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Bria finds the strength to pull her eyes away and gives him a smile that fuels my fire. She looks apologetic. I’m surprised she wants to avoid hurting his feelings.
This beauty must be used to turning down those not worthy of being anywhere near her.
“Yeah, sorry. You seem like a lovely character. My friend here is very protective. I’d go enjoy yourself, there’s plenty of stuff to do here.” She’s dismissive, giving him another smile. This one is charitable.
The guy looks displeased, no shock there. He’s smart though, taking his drink around the bar to sit somewhere far away from us. Hell, a part of me wishes he’d just go to the bar on the secondfloor. Just looking at him is enough to leave a sour taste in my mouth.
Once we’re alone, I take in her appearance. Up close, I’m hungry for the small details. From her chipped fingernail polish to the sunflowers on her dress, everything stands out.
This hunger I’ve tried my hardest to ignore is more obvious than ever. Being close to her, I want to tug her stool closer and give myself any possible chance to feel her warmth.
“Yourfriend?” I repeat, mocking her words.
“What else am I supposed to call you? I don’t even know your name.” She shakes her head. “I’m too old to call you my babysitter.”
“Luca.” My name comes out without a second thought. I’ve already approached her, the damage is done. Her knowing my name can’t make it any worse.
“Luca,” she repeats slowly, feeling the weight of it against her tongue. “Luca Lombardi.”
Well, fuck me. It’s far worse. I already regret my slip of the tongue.
“I can take care of myself, you know.” She huffs under her breath and I almost believe she’s annoyed. The light in her eyes says otherwise.
“Do you know how easy it is to spike a drink? With how often you sit at this bar, I’m surprised you didn’t jump at the opportunity to get your hands around a drink.” My eyes narrow. “Then you tell him that you aren’t from around here?”
A gasp overtakes her next huff when I reach out and catch her chin before she can turn away. Her skin is soft against my calloused fingers. If I lift my thumb any higher, I can touch her lower lip. She’s wearing a gloss, one I’m focusing far too strongly on.
“You’re justtryingto run into the arms of danger, aren’t you? What, is your life not exciting enough as it is? If you’re seeking athrill, you should know better than to waste your time on some nobody.”
Her cheeks flush a lovely shade of crimson before she knocks my hand away.
“He was friendly,” she argues.
My fingers curl into a fist and I feel my nails dig into my palms. “He’s not your type.”
That gets her attention. Her lips purse. “And how would you know that?”
“I’ve been watching you forweeks. I know the difference between a natural smile and a fake one. If you were interested, you wouldn’t have paid me any attention.”
I won’t admit how much it pleased me for her to connect the dots so quickly and direct all of her attention in my way. She tried to see me all those times before. She might not realize it, but I’ve piqued her interest.
Bria doesn’t argue, not like she stands a chance at winning this one. It annoys her, and the frown on her lips speaks volumes.
“Deny all you want, Princess, but you wear your thoughts on your sleeves. Now, are you going to go try and enjoy yourself before your father’s grunts come to get you, or are you going to keep testing my patience?”
Bria doesn’t answer immediately, she’s too busy thinking about her choices.
She doesn’t look like she’s ready to slip away just yet.
Nicola is going to kill me. He expects me to keep all forms of trouble away from her. I can’t help it if Bria wants to run right at it.
