Chapter 107
Vee blinked. A masseuse?
Nonnina moved toward the bathroom. The scent of herbs drifted into the bedroom.
“What… what did you tell her?” Vee hissed the moment the bathroom door closed.
“I didn’t have to tell her anything,” he said. “But I did tell her I may have been a bit rough p>
“Oh God.” Vee buried her face in her hands, mortification flooding her cheeks.
His mouth curved. “It’s cute when you act shy,” Luca said, bringing the tray closer to her. The silver rattled softly as he set it within reach.
“I am shy. I am not acting shy,” Vee argued.
Luca’s mouth curved slowly. “You should be proud. You are the best fuck I’ve ever had p>
“Am I now?” Vee straightened.
Luca couldn’t help himself. His hands moved to her bare legs, palms warm as they skimmed over her skin, following the faint lines of muscle and softness. He traced her knee, her thigh, in recollection.
“I keep replaying it, all night.” he murmured. He closed his eyes for a second as memory hit him full force. “The sensation with my cock inside you. For a moment He exhaled. “For a moment my soul left my body. And then I understood what people mean when they say they make love p>
She smiled faintly and picked up a piece of toast, using it as a shield against the sudden intimacy of his words. “Are you being romantic right now p>
He opened his eyes and looked at her. “Is that what it is p>
She laughed softly. “I think so…Do you think Nonnina will give me a break enough to go into the pizza parlour?” she asked, brushing crumbs from her fingers. “I need to check on the shop. Especially after Inferi p>
“You want to go back there today p>
“I have to,” she said firmly.
“You think the ruckus will affect sales?” Luca asked.
“He chased my customers out violently,” she said. “No one is going to walk back in there like nothing happened. People talk p>
“Hmmm… If you need my help Luca said it lightly.
“I will tell you,” Vee replied.
“Good girl. I have to go into work for a bit, but I will be home as early as I can Is everything alright with your sister?” he asked.
Vee’s brows drew together. “Ugh… of course. Why? Did you hear something p>
“No, no,” he said quickly, glancing back at her. “Just checking in. I know how much you care about her p>
“She’s all I have,” Vee said quietly.
“You’re wrong,” he said. “You have me too p>
“Yes,” she said after a beat. “I have you p>
She scooted closer on the mattress, ignoring the faint ache in her body, and pressed a brief kiss to his lips.
But with Luca, brief was never enough.
His hand came to her waist instantly, pulling her flush against him. The kiss deepened. His mouth demanded more than she had intended to give in that second.
“Hey!” Nonnina’s voice cut through the room.
Luca and Vee jerked apart instinctively.
“Leave her alone!” Nonnina scolded as she stepped out of the bathroom, the maid slipping past her and disappearing.
Vee couldn’t help it. She giggled into Luca’s chest, pressing her face briefly against the solid warmth of him. The absurdity of being policed like teenagers with one of the most feared men she knew made her smile.
“Your relationship with Nonnina is quite cute,” she teased once the older woman had exited fully.
Luca exhaled. “She’s been with me since I was born,” he said. “She is practically my mother p>
“And your mother?” Vee asked.
“She’s… she’s around. Eat p>
“I don’t know anything about you,” she said. “Except that you’re crazy, a murderous son of a bitch, and that you’re obsessed with me p>
His lips twitched at that. There was no denial in his eyes.
“Isn’t that enough?” he asked, tilting his head slightly.
“No p>
“Sure I can’t change your mind about that?” he murmured.
He moved before she could respond, climbing over her on the wide bed, the mattress dipping beneath his weight. The sheets shifted, sliding over bare skin. His hands traced down her body beneath the fabric.
“For now, maybe?” she said, arching a brow, though her breath caught as he pulled her closer.
Her fingers slid into his hair.
“You’re insatiable, woman,” he muttered against her skin. “I’m not complaining, but Nonnina would kill me if I break you p>
Vee laughed softly. “You won’t p>
“Don’t be in a hurry, love. I assure you, I am going to fuck you in every hole I can fit in.” he teased, sucking in the lobe of her ear.
Vee shivered at the promise that they weren’t nowhere near done yet.
After a moment, he forced himself to pull away before he wouldn’t be able to anymore and Nonnina would need a crane.
Later, Nonnina welcomed the masseuse.
One of the maids stepped forward to escort the masseuse into the house.
Nonnina was turning back toward the kitchen when one of the guards approached her.
“Signora,” he said respectfully. “Someone is waiting at the gate. Says he is here for you p>
“For me?” Her brows knit together. Very few people came to the Genovese estate asking for her directly. Only food vendors.
“Yes p>
The iron gates at the front of the property stood tall, flanked by stone pillars. Beyond them stretched a long gravel drive that curved toward the villa.
Nonnina adjusted her shawl and walked briskly toward the entrance.
When she reached the gate, she slowed.
Standing just beyond the wrought iron bars was someone she had not expected to see on this side of the world.
“Riccardo! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming to America p>
The young man standing beyond the iron gates smiled. He was taller than she remembered. Broad across the shoulders now, the softness of adolescence replaced by a lean, defined strength. His dark hair was slightly longer than Luca’s, falling carelessly over his forehead, and there was stubble along his jaw that made him look older than his twenty-something years.