Chapter 12

LUCA

Filippo followed them to Robin’s room, and when Luca sat her down on the bed, he turned to him. “Have the staff bring some food up.” Turning back to Robin, he handed her a glass of water. “Drink it slowly.”

Still shivering, she took what he offered her, taking small sips. “Thank you, Luca.”

“What were you doing up there after I warned you how unsafe it was?” His tone was harsh, and he regretted snapping at her.

Sitting down next to her, he pulled her into his arms, crushing her against him. “I was worried sick to death. You scared the shit out of me when I couldn’t find you.”

“Luca, I can’t breathe. You’re holding me too tight.”

When he loosened his grip, she swallowed hard and looked up at him. “I was bored and wanted to explore.”

“You should have put something between the door to prevent it from closing,” he said, stroking her face.

“I did. I put a book between the door and frame,” she said, defending herself. “It was a thick red book, really old and the edges were faded.”

Eyebrows raised, Luca frowned. “I didn’t see any book.” He searched his mind. He was positive there was no book.

“Well, never mind that now. You’re freezing. I’ll light the fireplace, and then I’ll run you a hot bath. That will warm you up.”

ROBIN

Hands trembling, she watched as he threw some logs in the fireplace and headed to the bathroom. She heard the water running and shouted out, “Can you put some of those scented bubble packs in?”

“Already did,” he called back. Moments later, he returned and helped her to the bathroom. There he removed his jacket from around her and started to pull her T-shirt up over her head until she stopped him.

Arms crossed over her chest, she smiled. “I know how to undress.”

Uncrossing her arms, he smiled back. “You’re weak. I wouldn’t want you passing out. Now be a good girl and let me help you.”

LUCA

He raised her shirt up over her head, and reaching his arms around her, he unclasped the bra and tossed it to the floor.

His eyes, for the first time, got a full look at her breasts. His heart began pounding. They were perfect. Round, firm, not too big or too small, just right.

He hid his rising desire from her as he unzipped her jeans, pulling them down along with her panties.

His Adam’s apple moved up and down, and his member started twitching when he saw her fully naked. She was so much more beautiful than he could ever imagine.

~Oh God~! He knew he was in serious trouble; how was he to wait until their wedding night now?

Clearing his throat, he stood, held her hand while she lifted one leg over the massive tub, then the other and sat down, hiding her nakedness from him under all the bubbles that he had accidentally poured into the tub.

ROBIN

“Can I have some privacy?” she asked, her face flushed from seeing the way he stared at her body.

“Um, yeah, sure. I’ll just wait in the other room till you’re done. Here’s your nightgown. When you’re done, come out and have something to eat, and then we’ll get you into bed. Are you feeling any better?”

Sinking lower into the tub, she purred. “Yeah, I’m feeling warmer but getting sleepy.”

“Well, don’t fall asleep in here or I’ll have to come to get you.”

She couldn’t help but smile when he said this. “I won’t.” She giggled.

Feeling refreshed but so tired, she dried herself off with the thick, luxurious bath towel and slipped into her nightgown.

She could smell the food as it drifted into the bathroom, making her stomach growl. Waiting for her was roast beef with gravy and creamy mashed potatoes, glazed carrots.

Lucas pulled the covers down and indicated for her to get into bed. “You can eat in bed.”

Once she was under the covers and sitting up, he placed the tray over her lap. He smiled when she immediately dug in, then his smile turned into a frown.

“I should have let you eat first. You must be so hungry.”

“I’m starving. I have not eaten since breakfast,” she said with a mouthful of food. She swallowed the food and gave him an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, I’m not supposed to talk with food in my mouth.”

“It’s okay, you are hungry.”

When she was finished, he removed the tray and told her to lie down, pulling the covers over her. “Sleep now. I’ll check on you later.”

“Luca, thanks for coming to my rescue.”

Closing her eyes, she went right to sleep.

LUCA

Turning off the light, he bent down, kissed her cheek and left. As he made his way to the family room, he decided he was in dire need of a stiff drink. The other three were there talking but stopped when he entered.

“How is she doing?” Eleonora asked.

“Better now that she’s eaten. She is asleep,” Luca answered, pouring himself a drink.

“Robin swore to me she had wedged the door open with a book, but I didn’t see one. Were any of you up there?” He turned to look at them; they all shook their heads.

“The girl probably thought she had. She is young,” Grazia said as she took a sip of her wine.

“Young, yes, stupid, no. If I find out that any one of you removed that book and left her trapped in that room, I’ll make you pay dearly.”

“Seriously, Luca, you are becoming paranoid. I’m tired of hearing about that girl. She is turning your brain to mush. Start thinking with your brain and not your dick. I’m going to bed.”

Grazia stood and walked out, followed by Eleonora.

Luca poured him and Filippo another drink and handed it to him. “My gut tells me that someone is out to get Robin, and I think it’s Grazia.”

“Why would she want to harm the girl?”

Grazia wants me to marry Eleonora. She wants Robin out of the picture,” Luca snapped. “I’m going to hire a bodyguard to keep an eye on her.”

“You’ve fallen in love with her, haven’t you?”

“I care for her. She is going to be my wife. Love…I don’t believe I’m capable of loving.”

“Perhaps your cousin is right. Maybe it would be better not to marry Robin.”

Luca narrowed his eyes, glaring at Filippo. “I thought you liked her?”

“I do, I think she is a lovely woman, but she is so young and sweet. Being the wife of Luca Mariani will not be easy; much pressure will be put on her.

“She will have to have tough skin to put up with all the gossip and social activities. Right now, she is a sweet, kind-hearted girl. Do you really want to see her turn into a cold, heartless bitch? Grazia is right. You are best off with Eleonora.”

Luca banged his fist on the table. “I am going to marry Robin. If you have a problem with that, you are free to leave my home.”

Filippo’s jaw twitched. Taking a deep breath, he held his temper. “Okay, my friend, if Robin is who you want, then you have my support. I shall retire for the night.”

He went to leave but stopped to say one more thing. “I saw how upset you were when she was missing and how you were when you found her. You are a man in love. Goodnight, Luca.”

Filippo’s words haunted him. Could he have fallen in love with Robin so quickly? It was true that when she was near, his heart would pound rapidly in his chest, and his stomach did flips.

Whenever he had her in his arms, he always became aroused right away. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could go without sex, and cold showers weren’t working.

Remembering he left his jacket in her room, he decided to go get it; he also wanted to check on her.

He entered her room quietly so as not to wake her, grabbed his jacket, and was about to leave when he heard her scream.

Reaching her, he held her, soothing her by stroking her back. “Shh, it’s okay, my little bird. You are safe.”

“Luca, I was so scared. I dreamed I was still trapped in that room.” She clung to him, her arms around his neck. “Stay with me tonight. I don’t want to be alone.”

When she looked at him with those big blue eyes of hers, he melted. He proceeded to remove his clothing but left on his briefs and climbed into bed. “Come here,” he said, holding out his arms for her.

ROBIN

She moved into his arms and felt them wrapping around her, laying her head on his chest. She felt safe, warm, and protected. “Luca.”

“Yeah,” he answered.

“That room I was trapped in, it is full of treasures. You really should go through it. I saw some paintings that look like they could be worth a fortune.”

He laughed. “What do I need with more money? I am one of the richest men in Rome.”

“You could sell them and donate the money to charity. There’s one that’s really pretty. It was a woman holding a child by the river.”

“You like this one painting?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Would you like it for yourself?”

She looked up at him. “I can have it?”

“It is yours. When you are feeling better, we will go up and get it for you. While we are there, I’ll look at the others and see what there is. But do not go there alone, okay?”

“Okay, I won’t, and thank you.”

LUCA

When she kissed him, he pulled her close, returning her kiss. It was meant to be a simple one but soon turned passionate.

His hand moved down and went under her gown, moving between her thighs. Putting his hands under her panties, he started stroking her opening. He felt how wet she had become, and her moans lit the fire in him.

He placed a finger inside, then two. She rocked against his fingers as he moved faster, going deeper till he heard her scream, and she had her first orgasm. Her panties, at this point, had been removed.

Removing his fingers, he looked at her. She had her eyes closed and was panting heavily. A smile crossed his face; she had a satisfied look on her face.

“Did you like that?” he asked her, taking her chin in his hand and turning her face to look at him.

She opened her eyes and nodded. “Yeah, what did you do to me?” she asked through breathy pants.

“That, my little bird, is what is called an orgasm, one of many that I will give you once we are married.”

“Am I no longer a virgin?” she asked innocently.

This made him laugh; he had so much to teach her. “You are still a virgin.”

Taking her hand, he placed it on his crotch to let her feel the hard bulge inside his briefs. “This needs to be inside you for that to happen. Have you ever seen a man’s penis?”

She shook her head.

“You will, soon, now sleep.” He pulled her back into his arms.

ROBIN

She lay there. She felt wet down there, and her heart was still thumping wildly.

He placed her hand on him, and she felt how hard he was under the confines of his underwear.

She was curious as to what he looked like, and at the same time, scared. Never having seen one before, she didn’t know what to expect.

Would it look gross?

Would it be too big to fit her?

Not wanting to think about it, she closed her eyes and waited for sleep to claim her.