Page 17 of Unrelenting
She flashes a cynical smile. “Unscathed?”
“I can’t promise not to touch you.”
She nods toward the bottle of wine. “You’re not planning to drive, I hope.”
“No, I left the car at home. I knew I’d end up having a few drinks tonight. Olivia is too much to cope with sober.”
Lucia arches an eyebrow. “You’re telling me there’s a woman Lorenzo the Magnificent can’t handle.”
“Hard to believe, I know, but my cousin’s a hellion.”
Lucia winks and raises her glass in a toast. “Then here’s to Olivia Volante.”
As much as I’d love to sit here all night enjoying the light-hearted banter between us, I can see Lucia’s eyelids drooping.
We’re going to have to discuss the long hours she’s putting in here. I have a feeling that will be a tough conversation, so I shelve it for now.
“Let’s get you home.” I rise from my seat and help her down from hers.
When we get outside, she hands me the keys, allowing me to lock the front door. It feels like a significant gesture somehow, a sign of trust.
It’s a beautiful night. The air is still, and the sky is a deep indigo. Lucia’s apartment is just across the river.
Walking hand in hand with her along Florence’s historic streets gives me a feeling of inner peace I haven’t known for a long time.
It takes seven minutes to reach her apartment. At the outside door, Lucia pulls her hand from mine and fishes her keys out of her pocket.
She opens the door and turns to me.
“Are you coming in?” She sounds as if she wants me to say no.
“I planned to.”
She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip, worried about something. “I’m tired tonight, Lorenzo.”
I place a finger beneath her chin and tilt her head back until she meets my gaze.
“I know that,gattina. We’ll just sleep, I promise.”
It’s not something I would usually do, but for her I’m willing. I don’t know how I’ll feel if she utters the refusal I can tell is on the tip of her tongue.
The thought of being rejected, of heading home to my empty bed when I can enjoy this beautiful woman’s warmth all night kills me.
“Okay, then,” she says after a brief pause.
Taking my hand, she leads me upstairs.
FIVE
Lucia
When I wake,the room around me is bright. I’m not surprised to find myself alone. Though Lorenzo held me until I fell asleep, I get the impression cuddling isn’t really his thing.
He told me last night that he had a full schedule today. A quick check of the time on my phone reveals it’s nine thirty.
No doubt he’s already out breaking kneecaps or orchestrating a corporate takeover. From what I’ve heard about him, either is equally possible.
Getting out of bed, I pull on my cotton shorts pajamas and head for the kitchen. Lorenzo insisted on us both being naked last night.
