Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Luca
Placing my phone on the nightstand, I lay back on my pillow and thought about Ariana. Something was wrong. I could tell by the sadness that resided in her voice. It bothered me more than I understood why.
The next day, I drove to Nyack for my weekly visit with my grandfather. We usually met on either Saturday or Sunday, depending on what was going on. Since I was spending time with Ariana tomorrow, I scheduled our visit for today.
“Hello, Didi.” I smiled as I stepped through the door.
“Hello, Luca. Your grandfather is out on the patio.”
“Thank you.”
I made my way to the patio and found my grandfather sitting in his wheelchair at the patio table, reading the newspaper.
“Luca, my boy.” He smiled as I approached him.
“Hello, Grandfather.”
“Go pour yourself a scotch and have a seat. It’s a beautiful day out. Wouldn’t you say?”
“Yes. It’s a great day. Refill?” I asked as I picked up his glass.
He gave me a smile and a small nod. Setting our drinks down on the table, I sat across from him.
“I got a call the other day from David Hildenberg.”
“Figured you would.” I smirked as I sipped my scotch.
“Who is she, Luca?”
“Her name is Ariana Williams, and she’s very intelligent.”
“Is she hot?” His brow arched.
“Yes. As a matter of fact, she’s a very beautiful woman.”
“And you think she’ll be a great asset to the firm or yourself?”
A sly smile crossed my lips as I stared at my grandfather. He knew me too well.
“To the firm. She graduated top of her class from Harvard Law. She was captain of the Harvard Mock Trial Team, and her LSAT score was 180.”
“Impressive.”
“She found some evidence on a murder case I’m working on that proves reasonable doubt. When no one else could, she did. She’s good.”
“Sounds to me like she’s the perfect woman. I want to meet her.”
“Okay. I’ll bring her by sometime.” I set down my drink.
“You like her. I see it in your eyes,” he spoke.
“She’s a nice woman. What isn’t to like?”
“No, Luca, I mean, you really like her. I’ve never seen this expression before when you talk about a woman.”
“Grandfather—”
“Don’t, son. Don’t try to pull one over on me. You’re thirty years old, and you run your own law firm. It’s time to find someone, settle down, and share your life.”
“You know I can’t do that,” I spoke as I got up from the table and looked out to the river.
“You’re nothing like him, Luca. You never were, and you never will be.”
“I still have his blood flowing through my veins.”
“You would do anything to protect the people you love. He only hurt them.”
“I’m starving. Are we eating in or going out?” I smiled as I turned and looked at him.
“Didi has prepared a wonderful meal. Let’s go inside.”
We ate dinner, talked about law and business, had a couple of drinks, and then it was time to head home.
“Drive safe, son.”
“I will, Grandfather.” I leaned down and hugged him.
Ariana
I woke up, jumped out of bed, showered, dressed, and ensured everything I had was packed and ready to go to my new apartment. As I poured myself a cup of coffee, my phone dinged, and a smile crossed my face when I saw I had a text message from Luca.
“What time shall I pick you up?”
“I’m meeting Will at his office at noon.”
“Then I’ll be by at 11:30. Sound good?”
“Sounds great. See you then.”
“Who are you texting?” Olivia asked as she walked into the kitchen.
“Luca. He’ll be here at eleven thirty.”
She stood there glaring at me.
“What?” I asked.
“Have you slept with him yet?”
“No. Of course not.”
“But you want to.” She smirked.
“Maybe.” I bit down on my bottom lip.
“Be careful, Ari. You have to work with him.”
“I know.”
“No, sweetie, you don’t. I’ve already mentioned this before. Luca is a player, and I don’t want to see you get played. You don’t deserve that. He uses women.”
“I’m a big girl, Mom, who can make big girl decisions. Plus, maybe I’m tired of playing it safe. Maybe I want to take a walk on the wild side. What if I played him?” I arched my brow. “Use him for my own satisfaction.”
She cocked her head and narrowed her eye. “I don’t think you have that in you.”
“I guess you’ll have to wait and find out.” I smiled.
It was eleven thirty on the dot when I heard a knock on the door, only to find a handsome and sexy Mr. Luca Russo standing on the other side.
“Are you ready?” he asked with a smile.
“I am. My suitcases are in my room.”
“I’ll send Carl up, and he’ll take them to your apartment.”
“Who’s Carl?” I smiled.
“The man downstairs who will take your suitcases to your apartment.”
“Okay then. Let’s go.”
“Aren’t Olivia and Harry here?” he asked.
“No. They had to get to a birthday party. We said goodbye earlier.”
After signing the rental agreement, Will handed me the keys to my apartment. I clutched them in my hand and smiled as I looked at Luca.
“Congratulations,” he said.
“Thank you. I’m excited to see it again.”
“Then let’s go.” He held out his arm.
I stood outside my apartment and took in a deep breath as I slid the key into the lock. Opening the door, I stepped inside and immediately froze when I saw my space filled with furniture.
“There has to be some mistake.” I looked at Luca. “Am I in the wrong apartment?”
I turned and looked at the number on the door.
“You’re in the right apartment, Ariana.”
I swallowed hard as I began asking him the question I already knew the answer to.
“Did you do this?”
“I did.” He smiled. “Do you like it?”
“Luca, why?” I asked with exasperation.
“Do you like it, Ariana?”
“Yes, of course, I do.”
I walked around, looking at the furniture I mentioned I liked the other night at the store. The same furniture that was out of my budget.
“I can’t afford this. I told you that,” I spoke in a panicked voice.
“I know, and I didn’t want you to worry about it.”
“How can I not worry about it?” I threw my hands in the air. “Luca, you’ve?—”
“I’ve what?” He walked over and clasped my shoulders.
“You shouldn’t have done this. I can’t accept it.”
“You can and you will. I’ve bought you everything you like. You have a bar exam to worry about, Ariana. Not whether you can afford the furniture you like.”
“It’s too much.” I slowly shook my head.
“It’s only furniture, and I’m afraid you’re stuck with it because there’s no way I’m having it all moved out.”
A moment of silence took over. It was apparent that this conversation was a losing battle. What he had done was beyond words; now, I was indebted to him.
“Thank you.” I looked down.
He lifted his finger under my chin so our eyes met.
“You’re welcome.” He smiled. “Wait until you see your bedroom.”
He took hold of my hand and led me to my room which consisted of a full-size bed (the only size that would fit if I wanted to have any walking space), one nightstand, a dresser, a TV that hung on the wall, and a full-length mirror.
I smiled as I stood in the doorway.
“It’s the set I loved, right down to the comforter set.”
He sat on the bed and stared at me for a moment. His eyes raked over me from head to toe. He wanted payment for what he’d done for me, and I was more than ready to give it to him.
“Come here.” He held out his arms.
I slowly walked over to him and climbed on his lap, locking my legs behind him and my arms around his neck. His scent was a subtle mixture of sage and wood. A scent that heightened my awareness of him every time he was near me. My body was on fire, and the ache for him was greater than ever.
We stared into each other’s eyes, and I could feel the hardness of his cock pressing against my ass. It turned me on, and I was ready to conquer Mr. Luca Russo. He brought his hand up to my forehead, and his fingers slid down a few strands of my hair. Our stare was broken when his eyes diverted to my lips. If he didn’t kiss me by the time I silently counted to five, I would smash my mouth into his. But I didn’t have to. It only took to the count of three when his lips brushed against mine. Soft and gentle. Careful but skillful at the same time.
His hand wrapped around my neck as he pulled me closer, and his tongue met mine, tangling like two souls destined to meet. A soft moan escaped me as I couldn’t get enough of his lips on mine. He broke the kiss, lifted my shirt over my head, and stared at my breasts perfectly cupped in the black lace bra I wore. I patiently waited for his lips to touch mine once again, but instead, they roamed down my neck and to each breast, teasing my skin with the tip of his tongue and erupting the flames that resided down below.