It’s like I have “no longer a virgin” stamped across my forehead, and he’s the only one who can read the writing.
But if he’s noticed, I know that other people are going to notice too. Eventually.
It’s weird… because I’m not theonlyone who is different.
Zandy isn’t the same person either.
There’s something about the way he’s changed that’s pushing me just as much as my own feelings. Maybe he doesn’t realize it, but I can see it—his smile, even his posture. Helookshappier. He looks like he found something that made him… complete.
And I know if I’m brave enough, I might be able to find that too. But the only way that’s going to happen is if I show Maddox Levine that I can be everything he needs me to be.
“You’re being awfully secretive, Luca.” Professor Levine’s voice is amused, though I can see the slight apprehension and intriguechasing on the heels of that emotion. The corner of my mouth tugs up in a soft smile.
“Maybe. Don’t you like surprises?” I’m doing my best to let that sex-crazed Luca who seems to overtake me drive tonight. I need his confidence and boldness if I’m going to be able to pull any of this off.
Professor Levine’s blue eyes slant in my direction, his brows dipping suspiciously. “I don’t, actually. I hope you realize I’m making an exception for you. Honestly, I haven’t been on an actual date since… in a long time.” That feeling is there again, that there’s something just beneath his words… like he’s trying to say something without really saying it.
That’s okay.
I’m honestly willing to play the long game if it means that this is going to work out in the end.
“I appreciate it, Professor.” I offer him a brilliant smile, but I can feel a blush rising on my cheeks. “Honestly, I’ve never really asked someone out on a date before, so I’m kind of making an exception for you too.”
It had been embarrassing, texting him and asking if he wanted to go out with me. I felt like I was in high school, my stomach in knots and my hands shaking. A date felt like something a little more formal than showing up at his house to hook up like we’d been doing for the past few weeks. It felt like it actually meant something… like it might put a label to what we were.
And there’d been a painful stretch of time where my message had been left on read, where I’d worried I’d pushed too hard too fast…
But then he’d replied with a simple “yes.”
Just that one word had lit me up from the inside out and made up my mind for me. He was probably expecting dinner, maybe a movie. Something that the old Luca would do.
If I’d asked someone on a date before I’d met him, that’s probably exactly what I would have done. Or I would have begged Zander to help me come up with something more romantic, because I was completely hopeless.
But I knew exactly what I wanted to do—exactly where I wanted us to go.
And when he’d asked me after I showed up at his place and he’d climbed into my car, I’d been extremely delighted to press my lips together and shake my head.
“You’re too happy about this,” he murmurs, the accusation in his voice teasing. “Are you sure you don’t want to tell me where we’re going?”
I shake my head, but drop my hand between us on the seat. It’s funny, seeing Professor Levine crowded into my small car. It’s like he takes up all the space. I’m flooded with the scent of him, with the heat of him pressed beside me… and when my fingers find his, he turns his palm over so I can hold his hand.
My heart flutters almost painfully in my chest.
“We’ll be there soon, okay?”
At least it isn’t a lie. There’s a dozen things to do on the same strip of road, so it’s not like I’m giving myself away… and I watch him flick his eyes expectantly to restaurants and the movie theater as I drive past. After I turn onto a familiar street, I feel his fingers flex in mine.
My grin gets bigger. I think he finally realizes where we’re going.
“Luca,” he says, but I don’t take my gaze off the road in front of me as I turn into the parking lot for Mask and slide my car into one of the spaces. It’s funny—I spent so long talking myself into coming here the first time. I’d been so anxious…
But now I can barely contain myself as I open my door, reluctantly pulling my hand out of Professor Levine’s so I can get out.
He follows me in a flash, his arm coming around my waist so he can take a few quick steps, backing me up against my car. The proximity makes me tremble—his heat makes me feel alive… and my mouth fills with saliva in anticipation of what I really,reallyhope is going to happen.
“Luca.” Professor Levine’s voice is a little apprehensive, a little warm… but I can see something swimming in his gaze just beneath the depths of that carefully closed-off expression. He turns his eyes to me, ticking up one brow. “What are we doing here?”
This is it. Now or never… and I realize that as afraid as I’ve been, as much as I’ve been worried about how he was going to react and if this was a good idea at all… it’s going to be okay.
