by SJ Molloy
I’m going to call my mum this afternoon, but for that I need lots of strength and courage as just the thought of it exhausts me. Momentarily, I close my eyes on the lounger with my journal and phone hugged into my chest. The hazy Scottish summer sun shines through the glass wall on my face.
Sleep.
I dream of Tuscan sun, Florence and olives, dining alfresco and blue orchid flowers, the opera and Giovanni Costanzo taking photographs …
I’m choking, coughing, and struggling to breathe.
“Lexi, wake up. Please breathe,” Lucca panics. He scoops me up and cradles me into his chest, hushing me until I’m calmer. He then walks through the house and up the stairs until we reach the bedroom. He pulls the bedsheet back, then climbs in, pulling me to his chest.
“Are you okay? Do you want to tell me what that was about?” he asks.
“No, it’s nothing. I must have been dreaming.”
“It is not doing any good keeping it to yourself. You need to talk to me,” he pleads.
“Honestly, it was nothing, not even a deep sleep. I just dozed off.”
“But—”
I place my fingers on his lips to shush him. Normally, my bad dreams relate to my past, but strangely, this dream relates to my present and then provoked awful memories from my past.
Fuck!
File P for photography. Photography is the devil.
Lucca wraps his arms around me while I drift off again. I’m so tired, but this time I don’t have bad dreams because I’m wrapped in Lucca’s arms. I’m safe.
“Have I got time for a bath?” I ask as I stroll into the dressing room to pick something out to wear. Lucca is taking me out to dinner with Marco and some of his closest work colleagues tonight, so I need to dress appropriately. Hanging in the dressing room is a new dress in a suit bag.
“Lucca, what’s this?” I yell.
“Your clothes from Tuscany will not be here until Friday or Saturday, so I picked this for you today when I was out.”
I unzip a knee length, one shoulder, midnight-blue crepe dress with a satin bow at the shoulder. It’s draped in perfect crepe silk with an elegant shape to it. I look at the tag—it’s a Lanvin dress.
“Lucca, how did you manage to get this? It’s beautiful.”
“I had Marco go to Edinburgh and pick it up from Harvey Nicholls,” he replies, walking in behind me. “Do you like it?” he asks.
“Yes, I love it, but it’s a Wednesday night, and it’s very fancy,” I add, running my hand over the material. I also wonder why he bought something new. I have garments hanging up which would have been suitable.
“Baby, it is perfect and you will look stunning in it. Hurry and get dressed because the sooner we get dinner over with, the sooner I can slide my hands under that dress and strip it off you.”
“No more clothes, Lucca. I’m serious. This is your fetish, not mine. You have given me enough,” I firmly declare, furrowing my eyebrows with my hand on my hip.
There’s his “you are sexy and I am having you” look.
“Now we are never getting out of here because you have got me so horned up with that sexy fiery shit.” He presses into me, moving my hair away so he can kiss my neck.
Folded, crumbled, and melted.
Turning around, I kiss his cheek and smile, running my fingers over his dimple then down to his lips. He has me. I walk backwards, dragging him along with me, and then it’s hot, raunchy sex on that mirrored glass island top.
After our heated lovemaking, I watch the glint from the chandelier twinkle above me, reflecting sharp bright bursts of jewelled colour over my skin. Lucca brushes his thumb across the colourful little rainbow of gems on my body.
Once we’re showered and dressed, Lucca sits casually on the oversized velveteen chaise lounge in his bedroom, watching me getting ready. He drapes his arms casually across the back of it and leans back, spreading his legs lazily.
This image I love—when he’s relaxed, casual.
Smart and sexy.
I put the Cartier watch on and the diamond bracelet Lucca gave me in Florence. I pin my wavy hair up loosely then lean over to buckle the strap on my tan Givenchy high heels.
“Come here,” Lucca says when he notices me fumbling with the strap.
I wiggle over as my shoes aren’t properly secured, and he pulls me onto his lap, then lifts my leg one by one, fastening the strap buckle around my ankle.
“Better?” he asks.
“Much.”
He runs his smooth fingers across my ankles then weaves them up my legs until he reaches the hem of my dress. His touch sends ripples over my body. The smallest gestures and simplicity of these touches set off amazing electricity through my veins.
“You look stunning, simply beautiful,” he says.
“So do you. You look so damn handsome in your suit.”
His eyes smile with gratification at my words. Once downstairs, straightening up, I look in the huge hallway mirror before lifting my Valentino clutch bag. This dress is loose but elegantly cut in a contemporary shape and fitted near the bottom. Very different in style to what I would normally wear, but I do love it. Satisfied, I take Lucca’s hand to greet Marco outside. He’s a very loyal friend to Lucca, and I know he thinks highly of him.
We arrive at one of Franco’s brother’s restaurants in Glasgow called La Tavola Italiana—the Italian Table. Marco parks the car, and Lucca leads me into the restaurant. The entire ground floor is busy with diners; even midweek, these restaurants are booked.
On entering, everyone stops to turn and stare. I suspect I need to get used to being in public with Lucca as he draws a lot of attention. He’s so handsome and people just can’t help themselves.
I clutch onto his hand just a little tighter. “They are staring at you because you are so damn beautiful,” he whispers into my ear. Blushing, I glance around choosing to ignore his comment because he has no idea just how attractive he is to women everywhere.
There is a bustling feel to the restaurant as it isn’t small and intimate like some quaint Italian restaurants. It’s more commercialised, but still warm and inviting. Franco’s brother, Rafaello de Santis, has done exceptionally well. He has spent fifty-one years building his empire and remains very hands on, spending most of his time in this restaurant.
Two attractive men walk towards us as we enter. Armando, Lucca’s younger brother, has the same dark skin and dark inky hair as Lucca. Although it’s cut shorter and has a fashionable, raised styled fringe. I can see the resemblance to Lucca and Orianna in him; although Lucca has more of Marissa’s looks, but they all appear to have Antonio’s crystal blue eyes.
Armando is slimmer and not as muscular or defined as Lucca. Rafaello is Franco’s twin brother and could be mistaken for Franco himself if it wasn’t for the brown birthmark at the side of Rafaello’s eyebrow.
“It is an honour to finally meet you, Lexi. My brother Franco was not exaggerating after all. You are truly a beautiful young woman. Congratulations on your recent engagement. The family is delighted for you. We will need to have a celebratory evening to give you a chance to meet everyone,” Rafaello says, holding my hands in front of him after double cheek kissing. Lucca has already told me his family and extended family is huge, a complete contrast to my small family.
“Thank you, Rafaello. That would be lovely, and thank you for your kind words. I hope to make Lucca very happy. He has such a wonderful family.”
Armando smiles widely. “So this is the beautiful girl who is finally going to make an honest man of my brother, and not before time I may add. You must be very special, Lexi. I hear he is head over heels in love with you. It is about bloody time he settled down.” He pats Lucca on the shoulder, giving him a wicked grin, then leans over to double cheek kiss me.
Mortified, I blush then form an unsure smile while Lucca scolds him.
“Right, Armando. Point made very well, but you are embarrassing Lexi. You need to tame that bloody tongue. Armando and Anna could
have been separated at birth; they both do not know when to shut up, and they both fight like cats and dogs,” Lucca informs me with sarcasm in his voice.
“Where is the little ray of sunshine anyway?” Armando enquires.
“I have no idea. Off gallivanting somewhere. You know how elusive she is.”
Jumping out of my skin, I feel two hands snake around my waist and a high-pitched squeal ringing in my ears. Turning around, Anna throws her arms around my neck.
“Um, lovely to see you, Anna. We were just talking about you.”
“Anna, for fuck’s sake, quit that squealing. It is fucking annoying, and you are too bloody loud.” Lucca shakes his head as Armando laughs with nothing but adoration in his eyes for his little sister.
“No show without punch, sis,” Armando smirks, raising his brow.
“Ah there are my favourite three Ragazzi e ragazze in the world, and Rafaello, you get more handsome every time I see you, but do not tell Nonno I said that,” Anna adds.
I glimpse at Lucca and he shrugs his shoulders. Anna is so like Marissa in personality sometimes, it’s uncanny.
“Anna bella, come and give an old man a kiss. You are your mamma’s image, do you know that? I am glad to see you are keeping the boys on their toes,” Rafaello says before Anna double cheek kisses him and throws her arms around him to embrace him fondly.
“Okay, I need to get back to work. You youngsters enjoy your evening. Anything you need, we will see to it. Lucca, your guests are upstairs in the private dining area. If I get a chance, I will join you later.” After patting Lucca’s back and kissing me and Anna, he walks off towards the back of the restaurant.
Armando guides us upstairs. I keep a grip on Lucca’s hand and Anna follows, jibing Armando about not returning her phone calls. Reaching the top, we’re shown into a separate room which is occupied already with Lucca’s work colleagues.
The men stand when they see us entering. Anna squawks in delight and throws her arms around a very beautiful young blonde girl whom I assume is Kimberley, the assistant.
Hmmm, not sure how I feel about this. She’s very pretty and sexy. It unnerves me, I think.
“Lexi, this is one of my very best friends in the world, Kimberley Franks. I did not know you were coming tonight.” Anna gestures towards her. Kimberley: petite, slim, pure blonde, very attractive, and dressed to impress. She shakes my hand rather coldly and gives me a half-hearted smile. Her taciturnity isn’t lost on me.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you finally. Anna has told me some very wonderful things about you,” she forces through a croaked voice.
Fake. I wish I could say the same, but I don’t know anything about her other than she’s assists Suzanne, Lucca’s PA.
“Thank you, Kimberley. It’s a pleasure. So how do you girls know each other?” I ask with uncertainty while I watch Kimberley burn Lucca with a smouldering look. I’ve got her sussed out after only a few seconds—she is protective of Lucca and aloof towards me.
He’s not hers to protect. Why is she being so hostile?
Rage.
Anna fills me in briefly that they went to university together and became very close friends.
Noted and filed. I must quiz Lucca about Kimberley. I wonder if he employed her because of a loyalty towards Anna, or because he was fucking her.
Closing the space, she turns towards Lucca and kisses him on the side of his lips, holding just a little too long for my liking. Lucca clears his throat and steps back, trying to maintain professionalism.
Fuck!
File F for flirting. Flirting with the boss will need to stop.
After Kimberley sits, the rest of the table walks around to meet and congratulate us.
Overwhelmed, I try to remember everyone’s names and take everything in during the bustling chaotic introductions. I didn’t get the chance to meet them when Lucca and I were at his office; they were in a meeting. Suzanne Myers, Lucca’s personal assistant, is very warm towards me.
On first impression, Suzanne is sophisticated, smart, and obviously a very clever woman. She wears her caramel blonde-brown hair to her shoulders … straight and tidy. A straight, dark grey tailored dress and fitted suit jacket looks as though it could be her business attire and flatters her hourglass shaped figure. Height wise … I tower above her, but then I am wearing high heeled shoes. The navy blue spectacles she wears accentuates her dark blue eyes and I notice she has freckles, a ruddy complexion, and doesn’t wear a lot of makeup. There’s something very pretty about her because she looks honest and natural. At her greeting, I notice she has a northern rasp to her accent, very similar to my mother’s actually.
Suzanne shakes Lucca’s hand to welcome him and then my own. I instantly like her, preferring her use of social skills.
Appropriate.
She maintains professionalism and decorum, unlike Kimberley’s flirtatious ways. I think Suzanne may be in her late forties, and I can’t put my finger on it, but she reminds me of someone. I must ask Lucca about later.
She smiles at me for a long time, it’s not intimidating, it’s sincere and genteel because there is a kindness and warmth in her eyes. They are filled with compassion and almost appear motherly. It’s weird; it’s as if she understands that I’m broken. And for a moment, I think she wants to say something but hesitates.
“Suzanne, thank you for all the arrangements you’ve made for us. We really appreciate it,” I say with sincerity because she has been exceptionally helpful and has worked hard fulfilling all Lucca’s requests. I know there must be more important responsibilities to her job than making reservations. If anything, she probably delegates them to Kimberley. That thought makes me shiver. I don’t like that Kimberley might know personal details about Lucca and me.
“Of course, you’re very welcome. No problem at all, I’m happy to help.” She smiles and places her spectacles on her head. I’m fascinated because her smile and mannerisms seem quite familiar.
Andy Johnston, his project manager, is first to make pleasantries. Andy is a slightly older man with a round face, bald head, and a well-proportioned body. His scent is distinctive—musky. He appears quiet and seems like a private person.
Lyle Graham is next in line. He has fiery-red, wavy hair, a reddish tinge to his complexion, and some rough stubble around his jaw. He wears spectacles which compliment his look. Lyle is Lucca’s head of contractors and has worked for him for a long time. He has a large team working on various projects Lucca is developing.
“Miss Robertson, welcome. It’s an honour to meet you.” He kisses my hand, and I’m intrigued with his debonair English accent.
The next two gentlemen have clear hunger in their eyes as they rake over my body making me a little uneasy. They have both been burning me with their heated gaze since we entered the room.
Greedy-eyes introduces himself as Chris McCarron, Lucca’s accountant. He has big blue eyes, shaggy blond hair, and is probably the same age as Lucca. He places his hand around my back, holding his hand just over the dimples at the top of my ass, and kisses me.
“Holy shit, you really are beautiful. Lucca is a lucky man. I hope he has you insured because he needs to protect his assets,” he says assertively.
I’m sure it’s meant as a compliment, but he’s far too close for me, and I start to squirm. Lucca looks irate. He growls under his breath as he places his hand on Chris’s upper arm to release his embrace.
“Too close, mate.”
Chris immediately releases me then mumbles something as he sits down next to Lyle and Andy leaving the last and equally as lascivious man to introduce himself.
Wanting-eyes is Omari Farid, Lucca’s solicitor. He strides over to me looking devilishly handsome and intrigued. He is also very attractive with dark, smooth skin, striking features, and a very good physique, evident by the way his black fitted shirt clings to his every muscle.
My heart starts racing when he approaches me. He’s affecting me, and I’m sure it’s his Australian accent p
rovoking unsettling memories. He places his arm around my waist and kisses my cheek before whispering into my ear, “Hey, if you ever get tired of that persistent fucker Lucca, I’ll be waiting.” He pulls away chuckling before Lucca can object.
He has rendered me speechless. I know these are Lucca’s friends and they enjoy friendly banter, but I’m a little surprised with how relaxed and informal they are.
“Baby, go sit next to Suzanne. I will be back in a minute,” Lucca suggests to me softly, then turns around, flicking his suit jacket back as his hands enter his trouser pockets.
He is serious.
“Omari, Chris, got a minute?” There is no real question—he’s demanding their time. They both follow him out of the private dining area.
“What was that all about?” Anna asks.
“I don’t know.” Although my suspicion is that Lucca is setting them both straight for flirting with me.
Suzanne shakes her head. “Those boys … sometimes they don’t know how to behave and when to grow up. They need to settle down and invest all their hard earned money into a family instead of this single, adventurous lifestyle they’re accustomed to. They need to take a leaf out of Lucca’s book. I don’t know how those two get through their business. But Lucca trusts them implicitly and they are very clever boys. They are comfortable around Lucca, and perhaps it’s too forward for meeting you for the first time. I can see how it would be overwhelming,” Suzanne comments about Chris and Omari.
Anna laughs at Suzanne’s explanation while Kimberley chokes so hard Anna has to pat her back. I feel Kimberley’s eyes scrutinize my every move. I can barely bring myself to strike up conversation, and I must appear very rude. I suddenly wish this night would end very quickly. Marco has joined us, and I am glad of the distraction.
It’s extremely intense.
Andy, Lyle, Suzanne, Marco, and I chat while Anna and Kimberley catch up.
Lucca, Chris, and Omari return. Lucca walks around the table, takes his suit jacket off, and hangs it over the back of the chair. He sits down next to me, wrapping one arm around my shoulders as the other clasps my left hand. He rubs his thumb over the large blue diamond of my engagement ring, and I wonder if this is to remind the boys that I belong to him. Maybe it would be nice for Lucca to wear a ring from me marking our relationship, so all those women know he’s taken.