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“I’ll get Igor on scouting. I want to know how the Cosa Nostra knew we had Hope in our pocket.” Nik pulls out his phone, typing a quick message to Igor.
Luka is trying to sort all this out in his head, mid-party. People surround us, celebrating with food and drinks. Woman flock to the reelected senator, and the press is trying to get their footage and stories. But the part of me that wants to protect Luka needs to get him out of here.
“We won’t be able to sort it out here,” I say. “What do you think about getting out of here?” Luka regards me, raising my hand to his mouth. He places a gentle kiss on it and then, as if on cue, my heart hammers, hyper-aware of his every touch on my skin.
“Da.Let’s go.” His eyes stay fixed on mine, and I swear my knees almost give out.
“You both know I’m right here, right?” Nik jests, giving me a wink.
I’m grateful Nik knows what Luka needs in this moment, keeping with his usual self. “I’ll have Ivan pick me up and I’ll meet with Igor tonight to see what information we can get together. I’ll have a follow car behind the limo.”
Luka nods and Nik takes the last swig of his drink, before turning and depositing it on a server’s tray. He bends down under the table for a brief moment before ducking away. Luka takes my hand, and we weave through the crowd, headed to the exit.
“I’m definitely ready to be out of these heels,” I say, hoping to lighten the mood a bit.
“I’d like to see you out of more than those heels,” Luka eyes me, pushing the down arrow on the elevator.
“And waste all the money you spent on this?” I do a lazy Vanna White impression, gesturing up and down my dress. “I think not—I’m wearing this to bed.” He closes his arms around me, wrapping his arm around my neck and dragging me under his arm. His lips find my ear, nipping my lobe.
“I’ll buy whatever dresses you want, as often as you desire, as long as I can take you out in them. You have no idea how much I love this dress, Kate. This—” He turns his body, free hand rustling the slit of my dress until he grazes my thigh. “This is killing me.”
I whimper at his brief touch on my thigh. To people around, he is hugging me, but his fingers are tapping methodically over my leg.
The ding of the elevator has Luka straightening. His eyes are dark with worry. He takes my hand again, gripping it possessively, and pulls me into the elevator.
Unfortunately, we aren’t the only ones getting on to leave. Luka stands close to me, as several other men and women get on, chatter filling the close space. Luka’s face is serious staring straight ahead and I can’t help but tease him. I reach down with my pointer finger and brush his thigh, drawing random designs. He frowns at me, annoyed, and I chuckle.
Our limo has pulled up, waiting for us, and Luka motions for the driver to hold, while he opens the door himself, sliding in after me. Settled in the backseat, I rest my head on Luka’s broad shoulder and stare ahead to where the partition is being raised. The limo rolls away from the hotel into city traffic. Despite the night, I’m happy. Luka makes me happy.
“Thank you, Luka,” I say, breaking the silence. I’ve been meaning to tell him for days now. I am thankful that I met him. While his business is unconventional and his methods at times questionable, Luka is unlike any other man I’ve met. The lack of love throughout his life could have impacted him in many ways. But when I look at him, the man is striving for better—for himself, for his organization, and for me.
His head turns to me, lips tickling my forehead. “For what?”
I hold his eyes because I want him to understand. “For it all. For helping me and my mom. For giving me a place to live safely, and introducing me to a larger world.” His brows furrow, confused at my words. “Oh, and for kidnapping me.” I smile at that last part, trying to ease his discomfort, but I want him to know. I need him to know. “It was the best thing to happen to me.” Luka’s eyes soften, and for the first time,ever, I see him flush. It’s light, a small dusting on his cheeks, but it’s there.
Emboldened, I sit up, dragging my feet up over his muscular legs, watching his mouth open a bit.
I kick off my heels, and his hands move to my feet, drawing a single finger from my heel to mid-foot, and I jerk my leg.
“Ticklish?” Luka chuckles but moves to massage my aching feet. Those heels were no joke.
His eyes take in our position. It’s casual. Luka leaned back, suit jacket unbuttoned. My feet lounging over him as he rubs my feet as if we’ve been doing this for ages. His brow scrunches together hard in thought, and I move to him. Taking my thumb, I smooth the lines there, loving how such a small gesture instantly relaxes him.
I push up and kneel, throwing one leg over him. Straddling him in the limo puts my head close to the top of the car and I reach up, both hands pushing myself down on him. An exhale escapes his mouth, and I lean my head on his shoulder. My nose grazes his neck and I inhale his perfect scent that smells like home. Luka’s gaze explores my face and roams down my body. His hands come to my waist, fingers flexing there, while he thinks.
“You make me want to be better, Kate,” he finally says, and my heart spasms in my chest. “Better for my men, better for you, and better for me.”
I lean down and kiss the tip of his nose, his eyes fluttering shut. I move to his cheek, then the other, making my way down his neck. My mouth moves over his lips, his eyes still closed, head leaned back against the leather seat. The tantalizing scar on Luka’s upper lip pulls my mouth toward it and I place a peck over it. The grip on my waist tightens, a low growl rumbling through him.
“Kate …” Luka’s hands come up to my face, cupping me as though I’m the most precious thing in the world. I suck in a breath seeing his eyes. His soul is bared to me.
Chapter50
Luka
The need to get home with Kate is maddening. Her soft kisses, exploring my face—taking her time—challenges my control. I close my eyes, being here in the moment with her, the words she spoke before replaying in my head.
It was the best thing to ever happen to me.
