“You know, Lucy, I want to thank you and your aunt...er...God rest her soul, for this wonderful wedding you’re putting on for us. It’s a dream come true,” Toni said as he looked lovingly into Shelly’s eyes.
Lucy exchanged a glance with Maxine. It translated to I-really-hope-this-works-out-for-them-because-they-are-such-a-nice-couple. Maxine appeared to have swallowed hard. Lucy could also feel a lump in her throat.
“Come. Let’s go out into the garden where part of the ceremony will take place.” Toni escorted them outside to the patio then led them down a pathway to the fertile garden.
Lucy noted the two trees near the pond where Shelly wanted to be tossed from the slingshot to the aisle and they had already worked out with the videographer and DJ how they would film it to the Fun Birds soundtrack and quirky bird sound noise complete with slingshot. Lucy felt a migraine coming on and she really didn’t know why. Perhaps it was the whole litigious angle not to mention the safety-risk involved.
“I’ve already gotten fitted for the harness that will go with the gown,” Shelly beamed. “I’m so thrilled to be doing this. My friends are going to have a blast. We’re going to post this on YouTube. It will be great, won't it?”
Oh. No.
“Um. Oh. Yes.” Lucy hesitated. It’s about the client. It’s about their happiness. It’s about them, not me—or Antonio! God, there was that Antonio again. Lucy’s thoughts were distracted by the sound of rotors in the distance. What the—?
She’d thought it might be some news chopper overhead but then realized that the helipad off in the distance was empty. It must be someone family related. Who could be flying at this time?
“Oh, great!” Toni seemed excited. “My grandson Antonio is here. You’ve met him, haven’t you?”
Lucy felt her stomach plunge to her feet.
CHAPTER SIX
And what an entrance that was. Toni, along with Shelly on his arm, walked over towards the helipad and his grandson. Lucy and Maxine followed closely behind. Lucy was chewing her lower lip so much so that she thought she tasted blood. Her heart thrashed about in her chest. As the blades slowed down and stopped, Antonio, looking hot as ever in his Ray-Ban aviator shades and expensive business suit, stepped off the chopper, along with another gentleman. Antonio wasn’t looking particularly pleased when his gaze met Lucy beside his grandfather while Shelly was waving maniacally at his grandfather’s side.
“Welcome home, my boy!. I see you wanted to avoid the evening rush-hour traffic again.”
“Grandfather,” Antonio formally greeted Toni. He then nodded to Shelly and glanced at Lucy and Maxine. He arched his eyebrow when his gaze met Lucy. Though the corner of his lips turned up slightly, the smile definitely did not reflect in his eyes. He pulled off his shades to reveal his dark and dangerously sexy gaze before re-focusing on the property.
“What is all of this?” Antonio asked as he scanned the area around him. Some of the decorating team had already begun the work on the garden for the upcoming wedding, getting the new gazebo reconstructed among other things.
“Have you met Lucy from the wedding agency?” Toni asked.
“Yes. We met last week.” Antonio’s voice was void of any emotion; his dark gaze was fixed on Lucy.
Lucy realized from staff at the estate that Antonio no longer resided there full-time but he had his home in the city, a penthouse in a luxury high-rise building that he owned, by the lake and would visit his elder periodically whenever business allowed.
And today had to be one of those days.
“Well, grandson, Lucy...along with her assistant, is just getting the setting for the wedding in place. She has her entire crew here and it looks as if we are going to pull this thing off, eh, pumpkin?” Toni then turned to Shelly and they smooched.
Lucy could see the queasiness on Antonio’s face. Then the look on his face turned to a scathing one directed towards Lucy. He narrowed his eyes and walked closely towards her. Lucy felt the penetrating heat of Antonio’s gaze and it was making her feel weak in the knees. But somehow she just didn’t feel threatened. It wasn’t a look of hate, it was something else. Perhaps annoyance that she dared disobey his command or the raw hurt that a lover gives to his love when she was about to do something cruel. But the difference was that Lucy and Antonio were nothing more than acquaintances.
“Why don’t we all walk back to the house?” Toni suggested as he and Shelly proceeded towards the main house from the helipad. The ground crew appeared on the scene and tended to the chopper. It must have been for maintenance, Lucy noted.
What a way to live.
As they traversed back on the well-kept grass, Antonio strolled with sophistication, his hands shoved in the pants pocket of his suit. His friend flanked him and Maxine walked closely beside Toni and Shelly as she held her iPad up chatting to them about locations on the estate for the ceremony.
“So, I see you’re following through on my orders very well,” Antonio said through clenched teeth.
“I can explain everything,” Lucy offered softly. Her voice trailed off and she wondered if Antonio even heard her. The others were busy talking so they seemed oblivious to the vibes between her and Antonio.
After having refreshments in one of the main dining quarters of the house, Antonio, who had been quiet through most of the meal, got up. “Grandfather, I would like to speak to Lucy alone in the study, if you don’t mind.”
“Oh, sure, Antonio. Is everything alright?”
“I have a few things to discuss with her. Things we’d spoken about last week.”
Maxine gave Lucy a peculiar look but his doting grandfather and his fiancée seemed unaware and carried on with their cuddling. “Very well. And Maxine?”
“Oh, I must be getting home.”
“But you don’t have a ride,” Lucy blurted out.
“We can have one of our drivers take her home. Or better yet, you can let her drive your car and I will take you home.”
“Sounds great!” Maxine enthused before Lucy could say anything.
Was it Lucy or was the heat climbing up in this place?
“Fine,” Lucy acquiesced. Great! Now she was at Antonio’s mercy and she had no other means to get home. But something told her Antonio wouldn’t leave her inconvenienced in any way. He seemed like too much of a gentleman to do so.
Lucy watched as Maxine departed the luxury living area and waved giving Lucy a salacious wink. Why that—!
It didn’t take Lucy long to realize that Maxine was thrilled she was leaving Lucy alone with Antonio. With the elder Romero gone to another part of the God-knows-how-large-this-place-was mansion, she was practically alone with Antonio, save for a few of the staff about the premises.
“After you,” Antonio offered as he directed Lucy down the tiled corridor. Artwork decorated the cream walls. She noted that the place had imported Italian molding top and bottom of the walls. It really seemed as if she were in some sort of museum. The place was quiet now, too.
They walked into the book-lined study. Lucy was in front of Antonio but when she spun her head around, she caught his salacious gaze that seemed to have fallen to her derriere. He didn’t even seem embarrassed when she caught him looking.
“So, you wanted to speak with me about your grandfather’s wedding?” Lucy cut into his gaze, feeling the heat rise to places in her body she wished it didn’t.
“Can I get you something to drink?”
“I’m fine, thank you. I’m still sort of full from the pastries and that delicious fruit tray.”
“Will you be staying for dinner?” he spoke softly.
“I...” would love to. “I can’t. I have so much work in the morning and-”
“Very well. I won’t keep you too long then. I’ll cut to the chase.”
Oh, no. Had she offended him? She just refused to have dinner with one of the hottest, eligible, affluent bachelors in the world. Was she crazy? Foot-in-mouth disorder. Arrgh! Stupid. You should have said hell, yeah! No wonder
you are still single.
“You seem to have given my grandfather the impression that the wedding is still forthcoming, Lucy.” Was that a question or a statement? Either way, his rich, deep tone of voice—that silky voice and the way he said her name Lucy in a low timbre captivated her.
“Listen, Antonio. I have no disrespect for you but...” This was not going to be as easy as she thought. A lump as large as a boulder seemed to have lodged in her throat. Damn, why the heck did Antonio have to look so hot? She was burning from the sexy heat of his delicious gaze. Even his name Antonio Romero was seductive.
Antonio Romero. Antonio Romeo. Antonio Romero. Lucy Romero. Stop it!!
That irresistible scent of his sweet cologne tickled her nostrils and lulled her into a dizzying calm state. But it wasn’t just that. It was his aura. There was something about being in this man’s presence. Heck, even looking at his tall, muscular-built frame. His excellent physique and his skin! His skin was almost flawless. He was blessed with good genes and good bone structure. She again noted his high cheekbones and chiseled features. His beautiful large, dark eyes and softly defined lips. Oh, those lips!
Okay, I’ve so got to focus here or that’s it for me. Game over.
Lucy closed her eyes for a moment feeling utterly incompetent. Why was Antonio Romero having this crazy effect on her? This was absolutely insane. She barely knew the guy. But, oh, she wanted to know him better. Much better. Even biblically. Stop it!
“Antonio,” she said almost breathless. “I realize how difficult this may be f-f-for you. We may not fully understand your grandfather’s happiness. But it is his to have...to decide on how he wants to be happy.” Oh, God! Why was she sounding like an incoherent idiot? “He obviously cares for Shelly. I want him to be happy.”
“You want him to be happy?” Antonio echoed. “You don’t know anything about my grandfather, Lucy. Loneliness and love are two completely different animals.”
“Loneliness?” Lucy repeated, incredulously.
“Yes, Lucy. My grandfather always had this fear of dying alone. Since my grandmother passed many years ago, he has been on a rollercoaster of indiscreet relationships and bad marital decisions. All of them ending bitterly in divorce. And all of them ending with my grandfather getting nothing but slapped with exorbitant spousal support. And what has he been left with?”
“A broken heart,” Lucy whispered, her voice trailing off. She swallowed hard. Her heart was pounding in her chest again. She could see raw hurt glittering in Antonio’s dark eyes. She really did not want to be responsible for Toni suffering more heartbreak, but on the other hand, what if this marriage did work out for him? But would young Shelly stick around for Toni until his final days, whenever that would be?
“Love is one heck of a ride, Antonio. It’s never easy. You never know how bumpy or smooth it’s going to be. You never know if you’ll have enough fuel to go the distance or if you’ll crash and burn.” Lucy bit down on her lower lip.
She noticed Antonio’s body language changed ever so slightly. He’d become more rigid. Then his eyes trailed to her lips. Damn! She must stop that awful habit of biting down on her lower lip. What must Antonio think of her? That she was some shy, awkward school girl who was indecisive?
“I like what you just said,” Antonio finally spoke in his deep, throaty voice. “It’s true.”
“I take it you’ve had your share of-” Lucy decided not to probe further. She thought it would be way too inappropriate at that time.
“Broken hearts?” Antonio interjected for her. A grin touched the corner of his lips. “Not exactly. I’ve been very disappointed, Lucy. But I don’t give my heart to just anyone.”
Whoa!
“Oh. Um...I didn’t mean...I mean...” Lucy didn’t know what to say and she bit down on her lip again. “I meant to say that love is one heck of a ride. But we won’t know if we’ll enjoy it or not if we don’t take the driver’s seat and punch the gas pedal. We need to steer ourselves where we want to go.” Okay, wow, that sounded awkward. Lucy chewed on her lip again.
“Please don’t do that,” he said quietly.
“What?”
His gaze fell on her lips again. “Never mind.” He exhaled sharply and moved over by the French glass doors leading to the garden from the study. The view was spectacular. There was so much greenery outside and the hills in the distance created a picture-perfect painting of the outdoors.
“The view is very nice,” Lucy said to break the tension.
“It’s okay. It was there when the house was built in the 1940s.”
House? That’s an understatement.
“Oh, nice. I absolutely love the view over there. God, it’s beautiful.”
“Want a closer look?” Antonio invited in a low, sultry voice that caused a little explosion of butterflies in her stomach.
God, that man could say Atlas and it would sound sexy as hell. The truth was, she would like a closer look at him.
“Do you want a tour?” he continued.
“Well, I’ve seen quite a bit of the property.”
“I’m not talking about the estate.”
“Oh,” Lucy answered, stunned. To what exactly was Antonio referring?
“I’m talking about the part beyond that stretch over there.” Antonio raised his hand to motion to the area beyond the hills. “I know my grandfather wouldn’t have anyone take a tour there. Well, not just anyone. It’s actually an area we keep away from most people.”
“Oh, and you want me to see it?”
“I’m a spontaneous man, Lucy,” Antonio proffered. “I don’t always plan things. I act on things.”
Like acting on the moment, Lucy guessed. “I’d love to. Thanks.” Lucy got up and reached for her handbag and her cardigan on the chair. This was not about to screw up any more opportunities to be in Antonio’s presence. She really wanted more than anything to just be with him. Just to be near him. There were few people in her life who could command that sort of reaction from her. And Antonio was one of the few!
“Are you seeing anyone?” Antonio asked.
Whoa. Where did that come from?
Her knees just got light and her heart went pitter-patter in her chest. There was that funny tingling sensation in her belly again.
“E-excuse me?”
“You didn’t understand the question? Or you didn’t hear me?”
“Yes, I just can't believe you...” Think about what you are going to say before you say it, Lucy. Don’t put your stiletto in your mouth again. “I mean, am I seeing anyone? What kind of question is that? I could be happily married with three children.”
“You didn’t put that up on your Facebook profile and you don’t wear a wedding band.”
Oh.
“You’re stalking me on Facebook?” she asked as she gave a nervous chuckle. Oh, my God! He’s interested in me?
“You attached your Facebook address to your business card, Lucy.”
Oh.
“R-right. Of course.” Lucy blushed. She was sure she was beet red. How embarrassing. Why was she acting like a school girl speaking to her crush ... again?
Heck, she was looking at Antonio’s Facebook profile, too. Only she wasn’t one of his friends so she could not see anything on his page. Set to private, no doubt. Antonio certainly was elusive.
“Besides that, I always make it my point to run a check on everyone who comes into the family circle.”
“A check? You mean a security background check? You do surveillance on everyone you meet?”
“Just those who work closely with me or my family. I am very protective of those close to me, Lucy.”
She felt his words resonate inside her heart. She certainly could relate to that. Who could fault a man who only wanted to protect his family and those close to him? Heck, if she had that kind of money, she’d probably do the same. Or, maybe not. Either way, she was stoked that he took interest in knowing about her. What else had he found out about her?
Oh. My.
Goodness.
“Come, let me take you to the slopes.”
“The slopes? Now? In the fall?”
“Yes,” he murmured as they walked through the French garden doors.
Before long, they had walked to a driveway where a two-passenger red convertible was parked. “We’ll drive up to the hillside. It’s quite a way,” Antonio explained as he opened the passenger side of the car for Lucy.
“Thank you,” she said with sincerity.
The interior smelled like fresh, new leather. The car itself sparkled under the sunset sky. It looked more like a showroom model than a car driven by anyone on a day-to-day basis. Maxine earlier mentioned that she saw Antonio exit a BMW. This was obviously a different vehicle. It would be no surprise that a man of Antonio's stature would have several luxury vehicles, no doubt. Probably each one for a different occasion. What a way to live!
“Very nice,” she commented, almost breathless.
“It gets me around,” Antonio virtually dismissed the compliment as he sat in the driver’s seat. He turned the key in the ignition and the car started with a smooth, quiet start.
Lucy's old sedan certainly never started that way. It was often obvious that her engine could use a bit of help or at least some fine-tuning. Heck, some mornings it never started.
They drove through the verdant hilltop path taking in the scenic view. “I didn’t know there was so much pristine land out here.”
“It’s a break from the city,” he said, casting her a sideways glance. His lips curled into a sexy grin. He looked adorable as the wind whisked through his dark, short mane.
“For sure,” she agreed as she held down her own locks of hair as the wind tousled it. She tucked the sides behind her ears but it was no use, the warm early autumn breeze continued to sweep her brunette hair into her face.
“The scenery is so beautiful.” Lucy's eyes drank in the greenery as they climbed higher up the hilltop.
The Billionaire's Second-Chance Bride (The Romero Brothers, #1) Page 5