L'amore: The Luminara Series

by SJ Molloy

  Lucca opens the passenger door and slides in.

  “Do you like it?” he asks. “It is your gift of the day.”

  My eyes pool with happy, delighted tears. “I love it, but I can’t believe you got me an Aston Martin. This car is truly amazing. I don’t know what to say other than thank you. And you are my gift of the day. Every day.”

  “Do you like the colour I chose? I thought of the blue orchid.”

  I think of his eyes.

  “Yes, it’s beautiful. I would have picked this myself.” Nibbling on my bottom, I broaden my smile, appreciating the custom designed colour.

  I throw my arms around his neck. Then, completely out of character for me, I twist and throw myself on his lap, straddling him. I’m so overwhelmed, I just want to hold him and shower him with gratitude.

  I kiss him as his hands slide into my silk robe. I press my naked body against his, and he clenches my ass.

  “Fuck, if this is the appreciation I get, I need to do this more often. I want to take you right now, right here.”

  “What about Rose and Peter?” I consider.

  “Relax, they are in the village. Then they are going away for the weekend since we are having the family over.”

  I dive my tongue deep into his mouth and ask for it, so of course, I get it.

  In the front seat of my new car. With the hood down. In broad daylight.

  Car sex. My new favourite.

  Leaning against his chest, I’m soaked in perspiration. Spent, happy, and content. His arms are still wrapped around me inside the silk robe; his lounge pants are dropped to his ankles. We press foreheads and caress each other.

  “That was fucking amazing. We definitely need to do this more often,” he says before biting my bottom lip.

  “Mmmm hmmm,” I mutter in my sated trance. “This is an amazing surprise.”

  “So was this. I love it when you unexpectedly jump me. That was hot as hell.” He traces his thumb around the curve of my breast.

  “And I thought you were a romantic.” I smirk back.

  “I am romantic, ravenous, raw, and randy as fuck. Lucky for you.” He winks then darts his tongue out to slide along my bottom lip.

  “You’re an ass and full of yourself.” I’m trying so hard not to giggle, watching him waggle his eyebrows.

  “Lex, you are dying to laugh and you know that I am right.”

  “You missed the part about being cocky, persistent, obnoxious, confident, bossy, temperamental, and possessive.” I laugh, jabbing at his chest.

  “It is good to see you smile again,” he sighs wholeheartedly, dismissing the character I’ve just gave him.

  Cocky.

  Persistent.

  Obnoxious.

  Confident.

  Bossy.

  Temperamental.

  Possessive.

  “Of course, there are lots of compliments I can give you too,” I add for safe measure.

  “Oh, pray tell.” He moves some long, stray curls away from my face.

  “Nope, your ego is big enough. Can I look at the other car now?” As I twist and slide back on the driver’s seat, he playfully smacks my ass.

  The second car is a black BMW X5 SUV. Lucca explains he traded his Land Rover in as he wanted a newer, durable four-wheel drive for visiting the construction sites, and I can use it for Doris, so it was a sensible decision.

  This car is also luxurious, but it’s a formidable family car with seven seats. It will be practical for Lucca’s large family should they travel with him. After the interior tour, he takes my hand, guiding me around the front of both vehicles.

  I gasp when I see the registration plates. The Aston Martin plate reads CAR US07 and the BMW reads LEX1.

  OH. MY. GOD!

  I have my own name on a plate, this is very surreal.

  Understanding the significance of LEX1, I am baffled looking at the Aston Martin because Lucca already has CAR USO4.

  Why would he need another?

  “Lucca, the plates are amazing, but I don’t understand why you have your surname again.”

  “It is your car, baby, and as you agreed to be my wife, you will have my name very soon. I spoke to the family, and as a gift I am giving you 07, the next Caruso plate. I wanted to keep it for our wedding, but since the cars were ready, I thought I would just use them. So you will have to marry me now.” He exhales on his last words, awaiting my reaction.

  He’s nervous. He also asked me again last night with the orchid petals. It’s as if he thinks I’m going to change my mind.

  “Lucca, it’s too generous, too much, but of course I’m marrying you. I just said that I’d like to wait awhile before we rush into it, but that doesn’t mean I’m not marrying you. I told you, you are mine. In every way.” He trails his thumb over my bottom lip. “Are you sure that your family is okay with this? I don’t have your name yet, and we haven’t been together long.”

  “Yes, they are fine. Kate has a private registration that her father got her years ago, so she will not change it, and Sarah is not into flashy things. She cringes when she has to use Armando’s car. Anna already has 06.”

  “Maybe the number should be kept for your nieces and nephews.”

  “No, you are going to be the next Caruso, so it is yours, lucky seven. I want you to have it. I am serious. I want you as my wife, Lexi.”

  I think this is his way of manipulating me into a speedy marriage. “Nice try. I love the cars, and the plates, but I’m happy to wait a little bit longer before jumping into the registry office.” I turn on my bare heels and walk back inside.

  I can hear him chuckle behind me. Damn, he’s infuriating sometimes.

  Chapter 8

  Episodes

  I dress in a designer black chiffon blouse and slim fitting capri trousers—an outfit Lucca bought me that I wore on holiday and brought back with me. I tidy up the breakfast dishes and kitchen since Lucca’s housekeepers are not back in until Monday and Rose is away for the weekend. I quite like doing normal things, and it’s nice having the house all to ourselves because I imagine it’s going to be chaotic with the family later on.

  I’m conscious of my time, so I fluff up the cushions on the sofas and arrange the flowers we brought down from the suite. Separating them into vases, I place them in the hallway, lounge, and dining room.

  I have a doctor’s appointment. Then I need to check on Mr. Carlin, meet Lucy for lunch, and make some calls. I call Hazel and ask her to come and pick me up to take me to the doctors as I don’t want to disturb Lucca while he’s working and I’m still not cleared for driving. I give her the new code for the gates after our unexpected visitor the other night. She parks her silver Renault Clio beside mine, and I hear her squawking outside. I walk out to meet her, and she shakes her head, eyeing me up.

  “Aye, aye, Captain. Reporting for duty.” She salutes. “How’s my little cub today? Wow, you brush up well, Roo, even in plain clothes you still look like a million dollars. So tell me, are you feeling better? Did you two talk? And is the love boat calm or is it still rocking?”

  “Thanks … and I’m good. I feel so much better. We talked and worked it out eventually, and I’ve caught up on some sleep. He knows how I feel and I’m glad I got it off my chest.” I smile and twirl the button on the sleeve of my blouse.

  “Well that’s a relief. I’m so glad you worked it out.” She cuddles me, admires the front of the house, then focuses on the garden. Are these your new cars, Roo? Bloody hell, you’ll have your own helicopter next. How exciting is this? Right, let’s have the tour of the castle. I’m so excited.”

  “I like your jeans. Do you think I should change?” I ask her. She’s wearing tight, indigo denim jeans with a pink vest top and pink lipstick. I feel overdressed now for a trip to the doctor’s.

  “No, you look lovely,” she replies, sashaying past me.

  Doris and Lucca walk into the hall. She has really settled in and seems to be like Lucca’s shadow. She even lies on the floor at
the bottom of his desk in the study when he’s working. He’s in his sexy jeans and a tight, grey knit V-neck top. I smile because his top is actually the same colour as Doris coat.

  He kisses Hazel on both cheeks and lets Doris rampage out onto the front lawn. I hear Hazel apologise for slapping him, but he says he deserved it and she agrees. I expect there to be some hostility between them, but it’s not too bad. I think that Hazel has made herself clear and Lucca respects her for taking such good care of me … an understanding of sorts.

  “So you look as if you’re bonding well with Doris,” Hazel remarks, lifting an eyebrow. She is thinking the exact same thing as me; he has fallen for the dog despite what he says about her.

  “I do not know if I would call it bonding as such. It’s more like she does not give me a fucking minute’s peace,” Lucca mumbles back, raising his own eyebrow and causing me to give him an almighty scowl. I expected him to say that. He’s in denial.

  “Lucca, have you got time to show Hazel around? I need to call my mum before I go out,” I ask.

  “Yes, of course. Hazel, are you and Dominic coming over later?”

  “We wouldn’t miss it for the world. What should we bring?” She pulls her hair over one shoulder and runs her hand down the length then flicks it back over again. That’s the thing about Hazel; once she’s said her piece and got something off her chest, she moves on.

  “Just your swim gear, and do not eat dinner. We will eat later. You are welcome to stay over,” Lucca replies. I’m thankful that he’s making an effort and not allowing our recent drama to create any added tension between them.

  She rubs her hands with excitable anticipation and smiles at his gesture.

  I warn Lucca that Hazel might throw the feathers out of the pillows and slide down the banister during the tour, taking my thoughts back to my first tour with Lucca.

  Stair sex.

  My new favourite.

  He curls his lip at one side and flashes a smouldering glance. He’s having his own memory of that tour and our mind-blowing stair sex. I’m blushing when I leave them to go into the lounge and call my mum.

  I take a deep breath, wondering what sort of mood she’ll be in. “Mum … It’s me.”

  There is a long pause for a long time.

  “Alexis, sweetheart, it’s so good to hear your voice.” Her voice is breaking, and I can hear the distant quiver behind it. “Your brother says you enjoyed your trip. I’m glad you had a good time. I’ve been desperate to hear all about it. I hope you were careful. Tell me … were you careful?”

  And there it is—the paranoia.

  “Yes, of course I was careful. I was very safe. Hazel and I had an amazing time, the weather was lovely, the food was to die for, and we met some amazing, wonderful people.”

  “Oh, you met people? Strangers?” She’s raising her voice.

  Ouch.

  I pick up a loose wave from my hair and twiddle it around my finger as I slump into the sofa, feeling exhausted already.

  “Um … Yes,” I say flatly.

  “Alexis Evangeline Robertson, you’re hiding something from me, and I want to know what it is. I did not raise you to be dishonest with me. I love you, and I’m concerned about you. Please, baby girl, don’t keep me closed out all the time. I hate it. We should be able to share things. What happened to you?” Panic in my mum’s voice tells me she’s hysterical with worry and distraught because she’s imagining the worst.

  “Before I’m honest with you, I want you to remain impartial and calm. Please, just trust me. I … I want you to be happy for me.” I’m reluctant to tell her, but I have to.

  “Alexis, tell me now. You’re worrying me.”

  Damn, I knew it. She’s going to freak out. Maybe I should have got Cameron to tell her after all. Here goes.

  “Mum, I’ve fallen in love. I’ve met someone, someone very special whom I care a great deal for. I love him and he loves me.” My fingers tighten and my chest pounds as I wait on her reaction.

  There is a silent pause—a long, silent pause.

  “Mum, did you hear me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, are you going to ask me anything?” I sound like a young, naive girl seeking approval, but it’s because I love her and respect her.

  “You’ve met a man? Let me just get my head around this,” she finally says.

  “Yes, on holiday … well, actually, I met him here first, but then … well, never mind. But just so you know, he loves me unconditionally and takes wonderful care of me.” I plump up the cushions beside me, lift my legs, tuck my feet underneath me, and sit on them.

  “You’re seeing someone? Like a boyfriend?” she deadpans.

  I’m not sure if her meds are slowing her down, but she sure is taking a while to process this. She’s in bloody denial. It is a lot for her to process. I’ve never had a boyfriend.

  “Yes, his name is Lucca. He’s very special to me, Mum, and I want you to meet him.” I twirl my hair around my fingers again and nibble my bottom lip.

  “Alexis, how could you? How could you put your trust into a complete stranger? You know how I feel about that. Does Cameron know? Do your grandparents know?”

  She’s furious but more than that, she sounds distraught at the concept I might not be safe. She will make herself sick being frantic and I worry that this will send her into an episode. Knowing she’s agitated upsets me because I fully understand why she is, and there’s not much I can do to change how she feels. Her fears will always be with her.

  “Yes, they know, but I asked them not to bother you with this because I wanted to tell you first. Mum, please don’t be angry with me. I’ve never felt better. I have had a new lease on life. Lucca is caring, attentive, generous, kind, and loving, and he understands me. He’s helped me to feel alive and taught me things about myself and has been exceptionally patient.” I speak softly and carefully. I’m pleading for her understanding with a certain edge of cautiousness in my cadence. Often when she’s frantic, I sometimes need to mollycoddle her by tiptoeing around her. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

  I bring the back of my fingers to my mouth and wiggle them around nervously. This is not going well. I’d rather she was frantic than impassive because at least I would know what she was thinking.

  “Mum, say something,” I whimper as tears prick my eyes.

  I’m hurt.

  She’s hurt.

  I’m hurt because she’s hurt.

  “You always said you wanted the best for me, that you wanted me to be happy, and that you wanted my wings to spread. I finally have all these things, and you can’t be happy for me. I just want you to trust my judgement and know that I would never put myself in an unsafe environment or relationship. You know that I’m sensible and I want you to know that it wasn’t a rash decision; I went through more emotions than I care to tell you while I deliberated having this relationship.” The lump lodged in my throat isn’t moving. I struggle to breathe and swallow.

  “If it makes you feel any better, Cameron and Hazel both adore Lucca, and Mr. Carlin has warmed to him,” I continue through sharp sobs.

  “I don’t know what to make of all this. It’s very sudden. You have always been cautious and then you saunter off to Italy and return with a stranger in the blink of an eye? Am I the only person seeing sense here? You are vulnerable and have a horrendous burden to carry. You don’t just meet someone and have it all go away.” Her voice is high-pitched because she’s so alarmed, by the time she finishes, she is breaking and tears are going to follow. I know it.

  I know that only too well.

  “It will never go away, Mum, I know that. Lucca has helped me in ways other people couldn’t. We are very close, and I love him. He knows of my past and is understanding and protective. Why can’t you believe me? If it were Cameron, you wouldn’t question it.” I’m restless and agitated; I uncurl my legs from under me, stretch, then kick a cushion onto the floor.

  “That’s different, and you kn
ow it. He’s not broken like you are.”

  But he is, in other ways, she is just clouded because Cameron appears stronger. Why does she need to make me feel worse than I already do?

  “Are you sleeping with him?” She sounds accusatory and I know she’s being exceptionally judgemental before I even answer.

  Oh God, this is not a question I want to answer. “Yes, I’m twenty-six years old, and we love each other.” I blush because as I’ve never had a relationship. I’ve never had to have this chat with her before.

  “Oh for goodness sake, you know how I feel about that. I’m absolutely shocked. Next, you’ll be telling me you are running off to get married. I’m praying that you’re having sex through choice and that you’re not being forced. God, this is hard to understand. You’re not making this easy for me. I’m concerned and I don’t want you to get used or hurt.” I hear her breath falter. She sounds scared, as if she’s terrified for me. The possibilities she has already made up in her mind will be causing her much distress.

  My stomach catapults and drops with a sudden jerk to the cave of tormented demons. I have always thought I’ve put her feelings first, knowing what sort of dark place she fights so hard to surface from. And it’s apparently all right for Cameron to fuck every woman in the universe.

  She’s irrational.

  I don’t know what to say, so I am silent.

  “Alexis, you’re not telling me everything …. Oh God, please don’t tell me what I think you’re about to say.” I can hear her voice break.

  She has started crying.

  Some of her crying fits last for hours, and in cases in the past, she’s been sedated. I hope I’ve not brought that on for her sake. I hate that I’m hurting her. She has had so much hurt in her life, and she doesn’t need more, but I owe her honesty.

  “Mum, Lucca proposed to me. He has asked me to be his wife, and I said yes. I want to be his wife, not right away, but sometime in the future. He is the one for me. I think fate brought us together, and I need you to trust me and respect my wishes. I want this more than anything else. Grandpa is happy for me. Please, can you give me your blessing?” I plead as unruly tears cascade down my cheeks.