Goosebumps exploded across my skin at the sound of Luca’s voice. His presence begged me to look to the left, and with one glance, I regretted ever getting out of the car.
He was a wet fucking dream. All James Bond and shit in his tux. When my eyes finally met his, I saw it all. Anger, hurt, exhaustion.
I struggled to come up with something to say as Scott maneuvered us, so he stood directly in front of Luca, and I was to the side. Extending his free hand,he tried to get Luca’s attention. “Mr. Moretti, it’s good to see you again.”
When it became apparent that Luca had no intention of shaking his hand,let alone looking at him, Scott’s hand dropped, and he turned toward me. “You good with a gin and tonic.”
Inodded,my eyes held captive by Luca’s glare.
Scott ordered his drink, his hand sliding from my back to around my waist. I appreciated the support because I was one second from melting into the beautiful marble floors.
“You came.” Luca’s words were breathy.
“I did.”
Only then did Luca’s gaze move from me to Scott. “With him.”
I narrowed my eyes at his profile. “I don’t see how that is any of your business, but yes, I came with Scott.”
My voice dripped with disdain, begging for a fight, but when Luca finally looked back at me, there was nothing but resignation in his eyes.
As his plump lips parted,Nicki joined our happy little group.
“There you are! Your father wants you to make the welcomespeech.” Her slim fingers patted his chest as she wrapped her other hand around his arm.
Gripping my handbag with a force sure to leave finger marks in the beautiful fabric, I gave her a small smile. “Hello, Nicki.”
“Sasha. Hello.” She had the decency to pull herhands offLuca as she muttered something about him having five minutes. One last look of confusion at Scott, and she scampered off.
“You better get going. Wouldn’t want to disappoint your father.”
Finally, Scott handed me a drink, and I took a sip to fortify the bitch act I needed to get me through the night without becoming the girl crying in the bathroom.Luca watched as I pulled another large sip through the tiny straw, his eyes never leaving my red lips. I could see the desire there, the longing.
Too fucking bad.
“I think Scott and I are going to go and find those little bacon-wrapped asparagus things we saw the waiters carrying around.”I took two steps away, only to have a large, calloused hand grip my elbow. Scott continued walking, not noticing the big worked-up goon holding me back.
“Sasha, please. Can we just talk?”
The threat of tears kept my eyes forward on Scott’s disappearing back. “Are you going to tell me everything?”
His fingers flex on my elbow as he inched near me.“You’ll hate me if I do.”
Taking a deep breath, I turned into his body. My chest was grazing his with every intake of air. Allowing my fingers to grip his lapels, I begged. “I hate you right now. What’s there to lose? Please, just tell—”
“Luca!”
Based on Luca’s tensing body, I didn’t have to turn around to know it was his father. The change in his posture caused me to let go of his jacket. He was turning into that other Luca, that savage man I didn’t recognize.
“I’m sorry. I can’t.” Luca let go of me and took a slow step back. His face remained stoic, but his eyes were full of regret. In a hushed voice, he said, “I love you. Know that.”
Then he was gone.
Body sagging, my hand landed on the bar for support. I was shaken and unsure if I could make it another minute in the richly decorated room. I downed the rest of my drink in a gulp, and the bartender asked if I wanted another. Waving him off, I shook my head. There was nothing behind that bar that could lighten the pressure on my chest. What I needed was fresh air and to get the hell out of there.
Walking through the crowd, I fought the urge to glance at the small platform set up by reception.
As the door was opened for me, my name came over the speaker. “Sasha Mitchell and her team did a wonderful job at creating a posh livable space that we at Moretti Properties believe will set a new standard for upscale residential living here in St. Louis city.”