Chapter 6

LUCA

Going over to the dresser, Luca took out a nightgown and handed it to her. “You best put this on before the doctor gets here, he’ll want to check you.”

Taking it from him, she sat up, raising her eyebrows. “Are you planning on watching me?”

“Would you like me to?”

“Luca, please.”

With a sly smile, he turned his back, giving her time to shed her clothes and slip into the gown, turning back around just as the doctor arrived.

After examining her, the doctor, a man in his late sixties, patted her arm. “Except for the bruises, you’re going to be okay. Just get plenty of rest.”

Arms crossed, Luca stared at him. “So nothing is broken?”

“No, she’s a very lucky lady. Probably will be sore for a few days.”

Saying goodbye, he left Robin and Luca alone.

“Seeing you lying on the ground like that scared the hell out of me.” He rubbed her arm, moving his hand up and down.

“I don’t think I could bear it if anything were to happen to you.” Cupping her chin in his hand, he kissed her, a sweet, tender kiss. “I’ll have your dinner sent up.”

“Will you join me?” she asked, biting her bottom lip.

“Is that what you want?”

“Yes, Luca.”

“Very well. I will instruct the kitchen to do so, and I’ll be right back.”

He left, returning twenty minutes later, followed by the butler carrying a tray. Helping her into a robe, he led her over to the small table where the food had been placed.

“This is nice, just the two of us, kind of cozy,” Luca commented as they ate. He looked at the bruises that were starting to appear. “Do they hurt? The bruises.”

Looking at her arms, she shrugged. “No, I’m used to it.”

His head snapped toward her. “You’re used to it? How often did your uncle beat you?” He felt the anger in him rising to the surface.

Sighing, she set her fork down and stood up. “I’m tired. I think I’ll go back to bed.”

ROBIN

Removing her robe, she climbed into the big bed, pulling the covers over her; her body ached.

Luca sat next to her, taking her hand. “How often did that bastard hit you?”

She really didn’t want to talk about it, but she also knew he wouldn’t stop pestering her until she told him.

“A lot, but mostly when he was drunk.” Her eyelashes were wet from her tears. She tried never to think about those times, but Luca brought it all back.

LUCA

His heart was torn when he saw her tears, and the thought of that man hurting her made him so angry he wanted to kill him with his bare hands.

“I’m sorry he hurt you, but I promise I will never let anyone hit you again.”

Her eyes, moist, looked into his. “What about you, Luca?”

“Me?” He looked at her with utter shock. “You think I would beat you?”

“You have a bad temper, I can tell. If you were to become angry with me, what would stop you from putting your hands on me the way other men have?”

“You might at some point see me so angry that I may hit another man, or I may break things. But I will never strike a woman, especially you. You have my word on that.”

With his hands on her shoulders, he pulled her close, and his mouth came down on hers. He lowered her onto her back as he continued kissing her, his hands resting on the pillow above her head.

“God, I so love kissing you,” he said and went back to kissing her passionately.

ROBIN

Her arms automatically went around his neck, returning his kiss. Eyes closed, she felt the heat in her body rising. He had control of her mouth as he hungrily kissed her with a savagery that she liked and wanted more of.

When he stopped, she opened her eyes, and she let out a moan, disappointed.

“Luca,” she said, reaching up to touch his lips, “I don’t want you to stop. I like it when you kiss me; it feels so good.”

He smiled. “I also like kissing you. You are a very good kisser. Just how many men have you kissed?”

LUCA

A part of him didn’t want to know, knowing he would be angry and want to beat all of them to a bloody pulp.

“You’re my first,” she answered shyly.

His eyes lit up, pleased but also shocked. How was it possible that at the age of twenty, she had never been kissed?

Then he became unsure of himself. She was so innocent and inexperienced, and he didn’t know what to do about her.

He wanted her sexually; she was so different from all his other women. No, he had to stop. She was too young, and so he decided not to let this go any further. She would be his wife in name only; sex was out of the question.

Getting off the bed, he went to the door, stopping to look back at her. “Get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”

ROBIN

Her heart felt like it was breaking into tiny pieces, leaving her shattered and heartbroken. She tried to think of what she’d said or done to make him turn away from her.

Surely that kiss meant something to him as it did for her, but then again, he had been with many women, and maybe she didn’t compare to them.

LUCA

Filippo and Grazia were in the family room when Luca came down. Going over to the bar, he poured himself a shot of whiskey.

“How is Robin?” Filippo asked.

“The doctor says she’s going to be okay. Nothing is broken.”

“The girl is clumsy, a walking disaster. God knows what will happen next. She could end up costing you your fortune. Luca, forget this nonsense about marrying her. Choose someone who will make you proud.”

“I will not tell you again, Grazia. Keep your big trap shut. Robin is the one I am going to marry, so get used to that fact.” He practically screamed it at her.

Grazia stood and slammed her drink on the table. “Mark my words, you will regret this, Luca.” She then stormed out of the room.

“What?” Luca asked when he saw the way Filippo was staring at him like he knew some kind of secret.

“You like her, don’t you?”

“I hardly know the girl, but yeah, I do. There’s something about her; she’s special. I knew it the first moment I saw her, even under all the dirt and baggy clothes. I feel she will be a good wife to me, faithful.”

“But will you be a good husband to her, Luca? She is so very young and naive to the ways of the rich and powerful.

“I don’t think she will accept you having mistresses. It will break her heart. Take care with her, my friend. Are you in love with her?”

“Oh, Filippo, I’ve known her for like three days. There is no way one can fall in love that quick.”

“If you say so, my friend. I bid you goodnight.” He had a smirk on his face as he headed to his room, leaving Luca to mull over what he had said.

“In love? As if,” he said to himself as he poured another whiskey.

ROBIN

As sore as she was, the next day she got dressed, put on a pair of flat shoes and headed to the stable. Luca was going to be there when the horses arrived, and she, too, wanted to see them.

“Robin, you should rest,” he told her.

“I’m tougher than you think, and I wanted to see them,” she said and went over to the one stall and started petting the black one. “Hi, Star.”

“Star,” Luca said, eyeing her as she continued petting the animal who seemed to know and like her.

“Yeah, I named him that. He’s beautiful, isn’t he?”

“So you like this one?”

“Yes,” she said.

“Then he is yours.”

“Mine?” She looked at him. “Really? Do you mean it?”

“I do. Consider it a wedding gift.”

She flung herself at him, her arms going around his neck. “Thank you so much. Let’s go for a ride.”

Putting his arms around her waist, he pulled her in close to his body. “Not today. You need to go back to bed. Besides, they need to get used to a saddle first.”

Pulling away, she opened the stall door, leading Star outside. “Come on, Luca, unless you’re too afraid,” she said. She jumped onto the horse’s back and held out her hand. “Take my hand and jump up.”

“I’m not scared, Robin,” he said, taking her hand, and he got up behind her.

“Put your arms around me and hang on. I’ll take care of you.” She laughed when he almost slid off and had to grab her waist.

LUCA

They rode for a while before stopping by the river. Luca got off and helped her down, his hands still on her waist.

“I never would have guessed you could ride like this. What other talents do you have?” He looked down at her lips and wanted to kiss them, but she moved from his grip on her and went and sat under a tree.

“Tell me more about yourself.”

“There’s not much to tell. I can cook and clean, sew, the usual stuff. I draw a little. I like to sketch people and scenery.”

Luca sat down beside her. “People, huh? Perhaps you’ll do me, sketch me, that is.” He chuckled when he realized how that sounded. But he was sure she wouldn’t get it.

Robin smiled. “I might, only I don’t have the things I need.”

“Then I will make sure you have a supply of everything you’ll need. You’ll also need the right clothes to go riding in. Can’t have you horseback riding in a dress.

“Though I like the one you have on now, especially seeing how it rose up your legs.”

When she sat on the horse, he liked how her dress sat high up, showing off her long and shapely legs.

“If you were a gentleman, you wouldn’t have looked,” she said. Looking away, she blushed.

“I am one, but still a man and when a situation presents itself, I’ll not look away. Neither will any other hot-blooded male. That’s why you’ll not be wearing any dresses when you go riding. I will not have other men ogling you.”

“You sound jealous, Luca.”

Smiling, he took her hand, pulling her to her feet. “Time to go back. You need to rest.”

He jumped up onto Star and reached for her hand. This time he sat in front, and she was behind him with her arms around his waist, resting her head on his back.

ROBIN

Closing her eyes, she took in his manly scent. She loved the way he smelled and how his body felt against hers. She was going to be his wife, and though he had said it would be in name only, she had other ideas.

She would be his wife in every sense. All she had to do was get him to want her in his bed. The way he kissed her told her he wanted her too.

Once they arrived home, he made her go to her room and rest, saying he would see her tonight at dinner.