Chapter 28

LUCA

He knew he was a sucker for her tears; he could not deny her anything when she looked at him with those big eyes of hers.

Sighing, he took a deep breath, knowing what he was about to say would worry her. “Shane knows the car that struck you down and who it belongs to. I went to visit the bastard and got a confession out of him.”

“How? By beating it out of him.” She scowled at him.

He would never understand this woman of his; she and Shane were the ones who got hurt, and she was upset that he beat the man up.

“It wasn’t an accident, Robin. He was paid to kill you.”

~Shit~, he wished he hadn’t said that when he saw the fear in her eyes.

She sat up, covering her naked body. “Who would want me dead and why?” she cried out, her shoulders starting to shake.

“I don’t know who or why, not yet anyway. But the police are looking into it. Until then, you are to go nowhere without me or a bodyguard. Do not trust anyone.”

“But I’m safe here, though.” Tilting her head, she looked at him. “I am safe in my own home, aren’t I, Luca?”

“I do not trust Filippo or Grazia, and neither should you. Just be on your guard, and if you feel anything is wrong or you see or hear something come straight to me.”

“I know Grazia hates me, but I don’t think she would hurt me, and Filippo, well, he has been nothing but kind to me.”

She took his bruised hand in hers, giving it a tender kiss. “I trust you, Luca, and I know you will protect me and the baby.”

“Always my love,” he said, pulling her close as he kissed her fears away.

“You have not told me how Shane is doing,” she said, pulling from his embrace.

“He’s doing pretty good, all things considered, but he’s one tough bastard and will make a full recovery.” Pulling her back into his arms, he began seducing her as he laid her down.

ROBIN

When she woke the next morning, Luca was not there, so getting dressed, she went to leave and found a large husky man outside her door.

This time she was not frightened since Luca said he’d be there. “Do you know where my husband is?” she asked him after finding out his name.

“Yes, he said he was going downstairs to the gym.”

“Thank you.” Seeing him following her, she stopped him. “There’s no need to follow me. I’m going straight there.”

“Sorry, Mrs. Mariani, I’ve been given strict orders to go wherever you do.”

Sighing deeply, she held her hands up in exasperation, knowing if Luca gave the order, the man would not break it.

When she walked into the gym, the guard waited outside the door. She watched as Luca lifted weights.

His muscled torso gleamed; she was savoring the sight of him, lost in the beauty of his body, until his voice snapped her out of the trance she’d fallen into.

LUCA

“Come closer, little bird, and get a better look,” he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement when he noticed how she was practically drooling.

She walked shyly over, her eyes glued to his chest and reached out to feel him. “No wonder you’re in great shape.”

Letting out a moan, he removed her hand. “I came to see if you were coming for breakfast.”

“Let me shower first.”

“Okay, do you want me to come upstairs with you?”

“No need to go there. I have a shower in here.” Taking her hand, he started walking to the bathroom. “Come, keep me company.”

He turned on the water and pulled off his sweatpants. Turning her around slowly, he slid the zipper down, kissing her neck.

His breathing became ragged and choppy as he took in her spicy feminine scent. “Fuck, you smell so good.”

Pulling her into the shower with him, he wasted no time in lifting her up and entering her. His mouth was hot and moist when he claimed her mouth with a fiery passion.

He could feel her fingers digging into him and moaning as he pounded his cock into her. Her slender legs wrapped around his waist, and the way she hugged him drove him mad with desire.

Her knees were weak when he set her down, and if it weren’t for his strong arms around her, she would have collapsed on the floor. “You are so insatiable, Luca. Can you not go a few hours without sex?”

“Not when it comes to you, my little bird. This is what you do to me, and I can never get enough of you. God, I’m famished. Let’s go eat.”

“It’s a good thing my cast has a waterproof lining.” She laughed.

ROBIN

Walking hand in hand, they entered the dining room, where the other two were waiting. Grazia looked at Robin. “I have something for you,” she said and pushed a package toward her.

Robin and Luca glanced at each other before she opened it. Inside were several books, baby books, and some items of baby furniture and other items they would need.

Lost for words at Grazia’s gift, all Robin could say was thank you.

“The books will tell you everything you need to know about babies and childbirth. I thought they would be useful.” Grazia shrugged.

Robin was overwhelmed. It was so unlike the woman to be thoughtful when it came to her. “I really appreciate it, Grazia, thank you.”

LUCA

Luca sat back, his chin in his hand. This was so unlike his cousin, and he couldn’t help wondering what she was up to. “We should get ready to leave now,” he said to Robin.

“Where are we going?”

“I’ve made a doctor’s appointment for you. Sorry, I forgot to tell you.”

He drove them in his car; the bodyguard followed behind in another vehicle.

***

“You’re fine, Mrs. Mariani, and so is the baby. There was really no need for you to come in so soon.”

“I know, Doctor, but my husband insisted.”

“That’s understandable. Just keep doing what you are, get plenty to eat and lots of rest.”

Taking her hand, they walked out and straight to their car. After helping her in, Luca went around to the driver side and jumped in.

“Aren’t we going home?” she asked when he took a different turn.

“I thought I’d take you to a restaurant for an early dinner by the water. They have tables outside, and we can watch the boats go by.”

He took her hand and kissed it. He also wanted her to himself without the others around.

They were finishing their meal when someone walked over to their table. It was none other than Sandra.

Luca glared at her with hate in his eyes, and he stood. “You can turn around and go back to where you came from,” he growled.

Sandra raised her hand in defeat. “I’m not here to cause trouble.”

“Then what the hell do you want?” he asked angrily.

Sandra looked at Robin. “I only want to apologize to you. I was out of line the last time we met. I also want to congratulate you on being pregnant and wish you all the happiness.

“Before, well, I was jealous of you, but I see how much in love you are with each other. So I will leave you to enjoy your evening.”

“That was nice of her,” Robin said, then rolled her eyes. “But I still don’t want you anywhere near her.”

He laughed, loving that his little bird was jealous and territorial.

***

Later that night in bed, Robin was going through the books Grazia had given her, and Luca lay next to her.

“These are really great books. I’m learning a lot from them. It really was nice of her to get them for me.” She swatted him when he grabbed the book from her hand and threw it on the floor.

“Let me teach you a few things,” he said as he ran his hand up her nightgown and got on top, his lips going to her neck, his manhood hard, pressing into her.

He loved hearing her laughter as he assaulted her body with his hands, and he sucked on her neck, making her squirm.

***

Robin was now in her third month of pregnancy and was going for her first ultrasound. Luca was right by her side and watched as the gel was put on her belly.

She wasn’t very big, just had a small baby bump; he worried that it was so small and wanted to ask the doctor about it.

After voicing his concern, the female doctor assured him that every woman was different and that some hardly showed at all until six months, sometimes longer.

She held Luca’s hand as they watched the screen.

“See that right there”—the doctor pointed to what looked like a tiny outline of a baby—“that there is your baby.”

“Our baby,” Robin said, squeezing his hand.

“Next ultrasound, you’ll see it better, and if you want, we can tell you the sex of the baby.”

The doctor stood and handed Robin a towel to clean up with.

“You and the baby are healthy; it has a strong heartbeat. The only thing is your iron is a little low, but we can give you something for that. Are you getting plenty of rest and exercise?”

“Lots of rest, but my husband won’t let me do anything, so no, not much exercise.” She looked at Luca.

“Mr. Mariani, without the proper amount of exercise, childbirth could be more difficult. Walking, swimming, and doing things will keep both mother and child in shape.

“I know you’re concerned about your wife, but trust me, it’s important, just don’t overdo it.” She stood up. “I’ll just go fill your prescription and be right back.”

Smirking at Luca, she stuck out her tongue. “See, I told you.”

Leaning over her, his nose touching hers, he said quietly, “If you want to stick that tongue of yours out, then I can think of a place where you can put it.”

“Oh, sit down, you horny bastard. The doctor will be back any minute.” She tried to sound annoyed but failed miserably when a small smile crept up on her face; she reached over, giving him a kiss.

***

Robin was fond of the new bodyguard, Grant. He was tall with brown hair and dimples and was just a few years older than herself.

For several weeks he kept a close eye on her and had a knack for making her laugh when she was feeling caged in.

Luca noticed the friendship between them developing, and being a possessive and jealous man, he fired him.

Robin was outraged when she found out.

“Why did you fire him?” she snapped when he told her she would be getting a new bodyguard. “I liked Grant; he was sweet.”

His eyebrows pulled down, and his lips tightened. “Yeah, I could see that.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“You two were getting way too friendly,” he barked at her.

“Oh my god, you’re jealous of him. Hell, Luca, I thought you trusted me. With you and Filippo being gone so much and Grazia still hasn’t warmed up to me, I was lonely. Grant was the only one I could talk to.”

“I’m your fucking husband. You want to talk to someone, talk to me.”

Seeing tears spring to her eyes, he instantly regretted his outburst. “I’m sorry, Robin, I shouldn’t talk to you that way.”

“Fuck you, Luca, your temper and jealousy are fucking annoying.” She shoved him when he tried to take her in his arms.

Anger seized him, and he grabbed her. “Stop swearing at me.”

“Or what? Are you going to punish me? Go sleep somewhere else tonight.”

“Oh, my little firecracker, I’m not going anywhere except to our bed with you.” He picked her up and carried her over to the bed, her kicking and hitting him in the chest with her fist.

“You are only succeeding in making me horny. I will punish you,” he said as he laid her down, his hands and mouth seducing her as he tore off her nightgown.

ROBIN

She wanted to fight him off, but as always, his kisses were dangerous.

Her body betrayed her as she melted when his mouth kissed and sucked on her neck, his fingers going inside her; she became wet and moaning as she begged him not to stop.

He took one of her breasts in his mouth, sucking, running his tongue over her erect nipple.

Kicking off his pants, he got on top, teasing her wet opening with the blunt tip of his cock. “Do you want it, little bird?”

“Yes, yes, please,” she cried out, squirming beneath him, wanting him inside. Since becoming pregnant, she found she was always horny, almost as horny as Luca. “Please, stop teasing me before I go mad.”

LUCA

Getting his own way and knowing how much she wanted him, he grinned. After torturing her for a little longer by going in and pulling out, he finally couldn’t control himself any longer.

Surging in, he began thrusting faster, bringing them both to one hell of an earth-shattering orgasm.

“I love you so much, baby, but I won’t apologize for letting Grant go. He was falling for you and you couldn’t see it, and yes, I was jealous.”

“But I love you, Luca. I would never let another man touch me.”

“I trust you, little bird. It’s the men I don’t trust. I’m sorry you were lonely and felt the need for his friendship.

“I will cut down on work and spend more time with you. At least you just got some exercise that the doctor recommended.” He snickered.

“I don’t think this was what she was talking about,” she said, cuddling up to him.