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“How about I run you a bath and go and make you some breakfast?” The rumble of his words vibrates soothingly against my cheek.
Both options sound heavenly right now. The fact he’s so willing to go out of his way for me, to care for me, has me wanting to cry. It’s so unfamiliar, but the best feeling in the world.
“I’d like that.”
After a long, relaxing soak in the bath, I look at myself in the mirror without a scrap of make-up on. My skin is a little less gray and my eyes look less dead. Maybe I am getting somewhere. This is the longest I’ve gone without a drink in years. The tremble in my hands reminds me I am nowhere near out of the woods yet.
When I open up the walk-in closet, it makes me gasp. Luca told me he had clothes delivered for me, but I wasn’t expecting a full wardrobe’s worth. I run my fingers along the fabric– sweaters, jeans, pretty lace shirts, in every imaginable color. His suits are neatly hung at the end. I’m assuming I’ll need to move this into another room at some point. There’s no way he’ll be okay with me taking over his life. I open up the drawer inside and find a variety of underwear all neatly folded. All black.
I shimmy on some panties and throw on some leggings and a hoodie. There are even scrunchies and a bag of makeup and skin care products left on the bedside table. He’s seen me at my absolute worst, so I can at least try to make myself a little bit presentable. Even if it’s just to get that worried look off of his face.
I snatch up the bag and head into the bathroom again, working my magic, making my skin glow, and shove my curly hair into a messy bun.
As I head down the stairs, the smell of breakfast cooking makes my stomach rumble. Luca is whistling to himself and flipping pancakes. How did I not notice before he was just wearing a tight fitting black t-shirt and gray sweatpants which show off every damn muscle?
His head turns to see me and his face lights up.
“Wow,” he whispers, before smiling and returning to the stove.
My cheeks burn as I sit up on the barstool over the kitchen island. He scatters fresh fruit over the pancakes with a practiced flair, and I lick my lips as he places it down in front of me.
I can’t even think of words worthy of how delicious it smells. “This looks incredible.”
He winks at me and joins me on the seat next to me. I can’t help but keep peering over as he eats, watching his muscles flex as he cuts into his meal.
After a moment, he pauses and his eyes meet mine. “What’s the matter? You aren’t hungry?”
His voice shakes me from my daydreams. How long was I staring at him?
“Y-yes. I–” Shit. I avert my gaze and quickly shove food in my mouth to avoid any conversation. His soft laugh when he turns back to his plate sends a warm shiver into my belly.
I manage to make my way through the whole thing. The sugar is already battling my exhaustion. Feeling like I need to repay him for his kindness, I start to take the plates, but he places his hand on my arm, stopping me. Tingles erupt on the contact, and I find myself staring at the touch.
He pushes his chair out and pulls the dish from my grasp. “You stay where you are. I’ve got this.”
“I want to help. I don’t want to be useless anymore. You’ve done so much.”
He huffs and steps away. The second his hand is gone, I miss his touch. What the hell? This is new. I’ve never wanted a man’s touch, yet his makes me giddy and safe.
As he loads the dishwasher, I put all the fruit scraps into the garbage, humming away to myself.
“I have to go to work today. I’m not sure what time I’ll actually make it home tonight.”
I can sense the unease in his voice. God, I must have really been a mess for him to sound this worried about leaving me.
“I’ll be fine, Luca.” The water almost scalds my fingers as I wet a cloth to wipe the counter.
He leans against the closed dishwasher door and crosses his large, tattooed arms across his chest. “Are you sure? Because if not, I can cut out my training session with Grayson, so I’ll be with you most of the day.”
“I swear, I feel better today. I’ll just watch some movies, maybe sit outside and get some fresh air. Going through all of my new clothes will take most of the day.”
I bite back a grin, pulling on the sleeves of my sweatshirt so he can’t see my hands shake.
He pulls out a phone from his gray sweatpants and holds it out to me. His eyes narrow as he stares at me. I’m frozen in place, struggling to focus on anything other than those green eyes and their little flecks of brown.
“This is locked to my number only. If you need me, for anything, you call me.”
I take it from him and hold it tightly, letting its warmth from his body seep into me. “I will. Now go get ready. I can finish up here.”
