by SJ Molloy
Damn freaking body is a traitor.
“Pleasure to meet you again, Alexis. You look great, absolutely stunning,” he whispers.
Lucca grumbles and clears his throat. Blushing, I politely thank him modestly and smile at the rest of the group. Lucca growls again and tightens his grip on me. He inhales and expands his brawny chest, protectively towering behind me and reminding them I’m his. With reasonable manners, Lucca leans over and shakes all their hands in turn then pulls me back against his chest, firming his fingers over my hip and shooting Jackson a look of warning that only men understand.
“Lucca, mate, you are a lucky man,” Jordan says as he leans over to shake my hand.
“Thank you. I am extremely lucky and very grateful that this beautiful girl is all mine.”
Okay, he’s confirming his ownership and not messing around either, which I appreciate in this moment. Cameron has noticed it too.
“Lexi, you look great. It’s been like what two years?” Jordan says before sitting back down.
Lucca snorts and tenses. I believe he’s jealous.
“Hmmm, I’m not sure. Something like that,” I reply absentmindedly.
“What have you been busy doing?” Adam asks with interest in his voice.
I don’t know what to say. What should I say? Up until I met Lucca, life was fairly uninteresting.
Orderly?
Paranoid?
Insecure?
Dark?
Yes, all of the above.
“I’m a self-employed physiotherapist now,” I confidently reply. None of the above. Definitely not. Not anymore.
“Wow, that’s great. You know, we could put a word in. The team is looking for a new sports physiotherapist,” Jordan adds.
Before I reply, Lucca charges in, “Sorry, boys, thank you for the offer, but she is not practicing just now. She has an injury.” He sharply inhales a long breath, stroking my wrist. I grit my teeth and bristle so he knows I’m pissed at him for this and I’ll be having words with him about it.
“That’s a pity. I hope you recover soon. Keep it in mind and be sure to let Cameron know when you’re back practicing and we can make arrangements,” Ben adds.
Jackson leans back in his chair, studying me. Lifting his athletic arms, he runs his hand through his hair, holding on the back of his neck while the other traces the rim of the glass with his thumb. He’s trying to distract me, but I’m more distracted by Lucca’s fingers gripping my hipbone.
“Jackson has moved from Newton Mearns and bought a house in Bothwell,” Cameron says, moving on from the physio topic because he can see it’s pissing me off.
Well shit. Discovering Jackson will be living close by has me flustered. Not that I plan to see him, but it’s because of the perception I have of him. I’d rather not bump into him, even if he is Cameron’s friend. This will have Lucca going batshit crazy and he’ll probably put his house up for sale, knowing he is a neighbour.
“I think you live near Lucca and Lexi actually,” Cameron adds.
Yep, I better get packing boxes. We’ll be on the move. Shit!
Jackson’s eyebrows lift, piqued by curiosity. “Where are you, mate?” he asks.
Castello di Lucca.
I hear Lucca’s low muffled groan. “The Smithstone,” he retorts.
Jackson seems surprised. “Yes, I know where you are. Great property I hear. We’re in the next street,” he advises.
“Such a small world. That is great, it is a lovely area,” Lucca scoffs.
I’m relieved. “We,” as in plural, as in not just Jackson, so he must have a girlfriend.
“Cam tells us you have a footie match on the horizon,” Jackson says.
“That is right. I enjoy a game, but my mates, Omari and Chris, think they are shit hot.” Dry and cold. I’m not mistaking it. Lucca normally is much more pleasant and has better social skills.
“Well, we’d be happy to get involved. I’ll speak with management. You ever considered doing a charity match?” There is a softness and slight enthusiasm to Jackson’s tone.
That gets Lucca’s thinking. He relaxes in his tight grip. I remember my conversation with Ms. Morrison about Lucca’s contribution to charities through the churches, so maybe Jackson has won him over. He has definitely chilled out.
Phew, there will be no blood spilled today.
“So what do you do, Lucca, if you don’t mind me asking?” Blonde haired, blue-eyed Ben asks in interest.
Fair question, I suppose, but I also know how modest Lucca can be.
“Lucca owns Luminara,” Cameron butts in.
Idiot of a brother.
“Wow, we often have nights out there. Great place. We actually have a team night out booked there soon,” Adam adds.
“Great, well, I will make sure you boys are looked after and have a good night. I can make arrangements for you to have the club exclusively.” Lucca’s business head has taken over.
“Excellent, mate. That would be great.” Jordan is enthusiastic.
“Lucca is CEO of Osurac Industries as well as owner of The Club di Energia chain. Luminara is only a small part of that,” I blurt. Me and my big bloody mouth. I feel as if I want to place my man on a pedestal—to praise his worthiness, his achievements and assets and to crush their ever-growing egos.
Lucca leans in and whispers in my ear, “Cavewoman.” Curling his lip, he smirks at me, and I hold my laughter back.
“Our girlfriends and wives are all members at your club,” Jordan adds.
“Yes, I am aware. I hope they are happy with the facilities.” He’s definitely not as brusque, and there is no sharp edge in his tone. He’s probably more relaxed talking about work and that I’m not the topic of conversation. I backtrack with his last comment.
How does he know their wife and girlfriends? Obviously he owns the club, but he’s never there because he’s normally at the main office. And does he make a point to get to know every single member on the database?
Hmmm… sorted and filed. I’ll be turning this page back later. I decide to go before I blurt out anything else silly or before the conversation comes back around to me.
“If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, it’s been a pleasure to meet you again. Good luck for next week’s final. Ethan, Tyler, I wish you all the best settling into your new team. I’m sure you’ll do great, and Cameron will keep me informed, I’m sure.” I smile before moving forward.
I politely shake Ethan’s and Tyler’s hands, causing all the men to stand. I repeat the gesture with the other four, and it’s not lost on me that there is no cheek kissing this time. Lucca has conquered that notion and I’m glad.
A few months ago, the thought of standing in front of a group of men like this would have petrified me and there is no way I would have moved forward to offer hand shaking the way I just did. The fact that they are Cameron’s friends makes it easier and also that Lucca is holding me tightly. After socialising here and in Tuscany with Lucca’s family, I am becoming more relaxed. It’s not the thought of this group or the fact they are men that’s making me restive; it’s the way they’re looking at me. I don’t remember them looking at me like this before, or maybe I was just not aware of it.
“I’ll leave you boys talking football. I’m off to find the girls.”
“Excuse me just a second, boys” Lucca takes my hand and walks me away from the table towards the circle floor area. “You are so fucking adorable. I love how you claimed me and bragged, but you did not need to do that.”
“You’re mine and I’m proud of you, so you deserve a little bragging,” I relent.
He wraps his arms around my waist and kisses my lips chastely. Closing my eyes, I forget where we are for a moment. He parts his lips from mine, keeping our foreheads touching. Inhaling his intoxicating scent and filling my lungs, I sigh. Then catch a glimpse of Jackson curiously watching us. Lucca’s hand comes up and places a loose curl behind my ear.
“You don’t like him, do you?” I ask and don’t
need to say who; he knows I’m referring to Jackson.
“Nope, not one fucking bit. He has it bad for you. I will be civil for now as he is Cameron’s friend, but I will be watching him.” His body is tense and rigid. He’s serious in his alpha male stupor. “He makes you uneasy.” It’s a statement but he says it in a way he’s asking me.
“A little,” I reply, briefly glimpsing over to him.
“Stay away from him … for me? He has a reputation.” He’s sincere and gentle.
“Of course I will. You don’t have to ask, but I don’t want it to interfere with an opportunity for charity football. Omari and Chris would be thrilled, and it could be good publicity for your business as well as a brilliant opportunity to contribute to charity.” I nibble my bottom lip and smile, watching the kids playing on the circled floor area.
“Perhaps, I am not sure now. I will chat to the boys about it. Here, I have something for you. Give me your hand.” I hold my palm out and he puts his hand in his blazer pocket and places a plastic card in my hand.
“What’s this?”
“It is your new bank card.”
“But I don’t bank with this chain.” Then reality dawns on me as I look up and sigh, not amused in the slightest. “This is your bank?” I lower my tone.
He kisses me. “Yes, I have added you to my accounts. The pin number for this account is in your phone, but once you have memorised it, please delete it. The sooner we get married the better. I would like to be placing Mrs. Caruso’s new card in her palm.”
I’m speechless. It takes me a moment to shake off my stunned expression. “You can’t give me access to your accounts. It’s not my money. I have a wage and I can survive. Actually, that reminds me. Why did you tell the boys I’m not working? I didn’t appreciate the way you barged in and answered for me. I will be going back to work, Lucca. I trained for years. I’m good at what I do, and I enjoy my job. It is not your place to tell me if I can work or not. And Mark is my business partner. It’s his lively hood too, so my contribution and any patients I bring in affects the success and reputation of the business and his financial security.” I cross an arm over my chest and rub my arm.
“I know it is, and I know your work is important to you, and I get why it is important. You like to help people and you like your independence. I said that because I do not want you to work anywhere you feel uncomfortable, and in a football club full of men …?” His eyes search mine. “I know I would not be comfortable with it, and you definitely would not either. I was thinking, if and when you want to go back, I would like to invest in your business. We could source premises for you and Mark, so as opposed to hiring the room at the club, you would have your very own practice. Something stable and permanent.” His brilliant smile shows he is deadly serious and it’s well thought out.
“Wow, I was not expecting that. I thought you were going to try and convince me not to work,” I say, wide-eyed and smiling. Investing is so much different than just buying me something.
He cups my cheek with one hand. “You do not need to work, and I would love to take care of you and give you all the things you deserve, but if it is that important to you, then I would love to help any way I can. It will give you a sense of achievement by helping others, and it will help Mark out financially if your business grows.”
He presents the card to me again. “For now, I want you to take this bank card.”
“No, you can’t give me that, but I will definitely consider a business proposal, to help grow our physio business.” I know when he gets persistent there is no reasoning, but perhaps by me accepting his help with my work, he’ll compromise and accept I’ll live off my own earnings.
“Yes, I can. Everything I have is yours now.” He lifts my hand and places it on his heart, the plastic card stuck between his shirt and my hand. His blue eyes sparkle like they did when he gave me my first gift … the Cartier watch.
“And what if I run off into the sunset and bleed you dry?” I’m being sarcastic.
He starts laughing. “Do not make me laugh. Lexi, it is not in your nature. Plus, I know you hate shopping. I want you to be secure, and if I am at work and there is something you need, you can have it. I do not want you to want for anything in life ever again.” Pain flashes through his eyes. He presses them closed tensing his jaw.
“If this is about me telling you why I run barefoot and my nightmares about the bush, Lucca, you don’t need to give me access to your money because of something that happened when I was a child. I don’t want for anything. I’ll never be hungry and I have your love. That’s what’s important. Lucca, look at me.” I need to see his eyes the same way he does when I’m conflicted.
He opens his eyes, his breath ragged. “Lexi, I want to do this for you, to take care of you. I told you that in Tuscany even before I learned of your misfortunes. I need you to take this. It is my responsibility to take care of you, and I want to very much. Please, Doc?”
Thanks to these ridiculous shoes, I am able to lean my head on the front of his shoulders. “Thank you, I do appreciate the gesture, but no.” I remove my hand and place the card in the back pocket of his jeans, keeping my hand there a little longer than necessary and groping his amazing butt cheek.
“We are not arguing about this here. Take the card back,” he demands, shocked I’ve refused it.
“No.” I slip my hand out his pocket, stand back, and press my lips together, knitting my brow.
“Why?” I can see his jaw twitch. He’s trying to keep his cool, but I know he’s getting irritated. The more I refuse him, the more frustrated he’ll get, so I try and sound convincing with control in my tone to make him see reason.
“Because I just want you. I don’t need anything else.” Crossing my arms over my chest I watch him sigh and shake his head. Why does he not believe me? I’ve always told him I just need him.
“Is this because of what your mother said?” Grabbing his bottom lip with his middle finger and thumb, he pinches and pulls it then rubs his jaw. I’d say he is beyond frustrated now and here is not the place for me to talk about it and get him worked up.
Yes. I don’t respond. I look down instead.
“Doc, please take the card.” His steps towards me, sighing in exasperation.
“No, I don’t want it.” I’m not backing down. I raise my voice and mimic his loud sighing so he knows I’m angry.
“For fuck’s sake, you are driving me crazy. Stop arguing with me and take the goddamn card, or I will pick you up in a fireman’s lift and walk with you into every fucking shop in Glasgow and make sure you use it.” His posture has become tense, and he sounds deadly serious. His eyes narrow on me and his jaw twitches.
Shit.
He runs his fingers through his hair.
I unfold my arms, hand now on my hip, and step back evaluating the seriousness of his threat. “You wouldn’t dare.”
He exhales in exasperation again, a flicker of certainty in his eyes. “One last chance,” he warns.
The football team boys are all witnessing this. “Lexi, you might want to reconsider that,” Armando adds. He has left his table and is playing with the kids on the floor space behind us.
I ignore him. “I’ll be back shortly. Go and talk to the boys and keep your eye on the kids.” I turn on my heels and walk towards our table to retrieve my handbag. Savio has just ended a phone call and watches me approach, looking flushed with anger. I only make it a few steps before I squeal as my body is swiftly lifted off the floor. I’m hanging over Lucca’s shoulder leaving everyone chuckling at Lucca’s exhibition.
“Put me down.”
“No.”
“Lucca Caruso, put me down right now!” I yell and try to wiggle. His grip only holds me tighter. My cheeks are red and my long, brown, glossy locks are hanging down past his butt. His hand is splayed across my ass in my tight figure-hugging dress in an attempt to preserve my modesty.
Oh dear Lord. Beam me up because I’m mortified.
“I thin
k we will go to that boutique in the corner since we need to get new lingerie. I keep tearing all the others off you,” he says loud enough so everyone hears.
Bastard!
The entire table of boys have overhead and will love to relish in the details.
I smack his back. “Lucca!” I scold him. “Cameron, tell him to put me down!”
“Sorry, Lex. I’m actually finding this rather amusing.”
Bastard!
“Lucca, drop me right now,” I bark, then I ruffle a sigh as I know he’s not going to when he starts walking with me. “
Will you accept?”
“Yes, just let me down,” I moan.
Folded, crumbled, but definitely not melted.
Not under these circumstances.
Slowly, he slides me down his body in a tight embrace. I rub against every toned ripple of his eight pack abdominal muscles then his hard bulge. Oh God, it’s turned him on.
Bloody horny asinine arse.
My hair is all over the place, so now I actually do look like his cavewoman. Sniggering, he moves it away from my face. I’m breathing frantically and very hot. He kisses me in apology, but I press my lips firmly closed, not returning the gesture because I am so pissed off.
“Will you accept the card?”
“Yes, but that was uncalled for,” I snap, jabbing my finger in his chest.
“Please, be reasonable. It was just a bit of fun, and you will be my wife soon enough, so I want to share everything with you. It is important for me to take care of you.” He places his arms around my neck and pulls me in closer to him so our foreheads touch.
“Lucca, you embarrassed me, and everyone is staring at us.”
“Fuck them, let them stare. I just need you to do this for me. You really are stubborn, Miss Robertson, but I fucking love it,” He says, grinning with his wicked smile.
I sigh, rolling my eyes. “Give me the card before I faint, and if you don’t see me again … I’ve run away,” I jest in surrender.
His eyes burn me. He’s not amused. “Do not say shit like that. It is not funny. You promised not to run again.”