Chapter 13

ROBIN

When she woke, Luca was gone. Feeling a little disappointed, she got out of bed and took a shower.

She could still feel his fingers inside her; the way he touched her and the way she had responded had her blushing.

At first, she thought it was just a dream but knew it couldn’t have been since she was still wet between her thighs.

If the actual act of sex was anything like what he did last night, she could hardly wait until he made love to her.

When she came from the bathroom wrapped in a towel, Luca was there, waiting.

Her pulse began to race. Seeing him there in his suit, looking so dangerously handsome, she felt a tingling in her core and dampness pooling between her legs.

It didn’t help that his tongue darted out and ran over his bottom lip when he saw her. Clearing her throat, she smiled at him. “You’re all dressed up. Are you going out?”

“Yes, I have a business luncheon to go to. You best put on your nightgown and get back into bed before the maid brings your breakfast.”

“But I’m feeling better. I don’t want to go to bed,” she said in frustration.

“Do as I say. Please, you went through a horrible ordeal yesterday and need to rest. Tomorrow night is our engagement party, and I need you well-rested.”

When he flashed her his killer smile, she felt her anger go away. Smiling, she dropped her towel right in front of him and took her time putting the nightgown on.

It brought joy to her when she noticed how he reacted to what she’d done. His eyes went wide and moved down her body, his gaze filled with lust, and there was movement inside his pants which was so obvious.

Once in bed, she tried to entice him in too. Moving her gown up, showing a great deal of thigh, she held out her hand to him. “Wouldn’t you like to lay down for a while?”

Walking slowly toward the bed, he took her hand. Sitting down, he leaned over and pulled her gown down past her thighs. “Why, Miss Potter, you little temptress, are you trying to seduce me into bed?”

She laughed. “Me, a temptress, I think not.”

“You really don’t know how beautiful and sexy you are, do you?”

Taking her face in his hands, he kissed her hard, crushing her lips. “I cannot miss this meeting, and if I stay much longer, I will. I won’t be long, do as I say. Please, rest.”

She pouted and threw a pillow at him as he walked out. But once again, he was right. She did need to rest, and after she’d eaten, she went back to sleep.

***

When she woke up, she dressed and decided to ignore Luca’s orders to stay in bed and go downstairs.

Opening the door, she saw a big burly man standing there. Not knowing who he was or what he was doing there, she quickly shut and locked the door. She began to sweat, and her hands shook.

She looked around the room for some kind of weapon; all she could find to use was the poker from the fireplace. If the man tried to get in, she would smash him across the head.

Moments later, the door handle turned, and she raised the poker. She had never hit a man before and prayed she had the strength to do so now.

“Robin, unlock this door,” Luca’s voice shouted out.

Dropping her weapon, she flung the door open, pulled him inside, and shut the door. She was shaking like a leaf.

“Thank God you’re here. There was a man outside my door. I was so scared. I didn’t know what to do.”

“I’m sorry. I should have told you there would be someone there.”

“Who is he, and why is he there?”

“He’s your bodyguard. I hired him to keep an eye on you.”

“I can’t believe you did that. Am I your prisoner?” Glaring at him, she went and sat down. “Are you afraid I might steal something?”

Running his hand through his hair, he walked over and sat next to her. “God, you are quick to lose your temper. I think I liked it better when you weren’t talking.”

“Fine, I’ll never speak to you again.”

Her angry voice pierced his ears, and when she went to get off the bed, he grabbed her wrist and flung her back onto the bed, pinning her down and towering over her.

“You are one feisty female. I must say it turns me on. Now if you keep quiet for a minute, I’ll explain. I hired him to protect you.”

“Protect me from what?”

“Too many bad things have been happening to you. I’m just making sure no one hurts you or that you don’t hurt yourself.”

“I’m not a child. I don’t need protecting, now get off me.”

She tried pushing him off, but he wouldn’t budge no matter how much she shoved or tried squirming from underneath him.

Little did she know that by wiggling around, she was getting him excited.

His hold became more firm, pinning her hands once again above her head. “If only you knew how much I want to take you right now. Your anger only excites me that much more.”

His mouth claimed hers, refusing to let her move away.

She stopped struggling. His kiss was deadly, it turned her to jelly, and she couldn’t resist him.

“Oh, Luca,” she moaned. He pulled at her lip with his teeth, and letting go of her hands, he fondled her breast.

“You taste so good I could eat you, and soon I will, my little bird,” he said with ragged breath.

She had no idea what he meant by that and pouted when he pulled away and stood up, holding out his hand to help her up. “What would you like to do? Go for a walk, maybe a swim.”

“Let’s go check out that room upstairs. I really want you to see what’s up there.” Her eyes sparkled, and her face lit up.

“Now?”

“Yes, Luca, now.”

“Okay.” He let out a sigh. “Come with me to my room, I’ll change into jeans.”

Taking his hand, she followed him and sat on a chair and waited while he went into the other room. He came out wearing jeans and no shirt.

Subconsciously, she licked her lips. Her eyes followed him as he went to the drawer in his dresser, pulled out a black T-shirt, and pulled it over his head.

Such a different look from his expensive suits and ties. This was a good look on him, rough and sexy, and she got turned on.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Um, yes.”

LUCA

They grabbed a flashlight and headed up the stairs. He told the bodyguard to go have something to eat and to make sure he guarded her door when she retired for the night.

Luca put a heavy chair in the doorway. He didn’t want to take a chance on it shutting and trapping them. She went right to the paintings that were stacked up against the wall and started looking through them.

“It’s not here.” She kept searching.

“What’s not here?” Luca asked.

“That painting of the woman holding a child, the one I told you about, it’s gone.”

“Is this it?” He picked up one and showed it to her.

“No.” She shook her head.

“But it is with mother and child, are you sure?”

“I’m not stupid, Luca. The one I saw, she was standing by the river, holding a child. You couldn’t see her face, only the baby. It has to be here. I saw it. I swear I didn’t imagine it.”

Luca started going through the other paintings. “You’re right. Some of these paintings are worth a fortune. I shall have them taken down and cleaned up, and as you suggested, I’ll donate the money to charity.”

Seeing her rummaging through a rusty tin box, he was curious and walked over. “What treasure have you found now?”

“Jewelry.” She held up some earrings and a necklace. “They’re so pretty.”

“They are of no value,” he said, examining the rest.

“But they are old, too nice to be kept hidden away.”

“You like them?”

“Yes, Luca. Cleaned up, they would make some lovely pieces.”

“Then take them, they are yours.”

“Really, I can have them?”

“Yes. I could buy you some real jewelry, diamonds, rubies, whatever you want.” She was so easy to please, unlike the other women he knew.

“No, I like these. Thank you, Luca.”

After searching through the other items, they found some valuable pieces, candlesticks, and vases that were solid gold.

After going through a few more items, he suggested they wash up for dinner. Grabbing her tin box with the jewelry, she followed him out. He stopped when they reached her room.

“Tomorrow is the party. I have many important people coming. I’m counting on you being on your best behavior,” he laughed when he saw the anger flashing in her eyes. “No biting the guests, okay?”

“As long as they don’t bite me first,” she smiled and disappeared into her bedroom.

***

Over dinner, Luca told the others of his plans for cleaning out the room upstairs and selling what was of value.

Filippo seemed upset about this news. “Do you think that is wise? Is it not better to leave things as they are? It’s not like you need the money.”

“Robin has convinced me to donate the money to charity.”

“Really? Since when do you let a mere girl tell you what to do? Next thing you know, she’ll be telling you how to run your business,” Grazia snorted.

“What she has suggested, not told me to do, is a very good idea. There are many who are poor, and the money can go to help them,” Luca said, glaring angrily at her.

“Since when do you care about the poor?” she snapped back.

“I will not discuss this with you any further, Grazia. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m taking Robin for a walk outside. It’s a beautiful night.”

Taking Robin’s hand, they left the others to gossip.

GRAZIA

Once they were gone, Grazia threw down her napkin and looked at Eleonora and Filippo.

“This has to stop. We have to get rid of that girl before she has Luca doing whatever she wants. Before she convinces him to kick us all out.”

She looked at Eleonora. “You have to make a move on Luca before it’s too late. Tomorrow night during the party, find a way to get him alone and seduce him.”

Filippo laughed. “Good luck with that. Robin is never out of his sight. He keeps her too close. I believe he is falling for her.”

“Then perhaps while Eleonora is occupied with Luca, you should flirt with Robin. Better yet, if you could seduce the girl and get her into bed, Luca would not go through with this stupid marriage.”

Filippo choked on his wine. “Are you insane, Grazia? Luca would beat me into a bloody pulp, and I would be out on the streets.

“No, dear, we’ll let Eleonora take him to bed, and I’ll bet when Robin catches them, she will refuse to marry him.”

“I’ll seduce him, one way or another, but Filippo, you keep her busy, and when the time is just right, bring her up to Luca’s room.” Eleonora raised her glass to the others.

Filippo winked at her. “You are evil, my love.”

LUCA

Luca walked Robin to her room, leaned in, and kissed her. “Goodnight. I won’t be here in the morning to have breakfast with you. I have things to attend to.”

He left as soon as her bodyguard turned up to stand by her door.