My fingers gripped the dirty plates under the water. “How did you deal with it?”
She laughed. “I didn’t. We’d fight, makeup, and then do it all over again the next day.”
“It’s just hard. Nights like this make me wonder what the hell I’m doing.”
“Believe me, I understand. It sucks.”
“It really does.” I scrubbed a plate even though it was already clean. “I’ve never felt this way before. I don’t think I realized just how much time he spends with Nicki. I get he has no interest in her, but I’m jealous that she gets to be with him all day, you know? At this point, I’m even jealous of Marco for getting to spend so much time with him on this new project.”
Adriana stiffened but then relaxed. “I get it. Just remember, Luca is madly in love with you and has no interest in any other woman, especially a backstabbing bitch like Nicki.”
I turned to check on Dante, and he was beautifully oblivious to our conversation. Setting down the plate, I glanced over at a pink-faced Adriana.
“Are you okay?” I placed a soapy hand on hers.
“I’m fine.”
We finished the dishes in comfortable silence, both of us too tied up in our own thoughtsto make small talk. Being with a Moretti man was no walk in the park, but did it have to push me out of character? I had to admit that for the first time in my life, I was jealous.
Son of a bitch.
As I made that ugly discovery, the front door opened and closed. I looked at the clock and was surprised to see it was only 8:30.Dante abandoned his cleared dessert plate and ran from the kitchen. “Uncle Luca!”
Adriana and I shared a look before following the sound of laughter to the front door.“What are you doing here,buddy?”
“Sasha made dinner, and it was so good!” Inwhat could only be called a stage whisper, Dante added, “I think you’re in trouble.”
Luca’s eyes jumped to my face, his smile dimming. “I think you might be right, bud.”
Putting Dante down, the little boy ran to my side and tugged on my hand. “Remember what I said.”
I laughed, hugging him. “I will.”
Dante kissed my cheek and then ran to his mom,pulling her out the front door. Adriana waved, laughing at her miniature tornado of a son.
The door shut, leaving Luca and me alone in the hallway.
“Why do I feel like my nephew just proposed to you?”
I turned from him and went back to the kitchen. Over my shoulder, I said, “Because he did. When he’s big enough, I’m going to be his wife.”
Grabbing a kitchen towel, I wiped up the little water that had sloshed from the dishes. Luca silently looked in the fridge and pulled out the plate I’d made for him.
I turned, and his sad eyes met mine. “Wow, this looks amazing. I’m sorry I wasn’t here.”
Shrugging, I pulled the towel through my fingers. “It’s whatever. My future husband was here and enjoyed it.”
Luca shook his head,placing the plate on the island. “I’m going to have to have a talk with my dear nephew.” He cornered me against the countertop. “I can’t believe you cooked for me.”
“Happy one month living together.”
Without warning, Luca’s lips crashed into mine with a punishing force. His fingers wove through my hair, tilting my head up for better access. I couldn’t move my head, and my lungs ached from lack of air, but Luca wasn’t slowing down. His tongue tangled with mine, completely dominating me.
Abruptly, he pulled away. Gripping my thighs, he lifted me to the countertop. “Fuck. I love you so much. This week has been the fucking worst. I’ve missed talking to you, laughing with you, taking my time with you.” He stepped between my legs, his already hardening length pressing against me. “Have you missed me too?”
His teeth nipped my ear and pulled. I moaned out a yes.
“I promise to try harder, baby.” His hips thrust into me,causing my spine to curve into him.