Why can’t I be normal for once in my life?
The basement looks less like a sex dungeon and more like a yoga studio, which somehow makes it worse. I have the sudden, unhelpful urge to lean into a downward dog, but then Luca turns and gives me a soft smile.
My nerves riot.
He sits on the edge of the bed.
“Come here,” he invites, his voice both nervous and excited.
My pulse jumps so hard it almost hurts.
Yep. I’m doing that. Absolutely. No doubt about it.
“I’m going home,” I say.
Silence.
Luca looks confused. “Now?”
“Yes!”
The word echoes louder than intended, bouncing off the minimalist walls and landing in the bowl of potpourri on the side table.
“Antonio, we don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for. Or anything at all,” he says carefully.
Something in my chest unclenches, the tight knot of panic finally loosening.
“Really?”
“Of course. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I didn’t mean to.”
“It’s okay,” I mumble, sitting beside him.
I drop my head into my hands.
“I’m sorry for freaking out. And for, you know—assuming.”
“You don’t need to apologize,” he reassures me. He gives me a crooked grin. “Besides, you were totally right. To assume.”
I blush.
He bumps my shoulder.
“Want to watch cat reels? I can make popcorn.”
Relief floods me.
“That sounds great.”
I think many arranged marriages have started with cat reels and popcorn.
CHAPTER 15 – CASPIAN
I pick Noah up from summer school in the afternoon. Cole asks me to stay fora coffee. He peers inside the fridge, scanning the shelves with a domestic ease I’ve always admired .
“I’m making pasta. You want some?”
“Please don’t bother on my account,” I reply automatically, the self-sufficient Stone taking the wheel.
