Chapter Two..

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

“Ye…Yes. I think so.”

 I inhale deeply through my nostrils as his scent lingers in the night’s breeze.

The musky, zest-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 were 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 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 between my teeth and start to nervously nibble on it. 

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

“Pardon?”

I was too busy wondering what his lips would taste like and if they were softer than two pillowy marshmallows.

“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 sister's 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.

“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. 

Luca 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?”

“I'm not telling you,” I snicker, scowling at him. "How do I know you’re not some kind of insane stalker?” 

'He's too hot to want to stalk you, Nessa...'

My inner goddess mocks me.

“Do I look like a stalker to you?” His eyes dance with laughter as they trail over my face.

“The Insane ones never do.” I glance out the window before I 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.” The smile on his face 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 Luca 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 morning traffic.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I shake my head with disbelief. “Money truly does get you what you want in this world," I hiss, astounded by his actions.

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

We sit in silence for a heartbeat or two before he opens his mouth to speak again.

“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, looking a tad uncomfortable with his last statement. 

“I had a few drinks with my best friend. And I'm not going to let you 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 inform 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, trying to read his body language. 

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?” 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, tesoro.” He openly admits as his finger glides down the side of my face. “All I've wanted since you stole my attention was to touch every inch of your body with my hands, my lips, my cock.”

I shift, removing myself from his proximity.

“Upper town on Prince Street please, driver. Number 34,” I whisper, looking Luca in the eyes as I desperately search 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.....”

“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. “You are cute when you squirm.”

“Sorry,” I say, 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, his gaze narrowing as he challenges 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.” Luca stands there, looking up towards the house, innocently.

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 his shoulder, 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 with him 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 decide. He releases me and walks back to the taxi. 

Speechless, I stand 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, after all, dummy….'

My inner goddess pipes up one last time.