“He’s not stopped flirting with her since he arrived. They spend hours out here, laughing and smoking weed. He’s a fucking asshole.”
Angelo’s voice cracks. He’s jealous of how easily Luka has bonded with Chiara. Given how Chiara ended up here, she probably hates my friend. Not that I blame her. If I were her I’d hate him too.
“Weed, eh? Not sure that’s recommended for mothers-to-be.”
“Exactly,” he seethes. He yanks the door wide open and storms outside. Luka and Chiara both look up. Luka grins at the sight of his enraged brother, but I watch as Chiara’s mouth sets in a hard line. She’s not laughing now.
Knowing Angelo is about to make a difficult situation worse, I follow him.
10
Chiara
The last few days have been good. Better than good. Luka’s stuck around, and despite my natural distrust of anyone with the Di Rossi surname, I can’t help but like him. It doesn’t hurt that he looks like a fallen angel with his bronzed skin, pretty muscles, and constant flirty smile.
The man could charm a fucking nun into bed.
Surprisingly, he’s not made a move on me. Yes, he’s flirted and checked me out more than a few times, but not once has he laid a hand on me unless I’ve asked.
Given my current status, I appreciate that. I’m locked in this mansion like a modern-day Rapunzel because the man who owns me doesn’t understand the meaning of the word consent. The fact that his brother isn’t treating me like a prize broodmare has helped me relax.
“Rub some sunscreen on my shoulders, please?” It’s fucking hot out here, and although I have a tan, I still need to be careful. My mama’s genes mean I’ll burn if I’m lax about applying protection.
My blue bikini is one of several Luka brought for me when I complained I had nothing to swim in. I need underwear too, but I draw the line at asking him to go lingerie shopping on my behalf. The bastard would probably enjoy it way too much. I also refuse to ask my husband for underwear. He can go choke on a dick for all I care.
Flirting with Luka is fun, but I’m wary of falling for his seductive charms. He’s the kind of guy I’d catch feelings for, and feelings are dangerous when I’m technically a married woman.
“Sure, cutie.” Luka picks up the bottle and squeezes some lotion into his hand. “My brother and Kane are here,” he murmurs.
“Oh?” When I look up, I see them standing in the shadows by the sliding door.Fucking creepers.
Angelo has been blessedly absent all week, and I’ve not seen his asshole enforcer since he kidnapped me. I hope he ended up needing a nose job. Seeing him with a flattened boxer’s nose would make my day.
“Shall we put on a show for them, cutie?” The laughter in Luka’s voice makes me smile.
“You think that’s a good idea?” A small chuckle escapes. Angelo won’t hurt me, at least I hope not, but he might kill his brother.
“Anything that pisses off my brother is a good idea.”
Luka grins at me as I twist around to look at him, but there’s a darkness in his eyes.
It doesn’t take a therapist to see that Luka has a chip on his shoulder, despite being accepted into the family once they found out about his existence. I can still recall my stepmother’s shock as she gossiped about it with her friends.
“Okay, but I’m relying on you to rescue me if my husband throws me in his dungeon as punishment.”
Luka’s fingers brush over my shoulders, kneading my flesh. Heat slithers through my veins as my pulse kicks up a notch. I can’t blame my reaction entirely on the blistering sun.
Like any red-blooded female would be, I’m painfully attracted to Luka. Not getting laid in forever sure isn’t helping my self-control.
He rubs cream into my skin oh so diligently, both of us aware Angelo is still watching, and then I hear the door slam into the frame and the sound of leather-soled designer shoes stomping across the cream Italian stone patio.
“Get your fucking hands off my wife!” Angelo snarls, shoving Luka away from me. Sun cream spills everywhere.
Luka laughs as he falls back onto his recliner, not remotely bothered by his unhinged brother’s display of needless aggression.
“What fucking planet are you on?” I jump to my feet, annoyed at his stupid display of alpha-male bullshit. “Luka’s looking after me, making sure I don’t burn. You should be fucking thanking him, not acting like a hormonal baboon!”
“Baboon.” The asshole behind Angelo chokes on a laugh before schooling his features.
