An Inconvenient Love (Crimson Romance) (12 page)

He downed the rest of his drink and headed up the stairs. The bedroom was in darkness when he entered. Perhaps Sophia wasn’t even in there. Maybe she’d slipped into one of the other rooms after his mother had gone up to hers. He released a sigh of relief when he heard a soft rustling in the bed.

“I’m not asleep if you want to turn the light on,” she whispered.

“The moon is full tonight. I will open the curtain instead. The light will not be as harsh,” he replied. He pressed a button, and the little whirling motor pulled the drapes open. The moonlight bathed the room in an eerie, white light, and he could see Sophia sat up in the bed, the blankets clutched to her chest.

“I have come to apologize. I was a brute.” His practiced speech went out the window when he saw her in his bed. He so wanted to climb in beside her, hold her in his arms, and beg her forgiveness that he didn’t even know where to start now.

“Luca, you need to know something about me. I have never had to justify my actions to anyone. My parents didn’t care what I did. So when you tell me what I can and can’t do, I immediately get irritated.”

“I understand. But you also need to see how your actions affect my reputation. Remember, the culture is different here. Old-fashioned attitudes still prevail. When a married woman spends time with a man who is not her husband, people will talk. Especially if they are seen leaving together and driving to his house.”

“But his house is full of workers. We have never been alone. I don’t hang out with Jonathan to start rumors. It never even crossed my mind that people would think I was having an affair with him. We’re friends, that’s all. Like you and Isabella are friends. I’ve been alone in this house for weeks. I rarely see you. I feel more like a pampered pet than a wife. Maria and Vittore are nice, but every conversation is a struggle for me. Isabella has been kind and taken me shopping. But she has her own life and travels with Dante as much as she can. I’m bored and lonely. The documents I help you with take only minutes to do. Is it any wonder I’ve become friends with Jonathan? We speak the same language and he values my advice. He makes me feel needed.”

He searched her eyes, wishing he’d turned on the light so he could see her better. It still stung that she gave her friendship so easily to another man when she was so distant with him. “I need you, too, Sophia. And I trust you. I will not mention it again. But I ask that you take care how you act toward him in public.”

“I can agree to that.”

“And I am sorry you are lonely. I told you when I proposed that I was very busy with my work. I have not abandoned you on purpose.”

“I know, Luca. I understand that your work is very important to you. And as your wife, if something is important to you, it’s important to me. Talk to me about it. Don’t shut me out. We have to share things if this marriage is going to work.”

“I will try. But you will have to remind me. Sharing is new to me.”

“Me too. I’ve been independent for a long time. I have to make adjustments as well, take your feelings into consideration when I do things. And while we are on the subject of sharing … ” She moved to her knees and cupped his face with both hands. He sucked in a breath as her head descended toward his. She’d never initiated a kiss before, and he steeled himself to be gentle, not frighten her with his passion.

Her lips caressed his lightly. One of her hands slipped from his cheek to the back of his head, threading her fingers through his hair. His blood rushed to his groin again and before the last vestige of reason left his brain he released her lips, burying his face in her neck. Her heavy breathing echoed his.

“What else is it you want to share,
amore mio
?”

“I think it’s time we shared your bed on a permanent basis.”

Sophia took a deep breath. She was finally going to do it. She had a fluttery feeling in her stomach, but no dread.

“Are you sure? I do not want to force you into something you are not ready for,” Luca said, but he was already unbuttoning his shirt.

“I’m ready. But before we start, you should know that I have scars. They’re not pretty.” She searched his eyes for a hint of revulsion, but the light was too dim.

“Are they from your past?” He picked up her hand and pressed a kiss to her inner wrist, setting off a series of tingles up her whole arm.

“Yes.”

“Then you are a true ninja, my warrior woman. Your strength and courage draw me to you, Sophia, not push me away.”

“If I were a true ninja, I wouldn’t have the scars.”

“Perhaps. One day, will you trust me enough to share your past with me?”

“I hope so.”

“I do as well. Until then, know this,
amore
. We are a team now—partners in good and bad.”

She didn’t want to mar this moment with her ugly past. The present was far too consuming. Heat radiated off Luca, his scent enveloping her.

“Well, partner, I’m no expert in this, but I think we’ve done enough talking. It’s time for action.” She knelt again on the bed in front of him and spread his unbuttoned shirt wide, roaming her hands over his lightly-haired chest. His muscles quivered under her hands, and he sucked in a quick breath. She reached for his belt and tried to ease the leather through the buckle.

“Whoa, slow down,” he said hoarsely, as if he managed to pull just enough air into his lungs to get the words out.

“Don’t you like?” She looked up at him, confused.

“I like too much,” he reassured her. “But this is your first time—our first time. I do not want to rush anything. Trust me, slower is better … sometimes.”

“Well, can I do this?” she breathed against his chest, her tongue flicking his nipples. A sense of power flooded through her as his heart raced beneath her cheek.

His sudden intake of breath brought a smile to her lips. It was replaced however by her own quickly indrawn breath as he ran his thumb over her nipple. “Two can play at that game,” he whispered into her ear. “And I know more moves than you.” His hands caressed her breasts through the satiny fabric of her camisole top. Her nipples went rigid, and she resented the tiny barrier between his hand and her skin.

“I may be a virgin, but I’m well read,” she challenged, eliciting a loud groan from him when her fingers brushed against his erection.

He stood and pulled his clothes off, then looked into her eyes. At her nod, he carefully pulled her top up over her head. He stared for a moment at her naked torso before his hand, almost reverently, touched her breast again. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered.

Their hands explored each other, lingering over areas that produced the most reaction. Luca’s lips were busy, too, exploring and tasting curves as if he were sampling delicacies from a buffet. He slipped her shorts from her, his hands fluttering over the scars on her buttocks.

Awash with sensation, she managed to lever her eyes open when he whispered her name. He hovered above her, searching her face.

“
Amore
, this may hurt, I am so sorry.” His voice was thick. His body glistened with a sheen of moisture, his eyes blazed with passion, yet still he thought of her comfort.

Luca stopped moving at her sharp intake of breath. She searched his face. He seemed to be concentrating hard to keep still, allowing her body time to get used to him. The pain receded, and she hesitantly moved beneath him. He withdrew slowly. Worried that he would stop, Sophia grabbed his buttocks as if they were a lifeline in a swollen river.

“
Amore, tesoro mio
, do not worry. I am not going anywhere,” he whispered against her lips. He kissed her deeply as he slowly entered her again. This time there was no pain. Instead waves of pleasure radiated from her core to the tips of her toes. Her legs were wrapped around Luca’s back. She squeezed him tighter, but still he kept up the slow rhythm, until she had to bite her tongue to stop a scream. She called out his name with what seemed to be the last breath in her body.

Luca increased the pace until she gave up all pretense of being in control and allowed the sensations to carry her to a distant shore. Suddenly the world exploded into light and her whole body vibrated. A minute later Luca went taut. He whispered unintelligible words into her ear, over and over as if unable to stop himself.

She drifted back to reality slowly, still in awe at what had transpired between them. Olivia had told her that when it was good, it was earthmoving. But nothing had prepared her for the spectacular, time-stopping pleasure she’d experienced with Luca. Not a single thought of England had been able to form in her overwhelmed brain.

• • •

When Luca eventually opened his eyes the next morning, the room was aglow with soft sunshine. He’d slept deeply, finally satiated for the first time since meeting Sophia. Reaching for her, he was surprised to find the bed empty, and a flash of panic raced through him. He couldn’t have dreamed such pleasure, such a connection with his beautiful wife.

Sitting upright, his relief was palpable to find that the events of the night hadn’t been another dream. The sheets were askew and the blankets tumbled off the bed. His clothes were neatly folded on the chair across the room. A faint splash of water revealed the location of his delectable wife.

He lay back in bed, reliving the highlights of the night before. Never in his life had he experienced such passion, such pleasure. More than just a physical release, it was as if a dam had burst in his very core, swamping his body with emotion.

He threw back the sheet at another splashing sound and went in search of his wife. She was stretched out in the bath, her eyes closed, a Mona Lisa smile on her lips. A thin layer of bubbles obscured her body from view, but like seductive lingerie, it lured him to join her.

A shower man, he’d questioned the expense to restore the wrought iron tub when he’d renovated. He hadn’t taken a bath since he’d been a child. With Sophia in the water, every last euro was money well spent.

“Mind if I join you?” He didn’t wait for her reply and stepped into the warm water.

Sophia opened her eyes, and her lips parted in a surprised expression. Her gaze ran the length of him, lingering for a long, hot moment on his groin where his blood began to pool once more. An answering flame of desire heated her eyes. This may be a quick bath.

“I take that as a yes,” he replied. She moved her legs over so he could sit, but he wanted more body contact. He’d waited long enough; he was no longer content to just look at Sophia. He needed to touch her, have her touch him. “Here, let me scrub your back.” She shifted in the bath so her back was facing him. He picked up her sponge but soon discarded it in favor of using his hands.

When the water sloshed out of the bathtub for the third time, he lifted her out and gently placed her on her feet before him. She reached for her towel to dry herself off, but he had a better idea. The heat from their bodies soon evaporated any water left on her skin after his hands and lips had passed over her. When she melted against him, he swung her into his arms and carried her back to the bed.

This morning their lovemaking had a frantic pace to it; they couldn’t get enough of each other. When finally they climaxed together, an involuntary scream came from Sophia and a loud groan of completion from him. She hid her face in his chest, but he wasn’t going to let her become ashamed of her pleasure. A timid smile played on her lips when her eyes finally met his.

“Your mother is going to be pounding on the door soon, asking what’s going on,” she said shyly.

“The only question my mother will be asking is when she can expect her first grandchild.”

Sophia stiffened in his arms. “We’d better get up. I’m starving.”

“Me too,” he said, nibbling on her ear. He began to trail love bites down her neck when she pushed him back.

“I mean it, Luca. You can’t keep me prisoner here in bed without feeding me. It’s against the Geneva Convention.” Her breathy voice contradicted the seriousness of her words.

“The Geneva Convention only applies to prisoners of war, not prisoners of lovemaking. But alright, let us get something to eat.”

She rolled off him. Cool air replaced her body warmth and he repressed a shiver. He flung back the sheets and followed his wife.

“Good God, Luca, it’s almost nine o’clock. You’re late for work.” She’d wrapped a satin dressing gown around her but he could see where her nipples pressed against the silky fabric. He forced his eyes to her face, which still held a pink glow from their recent activities. Her hair framed her face, in wild abandon. He didn’t care if he never went into work again.

“I will work from home today. With my mother here, they will understand in the office.” Still he stared.

“Oh, it’s because your mother is here that you’re staying, is it?” She undid the belt and let the robe drop to the floor with a seductive laugh.

“That is the official story. You know the real reason is because I cannot bear to leave you.”

“I guess we won’t be going on honeymoon on the weekend though. Now that your mother is visiting and … well … we’ve already done it.”

He flipped on the shower and grabbed her as she walked past, pulling her into the warm spray. “Oh, we are still going. Mama will be fine. Thierry, her husband, is coming tomorrow, and she will not even notice we are gone. Plus, I want two days with you and only you.”

She put her arms around his neck and kissed him. It was another half hour before they were both dressed and made their way downstairs.

• • •

“
Buongiorno
, Sophia. Did you sleep well?” Giada had a huge smile on her face as she asked the question. After a quick breakfast in the kitchen, Sophia had found her mother-in-law enjoying the morning sun on the terrace. Maria had brought out a carafe and set it on the table.

Sophia didn’t look up from pouring her coffee until she was sure she had her smile under control. “Very well, Mama Giada. And you?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Luca strolled out onto the terrace and wrapped his arms around her from the back. He pressed a kiss where her neck met her shoulder, sending a zap of electricity through her.