Lucca's Lust: The Luminara Series Book 3 (61 page)

“Actually all of them.” Lucca laughs.

“Did you have any worries about meeting them?” I need more from him.

“I was nervous about meeting Alexander, her grandfather, because I knew how close they were and he is the father figure in Lexi’s life. I had visions of him sitting me down and interrogating me and forbidding her to be with me. Alexander surprised me. He believes in Lexi so much that he knew if she trusted me and loved me, then that was good enough for him … I was one to trust.” Lucca glances towards Lloyd giving him another one of his code nods. One with authority.

Lloyd lifts his hand to his mouth to speak into the mouth piece. I assume that Lucca has asked for regular updates on Lexi because I remember he did turn his phone off after his last check in with her. Lucca does not break eye contact with him. After receiving his code nod back, Lucca crosses his leg, resting a foot on his knee, letting his jacket swing open, casually placing his hand in his trouser pocket.

“Equally, Rebecca. I was nervous about meeting Elizabeth, her grandmother, because she is the boss and a firecracker. She has a tendency to smother Lexi and that worried Lexi. Then it worried me. I have worked Elizabeth out now and know exactly how to charm her. Of course there was beautiful Grace to consider. The thought of gaining her mum’s trust completely troubled me because of what she has been through, and from what Lexi had told me.”

“May I ask, what did Lexi tell you to prepare you?” I ask in a serious tone, knitting my brows together. My skin pricks with nervous energy and anticipation. This question can go either way. Lucca removes his hand from his pocket and rests it on the arm of the sofa.

“Lexi had warned me Grace is a worrier, understandably, and that she would be upset about our relationship. The full flight back to Scotland, it was all I could think about, but I kept those thoughts from my dolcezza, she needed me to be positive. I worried that her mum’s influence and concerns would reflect on Lexi and make her reconsider our relationship.” Lucca nonchalantly shrugs his shoulders and frowns, giving the impression he was entering into Lexi’s family blind. His honesty insinuates that their approval of Lucca and Lexi’s relationship was a guessing game for him.

“Yes, I can imagine that would have worried you. How did Grace warm to you? Was it difficult gaining her trust?” I ask.

“Good question. In a way, Grace was exactly like Lexi was when I first met her … withdrawn, vulnerable, and apprehensive. They are very alike. My dolcezza was not feeling well and needed a nap so I used that opportunity to talk to Grace and spend time with her alone. I listened, was patient and extremely gentle. I guess that I was honest with her, and there is no mistaking how much I love Lexi. I think she appreciated my honesty. Grace realised very quickly how deep my feelings are for her daughter, and that I would never hurt Lexi. I made Grace a
promise
and that in itself was very important to her. That was the turning point for Grace and me. The respect I showed her, my compassion and understanding, along with the devotion and love I showed Lexi, all helped Grace relax and trust me more. We have a very good relationship now.”

There is so much more I would like to ask Lucca, but our editor and director are both giving me signs to wrap things up. The enthusiasm and excitable smiles from them reassures me that I have done a good job today, and I feel so relieved I did not screw this up.

“Lucca, I am afraid we are almost out of time. We wish you and your dolcezza a lifetime of happiness. Do you have any advice for the gentlemen out there wooing their dolcezza’s? What advice would you give the gentlemen who already have their dolcezza?” I ask playfully as I would like to end this interview upbeat, and I feel gregarious after my time spent with Lucca. My eyes are big and hopeful.

Lucca blushes. “Um … err … Well, I guess this stands for both questions. I would say, if a man loves a woman as much as I love mine, then treat her as if she is your life line. Your first breath when you wake up, your last breath when you close your eyes … but do not keep them closed for long. Admire and look at your dolcezza every minute that you can with love and intensity. Drown in her. Study her. Love her and cherish her. Listen to her. Whisper against her skin when she sleeps, keep your hands tangled in her hair, brush your thumb gently over her eye lashes, wipe her tears and trace her lips. Kiss her wounds and blanket her in your protective arms.” Lucca takes another sip of water and waves his hand around. I glance to ensure our note taker is getting all this down.

“Ensure you keep her close to you and never forget to tell her that she is your something special and never let go. Show her heightened pleasures that render her weak and spent, and worship her body every day. Indulge her. Connect and join with her, taking her to a place only you and your dolcezza can share. Find that place and explore it and keep travelling in your blissful utopia to experience more of your heavenly delights together. Make it yours, keep her there in paradise and never let her fall from it.” He oozes charisma and sexy male confidence. Sweeping his hair across his forehead and grazing his jaw again with his thumb, he smiles showing that obvious dimple on his cheek.

“Wow, oh my. I am sure women all across the world will hope that they are lucky enough to have the man in their lives show and do everything that you have mentioned, Lucca. You make it sound so effortless. That is wonderful advice,” I add, picking up my notes and begin to fan my face and neck with them.

“It is effortless, once you find the right dolcezza. For me, it is all about keeping my love in my light, and when I found Lexi, I knew she was the love …
L’amore
. If I am honest, I never knew it could be like this ... that loving a woman could come so naturally to me. Lexi is the first and last woman I have ever been blessed with sharing these precious things with …
all of me
, and I vow to give her a lifetime of this and more. She deserves nothing less,” Lucca says, dragging his lips between his teeth.

“That is poetic. Gosh, I feel very emotional now,” I admit with a lump in my throat, swatting my hand quickly beneath my eye to wipe a lone tear. Lucca studies me cautiously.

“I am sorry, Rebecca, if I have upset you. Are you okay?” Lucca asks softly. He reaches across the table and passes me a tissue. I am so angry at myself for getting emotional during an interview and for not acting professional.

I have been working away from home now for two solid weeks and it will be another few days before I leave Italy to return to London. I miss my husband. Lucca’s sweet words have tugged on my heart and left me feeling needy and pining for my husband. For his touch and well …
all of him
. I am desperate to see him and be with him. My heart feels crushed.

“I’m so sorry. I don’t know what has come over me. I’m normally very composed and I feel really embarrassed,” I croak, trying to suppress the vulnerable emotions rising in my chest. I wipe my eyes, apologise again, then glance toward my editor and director, expecting to get a stealth warning. Instead, they all smile sympathetically, my editor giving me a thumbs up, mouthing a silent
are you okay?
I nod and smile.

My colleagues know how transparent I am about my time away from home and how much I miss my husband, so they will understand why I am teary. Lucca also appears to be receptive.

“Rebecca, please do not apologise. Take your time. I was thinking that instead of your work colleagues joining you on your trip to Club di Energia and Luminara, perhaps you would appreciate taking your husband with you? Sound good?” Lucca knows.

“Yes, I would like that a lot. We have not spent much time together lately; it would be good for us. Thank you,” I sob, picking up another tissue.

“No need to thank me. Why do you not make a weekend of it? I can arrange accommodation for you as well to stay in Glasgow city centre.” Lucca cocks his head and smiles widely. I wipe my cheeks again, soften my eyes, smiling big and goofy like.

“That settles it. The weekend will be about you and your husband,” Lucca adds, signalling towards Suzanne again. I am lost for words.

After I gather myself and finally thank Lucca again, we then spend the next few minutes casually talking between us while our magazine team moves around the suite tying things up, all shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries.

Our director chats with Omari, both sign some more documents, and Suzanne makes some calls. Lucca reaches for his phone now we are almost finished. Our director and editor join Lucca and me on the sofa taking a minute to thank Lucca and commend us both on a successful interview. After another ten minutes of chat explaining our publishing procedures and the release date, the men all stand, Lucca lifting his phone from his suit jacket before buttoning it again and smoothing his blue tie.

Before Lucca switches his phone on and attends to his business I add, “Lucca?”

Taking my hand, he helps me to my feet. I leave all my notes on the table and stand. “Yes, Rebecca?”

“I’d like to thank you for taking time out of your busy day to sit down and talk with me. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you better. Please tell Lexi we said thank you for letting us borrow her fiancé for a little while and I pray for her wellbeing and safety.” I say it off record. No note taker. No interview façades. Just us. Honest and casual.

“Thank you, Rebecca. That is very kind of you to say. I will pass on the information. It has been a pleasure being here, and you have done a great job. You were very tactful and turned what could have been an awkward interview into a very relaxed and light-hearted one. I will be sure to let your office know in writing. I hope that you enjoy your weekend with your husband. Hey, I am so sorry you got upset today. Look, if things were not as they were right now, I would have brought Lexi in here with me. I am sure you two would have got on like a house on fire. She would really like you,” he adds, standing next to me, towering above me in his handsome glory.

“I would have liked that, but I understand things are difficult for you right now. Hopefully things in the future will …” I don’t get to finish. Lucca has become rigid staring straight at Lloyd, who is speaking quickly and loudly into his mouthpiece. Lucca switches on his phone and it pings several times. I shift my weight, not sure what to say or do. He’s restless. Making a quick call, he murmurs, “Come on, baby, pick up. Please pick up, baby.” He groans and redials. “Jesus, baby, pick up your damn phone,” he shouts at his phone then runs his hand through his hair, the colour draining from his face.

I shrug towards my editor, as I simply don’t know what’s happening. Lloyd marches over towards Lucca while speaking in some sort of code to security, now on a phone, an icy look of fear in his eyes and a clenched jaw. “Lloyd, what the fuck is going on?” Lucca shouts, blazing fire in his voice.

Lloyd gently shakes his head as Suzanne and Omari are both on their phones frantically asking questions and barking orders. Lucca staggers back, hand on his chest as if the wind has been sucked out of him, eyes cloudy and misty. “Fuck!!!” he rants then lunges past us and sprints out of the Milano suite, followed by Lloyd and Omari. Chaos erupts.

“Oh my God? What’s happening?” I ask my director, panic in my voice, wobbling on shaky legs. I’m scared. Very scared. Instinct tells me to worry. Worry for Lexi and worry for Lucca. My stomach twists in a knot and my heart bleeds for them. Closing my eyes, now I pray.

The End …

To be continued in Luminoso, book four.

A full length novel from Lexi’s point of view.

Coming soon.

Lussuria and L’amore are both full length novels available now from amazon in print and ebook and available in ebook from Kobo, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords.

Lexi and Lucca’s story continues in Luminoso – book four in the Luminara Series coming soon, 2015.

Will Lucca manage to keep Lexi in his light?

Will Lexi manage to keep Lucca in her light?

To find that light, you must first live in the darkness
…

Luminara

Lussuria, L’amore and Lucca’s Lust