We’ve learned a lot about one another in the last hour together. Luca’s easy to talk to and has mastered the English language. His accent is thick and sexy when he rolls his R’s and enunciates with his beautiful lilt.
Luca is quite the man. I’ve learned that he’s on the same team as Gavin, theFirenze Fury, and grew up north of Florence in the Tuscany countryside. He’s twenty-five, but looks much older to me because of his dark features. He also informed me that he has a fiancée waiting for him back in his hometown.
Most people upon learning this little tidbit would flap their gums with indignation, especially after seeing his actions in the club. But I don’t judge. He explained that it’s somewhat of an arranged marriage between his family and hers. A merger, if you will. She’s much younger than he is and it’s assumed that he’ll go do his thing before they settle down. To each his or her own, I say.
This reminds me of Ainsley’s friend, Mica Reyes, back home in Phoenix. From what I know, Mica’s hand has supposedly been offered up to her father’s boss or something crazy like that. I had no idea those types of things still happened.
While the topic of marriage is foreign to me, so is the absurdity of not marrying for love. I thought I was in love once, my senior year in high school, but it was just temporary blindness. Blinded by lust and youth.
Luca tips his head in appreciation at the woman who slinks by our table, giving him a not-so-subtle once over as she produces an exaggerated sway of her hips.
“Si. Bella,” he confirms, winking at her before he returns his gaze to me across the small table. “And you are very beautiful, as well, Kadence. Gavin is a fool to leave you alone, unclaimed.”
I’ve just taken a sip of my wine and laugh so hard that the contents bubble up and out my nose.
Luca leans over the table and wipes away the remnants from my chin. I smile and shrug. “I don’t think he’s in to me.”
The corners of his full mouth edge upward into a sexy smile as he brushes his fingers sensually across my cheek.
“Hm. I do not find that to be the case. Not by the way he stares at you now,bella donna. I think you are very mistaken.”
Luca tips his head to gesture behind me and I turn and glance over my shoulder, my body swaying unbalanced in my seat. My vision may be a bit blurry from the alcohol I’ve ingested, but I know exactly what I see when I look at him.
Gavin stands across the crowded room from us, his eyes fixed on me. His eyes are so dark – deep pools of blackness – like a summer storm brewing. I can see he’s conflicted. Or jealous. Or just plain irritated with me. I can’t quite read his expression, but Luca chuckles.
“Our friend at last has arrived,” he remarks, casually leaning back in his chair, and lifting his drink in Gavin’s direction. “And it appears he has reached a conclusion.”
Earlier, Luca inquired as to Gavin’s whereabouts. Within ten minutes of meeting him and a few drinks, my lips loosened and I unloaded the entire sordid story to Luca, leaving nothing out.
Surprisingly, Luca, roving eyes and all, happens to be a great listener. He didn’t try to interrupt once while I babbled on about how I made a complete fool of myself. He just smiled and nodded, offering me comfort by patting my hands with empathy.
I roll my eyes as I turn back to Luca, his expression full of amusement, and take another sip of my wine. Within a minute, Gavin is behind me. I can feel his body heat and catch a whiff of his scent. Smoky and clean.
Closing my eyes to calm myself down, I inhale deeply, but refuse to give in and look at him. When I open them again, Gavin is seated to my left between Luca and myself.
“Buona sera. Sorry I’m late,” Gavin says softly, looking between us with a curious glance.
Luca bumps his fist with Gavin’s. “Non c’e una problema, my friend. It has given me time with your bella amica, Kadence. She is very interesting, non? And very beautiful.”
I catch the devious smirk curled up on Luca’s face as he brings his beer glass to his lips. He knows exactly what he’s doing.
Gavin has no idea what’s going on and gives Luca a pointed look, before bouncing his gaze between us like we’re players in a ping-pong match.
“Yes, she is. She’s also dangerous.” He narrows his gaze on me.
His comment surprises me. Luca waves a hand in the air with a flourish. “Ah, how do you say in America? YOLO?” He laughs at his attempt to use the Americanized acronym.
I clink his glass with mine in acknowledgment. “Exactly! Here’s to having the time of my life and living large. Thanks to Gavin.”
I give him a wink and bump his shoulder playfully. His expression changes to mildly confused.
He shouldn’t be. Regardless of the weirdness between us earlier, and that he left me high and dry, Gavin has been nothing but gracious toward me. He’s thoughtful. Helpful. Not to mention easy on the eyes. A girl couldn’t ask for more than that in a host.
He waves me off with a huff. “I haven’t done anything, just given you a place to stay. You’re the one who takes life by the horns. You’d have found a way with or without me.”
There’s a reverence in his voice, so it must be a compliment. The fact that he’s being nice to me right now is a testament to who he is. Two hours ago, he walked out of his own house because I came on too strong and overstepped my welcome in his home.
Gavin’s too nice for the likes of me, but I still want to be with him. Someone looking at just his exterior features would draw the conclusion that he’s a tatted up bad boy with a reputation. But get to know him and peel back the layers, you find he’s a softie with a heart of gold. And a gentleman to boot. One who may or may not have a girlfriend.
