Page 14 of A Very Grumpy Green Beret

It all feels strangely… domestic, like we’ve done this a hundred times instead of meeting only yesterday.

That should worry me. Instead, I find myself wishing it were real.

When he finishes cleaning up, we move into the living room. Luca takes one end of the couch, and I curl up on the other, tucking my bare legs beneath the shirt. Despite the several feet between us, I’m acutely aware of him. Of every breath he takes and each small shift of his body.

“Do you want to watch something?” Luca asks, grabbing the TV remote.

“Uh—” I cover my mouth as I yawn. The day has caught up with me, and the warmth of the house and the steady comfort of Luca’s presence begin to pull me under. I try to fight it, but another yawn escapes.

“Tired?” he asks as I smother a yawn.

“Yeah,” I admit. “I haven’t been sleeping great the last few weeks.”

He nods sympathetically, but I see the way his jaw flexes at my words. He hates that these men have caused me any stress, and I fall a little more in love with him at that moment.

I’ve never had anyone who gave a damn about me. My parents were pushing me to marry Bryan because it would help their social standing. They were willing to use me any way they could.

Somehow, I know that Luca would never do that to me.

“I only have the one bed right now,” he says, pushing to his feet and reaching for me. “You’ll sleep there.”

“Where will you sleep?” I ask, gasping as he lifts me into his arms easily and turns to carry me down the hall.

“I’ll take the couch. That way, I can keep an eye out for anyone poking around.”

“The couch? No, you won’t be able to fit there,” I protest, my eyes locked on the leather sofa we just left. There’s no way his big body will be comfortable sleeping on it. He’s already doing so much for me. I can’t put him out that way too.

“I can take the couch,” I tell him as he carries me into his room.

“It’s safer for you in here.”

I push up into a sitting position as he lays me down on the soft mattress. “Luca, no. I can’t take your room. If anything happens, I’ll shout for you.”

I throw my legs over the side of the bed, but he stops me. He shakes his head, grumbling under his breath. The next moment, he’s pulling back the covers and tucking me in so tightly that I can barely move.

“Hey!” I protest, but the words die on my tongue when he strips his shirt off and tosses it into the hamper.

“I’ll sleep here. On top of the covers,” he says, studying my face to see if that’s okay with me.

I nod, and he lies down, his weight causing the blankets to loosen so I roll toward his side.

I bite back a smile as I lie there. I love that Luca doesn’t pretend, that what you see with him is what you get. He’s so honest, so perfect. It’s hard to believe that he’s still single… or that he’s into someone who looks like me. I mean, I saw his body when he took his shirt off. I didn’t know that men could look like that outside of Hollywood or romance books.

He reaches over, turning off the bedside lamp. “Sleep, pumpkin. You need your rest,” he whispers.

I sigh and let my eyes drift shut.

I have no idea what time it is when I wake up again. The house is quiet and dark. I lick my dry lips, trying to convince myself to go back to sleep, but I’m so thirsty.

My legs are pinned, and I wiggle, stifling a giggle when I realize Luca’s big body is draped over me. His arm is wrapped tightly around my waist, and one of his legs is thrown over mine. I never would’ve pegged him for a cuddler, and I grin as I slowly wiggle my way free.

“Hmm,” he growls, annoyed at losing me even in his sleep. “Perry.”

My heart stutters at the way he says my name. I peek at him, not wanting to wake him. He doesn’t wake, so I take a moment to study him, my gaze skimming over his strong cheekbones, the bump in his nose, and his soft-looking lips.

Down, girl.

I climb out of bed before I can do something crazy like kiss him or trail my fingers over his abs.