What do you drink with Italian food besides wine?

I had no good ideas. The local liquor store in Kailua had too many varieties, it made my head spin. Believe it or not, drinking wasn't something I did all the time. In fact, it was discouraged by my doctors in the past. Alcohol can fuel cancer growth in your cells. I was also supposed to be eating as healthy as possible, which I mostly did stick to. I sighed and looked at the rows and rows of red wines. This was difficult.

"Anything in particular you are looking for?"

An older store employee came ambling over to try and help. I was grateful for the intrusion.

"Yes. I need a good wine or two for an authentic Italian meal. But where do I start?"

"Well, is price a concern?" The man asked.

No not really.

"I'd like to stick to under $100 if possible, for two bottles."

It was always best to not flaunt money and to not overspend. I was raised that way.

"Well, we do have a few imports. Here." He held a pretty bottle with a label, all in Italian.

"Looks good to me, thank you."

I took the two bottles up to pay. It was going to be such a nice dinner, I had no doubts. Was excitement too premature, given the nature of how Luca would start then stop things? Too many thoughts. I paid and walked back out to my Jeep. Once I got in, I noticed a familiar car pulling up next to me.

Sergeant Leer.....what a weird coincidence.

The tall sergeant got out, oblivious to me right next to her. Maybe she didn't know what I drove. Most likely not. The parking lot at the beach the other day had a lot of cars in it. And she had left before I did. I watched her go inside. If she was so broke as Luca had said, unable to call for a professional plumber, why was she here buying alcohol?

Being nosey wasn't my forte, but I couldn't help myself. I didn't like her. There was something off, and it was more than jealousy. I hunkered down and watched. She was in the beer cooler area for a bit then came out with a few twelve packs. A lot of beer for one woman to drink by herself. Then she grabbed a large bottle of whiskey. Not the cheap kind either. That had my intuition revving.

Who is she buying all that alcohol for?

I should probably go so I started backing out, before the sergeant paid and noticed me. Brushing off what I saw, I refocused on the evening to come. Luca was coming over. He was coming to cook. For me.

💋💋

I spent the rest of the day preparing. Cleaning the house, doing all the laundry I had in my hamper and even taking an extra long bath complete with shaving. A girl has to be prepared. Luca had texted once, right after lunch.

I hope you are hungry. I'll see you later tonight.

I was hungry...for more than just Italian food. I wanted the Italian man. Luckily, he should arrive soon. Time ticked slowly as I waited. I opened one of the bottles of red, letting it breathe on the kitchen counter. Candles were lit in the dinning room and the lights were on but slightly dimmed. Was I ready or what?

Finally, the clock hit seven. Right on time, Luca knocked at the front door. I answered with a shaky hand. My nerves were in overdrive. I so wanted a romantic night, one with some romance and maybe a deeper understanding of the man on the other side. One could hope.

"Mila. You look amazing."

Hazel eyes took me in, from top to bottom. I'd put on a sundress and left my hair wildly flowing, no makeup on. I figured he should see me in my natural state. If he liked me this way, then he was a keeper. Testing men was how I was taught. My mom and dad both insisted that I be myself, said it was the best way to see how a man really was. At this moment, I could tell Luca was one of those coveted "good ones".

"I like you like this." He murmured, balancing his grocery bag on one hip, the other hand pulling me to him.

I held my breath as his strong arm tugged me forward. I braced myself against his chest with a hand, felling the taught muscles underneath his tee. He had dressed down as well, which made me smile. I preferred men who were more casual. Looking up, our eyes met again. He was approving me with each second that ticked by. Searing thoughts penetrated into my mind.

"Ready for dinner?"

I could barely find my voice.

"Yes..." I softly said.

He slowly let me go.

"Good. I need to get cooking."

Chuckling at my obvious reaction to being released, I let him in. Oh this man. He made teasing an art.

"Wine, I brought some too. Want to drink yours?"

I nodded and followed him into the kitchen, taking out two long stemmed glasses for us to drink from. He took out some of the ingredients to make dinner. It was going to be fabulous no doubt by the looks of everything. Luca stopped to pour us both a glass.

"You can't help, that's the only rule. But you can watch if you like." He instructed.

I was ok with that. I intended to watch him alright. Settling on a high chair at the counter area, I drank some of the red. It was velvety and had a life to it. As if I was sitting in an Italian open air cafe. Simply divine. Luca began chopping up vegetables, his arms flexing lightly with each cut. He was darker tonight if that was possible. The sun from the days activities outside having a hand in it. I loved the way he casually styled his hair too. Some effort was put forth, indicating he wanted to look good. Just for me.

"I'm making eggplant parmigiana. I hope you don't mind the vegetable.."

He took out a thick purple eggplant from the grocery bag. My face must have flamed because Luca laughed, his eyes sparkling.

"I...I haven't really tried it before." I stammered.

It looked exactly like the emoji used for sexual connotations and my mind was thinking of Luca's eggplant.

"I think you'll get a taste of it tonight and fall in love." He smirked.

I think he was right.

💋💋

Italy had gifted Luca a talent for cooking. I imagined his mom or possibly dad had showed him how when he was growing up. The food was beyond yummy, it was indescribable. He had the eggplant parmigiana and a side dish of vegetables, noodles and lots of cheese. It was so good I forgot the name. We sat by candle light at the dining room table. The first formal meal I'd eaten this way in my house since moving in.

"How is it? You're killing me with the tiny moans.."

Luca smiled, lighting up his face. I hadn't even realized I was moaning. I could feel the blush returning yet again.

"Sorry...I didn't mean to." I said in between bites.

His eyes flashed more green, overpowering the brown tones.

"I don't mind the moans. In fact, I could get used to them."

Well now I was blushing. How do you stop yourself from dreaming of the future with someone who says things like this? How do you keep yourself calm and cool? I had no idea and the fancy red wine was only aiding in my conundrum. Maybe I'd stop fighting it and flirt back.

"They only get louder when I'm not eating." I muttered.

His face flamed now. He coughed and took a drink of his wine. I felt naughty and liked how I was able to give Luca something to think about.

"Mila..."

He stopped eating and stared at me, a tiny grin at the corners of his mouth. I put down my fork and met his gaze. He seemed to want to say something, but now he was hesitant. Was it his style holding him back? The standoffish man that wanted me but then would stop? I tried as I might, but I couldn't figure him out.

"Luca, do you want a girlfriend?"

I blurted it out before my mind could stop me. My heart needed to know. Luca swallowed and the grin disappeared. Great..now he was going to say no.

"Mila. I like you, I know that. I...I've stayed away from dating for a long long time."

Ugh. He was practically saying 'it's not you, it's me.'

"Why come here then? Why cook for me, ask me on a beach picnic?"

He chuckled, relaxing a bit.

"Why? I thought that part was obvious. I can't seem to stay away from you. There's something about you Mila. You're 'bellissima' as we say in Italian. Inside and out. I want to know you more."

He called me very beautiful. It was a very sweet compliment and it did make me feel good..but he wouldn't answer my question.

"I'll be right back. I have something else for you." He said, getting up to go outside.

I watched him walk out. God he was sexy. My mind was extra muddled now.

Buzz...buzz...

I heard a vibrating sound coming from the grocery bag on the counter. Curious, I got up to look. Luca had left his iPhone in there by accident. Picking it up, I saw a message flash across the screen. It made the blood whoosh in my ears.

How late will you be coming back?

**This story is only found on Wattpad. If found on another site, it was stolen. Thank you for reading.💋**