Page 18 of Unrelenting (Ruthless Temptations #1)

SIXTEEN

Lorenzo

Waking next to Lucia, I feel a sense of peace I never thought I’d experience. It’s sheer bliss to have her warm body pressed against mine. She wriggles against me, rubbing my cock, which is already hard.

At first, I think it was an accident, that she did it in her sleep. Then she glances back over her shoulder. Her eyes are drowsy still, barely awake, but there’s an unmistakable gleam of desire in them.

As she pushes her hips back again, I accept the invitation and slide into her warm, welcoming body. I take her slowly from behind, peppering soft kisses over her neck, her shoulder, as I make love to her.

Caressing her breasts, I note how she shivers when I touch a particular spot beneath the nipple. I explore every inch of Lucia’s gorgeous body, paying close attention to her responses as my fingers trail over her skin.

Our coupling is gentle, and when she reaches her climax, it’s not with a scream, but a contented sigh. It’s enough to carry me over the edge with her. I shudder as I come inside her.

I’ve never known anything like this. Fast and furious fucking is what I usually prefer, but this was special. It didn’t set off fireworks or cause the earth to shake. Yet it was perhaps the most satisfying sexual encounter of my life because it sealed the connection between us.

As Lucia rolls over and then shuffles into an upright position to lean back against the headrest, I reach for the remote control on the nightstand, eager to show Lucia the reason I love this place so much.

I press the button that opens the drapes. They slowly part, allowing the early morning sun to flood the room and revealing the spectacular view of the valley below.

“Oh, my God,” Lucia exclaims. “It’s so beautiful.”

“It is.” Sitting up, I drop a kiss on her bare shoulder. “I guess you could call this my happy place.”

“I can see why.” She treats me to her glorious smile. “You don’t live here full time, though?”

“No. I have an apartment in the city.”

“You should sell it, move out here.”

I shake my head. “What makes this place special is that I only stay out here for a few nights a month at most. If I lived out here all the time, it wouldn’t be the same.”

“You’re probably right. Too much of a good thing, and all that.” Lucia rests her head on my chest, and I wrap an arm around her. “It’s so peaceful, though. The silence is incredible. You don’t get that in the city.”

“True.” Even in the quieter early hours of the morning there’s some traffic. You hear the occasional door slamming, people shouting. “There are no wolves in the city either.”

Lucia pushes up off my chest and turns to me, her expression filled with horror. “There are wolves?”

“Yeah, an entire pack of them. You hear them howling some nights.”

Outraged, she slaps my arm hard. “And you didn’t think to tell me this before I went running off into the darkness?” She gasps in horror as something else occurs to her. “Was it a full moon last night?”

I can’t help laughing at the stricken look on her face. “They’re not werewolves, Lucia.”

“I know that.” She pouts adorably. “But a full moon can still make creatures act all crazy.”

“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” I assure her. “They’d be more scared of you than you are of them.”

She gives me a long-suffering look, like she’s been hearing me say stupid shit for years.

“You’re thinking of spiders, Lorenzo. Wolves would definitely not be afraid of me.”

“Maybe not, but no harm would have come to you. The wolves don’t come onto the vineyard, and I was near you at all times. I’d never have let you get eaten by a wolf.”

“Hmm.” She twists her lips to the side as she considers that. “You’d have fought a wolf for me?”

“A whole damn pack if I had to.”

Lucia giggles, a joyful sound I could grow to love. “There’s something sweet about that.”

“Haven’t you heard? I’m a very sweet guy.” Nothing could be farther from the truth, but for Lucia, I’m willing to put in some effort. “Now, how about some breakfast?”

“Are you cooking?”

Although I am capable of producing a decent meal, I’m not ready to showcase my culinary skills for a chef of Lucia’s caliber. Besides, I want to show her around before the staff and visitors start arriving.

The winery has been a massive success, and it gets busy from mid-morning. Breakfast needs to be quick so I’ll have time to give her the tour while we’ve got the place to ourselves.

“I’m opening a pack of croissants.”

“Store bought pastries?” Lucia screws up her nose in distaste. “You sure know how to treat a girl.”

“Well, there’s no Pino’s out here.” I see no harm in reminding her of my thoughtfulness when I stayed over at her place. “And if you want coffee, you’ll have to make it yourself.”

I wasn’t kidding when I told her every cup I make tastes like shit.

“Oh, Signore Volante, you’re hopeless.” Lucia shakes her head in mock despair. “What am I going to do with you?”

“I can think of a few things.” Actually, I can think of many things, most of them completely filthy. “But that can wait. Let’s grab something to eat, then I’ll give you a tour.”

“That sounds great, but I can’t walk around naked.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t have anything to wear.”

Oh, that’s right. Her uniform got wrecked last night.

“I think Olivia left some clothes.” She stayed for a couple of nights.

Damiano ran out of ways to occupy her and made me bring her here to sort out my office.

She was a pain in the ass the entire time, whining about the heat but, to be fair, she did a good job of organizing my office.

“There’s probably something that would fit you. ”

“Okay.” Lucia gets up from the bed and walks toward the bathroom, her gorgeous hips swaying. “I’m going for a shower.”

As I contemplate joining her, she seems to read my mind.

Spinning around, she holds up a hand. “And no, Lorenzo, I do not need you to scrub those hard-to-reach places for me.”

With a cheeky wink, she disappears into the bathroom. A second later I hear the snick of the lock being engaged. It’s cute she thinks that would keep me out if I wanted to get in there. I don’t right now.

My aim today is to show Lucia the part of my life that doesn’t involve violence. I want to give her something to like about me because I am falling for her fast, and I don’t intend to let her go.

Lucia

After I’ve made coffee using Lorenzo’s state-of-the-art machine, he ushers me out onto the terrace where a round wooden table is set up with four chairs.

I take the one where my back will be to the wall of the house so I can enjoy the incredible view out over the fields below.

My mind is clearer than it was last night.

I’m no longer so conflicted about Lorenzo.

When I thought he’d sent his lawyer to make that insulting offer for Gianetta’s, I was mad at him. Then I was repulsed by his casual attitude toward people being killed and injured. He was a total prick when he shoved me in the trunk of his car and brought me out here without asking.

I was ready to walk away and never speak to him again, but somehow my attraction to Lorenzo outweighs the negative feelings I have about him.

I guess this is how things will be if I allow our relationship to develop. There are parts of him I’ll love and others I’ll just have to accept.

“Olivia’s dress suits you,” Lorenzo says as he joins me on the terrace, cup of coffee in one hand and a plate of croissants in the other.

“It’s not my usual style.”

When he said Olivia left some clothes here, I thought there might be some yoga pants or jeans, something simple. But this is probably the most expensive garment I’ve ever worn.

Fitting at the waist and flaring out over my hips, the dress is beautifully constructed from the finest silk.

Olivia Volante is a couple of inches taller than me, so the dress is longer on me than it’s meant to be.

Her feet, however, are the same size as mine, which means I get to wear the fabulous black leather pumps Lorenzo found in the guest room Olivia used.

I can’t believe she left such exquisite, expensive clothing behind.

“Well, you look beautiful in it.” He takes the seat to my left, stretching his long legs out in front of him.

“She was at the restaurant the other night.” Was it two or three nights ago? I’ve lost track of time. “She was with Signore Reznov.”

According to Angelina, who waited on them, they had an argument and Olivia stormed out.

“Yes, they’re getting married in a few days.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize they were a couple.”

Lorenzo shrugs, clearly not interested in discussing his cousin’s romantic entanglements. He grabs a croissant and takes a bite, scattering crumbs everywhere.

“Tell me about this lawyer who came to see you. Who was he?”

“He said his name was Pietro…” Or was it Paolo? “Pietro Bianchi, I think.”

Lorenzo’s expression suggests he’s never heard of the man. “What did he say to you?”

“That he worked for the man who’s opening the restaurant next door. He said his client is prepared to buy Gianetta’s because doesn’t want the competition.”

“Then why didn’t he choose another location?”

I help myself to a croissant. “That’s what I said to him.”

“Good girl.” Lorenzo gives me an approving smile.

“He offered me five thousand for the restaurant.”

“What?” Lorenzo splutters. “I was prepared to offer more than market value.”

“Yes, well, he said his client was deducting payment for his services over the years. Apparently he’s been protecting the business free of charge and now he’s decided he wants to be paid.”

“Protection?” Lorenzo knows better than I do that this points to Mafia involvement.

“He said his client had allowed me to operate outside the rules. He also said I should take the offer or face the consequences.”

Lorenzo curses under his breath. He reaches over and takes my hand, looking deep into my eyes as he makes his vow.

“I will find the person behind this, Lucia. I will ensure they never bother you again.”

“I don’t want violence, Lorenzo.” Though he didn’t specifically mention hurting anyone I know that’s what he meant. “Not on my behalf.”

“Lucia.” He looks at me as if I’m being completely na?ve.

I shake my head. “No, I mean it. I know violence is a part of your world, but I want nothing to do with it. If you can’t keep that side of your life away from me, then we need to end this now.”

“I can’t guarantee my business will never touch you, Lucia. With the best will in the world, I can’t control everything.”

He has a point. I find myself shifting the goalposts for this man yet again. “Just promise you’ll do your best.”

He smiles, the hardness in his eyes disappearing. “Okay, that I can do.”

”Good.” I don’t want to dwell on this any longer. “Now let’s just enjoy our breakfast and this wonderful view.”