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“Don’t you want to? Is that how you always want this to be?” I gestured between us, flustered.
He glowered.” Yes to the first and no to the second. But I want you to ask the question you are avoiding? Don’t try to hide from me.”
“And what do you think I’m avoiding?” I couldn’t be that transparent. Can I?
“Becka if you want to know if I was with another woman, just ask,” he said with a shrug.
My head snapped back. I stared at him unable to get any words out. He had been so casual in his deliverance it made my stomach lurch.
Was he wanting me to ask so he could rub the answer in my face? I had struck him last night and walked away when he had a raging erection. What would keep him from finding someone who would be more than happy to take care of it for him? How many women were out there that would jump a super sexy man like Luca in a heartbeat? This marriage may not have been based on love, or friendship, but I did not want to be humiliated as the wife who’s husband kept mistresses. At the very least I needed that.
And as much as it pained me to admit it, I was jealous.
“Were you?” I nearly chocked on the words.
His eyes moved to my mouth and that’s when I realized my bottom lip was trembling. Terrified to know the answer. He walked froward, closing the gap between us to nothing. My lungs inflated at his closeness as my neck craned to look up at his beautiful face.
“No, Becka, I wasn’t.” His deep voice penetrated my soul. “I told you that you are what I want. My patience is wearing thin and my forearm is sore as fuck from jerking-off to the thought of you; but I am not going to cheat on you.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. I wasn’t quite sure what to do with the information. I was happy that he hadn’t been with someone else, but his brutal honesty about his sexual need for me was intimidating. I knew he didn’t mean it that way. I asked him to be honest but, it stripped me bare of all my defenses every time.
Luca’s lips tipped up in the corners as my silence continued. His gaze grew lustful. He reached up and gently wiped a piece of sweaty hair off my face. It looked like he was straining to not touch more of me.
“I have to go. Matteo is waiting for me and I don’t know when I’ll be back.”
Wait. There was one more thing. “Luca.”
“Yes.” He gave me his full attention. And damn if it didn’t make me feel special somehow.
I cleared my throat. “Tomorrow is the day Arianna and I are supposed to get dress fittings. I really want to go. It means a lot to her.” My gaze dropped to the floor for a moment. I hated feeling like I was begging but this was about more than just me. Arianna’s happiness remained as important to me as my own. Swallowing my pride was a small price to pay for my friend’s happiness. I met his stunning brown eyes. “And it means a lot to me.”
He looked at me with consideration and sympathy. I needed him to say yes. Air refused to escape my lungs as I waited for his answer.
“Yes, you may go.” All the air rushed out of me. “I will let Matteo know to have Arianna pick you up. But James and Mark will be watching you the entire time.”
“Mark? As in, from the club? One of the men who dragged me into Lorenzo’s office? That Mark?” My voice went up several notches.
“He will never hurt you again Becka. Do you understand me?” His tone sounded like giant boulders grinding together. Anger hardened his eyes as they bore down on me. “As long as you don’t force him he will not even touch you. And if he dose without cause I will cut off his hands myself. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” I sounded out of breath. I didn’t even want to think about how serious he was about cutting off Mark’s hands. But if those were his terms and he promised Mark wouldn’t touch me then I could live with that. He could have said no. He could have smashed another rule in my face about never leaving the house. But he didn’t.
A warm fuzzy feeling spread across my chest. “Thank you.”
Luca placed his index finger under my chin and dropped his lips to my forehead for a delicate kiss. My heart kicked against my ribs. His lips were soft and warm as they brushed against my skin. I thought of the previous night when he had pulled me against him. I’d melted like hot wax for the briefest of moments and been mad about it. Now, all I wanted was to feel his hard body pressed against mine again.
I leaned into his touch.
When he lifted his head he gave me the sexiest smile I think any man could possess, turned and left the room without looking back.
* * *
After a quick shower and changing into comfy clothes I realized I was starving so I headed back down stairs to find something to eat.
James had shown up to trade places with the other guard. As usual he stayed on my heals and his silence was annoying. The guy never talked. He never smiled, never relaxed, and never lost the grave expression on his face. He was a freaking robot and I almost felt sorry for him.
When I reached the kitchen I was confronted by a middle-aged woman with graying hair tied up in a bun. She had tan skin and a bright smile to go with her apron.
When she saw me she paused, then hurried over and cupped my face. I was so stunned I just stood there while she handled my face and rambled on in Italian. Her smile shone bright and her tone was happy. Then her face turned down. She walked over to where I had broken the plate the night before, pointing with an unhappy finger to the floor.
