Luca's pov

Her scent lingered on the duvet and pillows making it hard for me to fall asleep. It was delightful, but at the same time, it was driving me insane because I wanted to sleep and couldn't stop thinking about her. Smelling her scent in my drowsy state made me feel as if she was right next to me.

She was in the same house as me. She just went with Stephanie for a little while. I couldn't explain the way she made me feel. She could infuriate me and make me laugh all in one breath. The effect she had on me was disastrous, the reason being I couldn't explain it.

It was obvious that Allison had a strong dislike towards Elizabeth. She had a strong dislike for any woman that came close to me and wasn't family. She had been pestering me ever since she met Elizabeth.

The first night she met Elizabeth she told me that she wasn't worried because I would never be interested in someone like her, but yet she still got mad when I took Elizabeth to that party. The tip of the iceberg was when I put my hand on Elizabeth's back at the party.

I didn't do it intentionally. I didn't plan on getting defensive when Eric spoke to her. Everything just happened so fast and before I knew what was happening I was being yanked away by an angry English woman cussing me and everything else that stood in her way.

She began screaming at me for bringing Elizabeth and me also being an equally hot head said, "I'm not going to stand here and listen to you screaming like a banshee. I'm leaving!" It was safe to say that I would be dead come Christmas. The woman in my life would surely kill me and have my head as a centerpiece on the dinner table.

After I left Allison I went to find Elizabeth only to learn that she was nowhere in sight and Eric was also gone. I began to panic. I didn't know what to think and every possible scenario played in my head. I thought that she probably left with Eric, but before I let my thoughts get the best of me, I left the house to see if she was outside. When I saw no trace of her I called her.

When she told me she was heading to the bank I went after her. The girl was foolishly brave and I feared she would get herself in trouble. When I found her relief washed over me.

She was a troublemaker.

I was surprised when she apologized to me. It wasn't her fault it was mine. I forced her to go to Allison's. I didn't want her to stay home because that would raise much suspicion, I couldn't risk leaving her at a mall or anywhere else, and leaving her alone in the car just seemed harsh.

My room door opened and my mother walked in with Elizabeth and Stephanie trailing behind her. They all had suspicious smirks on their faces. "My poor baby. What's happened to you?" My mother ran over to my bedside and placed the back of her hand on my forehead, checking my temperature.

"It's fine mum, it's just a mild cold. It will go away with some mild medication."

My mother patted the side of my face. "Well of course. Whatever you say. You may be becoming a doctor soon but you'll always be my little doodles," she cooed pinching my cheek and causing my eyes to widen at the embarrassing nickname she gave me when I was five because I developed a passion for drawing. I still had that passion, but I only ever had the chance to doodle anything when I was bored in a lecture room.

Elizabeth and Stephanie stood at the entrance of my room door, sharing looks while they tried to cover up their giggles.

I growled. "Don't you two have something better to do? Go back to shaving each other's eyebrows."

Both girls shared a look before bursting out into uncontrollable laughter. I could barely handle Elizabeth or Stephanie, what was I thinking when I allowed them to become close. The two would surely drive me barmy. "Oh but dear brother we came to shave your eyebrows," Steph sang and hopped over to my bed with a black suit bag in her hands.

"What's this rubbish?" I asked, eyeing the bag.

"This rubbish," Steph mocked in a gruff voice. "Is your suite for the party tomorrow."

"What party?" I questioned.

"The bachelor and bachelorette party of course," she answered and I groaned.

"Do I have to attend I'm sick," I fake coughed and she narrowed her eyes in on me.

"You just told mum it's nothing major. If you don't attend I won't talk to you," Steph ranted.

"You promise," I said with a smirk. What was it with women and using the I won't talk to you line as a sort of punishment. Well to hell with that balderdash. I enjoyed the peace and quiet anyway.

"Mummy!" Stephanie wined.

"That's low Steph. Playing the mummy card on me." She left the suit bag on the bed and sat on my stomach. The life was being squeezed out of me and I groaned as I began to gasp for air. She was lucky that she was pregnant or else she would have paid with a pillow in the face.

"Say you'll come to the party!"

"Never!"

My mother shook her head as she stared between me and Steph. She had a small smile on her face."Okay stop it the both of you," my mother said standing. "For heaven's sake you two are adults and here you are going at each other like a couple of four-year-olds."

Stephanie stood up, she had a victorious smirk on her face. "She started it, mum," I defended myself. This was unfair I was minding my own business.

It felt like we were kids again. I missed those days with Stephanie. For a moment I almost thought that she would change and become more mature since she was going to have a family of her own soon, but her behavior stated that our relationship would never change.

Elizabeth stood at the corner of my room with a humorous look on her face as she watched me with my mother and unreasonable sister.

"Luca you are going to that party because you love your sister and you will do it with a smile on your face!" My mother declared.

"That is up for discussion," I sighed.

"You two. Here I thought I had adults in my house," my mother mumbled and moved towards the bedroom door. On her way out she gave Elizabeth two gentle taps on her face and smiled up at her before leaving the room.

Steph looked at me with her round eyes. Her lips were in a pout and I was determined not to break. I would definitely go but I wanted to annoy her a little before agreeing.  Stephanie's eyes got bigger and her lip jotted out even further. She often gave me sad puppy dog eyes when we were kids to manipulate me into doing what she wanted.

"Luca please just do it for her," Elizabeth said and I looked up at her meeting her eyes. Fuck. These women and their eyes.

"Fine," I gave up. "Give me the clothes."

*******************

It felt good being back in my home country. Less busy roads. Crisp air and lovely weather. It rained for more than half the year in England. We barely had warm weather. It wasn't New York and for some strange reason I felt myself missing that hustle and bustle of city life I would complain about daily.

I stood in front of the mirror looking at the clothes Steph picked out for me. Navy blue pants, white shirt, and waistcoat. It was ridiculously dressy. They still hadn't told us where we were going. The party was planned by Stephs maid of honor Mia.

Elizabeth still hadn't come out of the bathroom. She said she wanted to get changed in there even though I offered her the room. I went over to the bathroom door and banged on it with a closed fist. "Princess come on we have to leave soon."

"I..." she trailed.

"What's wrong?" I asked. "Are you okay?"She opened the door and my eyes widened at the sight in front of me.

What the fuck...

I had to look twice to ensure my eyes weren't deceiving me. The dress fit her perfectly, hugging her every curve and ending just above her knees, showcasing her long legs. Sparkling black stilettos adorned her feet. Her long hair was curled and it fell down her shoulders framing her face. She had red lipstick on her lips and her eyes were highlighted with dark eyeliner, enhancing the richness of her chocolate eyes.

I resisted the urge to lick or bite my lip. She was staring at me with those pretty brown eyes again. "What happened to grandma?" I gasped.

"Luca," she groaned, putting her face in her hands.

"I'm just kidding princess. You look nice." Liar, I'm a liar. She looked drop-dead fucking gorgeous and I couldn't even tell her that because she would think I was being sarcastic.

She smiled sheepishly. "You look nice too."

I cleared my throat awkwardly. "You ready to go?" I asked and she gave me a small nod.

She took a step front and then her knees buckled. She quickly grabbed onto my arm for support. Her hair fell in her face and a smile crept its way up on my face.

There's my grandma. She can't walk in heels. You can change the woman's clothes but you can't change the woman.

She already looked embarrassed and I kept my mouth shut for once. I didn't want to embarrass her further by saying something stupid. "You okay?" I chuckled, stabilizing her and moving the hair out of her face. Her eyes met mine. The blood rushed to her cheeks and she let go of my arm and nodded frantically.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she smiled sheepishly.

I grinned. "If you wanted to hold my hand you should have just asked, princess."

"Shut up," she said, and continued to walk to the door. She took small steps at first but then she got a little more comfortable as she walked, taking longer strides.

I grabbed my coat and began looking for the car keys. I forgot to put them back in the garage because I was in a rush to get out of the rain and into some dry clothes. As I looked around the room something caught my eye and I paused.

Elizabeth's horrid looking monkey sat on her closed suitcase. I thought she would leave the thing back in New York. The creepy little thing freaked me out and I felt violated to know it was probably watching me as I got dressed.

I shook my head ignoring the monkey and continued to look for the keys. Finally finding the keys, I pocketed them and walked out of my room, closing the door after myself.

As I rounded the corner I found Christian's friend Carlos ogling Elizabeth while they engaged in a rather lively conversation. I noticed the way he sometimes looked at her. Something didn't sit well with me at the way they were smiling and laughing together as if they were old friends.

I walked over to Elizabeth and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her to my body. She looked up at me with confusion riddled features, as her lips pursed and eyebrows furrowed creating a tiny crease on her forehead.

I just hated the way other men stared at her. Especially in that restaurant, she worked in. It didn't help that her work shirt was on the verge of being too tight for her. I wonder if she even noticed the amount of attention she would get. She was so oblivious sometimes.

"Hey man," Carlos greeted with a smile on his face.

"Hey," I said flatly and nuzzled my face into Elizabeth's hair. Maybe he didn't understand that she was mine... Well in the context of the situation she was.

Her hair smelled nice like hot cocoa on a winter's day with subtle hints of lavender. It was intoxicating. I traced my nose across her jawline and I felt her shiver. A smile tugged at my lips at her body's reaction. I moved my hand to her lower back.

"Well I'm going to meet with the others downstairs," Carlos chuckled lightly.

"He's gone," her voice was soft. She then pulled away from me, creating distance between us and my hands fell to my sides as I smirked at her.

Her eyes were wide as if they were screaming what the fuck was that. "Oh I'm sorry did I ruin your flirting session?" I asked rhetorically and moved to walk ahead of her. "All the better he's gone. Ten more seconds and I'd have you moaning," I grinned remembering how she shivered.

"What flirting, we weren't flirting, and even if we were what's it to you?" She asked. "Oh, and you must be delirious if you think that would've ever happened."

I turned around to face her. It sounded like a challenge and I was tempted to prove her wrong. The beauty spot on the top corner of her lip twitched as she snarled at me. "What it is to me is that you are here for me and you're my girlfriend."

"Fake," she mentioned.

"He doesn't know that now does he," I countered as we continued walking towards the steps.

"You have an answer for everything, don't you. So you saying if we were in a relationship you wouldn't let me have guy friends?" She asked.

"Of course you could. I'll have you know that Allison has guy friends. Just like how I have girl friendships."

"Then why can't I have Carlos as a friend?"

I laughed and it sounded a little more cynical than intended. "I think the bloke has a lot more than just friendship on his mind." She glared at me. "It doesn't mean that because he thinks you my girlfriend he wouldn't try his luck. Some guys love a challenge princess. Don't be so trusting."

I took her arm and interlocked it with mine as we descended the steps. She looked up at me with those what the fuck eyes again and I rolled my eyes, gesturing with head to the people that were standing at the entrance of the house. "Now smile," I whispered.

Everyone was standing at the entrance of the house, engaging each other in conversation. James and Amelia, all of Stephanie's bridesmaids, Mia and her partner Suzzanne, Abigail, Madeline, and Christian's groomsmen Carlos.

When I bumped into Christian earlier in the day he told me that his brothers were flying in a day before the wedding. They were running his fashion empire while he was away and they would fly back to Italy as soon as the wedding was over.

Abigail's eyes lit up when she saw me and if I could help it. I'd hide behind Elizabeth as if she was my human shield. She walked over to me all the while keeping her eyes fixed on me as if I was her prey. She was dressed in a metallic long sleeve dress that fit her like a second skin. The dress had a deep V cut in the center of it and it sat mid-thigh. Her six-inch heels clicked with each step she took towards me.
"Hey Luca, I heard you weren't feeling well," Abigail pouted as she came towards me. She bit her bottom lip as her eyes raked over my body. Was it possible to be dressed from head to toe and yet feel so naked under someone's lustful stare.

I rubbed the back of my neck. "All better now," I smiled, clearing my throat.

She took another dangerous step forward and I visibly gulped. The woman gave me the creeps. She gave me the heebie-jeebies. "You sure, poor baby," she cooed and I glanced at Elizabeth.

Help, help me, woman!

If I didn't know any better I'd say princess had claws because she was glaring at Abigail as if she wanted to rip her head off her shoulders.

"Oh don't you look nice," Abigail smiled through her teeth at Elizabeth.

"Thanks," Elizabeth said, trying to control her voice to hide her obvious irritation.

Abigail gave me one last lingering look before turning away and walking out of the house with everyone else. I turned to Elizabeth. "Are you jealous princess?" I whispered in her ear.

"No, I simply have no reason to be. But like you said with Carlos. She knows you in a relationship yet she is still openly flirting with you. Not even regarding that I'm standing right next to you."

"Oh really," I chuckled.

"Really," she said flatly.

We walked out of the house following everyone around to the garage. They were all getting into different cars. "I'll go with Luca," Abigail happily volunteered.

"Great then I'm going with Stephanie," Elizabeth mumbled and moved to take a step.

"Not so fast love." I grabbed onto her hand. "Don't you dare leave me with that," I whispered, gesturing to Abigail who was staring at me as if she had been starved and I was something that was going to quench her hunger.

Elizabeth smiled as she looked between me and Abigail, she had this evil glint in her eyes as if she was contemplating leaving me alone with the witless wonder that was Abigail. "She really gets under your skin huh?" She challenged. 

I narrowed my eyes at her. "I swear if you leave me with her princess, the monkey gets it."

Her eyes widened. "You bluffing."

I smiled. "Do you want to take that chance princess?"

*****************************************************

A/N

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