L'amore: The Luminara Series

by SJ Molloy

  “Congratulations again, you two! I am so, so happy for you both.” Hazel hugs me tightly, before releasing me to wrap her arms around Lucca. I giggle as he shuffles restlessly.

  Hazel grabs my hand. “I know I said this last night, but bloody hell, that is not a ring, it’s a blooming boulder. It’s beautiful, Roo. I love it!”

  Anna’s eyes light up. “At least you picked a decent diamond, Brother Dearest. You do have impeccable taste. Lexi, it is amazing, very beautiful. I am so happy you will be my sister-in-law!” she says enthusiastically.

  Cameron jumps up out of bed naked, and I blush and look away. He has never covered up around the house, but I’m embarrassed as Lucca and Anna are here. Hazel doesn’t flinch; she’s seen it before, but Anna smirks and lifts her eyebrow as he turns around to pull on jeans and a T-shirt.

  He walks up to the doorway where we have tightly grouped together in the narrow landing area. “Congratulations, baby girl, I’m so, so happy for you. I love you. You know that, right? Even when you’re scolding me. I’m glad you have Lucca. He’s going to take great care of you, and I’m glad to see you home. I missed you.”

  He hugs me and I snuggle into his neck, forgiving him briefly for his infidelity because I did miss him too, and his embrace reminds me of the heart-to-heart we had in Tuscany when he came over for a few days, causing my heart to skip a beat. I know we are going to have to talk about it again at some point in proper depth. I respect him massively for sharing his own ghosts with me and thinking about it does draw my attention away from his infidelity, which seems inconsequential for now because he reminds me how much I love him regardless of his flaws.

  He shakes Lucca’s hand. “Congrats, mate. Take good care of her. She means the world to me.”

  “I will, you do not need to worry. She will be well looked after. Lexi is my world.” Lucca wraps his hands around my waist, closely pressing himself against my back as he rests his chin against the side of my head.

  “Is this a private party up here?” Samantha asks, standing behind Hazel.

  I scream and let go of Lucca, forcing myself against her and wrapping my arms around her neck.

  She squeezes me tightly. “I’m so glad to have you back but also delighted with your news. Good God, you’ve been busy, my darlin’. Let me see this ring.”

  I nervously lift my hand up, and her eyes nearly jump out her head. “Oh my God. Girls, get up here, you need to see this!” she yells down the stairs, grabbing my hand to admire my rock. “Your ring is gorgeous, honey. Now are you going to introduce me to your handsome man?” She smirks as she drinks Lucca in.

  “Lucca, this is Samantha. Sam, Lucca.” He has her charmed in no time. He does the double-cheek kissing, and I can tell she’s hot and bothered, but she is trying to keep her composure and act professional, more business-like instead of one of my best friends. She blushes and I think she’s trying hard to make a good first impression on Lucca.

  Shit, I wish he’d put a shirt on to cover his sexy body.

  Carrie, Jessica, and Lucy all come pounding up the stairs, but stop and gaze at Lucca when they reach the top step. Their mouths drop like bloody goldfish. Lucca laughs, and I see Jessica elbow Lucy in the ribs.

  I can barely breathe. There is just not enough room on this compact landing, but I’m deliriously happy to see the girls.

  “Girls, this is Lucca. Lucca, these are my girls. Carrie, Jessica, and Lucy,” I proudly say as I look at the girls with the biggest smile on my face.

  He kisses them all on both cheeks, causing them to melt under his sexy ways. “It is a pleasure to meet your beautiful girls. Ladies, I am charmed.”

  So are they, evidently.

  He gives them a sexy dimple smile, and my eyes silently tell him to quit that because that look should be reserved only for me. He chuckles.

  “I told you she had an Italian god,” Hazel blurts.

  Anna giggles as Lucca bows his head, letting his dark wavy side fringe sweep over his eyes. I do believe he’s a little embarrassed at being under the microscope of all my friends.

  “Ladies, it is a pleasure to meet you all, and I would like to thank you for taking good care of my girl and being such good friends to her. I am going to throw something on. I will be back in a bit,” Lucca says.

  “Don’t bother, Lucca. We rather like your body, so feel free to kick about like that, boss,” Hazel replies impishly. Lucca shakes his head and smiles before kissing me and walking back towards my room.

  I smack her arm. “Cut it out, Skip,” I chide, and the girls all laugh, jibbing at Hazel as well.

  It’s nice to be back with them. I introduce Anna, and they are all polite and welcome her openly, although I can sense from some of the disapproving looks exchanged between them that they are wondering what the hell is going on. I assume Hazel hasn’t told them about Cameron and Anna. I then hug Jess, Carrie, and Lucy in turn, but I can tell by Lucy’s body language that she is shocked by Cameron and Anna’s fling. I give her an extra cuddle to reassure her and whisper in her ear that I will explain later.

  “I can’t get over that ring. It’s monstrous, bloody hell,” Carrie says. I smile and let out a little happy sigh, raising my shoulders contently.

  “You look amazing, Lex. You have a fantastic tan, and you look so happy. It’s lovely to see,” Jessica says, rubbing her hand down my arm.

  “Thank you, Jess. You wouldn’t believe the time I’ve had with Lucca, and how special I felt. Well … how special I feel, actually.”

  Cameron shuffles past us and squeezes through to the top of the stairs. Lucy looks up at him and blushes, then looks across to Anna who is dressed to kill in a navy tailored pencil dress and high heels. She’s bothered that Anna is leaving Cameron’s bedroom; I can tell.

  Hmmm.

  “Cameron, put the kettle on,” I say. He looks back at Anna, cocking his head and winking with a devilish, sexy grin, then looks at me sheepishly and nods his head.

  “Lexi, I am just going to help Cam in the kitchen and make some calls. Have you called Mamma and Papa yet to say you arrived home safely?” Anna asks.

  “Yes, we called them last night from Marco’s car on the way home from the airport.” Marco da Vinci is Lucca’s oldest friend and his right-hand man. He is Lucca’s driver, all-round organiser, and business advisor. She kisses me again and squeezes my upper arms. “I cannot believe how excited I am. Seriously, I am thrilled for you both.”

  I smile. “Thank you, Anna. It means a lot. I’m very lucky that Lucca has such a wonderful family.”

  “You are so sweet. You will have me crying in a minute. Right, girls, who wants tea?”

  “I do,” they say in unison.

  She wiggles past us and struts down the stairs, leaving an impression.

  “She seems really lovely. I can see how you and Anna got on so well, Hazel. She’s very outgoing,” Jess says.

  “We all really hit it off. She’s fun, fun, fun, and that girl has her family wrapped around her little finger,” Hazel replies.

  “Two peas in a pod then?” Samantha says sarcastically.

  Hazel rolls her eyes. “Oh lighten up, Sam. Some of us know how to relax and have fun, you know, you should try it,” Hazel retorts.

  Lucy is very quiet. That file will need to be revisited. Friend in need of care—my care.

  “Girls, I’m going to grab a quick shower, then I’ll come down and give you the holiday-dolliday debrief.” Normally we would have sleepovers and a DDB: drunk, bed, and bitch in bed, catching up on gossip, but I guess it will need to be over a cup of tea this morning.

  I walk back into the bedroom to find Lucca sprawled on my bed with his hands behind his head, grinning up at me. “Your friends are really nice, and they seemed pleased to see you.” He smiles. “I thought I would give you a minute alone with them.”

  “Thanks. They are, and I’m delighted to see them. It feels like forever since I last saw them, even though it has only been five weeks. It’s the longest I have
ever gone without seeing any of them. I’m going to have a shower now. I’m desperate to catch up and tell them about Tuscany.” I sort through some clothes sitting at the top of my suitcase and feel my heart twinge with happiness that all the girls are here.

  “I am coming in the shower with you,” he says as he jumps off the bed.

  “It’s not big enough for us both, and not when we have a house full, Romeo.” I shake my head and index finger, smiling at him playfully. My shower is the standard square cubicle, fit for one, not what Lucca is used to with his opulent bathrooms at the villas and his farmhouse.

  “We will fit, but we will need to wait until tonight before I fuck you again. Then I can make you scream good and proper.” He cocks his head, his shaggy hair sweeping across his forehead. He smiles showing me his brilliant white teeth and dimples. The heat in his eyes sears through me. My full system goes into overdrive when I hear him say the word “scream.” It does crazy things to my insides and dampens my sex almost instantly. Typically, I’d be petrified with his choice of words, but hearing them from his lips is erotic.

  He makes me scream with pleasure.

  With pain.

  Pleasure and pain.

  I love it.

  “You fucking destroy me when you scream. I know you are thinking about it now, I can tell,” he says as he runs his tongue down my neck. Damn, he’s good. And apparently psychic. I might need to do some vocal exercises to prepare my throat for said screaming.

  He pulls my hand and leads me down the hall towards the bathroom. This will need to be a cold shower—freezing, in fact. We fit in the shower cubicle, but it’s a tight squeeze, so I stay pressed against his chest, placing soft, wet kisses on his shoulders as he cups my ass. There is something exceptionally lovely and intimate about the heat of our bodies so close and just holding each other. Special.

  After drying, Lucca puts clean jeans and a white V-neck on that are on the top of his case and I put a white silk vest and black and white textured miniskirt on from the new collection Lucca bought me in Tuscany. This isn’t what I would normally wear here at home, but it seems like such a waste not to wear them. I do have a lovely tan, and I’m more relaxed about my appearance since meeting Lucca.

  As I throw my hair up in a shaggy bun, Lucca moves a stray wave over my cheek and behind my ear.

  “You are beautiful. I love when you wear your hair up like this. It is such a turn on watching you unravel it, letting your hair tumble down your back.” He kisses my lips and runs his hand up under my skirt, cupping my ass.

  “You’re not so bad yourself, but you’re being a core tease,” I reply, returning his kisses. I’m so hot for him right now, but we have visitors, and I need to catch up with the girls.

  Taking his hand, we walk downstairs to a hyperactive Doris doing her excitable dance in the hallway. The girls have locked her out of the lounge. Sam!

  Doris follows me into the kitchen, nudging her head on my legs, looking for some attention, so I lean over to hug her again, stroking her and rubbing her ears. Lucca leans against the counter, shaking his head bemused as he peels a tangerine he has lifted from the fruit bowl. The sight of him leaning casually against the counter peeling a tangerine is doing nothing for keeping my sexy need under control.

  Oh my goodness, maybe I’m one of those obsessed sex addicts.

  I have sex on the brain.

  Around the clock sex.

  Sex, sex, sex.

  Needing to distract myself from these thoughts, I open the back door to let Doris out, inhaling some fresh air, then take Lucca’s hand and enter the lounge. My eyes light up, and I put my hand over my mouth. There are engagement and congratulation banners and balloons everywhere!

  Lucca tightens his grasp on my other hand.

  “Wow, what a lovely surprise. Thank you, everyone. This looks amazing, and it’s very thoughtful.” Tears prick at my eyes.

  Lucca wraps his arms around my waist, and drops his chin on my shoulder as he looks around the lounge. “Yes, thank you, girls. It looks great.”

  I love how he always manages to stay so endearing and down to earth. Even though he has such a privileged life, he’s grateful over some latex balloons and foil banners.

  Jessica jumps up and walks over to grab my hand. “I’m so happy for you. It’s been a long time coming. You deserve this happiness, darlin’. I love you, Lex, we all do.”

  “You’re going to make me cry, Jess,” I choke. Lucca kisses the side of my head then takes a seat next to Cameron.

  “Lex, don’t cry. You’ll set us all off,” Carrie says as she stands and comes over to hug me.

  I break down sobbing at their kindness. Sam, Hazel, and Lucy jump to their feet and hug me in a tight circle as the tears trickle down my cheeks. “I’m so sorry, I’m just a little emotional. I’ve missed you all, but I’ve never felt this happy,” I blubber.

  Lucca appears worried with my emotional distress, his forehead pinched.

  “Don’t worry, mate. This is what they do. They get all smoochy and fucked up with that crying shit. Wait until you witness them on the wine. It’s like a fucking car crash,” Cameron says to Lucca.

  Hazel scowls at him, but Anna giggles at his remark.

  Lucy gives me an extra squeeze. “Don’t be sorry. You deserve to be emotional; it’s a special time. We’re just so glad you’re happy. You worried the hell out of us when you had to have surgery. When Hazel called we were so sick with worry and ready to jump on a plane to come and be with you.”

  Carrie runs her hand over my wrist. She’s a nurse and asses the small scar, saying it’s very neat and tidy. It’s still playing up, not enough to wear the sling all the time, but I’m taking strong painkillers and not letting Lucca know that it continues to give me grief. I’m trying to forget all about that awful night, and he feels guilty enough about it, so I don’t want him feeling any worse than he does. I watch Lucca bow his head. I can tell he’s uncomfortable as he listens to them talk about it.

  “Come and sit down and give us your holiday chat,” Samantha says. I take her hand and sit on the sofa, wiping my tears.

  “Hazel, will you make more tea, please? Where is Dominic, by the way? At work?” I ask.

  “Yes, early meeting, but he’ll be home for dinner. I’ve been cooking up some of those dishes Maurizio taught me, and Dominic thinks he has died and gone to heaven. It’s great he’s moved in here with me because now we can save money for the wedding.”

  I’m glad Dominic has moved in here with her too, but it will be strange not living with Hazel. We’ve been together every day since we started at the University of Glasgow, and I’m going to miss her and her outrageous personality. And even her messiness to a certain degree because that’s what defines her.

  “Lexi, I love your outfit, you look amazing,” Samantha says.

  “Thank you. Wait until you check out all the new clothes I have. They’re unreal.”

  “That’s good. Do you by chance have a cream pencil dress in this new collection, because your mutt ruined mine,” she gripes.

  Busted. “Yes, sorry about that. I’ll buy you a new one.” I frown and nervously bite the inside of my cheek.

  “No, you won’t, but I might raid your wardrobe when I need to borrow something.” Sam shakes her head and smiles.

  “Okay, deal.”

  Lucca smiles at me. “You okay now, Doc?”

  “Yes, just got emotional seeing the girls and all of this.” I move my hand around the lounge towards the decorations, and he smiles, nodding his head with understanding.

  “Cameron, mind taking me to pick up my car? I will need to bring over some boxes to pack up Lexi’s stuff.” Lucca turns around to address Cameron, stretches, and yawns then checks the time on his watch.

  “Sure, mate. Let me grab my keys.”

  “Anna, are you not supposed to be somewhere?” Lucca asks her impatiently. She jumps up when Cameron and Lucca stand and hugs Lucca tightly. He kisses her forehead and holds her close. “
I love you, Orianna, and I am grateful for your support, but I need to ask you to get back to work. You have a lot to do for the Edinburgh Club di Energia launch.”

  “Fear not, Lukie boy. I am going to the office just now. I just want to spend time with you two, is that so bad?” She giggles.

  “Do not push it.”

  She hugs me, squashing me with enthusiasm, then says her goodbyes and follows Cameron out into the hall.

  Lucy is sitting next to Samantha—very quiet, indeed.

  Hmmm.

  Noted and filed. Again.

  Lucca wraps his arms around my waist, and as he kisses me softly on the lips. I blush. He runs his hand repeatedly over my wrist, closing his eyes and pressing his forehead against mine, breathing heavily. He’s still hurting deeply about the accident, and pondering on it because Carrie brought it up.

  “You sure you are okay?” he whispers.

  “Yes, I’m fine. I’ll see you when you get back.”

  He lifts my wrist up and kisses it sweetly. Samantha notices. Shit! Interrogation is on her agenda; I can see it in her eyes.

  “Ladies, it has been a pleasure. Thank you again for making this special for Lexi. I hope to see you all very soon. Please, come over to our place anytime.” He double-cheek kisses them all in turn, because he expects them to be gone when he returns.

  Hazel returns with mugs and a pot of tea. Placing the tray down, she smacks his ass as he walks away. “Catch you, boss,” she chirps.

  Lucca shakes his head as he walks out, but the sexy dimple smile is definitely there. I can sense it.

  We pour fresh tea, and I tuck my legs at my side to snuggle on the couch as I hug my “Little Miss Nervous” mug trying to get warm. My body temperature has become acclimated to the Tuscan sun, and I’m shivering being back home.

  The girls have taken my engagement ring and are passing it around, asking all about how my romance happened. They know the basics because Hazel has already told them, so I fill in the gaps. Although they are delighted for me, they are surprised I allowed Lucca into my heart and fell for him so quickly.