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12
CASSIO
Rousing Bianka to have her dress before she completely passed out had been the last thing I wanted to do. Still, as I woke before the sun the following morning, I’m grateful I had the foresight to make her put on clothes, as did I.
Seeing as I only paid for Tommy’s and Loui’s services until ten o’clock last night, but I rented the boat for a full twenty-four hours, the yacht is already tied up at Waukegan Harbor, and our hired help is long gone. I just need to get us back to the car.
Because we do need to get back to school before we’re missed. But I don’t want to disturb Bianka when she looks so peaceful. And now, after spending the night with her wrapped in my arms, I won’t have to wake her to get her to her car.
Easing carefully up off the bed without disrupting her slumber, I collect our small bag of things and hoist it over my head and shoulder so the strap will lie securely across my chest. Then I lean across the bed to scoop Bianka’s petite frame into my arms.
Carrying her carefully up the stairs, I make my way to the top deck and step lightly onto the dock. The walk to the car is easy enough, and I gently settle Bianka in the passenger seat, doing my best not to jostle her before buckling her in. Then I slide behind the driver’s seat, adjusting it considerably to compensate for my height, and start the engine.
The drive is quiet, Bianka sleeping the whole way, curled up on the seat like a cat. Only after I pull into her Wirtz Residential Lake Shore Drive parking garage and kill the motor does she stir.
And then she startles awake, her eyes growing wide as she bolts upright in the chair. “Oh my gosh, I completely passed out!” she gasps, looking around the garage in bewilderment. She groans as she turns back to look at me, her face contorting in regret. “I’m sorry.”
I chuckle. “Why are you sorry?”
“Because you took me on a wonderful date, and I just conked out.”
“It’s fine. I don’t know about you, but I had a great time, and falling asleep with you in my arms seemed like a great perk.”
A shy smile blooms on Bianka’s face as her shoulders relax slightly. “Are we late for school?”
I shake my head. “You’re home just in time to get cleaned up and get to class. Sorry I didn’t leave you time for breakfast.”
She brushes it off easily. “I can grab something for the road. Areyougoing to be late then?”
“Nah. I’m fine. Lucca’s coming to pick me up shortly.” Leaning across the console, I grasp Bianka’s chin with my finger and thumb, tipping her lips up to give her a chaste kiss. “Thanks for the great date.”
I ease out of the car a moment later, tossing her the keys over the roof because I know if I take the time to walk to her and hand them over, I might convince myself to just stay. “I’ll see you in class,” I say, flashing her a smile.
Then I head out the side door of the parking garage and into the golden morning sun. Lucca arrives a short time later in his silver Ferrari BR20, a smug smile on his face. Without a word, I slide into the passenger seat, and he takes off.
“I brought you a change of clothes,” he says after a long silence, jutting his thumb over his shoulder toward the luggage rack that’s in place of a back seat. “Since we won’t have time to go home before school.”
“You’re a godsend.” Leaning back, I snag the stack of garments and start to strip down as my brother drives.
“So, how’d it go?” Lucca demands, cutting to the chase.
“Better than I could have dreamed. I’m falling for her, Luc. Hard. It’s like every second I’m near her, I discover something else that makes me appreciate her more. She’s smart, funny, and agoodperson. Gorgeous inside and out.”
Lucca gives me a sidelong glance. “Not to mention she’ll never accidentally sleep with me.”
I backhand his shoulder like I’m angry, but my following laugh takes the edge off. “Sounds like she saw right through your prank.”
“Man, it wasn’t even a minute. She knew as soon as I looked at her.”
I snort, stripping my old shirt and tossing it into the back. “Maybe it’s your lazy eye.”
Lucca returns the shoulder smack. “I do not have a lazy eye.”
I chuckle rather than acknowledge he’s right.
“So, you like her, huh?”
“I’m pretty crazy about her.” Silently, I shrug on a clean sky-blue button-down as I think about just how amazing Bianka really is. Her squeal as she entered the water yesterday. The way she took the time to learn more about my dreams and future.
