His eyes lock on mine, fierce, unrelenting. “Never give your light away,” he presses, voice rough against my ear.
I shiver, whispering back, “No. Only to the one who claims it.”
A sound jolts me out of sleep and straight into Luca’s bed. He opens his eyes and glances around, still dazed.
“What was that?” I ask, my voice rough, my body still asleep and my mind lagging behind.
“I think it was the doorbell,” he says, climbing out of bed—and flashing me that perfect ass on the way.
I glance at my worn-out, antique watch. The hands point to six.
“It’s six in the morning!” I groan, pulling the covers over my head. Luca peels them down just enough to kiss the tip of my nose.
“I forgot the Sensei was coming. Go back to sleep, I’ll be back soon.”
I want to protest, but then I blink—and I’m out cold again.
When I open my eyes again, the sun is bright. My watch now says seven thirty. I steal some clothes from Luca’s closet, pad to the window, and spot a shimmering, dreadful glare.
“Damn. I need to paint that someday,” I mutter to myself, arms crossed over my chest.
When I find Luca, he’s on the floor of his home gym, tangled with another man. It looks like they’re locked in a match—legs and arms battling for control. They groan and strain, until Luca hooks his legs around the man’s torso and the guy taps the mat with his open palm: surrender. Luca releases him instantly, untangling his limbs, and helps him to his feet.
Somehow, Luca senses me. I don’t know how, but he turns and spots me at the doorway.
“Em…” he says with a grin, walking over and kissing me like we’re not being watched by another man in the room.
“Come on, I want to introduce you to the Sensei.” He takes my hand and leads me to the center of the room. “Sensei, this is Emma.”
“Hi, I’m Luis. Nice to meet you.” His handshake is firm, and he looks to be in his early forties—tall and built like a linebacker.
“Are you okay?” I ask, eyeing the puddle of sweat on the floor.
Luis laughs and nods. “Luca’s getting stronger every day. Actually, today he’s way more focused than usual.”
Luca’s eyes flick to me, and he raises an eyebrow. I laugh.
“Could be,” I reply, looking down, trying to hide my flushed cheeks.
“Nice meeting you, Luis.” Then, turning to Luca, I whisper, “I’m gonna head home, need to change before work.”
“No way. I said I’d take you,” he says, turning his back to me and speaking to Luis. “Mind if we wrap a little early today?”
“Of course,” Luis says, clapping Luca hard on the back—not that he flinches. “See you tomorrow, Luca.”
They bow to each other respectfully, and then Luca grabs my hand and leads me downstairs. I can practically feel the light radiating off him.
He’s happy. And it breaks my heart.
“What time do you have to be at theGreat Ideasoffice?”
“Nine.”
“Well then, take that off. I’m going to fuck you before I drive you.”
Emma ends the call and hands my phone back without saying a word.
Her face is unreadable. We’re both trying to process what just happened—but she’s more shaken than I am.
