I allowed myself a second of weakness to think about how right he felt in my arms. “Yes. Let’s do it.”
An hour later, after viewing two brownstones and a high-rise penthouse with a view of Manhattan, he yawned. “Sorry. It’s been a long day.”
“You could just stay here. I have plenty of room.”
“Thanks, but I have to go home.”
Nodding, I rose from the sofa and headed to the kitchen. I removed the bags from the refrigerator and grabbed my wallet and phone. Walking to the door, I followed him into the hallway. He stopped and frowned. “Are you going out?”
“Yes. I’m taking you home.”
“I don’t need a babysitter. I can get myself there just fine.” He reached for the bags, but I held them out of his reach
“I realize that. But I’m going with you. What else do I have to do?”
Luca exhaled a less irritated sigh that bordered on exhaustion. “Fine.” When we stopped at the elevator, he leaned his shoulder against the wall and looked up at me. “When do I get my car back?”
“Soon. But until then, George will be your driver.”
Another heavy sigh escaped his chest. “Axel…”
Here we go again. “It’s just a car service. The dealer offered a loaner while they repaired yours, but I’d already paid George. It’s nothing special.” It would give me peace of mind that he was safe.
He finally gave in. “Okay.”
The ride down was fast, and when we reached the lobby, we walked out into the muggy night air. Hailing a cab, we crawled in, and Luca gave the driver his address. When we pulled up outside his building, I asked the driver to wait. Exiting the car, I walked him to the stairs of death and bit my tongue. “George will be here in the morning. We can pick up the search tomorrow.”
Luca shook his head. “I should probably go to the library.”
“Can you access what you need online?”
He thought about it. “Probably.”
“You can use one of the guest rooms to work. I’ll make dinner while you work.”
Luca appeared surprised. “You can cook?”
I rubbed my neck. “Sort of, but I can follow directions.”
He laughed and headed to the stairs. “I doubt that. But I’d like to see you do it.”
“Then you will need to be at my place after work to witness my failure in the kitchen.”
He turned and looked at me. “It should be entertaining. But something tells me you won’t fail.”
“Your faith in my culinary skills is admirable.”
“I’m not just talking about your cooking.”
A moment of understanding passed between us. The electricity in the air intensified.
“See you tomorrow,” he said, climbing the stairs. He didn’t turn around, but I watched until he was out of sight. His apartment was on the front of the building, so I stood and watched until the lights came on. Turning, I got back in the cab and told the driver where to go. As he pulled away, something new and unexpected filled my chest. Was this what real happiness felt like? If so, I wanted more of it.
It had taken almost a week for Luca’s car repairs to be completed. When the dealer called to inform me it was ready, I gave them my credit card over the phone and arranged for George to take Luca to pick it up. Just as I expected, he called the minute he was given the keys.
“Axel, I think we have a problem. A big one, in fact.”
“How so?” I mused. I’d expected this call.
