Page 61 of Unrelenting
“You won’t be in the way,” I assure her. My mother will be delighted to see me with a woman, especially one as sweet and kind as Lucia. “Please come.”
“Well, okay, since you asked so nicely.”
Pleased she’s agreed to come with me, I bend and kiss her cheek. My mother is going to be thrilled to meet her.
EIGHTEEN
Lucia
When Lorenzo askedme to come with him to Rome, I thought I was in for a long drive. Instead, I find myself high above the traffic in his luxurious Sikorsky helicopter because, of course, he has access to one. He shares it and a private jet with his brothers, apparently.
His world is so different from mine, yet I don’t feel intimidated by Lorenzo’s wealthy. Perhaps it’s because he doesn’t act like a jackass just because he has more money than everyone else.
I mean, he’s cocky, but that comes from knowing women are attracted to him and not because he throws his cash around.
This morning I saw a side of Lorenzo I can’t help being drawn to. As he showed me around Casa di Lupo, I was impressed by his in-depth knowledge of the place. It’s not just an investment for him, it’s his passion. He’s clearly interested in every aspect of the wine-making process and how the hospitality side of the business is run.
His enthusiasm for his project was obvious, and it was cute to see him all puffed up with pride when he gave me his mozzarella to try. I swear he blushed when I told him how good it was.
His invitation to work with him caught me off guard. We haven’t been together that long. I’m not sure I even consider us a couple yet.
We aren’t really dating, not in a conventional sense, and we barely know each other. That doesn’t seem to deter Lorenzo. He’s already confidently stamping his ownership on me.
Not wanting to dissect how I feel about his insistence that I’m his, I focus on the incredible views below. I’ve only been in a helicopter once before, when I took a sightseeing trip in New York.
This is nothing like that. Instead of soaring above an iconic cityscape, we’re travelling over hills, lakes, fields and forests. It’s breathtakingly beautiful.
We’ve been in the air for just under an hour when Lorenzo taps my shoulder. “We’re almost there.”
He points to a large two-story villa in the distance. It’s set in a massive garden, surrounded by fields.
“What is this place?”
“My mother’s house.”
My heart jolts and my eyes widen. “You brought me to your mother’s house?”
“Don’t worry.” Lorenzo grins, seemingly happy to have ambushed me. “She’ll love you.”
Whether she loves me or not, I wish he’d given me some warning. I am not prepared for this. Though Olivia’s dress is stunning and makes me feel incredibly sexy, it isn’t appropriate attire to meet the mother of the man I’m…what….fucking?
I guess there isn’t much I can do about it now. It’s not as if I can run home and change.
As the helicopter sets down on an immaculate lawn at the back of the house, I run my fingers through my hair and try to calm my nerves.
Lorenzo gets out of the helicopter first and helps me to jump down. Taking my hand, he leads me toward the house.
When my heels keep sinking into the grass, he surprises me by scooping me up, bridal-style and carrying me.
“Lorenzo!” I hiss, heat rising to my cheeks. “Put me down.”
“In a minute.” He drops a kiss on my lips. “I like carrying you.”
Embarrassment swamps me as a man comes out of the house to greet us. Tall, muscular and clean-shaven, he’s wearing a black suit and tie.
Something about the way he carries himself tells me he’s ex-military. There’s a stiffness in his walk, a wariness in his gaze, as if he’s on high alert. He tilts his head to one side, watching as Lorenzo approaches with me in his arms.
Thankfully, when we reach the paved terrace that runs along the back of the house, Lorenzo sets me on my feet.
