Free L'amore: The Luminara Series by SJ Molloy Page A

Dinner is in the kitchen for you both. I made dinner as I thought you would be tired after your trip and the packing. Miss Robertson, I look forward to becoming acquainted with you tomorrow. Lucca, please call if you would like breakfast prepared. I’ve stocked the pantry and the fridge, and your mail is in the study. I’ll let myself out and lock the door. Enjoy your evening.”
    “Thank you, Rose. We appreciate it. Have I told you how much I love you and how beautiful you look today?” Lucca smoothly charms her.
    She sighs. “Yes, Lucca, you tell me all the time. Now don’t be going and getting Miss Robertson jealous. You need to keep all that flirting for her. I’m no spring chicken anymore, and I suspect Peter gets jealous with all the attention you give me.” She chuckles.
    I instantly love her.
    She has the nicest tone to her voice—warm, kind and loving, and she has a great sense of humour. It’s adorable the way she has a confident respectful relationship with Lucca.
    Jumping up and straightening my skirt, I release my grip and walk towards her, rosy cheeked and embarrassed. “Please forgive my rudeness. I’m sorry you had to … um, find us like this … um, I’m Lexi. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m thankful Lucca has such wonderful people taking good care of him. I suspect you keep him on his toes, and it’s lovely to see. Peter has kindly offered to help me with my dog Doris and I’m very grateful,” I ramble, barely taking a breath.
    Rose has a small frame; she must be less than five feet. She has short, thick, ash-blonde hair cut in a neat bob with streaks of grey running through it. She has good skin though and looks youthful and well dressed. The hint of lilac eye shadow across her lids opens her grey eyes.
    Although her blouse is smart, she wears comfortable looking beige trousers and flat shoes. There’s something very earthly and warm about her, relaxed almost, as if she feels very much at home here and it swells my heart.
    Unlike how I feel.
    Rose holds me closer and kisses my forehead. “Finally, a beautiful, considerate young lady for my Lucca. I’ve heard wonderful things about you. You are such a sweet girl, and I’m thrilled to have another woman around. It also makes me very happy knowing we will have a dog again. I’m looking forward to meeting her.” Normally a cuddle like this from a stranger would make me tense and back away, but I do have a soft spot for the elders. Rose had me the minute I saw the kindness in her grey eyes and heard the sweetness in her voice.
    I hug her just a little too long as I inhale her wonderful scent, the smell of her perfume instantly transporting me to another place and time. Nostalgia washes over me as I momentarily cast my thoughts back to Eleanor: homemade angel cake, lavender oil, sunshine, freshly washed linen sheets, and her fresh floral perfume—coincidently the same one that Rose wears today. I smile thinking perhaps this is a sign that Eleanor’s spirit and memory will be with me here.
    “Are you all right, petal?” Rose asks with concern.
    “Yes, sorry, I just had a familiar memory. That is all.”
    I think Rose and I are going to get along just fine and I like that she calls me petal; this was a name that Eleanor also used to call me.
    Lucca stands and approaches me, wrapping his arm around my waist. “I knew you two would get along. I now have my two favourite women here spoiling me, and I am a happy man.” He beams at Rose while his protective hand grasps my ass as he presses his hard erection into my lower back, reminding me how much he wants me.
    She clicks her tongue and shakes her head, smiling at his words as she walks off. Once the door is closed, Lucca turns me around and swiftly lifts me up so I’m wrapped around his hips, causing my short skirt to ride up around my waist. He clenches my ass cheeks as he walks.
    “God, I love her, but I am glad she is gone. I am so fucking hard for you right now,” he growls,