“Yeah,” I say, trying—and failing—to keep the snarl out of my voice. He flashes a cocky grin, delighted with my wolf’s possessive display.
“I heard her talking to her friends later, that I was more interested in little girls than adult females,” he says, shaking his head. “I didn’t see you like that then. The way I see you now. I cared about you, of course, but it wasn’t romantic. I guess it freaked me out. I knew you had a crush on me back then. I was worried; it seemed like I was encouraging it. Maybe worse than that.”
“You didn’t. You never acted like you saw me that way. But you understand that’s a bullshit excuse, right? You told me you’d always be there for me, and then you walked out of my life and never looked back. Like my mom. And my dad. Like Ryan is trying to do now.”
I wrap my arms around myself and look him in the eye. The pain that slices across his face is right on the surface. With his wolf close to the surface, his eyes flash silver, and he scrapes his hands down his face.
“Fuck,” he mutters. “I’m such a damn idiot.”
“Least we can agree on that,” I say with a shrug. Pretending it doesn’t matter. This conversation has gotten too real. Too vulnerable.My wolf is content that he knows he was wrong. Now we know we are mates, the biological urge will be enough to make sure he could never leave me again. But it’s not enough.
“Don’t do that,” Luca snarls. “Don’t pretend none of this matters. It’s mostly on me, I get that, but that’s part of the problem too. You're acting like you don’t care.”
I believe him that he’s sorry. I even think I believe he won’t hurt me like that again. But I can’t bring myself to let it go. To give him the opportunity to hurt me again. I need my walls.
“I’m not sure what gave you the impression I care. Because I don’t,” I snap. “And anyway, at least you’ve got loads of practice not talking to me. Shouldn’t matter when we go back to not talking anymore.”
“Sofia—”
“No,” I say, holding up a hand to cut him off. “I hear you. I can see you’re sorry. But I can’t find it in me to give a fuck.”
The lie burns. My wolf howls. And still, I walk away.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Luca
“Where are you going?” Sofia asks, her tone sharp, though her eyes betray her. She’s trying—and failing—to hide the way she’s eye-fucking me in my black button-down shirt and dress pants. And after her avoiding me for over twenty-four hours, that possessive glint in her eye is exactly what I needed.
I pause in the doorway long enough for her gaze to trail over me before flashing her a grin. “A date with my girl,” I say smoothly, winking. “I’m taking you to dinner. I’ll drop you off with your friends after and not interfere in your fun.”
Her lips part, and for half a second, I catch the flicker of interest before her walls slam back up. “What makes you think I’d want to go on a date with you?”
I lean one shoulder against the frame, casual as I can manage with my wolf prowling inside me. “Could be the way you’re looking at me right now. Could also be the fact that I called ahead andhad the chef add peanut butter and chocolate cheesecake to the menu for one night only.”
Her brow arches. I’ve got her attention. She’s been obsessed with peanut butter cups since the first time she ate one at four years old, so I’m praying to the Moon Goddess that hasn’t changed.
“Fine,” she concedes at last, crossing her arms. “But only for the cheesecake. And only if you promise not to act like an overbearing ass when we get to the bar.”
“Deal,” I agree as Sofia goes to start rooting in the bag she still hasn’t unpacked. “I’ll wait for you outside while you get ready.”
Half an hour later, Sofia walks out of the bedroom, and I forget how to breathe. She has poured herself into a slinky black dress that shows off all her delicious curves. Her hair is loose around her shoulders, and she’s wearing a little makeup. Her red-painted lips have my cock straining against my zipper already.
“You look… wow,” I rasp. “You look stunning.”
Sofia smirks at me. “Not too revealing to wear out?” She turns in a circle, revealing the backless design that makes it clear she’s not wearing a bra. My mouth waters, and my wolf surges forward. She’s testing me—poking at my possessiveness to see if I’ll bite.
I force myself to exhale, and rein it in. “Not at all,” I murmur, stepping toward her. “You just need a little something with it.”
I still can’t believe she was the one to suggest I scent mark her. It’s so intimate. Much more so than a simple kiss.
I take her wrist, press my lips to her pulse, and drag my tongue slowly across her skin. Her pulse stutters beneath my mouth. Then I give the other wrist the same treatment.
Her breathing comes in rapid pants when I splay my fingers over her bare back. I run my tongue up the column of her neck and over her pulse points there too, suffusing my scent over her skin. I love how tall she is. How right it feels to have her so close in height to me, especially in the strappy high-heeled sandals she’s wearing.
I drop to my knees in front of her, wanting to get my scent on one more point. “Turn around,” I say. My voice is gruff and full of gravel.
She hesitates, then complies—and Goddess, I love her fire and when she pushes back, but the trust in that movement nearly breaks me. I lean forward, running my tongue over the pulse points at the back of her knees. So close to her pussy I can feel the heat radiating from it and the scent of her arousal hits me like a slap to the face. I want to bend her forward right now, bury my face between her thighs, and devour her until she knows exactly who she belongs to.
