“He slept great.” I don’t need to lie to her or explain that I was too afraid to fall asleep here again.
Luca puts an arm around my shoulders. “I slept great too.” The smile on his face almost seems genuine, but I can’t help but feel betrayed.
He’s lying to his mother and to Paige.
“You put me right to bed.” He pulls me in for a kiss in front of them, and I can’t help but lean into it, knowing that it’s not real but not caring.
My brain is screaming at me, knowing he hates me, but his tongue glides past my lips and my body heats up from his touch.
Nikki clears her throat. “Maybe we should give you two some privacy.” She takes Zeke with her as she and Paige head down the hallway.
Once we’re out of earshot, I raise an inquisitive eyebrow at him. “I put you to bed?” I glare at him. “I can’t believe you suggested to your mom that we did that under her roof!”
Embarrassment floods through me, making my cheeks burn.
“Wouldn’t be the first time.” Luca stares at me, and his fingers graze my cheek.
This thing between us, the heat that sizzles, it isn’t real.
I just can’t fathom why he’s pretending.
“What are you doing, Luca?” I know his feelings diminished, or maybe he doesn’t like me at all anymore.
It’s just the two of us. There’s no audience. No show that needs to be put on. Besides, Nikki and Paige can’t honestly believe it’s paradise between us.
I tilt my head, glancing up at Luca. I want to call him out, argue with him, scream and tell him that he can fool his mom, but he can’t fool me.
And that’s when I see it. He lifts my chin to his stare. “Kissing you, it just—” His breath is raspy, and he leans in again. “I can’t stop myself after one taste. I crave your touch, your taste, the sweet smell of your skin.”
His words send tingles through my body. His fingers unclasp the clip in my hair, bringing the curls down around my shoulders in waves.
He grabs a fistful of my hair, tilting my head up, holding me, keeping me under his command. “Tell me to stop, that you don’t want this.”
But I do want this; I want him, more than I’ve ever wanted anything. “Never.”
He groans, fighting desire but failing as his lips conquer mine, and I relax under his touch, my mouth opening as he deepens the kiss.
I’ve missed him, missed this, the sweet stolen moments, the simple touch of his hand on my cheek sliding to the back of my neck as he deepens the kiss.
He guides me back against the wall, his lips moving across my collarbone, sucking and nipping at the skin. He sets my body ablaze.
“Dada!” Zeke squeals from around the corner as he comes running in to find us.
Luca freezes, his body grows rigid, and he breaks the kiss. It’s like the mood just disappeared from a simple word. Or it could be my son storming in that made Luca uncomfortable.
“Sorry!” Paige chases after Zeke. “Didn’t mean to interrupt the two of you. Nikki disappeared into the bathroom, and Zeke wouldn’t hold still for two minutes.”
Sounds exactly like my son. Exhaling, I force a smile. “It’s okay.” I reach for Zeke, picking him up and flipping him around in my arms, giving him butterfly kisses over his nose and cheeks.
He squeals and throws his arms at Luca. “Dada!” he chants again, and this time Luca takes him with an awkward smile.
“Are you sure you know what that means?” Luca rubs his nose against Zeke’s, and I swear I fall more in love with the two of them every day.
Heavy footsteps tap over the flooring, and I glance in the direction. It doesn’t sound like Nikki.
“Are we done here?” Moreno doesn’t offer a smile, no hint of warmth. “Your father wants me to take Harper and Zeke back to campus when the photographer is done.”
“I’ll need to get changed.” I gesture to the dress that I’m wearing.
