Lussuria (New Version) (22 page)

“Gentlemen, can you lead the way?” He gestures towards the main building, wrapping his arm around my lower back. There are tourists everywhere, taking photos and filming their families. As we are so high up, I turn around to look at the views—we are set in a medieval forest of towering pines, and the views are stunning; miles and miles of sprawling vineyards and random Tuscan villas. Lucca tells me that the castle dates back to the 1100’s and is the oldest winery in Tuscany. It belongs to the Ricasoli family and has been passed down for many generations. In the museum, we view the family’s collection of armoury and the first newspaper Ricasoli ever wrote from hundreds of years ago sealed for view, covered in soil and vineyards.

I love this. It is so authentic. History at its finest with old world charm. I take Lucca’s hand and squeeze it tightly so that he knows I’m enjoying our tour. He leans over and kisses my cheek. I can hear tourists gasping behind us; they obviously have ogling eyes for Lucca too. Practically every female has been drooling over him, pointing and smiling. He obviously attracts a lot of attention.

We enter the chapel next, and I gasp at the beauty, the ornate sculptures, artwork, biblical statues and grand ceilings, symbolic structures, religious scriptures, and insignia. It is authentic and inviting. The chapel is a large warm open space, filled with calm. I could be completely satisfied sitting here for hours, reflecting in thought and prayer. Lucca uses the holy water from the font to bless himself then lights a candle at the altar, I watch as he crosses his head and body, then bows and shuts his eyes, holding his hands up to his forehead and lowering his head in prayer.

Lucca takes a pew, still bowing his head in prayer. It gives me my own quiet opportunity to say my own prayers. I light four candles and watch the flicker from them dance around with all the other little flames. In turn, I touch the holy water and bless myself. I kneel on the floor and bow my head. My four candles are glowing brightly, each with their own light of hope. I mentally ask God if he will honour and protect me, and see me through another chapter.

I suddenly feel overwhelmed, my eyes tearing up, and I start sobbing at the altar. I close my eyes, slump my shoulders, and sit on my heels, tears streaming down my cheeks. I wish for a spiritual sign, reassurance that God does approve of my decisions and that he doesn’t judge me.

I feel a warm hand around my shoulders, and hot skin pressed into my neck at the side of my head. Lucca grasps both my hands sympathetically and I notice his own emotional turmoil, his wet eyes, tears are straying from his cheeks. We look at each other and press our foreheads together in comfort one another. Quivering in a shaky sob, the ominous tears to my stinging eyes quickly lope down my cheeks and nose until I taste the saltiness on my lips, acting as a barrier and forting my tears. I can’t even wipe them as I won’t let go of Lucca’s hand, so I allow them to stream freely.

I can hear tourists shuffling around behind us into pews. Lucca reaches up and wipes tears from my eyes. I lift my head and notice the light from the candles flicker over him. I feel exhausted, as though my body has been hammered into the ground, but I try to lift my spirit when I notice his stray tear. I use my thumb to wipe across his cheek. We clasp hands and stand to our feet.

Leaving the Chapel, we are escorted to the Castle by way of a back door entrance. We follow Alberto and Tomasso, but he mentions something in Italian to them, and they both turn and leave. When we enter the castle, an attractive looking woman in a tight, black, sleeveless, tunic dress and killer high-heels greets us.

Bubble burst.

She has amazing cheekbones and lush pink lips, big amber-colored eyes like Mr. Carlin’s malt whiskey. Her hair is comparable to mine, but shorter, thick, wavy and dark, kept back with a hair tie. Lucca kisses her on both cheeks, and she hugs him. She’s exhilarated to see him, her eyes alive, her shoulders down and back, pushing her ridiculous chest forward. I think she is trying to impress him, but I’m not impressed. They seem very familiar, too familiar, in fact.

We spend an hour being shown around the private castle, getting a history lesson from the impudent Gina. The castle is enchanting, but I can’t help feeling restless. She takes Lucca’s hand now and then as if they are very close friends and it’s distracting me.

Gina asks if we would like to sample the Chianti Classico wines made here, Lucca reassures me the wines are outstanding. We thank her while she arranges them to be brought up to us, instead of us going to the wine cellars with the other tourists.

I stare at the grand vintage artwork draping the huge stonewalls, trying to evaluate the illustrations depicted in them. Lucca puts his arms around my waist and leans his head into the side of mine. He strokes his fingers over my clasped hands.

“I’d like to take you to the Uffizi gallery on another outing. The art is tremendous, so many great classics.”

“I would like that, thank you.” I say quietly.

“You are so goddamn endearing,” he breathes heavily into my hair, burying his nose in my hair. Gina is shuffling about and coughing, obviously trying to interfere with our intimate moment.

After thirty minutes of tasting the exceptional wine, I notice Gina write something on a piece of card and hands it to Lucca. “This is my new private email address. I notice you haven’t accepted me yet on Facebook. Please don’t leave it as long next time, and do try to make some time to come over for dinner soon.” Gina winks at him.

Right, I definitely don’t like her.

Oh my goodness, did I just mentally think hatred against another female?

Yes.

I feel the wine hitting me as it’s been so long since breakfast. Lucca hadn’t sampled much at all, probably because he’s driving, but I’m getting a little flushed.

He places the card in his pocket. “Gina, thank you for today. I’m very grateful. I want to give Lexi the best sightseeing I can before we go home together.” He says a few words in Italian, then takes my hand and lifts it up to his mouth, kissing it. Gina gasps indignantly at whatever he said in Italian, and her stare blazes right through me, scorching me to ashes. She isn’t happy, and she tries to fake a smile, but is definitely struggling. I feel uncomfortable, but I’m glad she knows where she stands; I actually think I’m enjoying watching her squirm.

I politely thank her. She leans over to kiss me on both cheeks and discreetly whispers into my ear, “You are no different from the rest of us, don’t be fooled. You’ll never get his heart. He has given it only once before, and you don’t even come close to her.” She kisses Lucca, holding him in a tight embrace, then turns on her heels to exit.

Alberto and Tomasso escort us out the back entrance of the castle. I stop to use the public restroom on the way to the car. Staring at the mirror, I’m absolutely shocked and flabbergasted. She has gotten under my skin. I try to make sense of what Gina just said to me.

Was she warning me away?

She clearly has feelings for him. My stomach is knotting, and I feel anxious and a little apprehensive. Maybe I’m kidding myself. It does seem too good to be true. I know my heart is going to get broken, I just know it. I’m in a holiday fantasy and need to face reality when I go home.

How would Lucca fit into my complicated, sheltered life?

I think about the one person he loved...loves? I place my face in hands and sigh.

What are you doing, Lexi?

I pull myself together, spray some perfume, reapply lip-gloss, and head out.

Confessions

“Hey, I thought I was going to need to come and get you. Are you okay?” Lucca asks hesitantly.

“Yes, I just needed to cool down.” I’m not talking about the weather, but I don’t say that to him. He watches me cautiously, placing his thumb on his temple and rubbing his forehead. I know it’s troubling him.

“Come on, we need to go. I need to get you fed, you must be starving.”

I smile and allow him to open the car door for me. Looking in the side mirror, I’m thankful for the shades as they are hiding my worried eyes. We drive back down the winding roads, and I see the beautiful vision of the castle on the hill in the rear view mirror. My empty stomach is churning a little from the sharp corners, winding roads and wine. I close my eyes until we get back on wider roads.

“Lexi you are very quiet what’s wrong?” He finally breaks the silence.

“Gina, was she your girlfriend once?”

“She was never my girlfriend. She is a friend. I’ve known her for years, and her family are friends with ours." He shifts in his seat a little.

“Did you sleep with her?”

Holy shit! I smack my hand over my mouth. I can’t believe I have just asked him something so personal!

Lucca laughs. “You’re so cute, and yes, I have slept with her, but never dated her. It was a long time ago. She is a good friend, but I’m not attracted to her. I never dated her, so please don’t worry about that. Why are you asking? Did she say something to you?”

“It was kind of obvious before she mentioned something,” I say regrettably.

His tone changes. He’s mad now. “What did she say to you? I want to know, was she inappropriate?”

“It doesn’t matter. You were honest with me, so it doesn’t matter what she said.”

“Lexi I want to know. Please be honest with me, or I’m driving us right back up there to ask her myself.” He sounds serious.

Oh good God. Me and my big mouth.

“She said...she said I was just like them…the other women, and that I would never have your heart.” It’s barely a whisper, and I sigh, looking away from him.

“I want to talk to you about this. I’m so fucking angry at her. She has no goddamn fucking right, I have a good mind to call her and give her a piece of my mind, and it won’t be pleasant.”

Oh dear Lord.

I sit in silence until the car pulls up some winding tracks through lovely vineyards. When we stop, I notice there are no restaurants or major tourist attractions, just a picturesque, two-storey, rustic, stone farmhouse on masses of stretched land in front of rows and rows of vineyards. We are secluded in Tuscan countryside; it is breathtakingly, picture perfect.

I jump out of the car, desperate to stretch my legs. Lucca opens the trunk and takes out a couple of bags, a small suite case, a cooler, a hamper and a box with our toiletries.

“Are we staying here?”

“Yes, just for some privacy. I thought we could have lunch out the back. It’s lovely out there and very private. I love it here. Then we can have a quiet night tonight, and more importantly, we will be alone.”

This time last week I would have given myself an aneurysm hearing the term ‘alone,’ but I feel excited, weak at the knees, and desperately look forward to it.

I help him with the bags, and we walk to the front door. Lucca pulls out a key and opens the door. “Is the house empty, who owns it?”

“I do.” He smiles.

I roll my eyes. Of course he does.

“I bought it to renovate eventually, maybe extend the building and keep it as a holiday home. However, the main reason I purchased it was for the land. It’s liquid gold. My Uncle Genaro called many favors for me to get this. There were so many people after it because of the potential for new vineyards, and being able to make a sustainable living from. It caused quite a stir in the region because I’m based in Scotland and they all thought I was mad not being here to protect it or look after it.”

I wonder if I’ve interfered with his five year plan. The thought gives me goosebumps.

When we enter the house, my face lights up. It’s perfect and feels so inviting; tidy, neat and homely. There is a hallway with terrazzo-tiled floors leading into a lounge area complete with furniture, lamps, and soft furnishings. I’d expected it to be an empty shell. Lucca takes my hand and shows me the kitchen, which consists of another huge open plan area, but very much keeps with the traditional farmhouse feel. It has original features, but it has also been modernized slightly. The kitchen opens to a huge dining area that has a chunky wooden table and six chairs. I smile at the huge bouquet of blue orchids in the centre of the table in a large vase.

Lucca smiles at me. “You like?”

“Yes, I love it.”

He grabs me in a tight embrace, clenching my ass cheeks and claiming my mouth. I release a girly groan of pleasure. “I’m the luckiest man on the earth right now and not because of this house, but because of you, here in my arms. You are worth more to me than any liquid gold land, and I’m grateful to have you here with me.” I blush at his confession and look down, but he lifts my face and plants a wet kiss on my lips.

He takes me to the full length glass wall, sliding it open. This design combines the outdoors to the inside and vice versus, creating a spacious area. The alfresco area is beautiful, and I could easily spend my whole summer here, it’s amazing. We walk over to the edge of the decking, and in my peripheral vision I catch a glimpse of...

Oh my God.

My eyes are fixated on the infinite edged pool on a lower level, down a few steps from the decked area. “Damn, I knew I should have brought my bathers.”

“Bathers?” Lucca asks, confused.

“Yes, swimwear,” I reply.

“I know what bathers are. I mean, it’s a very Aussie term is it not?”

I become rigid, my knees lock, and I suddenly feel a chill penetrate through me, swallowing hard and slowly.

Lucca changes the subject. “You won’t require any swimwear, Doc. It’s just you and I and my pool, so I’m glad you don’t have any. I’ll have you naked, thanks.” He has successfully managed to do it again, calm me down and change the direction of my mood to my libido.

Now I’m horny as hell.

“Why don’t you go sunbathe out the back while the sun is still out and I’ll bring our clothes up and start lunch.” Taking my bag with me, I stroll back downstairs out towards the back and do something I never thought in a million years I would. I pull my dress right up over my head and throw it over a chair, take my sandals off, apply some sun cream to my front then lie on the lounger in my black strapless bra and black lace knickers. I place my sunglasses over my eyes and feel the lovely heat of the hot summer rays against my body. I hear Lucca in the kitchen.