Luca's Dilemma (12 page)

“Well, between the horses and my job…” Luca trailed off with a casual shrug of his broad shoulders. Although he appeared the same, something was off about him. Sheila couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

“Hi. Umm… I–I thought you’d taken care of the door already?” Sheila asked him, suddenly a little nervous about his visit. He usually didn’t stop by without a reason, even though they were now supposedly “friends”.

Friends
. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that.

“Oh, yeah. I took care of that while you were sleeping. Actually, I dropped by to see if you wanted to share this bottle of wine my pop sent me for my birthday,” he stated, stepping toward her, holding the bottle up for inspection.

“When’s your birthday?” Janie inquired.

Half listening, Sheila thoroughly inspected the label on the wine bottle. She raised her eyebrows, thoroughly impressed with the quality of the vintage in his hands.

“Today,” Luca confessed.

Sheila’s head shot up. “Today! Luca, you could’ve told me sooner.” She tried to hide her disappointment. “I would’ve done something special for you. Birthdays are important.”

That mischievous smile crossed his face, making that solo dimple appear. “You are gonna do something special for me. You’re going to help me drink this wine.”

Sheila felt herself flush from the sultriness of his eyes. Luca’d been so patient with her, not pushing for a repeat performance of the pond affair. But the way he was looking at her implied the wait was over. They hadn’t really discussed what they were to one another, and that bothered her. Nevertheless, the crazy effect he had on her was too overwhelming, and she knew holding out was no longer an option. Shockingly, she came to realize she no longer wanted to.

“Hmm hmm.” Janie cleared her throat, reminding Sheila they weren’t alone. “I guess that’s my cue to get ghost,” she stated, smoothing her hair down again. Her wild gray eyes darted everywhere but at Sheila and Luca.

Sheila and Luca both laughed.

“Well, thanks again for the pie… the apples… blueberries… oh yeah, and the syrup,” Sheila stated warmly.

“No problem, dear. Anytime.”

The two women hugged. With her homey smile in place, Janie gave her signature nervous wave to Luca and headed toward her rusted turquoise Chevy pickup. Scant snowflakes fell, highlighted by headlights after Janie started the truck. As they waited for her to reverse the vehicle, Sheila silently prayed her kind neighbor would make the two miles home without incident. Roads in Maine were known to get tricky from the first flakes of snow. She watched and waved one last time as Janie turned the vehicle around and headed down the long, unpaved driveway.

“Birthday, huh? I would’ve cooked you up some ham hocks or something,” Sheila teased as she turned and entered the house. Luca followed closely as she made her way to the kitchen and placed the pie on the counter.

“Sorry. I wasn’t exactly looking forward to turning forty–seven. It’s just a tad too close to fifty for my taste. And I don’t eat pork.”

A loud gasp escaped Sheila. She spun on him where he stood in the doorway. “You don’t eat pork! You’re kidding, right?” She’d never met anyone who didn’t like pork. And to think she’d let this man kiss her.

That crooked smile came to his lips. He shrugged before nonchalantly crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe, eyes shimmering with amusement. “I have my reasons.”

Shaking her head, Sheila strolled toward him with her hands on her hips. “I guess since it’s your birthday I’ll forgive such sacrilege in my home,” she said jokingly, crossing her own arms once she reached him. She softened her tone. “Happy birthday, neighbor.”

Encompassing him in a friendly hug, she went on tiptoe to place a chaste kiss on his cheek, seeing how he was significantly taller with his boots on and her without footwear. Luca deepened the embrace, catching her off guard. Her eyes started to bug when he held her much longer than a hug between friends should last. Warmth seeped through her sweater as he rubbed her back with his big hands. The combination of his slight shift in behavior and the long embrace put Sheila on edge. Instead of soothing her like his touch usually did, a sense of foreboding fell over her. Placing a hand on his chest led him to finally relinquish his grasp.

“What is it?” Sheila searched those deep blue orbs of his for a connection to the odd feelings she was getting.

“Nothing,” he whispered, skimming the back of his fingers across her cheek.

That prickly feeling he always conjured shot through her, evoking an uncontrollable shiver. However, it felt different in some strange way. Luca continued to stare at her, the content of his darkened gaze suggesting he’d devour her where she stood. Instead, he released her and leaned against the doorway, re–crossing his arms. The evanescent feeling was gone.

With a quick shake of her head, Sheila snapped out of the trance he’d induced and moved toward the upper cupboard by the sink to retrieve two red wine glasses. Suddenly, the hairs at the nape of her neck began to prickle. Without looking over her shoulder, she realized Luca was standing directly behind her, so close she could feel his vibes seeping through the multiple layers of clothing between them. Even though he wore hard–heeled boots she hadn’t heard his advancement. That odd feeling intensified, causing every muscle in her body to tense when his hands came within an inch of either side of her waist to grab the wine glasses from her.

“Where’s the bottle opener?” His deep voice was like silk to her ears as the question rolled off his tongue. She’d been close to him before when he spoke, but he’d never sounded so sensual.

Without warning, her brother’s little chant popped into her head.
Sheila and Luca sitting in a tree, F–u…
“It’s–it’s over there… next to the wine rack,” she stuttered, shutting her eyes tightly and pointing to the opener while desperately trying to block Calvin’s words from her brain.
Bonehead brother of mine!

Muscles she didn’t know existed loosened when Luca moved from behind her. At that moment, she was grateful the electric wine bottle opener was set up on the opposite side of the sink. The kitchen was small, but any distance was much–needed distance between them. Shaking off his effect, she went to the tiny white fridge and retrieved a fine brie before returning to the counter to cut the creamy cheese into thick slices.

“I kinda figured you wouldn’t be hanging at the pond this evening since it’s already dark out and it’s starting to snow,” Luca mentioned nonchalantly while expertly working to open the bottle of wine and pour it into the glasses. His voice wasn’t as erotic with space between them, allowing Sheila the control she required to respond appropriately.

“Yeah, the winter weather is a little inconvenient for me. I was actually about to start a fire and pop in a—” She turned just as he came up behind her again. They collided, causing some of the red wine to splash on her light pink cashmere sweater. “Movie,” she finished, tugging at the soiled sweater. “Oh no!” she cried.

“Jeez, I’m so sorry.” Quickly placing the wine glasses on the counter, Luca retrieved a dishtowel.

“No! It’s okay,” she said, quickly shooting her hands out to block him. “Just give me a minute. Don’t feel bad. It’s nothing a little club soda won’t take care of.” Holding the offending spot away from her body to avoid further dispersion, Sheila cast him her brightest smile in an attempt to wipe the guilt off his handsome face. With smile in place, she quickly made her way down the short hall to her bathroom, leaving Luca in the kitchen… alone.

Chapter 10

It worked. Now Luca had the opportunity to put his plan into action. With stealth, he moved to the kitchen entryway and looked down the hall to make sure the bathroom door was closed. After visually confirming it was, he returned to the wine glasses, re–filling each with the expensive vintage wine retrieved from his special stash. He liked Sheila… a lot. This only served to make the task before him that much more difficult.

However, he had a job to do and allowing his feelings to get in the way could be detrimental for both of them. If she was supposed to be poisoned by his hand the least he could do was make it via one of the finest wines available.

Cautiously, he removed the small vial of poison from the back pocket of his jeans and held it with a steady hand over one of the wine glasses. The concoction in the vial was more than appropriate for this situation because he was immune to it and could drink along with the victim without raising suspicion. Its effects mimicked the flu, making it virtually impossible to detect this time of year. This only being Sheila’s second winter in New England, it would make her more susceptible to the influenza virus, even if she got a flu shot.

Luca’s mind wandered to a similar time he thought himself in love. Caitlin Patina was the nice Italian girl he’d prided himself on eventually settling down with. Her long dark hair and wide green eyes similar to those of an angel were forever encased in his memory. Overnight, she had grown from a scrawny little thing into a gentle beauty, and his feelings toward her had instantly changed. They became close with both their families being in the business and all and had been each other’s first. Too bad she’d broken his heart. It’s all good. In the end she got what she deserved.

But could he really say the same for Sheila?

***

By the time Sheila finished cleaning the sweater and changed into a comfortable russet peasant dress, Luca had set the wine and cheese on the living room coffee table. The sound of movement emanated from the basement, alerting Sheila of his whereabouts. More than likely, he was gathering wood for the wood stove. Although she appreciated that — those stairs were treacherous and that basement scary as hell — for the first time since meeting him, she was uneasy about his presence. Something was definitely bothering him. He wasn’t quite his usual, playful self. Perhaps getting older really
was
the reason. Turning forty hadn’t been a ton of fun for her either.

With a weary sigh, she sat on the couch and lifted one of the wine glasses to her nose. She swished it a few times, pretending to be a wine connoisseur, and inhaled deeply. A giggle escaped around the palm in front of her mouth at the thought of how silly she was acting. Slowly, she placed the cool glass to her lips.

“Mmm,” she moaned, savoring the taste of the bittersweet liquid on her tongue.
“
Ooh, that’s smooth. Luca’s dad sure does have great taste.” She held the glass at eye level, regarding it appreciatively. Although she’d had fine wine in the past, the impeccable quality of the one in hand surprised her. Maybe Luca’s family appreciated him more than he knew.

Sheila paused to consider whether she should wait for Luca before further indulging herself. Unable to resist, she shrugged off the thought and placed the glass to her lips again, this time anticipating the silky and fruity treat that would dance happily on her palate.

Her joy was interrupted by a show of headlights flooding the low–lit room. Continuing to hold the wine glass, she debated whether or not to give into the desire to guzzle it down or to revert back to her upbringing and set it down for a spell. Raising it to her lips once more, she settled for a sip opposed to a full swallow. No need to have folks thinking she was a total lush.

Curiously, she stood, setting the rest of her wine on the tray, and padded the short distance to the front door. The sight of the person coming up her walkway made her briefly consider locking the door and pretending she wasn’t home. Instead, she opened it and boldly stood with it wide open, eyeing Ahmed in disbelief as he made his way toward her. That arrogant strut of his caused the expensive wine she’d just ingested to instantly sour in her stomach.

She followed his unwelcomed advance with narrowed eyes, duly noting he was dressed in his usual uppity attire. For the past year, she had anticipated this moment. How she’d yell at him, and perhaps even kick him in the groin, and then wickedly watch him writhe in pain. But now, with him standing bold as day on her doorstep, she honestly had nothing to say to him.

“You gonna stand there looking stupid all night or what? It’s cold as a mug out here. Let me in, girl.”

Sheila’s mouth dropped open. It seemed a year away from this man had somehow erased what familiarity she’d had with him. His egotism was unbelievable. However, abruptly being reacquainted with that ego made her realize this encounter was inevitable, and she was suddenly grateful for the opportunity to get it over with sooner rather than later. Reluctantly, she stepped aside, granting him entrance into her home.

“What are you doing here?” she finally thought to ask.

“Me! What the hell are you doing up her on sugar hill, of all places?” he fired back. The disdain was undeniable as his features twisted in disgust.

“This is my home now,” she replied calmly, unwilling to let him rouse her. One thing Sheila had learned during their eight years together was that Ahmed didn’t respond well to females challenging him. That fact had made living with him relatively difficult since the man happened to take everything as a challenge.

“Look. I don’t know what’s gotten into you, running off without a word, and then trying to kick me out of my own house. We’re practically married, damn it. You don’t get to treat me like that.”

“I’m not an idiot, Ahmed. That common law marriage stuff is bullshit in the state of Georgia. The law doesn’t apply to us, and I know damn well your colleagues must have told you that by now.”

Raising his upper lip in a sneer, he glared at her, no doubt trying to relay his disapproval in her choice of words. “I don’t give a fuck what the law says. You can’t just up and leave after eight years together!” he shouted.

Why you hypocritical bastard
! “That’s funny. I’ve been gone for more than a year. Strange how you didn’t come looking for me until I put the house up for sale.”

Ahmed’s mahogany eyes darkened sinisterly, but unlike in the past, this time it didn’t faze Sheila one bit. She had already begun to wonder what she’d ever seen in this asshole and suddenly gave less than a damn how upset he became.