Chapter TWO

[Shit!] “Merda! Are you okay?” A deep and heavenly accent greets me.

“Ye...Yes. I think so.”

I inhale deeply through my nose and his scent lingers in the night’s breeze.

The musky, zesty infused wood cologne he wears intoxicates my body and my heart flutters with approval.

“Are you hurt?” He asks, his words laced with concern.

“Just a slight bump to my pride,” I reply wishing the ground would open up and swallow me whole.

He stands with ease to his full height and offers me his hand. I accept it and I try my best not to notice how much it swallows mine or the zing that shoots down my body and explodes around my toes.

When I get to my feet I look up meeting his eyes.

There is only one way to describe him.

The sexiest fucking Italian I've ever met.

Take a picture it would last longer...

My inner goddess teases me.

I slowly run my eyes down his body and I faintly hear him growl.

If I was anyone else but me. I’d carpe diem and ride him like a possessed hooker on the hood of the taxi.

But,

I’m me and I’m pretty shy when it comes to the opposite sex. I lack majorly in the sexual department.

Besides,

I'm pretty sure he and I aren’t made to mesh. We clearly come from opposite worlds no matter how cliché that sounds.

“I'm sorry, but I need to get home." I politely say as I snap out of my trance

'Thanks… for uh..  helping me to my feet." I let out a little laugh.

"Not for the... Uh..  nearly knocking me out thing,” I mutter causing him to laugh.

I pull my lower lip in between my teeth and start to nervously nibble on it.

“What’s your name, cara mia?” [my beloved?] He says softly as his eyes search my face.

“Pardon?”

I was too busy wondering what his lips would taste like.

“I asked for your name.” He chuckles.

Amused at my current state of wonderment.

“Oh,” I mutter, shaking the sinful thoughts out of my head.

“Vanessa Maddison.”

“Vanessa Maddison?” His brows furrow.

“As in... Celeste Maddison’s younger sister?” His green eyes intensely focus on mine.

I go completely stiff when he mentions my deceased sisters' name. It’s the last thing I ever expected to hear from him.

“You don’t remember me do you?” He asks cautiously as I continue to just stare at him.

“I’m Luca, Luca Venturi.” He says.

“My father was your family doctor he-” I put my hand up cutting him off.

“I don’t mean to be rude. But, I don't like going down memory lane.”

I pause briefly.

“I'm still trying my best to move forward.”

I hated that my voice suddenly sounded weak. Portraying me to be some damsel in distress.

[Yes, ] “Si, I’m sorry. You shouldn't have….”

I step around him and quickly get inside the waiting taxi. Not bothering to listen to what he has to say. I attempt to close the door when he unexpectedly yanks it wide open again. He gets in forcing me to slide across the seat.

"What do you think you're doing?” I look at him in disbelief.

He turns to face me fully.

“I'm going to see to it that you make it home safely. What’s your address?” He asks calmly.

"I'm not telling you," I scowl at him.

"How do I know you’re not some kind of insane stalker?”

‘He's too hot to wanna stalk you, Nessa...’ My inner goddess mocks me.

“Do I look like a stalker to you?” His eyes dance with laughter.

“The Insane ones never do.” I glance out the window and look back at him.

He shoots me a jaw-breaking smile.

"Out!” I point to the door praying he’ll abide by my wishes.

Instead, he sighs and rests a hand on my exposed thigh.

“I suddenly feel responsible for your safe being.”

His smile suddenly vanishes.

Leaning forward he taps the driver on the shoulder capturing his full attention.

“Drive please, You'll get an address once I have one for you.”

I sit there and shake my head at him when the driver doesn’t move a muscle.

“You don’t expect him to drive without any security for payment, do you?”

Luca looks back at me weighing his options momentarily. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a fifty-dollar note handing it over to the driver.

“Here’s a fifty, I’ll pay you more if needed. Now. Please. Drive ” He orders the poor man.

The driver takes the fifty starts the engine and pulls out into the early mornings' traffic.

“You’ve got to be kidding me." I shake my head.

"Money really does get you what you want in this world," I say astounded by his actions.

“Si, money does make the world go round.” He nods his head looking into my eyes.

We sit in silence for a heartbeat before he opens his mouth to talk.

"Truth be told. You're a vulnerable young lady who's been drinking. And, it makes you an easy target." He rubs the side of his jaw.

"I had a few drinks with my best friend. Don't make me feel guilty for having a good time." I look forward and fold my arms.

"It's on a very rare occasion you'll see me out, enjoying myself." I openly tell him.

“It wasn't my intention to make you feel guilty and I'm sorry. But, I don't see the harm with a former family friend seeing you home, safely." He says softly.

"I'm not going to fuck you." I narrow my eyes at him.

No man has ever seen me home without wanting some ass afterwards. Why would he be any different?

He leans in towards me and whispers seductively in my ear.

“Is that a challenge cara mia?” [my beloved] He blows lightly on my exposed neck.

“No," I moan with a sudden rush of desire pooling in my underwear.

"I love a good challenge." He openly admits as his finger slides down the side of my face.

I shift, removing myself from his proximity.

"Upper town on Prince Street please driver number 34,” I whisper, looking Luca in the eyes.

Searching for his untold tales.

“Now, that wasn't so hard was it?” He flashes me a smile as he winks at me.

“I'm still not dropping my panties for you if....."

[Stop!] “Basta!” He speaks with more firmness holding up a hand.

“That wasn’t what I was getting at and I think you know that." He says arching his brows.

"Sorry," I apologise.

Suddenly feeling like a child who's just been scolded.

"No harm caused." He smirks looking at my slightly parted lips.

"How about dinner?"

I open my mouth to answer him.

"As two friends catching up." He adds quickly staring at me.

Challenging me to accept his invitation.

The taxi slows down and comes to a halt. I reach for the handle and open the door slightly; looking back at him.

“Thanks for the ride.” I step out of the taxi avoiding his question.

I hear his heavy footsteps close behind me and I stop mid-stride removing my heels.

Digging my phone out of my bag I check the time once more and I let out a small frustrated sigh.

I turn to face him.

“ It’s after two in the morning and all I want to do is get some sleep.  So, whatever it is you want or you’re about to say... just don’t. Don’t waste your breath...  and please, just...  go”

I'm too tired to deal with an Italian God right now.

“I just want to make sure you get to your door safely.” He stands there looking up towards the house.

I roll my eyes and ascend the stairs; looking back at him.

“That’s very gentlemanly of you Luca. But, I don’t have time to date” I look past him lying.

“Funny, I don’t recall mentioning anything about dating.”

He smiles when my eyes quickly meet his and my cheeks slowly turn a pretty shade of pink.

"I..I.." I start to stutter with embarrassment.

Luca leans forward and presses his lips against mine.

I flinch at his sudden movement catching me off guard. He wraps his hand around my waist and pulls me into him. My mind is screaming for me to push him away. But my body is begging me to open up and let him have his wicked way with me.

Before I could fully process what was happening or make a decision. He releases me and walks away. I stand there watching him in a daze. My fingers touch my lips and I smile at his brazen actions.

‘Maybe you should've said yes to dinner dummy....’ My inner goddess pipes up one last time.