Chapter 25

ROBIN

Robin woke with a smile on her face. Last night Luca was so tender, so loving. In her wildest dreams, she never imagined making love could feel that good.

He had different ways of making love. The sweet and generous lover, and the rough and demanding one, one where he took her greedily, satisfying his lust.

Either way was amazing, setting her body aflame with heated passion. Opening her eyes, she saw him, dressed and about to leave.

“Were you going to leave without saying goodbye?” she said. Sitting up, she held the sheet over her. Feeling let down, she pouted.

LUCA

Seeing that sad face, he went and sat next to her, his hand moving a strand of hair away. “Of course not, my little bird. I was going to wake you for a kiss before I left.

“Filippo and I will be gone most of the day. It’s raining so you won’t be able to go riding.

“I asked two of the staff to go with you upstairs; they will help you go through everything and pack things up. Maybe you’ll find that painting you were looking for.”

“I hope so,” she replied. “There are so many cool things up there.”

“If you see anything else that you like, it’s yours.”

“Well, there was a pair of gold candlestick holders—cleaned and polished, they would look so nice on the mantel above the fireplace.” She pointed to the fireplace.

“Then they are yours.”

“Really, Luca, you don’t mind?”

“You are my wife. What’s mine is yours.” He gave her a kiss and was about to leave, but she grabbed his hand.

“Luca, about last night, what I did to you.” She blushed and looked away, too shy to look at him. “I mean about how I went down on you. I’ve only heard about it and don’t know if I did it right.”

He stared at her face, which had turned a bright red, and smiled. Taking her chin in his hand, he lifted her face so that she had to look at him.

“I have to admit, you took me by surprise. I never expected you to do that. But it was a pleasant and most enjoyable surprise, and yes, you did it just right. I loved it.” He kissed her passionately before leaving.

After showering and putting on a pair of jeans and one of Luca’s hoodies, she went down for breakfast before tackling the room upstairs.

Two staff members went with her—Holly, the one who helped her on the day of the wedding, and the handyman, Paul.

They wrapped some of the valuable paintings and boxed several of the smaller items. She looked everywhere for the candlestick holders but couldn’t find them; they just weren’t there.

They packed the old photo albums and framed pictures in plastic containers and decided to leave them for another time.

They worked for several hours and were covered in dirt and grime. Tired, they stopped for the day.

As she was leaving the room and not looking where she was going, she bumped into the hard chest of the man she loved.

“Luca, you’re back early,” she said, a smile breaking out on her face. She wanted to hug him, but she was covered in dirt and didn’t want to get his suit dirty.

But when he took her in his arms and held her close as he kissed her dirty face, she cried out. “Your suit is getting dirty.”

“I don’t care. I’ve missed you and can’t wait to hold you in my arms.”

“Let me take a shower and change.”

Smiling, he took her hand and pulled her along with him as he rushed them down the stairs. “Yes, let’s get you in that shower.”

“Wait, why are you home so soon? I wasn’t expecting you till dinner.”

“The one appointment we had got canceled.”

Once inside their room, they tore off their clothes and stepped into the shower, taking turns washing the other before he had her up against the wall, his mouth traveling down her body as he kissed and teased before taking her.

Showers were never this good when one was alone.

Robin threw on one of her robes, and when she went into the other room, she saw Luca sitting in a chair, putting on his shoes.

She stood before him, wanting to tell him about her day. He pulled her down onto his lap so that she was straddling him.

“I hope you aren’t planning on wearing that to dinner.” He laughed when she swatted him and leaned over to kiss him. “How was your day?” he asked.

“It’s going good, but…” She was finding it hard to speak as his hand moved up her leg.

“But what?” he asked, his hand stroking her leg.

“Those candlesticks I was telling you about, they’re missing.”

“Missing, are you sure?”

“Yes, they aren’t there, and I can’t be sure, but I think there are some other items missing.”

“Like what?” She now had his attention, and he stopped stroking her leg to listen.

“I can’t really be sure.”

Luca frowned. “Someone must be stealing from me, but who? It can’t be Grazia or Filippo—they both have their own money, and I pay him very well.

“The staff I employ have been with me for a long time, and I’ve never had any trouble with them stealing. I will have a meeting with them and see if anyone will confess.”

She climbed off his lap, went over to the closet, and took out a dress and shoes. As she took a pair of panties from the dresser, she looked over as he was buttoning up his shirt.

“I am going to have to go shopping for new panties.”

“When you want to go, let me know, and if I can’t take you, then your bodyguard will. I think I’ll head downstairs, or would you like me to wait for you?”

“No, you go ahead. I’ll be down shortly.”

***

Over dinner, Luca brought up the subject of the missing items.

“Well, I certainly hope you aren’t accusing me of stealing,” Grazia snapped, clearly offended and outraged at the very thought. “I wouldn’t be caught dead up there. It’s so dirty and filled with all kinds of vile things.”

“Luca, I would never dream of stealing from you; you are my friend and pay me well. Why, with the enormous bonus you gave me for closing that deal, I bought myself this Rolex.”

He lifted his arm, showing it off. “Maybe one of the help has sticky fingers.”

“I talked to them, and they deny taking anything. I believe them,” Luca said, rubbing his chin as he looked at the two across the table.

“Anyways, Luca, I’ve arranged the press conference for tomorrow. It’ll be held here, and I thought the ballroom would be the perfect place to hold it, plenty of room.”

“That’s fine. Thank you for getting it done so quickly.” He looked over at Robin, and seeing the look of fright on her face, he took her hand and gave it a squeeze.

ROBIN

Cameras were set up, chairs were placed for the numerous reporters and for the others who would be there.

Robin was a complete mess. Her hands shook, and she was sweating. She marveled at how calm, cool, and collected Luca was.

But then why wouldn’t he be? Unlike her, he was used to being in the public eye and speaking to large groups.

“I’ll be right next to you, holding your hand the whole time. It’s time. You ready?”

“No.” She shook her head but held his hand as they stepped out and stood in front of the microphones.

The cameras started flashing, blinding her, and if it wasn’t for Luca holding on to her, she would have fallen flat on her face.

Every reporter stood and started shouting questions till Luca raised his hands, motioning for them to settle down.

“Okay, one question at a time.” He pointed to an older woman in the front.

“Mr. Mariani, is it true you paid your wife’s uncle so that you could have her?”

“Miss, that is outrageous. I merely paid him for the three horses I purchased from him. My wife had nothing to do with it. Next.”

“Mr. Mariani, isn’t it unusual to marry after only knowing her for a month?” a young man asked.

Luca smiled and looked at Robin when he answered. “When you’re in love, you don’t want to wait. True, we only knew each other a month before we got married, but we are in love.”

He kissed her hand, showing his love for her.

More questions were thrown at Robin. She answered as best she could, and when she stumbled, Luca stepped in.

When asked about the argument between Robin and Sandra, Luca laughed it off, saying that they had a disagreement, nothing more.

Robin was relieved when it was all over, and Luca guided her through the crowd and out of the room.

“You did well out there,” he said, beaming with pride.

LUCA

The next two weeks were busy ones for Luca, leaving Robin to do what she wanted, drawing, going riding, her bodyguard following right behind.

Two months into their marriage, Robin said, “Luca, can you take me shopping? I need new underwear.”

“I’m so sorry, I can’t today. I’ll get the bodyguard to take you,” Luca said as he looked over some papers that needed signing.

“His name is Shane. It’s rude not to call him by his name.”

Dropping the papers, he stood up and went over to take her in his arms. “You are way too nice, so sweet. From now on, I’ll call him by his name.” He kissed her, his hands caressing her rear end. “You feel so nice.”

“You horny bugger, let go. You have work to do, and I need new panties, thanks to you.”

Laughing, he handed her a credit card. “Here you go, this is your card. Keep it. I’ll see you when you get back, and you can model the new panties for me.”

He laughed when a scowl crossed her face, and she left the room.

ROBIN

Robin and Shane walked out of the store; he insisted on carrying her bags. She also bought some sexy lingerie that she thought Luca would like, and she hoped he wouldn’t wreck these ones as he did with the others.

“I bet you didn’t sign up for shopping.” She giggled.

A tiny smile appeared, though he tried to hide it. “I’ve had worse jobs,” he answered back.

It was a hot day, and the streets were crowded. All she wanted now was to go home and take a relaxing bath.

With any luck, Luca would be busy, and she could have some time to herself. Not that she didn’t like being with him, but whenever she took a bubble bath, he’d be right in there with her.

They stood waiting for the light to turn green before going to where their car was parked. As they started walking, they didn’t see the car coming at them at high speed.

Shane turned his head, and when he saw the car, he yelled at her to run, grabbing her arm. But with the speed and closeness of the vehicle, he had to push her out of the way.

She was shoved out of harm’s way, but Shane was struck down.

She hit her head on the sidewalk, and things got blurry before she passed out in a pool of blood.