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Chapter 17

Luca

There wasno motive behind any of this.

The detour, letting her choose the restaurant, trusting my phone instead of the sky, suggesting we get a hotel, even though I am used to driving in rain. I had no ulterior motives today other than to continue to date her as planned. And when we check into our room, I want to make sure Olivia knows that.

But as soon as I open the door, I realize this day is just going to keep fucking with us.

“Why is there only one bed?” she asks. Then she narrows her eyes. “Unless you purposely got a room with only one bed.”

“No. I didn’t ask for one bed. I think they just assumed,” I tell her.

“Alright, well, that’s fine. I’m tired anyways. And it’s a big bed. I’m sure it’ll be fine. What are you doing?”

My eyes flash up to her as I unbutton my shirt. “What? I’m taking my shirt off.”

“But I just said I’m tired,” she says.

“And I don’t sleep in button-down shirts. Especially ones soaked from a freak storm.”

“So you’re going to sleep naked?” She asks, her cheeks turning pink.

“You’ve seen me naked before,” I say, and they flush red. “But don’t worry. I’ll leave my underwear on.”

“Right,” she nods, visibly shaking.

“You should undress too,” I suggest. “You’re freezing.”

“We aren’t sleeping together,” she blurts out. “I mean, we are sleeping together. In the same bed. But we aren’t sleeping together.”

“That’s fine,” I say, undoing my pants and shoving them to the floor.

“Good,” she says, visibly trying to keep her eyes off my anatomy.

“Great. Let’s go to bed,” I say.

“Perfect,” she nods.

I crawl into the bed and get comfortable. Meanwhile, Olivia is obviously uncomfortable as she tries to be discreet about taking her dress off.

“Can you not?” she asks.

“Can I not what?” I ask.

“Watch me,” she snaps.

I chuckle at her. “Olivia, we’ve had sex before,” I say.

“But we aren’t having sex now,” she says. “Because I am tired.”

“I am too. We’ve already established this. Here,” I reach out and turn the lamp off. “Is that better?”

“Well now I can’t see what I’m doing,” she complains. “Just…turn the light back on and close your eyes.”

“Are you serious right now?” I ask. Then I sigh and turn the light on and roll over to face away from her.

“Are your eyes closed?” she asks.