That’s how I knew she was in love with Luca before she could admit it to herself. And that’s how I know she wants me to stay, but I imagine she feels my need to explore too. To finally experience the world beyond this city.
I don’t imagine that will change…even with the distance between us.
***
I haul the last of my bags into the back of the van, swiping the sweat off my forehead with the back of my hand. Christ, it looks like I emptied my apartment with all the cramped mess I managed to shove into the back. It was hell carrying all the bags with just Tilly and me, but I couldn’t wait for Luca to come and help. I’m already antsy to get on the road as it is.
This is it—my cross-country road trip, the one I’ve been planning for years. New York to LA in a van I converted myself, filming every adventure along the way. I just can’t wait to get started.I probably shouldn’t be this excited about leaving, but I can’t help the giddy feeling.
I do a mental inventory, making sure I didn’t leave anything behind, before slamming the door shut. I turn when I hear my sister’s footsteps, and I’m already smiling before she can reach me, eyes locked on the basket she’s carrying.
“Are those for me?” I ask, my stomach growling embarrassingly loud when I catch the delicious aroma of baked goodies.
“I packed enough for you to share with Amy,” she says, pulling the basket away when I reach to grab it. “I’ve packed some chocolate chip cookies and brownies, and those should last at least a few days at room temperature. Now, the apple pie andcheese cake can last up to a week if you keep them in the fridge, but the croissants need to be eaten today or they’ll lose their freshness. The banana bread—”
“Okay, Mom, I get it,” I chuckle, reaching for the basket, and this time, she lets me take it. I bring the basket to my nose and sniff at the delicious aroma, my mouth already watering. “No one bakes like you. I’m going to miss you so much, Tilly.”
“You’re leaving for just a couple of weeks,” she murmurs, more to herself than to me, it seems. But before I can respond, Luca’s car pulls up next to my van. We both watch as he climbs out of the car, sliding glasses over his eyes against the bright morning light. Luca Conti may not be related to the Rossis, but the man sure carries their looks. Dark and dangerous.
But my eyes don’t linger on him too long as the passenger door of his car opens and out steps another man. A chill runs down my spine, and the hairs at the back of my neck stand on end, prickling like a thousand needles.
Conor O’Shea.
My heart starts to race as the two men walk toward us, a reaction I get anytime I find myself sharing space with Conor. Granted, those moments are few and far between, seeing as we don’t exactly run in the same circles. I feel the tension coiling within me as he closes the distance, and a knot forms in my stomach.
And yet, despite my deep dislike for the man, I find myself staring. His annoyingly handsome face is a masterpiece, chiseled with a strong jawline and the faintest hint of stubble that makes me want to reach out and touch. He’s so freaking perfect with that dark auburn hair that plays in the light to reveal rich, reddish brown tones. I’m not subtle as I run my eyes down the rest of him, taking in the simple white Henley T-shirt that clingsto broad shoulders and reveals the definition of his muscles. The sleeves are pushed up, exposing the impressive strength of his forearms and the dark tattoos that color them.
A quick search of the company website tells me he now works as an investigator for his family’s firm, the kind of guy who digs up secrets for a living. Security, in its various forms, just seems to be a part of him—it’s likely in the O’Shea family DNA.
It makes sense that he would carry himself with such confidence and arrogance. Even in casual clothes, he exudes an aura of power and presence that equally captivates and annoys me.
“What is he doing here?” my sister whispers from my side, but I have no answer for her. When the two men stop in front of us, I fight the urge to glare at Conor and Luca, just for bringing him here.
“You’re packed already. I was hoping to make it back in time and help you ladies load everything in the van,” Luca says, wrapping an arm around Tilly’s waist and pulling her flush against him before pressing his lips gently on her temple. “You don’t need help bringing anything else down, do you?”
“No, I’m just waiting for Amy so we can leave,” I say, choosing to ignore the extremely handsome man standing a few feet away from me.
“Amy isn’t coming,” Conor says, pulling my focus back to him.
“What do you mean?” I ask, irritation giving way to concern. “Did something happen to her?”
“She’s fine. Let’s just say there’s been a change in plans.”
“What do you mean...” but he’s already walking away. I feel heat rise in my cheeks, a flush of irritation at the rude man. I watch him walk back to Luca’s car and open the back.To my horror, he takes out a suitcase.
“So,” Luca says, flinching when I turn to glare at him. “I’m guessing you weren’t updated on the change, were you?”
“What change?” I ask, tensing when I spot Conor dragging his suitcase behind him. “Don’t tell me...” My words trail off as the man walks toward my van. “Please tell me that suitcase is for Amy. That I’m picking her up at some other location.”
“It’s mine,” Conor responds, confirming my worst fears. “Amy Martinez put in a request for medical leave a couple of days ago. Normally, I wouldn’t share these details with clients, but she approved for you to be told. She’s pregnant, and the doctors tagged it as a high-risk pregnancy, meaning she cannot travel anywhere, let alone across the country with you, and still offer protection. She’ll be taking a year off from work. Since we couldn’t arrange for a different bodyguard on such short notice…well, you’re stuck with me.”
No.
No way.
Concern for my bodyguard is overshadowed by the fact that I am going to be spending time—alone—with this man. Christ, what mortal crime did I commit to be punished this way?
“Not you,” I say before I can stop myself. “I mean, the van only has one bed, and it was already going to be difficult to share it with Amy, but you’re big...and a man.”And annoying, but I don’t say that last part out loud—though I can imagine it’s written all over my face.
