While Dad isn’t Luca’s biological father, he’s helped raise him as much as Dante has.
“I just wish you’d told me. We’ve been trying to scrape up money to make sure Zeke is cared for when we have him. I’ve been looking at taking on a part-time job, so has Harper.”
I stand in the hallway, eavesdropping, careful not to be seen. But I’m curious, because Luca never mentioned he was looking for work. I can’t imagine he even has time to work, with school and hockey getting in the way.
“Dante isn’t going to want that for you. You work for him. You’ll be spread too thin. And I’ve talked to him; he’s agreed to pay you the same as Ashton.”
“Wonderful,” Luca says, but there’s no hint of happiness in his tone.
“Listen, if you really don’t love Harper, there’s another way out of this?—”
He scoffs, and I can hear the mug clattering and breaking, possibly in the sink. I glance over the corner to see if he threw it, but there are no shattered pieces on the floor.
Definitely the sink.
“I’m not harming a hair on her head or her son’s,” Luca says. “And if you so much as suggest it?—”
“I wouldn’t,” Dad says. “I’m just trying to look out for you, Luca. I’ve always seen you as my own.”
Footsteps patter over the marble flooring, and they’re definitely coming from the staircase.
Eavesdropping is over. I hurry down the hall so as not to be caught when I glance up and notice Ashton and Dante approaching.
“Hey.” My eyes light up, and I try my damndest not to seem too eager to see Ashton. “Merry Christmas.”
Dante wanders past us, not even paying me the least bit of attention. I’m just an annoyance to him, probably the same as Luca.
Except Luca is his son.
Ashton waits a beat before the smile stretches across his face, and he pulls me into a hug. “Merry Christmas, Nova.” He plants his lips on mine, and instantly, I freeze.
I push him away, eyes wide in horror.
“What are you doing?” I ask, but I’m mostly thinking anyone can see us!
Ashton points up at the mistletoe in the hallway. “I put that up this morning.”
I jab him in the elbow and reach for his hand, dragging him away from prying eyes or the surveillance cameras. I know every secretive spot that can’t be seen.
“Come with me.” I usher him into the hall closet with me. The stained-glass window filters the daylight just enough to keep our presence hidden.
I saunter to the back of the closet, pulling him with me. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you,” I whisper, tiptoeing to reach his lips.
Ashton is several inches taller than I am, and he leans down, scooping me into his arms and sitting on the bench, tugging me onto his lap.
Our mouths fuse with a fiery heat that builds like a volcano, waiting to erupt.
His fingers trail across my hip and then up to my neck. He gently guides the edge of my turtleneck down, taking witness of his mark having mostly disappeared.
“Did anyone ask about it?”
“The giant hickey you gave me?” I laugh and pull back slightly. “Thankfully, I have plenty of sweaters with high enough collars, no one thought to ask.”
Ashton doesn’t apologize.
He grins.
“I kind of wish you would show everyone. Let them know you’re mine,” Ashton says, and then he steals another taste from my lips.
