Dramatic, Mushy, Complicated Love

he was mesmerising.
“Family is family, and everyone is different. Don’t for a second think I regret asking you one question about your mum and dad. I want to get to know you on every level, baby, so don’t think that your mum getting put in the lock-up is going to scare me off. No chance of that happening.”
I sucked in a breath when he dropped the endearment. He used that at the pub, but I put it down to the beer and heat between us to take it seriously. Hearing him say it now, with such intensity … yeah, that was hot. I liked pet names, obviously calling him spunk rat before I even knew his name might have given that impression. The difference between using a pet name and an endearment, to me, spoke volumes about how that person felt about you.
Matt rarely called me anything but Meadow; occasionally, he would toss out a babe or hon, but they sounded flat and out of place coming from him. I often wondered, not now, but the first few months after we broke up, just how much I really had meant to him. Then I stopped worrying about that and thought about how and why we’d wasted so much time on our relationship. When in reality, neither of us were truly attracted sexually to each other. Matt was a pretty boy, with an okay body but not a voice with anywhere near the same class as the man staring at me now.
Luca? He was a whole different pussy-soaking experience. His deep gravelly voice owned me already, throw in the sexy way baby left his lips, and I could very happily be his slave for life. Biting my bottom lip in an attempt to keep myself from moaning out his name, I looked at him through hooded eyes.
“I accept that, spunk rat.”
Luca’s beautiful lips transformed into a gorgeous panty-melting grin, making it impossible for me to get up from my seat without concern for the fabric. I never thought I would be lucky enough to find a man that could turn the tables on me and have the upper hand. Not that I was ever going to let that titbit common knowledge, but it was nice to be on the other side for a change of scenery.
I always secretly craved to fall to my knees for the right man. I just honestly didn’t think it would ever happen.
“Good girl,” Luca breathed, bringing his mouth closer to mine, his lips so close, the temptation too much for me.
Lifting my chin, I gently pressed my lips to his, supremely aware that our display was most likely already bringing attention to us. I ended the chaste kiss before Luca could react and take over.
Our chemistry was never in question, and my only problem was the reason for him breaking off and leaving me. Now I knew that I believed him and wanted to explore if there could be an us, it was time to let my brain take over and lead my heart and libido.
“I want this thing between us to take off Luca,” I told him truthfully, ignoring his delicious mouth hovering close to mine. “Our short time at the pub proved that we have a spark, heat, something sensual. I want to know how amazing and special I believe it could be.”
“What are you saying, that you want to dial down the heat and get to know each other before we take it to the bedroom?” Luca asked, his expression unreadable.
“Yeah, that is what I want. I don’t just want phenomenal sex with no substance, Luca. I have had relationships before that lacked in most departments and the bedroom. I don’t think that will be us, but I want to know for sure that this is worth our time. Because I really don’t think I will survive it if we don’t work out if I get a taste of what you are offering only to be left alone.” My honesty was raw and maybe too much to admit on a first date, but that was how important Luca was to me. Laying everything out now could mean we had a good chance.
“We are going to work out Meadow, be sure of that, baby. I get what you are saying, and I agree, my cock might not, but he will just have to cope. I get to kiss you at least, right?”
Smiling, I touched my lips to his and gave him a noisy but sweet smooch.
“Kissing is a must,” I agreed wholeheartedly. After all I wasn’t an idiot! What kind of woman would ever not want to kiss a hunk of gorgeous spunk like Luca if they had him at their disposal?
Not me!

I couldn’t remember a night I had enjoyed more than dinner with Meadow. After clearing up a few minor misunderstandings, we ordered our meals, sat back, and talked about important topics going on in our lives and some more light-hearted ones.
Her family was a hoot from her stories, and truth be told, I was really looking forward to getting to the stage where Meadow introduced us, or me as her boyfriend. I liked her idea of slowing things down a little, kicking back a gear or two, and not taking our new relationship into warp drive, where it seemed to be heading last week. Maybe my sister’s phone call had been a blessing in disguise. I had no doubt that Meadow and I in bed together would be sheet burning stuff, but like her, I liked the idea of substance in a relationship.
“So, you blow stuff up for a living?” Meadow asked, bringing my mind back to our conversation and getting to know each other.
“Sometimes, yeah, we do. Ace and I own and operate a demolition and engineering company. Bringing down buildings and structures is just part of that. We also engineer and design bridges, supports for buildings, and heavy equipment transport. We designed and helped manufacture a