‘Thank you. This is just lovely. I’m going to take it home and keep it safe from everyone here tonight.’
‘Maybe we can share it later, just you and me,’ he said, his voice deep and low.
She didn’t answer. Was she ready to go that far with Luca? To give in to it? She compromised with: ‘I’m glad you’re here.’ She touched his forearm. ‘Look what we did.’
Luca glanced around the shop. Although he’d been there every step of the way for the rebirth, he hadn’t seen it finished, ready for business, with the stock hung and the stylish touches Stella had used to finish the displays.
‘You’ve got such an eye for this.’ Though he was talking about the shop, his eyes were fixed firmly on her.
She shivered with the awareness of his attention, and rubbed her hands up her arms to smooth away the goose bumps. ‘I’m exhausted but so thrilled with everything we’ve done.’
‘This really is your baby, isn’t it?’
‘Yes.’ And that simple admission was far more emotional than her one-word answer suggested. It was her baby, her life, her obsession, her seven-days-a-week passion. Her shop was never cruel or neglectful or unfaithful to her. It had been her constant, her place in the world for the past four years, her partner in rebuilding her life back in South Australia.
‘And a beautiful baby it is too.’ Luca chuckled and she smiled up at him.
‘Well … if I want this party to be a success, I’d better get home and clean up. I have to look the part, you know.’
Luca reached out and slipped the keys from Stella’s hand, and their fingers brushed against each other’s as he did it. ‘I’d better lock up then.’
She flicked off the lights and he locked the door behind them. His truck was parked out the front of the shop and he opened the passenger door, motioning for Stella to get in.
She laughed, propped her hands on her hips. ‘You know I live just around the corner. Precisely two minutes’ walk away.’
‘I’ve heard. Not that I’ve ever been invited round.’
Stella opened her mouth to protest but realised it was true. She’d purposely put a very clear boundary between her shop and her home. She hadn’t wanted him in her private space. Having him in her shop for three weeks straight had almost blown her resolve. The best way to keep their relationship strictly professional was to keep it strictly professional, wasn’t it?
Luca raised his eyebrows. ‘You getting in?’
She glanced up the street. ‘I can walk.’
‘I know that but I figured you wouldn’t want my truck parked out the front of your shop for the party. It’ll block the view of the window display, right?’
‘I see that I have taught you something about retail.’
‘I’ve learnt a lot from you, Stella.’
She averted her eyes from his burning gaze and climbed into the passenger seat.
Stella was so conscious of Luca standing close behind her, so aware that he smelt of sweat and dust, that she could barely get the key in her front door. When it finally flew open she almost tumbled inside, needing to put a distance between herself and the temptation of him, so close and untouchable at the same time.
‘So, this is it. Home by Stella,’ she announced with a whirl and a dramatic outstretched arm.
She dropped her bag on the kitchen bench and threw a smile over her shoulder at Luca. He was still at the front door, taking it all in. Or, actually, staring at her arse.
‘From the outside, I was expecting … I don’t know, old school. But this is modern.’
‘Modern can work if you blend it in properly with the heritage and character of these old places.’ She smoothed down her hair, nervous at having Luca in her house. Jittery about how damn much she wanted him and totally terrified that her resolve was crumbling.
‘You’ve got a real eye for this.’
‘Thanks. I’ve got to …’ She pointed to the short hallway that led to the bathroom at the back of the cottage.
‘Don’t mind me.’
‘Make yourself at home. There’s wine in the fridge if you’d like a glass.’
Stella quickly detoured to her bedroom, where she stripped off her clothes and slipped into her kimono, pulling it tightly around her. She didn’t have much time to get ready and she simply couldn’t spend any more precious minutes thinking about Luca being in her house while she was naked in the shower.
Luca found a bottle of white wine in the fridge, poured himself a glass and sat down on the sofa. He admired the stylish sitting room. It all looked designed but lived in. Elegant and peaceful, which was in direct contrast to his city fixer-upper.
Stella’s place was small yet uncluttered. He was in a cosy living area with a view through two long windows to the narrow street. There was a kitchen behind it, maybe one bedroom and a bathroom down the small corridor. Everything was neat and in its place. There were artworks on the wall, original and modernist, and a huge framed piece of fabric in colourful geometric patterns. On closer inspection, he realised there were no photos. There were no happy snaps anywhere, not of parents, pets, holidays or anything else. Maybe it wasn’t the done thing.
He leant back into the sofa and sipped his wine. Stella was naked in the next room. Luca exhaled deep and loud and tried not to think about that fact, which was made entirely impossible when he heard her stomping and cursing in the kitchen.
‘Damn it. Where the hell is it?’
Luca swivelled himself around to watch her rifling around in her handbag. She tipped the contents with a clatter all over the kitchen bench.
‘What have you lost?’ Luca set his wine glass on the coffee table and went to her. Stella was fresh out of the shower. Her could smell soap and shampoo and her face was pale and scrubbed clean of any make-up. Her hair looked like it had been rubbed with a towel but was still damp and ruffled. She was wearing some kind of Japanese dressing gown tied at the waist, but it had come loose. The front of it gaped open and the curve of her breasts were on full display.
Holy shit. Luca looked.
‘My phone. I can’t find my damn phone. It should be here in my bag. I could have sworn I put it in there when we left the shop. Bugger it.’ Stella rustled through her belongings on the counter. ‘It’s probably still in the shop.’ She stopped the busy work and let out a huge sigh.
Luca pulled himself together. Just. ‘Were you expecting a call or something?’
‘No. Yes. It’s just that—What if someone comes early or someone needs to contact me? Or … I don’t know …’
Luca watched Stella and saw her mind whirring. He’d never seen her like this, panicky and frazzled. Then he understood. It wasn’t about her phone. It was about starting again. It was about everything being on display for everyone at the opening. She was having a regular bout of nerves.
He moved in close, took her by the shoulders, turned her towards him. Her dressing gown was incredibly cool and silky under his fingers and from underneath it he got a hint of her softness.
‘Stella.’
‘It’s just I … it’s all—’ She lifted her eyes to his, and bit her lip. ‘What?’ she murmured, still preoccupied.
What the hell. Luca went for the best distraction he knew.
Something he’d been burning to do for weeks.
He kissed her.
And not just a peck on the cheek. Her crashed his lips into hers, and slid his hands from her shoulders around her back, gripping the silky fabric as he held her. He wrapped himself around her just as she moaned under his mouth and opened up to him. He felt her hands move to his arse, and he pushed against her, jamming her up against the kitchen counter. Her tongue found his and danced with it, and he lavished her with every bit of pent-up desire he’d kept hidden. Hot, hard, demanding. She tasted sweet and smelt like soap when he kissed and nipped her neck, her wet hair tickling his nose and brushing in his eyes. And as his hands moved against her back, palm against silk, the fabric began to move and slide and then her shoulders were ba
re. He pulled back from her. He needed to see her breasts, wanted to take a nipple into his mouth and watch her react, taste her and bite her. Stella arched her neck back and he raised a hand to cup her, smoothing his fingers over her delicate pale skin, and then he leant down and took a nipple into his mouth, sucking, laving, and her moans had him hard, so hard, and he pressed himself against her again.
‘Luca,’ she sighed on a breath and he found her mouth again.
Stella breathed heavy and hard against his lips and then, holy hell, she pressed a palm up against his cock, already so achingly hard, and gripped him through his trousers. He wanted her. Right there. And she wanted him. That he knew for sure.
But he had to find some self control. As much as he wanted to, sex right now would be a bad idea given how little time they had and how important her event that night was.
And he didn’t want to rush. Because when they finally did fuck, and they were going to, he wanted to take his time. Do it right. Feel every inch of her and kiss the bits he missed. Make her come until she moaned and begged.
Oh yeah, he had plans.
Luca loosened his grip on Stella, just slightly, so he could look into her eyes. She looked drowsy and breathless. His cock ached at the way her lips had fallen apart, still wet and plumped from their kisses.
His hands found her face, and cupped her cheeks. Her eyes were half closed and she was almost panting.
‘You looked a little tense,’ he said.
She pushed against his cock. ‘You feel a little tense.’
He kissed her lips, soft this time. If she stuck her tongue down his throat again they’d never get to the party.
‘I’m about to explode, actually.’ He moved away from her and chuckled.
‘I’ve got to get ready,’ Stella murmured.
He kissed the top of her head. ‘Go get beautiful, beautiful.’
She slipped out of his arms and went back to the bedroom. She didn’t even bother to pull her silk dressing gown back together in front of her and, as she walked away, it slipped further back into the crooks of her elbows, exposing the skin of her back, the curve just above her arse.
Luca needed a drink.
CHAPTER
18
Stella pressed a hand to her heart and looked around her shop. It was wall-to-wall people: a sea of supportive faces and happy smiles. It was the best of all parties. Her friends, supporters and loyal customers had turned out for the official opening and her heart was singing. She was absolutely back in business and it thrilled her down to her toes. She’d chosen a simple satin dress for the happy occasion: a sleeveless magenta-coloured sheath that curved against her and put a swing in her step. It was the dress that had invoked the swing, of course, not the outrageously hot kiss and almost-sex with Luca an hour before.
The almost-sex that was still buckling her legs.
She was reeling from that kiss, from Luca’s mouth. Things with him weren’t over now the shop was finished. Not by a long shot.
But Stella couldn’t think about that right now. She had to dampen down the throbbing and the anticipation of what might happen later that night because it was time for the official welcome. Everyone was there. Drinks were being drunk and food was being eaten. She’d carefully prepared a speech during the past week because she didn’t want to wing it: this was too important to leave to chance or nerves. There were so many people to thank and Stella had made sure to double-check every word, every name. She’d put the finishing touches to it the previous night and had printed it off on stiff cards, had bound it with a rubber band and placed it neatly on the new counter near the cash register.
It was almost time for the formalities. She walked over to retrieve it, thanking people as she moved through the crowd, but a hand shot out and grabbed her arm.
‘Stella.’ Duncan moved closer and looked down at her with an expectant smile.
‘Hi, Duncan,’ she sighed. ‘Thanks so much for coming. I hope you have a drink.’
He kissed her on the cheek and she stiffened.
‘This is fantastic, Stella. Congratulations to you. What are you doing after the party?’ He leant down, talking quietly in her ear. ‘Feel like catching up for a drink?’
‘A drink? I’m—’
And then someone else had reached for her.
‘Stella.’ Anna winked at her out of Duncan’s line of sight. ‘God, you look gorgeous. That colour is divine on you.’
Stella looked back to Duncan and waved. ‘We’ll talk later, Duncan.’
She turned her back on him and whispered to Anna, ‘Thanks for that.’
‘Sure thing. That’s what girlfriends are for, right?’
‘Yes. Definitely yes.’
‘I couldn’t leave you in his clutches once I saw the look on your face when he kissed you. You looked as if you’d just been told you have a sexually transmissible disease.’
Stella clapped a hand to her cheek and laughed. ‘He’s a nice guy but … oh, you don’t know the half of it. Thanks for the rescue.’
Anna looked her up and down. ‘That really is a gorgeous frock.’
Stella did a little curtsey. ‘Thanks once again.’
Anna eyed her up and down. ‘It’s a great pity you don’t have a man to tear if off you later. Unless of course you’re going to take Duncan up on his offer.’
‘God, no!’ Stella managed. She hoped like hell her face still didn’t bear the recently-been-kissed-senseless-by-your-younger-brother look.
‘I think we’re going to have to do something about that,’ Anna continued as she slipped an arm around Stella’s waist.
‘I don’t think so.’ Stella laughed nervously.
‘Now, down to business. Those shoes in the window. The red patent ones. They have my name on them, don’t they?’
Stella laughed. ‘Of course they do. They’re even your size. Aren’t they gorgeous?’
‘I adore them. They’ll be perfect for Christmas Day. You are coming to my Christmas party, aren’t you? I can’t believe I’ve wangled it but the whole Morelli clan is coming down to Middle Point for lunch. Except for Grace. She’s decided to abandon us and go to Bali for Christmas. On her own, can you believe that? I don’t think our mother has quite got over the shock of the whole family not being together. But luckily it hasn’t put her off cooking. Since Francesca’s come along she won’t let me lift a finger on major family occasions and I’m so exhausted most of the time I don’t dare argue with her. You have to come, Stella. I won’t take no for an answer.’
Stella blinked, trying to go over everything Anna had said. Christmas lunch? At the Morellis’? With every single Morelli?
Stella felt her chest tighten. She swallowed. ‘Are you sure? It sounds like a big family thing. You won’t have enough space, will you?’
Anna rolled her eyes. ‘Please. Twenty people is nothing. I’m not taking no for an answer. About the shoes or my invitation.’
‘Thank you. Of course I’ll come.’ Stella didn’t have time right there and then to think about the fact that Anna’s family was Luca’s family too, or the way in which her appearance might be akin to an audition. Or the fact that she hated Christmas and always spent it alone watching Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed in It’s a Wonderful Life.
‘Excellent. Now, are you going to do this official opening so I can start spending money?’
Stella tried to keep up. ‘I’ve just got to go and grab my speech.’ She made her way through the crush of people and rounded the counter. The top of it was empty. Her speech notes were gone.
‘We’ve been cleaning up as we go,’ Summer announced as she and Molly sidled up to the counter.
‘This is a great party,’ Molly said with wide eyes and a purple mohawk. ‘Thanks so much for inviting me.’
‘Boy, have people been getting stuck into the food,’ Summer added. ‘Not that I blame them. It’s incredible, especially those figs with feta and prosciutto.’
Stella quivered and her stomach plummeted. ‘Su
mmer. My speech. It was right here.’
‘Hey, Stella.’ It was Courtney. ‘This is amazing. Oh no, what’s wrong? You look like you’re about to vomit.’
The tinkle of glasses hushed the crowd.
Summer and Molly exchanged worried glances.
‘Oh, shit,’ Stella murmured. She pressed a hand to her breastbone and tried to breathe.
‘I’m so sorry,’ Summer whispered. ‘I must have swept it up in the paper plates. They’re all in the bin out the back.’
‘Where is the woman of the moment?’ Anna’s booming voice carried through the shop. Silence descended. Stella lifted her head and a hundred pairs of eyes were on her.
She liked to be planned. Organised. Liked everything to be in its place. Everything about the evening so far had thrown her off balance. Luca’s kiss. Anna’s invitation. Now this. Her stomach was somersaulting and she was sure everyone could see the beads of sweat on her brow.
‘Stella?’ Anna was beckoning her to the front of the crowd.
She took a deep breath. Looked up at the crowd of expectant phases, happy people. They all merged together in a blur until she saw Luca’s handsome face. He’d lifted his chin, furrowed his brow a little and was asking her a silent question. What’s wrong?
Stella steadied herself. She was accomplished. A successful businesswoman. She had a hot younger man looking at her from across the room and he could see through her and he knew that something had unsettled her and he cared. He flashed her an encouraging smile and a nod that said, You can do this.
It was all she needed. She’d seen bigger disasters than this. Way bigger. Life-changing bigger.
She pulled herself together. She could do this.
When the applause began, Stella found her way to the front of the crowd, where Anna stood with raised hands, leading the applause. She planted two kisses on Stella’s cheeks and pushed her forward. Stella blinked, then pushed out of her mind everything that she’d thoughtfully planned, written down and rehearsed in front of the art deco mirror in her bedroom.
Sometimes you just had to go with you heart. Not your head.
Hold On to Me Page 13
