It takes closer to an hour for Luca to return, but he’s beaming with excitement, and I’m incredibly happy for him. He comes out of the locker room but wanders through the stands, making his way to our aisle.
“You did great!” I say as he throws his arms around me. He pulls me into a hug, and for a moment, I can’t tell if he’s happy to see me or this is all an act because we’re being forced to marry.
For me, it’s never an act.
“Thanks. I’m really glad you showed up tonight. Thanks for bringing her,” he says to Kensley.
“It was all Harper’s idea,” Kensley says. “But I may have had something to do with these.” She points at our Narwhal’s jerseys.
Luca pulls me close against him, his breath mingling with mine before he goes in for the kill. His lips taste sweet and smell uniquely of sandalwood and amber. His hair is still damp from the recent shower, and a few drops find their way onto my skin.
I lean into him, my tongue seeking entrance into his mouth, momentarily forgetting that Kensley is standing beside us, and the world seems to melt away.
His fingers clench my jersey, keeping me tight and close. I swear I can feel his heart drumming through his chest.
Kensley clears her throat. “Should I just head home?” she asks.
I don’t want to break apart the kiss because I don’t know when Luca will kiss me again, touch me like he actually means it.
And I don’t know whether he means it. I suspect he’s faking our relationship in the same way he faked it with our parents.
There are feelings involved. I know he still cares for me, but he’s grown more distant lately, and it hurts me to wonder if I’ll ever truly have his heart.
“No,” Luca rasps, his breathing heavy as he pulls back from the kiss, ending our tirade.
I wish it had lasted longer. I could go all night just kissing him.
“The guys are meeting up at the house after the game. You’re welcome to join us, Kensley,” he says and takes my hand, intertwining our fingers together.
He brings our joined hands up to his lips, kissing my palm. Butterflies flutter inside my stomach, and I lean on my tiptoes, stealing another taste of his lips.
Because with Luca, one kiss isn’t enough. I’ve been craving him since the night we fell into bed together, weeks ago.
But those couple of weeks feel like months, years ago even, as I feel the urge to climb into bed with him again.
He smiles and kisses my cheek. “Are you girls riding with me?”
“If you’ve got room for both of us,” Kensley says.
“There’s always room for the love of my life and her best friend.”
He’s still acting, and damn, my heart falls for it every time.
Heading into his house, most of his teammates are celebrating the win. There’s beer being passed around, and Ashton is on the couch with Nova.
“Don’t let her drink!” Luca points at Nova.
“Oh, come on, I’m the same age as Harper now. You can’t boss me around anymore.”
“You’re still under twenty-one. Don’t you have school tomorrow?” Luca glares at her.
“Teacher institute day, whatever that means. I get the day off. Dad knows I’m crashing with you.”
“Wonderful,” Luca answers cooly. “I’m going to grab us drinks, be right back.” He drops a quick kiss on my cheek and hurries away.
He’s probably glad to get rid of me for a while. I anticipate he’ll be gone longer than just a few minutes.
Kensley nudges me and whispers in my ear. “Do you know who that girl is?”
