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I have mixed feelings about the situation and need to tread carefully. I don’t want her to think I’m being pushy but listening to her speak about her relationship in past tense gives me hope there is a future for us.
"I bet your parents were devastated."
She tilts her head to the side, her eyes confirming my suspicion. "I should have stood up for myself from the start, you know?"
"You don't need to say it. I understand."
"Brent found someone who loves him, and I'm happy for him. Don't we all deserve happiness?"
Seeing her tear-filled eyes breaks my heart. "Shh. It's okay." She smiles as I brush my fingers across her cheek.
"It's my life, Luca." There's strength and confidence in her tone which wasn't there earlier. "I'd rather be alone forever, than marry a man I don't love."
When her eyes meet mine, I sense a shift inside her. My heart gives a nervous jolt. It’s time to come clean.
Seven
AUDREY
Confessing my feelings is liberating. I mean it when I tell Luca I won't settle for living without the man I love.
Luca stares thoughtfully, drinking in every word, sensing each subtle shift in my expression. He cradles my hand, caressing my wrist with feathery strokes, making me feel like the center of his world. Whenever he touches me, I feel reassured, and the fires of desire grow stronger.
He cups my cheek tenderly, his eyes deep pools of longing. When he presses his thumb against my chin, my lips part and a small sigh escapes. He wraps his other hand around my waist, drawing me closer. My soft curves melt into the hard planes of his body.
"I love you," he murmurs. "I always have, and I always will." Luca's rich, velvety voice pours over me. His words fill the bottomless pit of longing in my heart.
"I love you too, Luca." As soon as I've said the words, my heart feels lighter.
His scorching eyes roam my face. "I'm going to kiss you now," he growls.
Fireworks explode behind my eyes when our lips meet, lighting up my soul.Heat pulses into my hands as I brush acrosshis well-defined chest muscles. I sense the light scratchiness of hair beneath his clothes. Needing more, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer.
"Living without you is impossible," he says. "It's time we stop pretending we can sweep our feelings under the rug. Time to stop putting other people's needs first."
He's right. I've never felt anything as pure or powerful as this. Loving Luca makes my heart soar. It feels like it's going to leap from my chest straight into his hands, but he'll take care of me in a way no-one else will. It's a truth I feel in every nerve, every cell, every breath I take. Every single beat of my thundering heart.
My life's been empty until this moment. I feel like I've been feasting on Beluga caviar, but I've been dead inside and everything tastes bland, like white bread.
Being with him feels right. If it means we can be together, I'm willing to run away from everything, even if I never see my family again. I would be heartbroken, but I’ll stand by my choice when the time comes.
"You know it's going to cause problems," I say.
Luca's mouth curves into a sexy grin. "Don't worry, Auds. I won't let anyone lock you up in a monastery and as long as I draw breath, you'll never live alone, or become a crazy old cat lady."
Laughter bubbles from a deep well inside. "You have a funny way of seeing the world, you know that?"
He gives me a megawatt smile. "It's what makes me special."
The apartment is toasty warm. Flames dance over artificial logs, casting soft light and illuminating his features. He looks even more seductive. As if it were even possible.
A combination of endorphins and pheromones make me feel deeply satisfied. I feel like I'm finally a part of something greater than myself. Something with a future.
Luca strokes his jaw, giving me a narrow-eyed look. He reaches for the Santa hat he discarded earlier, placing it on his head.
"Are you on the Naughty List?" he asks, playfully.
"Maybe," I sass.
