I liked the sound of that.
FOUR
When Luca said he was taking me home, what he meant was: the event was going to end, and he was going to triple-check all the employees’ work, going as far as processing credit card payments and stacking serving trays. Once he was satisfied with everything, we headed back to his place.
At 2 a.m., he deposited a tipsy me into a town car. Sliding on the leather seats, I marveled at the chilliness against my thighs. “Luca, these are the softest seats in the world and the coldest. Feel my thighs.” Tilting my ass at him, he grabbed my hips and pushed me back into a seated position. After securing my seat belt, he nodded at the driver.
“How much champagne did you drink, Sasha?”
“Enough.” I frowned athim. Was he really drink-grubbing after I sat in a gallery for seven fucking hours?
I twisted my body to stare out the window. All the excitement of choosing Luca—at least for the night—flew out the window. He was already policing my behavior, just like Beth. I would not be a part of another relationship where someone treated me like a delinquent. So many people tried to mold me into what they wanted. I just wanted someone to appreciate me for me.
Not sure if it was the booze or my fragile feelings, but tears stung my eyes. Mortified, I leaned toward the driver. “You know what? Can you please take me home? I’m suddenly not feeling well.”
Luca stared at the side of my face as I settled back into my seat.
“Sasha?”
Blinking, I fought to keep the tears at bay because I couldn’t stomach him seeing me cry.
“Sash. Look at me.”
His warm fingers lifted my chin as he gently turned my face.Frowning, he tilted his head as he studied me. “What’s wrong?”
Shaking my head, I twisted my hands. I tried to steel myself against his concern. I’d already been more open with him than was smart. The fact that I expected him to find my shenanigans charming proved how comfortable I’d gotten. Trying to swallow down my disappointment, I smiled at Luca. “Nothing. I’m just drunk and tired. I think I should just go home.”
His eyebrows pulled closer together as he cupped my cheek. “I said something, didn’t I? Was itasking aboutthe champagne?”
My eyes darted away from his face. I couldn’t stand how hard he was trying. He was being so sweet, but I had experience with this. It starts outall light-hearted andfun, but then theywant me to stop going out so much, stop performing, stop being me. Beth almost succeeded in making me into her “perfect partner.” I wasn’t about to lose myself again.
Luca sighed. “I didn’t mean it like that. I was asking because I don’t make a habit of taking inebriated women to bed. I was trying to.” He moved his hands around like he was trying to find the words. “Have realistic expectations.”
I grinned at him. His cheeks were bright red, but this time he didn’t look away. “So,you were checking to see if I was still going to fuck you?”
That did it. He rolled his eyes and laughed. “Jesus, I wished you didn’t say it like that, but yes.”
Amused and pleasantly surprised, I studied his face. “So,you weren’t disgusted with my lushness tonight?”
Quickly, he shook his head. “No, you were stuck watching me count trays. It would’ve been weird if you didn’t take advantage of the free-flowing champagne.”
“Hm. I don’t know what to do with that.”I shifted back in my seat.
“Why don’t we go back to my place? I’ll make us a late-night snack, and we can take it from there.”His long fingers laced through mine.
He was smiling so sweetly that I couldn’t help but smile back. “Why do I feel like mind-blowing sex is off the table now?”
Luca chuckled and told the driver to continue to his place.
The streetlights sporadically lit Luca’s face as we traveled through the city. My eyes traced the bend in his nose that hinted at previous breaks.
Was he bullied as a kid? I needed to get my hands on some childhood photos. My alcohol-soaked mind tried to wrap around the idea of this gentle giant being beaten up. His nose wasn’t the only imperfection on his otherwise beautiful visage. He hadnick-like scars on his face and body and one large, faded scar that ran down his side.
I wanted to trace that line with my fingers, better yet, my tongue. Without realizing it, I inched closer toLucaand slid my hand up his thigh. Much to my dismay, he stopped it before I grabbed the goods. Tearing my gaze from where our hands were joined, I frowned at him.
Why’d he stop me?
With hooded eyes, he licked his bottom lip. “Not in the car,Sasha. At least, not this time.”