Lucca's Lust: The Luminara Series Book 3 (58 page)

I know that I am blushing and have been taken off guard. A glance towards our editor and director, who both nod their approval towards Lucca, I’m hesitant. After further reassurance from our director, I know that I can accept his kind offer.

“That is settled, then. I will have Suzanne make the arrangements and contact your office to advise you of the itinerary and arrangements. I do hope you enjoy it.” Lucca switches on his phone, taps some information into it, and then places it back inside his suit jacket. Suzanne frantically scribbles down some information on her tablet device from where she sits beside Omari Fayed on a separate sofa adjacent to Lucca Caruso and me.

“Thank you so much, Mr. Caruso. That is … well, it is exceptionally kind of you. I don’t know what to say. I’m so excited and completely overwhelmed. Thank you again. I’m sure I will love it. It’s very generous and a lovely offer.” I beam with delight and blush because I’m babbling.

“Nonsense, it is my treat. And please, call me Lucca.” His request has a serious tone, brows knitting together. I must have called him Mr. Caruso through nerves or excitement. Possibly both. I find myself pulling some errant strands of hair back and neatly wrap them around my bun.

“I will make Hazel Scott your point of contact at Club di Energia and my business partner, Giorgio, your point of contact at Luminara. I shall pass your details onto Hazel and ensure she takes good care of you while in the club, the same with Giorgio.” Lucca nods towards his security agent, who says something into a mouth piece, before Suzanne makes more notes on her tablet device.

I’m eager to get to know the sophisticated and wealthy man that has taken the European business world by storm. Lucca’s success and entrepreneurial skills have held him in second place on the European
Rich List
again this year. He intrigues me. He intrigues us all.

Lucca has captured the hearts of women all across the world with his recent press conference. His statement of love and adoration made breaking news all over the world with more than five million hits online on its release day alone. His honest, sweet declaration of love has to be one of the most romantic, sincere, and heartfelt statements we have ever heard or read about in print.
Lucca’s story
is this year’s biggest and most talked about news story yet.

His statement was released shortly after a specific well known tabloid printed in press and online a very controversial and shocking news scandal. It had every journalist in Europe trying to uncover the truth and exploit details of what seemed to be hints of the most horrific, brutal, and disturbing revelation we have ever discovered.

In response to these shocking and false allegations, Lucca arranged a press conference to give a statement of truth to shed light and give closure to the exploitation. His statement, to protect and honour the love of his life—his
dolcezza
—was so well received that it has left women all across the world swooning over him.

This man will stop at nothing and do everything in his power to love and protect the most talked about woman of the last decade … the very private yet exceptionally beautiful Alexis Evangeline Robertson.

Not only did Lucca declare his love and commitment to his fiancée, Alexis, on-air, he also sent a stern warning to the obvious threat. Lucca ensured that if the destructive and missing Michael Parks was watching … he would know that there was no way in hell he would get near Lucca’s girl, and that every law enforcement agency in the UK and Australia was searching for him.

Lucca’s statement, his love tribute and vow to protect and honour his fiancée Alexis Robertson, not only showed his caring, loving, and tender side, but it also depicted his real passionate alpha male persona. Lucca and
Lexi
have inundated our daily headlines and news tabloids for weeks now, and I am desperate to ask those personal questions that everyone wants to know without breaching our contract.

“Okay, we have heard about some of your impressive work projects. Can you tell me about yourself on a personal note?” I ask enthusiastically while carefully watching for signs of reluctance or despondency. In fact, his open posture and relaxed facial expression tells me he was prepared for generalised personal questions.

“Si. I was born just outside of Siena in Tuscany and then moved to Scotland with my family when I was child. Now I spend my time equally between Scotland and Tuscany when I am not travelling for business.” Lucca smiles then takes a sip of his coffee.

“And your family, they live in Scotland and Italy. Is that right?” I probe.

“Yes it is. I have a large family and we are all very close. We try and spend as much time together as possible when we are not all running our businesses or working, and my mamma has discovered Skype so we all get caught on that with her if we are out of the country,” Lucca adds, rolling his eyes before grinning.

“Pastimes. Is it true you love to cook? You mentioned in your statement that you were taking great care of Alexis by smothering her with tender, loving care; sweet, gentle romanticism; complete adoration; and infinite passion.” I refer to my notes from his statement in front of me to ensure I have it correct before making eye contact once more.

“You also said that you have never let her out of your sight, that you live and breathe to ensure that she is safe, healthy, loved, and protected. I remember reading you encouraged her to get her strength back by cooking wonderful meals for her. Is this true? Where did you learn to cook?” I ask tactfully and considerately. I ensure the question is directed at Lucca and that I’m not crossing the line.

Lucca shifts in his seat at the mention of Alexis. Dragging his bottom lip between his teeth on a sigh, he looks almost crestfallen, anxious even. His eyes shift towards Omari and Suzanne. The air crackles with unspoken words. Lucca is silent, his hand moves inside the breast pocket of his suit jacket where he lifts out a sleek looking pen and rolls it between his fingers.

I don’t push him, nor do I mention Alexis again at this point. I wait. Perhaps he’s thinking about the time she was ill and it provokes unsettling memories.

Lucca stares at the pen, deep in thought. Casting his gaze upwards, he shows a dimple now when he smiles, looking more content and at ease. “Si, it is true. I do cook. I love to spend time with my family and friends, and I adore entertaining and looking after people. I am almost thirty-three years old and I have spent my entire life around a family of great cooks and picked up a few things. By the time I was eight or nine, I think, I was preparing four and five course meals with my siblings for my family and their guests. It made sense to nurture my passion for good food and wine, and that is why I opened my Luminara restaurant, bar, and club chain.”

He rubs his thumb over his chiselled jaw, fingers of his other hand still rolling the pen. If I’m not mistaken he sounds modest and very humble talking about his achievements and talents. But I do notice he has successfully managed to diverge from talking about Alexis so far.

“Do you have any other hobbies? What does Lucca Caruso enjoy?” I don’t want to lose him again, so I quickly probe with more neutral questions. My foot draws up the inside of my leg where I rub it against my calf. I think about the last time I went hill walking and how long it has been since I enjoyed doing something for myself in my own time.

“As you know, I own the Club di Energia health club chain, which I am expanding across Europe because I believe in it so much. Health and fitness is another one of my passions and will always be very dear to me. Work aside, I am just an ordinary man. I am heavily involved with some local charities; I love my family, love football, and enjoy red wine and Peroni beer. My guilty pleasure is cinnamon gelato.” Lucca trails the tip of the pen across his bottom lip before rolling it between his fingers again.

“Actually … the centre of my universe and my honest guilty pleasure is L'amore della mia vita, la mia dolce bella fidanzata Lexi. Which translates as
the love of my life, my sweet beautiful fiancée Lexi
.” His voice is raspy now, as if desire, intimacy, and pleasure burns in his throat at the mere suggestion of Lexi.

He blushes, a wide smile reaching his mesmerising eyes, and the same dimple appears at the mention of his new fiancée. I’m surprised that Lucca himself was forthright and mentioned Lexi with ease. I expected him to mention her but perhaps after a while when he was more relaxed. He wants to make a point. And naturally I take the bait.

“Does Lexi also cook?” I seize the opportunity now he’s opening up a little. I place my notes down on the marble table in front of us. I don’t want Lucca to assume I will be constantly referring back to them.

I want to be casual and need to gain his trust if I am to get him to disclose any more information. The majority of his press conference statement is almost imprinted in my mind I’ve read it so many times in preparation for today. I’ve followed every single article that has been released up until now.

“Lexi is a wonderful cook and is a quick learner; it makes her happy and keeps her distracted when she cooks, and I love that she is passionate about it. Although she does not have to, I have staff to cook for us if I desire, but I like to spoil her and treat her so I make a point of doing most of our cooking. I guess it just makes me feel like I am taking good care of her.” Lucca’s voice drifts away as if he is recalling something. He’s momentarily distant but appears calm and content. I soften my gaze and smile, admiring his honesty.

“I’m not much of a cook myself. My mother actually bought me couple cooking lessons for Christmas last year so my husband and I can learn to cook together. You can imagine meal times in our house. My cooking is dire, his catastrophic.” I decide to speak a little about myself so he knows I’m honest and to help engage him. If I give, he might give more. I still feel like he is uptight or worried.

His eyes move up to meet mine, a flicker of warmth in them. “You definitely should take the lessons. That is how Lexi and I spent one of our first encounters, which was essential to the beginning of her learning to trust me. We shared a cooking lesson together and things changed rapidly for us. There was so much chemistry. God, I could not stay away from her even if I tried. All I wanted to do—still do—is touch her and hold her in my arms.” He absently stares at the table, fixated on the decorative plate of sweet pastries delivered with our coffee.

“I helped her roll out the pastry. She was adorable trying to concentrate on perfecting them. At one point I thought she would give up. It was a huge turning point for us, as we were very much getting to know each other. I quickly learned that my girl was strong willed and determined but at the same time lacked so much confidence.” His voice quivers then cracks like breaking ice, and he opens the space between us by shifting and pressing his back further against the sofa.

“Lucca, you don’t need to carry on with this topic. I’m sorry. It’s just something I thought I’d ask as I thought it was neutral ground. I didn’t mean to pry. I’m so sorry if I offended you in anyway.” My palms coat with moisture because I’m worried I’ve upset him too much or breached the non-disclosure contract. Omari Fayed turns pages quickly, scanning text. He walks over to Lucca, discreetly whispers in his ear, and squeezes his shoulder before taking his seat next to Suzanne again. He’s giving him reassurance.

I suddenly feel hot and under pressure. My stomach lurches forward. I tilt my head and enjoy the cool air against my neck from the air conditioning above us. Pinching my dress at the chest, I try to prevent it from sticking to my clammy skin. I’m not aware of Lucca watching me. He’s intuitive and somehow knows that I am at unease. I should just drink the water sitting before me then carry on regardless, but I don’t want to move or be forceful.

“No, it is okay, Rebecca. I know you did not mean to pry. We can talk about certain aspects of my life with Lexi, as long as it is not intrusive or offensive. And this is neither. Please do not apologise. You have done nothing wrong,” he reassures, by sitting forward, engaging me once again in his oceanic blue eyes that match the dashing blue tie he wears today.

I blush and nod my head, appreciative he is willing to answer and is being so understanding. Although I normally plan my questions before an interview, sometimes I need to adlib, read signs and make certain adjustments, even be spontaneous. These personal questions seem to just come naturally to me and normally flow well, as long as I use my intuition and keep decorum it should be fine.

Our editor and director give me a cue to continue. I decide to go with my gut instinct and carry on with where I was heading with these questions.

“Do you still get time in your busy schedule to cook together? You must work away a lot?” I gingerly ask. I want to know where Lucca and Lexi have been hiding, where they travel to, and where they will be next.

“Yes, I do work away, but Lexi is always with me. Leaving her is not an option. We do try and cook together when we can. Actually, we were both in the kitchen the other morning and were talking about Lexi’s first cooking lesson. It stirred lots of emotions in both of us and got me thinking about how special those simple moments are and how far we have come. Just thinking of her consumes me. It fills me.” He clears his throat then taps his pen on the corner of his mouth, cleverly avoiding divulging any more information on their whereabouts, past or present, and I don’t push it.

“I will definitely tell my husband we should do the cooking lesson. I mean … it would be a special experience to share together and hopefully I’ll learn how to cook him a decent meal. I might be able to cook steak without cremating it.” I giggle impishly, thinking of the time I almost set my frying pan on fire. Lucca casually laughs also before sitting back and crossing his leg over his knee again.

“Yes, you should. It is a special moment to share together. It certainly was for us.” Lucca’s enthusiasm has convinced me. If this is the look that my husband will get after a couple cooking lessons, then I will be booking it in as soon as possible.