Luca just holds me. I pull slightly back after a couple of minutes and start looking over his injuries again. Most aren’t too bad, but my nails left a lot of marks. More tears fall, and Luca kisses my face where they leave a trail.
“I’m okay, baby.”
“That’s what got through to me, you know? Pulled me out of it.” God, I sound like crap.
“What did?”
“You talking to me, but mostly you calling me ‘baby.’ I always love it when you call me that.”
“Well, now I know what to do next time.”
I start to sob at his words. “I don’t want there to be a next time.”
He pulls me against him again. “I don’t want there to be one,either, but I’ll be here if there is. Let your throat rest. I don’t know how long you screamed, but it felt like forever.”
I snuggle against his chest until Lil comes back with alcohol wipes, ointment, bandages, and tea. She brings a beer for Luca. “I need something stronger,” she says and goes to mix a can of soda with liquor in the closet. Lil and I start cleaning the scratches, and I try not to cry as I put the ointment and bandages on the worst ones. Most of them are minor, but Luca’s pretty much covered in Disney bandages by the time we’re done.
“Ari,” Lil pauses until I look at her. “I think it’s time for Dad to tell Luca everything.”
I sigh heavily, closing my eyes. “I know.”
Luca takes my face between his hands again and waits for me to open my eyes before kissing me softly. “Nothing is going to change how I feel about you, Ariana.”
We’re all exhausted. Lil turns on the TV in the bedroom and findsBeauty and the Beast. And just like on the last hoodie day, all three of us crawl beneath the covers. Luca holds me against him, my back to his front, and Lil lies on my other side, our pinkies linked. I’m asleep before Belle gets to the castle.
Chapter 49
Again, sorry, Dad
Ariana
Waking up with Luca’s arms wrapped around me and his morning wood pressing into my ass is officially my favorite way to start the day. I shift my hips, and his hands turn to iron, holding me in place.
“Stop that, Minx,” he whispers against my ear. A chill of desire rushes down my spine. Then my stomach rumbles.
Luca chuckles. “Come on, let’s go get some breakfast.”
“Did someone say ‘breakfast?’” Lil opens groggy eyes. “Yes, let’s go get food!” She jumps out of bed in normal Lil fashion and goes to use the bathroom. I roll over and face Luca.
“Is she always like that in the morning?”
“Pretty much. It’s so annoying.” I sigh. “I would stay here a while longer, but I need coffee.” My voice is still scratchy, my throat sore.
He kisses my nose. “I know you do. I’ll be right behind you in a minute.” When I raise my eyebrow in confusion, he chuckles. “I have to go put some pants on. I’m only wearing boxers.”
Heat pools low in my belly. I run my hand down his back to the waistband, and his eyes turn to fire. “Why yes, yes you are.”
He makes a noise somewhere between a groan and a growl and kisses me hard. “Fuuuck… okay, later, baby. Coffee and food now.” I start to protest, but my stomach rumbles again. He rolls out of bed, and I watch his sexy ass as he walks away.
I take my turn in the bathroom. “How you doing?” Lil asks when I come out.
I sigh. “I was kind of hoping he wouldn’t ever see that.”
“I know. But he did something none of us ever could.”
“Yeah… it’s like his soul calms mine,” I say. Then I chuckle. “Maybe I’ve been reading too many romance novels.”
“Nah, I think that stuff is real. Mom and Dad always made us believe in it. Watching you two makes me believe it. Makes me think maybe there’s hope for me, too.”
