by JA Low
“Do not use that foul language,” Dad adds.
“That’s what you’re concerned about?” Tears are falling fast now, and as soon as the first teardrop falls down my cheek and drips off, Luke is beside me, linking his hand with mine. “You’re worried about the use of the word fuck, not that your daughter’s fiancé has been cheating on her from the moment we touched down in Africa.”
“Robert has a very stressful job, sweetheart,” Mom adds.
Is this woman fucking serious?
“We do the same fucking job. Actually, I’m the one who graduated from university with honors, not him.”
“It’s not a competition, Lilly,” Dad adds.
I’ve never wanted to punch anything more than I do right now.
“And yet, you want me to marry a cheating asshole so you will look better to all your friends.”
“I can’t deal with her,” Dad yells down the phone. I hear his footsteps fading into the distance.
“Rob made a mistake, sweetheart. He’s young and handsome. He probably got caught up in the adventure of it and took it too far.”
Is my mom delusional?
“And that makes it okay?” Maybe now we are woman to woman, she’ll get me.
“No, I don’t, sweetie.” Ah, finally. “But, in all honesty, you’re not going to do any better than him.” Oh shit! That was like a dagger to the heart—my own mother has just split my heart in two. “Maybe some time apart will do you both good. Once Rob’s finished sowing his wild oats, you can be together.”
“No.”
“Excuse me?”
I don’t think I have ever said no to my parents before.
“I said… no. Rob and I are done! I’ll courier the engagement ring back to you.”
“Lilly, think about what you’re saying.” She sounds panicked, and I can imagine she’s twisting her hair around her finger and pulling. “You’re going to ruin our reputation.”
“I don’t care.” She gasps down the line. “What about me? What about what I deserve? You’re more worried about your society friends than your own daughter. You would rather I live a horrible life with a man I don’t love, who’ll never stay faithful to me, just because it makes you look good. I’ve only now realized just how selfish the two of you are.”
“How dare you speak to us like that. We’re your parents,” Mom seethes down the phone line.
“No, you’re not because a real parent would not sell their child off because it benefits them.”
“You’ll be disinherited if you continue down this path, Lilly,” my mother threatens me.
“I don’t care,” she gasps, obviously surprised at my answer. “And guess what? I’m disinheriting you. Never call me again.” And with those words spoken, I hang up the phone and stare at it for the longest time, just blinking.
“Are you okay, Lilly?” Luke gently asks.
That’s when I lose it completely.
15
Luca
“Hey,” Lilly answers the phone in her bedroom on speaker. She hasn’t been her bubbly self since her phone call with her parents. As soon as she hung up, she crumbled as if everything had finally caught up with her. I held her as she cried herself to sleep while feeling utterly helpless. But I was going to be there for her no matter what, that’s what friends do, and I was determined to be the best. While Lilly slept, I sent Lauren an email telling her what happened and that she should call her because I doubt her parents were calling Lauren to tell her what happened.
“God, I hate our parents,” Lauren grumbles.
“It’s not their fault, they suck.” Lilly still tries to find the good in her parents after what they just did to her.
“To say the things they said to you… it’s unforgivable.”
“It is what it is.”
She sounds defeated.
“Maybe we should come home?” Lauren asks.
“What? No. You’re not packing up and coming home to look after my pathetic ass.”
There is nothing pathetic about Lilly.
“You just don’t want us to cramp your style with your Italian Stallion.”
Say what now? Italian Stallion?
“Shhh, Lauren. You’re on speaker, he might hear you.”
Lauren laughs. “I’m still waiting for a photo of him.”
Why does she want a photo of me?
“No way. I’ve told you that.” Lilly laughs.
“You haven’t been chopped up into little bits yet, but as I said, it’s security just in case something happens to you.”
Wow! That’s morbid as fuck.
Mental note—send a photograph to Lauren to ease her mind.
“Well, it would be your fault for not doing the proper checks before hightailing it to Africa.”
It’s nice hearing her laugh again.
“Well, I didn’t think my sister would be sharing a cottage with the stranger I rented it to, now did I?” Lauren comments through her laughter.
“What are your plans for the new year?” Lilly asks.
“We’re off on a safari to Botswana. Like camping in the wild with lions and stuff,” Lauren says excitedly.
“That sounds amazing. You’re going to have the best time.”
“What about you? Does the Italian Stallion have plans?” Lauren asks.
Shit! No, I do not. I just thought we’d stay here and ring in the new year naked.
“We’ll probably just stay in.”
“Booo,” Lauren yells. “You should be ringing in the new year in style. Go to Edinburgh, do Hogmanay there.”
“Edinburgh is sold out a year in advance for New Year’s Eve. Plus, I can’t just drag Luke to Edinburgh when he has booked the cottage for his holiday.”
Why can’t she? I’d go.
That gives me an idea. I should be using my connections. What’s the point being me if it doesn’t come with its advantages?
“Go by yourself then. It’s not like you’re dating him. You are single… ready to mingle.”
I do not like the sound of Lauren’s suggestion.
“I’m not ready.”
“I understand. But, babe, please have fun. Forget about Mom and Dad. This is your fresh start.”
“Thanks. I can’t wait to hug you when you get home.”
“Me, too. Happy New Year, Lilly.”
“Happy New Year, Lolly.”
16
Luca
Lilly has no idea about the surprise I have planned. After eavesdropping in on her conversation with her sister, Lauren gave me the perfect idea to cheer Lilly up and say thank you for everything. She doesn’t know how much she’s made me think about things. I mean, let’s be honest, outside of fucking her, eating and playing Monopoly, there isn’t anything else to do but be with your thoughts. I spent the day googling everything about New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh. There’s a castle where they have a huge fireworks display. It looks cool and something totally out of my comfort zone. I made a couple of calls, and voilà, we’re all booked in.
“Why do you have a creepy smile on your face?” Lilly looks up at me from her place by the fire where she likes to read her book.
“I have a surprise for you.”
She raises her eyebrows. “Really?” Her eyes drift to my dick, he twitches under her gaze.
“Eyes up here,” I tease. “You can thank him later, but right now, I’m taking you away.”
“Away!” She raises her voice.
“Yes. You and I are going away somewhere special for tonight.” I can see she wants to argue, but she’s genuinely shocked. “Go… get changed. I have packed a bag for you.”
“You did what?”
Did I overstep the mark with my surprise?
“I wanted to surprise you.”
“I am.” Next thing I know, she rushes over to me and plants a kiss on my cheek. “Oh my God, I’m so excited.” With that, she rushes out of the room to get changed, and I laugh.
“Are you ready?” I ask a short time lat
er as we jump into the 4WD.
“Yes.” She nervously shakes one of her legs up and down repeatedly. “No one has spontaneously booked a holiday for me before. Even if it’s for one night.”
“We’re going to have one crazy New Year’s Eve, Lilly. We are going to bring in the year of being selfish.”
“Hell, yes,” she replies, then claps her hands excitedly.
According to the map, Edinburgh is about three hours away, but the drive is through a heap of mountains, so it will probably take us a while to get there. Ever the guide, Lilly gives me a history lesson as we go. We stop at some quaint little villages on the way to look around. As much as I told her we’re in a hurry, she is having way too much fun, and as long as we make it there before midnight, I’m fine with however long it takes.
The level of comfort I feel around her, I have never felt with another woman. Maybe, I’ve always let whatever I have with a woman be very superficial, but our situation has made it deeper and more meaningful. I mean, we have literally been stuck in the tiniest of cottages for a week—how could we not get to know each other on a basic level.
There’s only so much fucking you can do.
There I’ve said it—take my man card.
I have been thinking more and more about Lilly’s question regarding being friends after this is all over. Can we just be friends? I mean, it’s going to be hard not imagining her naked every time I’m around her, but it’s better than not having her in my life at all.
That could still happen, though, when she finds out who you are.
She’ll understand, won’t she?
I mean it doesn’t define me. I’m still the same man, it’s just my job isn’t exactly what I told her it was. Technically, I haven’t lied. Yes, you have.
Pushing those thoughts away, I concentrate on the here and now because, in this moment, I know Lilly likes me for me.
“What’s going on in that big old head of yours? You seem incredibly quiet all of a sudden?” Lilly reaches out and links her hand with mine. Looking over at her, her light brown hair is pulled up into a high ponytail. She’s wearing no makeup, and her cheeks are pink from the winter wind at our last stop.
“Isn’t that my question to you?”
“Seems like I’ve been rubbing off on you.” She smiles brightly at me, her blue eyes shimmering with happiness.
“I like it when you rub off on me.” My innuendo makes her blush. “I like you.”
“I like you, too.”
“Good.”
She frowns. “That’s all?” She pushes me for more.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said the other day about being friends.” She stiffens slightly. “I want that... you and me to be friends.” Her face lights up, and it’s fantastic to watch. “I can’t guarantee I won’t stop flirting with you, though,” I warn her.
“You’re Italian, it’s in your blood to flirt.” She smirks.
“True. Beautiful women are our weakness.” This makes her chuckle. “I’m glad you stumbled in on me naked.”
“Me, too,” she agrees, squeezing my hand. “Let’s make this the best New Year’s Eve, friend.”
I know what she meant when she used the word ‘friend’ but not going to lie, it stung. Have I ever been friend-zoned? I mean, we’ll still be sleeping with each other for a couple more weeks, but after that, there will be nothing.
It’s not even like I could want more. No matter how much I may want it, my family would never accept Lilly. For one, she isn’t Italian. She is fluent in Italian, though. Two, she isn’t from the right breeding. Right, because the right breeding didn’t just humiliate me in public.
Stop it! Just enjoy this for what it is, Luca, a holiday romance.
I booked us a luxury penthouse with views over Edinburgh Castle and the city. I asked for discretion when I arrived because of who I am. I know if I hadn’t, they would’ve made a huge fuss, and as far as Lilly is concerned, I’m just a businessman.
We pull up at the back entrance where a valet is waiting for us. I tell him we’ll take our own bags. He hands me the key to the penthouse and quietly drives off to park my car.
“Wow, this place is amazing.” Seeing the awe on Lilly’s face is amazing. She has no idea I can show her so much. I could whisk her away to some of my favorite places—Monaco, New York, the Greek Islands. We could explore the world—I want to see it all again through her eyes. I’d love to see how she’d fit into my world.
Would she think it’s over the top, or would she appreciate it? It’s never going to happen.
“Oh my God, this view.” She presses her face against the glass. We have almost a three-sixty-degree view over the entire city. “We’re going to be able to see all the fireworks from here. This is going to be spectacular.” The excitement she’s exuding is vibrating through her body.
“What I see is a beautiful woman standing against a window. One who I want to press her naked body against.” She turns around slowly, the blush is back across those cheeks.
“I don’t think anyone needs to see that,” she whispers.
“You’re right. I’d never share you with the world,” I tell her, pulling her face to mine and kissing her hard. Lilly’s fingers are in my hair in an instant, tugging at the ends, and our kiss grows frantic as we strip off the winter layers—scarves, jumpers, T-shirts, jeans, socks—all discarded onto the floor. Thankfully, the fire is on in the living room, and there’s a large fur rug on the floor where I place her gently against as I shimmy off her underwear. Lightly, I push open her legs for me. I have done this so many times that Lilly instinctively opens for me now, and I reward her for her eagerness with my tongue across her silky slit.
“Hmmm,” Lilly moans as her fingers find my hair again, tugging the dark strands, pulling me closer to her. I follow her instructions, feasting on her as if I’m a starving man. Showing her what life could be like with me. How I’d love her every single day.
“Yes, yes… oh God, yes.” She arches her back as the orgasm takes her over.
My hand is in my pocket quickly pulling out a condom. I know I should love her more, but I need to be inside of her and connected with her. Once I’m sheathed, I enter her slowly, and she rewards me by wrapping her legs around me. I hiss as I feel her wetness surround me.
“You and me,” I whisper, pressing our foreheads together.
“You and me.” She smiles, then kisses me.
17
Luca
Lilly is beyond excited, especially because she can stay in her pajamas and not have to dodge the crowds. It’s beginning to sleet as well. They must be freezing down on the streets, and here we are drinking wine and eating delicious food which has been laid out thanks to the in-house chef. This is the perfect New Year’s Eve—no responsibilities, no pomp, no paparazzi, just me and a crazy English girl who’s squealing at everything she sees out the window. How can you not get caught up in the excitement of this night?
“Everything is so awesome.” Lilly comes away from the window long enough to grab a few pieces of cheese and a cracker.
“It certainly is. I had no idea there’d be so many people.” There has to be hundreds of thousands of people on the street in the freezing weather.
“I’ve always wanted to do this, but it’s always seemed way too expensive. This must have cost you a small fortune. I mean… this view is unbelievable.”
“I do okay,” is all I tell her as she sits on my lap.
“Well, thank you. I appreciate it.” She kisses my cheek.
Has a woman ever thanked me for a gift before?
The genuine thanks that’s written all over Lilly’s face, have I ever seen that before?
It’s always expected that I’ll shower the women I’m with in expensive things. I’ve never noticed until now. A phone rings, and Lilly rushes over to it.
“Lolly,” she squeals. “You’re never going to guess where I am?” I can hear it in her tone, just how happy she is to hear from her sister. “Luke
whisked me away to Edinburgh for New Year’s Eve.” I wonder if Lauren’s okay that I have done this. “I know. It’s so awesome. Our apartment looks over the castle, and I can see everyone in the streets. It’s freezing, and I’m wearing my PJs. Best New Year’s Eve ever,” she calls.
“Okay, Lolly. Love you, bye.”
“She’s having fun?”
“The very best. They are about to go out on safari.”
“You miss it?”
“A little. The break has been good, helped sort through things. I know I’m not going to give up being a doctor. Just not sure where to begin my new life.”
“I know some people in the charity world…” silence falls between us, “… I could put in some calls to some people I know in Italy.”
“Italy?”
“Yes, but I’m sure they have charities in other places around the world. It doesn’t have to be Italy.”
Why does her not being happy about a chance to work in Italy irk me this much?
“You would do that for me?”
“We’re friends, of course,” I answer with a shrug. I mean, in my world it’s all about who you know. Plus, I’m owed many favors. “You don’t have to decide now. I can find out where they need help and let you know.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much, Luke.” Tears begin to well in her eyes, and I wipe them away.
“Hey, no tears. Not on New Year’s Eve.”
“I feel like meeting you was the best thing that could’ve ever happened to me.” She pulls me into a hug, a very non-sexual hug. This is more a hug of gratitude.