Fitting The Pieces (The Riverdale Series Book 3)

by Janine Infante Bosco

  Nick wasn’t sure what Luke was planning on doing, but everyone was starting to talk, he had heard the whispers with his own ears. Any guest who was in attendance at his and Sam’s wedding knew that there was more than a friendship brewing between Luke and Cara, the fact that both of them were missing from this morning’s festivities only validated people’s suspicion. Maybe Luke didn’t give a shit who knew he was in deep with his late brother’s girl, but nevertheless, Nick felt he deserved the heads up.

  He glanced back at Sam before turning to the doorway. He’d only be a few minutes, he’d just go to Luke’s suite, probably walk in on something that would scar him for life, and drag his and Cara’s ass down for some pancakes. Well, after they threw their clothes on. Shit, he hated when he had to be the adult in their friendship. Luke was so much better at it. Damn him for acting like a horny teenager. Nick scowled and hurried out of the dining room, bumping right into his mother.

  Lucille steadied herself and lifted her gaze to her son’s face. She smiled brightly at him.

  “There’s the happy groom.” She said lifting her hand to touch her son’s cheek. Nick let out a breath and smiled at his mother, noticing the genuine happiness that radiated in her aging eyes.

  “I barely had a moment with you yesterday.”

  “Yeah, it was a crazy day.” He said, placing his hands on her shoulders as he looked at her with a soft gaze. “I hope you enjoyed yourself.”

  “Seeing you happy like that, it was one of the best days of my life.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “I’m proud of you Nick, so very proud of what a fine man you are.”

  She went to pull back and give him the space she had come to accept he wanted, when he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his strong arms.

  “Thank you, Ma.” He whispered squeezing her small frame slightly. He couldn’t explain the shift in their relationship, but the last few months Lucille became a constant in his life. She had been true to her word and was trying her best to build a relationship with him. She even tried to forge a bond with his wife, and that was enough for Nick to bury the hatchet. Lucille may not have been the ideal mother to him growing up, but somewhere along the way she had come to see the error of her ways, and Nick could honestly see that she was trying to mend their relationship. If he was being completely honest, he appreciated her efforts and was even surprised to learn how much he wanted to have his mother in his life and for her to be a part of his daughter’s life.

  He kissed the top of her head. “It means a lot.” He said with his voice sounding just a touch hoarse. “I’m happy you were here.” He pulled back from the embrace and looked into her eyes, offering her a smile to show her his sincerity.

  “I love you Nick and I’ll always be here from now on, as long as you’ll have me.” She quickly wiped away the tear that escaped and patted his arm, letting out a heavy sigh. “Now point your mama in the direction of the coffee.”

  He stepped aside and nodded towards the coffee urns that were set up along the buffet. “Go on and enjoy. I’ll be right back, just have to run upstairs and grab…” My lovesick sexed up friend, he refrained from saying. “… My wallet.”

  “Okay, dear.” She said and walked around him into the dining room. Nick sighed as the scent of French toast and freshly brewed coffee sailed passed his nostrils, he grunted miserably and headed towards the elevators.

  * * * * *

  Cara never wanted to open her eyes the dream she was currently having was just that good. She couldn’t remember the last time she had a dream that was so vivid, she could actually feel what was happening. She could actually feel Luke’s lips trail up her naked back while his hands palmed the globes of her ass. Yeah, she was perfectly content living in her dream never to be woken again, especially if her dream ended with her having half a dozen orgasms, much as reality had given her the night before.

  His hands slid around her hips, his fingertips brushing just below her abdomen towards her waiting heat. Luke nuzzled her neck moving her hair with the tip of his nose, he found the spot right behind her ear and his tongue snuck out and took a taste.

  “Good morning, gorgeous.” He spoke against her skin. She lifted her hips snuggling her ass against his morning wood. Best dream… ever. She sighed contently as he gripped one hip and pressed himself against her.

  Cara reached behind her and wrapped her arm around his neck. “Don’t wake me, I’m dreaming.” She murmured and slowly twisted around underneath him so she could lie on her back and meet his gaze.

  Luke’s hair was mussed from their night and the strands that weren’t sticking straight up were falling into his eyes. She reached up and combed her fingers through his hair, pushing it away from his face, giving her access to his eyes or maybe it was his soul because when she stared at him she realized he was stripped of all his defenses and bared his whole self to her. She swallowed hard, emotions getting stuck in her throat, she wasn’t dreaming. This was reality, Luke was her reality.

  “Hi.” He said cautiously watching as the wheels in her head began to turn.

  “I’m not dreaming, am I?” She whispered softly as she lifted her head from the pillow and pressed her mouth to the corner of his. Her lips drifting across to the other corner to kiss softly before she took his lower lip between hers and sucked slightly on it.

  “No Spunky, you’re not.” He said against her mouth, his lips quirking in the slightest of grins as he went to work on taking control of the kiss. His tongue slid along the seam of her lips slipping inside for a taste. He was about to ravish her mouth when he heard the banging on the door. He slowly pulled away from Cara his forehead touched hers. He waited a beat to make sure he wasn’t hearing things and then it started up again, this time louder and harsher. He was going to kill whoever was on the other end of that door.

  Cara tapped his chest with her fingers and he looked down at her, her eyes suddenly were as wide as saucers “Luke! Oh my God, what time is it?” She pushed him off of her.

  “How should I know?” He said grumpily staring down at his hard on. The banging became consistent now and he heard the muffled familiar voice of Nick. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and grabbed his pants, silently vowing to kill his friend for interrupting his morning.

  “That’s Nick, isn’t it?” She groaned not wanting to actually know the answer. She pulled the sheet up and tucked it under her arms, scanning the room for the slightest scrap of clothing. Flashbacks of stripping out of her dress on the terrace flashed before her, causing another groan. She dropped her head into her hands.

  “Cara sweetheart, since Luke’s being an ass, mind opening the damn door?!” Nick shouted pausing only a moment from banging mercilessly on the door.

  “I’m going to kill him.” Luke muttered as he zipped his slacks up, leaving the top button undone. He looked over at Cara, who was sitting wide-eyed in the center of the bed. She clutched the sheet to her body as if it was a shield. He didn’t know what was going through that pretty little head of hers, but he was sure by the look in her frazzled eyes, she was retreating.

  Luke turned and padded into the other room of the suite. He stared daggers at the closed door as it vibrated beneath Nick’s fist. He pulled the door open and glared at his brother-in-law.

  “Unless you’re here to tell me there’s a fire and we’re being evacuated I suggest you turn the fuck around and run…run fast too.”

  Nick rolled his eyes and shoved the plastic bag from the gift shop he was carrying into his bare chest. “Yeah, you’re fucking welcome.” He looked over Luke’s shoulder to see if Cara was around before he settled his eyes on his friends. “You’re about a half hour late for breakfast. Throw your damn clothes on and get your asses downstairs before people start asking questions.”

  “I don’t give a damn who asks questions.” Luke said evenly.

  “Oh no?” He shrugged. “My mistake, so we’re going public with the Luke and Cara relationship?” He swiped his brow with the back of his ha
nd sarcastically. “Well, that’s a relief. Carry on then, I’ll just tell the other’s your banging each other’s brains out and are skipping breakfast. Sam will be upset she didn’t get to say goodbye, but hey, we’ll take one for the team!” He pumped his fist in the air. “Team Lara all the way.”

  Luke heard the shower turn on and he glanced back at the closed bedroom door before he looked back at Nick, who had his arms crossed against his chest and a smug smile on his face. This must be his version of payback for all the shit he gave him about getting with his sister. Karma was a bitch.

  “I forgot about the breakfast.” Luke growled, running his fingers through his hair.

  “Well to be fair, it seems you’ve been busy.” Nick said in a matter of fact tone.

  “Did anyone notice?” Luke asked. He really didn’t give a damn who knew he was with Cara anymore. For fuck’s sake he had, the only person who matters blessing, and he carried that proof in his wallet but by the look on Cara’s face when they woke up to Nick’s intrusion, she cared.

  “Probably but no one said anything yet. I mean, come on after your Patrick Swayze impersonation last night? They probably expect you to pull Baby from a corner and dance your way into the dining room.”

  “You’re a fucking comedian aren’t you?” Luke said and only earned himself a broader smile from Nick. He sighed and peered into the bag he brought and suddenly cut his brother-in-law some slack. There was a pair of khaki shorts, a linen shirt and boat shoes, he really was trying to cover Luke’s hide.

  “I’ll see you downstairs and hurry the hell up will you? I have a honeymoon to get to.” Nick said, his tone suddenly serious as he turned around and headed towards the bank of elevators. Luke sighed and shut the door, taking the bag with him back into the bedroom. He threw the bag onto the bed and sat on the edge of it. He glanced at the bathroom door that was closed before he dropped his head into his hands trying to figure the best way to approach Cara. First, he decided was that he would be honest with her. He didn’t want to masquerade around and pretend like last night never happened. She had finally given herself to him and he wasn’t about to let her take that back. He was in love with her. It took Luke a damn long time to find love, and he wasn’t about to shy away from it. She may be apprehensive at first, but he’d get her to come around. He’d get her to be comfortable with the idea of him and her, because there was no other solution for him anymore.

  He must’ve been lost in his thoughts because he never heard the water shut off. The bathroom door opened and Cara stepped out wearing one of the terry cloth robes provided as an amenity of the hotel. She walked over to her suitcase and began to search through her clothes.

  “What happened with Nick?” She asked softly.

  Luke stared at her back for a moment before he answered her. “Nothing, he just wanted to make sure we made it down to breakfast before they left for their honeymoon.”

  She turned around with her clothes in her hand. “Okay, well, I’ll just be a few minutes and then I’ll head downstairs and you can come when you’re ready.” She said rather quickly as if she had rehearsed her words in the shower.

  “Right, that way no one knows we spent the night together?” He watched as she diverted her eyes and turned to face the mirror. She began to run a brush through her hair forcefully.

  “Right,” she agreed.

  “So that’s it? We had one night and get to pretend like it never happened? Is that how you plan on playing this, Cara?” He said not being able to hold back the anger in his voice.

  “No!” She said instantly and turned around to face him. “I don’t want to pretend like it never happened. I want it to happen again and again.” She sighed as she placed the brush down and walked to him, stepping between his legs as her hands slid over his bare shoulders. “What happened last night couldn’t be wrong because it felt so right, but not everyone will perceive it like that. I was your brother’s best friend for most of his life. I was his fiancé for just a fraction. We never had a real chance at exploring our relationship because he was diagnosed so quickly. I didn’t think I’d ever want to be in a relationship again. I didn’t think I wanted to move on but I do and I want to do it with you, I just don’t want to hurt anyone.”

  “We’re not hurting anyone, Cara.” Luke said taking her hands in his. He wanted her to read Jake’s letter to him, thinking it will clarify things for her.

  “Your parents, what about them? How do you think they will feel seeing me with you, after they watched me with their other son?” He went to speak but she placed her fingers to his lips gently. “Can we just keep this between us until we get home? I don’t want to share what we have with everyone. I just want to explore us without any pressure.”

  Luke bit the inside of his cheek as one of his hands rounded her hips. He gave her a slight nod of the head as he vowed silently to talk to his parents, knowing very well, there wasn’t a need for it but if it eased her mind, he’d do it.

  “Until we get home.” He declared.

  * * * * *

  “I’d tell you to go make a baby on your honeymoon, but you guys are ahead of the game already.” Cara said smiling as she hugged Sam tightly. “Have fun and when you get back we will start to work on the nursery.”

  “Yes, definitely.” Sam said, hugging Cara just as tight. “Have fun too, and take care of my brother.” She whispered quietly into her hair. Cara pulled back slowly from the embrace. There was a time and a place she was sure Sam had said those same exact words to her only referencing her other brother at the time.

  Nick stepped up behind Cara, placing a hand around her waist to rest onto her belly. “The taxi is outside waiting to take us to the airport Mrs. Foti.”

  Sam grinned. “I can’t believe I’m not a Lanza anymore.” She giggled.

  “You’ll always be a Lanza girl, don’t you forget that.” Joe said from behind Cara, causing her to turn and look at the elder Lanza. He was wearing a pair of linen shorts and a Hawaiian style button down shirt. His tube socks were half up his calves and to everyone’s surprise, he wasn’t wearing loafers but instead a pair of sneakers. Let’s not forget the fisherman’s hat that he donned on his head. Cara bit back a smile and her eyes found Deb’s. She shook her head as she took in her husband’s appearance.

  “What time does the boat leave?” She asked and by the sound of her voice she was hoping it was soon.

  Joe slung his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “Trying to get rid of me darling?”

  “Never.” She said with a smile and looked down as Ava dropped her hand and ran to Cara, wrapping her arms around her waist.

  “Cara, can I stay with you and Grandma while Daddy and Grandpa go fishing?” She said, swaying from foot to foot as she peered up hopefully at Cara.

  “Sure, what do you want to do?” She said as she fixed the little girls fallen ponytail.

  “Let’s go swimming.” Ava said excitedly.

  “Ooh, they are having bingo by the swimming pool at noon too!” Deb said sealing their plans for the afternoon before she glanced at Lucille. “Lucy why don’t you join us?”

  “Where is Luke?” Joe said, glancing down at his watch. “If that boy makes me miss my fishing expedition I’m going to use him for bait.”

  “Nice, Pop. Why don’t you tell me how you really feel?” Luke said from behind him.

  “Daddy!” Ava released Cara and ran around her grandpa to her father’s waiting arms.

  Joe turned spun around and pulled his sunglasses off his face to peer at his son. “I guess you’re well rested?” He said eyeing him suspiciously.

  Luke clapped his hands before he rubbed them together. “Are you ready to catch some fish?” He said, ignoring his father’s prying. The old geezer definitely knew something was up, it was evident in his eyes that held a hint of humor in them.

  “Alright all, you have fun doing whatever it is you all do on vacation.” Nick said as he tugged on Sam’s hand. “We have a plane to catch.” He made a rush to kiss
everyone’s cheek, making sure Sam followed his lead and before his mother in law had a chance to become emotional he grabbed his bride and hurried out of the dining room. After all, he had a honeymoon to get underway.

  * * * * *

  Luke casts his line out into the clear blue ocean before leaning back and taking a pull of his beer. He had removed his shirt and let the sun beat down against his chest.

  Joe watched his son, lean back beginning to relax and decided that was the perfect time to dig into him.

  “So are you going to tell your old man where you learned to dance like that?” He said casually. Thirty plus years living with Deb taught him the fine art of prying into his children’s lives, you know in that subtle way.

  “Sam forced me to take lessons.” It wasn’t really a lie. She did coax him even though he went willingly once he knew it would make Cara happy. He took another sip of his beer.

  “They paid off.” He said as he grabbed a beer from the cooler. “Cara seemed impressed.”

  “I didn’t notice.” He said quickly.

  Joe chuckled. “Nice try kid. I’m going to let you in on a little secret of mine.” Luke turned and eyed his father suspiciously. “I only play it off like I have no idea what is going on that way everyone leaves me alone.”

  Luke’s eyes narrowed. “What are you getting at?”

  “You’re in deep with our Cara.” Joe said evenly as he saluted his son with his beer. “Nice to know your tastes have improved.” He said and took a sip of the beer.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Luke said flatly.

  “Ha! Shit, kid, that, only works for me. I’m flattered you’re trying to imitate me.” He put down his beer and grabbed a cigar from his pocket.