Luca smiled. “I believe I did.”
“Why?”
“You were being naughty again. I thought orgasms calmed you down.”
“Oh, they do. Especially with you.” I giggled. I knew that would definitely get him going.
“Especially with me! What do you mean especially with me? Only! Me!”
I threw my head back in a fit of giggles. “Oh Luca, baby, you’re so easily wound.”
Luca kissed my neck and breathed his hot breath in my ear. “Call me that again.”
“What? Baby?”
“Hmm,” he said, licking the curve of my neck. God, he was fucking something else.
Pulling my head up towards his earlobe, I gently bit it. “Luca, baby,” I whispered in his ear.
Luca shuddered, and suddenly that part of me woke up again. I wanted him. Again!
“I want to bury myself in you all day. But for now, we will run a bath. I need to talk to you.”
Placing me down, Luca had to steady me as I wobbled. That put a smile on his face.
“See? I told you that you wouldn’t be able to stand once I was done with you. And I’m certainly not done with you yet.”
Luca pulled away from me, and it was only then that I got a true eyeful of the spectacular beast before me. He had perfect olive skin and well-toned muscles. His shoulders and arms looked strong and powerful. His chest was broad and robust. Trailing my eyes all over him, I found something I hadn’t noticed before.
“Is that a tattoo?”
Luca Smiled. “You’ve only just noticed? I have two. Look.”
Luca pointed down to his hip and I saw some writing. On his chest was a name, a simple, small name. Sophia.
“Your mother?” Luca nodded. I trailed my fingers down from his chest to his hips and stroked along the words. “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” Standing up again, I looked into his eyes. “That’s very, erm … inspirational.”
“You think someone like me can’t be?”
“I’m not saying that.” Yes, I was saying that. “Where is it from?”
“Milton Berle.” He saw the frown on my face and smiled. “He was a famous American actor and comedian.”
“Was?”
“Yes. He died about twelve years ago.”
Watching Luca disappear into the bathroom, I took the opportunity to quickly grab my robe. I soon heard the water running, and Luca returned to the bedroom.
“What made you pick it?”
“Pick what?”
I rolled my eyes. “The tattoo.”
“Did you just roll your eyes at me?”
I shook my head and smiled. “Me? Never.”
“I thought not,” he grinned. “I thought it would have been obvious to you. I don’t wait for things to happen. I do it myself. If I want something done, I make it happen. I don’t wait for someone else to do it for me.”
“I thought that’s why you had men working for you. So you could tell them what to do.” I was being cheeky with my response, and he knew it.
“You know exactly what I mean. The minute I knew I wanted you, I didn’t send any of my men to get you, did I? I did it myself.”
“No, you didn’t. You sent your men out to demand money from me.”
“That was just a bit of fun—to see if you really were the tough cookie your aunt made you out to be. It would seem she was correct.”
I sighed a little and sagged my shoulders. “What’s wrong? Have I upset you?”
“No, it’s just my aunt. I’m worried about her.”
Luca came and sat next to me on the bed. “You spoke with her?”
“Yes. Just before I asked you here.”
“You mean just before you demanded me here?” he asked with a smile.
I grinned back and elbowed him a little. “Yes, before I demanded you here.”
“What do you know?”
“Everything—I hope. I didn’t realise she’d led such a devastating life. What she’s been through it—” I had to stop for a moment because my heart sank with anguish for her. I didn’t want Luca to see me cry.
Luca cupped my face in the palms of his hands. “I promise you that I will do everything I can to take care of her. Do you believe me?”
I sighed, feeling the tears sting. “I believe you. She told me what you did for her, but I want to know why. Why would you help my aunt so much?”
Luca looked away for a moment. “Your aunt… She is very important to you, isn’t she?”
“Of course. She is the only family I really have.”
“Then, that is why.”
My heart ached with that knowledge. Luca had been looking after what was dear to me long before I had even met him. In that one moment, I felt something pull at me from the inside. It wasn’t just longing or desire. It was a combination of tenderness, warmth, and intimacy. Things I had never had with anyone.