L'amore: The Luminara Series (27 page)

“Of course I’m not. I would never judge, nor would God, and you should know that. You’re the same loving girl who deserves some happiness. I’m sure you’re being sensible, and as much as the church has mixed views on the matter, it’s changed. I’m aware of how you young ones move quickly before marriage, and it’s not my place to comment. All I would advise is to do what you instinctively feel is right, and to be honest to your loved ones and to yourself. Be sensible and keep your faith, Lexi, it’s very important. God will guide you, follow the light.”

That’s exactly what I’m following.

Ms. Morrison never remarried after her husband passed away and is devoted entirely to God. I know she talks from the heart and is extremely wise.

She places her hand over mine, and I think about Lucca and his “Luminara,” his diamonds and his light coaxing me from my darkness. I smile appreciatively.

“Do I know the young gentleman? Is he local?” she asks.

“I’m not sure, but he does live locally. His name is Lucca Caruso,” I softly say and blush.

She smiles contently. “Well, Lexi, that’s a gentleman you do not want to let go of, and if anyone has light, it’s him. He will be very good for you. He, too, is very spiritual and such a wonderful family. They attend St. John the Baptist Chapel but are heavily involved with supporting the local church’s various charities. I’m thrilled for you.”

I thank her for her kind words and promise to deliver her parcel.

“Tell Lucca we’re all very grateful for his help at Christmas. God blesses him.”

Exiting the church, I rush into the car. Hazel is beeping frantically as she parked on double yellow lines since the surgery car park was full. On the way to Bistro & Bake where we are meeting Lucy for a light lunch I tell her about my unpleasant discovery in the doctor’s which gets Hazel all fired up. She wants to drive back over there and go marching in to read the riot act, but I ask her not to.

Lucy is sitting outside on the terrace, looking at a menu. She’s wearing a beautiful, red sundress, tan belt, and tan wedges. She has her rich black hair styled with smart sunglasses sitting on top. I’m baffled as to why she has never met the right partner yet.

She is gorgeous, has the looks of a timeless movie star. Her dark lashes are thick and curled, and she always has red lipstick enhancing her thick, luscious lips.

“Ladybug, how are you, my darlin’?” I kiss her and notice her amazing emerald eyes have lost their sparkle.

“I’m okay. You look positively beautiful as always,” she says, although there isn’t a lot of enthusiasm in her voice. Hazel throws her arm around her and instantly detects Lucy is upset. She encourages her to sit and holds Lucy’s hand on the table.

“We wanted to check that everything with you is okay. I’m worried about you. I noticed you were very quiet on Monday at my house, and I thought it might be due to Cameron’s love triangle, which I’m sure was very obvious,” I say sympathetically. I hate when my friends are feeling upset, I hurt along with them, but the topic is shamefully distracting me from my own hurt I’ve experienced today—another matter I’ve filed for later.

The waiter has placed the menu down in front of us before Lucy gets the chance to talk. We look at the menu, quickly ordering some salads, wine for Lucy and me, and water for Hazel because she’s teaching a class later on.

“You remember when Rachel and Cameron went on a break in their relationship last summer? Well, Cameron and I … we, um …” She turns away, feeling uncomfortable.

“Oh my God, you never! I can’t believe we didn’t know. You kept that quiet!” Hazel blurts out completely shocked. I don’t know how I feel about this, and I’m positive I might just kill Cameron for keeping secrets from me, especially regarding one of my best friends.

“It’s not the first time. We had a thing briefly before he met Rachel, then we dated again when Rachel was in Paris. I don’t need to tell you how I feel about him. I’ve always been besotted with him, you know that already, and our closeness last year just confirmed to me how badly I wanted him.” My mouth is agape. Hazel reaches her hand over and taps my chin to close it. I’m shocked by her confession.

She goes on to tell us about dates they went on and how they went to a lodge up north for a weekend when Rachel was in Paris as he was on a break from her.

Processing.

I’m stunned.

When the food arrives, we barely acknowledge the waiter.

“So what happened?” I find my voice.

“We were having fun spending time together, and I thought Cameron had feelings for me, then Rachel came back from Paris and he became distant. He met me one night for dinner and told me we had to finish what we started because he couldn’t give me what I wanted. He said what he had with Rachel worked for them both. Then Rachel had confessed that she’d hooked up with a boy in Paris and wanted to see him again and Cameron was desperate to get her back. I think he was jealous and wanted to reclaim her.”

She takes a bite of her chicken, but I’m too shocked to move. “So, how did you feel? I can’t believe you kept that to yourself for a full year. Why wouldn't you tell us?”

“Well, I was hurt and pining for him, so I went to London with work for training. I appreciated that it wouldn’t be fair to Rachel if he continued a fling with me, so I learned to accept it. I thought one day Rachel would go away travelling again, and I thought she might fall in love with someone else, maybe the boy from Paris,” she declares, trying to convince herself but certainly not convincing us.

“Do you love him?” Hazel asks.

“I think I did … oh, I don’t know.” She takes a huge gulp of her wine, afraid to make eye contact with me.

“You’re annoyed because he has completely different loyalties and morals while he cheats on Rachel with Anna.” I sigh.

“Yes, they were on a break when he and I were together, but he’s clearly cheating this time, and I’m hurt he hasn’t given me a second thought and is acting this way.” She begins to cry and my heart bleeds for her, seeing her upset like this.

I stand up and wrap my arms around her. “I had no idea. I’m sorry he’s treated you this way. His behaviour is truly appalling. Lucy, please don’t cry. You’re going to ruin that pretty little face. Just so you know, I’m furious with him, and I do not approve. Apparently, they have an open relationship policy now—whatever that is—and see other people. Not that it makes this any easier.”

This only makes her feel worse and she hiccups while sobbing. That was not my intention.

“Do you want me to have a word to him about this?” I add. I can’t believe I didn’t know about this.

“No, please don’t. I don’t want him thinking I’m a stalker. I feel as if I’ve been holding out for him, put my life on hold and look what’s happened,” she sobs, picking up a napkin and dabbing under her eyes graciously.

Hazel comments and leans over to take her hand. “Lucy, I can guarantee he’s thinking with his dick and not his head. When he is with Anna, it’s a bit of wild fun. I know Rachel has been unfaithful to him, so maybe you’re right. Perhaps they will part ways. Remember Rachel is a lot younger than us so she’s bound to want to see other guys, but you need to find your Mr. Right. You need to move on and stop feeling sorry for yourself. There is someone out there who will be perfect for you, you just haven’t met him yet, so stop brooding over Cameron. He doesn’t deserve you, because you, my friend, are beautiful, clever, funny, and kind.”

I smile at her thanking her for giving her support. Lucy nods with understanding. I think she just needed someone else to tell her, even if it’s not what she wants to hear.

By the time we change topics to discuss my new living situation with Lucca, my warm salad is cold, but I don’t have much of an appetite after a catastrophic day. I play around with my food and don’t eat much, but we do have another glass of cold wine.

“I think we need to have a girls’ night out in town. We could all do with some dancing and fun. It’s long overdue,” Hazel declares.

“Yes, let’s do it soon. We’ll arrange with the darlin’s,” Lucy agrees. I give her a sympathetic smile. I know she’s trying hard on the surface, but deep down, she is still hurting.

Workout

I’m welcomed at the door by an energetic Doris. After petting and playing with her, I walk into the kitchen, place my bag down, boil the kettle, and look over my mail. There is a small rectangular box sitting on the counter and a note attached with my name.

Opening it, I discover a brand new smartphone. I drink my coffee as I fiddle about with the phone and instructions, but I need Lucca to help me out with it so I place it back on the counter and go and look for him.

He’s in the gym pounding on the treadmill, focused and dripping in sweat. He is a vision of virile male. I admire his physique bulging through the fabric of his tight sport T-shirt.

Smoking hot.

He’s turning me on as I watch how determined and effortless he works out, and how painstakingly handsome he is. I think the wine at lunch has made me slightly tipsy …
and horny.

“Hey, baby, good day?” he pants through his pounding strides.

I can’t speak.

I don’t speak.

I’m entranced by his elite, competitive pace, brawny, muscled body, and his willpower. I shrug my shoulders with the half-hearted look and decide not to mention anything to him yet. I have things on my mind right now.

“You want to join me in the sauna and you can tell me all about it?” he asks as he reduces speed, preparing for his cool-down.

Yes, please! Maybe after I get what I want, I will tell him.

“What time is your family coming?” I ask.

“Not until six, so we have time. I need help with something, but I need you naked.”

I raise my eyebrow and grin. “I wonder what that might be.” I smile, coyly running my hand down the length of my ponytail.

He stops his treadmill, pours water over his head, and opens his mouth drinking some. The sight of him all sweaty with pure water splashing over his dark, glistening skin like this is so sensual and erotic.

I’m seduced before I touch him. I want to press my body into his, lick his perspiration from between his toned muscles, lace my fingers through his wet hair, and get sweaty.

With him.

On him.

Against him.

I lift the bottom of my ponytail and softly caress my mouth with my soft wavy hair, brushing slow, light teasing strokes across it. He puts a towel around the back of his neck and paces towards me with the predatory look, hunger blazing in his eyes.

“You have asked, baby…”

He presses his wet, hard body against my own, soaking my skin and dress with his perspiration.

“Hmmm, so what are you needing help with?” I tease.

He unzips my dress, sliding it off my shoulders. His eyes are gorging on me, ready to feast. He slides his sweaty hands down my back then settles to grip my ass. He forces his hips forward, moaning as he pushes his hard cock against me.

“It starts with this,” he groans, strumming his tongue into my mouth. Flicking, swirling then sucking on my own tongue.

Teasing me with his delicious tongue in raw desperate kisses, he grabs my ponytail and tilts my head. I close my eyes, feeling tingling straight to my sex, a direct trigger to my most sensitive nerves. I’m throbbing and soaked for him already.

I slide my hand down his wet, fitted T-shirt, clenching his rock-hard muscles.

“Then it finishes with this.”

He lifts my hand and places it on his weighty arousal. I clutch and massage his overstuffed package through his shorts, and he throws his head back.

“Fuck, baby.”

I use my other hand, pulling on his drawstring of his sport shorts, coaxing them down, setting the waistband just across his hips. I run my finger along his happy trail, which leads to my desire, his desire, and where my tongue is about to follow.

“Thank you for the new phone. I have a gift of the day for you too.” I drop to my knees on his gym mat.

“Fuck …” he growls.

I kiss just above his waistband, tasting the surfaced sodium and perspiration skimming his skin from his workout. Swirling my tongue, I slide my hands down his hips, yanking the shorts all the way down, freeing his erection.

His massive cock slaps against his stomach, pulsing and twitching for me. He bends over slightly and unhooks my bra, sliding it off my shoulders. My heavy breasts bounce free, and he instinctively reaches down to cup my breasts, but I lean back and sit on my heels.

“Nnm mnn.” I shake my finger at him. “This is for you, and I’m in charge.”

“Fuck, you are going to finish me before you even start if you keep talking hot shit like that.” He grins.

I turn around on my knees and place my hands on his hips, sprawling my fingers on the smooth, taught skin of his butt and twisting him around so that my back is to the mirrored wall and he’s facing it. I want him to see me pleasuring him.

“Fuck, I am getting a great view of your ass in that mirror,” he groans.

“Uh huh,” I tease, sashaying my ass and biting my lip. I lower myself, tantalising him with soft, sensual strokes of my tongue along the rigid shaft of his cock. Licking his creamy eagerness from the head, I massage and grip his hot sack. I take his full length in my mouth as I grasp his root tightly.