Page 63 of Luca
“I’m going to open my own firm and specialise in corporate and family law,” I said, my voice filled with newfound determination. “I’ll still include criminal defence when absolutely necessary, but I want to steer clear of that world as much as possible.”
“Smart move. You don’t want to get pulled back into the chaos,” he agreed, rolling onto his side to face me. The slight shift in the bed sent a spark of energy between us, and I licked my lips. “So, where’s your new office going to be?”
“For now, Miki said I can set up a temporary office here while I look for a suitable place in central London,” I explained, my voice light with anticipation. “I’ll be taking over Bradley’s company, renaming it, and hopefully keeping his staff. They know what they’re doing, and one of them specialises in family law, so it’s perfect.”
“Sounds like you’ve got everything planned out,” he remarked, his eyes gleaming with admiration. “What else?”
I took a deep breath, excitement bubbling within me. “The Rominovs have so many businesses and investments, especiallynow that they’re starting families. I’ll be busy updating wills and managing estates for a while, but I’m actually looking forward to it. It’s a new direction, a fresh start.”
“Couldn’t think of a better person to handle all of that.” Luca’s gaze intensified, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I can’t wait to see you shine in your new role.”
I felt a flutter in my stomach at his words. “And once I’m up and running, I’m planning to take on a partner or two to help, especially with the corporate side of things until I get myself up to speed in that area. I’m hoping to lure a couple of old friends from law school into joining me.”
“Sounds like a solid plan,” Luca said, a teasing lilt to his voice. “Just make sure they know what they’re getting into.”
“Trust me, they will,” I replied, a mischievous grin breaking out on my face. “I’ll have to interview them first, of course, but I think one of them will be perfect. I’ll get Marko to check them out thoroughly before I make any offers, though.”
“That would be best,” Luca said, lifting himself up on one elbow, his expression suddenly serious. “And what about us?”
I turned to face him, my heart racing. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, we need to talk about moving in together,” he said, his gaze steady. “Once we’ve taken that holiday and you’ve met my family, I want us to start our life together. I know we’re both a bit hungover right now, but I’ve been thinking about this a lot.”
“You’re right. We’ve talked about it. I didn’t think we’d be ready so soon. but I suppose we’re already living together even if we haven’t quite made it formal yet,” I said, my breath hitching at the thought of our future.
Luca smiled, his expression softening. “Well, let’s do that. We can both sell our places and find a home together. Or you can keep your cottage and rent it out if you prefer to do so. But I want to build something with you, not just a relationship, but a home.Plus, I think it’ll be good for us to create something new of our own.”
“I’ve already decided to sell my cottage,” I confessed, my heart racing at the thought of us. “And I agree you should sell your flat too. Especially after what happened to poor Julie, it would never feel the same again. We can find something together that feels like home.”
“Absolutely,” he agreed, a gleam of excitement lighting his eyes. “And while we’re at it, we can look at that plot of land next to the estate. I put in an offer yesterday.”
“You did?” I felt a rush of warmth at the thought of us building our life together, side by side. “What are you planning?”
“I’m hoping we can build something special. Miki’s on board because he wants everyone to stay close, especially with all the babies on the way,” Luca said, his voice earnest. “New generations, new homes. It makes sense.”
“Plus, we’ll have the space we need for our own future,” I added, a dreamy smile creeping onto my face. “It sounds perfect.”
Luca reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “And I think it’s important to keep everyone nearby for protection. The Rominovs and those who form part of their extended family—like me—have a strong bond, and it’ll only get stronger as we start our families.”
My heart fluttered at the mention of families. I couldn’t help but envision what life would be like for us, surrounded by laughter and love.
“But those are all plans for the future. Tonight, I think we should celebrate,” he declared, his tone playful.
“Again? Last night wasn’t enough for you? You can handle another night out so soon?” I teased, delighted at the prospect of a date night.
“Oh, I can handle, it, you and anything else that comes my way,” he smirked his eyes sparkling with mischief and sultry promises making me shiver in anticipation of things to come.
“And I’ve got it all planned. Just the two of us. Dinner at that new restaurant I know you’ll love, followed by a suite at a nearby hotel. I want you to feel special.”
My cheeks flushed at the thought, and excitement bubbled within me. “You really planned all this? I’m thrilled. Oh, I’m going to wear that little gold dress Sara made. It feels perfect for tonight,” I gushed excitedly.
Luca’s expression turned even more sultry as he leaned closer, his breath warm against my skin. “You’ll look stunning in it. I’ll look forward to having such a beautiful woman on my arm as we celebrate a new beginning.”
“Together,” I added, a grin spreading across my face as I revelled in the moment. “It’s a new beginning for both of us.”
“Exactly,” he replied, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. “And after that, we’ll head to the Caribbean to holiday with my family. We can take a break before diving into our plans.”
“I can’t wait,” I said, feeling a rush of anticipation. “It’ll be a much-needed escape before we begin this new chapter. I mean, who wouldn’t want to relax on a beach after what we’ve been through? I’m more than ready to enjoy some sun sea sand, sex.” I beamed. “Oh, and to meet your family, of course,” I added the afterthought.