Morning light cuts through the gym windows. He’s at the weight bench, back to the door, wearing nothing but dark athletic shorts. His shoulders flex as he lifts. Sweat runs down his spine in a line I can’t stop watching.
I came looking for Alexei’s toy dinosaur. Found this instead.
Luca sets down the weights and reaches for a towel. Wipes his face. The muscles in his back shift under tan skin marked with scars I’ve never asked about.
He turns and catches me staring.
“Looking for something?” His voice is casual. Amused.
“Alexei’s dinosaur. He thinks he left it in here yesterday.”
“Haven’t seen it.”
“Right. I’ll keep looking.”
I should turn around and walk away. Instead, I stand there watching water drip down his chest while he watches me watch him.
“You’re welcome to stay,” he says. “I’m almost done.”
“I need to find the dinosaur.”
“Check the basket by the treadmill. Alexei was playing there.”
I cross to the treadmill. Bend down to search the basket. Feel his eyes on me the entire time. The toy dinosaur is right on top.
When I stand, he’s closer than he was. Close enough that I can smell sweat and something else. Something distinctly him.
“Found it,” I say.
“Good.”
He doesn’t move. Neither do I.
“I should go.”
“Should you?”
“The twins are waiting for breakfast.”
“Elena is handling breakfast.”
“Still. I should?—”
He reaches past me for his water bottle. His arm brushes my shoulder. The contact is brief, but I feel it everywhere.
“Enjoy your workout,” I manage.
I leave before he can respond. Before I do something stupid like close the distance between us and see if he tastes like he smells.
This is a problem.
By noon, the problem is worse.
I’m in the garden with the twins when Luca appears. He’s changed into jeans that fit too well and a white T-shirt that shows off every line of his chest and arms. Hair still damp from the shower.
“Who wants to go swimming?” he asks.
Mila and Alexei shriek and run for the house to change. I follow more slowly.
