Stephanie
Days go by, and every passing hour, it feels like nerves are being stretched out like bungee cords and I’m just waiting for them to snap.
I go through my usual routine — work, training with Luca, nights at his place — doing my best to keep it together.
I manage, somehow, because even though there are plenty of times where I’m feeling frazzled, Luca doesn’t seem to notice. He’s his usual self, busting my ass while we’re training and sending me to sleep every night with a dreamy smile on my face and my body lit with exhausted afterglow.
We do other things besides training and sleeping together. I help him unpack. I help him buy furniture for his place. He tells me that he finally feels right settling in.
It’s cute.
We even make a small shelf and a small nightstand together. We build it here at work while taking breaks together.
The man makes me feel good. Confident. Hopeful.
Without him, I don’t think I could keep it together.
But even with him, I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop and I just know that when it does, things are going to come apart.
He’ll find out about my secret, who I owe money to, who I’m working for, and he’ll leave. He’ll have every right to because who the hell would want to associate with some criminal like me?
“Ms. Turner, can you come up to the front, please?”
Sabrina’s voice crackles over my phone and she sounds confused about something. Which means either something is wrong, or someone asked her a question she can’t answer: like which end of the hammer is the bashy-end.
“I’ll be right there,” I say, standing up and leaving my work on the desk. I’m halfway through writing a check to purchase another batch of dehumidifiers and air conditioners and I’m pretty sure the check will actually clear this time.
Both Luca and Frank have been on a roll lately, and apparently there’s a lot of older women experiencing a moist heat wave.
I get up front and stop in my tracks.
I stare.
Luca’s standing there, dressed up to the nines — suit and tie, his hair styled in a way that’s messy but perfect. Right away, I notice the scent with a dark, heady cologne that smells brand new and expensive.
There’s a big grin on his face that highlights his dimples and rugged jaw.
I’m almost in shock.
“What’s this?”
He steps forward, coming right in front of me wand planting a long, deep kiss on me that leaves me breathless.
“Don’t ask questions, bella. Just grab your things. You’re coming with me.”
“Huh?”
Luca doesn’t answer. He lifts me up and carries me out into the parking lot. I yelp a little, I’m confused as all heck, but being wrapped up by him, with my face buried in his shoulder and his scent all around me, it’s enough to shut up any protests I might be thinking about.
There’s a limo outside waiting for us. Long, black, sleek. I’m still airborne and the limo driver hops out to open the door for us. Luca hefts me inside like I’m weightless.
“What is this?”
“A kidnapping.”
He winks at me.
“No, seriously, what is this?”
“Yes, seriously. Sit tight, beautiful.”
I think about trying to get more information out of him, but he’s got this look on his face like he won’t be talking no matter what I say.
We drive out of town, with Luca just making innocuous chit-chat the whole way. The whole time, I’ve got my eyes glued to the windows, trying to figure out where the hell we’re going. Eventually, we pull up to this Spanish mission-looking place, with a big sign out front saying “Galina Winery and Spa”.
The driver pulls us up to the front and then hops out to open the door for me, even extending his hand to help me out.
I stand there, still feeling utterly clueless.
“Seriously, what are we doing here?”
Luca ignores my questions and grabs me by the hand and pulls me to the front desk. An overly-friendly, middle-aged woman with curly brown hair and a motherly attitude looks up as we approach. “Barbara” reads the nametag on her purple blouse.
“Welcome to Galina. Are you two here for a wine tasting?”
Luca shakes his head. “Actually, no. This beautiful woman here has an appointment for the deluxe treatment and the full vineyard package, or whatever the hell it is that includes the bottomless wine.”
Barbara smiles at me. “You must be Stephanie. Right this way, we’ll get you your robe and take you to the VIP massage room.”
My feet stay rooted to the spot. I’m still having a hard time processing this whole thing. “What about the shop? I can’t take a day off — “
Luca shuts me up with a kiss that makes me rise up on my tiptoes. He pulls back and I’m panting and Barbara is staring with her mouth open.
“You’re taking the day off,” he says. “Don’t worry about anything else. I’ll take care of everything. For the rest of the day, all I want you to think about is what wine you want to drink and what kind of massage you want. When you’re all done here, the limo will be back to take you to dinner.”
“But what about — “
He gives me another deep, leg-shaking breath-taking kiss and whatever protests I had die on my lips.
“I can’t wait to take you out later.”
I watch him leave, my mouth wide open.
Barbara’s staring at him just the same and I can just tell that she’s totally jealous.
I don’t blame her, though. I’m the luckiest woman in the world.
Luca looks fucking regal right now, walking like he owns the world. His suit fits like a dream — sitting just so on his broad shoulders and his slacks fitting his marvelous ass just right.
He is beyond incredible. He’s this genuine, honest breath of confidence and support.
Where would I be without him?
With one last wave and grin, he gets into the limo.
“Ma’am, are you ready?”
There’s a butler behind me — an actual butler — with glass of champagne in hand and a towel draped over his arm.
Thousands of bubbles carry my fears and cares away as I take a sip. It’s bright, effervescent, and just what I need.
I’m not afraid anymore. I’m in love.
“Yes, I’m ready.”