“Why you didn’t come get me like you do every night?” She cocked her head to the side.
La’Nova chewed on the inside of her cheek, causing her lips to twist to the side. Luca held his laugh in, he could see her inwardly battling herself for letting the words fall from her lips. Instead of calling her out on her bullshit, he took a step up the steps. He grabbed La’Nova and gently led her down the steps until her feet touched the cold damp grass.
For a couple of seconds, they both didn’t say anything. He took in her soft feminine features from head to toe. La’Nova had this natural Black woman’s glow attached to her. It didn’t matter if she walked around with holes in her clothes. Crust in her eyes or even mismatched socks. She currently looked like she just rolled out of bed.To Luca, she was beyond beautiful…perfect even in her imperfection.
He looked down at La’Nova’s short curvy frame. His hand moved down her back until he squeezed a handful of ass. He inhaled her, smelling the soft scent of vanilla, bergamot mixed with the spicy smell of smoke.
“You claim not being the woman for me…I think it’s bullshit.” His free hand grabbed the bottom of her chin.
He forced her to maintain eye contact with him, even with the sun making her squint to look up into his eyes.
“You will be my wife.” He leaned down until his breath tickled her lips. “There’s no way around that shit, but I’m willing to give you the time to come to me willingly and ready to submit without you adding negative words.” He pecked her lips.
“Go put on some shoes, we got a walk to take.” Luca’s raspy whisper sounded demanding, his dark eyes didn’t blink. He eyed her like he dared her to object him.
Luca slapped the top of La’Nova’s ass. A soft gasp left her lips, she complied none the less. She hurried up the steps and moved with purpose in her small camper, enjoying the sting that still resonated on her ass. Once she slipped her feet into her purple Nike slippers, she closed her camper door behind her and followed behind Luca without words.
Each time she took in Luca’s estate it felt like the first time. Luca led her toward the front door at an unhurried pace. La’Nova end up walking beside him. The land stretched wide in every direction. They walked along the long gravel path lined with lanterns until they walked up a set of steps that led to the front door.
Unlike the mornings she left to go back inside of her camper, there were no men standing outside visible. La’Nova could still feel eyes on her, she was sure Luca’s men were somewhere watching. He admitted to her that the house was under twenty-four-hour protection. His chief of security made sure that the guards switched shifts and positions around the estate like clockwork without being noticed unless needed.
La’Nova turned slowly, taking it all in. Acres of space, privacy that Luca ensured to have peace when he came to rest his head. It was something she wished her parents had when she was younger.
The front door opened, and like she’d never been inside before, La’Nova stopped to take it all in. Luca wanted to marry her, and this would be considered her home. Day light poured in through the vaulted windows, illuminating the mirror finished floors. The house smelled of citrus and cedarwood. The foyer had open and wide space with the same electric panel that was in the master suite bedroom and bathroom.
Luca turned and waited patiently, his eyes followed La’Nova’s. Her eyes was fixated on the massive custom chandelier that hung heavy in the center of the front room. It was made out of blackened metal and smoked glass. It wasn’t dazzling with crystals just there and noticeable. One look at the chandelier said that Luca was in control of decorating and furnishing his entire estate.
Her eyes drifted over to the sweeping staircase that curved upward wrapped in dark leather. La’Nova shut her eyes as warmth swarmed inside of her imagining Luca’s tall muscular frame carrying her up those steps like a damsel in distress. Luca tucked his hands in his pants to prevent through from guiding La’Nova in the opposite direction to his room.
Luca watched her reaction more than the room. She looked like she belonged walking around his estate barefoot with a glass of champagne. A strong sense of determination settled inside of him. He turned and moved deeper inside of his home without looking back but knowing she would follow his lead.
They moved deeper inside, footsteps echoing softly as they passed wide hallways and closed doors. They reached a set of tall double doors. Before Luca kept his stride to glide past, shouting erupted from behind.
“Punk bitch!!! These niggas ain’t fucking with me!” Cain yelled.
“Shhh, you always yelling and cursing. Gon’ get us on a fuckin’ punishment,” Abel said lowly.
La’Nova’s heart did something strange in her chest. She giggled lowly listening to the boys bicker back and forth on the game behind the comfort of their room.
“That’s them, huh?” She said knowingly.
Luca simply nodded his head, fighting the urge to open the door and get on the boys about their language. La’Nova looked up at Luca with a newfound respect. She pictured those boys in that small roach infested house full of neglect and rejection. Then she imagined them here in a clean space, stability, food in the fridge with beds that belonged to them, living a good life.
Despite where they came from and despite who their parents were, the boys deserved this. Luca was a good ass man; she couldn’t deny it even if she tried to. He could have easily turned a blind eye to the boys because they weren’t his responsibility.
“You did good, Luca. They will cherish you forever,” she said softly.
Luca didn’t respond but his shoulders eased a bit. He quietly turned and led her past the doors, then out through a set of glass panels that opened into the backyard. Sunlight hit her full round face, warm and brightly. Palm trees lined the perimeter, so tall they swayed with the breeze. The trees casted long shadows over the cobbled rocks.
A gated pool sat in the center, water turquoise blue. Lounge chairs were arranged neatly with small glass tables and a BBQ pit behind the iron gates. Yards away was a tennis court, a sunroom that looked more like a lounge. On the other side of the sunroom was a full basketball court and mini bleachers.
La’Nova could only imagine what Luca’s estate had to offer. What she seen so far described peace and freedom. They followed the path along the edge of the pool, the sound of a water fountain with Lilies got her attention. The east wing finally came into view, it was tucked away with more trees and moonflowers being the focal beauty point of it. Luca stopped at the entrance and turned to her.
This was her surprise. She hadn’t had any surprises since her birthdays as a kid. La’Nova’s chest rose with a slow breath.
“I want this.” He gestured around him slowly with his hands. “To feel like home, a safe space for you.” He stepped into her personal space, licking his lips.
“I like the camper, I plan on getting you a bigger one,” Luca smiled. “A camper that will take me you and the boys on road trips, see different places for the first time,” he whispered the last part quietly.
