Luciano Santini in a bathing suit was eye candy perfection. An Adonis of a man with muscles for days. She was transfixed by the way he commanded the space, how his mere presence affected her in the absolute best way. She had been struggling with the lack of progress she’d been making, but seeing him was like finding a lighthouse in the middle of a violent ocean storm.
Is he my salvation?
He was a man, a god of a man who consumed power like people consumed food. Yet, in his company, she felt like she could do anything, be anything, accomplish anything. It felt like he was sharing his power with her.
He went to her, pulled her into his arms. “Ciao, mia bella, Simone.”
Their kiss was filled with love, but it was over too soon. When he broke away, there was a sadness in his expression. A melancholy that touched the deepest part of her.
She ran her fingers lightly down his shoulders. “Is your heart feeling heavy?”
He sighed. “I don’t want to forget them.”
She offered an encouraging smile. “You won’t.” She pressed her hand to his chest, over his heart. “They live here. They will always be your first loves. Maybe even your true ones. But you have room to love others. You just have to forgive yourself first.”
He kissed her forehead. “Let’s swim, yes?”
She didn’t want to push him, didn’t want to force him to speak when his heart was heavy. People process love and loss differently. She couldn’t begin to understand the depth of his anguish, but she would do whatever she could to support him.
He walked to the diving board, dove in. She followed. The warm water refreshed her skin. Not too cold, not too hot. Just right. Like Luciano.
A broken, flawed, beautiful man with so much to offer.
She swam for as long as she could. Feeling more out of shape than she’d anticipated, she stopped against the wall to catch her breath. But he continued swimming. Back and forth until she joined him again.
When they finished, they swam to each other. Staying apart was impossible. The need to be close, the invisible string kept tugging her toward him. The passion in his kiss and the strength in his embrace made her feel alive… and so safe. His touch ignited her need, his kisses electrified her. When the kiss ended, she swam away. Shewantedto get lost in him, but sheneededto work.
It wasn’t her first choice, but it was the right choice.
After a quick shower, she dressed in yoga pants and a comfortable sweater and made her way downstairs. Despite the enormity of the house, she felt like she’d come home.
Following the delicious aroma, and the sounds of voices, she found Luciano sipping a glass of chianti in the kitchen while chatting with Chef Louis and his wife, Therese.
When Louis finished cooking, he and Therese retreated downstairs.
“Do you ever eat together?” Simone asked.
“No.” Luciano held up the bottle of wine.
“Just a half.”
He poured her wine, topped off his own. “I keep my personal and work lives separate.”
“Thank you for breaking your rule for me.”
He stepped so close she could see the streaks of dark green in his eyes. “I miss you.” He brushed his lips against hers.
“I miss you too.” She kissed him back.
He pulled her close, the power in his embrace made her gasp. Being in his arms was a powerful aphrodisiac and the perfect escape. He kissed the top of her forehead, broke away.
“Dinner, then we’ll work, yes?” he asked.
She didn’twantto say yes, but she needed to stay on point. “Dinner, work, then us.”
The intensity of his kiss filled her with anticipation. “I can’t wait for more zhuzhing,” she whispered before breaking away.
Chef Louis had prepared a delicious meal. Baked chicken, wild rice, a garden salad packed with fresh vegetables. “This looks fantastic… and it’s very health conscious.”