Chapter 18

ROBIN

Robin woke up in a cold sweat. Today she was getting married; her emotions were all over the place. She was excited and yet nervous as hell.

Tonight Luca had said he would make love to her. It was what she wanted, but she was afraid; she had no idea what to expect.

Would she be enough for him? Could she satisfy him? All these thoughts raced through her mind.

Walking out onto her balcony, she looked down at the activities going on below. People were running around getting everything ready.

Lifting her face and closing her eyes, she let the morning sun warm her face. It was going to be a lovely day for an outdoor wedding.

Someone knocked, and she went to answer it. A maid carried in a breakfast tray for her, but she was too wound up to eat. Drinking her coffee, she sat down.

She wondered what Luca was doing at this moment. Was he also nervous or maybe regretting his decision to marry her?

The wedding was set for one o’clock. She had plenty of time to shower, change, and do her hair before it was to start.

LUCA

After seeing that things were running smoothly, Luca showered and got into his suit.

His hand shook as he did up his tie. He was nervous as hell, a first for him. Standing by the mirror, he checked himself to make sure he looked all right before going downstairs.

He met with Filippo, and they had a drink together before going outside.

“So you’re really going through with it, Luca,” Filippo said as he poured them another drink.

“Yes, why wouldn’t I?”

“Just asking, and thanks for allowing me to walk her down the aisle.”

They went outside to make sure things were ready. Luca smiled. It looked lovely, simple but classy. It was going to be a small wedding with around two hundred guests attending.

ROBIN

Robin changed into her gown, and with no one to help her, she struggled to do the zipper up. Sitting down, she looked in the mirror. The diamond earrings and necklace Luca had given her sparkled.

A knock made her jump, and one of the maids entered, carrying her bouquet of flowers.

“Is anything wrong, miss?” the young woman asked when she saw the pain in Robin’s eyes.

“I-I cannot do my dress up,” she said sadly.

“Let me help you.” She went over and helped Robin. “My, you make a very beautiful bride. Mr. Mariani will go out of his mind when he sees you.”

“Have you worked for him for very long?”

“Going on two years. Would you like for me to do your hair?” the maid asked, giving her a warm smile.

“You wouldn’t mind?” Robin asked, feeling grateful to the woman.

“Not at all. Please sit.”

“Tell me about Luca,” Robin asked nervously.

“What would you like to know? Not that I’ll be able to tell you much.”

“Is he good to his help? What’s he like?”

“I don’t think it’s my place to talk about Mr. Mariani.”

“Please tell me what you think of him. It will just be between us.”

“Well, he has a temper and has no patience. But he is a fair boss and pays really well. I noticed he is very protective and possessive of you.

“I also have to say that since you have come here, he is more relaxed; he seems happy. I have never seen him smile before, but now he smiles a lot.”

The maid stood back to look at her handy work. “So what do you think, miss? If you don’t like it, I can change it.”

“I love it, thank you so much,” she said, smiling when she looked in the mirror.

“Good luck today, miss. I’ll leave you to finish up unless you need help with anything else.”

“No, that will be all. Thanks again, Holly.”

Robin applied a touch of lipstick and a dab of perfume behind each ear. The closer the time got, the more nervous she became.

A light knock sounded, and she called out for whoever it was to enter. In walked Filippo, a smile plastered on his face.

“My dear, you look amazing, absolutely stunning,” he said as he approached her. Standing behind her, he placed his hands on her bare shoulders. “Luca is one lucky man.”

She started to feel uncomfortable when Filippo kept his hands on her, his thumb rubbing her shoulders.

“Thank you,” she said, moving away from his caress. “What’s Luca doing?” she asked, trying to stay calm.

“Luca is busy making sure everything is perfect for your big day. Here, drink this.” He handed her a glass of champagne. He smiled. “It will calm your nerves.”

Lifting the glass to her lips, she took a couple of sips, then set the glass down. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to it.

“Well, it’s almost time for the show to start. Are you ready to go?”

Nodding, she took the arm he offered her, and they headed downstairs. Little beads of sweat formed on her forehead, and her knees felt weak, like they were about to give out.

Walking outside, she saw Luca standing at the front with the minister, looking so handsome in his dark blue suit, and he smiled at her, showing appreciation for the way she looked.

She never even noticed all the guests watching her.

She began sweating with the hot sun beating down on her. The music began, and Filippo started walking her down the aisle.

She felt lightheaded. Things got so bright, and the next thing she knew, Luca was by her side, calling her name.

LUCA

When Luca saw Robin, she took his breath away, his heart started beating fast, and it felt as though there were butterflies dancing in his stomach.

But she looked so pale, and when she collapsed, he wasted no time in getting to her side.

“Robin,” Luca said as he touched her cheek, a worried look on his face.

“What happened?” she managed to whisper.

“You fainted,” he replied, scooping her up in his arms and carrying her inside.

Grazia stood and told the guests there was nothing to worry about, that there would be a short delay, and she ordered the help to serve them a cocktail.

He laid her down on the sofa and handed her a glass of water. “Just sip it. The help tells me that you have not eaten today. I think this is why you fainted. I asked them to bring you some cheese and crackers.”

She tried to sit up, but he made her lie still.

“I’m so sorry, Luca. I’ve embarrassed you in front of your guests once again.” She lowered her eyes.

“No, Robin, you haven’t. Here, eat something, and you’ll feel better soon.”

He took the plate from the maid and handed her a piece of cheese on a cracker. He could see the color coming back to her face after chowing down on a few of the crackers.

“Feeling better?” he asked, gently touching her cheek.

“Yes,” she answered.

“Ready to marry me? Or would you prefer not to?” He searched her face for any clue that she wanted out of this marriage.

“I’m ready,” she said, standing. She brushed the crumbs from her dress.

“Filippo, we are ready. Give me a minute to get there.” He turned to Robin. “Before I go, I want to tell you how beautiful you look.” Wrapping his arms around her tiny waist, he gave her a kiss before walking away.

ROBIN

“Perhaps that champagne was a mistake, Robin. I am truly sorry,” Filippo said as he took her arm and led her outside.

“No, don’t blame yourself. I should have eaten.”

Having something in her stomach, she felt much better, though she was still nervous as hell. As soon as they reached the front, Filippo let her go and went and sat next to Grazia.

LUCA

Luca took her hands in his, looking into her eyes. He knew right then that he was dangerously close to falling in love with her, or perhaps he already was.

Why else would he become enraged with jealousy whenever he thought of her being with another man?

They went with the traditional vows, and Luca saw tears filling Robin’s eyes when the rings were placed on their fingers and they were pronounced husband and wife.

ROBIN

Taking her face in his hands, he gave her a passionate kiss. “You’re mine,” he mouthed, sending shivers throughout her entire body.

After mingling, the food was ready to be served, which Robin was grateful for. She was starving. Luca put his hand on her thigh, and leaning over, whispered in her ear.

“Tonight, I shall ravish every inch of your body. I will give us the pleasure I’ve been denying us for so long.”

He then kissed her cheek, which had turned a dark shade of pink. His hand, still on her thigh, moved up under the dress, stroking her soft flesh.

She swallowed the lump in her throat, thankful the tablecloths were long and no one could see what Luca was doing.

“Luca, not here,” she choked out.

Of course, he ignored her and kept his hand on her, making her squirm when he got close to her panties. She could see he was enjoying teasing her.

It was time for them to cut the cake. She sighed with relief, knowing he would have to remove his hand before she lost control; her panties were already feeling damp.

Cutting the cake, she fed him a tiny piece with her fingers, which he licked clean in front of everyone. Her face turned red when she saw the lust in his eyes, and she was sure the others noticed it as well.

LUCA

It was now time for them to start off the first dance. He pulled her close, not caring who was watching or what they thought.

Moments later, the others joined in, and with all eyes off them, Luca placed his mouth on her neck, his kiss soft, lighting the fire in the pit of her belly.

“I can’t wait to get you upstairs,” he moaned into her neck.

He turned angrily when Filippo tapped him on the shoulder.

“Don’t hog her all night, Luca. Others wish to have a dance with your bride.”

With a disgruntled sigh, he left her to dance with Filippo. He found himself dancing with some of the other women but kept an eye on her.

That green-eyed monster crept up when later he saw her dancing with an older man who he thought was holding her way too close.

Letting go of the woman he was dancing with, he went over, put his hand on the man’s arm and glared at him.

“You will respect me and my wife by not being so close.” Removing her from his hold, he took her hand and moved to another area to dance.

“Luca, was that necessary? He wasn’t doing anything wrong,” she said, feeling sorry for the poor guy who was shocked by Luca’s outburst.

“You are right. I was out of line. But I can’t help myself when I see you so close to another man. It makes me so mad.”

“Jealous is more like it, Luca, and there’s no need to be.”

“I will try to control my jealousy,” he said, but he stopped talking when he spotted Eleonora with Grazia.

Taking her hand, he pulled her along with him to where the two women were standing. “What is she doing here?” he growled, pointing to Eleonora.

“I invited her, Luca,” Grazia answered.

“Well, I didn’t.” He looked at the other woman. “I want you off my property, now.”

Robin laid her hand on Luca’s arm. “It’s okay, let her stay.”

He looked at her as if she were crazy. “Are you sure you want this troublemaker here?”

“Not particularly, but she is Grazia’s friend.”

“If that’s what you want.” He looked at Eleonora, his lips set in a firm line. “Very well, you can stay. But if you cause any kind of trouble, I will personally throw you out on your rear.”

Not wanting to spend another minute with that woman, he led Robin away.