LUCA (You Will Be Mine) (The Sicilian Mafia Series Book 1) (10 page)

I explained to Belinda as much as I could and could hear a few grumbles in the background.

“Don’t worry. We have a plan. We’re coming to get you out tomorrow night.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

I heard her sighing loudly. “We’re not taking
no
for an answer.”

I thought about this for a few moments, but resigned myself to the fact that this was happening. “Okay, but when you do come, make sure you’re ready for a night out.”

“Why?”

I smiled. “Because, if I’m going to have time off from work, I may as well let my hair down. Let’s go to a club and get fucking sozzled. It’s all on me.”

I could hear a few people laugh and holler in the background. “Where has this come from, Clara?”

“Let’s just say a lion is about to meet his match.”

We ended soon after because I was worried that Luca would be back at any moment. I made sure Thomas was okay and Belinda told me he had been round regularly to check on them—especially since it looked as though he had developed a bit of a crush on Melinda. But, then again, I couldn’t blame the boy.

We made plans which would be executed around eight o’clock the next evening—assuming that everything was in order of course. I had to first of all give a signal that Luca wasn’t here with me. I really didn’t know whether he would or not, but then the girls did have a plan. I wasn’t sure whether I was going to like it, but it seemed as though they were not taking
no
for an answer. They all hated that I was stuck in here, and I had to admit … so did I.

A couple of minutes after I had finished off my meal and glass of wine, Luca walked back in. I was just about to pour myself another when he ran for the bottle. “Here, let me.” He smiled gently and poured another glass. “I’m sorry I was taken away from your lovely company.”

I frowned up at him. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine. Just a little hiccup with another business venture. That’s all.”

I nodded, but didn’t press him. I knew a lot of his “business ventures” were not exactly legal, so he wasn’t about to spill all to me anytime soon. I doubted very much he ever would.

“Have you had enough?” Luca motioned to my empty plate.

“It was more than enough, thank you. I ate more than I normally do, but it was just too good.”

“Molte bene,” he said with a wink.

Did he have to keep speaking these little Italian words to me? It hit me straight between the legs every time he did.

“I would very much like to dance with you, Miss Murphy. Would you grant me the pleasure?” He took my hand, and I rose from my seat—straight into his arms.

Okay, maybe I was a little too eager there.

“Where’s the music?” I asked.

“Do we need music?”

I frowned a little. “Well, it kinda helps, don’t you think?”

He pulled me close and penetrated me with those eyes. “Can’t I just hold you close to me and pretend there’s music playing?”

I could have just given in, but my alpha female tendencies were telling me not to. I wanted to get my own way … even if it was just to get the radio switched on when he obviously didn’t want to.

“I’m not going to dance with you unless you switch that radio on.” I smiled at Luca, and he shook his head, smiling back. I could tell he was finding the whole “I’m not going to let you tell me what to do” persona highly amusing.

“Very well.” Letting go of our embrace, Luca strolled over to the radio and switched it on. As if on cue, a nice slow song was just starting. “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” by Simply Red came through the speakers.

“Is this better?” Luca raised an eyebrow.

I nodded my agreement. “Much. Thank you.”

Staring at each other for a moment, I almost lost my balance. How on earth could he look like that? He should be illegal in every state and in every country known to man … or should I say woman?

Luca slowly glided back towards me—all the while, he never dropped my gaze. “What have I told you about looking at me like that?” His voice was seductive—a whisper even.

I raised my eyebrow at him. “Maybe you make me look at you like that. Have you ever thought of that?”

Luca licked his lips a little, making my knees tremble. “It would seem I can’t
make
you do anything. That’s the problem I’m having.”

I sighed as his eyes danced across my face. “Am I making you work
hard
?”

“Yes, and don’t say the word
hard
.” He laid his hand behind my back and forcefully pulled me to him.

Staring at his lips and biting my own, I said, “I’m sure there are things I could make very
hard
.”

“Clara.” His warning tone reverberated throughout my body.

“I like the fact I’m making you work hard. I guess you’ve never had to work hard at anything.”

Lacing his fingers through mine as we swayed to the music, Luca sighed contentedly. What he said next surprised me. “You’re worth working hard for.”

Leaning my head on his chest, I took a moment to savour everything about him. His feel, his smell, and even his heart, which I could feel beating through my ears. He was a man like no other.

“You know, you’re making it very
hard
for me to hate you, Mr. Belatoni.”

“There’s that word again.” I chuckled. “Why should you want to hate me?”

I buried my head in his chest and sighed. “You only have to consider what’s been going on today to realise where that came from. And, look at me. I’m here whether I want to be or not. How could I
not
hate you for that?”

“I told you that you have to come to your senses.”

I let out a breath in exasperation. “I’ve told you to take me. What more do you want?”

He stilled for a moment, making me gaze up into that perfect face of his. “Don’t you realise that once you’re mine, there’s no going back? Once I feel what it’s like to be inside you, there will never be anyone else for you again.”

Sighing was becoming a habit for me ever since Luca walked into my life. “You only met me yesterday. How can you say things like that? Also, how do you know what it’s going to be like inside me? I may be the crappiest shag you ever had in your life.”

Luca shook his head indignantly. “I know that’s not true.”

I looked up to him. “How?”

Luca captured me with his eyes again. “Didn’t you feel it when I walked in and we first laid eyes on each other? I saw a photo of you at your aunt’s place and haven’t stopped dreaming about you since. It was only when I saw you in the flesh that it really hit me, though.”

I frowned. “What?”

Luca smiled down at me. “That raw energy someone gets when they have an instant reaction to someone they haven’t ever met before. It was that intense heat and energy which seemed to bounce from me to you the minute I opened that door. Didn’t you feel it? Or am I just going crazy?”

I sighed again in defeat. “No, you’re not going crazy.”

Luca stared at me for the millionth time with those beautiful caramel eyes of his. He gazed from my eyes to my lips and boy did it make me feel dizzy.

The song quickly came to a halt and another soon followed. This time it was, “When a Man Loves a Woman,” by Percy Sledge.

“I really want to feel your lips on mine. I want to feel what it’s like to explore your mouth. You don’t know how bad I want that now.”

I shrugged, trying to make sense of why he wasn’t pushing harder. “Then, why don’t you?”

Luca gritted his teeth. “Because that fucker marked you. I don’t want to cause you any pain.”

“I don’t think you could ever do that.” I didn’t know where that came from, but it felt right. I should have been scared and intimidated by this man, but instead I felt safe—I felt protected.

Instead of waiting for Luca to make the first move, I initiated our first proper kiss. I moved up slowly on my tiptoes so I could reach his mouth. He soon realised what was happening and leant down to accommodate me better.

That first brush against his lips had a fire raging. It was only the tiniest touch, but my body reacted to it violently. My lips stung a little at the pressure of his mouth, but I forced it to the back of my mind—not wanting to stop the overwhelming feelings that having him close brought me.

Before long, I had slipped my tongue out and traced the line of his lips from top to bottom, making him shudder and growl. I went a step further and nibbled the top of his lip after tenderly kissing him. Our bodies were as close as they could be, and I felt his hardness against my belly. I ran my fingers through his hair and pulled him in deeper as I frantically wanted him to do something—anything—to release this ache that had been building and building inside of me.

I thought Luca was going to relent. I thought he would pick me up and take me to bed. Instead, he pulled away again, leaving me desperate for him. “You’re not ready.”

I immediately became angry. I don’t know where it came from but I was fuming. “I’m going to bed!”

Luca chuckled. “Hey, don’t get mad.” He grabbed my arm, but I yanked it away.

“Leave me alone. Don’t touch me.” I said it with such venom that his release was imminent. To say his face was shocked would have been an understatement.

“Hold on a second. Are you mad at me just because I won’t make love to you tonight?”

“No!”
Too bloody damn right I was!

“Then, why are you angry with me?”

“No reason. I’m just tired and want to go to bed. I’m going to get changed in the bathroom.”

I grabbed a black baby-doll negligee and—with a naughty smile on my face—headed for the bathroom. Two could play this game.

Once I had washed up, brushed my teeth, and changed, I opened the door to find Luca lying on my bed. When his eyes looked up to meet mine his expression nearly had me giggling. His eyes were as wide as saucers. “Why are you wearing that?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “What? This old thing? I always wear things like this in bed. Why? Don’t you like it?”

“You know that’s not true, so I don’t know why you’re even saying it.”

“Stop being a big old grumpikins and keep your hands by your side like a good boy.” Walking towards my bed, I pulled the covers down and got in.

Luca watched me the whole way. “I know what you’re doing, and it’s not going to work.”

I shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Are you on the pill?”

I frowned at him. “What? Has anyone told you that you change subjects quicker than a blink of an eye?”

“Are you going to answer me?”

“Yes. I am on the pill.”

He suddenly looked a little angry. “If no one is fucking you, then why are you on the pill?”

“Why is it that men think women will only be on the pill if they’re being
fucked
as you so eloquently put it? I’ve been on it since I was fourteen. I have very heavy, painful periods otherwise. Is that it now? Would you like to know my shoe size and how often I open my bowels each week?”

Luca shook his head. “I will ignore your sarcasm.”

“Well goooood for you!” I stuck my tongue out at him. I couldn’t believe I did that.

Luca’s head went back in amused shock. “You just stuck your tongue out at me.”

“Yes. What of it?”

“Well, instead of making me angry, it just makes me want plunge my cock into that beautiful mouth of yours.”

I huffed. “You’re disgusting.”

“You’re adorable.” I looked up at his beautiful face and couldn’t help but match his smile. “When was the last time you were tested?”

I shook my head. I couldn’t believe the gall of this man. “Oh, it hasn’t ended then?”

“No. I’m still not finished with you.”

“I was tested about six years ago.”

“That’s a very long time. Why haven’t you been tested since?” I bit my lip. “Clara.” His tone was serious.

“Why should I be if I haven’t…? I mean if I’ve never—oh never mind.”

“Are you telling me the last time you were touched was six years ago? The last time anyone has ever been inside you has been that long?” I sighed again. This was definitely becoming a habit. “Why, Clara?”

“Because this is all I have!” I waved my hands around the room and followed all the features of the place with my eyes. “This has always been my number one priority. This castle is my life.” Silence filled the room for a few seconds, making me wonder why Luca wasn’t saying anything. I looked across at him and saw something in his eyes that I hadn’t seen before. Was it regret? Did he actually feel remorse for what he had put me through today? Or had he suddenly gone off me from my obvious lack of experience? I didn’t know what it was, but it was definitely there.

“What made you go into this?” Finally, he came to his senses and spoke. It seemed whatever it was he was thinking had soon been put to rest.

“I was brought up by very strict parents who thought every little thing I did was a sin. I rebelled against them at every turn. I never wanted to be like them. I wanted to be on my own and have my own independence. My Aunt Trudy is nothing like her little sister. She has a free spirit like me. I think she took pity on me when she took me in. I lived with her for a while until we came up with this business plan of ours. To tell you the truth, I’m a little disappointed she didn’t feel she could come to me for help.”