living on her nerves, has spent a lifetime in the dark, and that monster is still fucking out there.” Raising his voice slightly, he pinches his forehead with his middle finger and thumb and then runs his fingers through his hair before scratching his neck in irritation.

  I’ve obviously pressed on a sensitive nerve. I falter and from the corner of my eye glimpse at my team, looking for encouragement. I did not expect to get a reaction like that from him, especially since he has been so composed so far, but from the eager look from our magazine director and editor, it’s exactly the reaction they wanted. The editor signals for me to keep it going with a rolling wheel motion of his hands in the air. I don’t know where to start, but once again Lucca eases my discomfort.

  “I … I am sorry. I did not mean to sound so harsh. I just find it hard to talk about. She is everything to me—everything—and he will not get fucking near her. I am trying to stay strong for Lexi, but I am hurting for her. It tears me apart to see her afraid and vulnerable. I have the best security agents and systems in place, but the thought of him being out there is unnerving. I am crumbling inside. I would never
tell Lexi this because she needs me. She needs me to be strong, and I need to keep her positive and in my light. I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. I hate that she is going through this, but I made her a promise, a promise we would get through this and that I would keep her in my light.”

  Lucca’s eyes look dull and foreboding, almost despondent. Omari straightens in his seat and exchanges a knowing look with Lucca. I think he approves of his answer, but he holds a finger up, his chin protruding in warning. I want to strike while the iron’s hot, and so I again push the limits and ask the first thing which comes into my head.

  “Would you like a break?” After shifting in his chair, he looks towards Lloyd, his security agent again, who whispers something into a mouthpiece.

  “No, let’s carry on, Rebecca,” he says flatly before sipping some water, which pleases me because he wants to continue but agitates me because I feel like we are losing the connection we had earlier.

  “Ok, if you are sure. I know you keep discovering new things about Lexi’s past; we read about that. How are you doing with the knowledge of Lexi’s past?” I know I have asked the right question to please my bosses, but I can’t help feel an awful tug of guilt low in my stomach. It feels unorthodox given how distressed Lucca was at the mention of Michael Parks’ name.

  “It stabs and weakens my heart and soul. It shatters and fucks with my mind, and it makes me so fucking infused with anger I could set fire to the whole fucking world sometimes. It keeps me from sleeping. I lie and I watch her, holding her in my arms. I listen to her breathing when she is asleep. The rise and fall of her chest with every breath can keep me fascinated for hours. The soft content sounds she makes, makes me smile, especially after I calm her and help her back to sleep after a night terror. The way she whispers my name in her sleep, unknowingly, grips onto me, melts my heart, and fills me with warmth making me feel whole.”

  “You must be very tired. How do you manage and get through it?” It sounds exhausting and they do have an extremely complicated life at the moment from what I gather.

  “I do not need a lot of sleep. I just manage and I get through it for her. Every night I pray to God and thank him for saving her and for bringing us together. I thank him for giving me the gift of Lexi. That helps keep me strong, and I thank him that I can and will protect her in any way that I can.” Lucca’s voice breaks.

  He swallows hard and holds his eyes closed for a few moments. He’s hurting. I am feeling uncomfortable watching him suffer with his emotions. Now I wish I never mentioned it, but I can’t go back, not now.

  “I know this is a hard subject, so I won’t be asking any questions about what she went through. Knowing what you know so far about what she’s experienced in her past, what’s your biggest fear for her?” I ask softly with compassion.

  “It is breaking me thinking about her past. That is why I need for her to never feel afraid or scared again. I never want her to need anything or be without anything ever again, even if I do go over the top with spoiling her. I need to focus on what we have together and our future; it helps me keep a light shining for her … for us, and my girl needs that light. Lexi needs me and I need her, so I do not want her to relapse and go back to the place she was before. She has come too far. Every day I remind her of this by keeping her centred and right here with me.”

  He touches his heart over his shirt, sighs, and then slumps his shoulders. If I’m not mistaken I would say he’s exhausted but trying to keep a professional guard up at all times by staying alert.

  “You and Lexi have a very intense relationship. You two fell in love quickly and have experienced your share of obstacles during your relationship. What would you say was the one that had you most worried? The one that you thought might possibly end the relationship or cause the most damage?” Relieved, I bite down on my cheek and inhale deeply, glad I managed to ask and question and get it over with.

  “Hmmm … Lexi’s accident in Tuscany. I thought I had lost her and I was so afraid. After she recovered from surgery, I was so thankful when I knew she would be okay, but I thought she would leave me and I would lose her forever. It was my worst fucking nightmare coming true. We had to work through it and I had to gain her trust again. I pleaded with her for another chance, which is more than I deserved for putting her at risk. I just could not let her go. My head was screaming, my heart was screaming, and I just wanted to stand outside alone in the dark and scream away my pain and frustration into the shadows of the night because I fucked up and was scared to death for her, for us together.”

  “I noticed earlier when you both arrived at the hotel that you have a tendency to kiss the scar on Lexi’s wrist from her surgery. You must have beat yourself up pretty bad over it. How are you doing now?” I ask and absently rub my wrist to draw attention to it in the hope that Lucca will stay focused and will spontaneously speak his mind as he thinks about it.

  “I have a lot of regrets in my life, Rebecca, but that is my biggest. I felt sick to the core and have never hated myself as much. There was nothing I could do but regain her trust and show her I loved her, begging for her forgiveness. My heart split into a million pieces and that look in her eyes, God … that look of fear. It scared me more than anything else because I had let her down and was not able to protect her. It was almost as if she was recoiling and fading away from me right in front of my very eyes, and I just wanted that luscious, deep chocolate smile back in her eyes. The way she used to look at me before the accident, I needed that back.” Lucca shakes his head and then turns away, his eyes coated with moisture.

  “How did she used to look at you before the accident?” I blurt, setting my hands on my lap and gripping my knees.

  “Like I was her breath of fresh air. Like she trusted and loved everything about me. Like I was the luminosity surrounding her darkness. Like I was bright. She looked at me like I was in her heart, and I needed that back.” He sounds anguished and distressed.

  “Obviously you got it back … the way she looked at you.” I appease him.

  “Yes, she did, but I felt so desperate for her after that, I did not feel worthy of forgiveness. Her tears, Jesus … I felt like I had been ripped apart. She was so vulnerable, helpless and hurt, and time seemed to stop. My head … it was a mess. I could not function because I wanted to heal her and wished I could take it all back. When I see her small scar it reminds me of that horrendous night. I have had nightmares about it. I wish I could kiss it away. Her scar … it also reminds me of how precious my beautiful dolcezza is and how much she means to me and deserves the best. I will never put her in danger ever again,” Lucca replies with a broken voice, stopping for a moment to breathe slowly and deeply.

  He excuses himself to use the restroom in the suite lobby. I wait and decide to change the direction of my questions because he appears to be upset and is showing signs of averseness. When he returns, he apologises and says he needed a moment and wanted to check in on Lexi, personally, before he switches his phone back off. He places it back into his suit jacket pocket before taking his seat and signalling that we can continue.

  “Lucca, I’m sorry. Please take your time.” I use this opportunity to pour fresh coffee while Suzanne and Omari briefly speak with him. He tells me to continue when he is settled.

  “I think that’s enough of the sad stuff. You’ve experienced enough of that already as it is. So tell us, what do you really think of Jackson and his feelings for Lexi? Have you kept in touch with him after the tabloid scandal?” I ask.

  Anger flashes in his eyes, followed by a deep frown. Lucca grinds his teeth, clenches his jaw then closes his eyes.

  “Jackson has laid his cards on the table. He is attracted to Lexi; I am not stupid. I knew he had feelings for her, but I see it in his eyes. He as much told me so and I respect his honesty. But I will not lie, he will never, and I mean ever have my dolcezza and he knows this. I have warned him. As far as our friendship goes, I need to accept he is a friend of Lexi’s family, which is now my fam
ily. Lexi spent a lot of time with him and feels comfortable around him. We keep in touch, have talked and worked it out, but as far as the allegations are concerned, they were a personal attack at Lexi and myself and he should not have been involved. We all know there is no truth to it and it is all nonsense. I was there the night Lexi and Jackson were both in BarAsta, and I can assure you there is nothing of truth in those monstrous articles. I am unable to comment further due to legal stipulations but know this … it is not true,” Lucca says, sounding agitated. He adds ice from the cooler with the little tongs into fresh glasses, the sound of the clinking ice the only noise I hear right now, before he fills them with water for us both.

  “And how is your relationship with him now?” I ask, watching the ice swirl around in the water.

  “We get along because Lexi asked me to be civil and I promised her, and he is a very good friend of Cameron, Lexi’s brother. He makes Lexi smile and I know he would never hurt her. Jackson has given me his word he would look out for her like a little sister, and I need to believe him because he has not fucked up yet, and so far he has been compassionate, understanding, and dignified. He hurts Lexi’s feelings or crosses the line, then he is in trouble, and I do not give a flying fuck who he is or what the press makes of it.” Lucca almost hisses on his last breath.

  “I guess that would stand for anybody, right?” I ask, picking up my glass of water.

  “Absolutely. Upset my dolcezza and then you upset me,” he confirms seriously, rubbing his temple with his middle finger. I now want to bring Lucca’s spirits up, and I know just the question to ask him to change his mood.