Chapter 16
The faint clinking of a spoon against the cup echoed in the kitchen as I stirred my tea. The kitchen was quiet. The entire penthouse was and I should have expected it. Foolish of me to think otherwise.
I stirred my tea slowly, watching the honey dissolve into the warm liquid. I had woken up alone. Again.
Some part of me, one that I hated to acknowledge had actually believed he had try. That after last night, Luca would at least make an effort. Maybe not a grand one but something.
I hadn't expected romance or morning cuddles. That wasn't Luca. But a small, pathetic part of me had hoped he would still be here, that maybe for once, I wouldn't be left wondering where he had gone.
I sighed, setting my cup down with a little more force than necessary.
The sound of footsteps broke the silence and I turned just as Luca walked in, dressed for the day, his phone in hand.He set it down on the counter, his gaze finally meeting mine.
I didn't know he was here. Hadn't he left?
"Where is the key card?" he asked.
I frowned, caught off guard. "What?"
"The key card for the elevator." He clarified, watching me closely. "Where is it?"
My fingers curled around my cup. "Why?"
Luca didn't answer right away. Instead, he leaned against the counter, arms crossed over his chest.
"Because you ran away once," he said, still watching me closely. "I'm making sure you don't do it again."
I inhaled slowly, pushing away the frustration bubbling under my skin. "You want me to give it back?"
His expression didn't waver. "Yes, I want you to give it back"
I turned and headed toward the bedroom. I found the key card exactly where I had left it and returned, placing it in his outstretched hand. His fingers closed around it, his grip firm.
"What if I want to go somewhere?" I asked, my voice quieter now.
"You ask me." He answered.
I nodded but I didn't say anything.
Luca was watching me too closely like he was waiting for a reaction. For me to push back. But I didn't. What was the point?
He exhaled before pushing the key card into his pocket. "I will try to come home early tonight."
I blinked, not expecting that.
His gaze held mine. "So we can eat together."
I didn't answer right away, not sure if I had actually heard him right.
He tilted his head. "You wanted me to try, didn't you?"
Something in my chest tightened. This was Luca's version of trying. No flowers. No grand gestures. Just a simple, gruff promise to be home for dinner.
I nodded, "Okay."
?????
Luca had said he would try to come home early. That didn't mean he actually would. Men like him weren't reliable. They did what they wanted, when they wanted.
And yet, here I was placing two plates on the table like some naive wife who actually believed her husband would keep his word.
I wasn't much of a cook but I could make a decent meal when I needed to. And right now, I needed to, if only to distract myself from the fact that I wasn't sure Luca would actually show up.
I wiped my hands on a towel, staring at the plates I had set. It wasn't anything fancy, just pasta, some grilled chicken and a side of roasted vegetables. Simple. Casual.
Nothing that screamed I actually put effort into this because I wanted to believe you.
I checked the time.
8:57 PM.
I exhaled slowly, ignoring the ridiculous knot in my stomach. I wasn't waiting for him. If he didn't come, I would eat alone. Like I always did.
I told myself I wasn't watching the clock. That I wasn't counting down the minutes, half expecting him to break his word.
But then I heard the faint sound of the elevator. I didn't turn around right away, keeping my attention on the table.
Then, his voice, rough and slightly edged with exhaustion.
"You actually cooked?"
I turned around, finally meeting his gaze. He stood near the entrance, shirt sleeves rolled up to his forearms. His hair was a little disheveled like he had run his fingers through it a few too many times.
"You actually showed up?" I said, matching his tone.
Luca's lips twitched, something like amusement flickering in his gaze. He stepped closer, his attention briefly shifting to the food before settling back on me.
"That mouth of yours needs to be punished." He said, his eyes dropping to my lips.
Heat shot straight to my face. I pressed my thighs together, hating the way my stomach fluttered at his words.
God, what was wrong with me?
Luca sat down unbothered like this was something we did all the time. Like it wasn't the first time we were actually having dinner together.
I swallowed, ignoring the warmth in my cheeks and took my own seat. "For what?"
"For doubting me." His voice was smooth, deceptively calm as he leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table.
I should have scoffed, brushed off his arrogance. But I didn't. Because despite how infuriating he was, he had actually come home. And I wasn't sure what to do with that.
He picked up his fork, spinning it between his fingers before stabbing into the pasta. I watched as he took a bite, chewing slowly. His expression shifted, his brows lifted slightly and for a brief second, something like approval flickered in his eyes. But he didn't say anything.
Instead, he set his fork down, leaning back slightly as his gaze stayed locked onto mine.
"Your mouth," he murmured, voice low. "Should I be merciful? Or teach you a lesson?"
I hated the way my skin flushed. This man was impossible.
He chuckled quietly as he took another bite. "Eat, carina" he said smoothly. "I have plans for you later."
After a while, I pushed my plate away, feeling the weight of Luca's gaze still on me. He had been watching me the entire meal, his attention sharp and unwavering like he was waiting for something.
Luca set his fork down with a quiet clink. Then he sipped on his wine and leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed but eyes dark.
"Come here." He said.
I swallowed, my fingers curling slightly against the table. "Why?"
His lips twitched like I had just asked something amusing. "Because I said so."
My pulse jumped. I should have rolled my eyes, ignored him, acted like I wasn't affected by the quiet command in his voice.
Slowly, I pushed back my chair and stood. The air felt heavier now. I took a step toward him, then another until I stood beside his chair.
Luca reached out, his fingers hooking around my wrist. His grip was firm enough to send a slow, heated spark through me.
He exhaled, tilting his head slightly as his thumb dragged lazily over my skin.
"You don't listen" he said. " And you doubted me. Again."
I opened my mouth to say something but he pulled me down effortlessly until I was kneeling between his legs. My breath hitched.
Luca's smirked, his fingers trailing along my jaw before tilting my chin up. His gaze flickered over my face, lingering on my lips.
"You should fix that." He said manspreading.
My gaze dropped before I could stop it.
The way he was sitting, legs spread slightly, the bulge pressing against his slacks made heat spread between my legs.
Luca leaned back slightly, his gaze never leaving mine as he undid his belt with a slowly. The quiet click of the buckle echoing in the quiet.
"You are thinking too much" he murmured, unbuttoning then lowering the zipper.
I didn't know why I hesitated. We had already done so much. I had already let him have me in ways I never thought I would. And yet, this felt different.
I swallowed, my gaze flickering back up to meet his. He wasn't rushing me. He was waiting. But the look in his eyes told me he wouldn't wait forever.
He took my hand guiding it to his bulge. Warmth radiated through the fabric, his size impossible to ignore.
"Feel that?" His voice was a low rasp, his fingers tightening over mine. "That's what you do to me, Alessa."
A slow, shivery exhale left me as I curled my fingers around him properly, feeling him twitch beneath my touch.
Luca let out a quiet curse, his grip sliding up my wrist directing. "No need to be shy now."
I bit my bottom lip. His belt was already undone, the zipper lowered. One small movement and I could completely free him.
Luca must have sensed my hesitation because he reached down, his fingers brushing over mine, guiding them until they slipped beneath the waistband of his slacks.
Warm. Hard. Heavy.
My mouth watered. I didn't pull away. I didn't want to. If anything, I wanted to watch him fall apart the way he always made me.
"Go on" His voice lower, rougher.
I hesitated for only a second longer before my fingers curled around the waistband of his slacks, tugging them down just enough. His cock sprang free, thick and heavy.
I wrapped my fingers around him fully tightening my grip slightly, giving a slow stroke. His jaw clenched.
"Good girl" he murmured, his hand sliding into my hair.
The praise sent a warm ache through me, pooling low in my stomach. I shifted, lowering my head, my lips hovering just above him. My breath ghosted over his skin and Luca's fingers curled in my hair, the muscle in his thigh tensing.
I pressed a tentative kiss to the tip, tasting the faint salt of his skin. I dragged my lips lower, leaving soft, open-mouthed kisses along his length, adjusting to the weight of him in my hand.
I glanced up. Luca was watching me.
His eyes were darker now, his fingers tightening in my hair as I finally parted my lips, letting my tongue flick over him.
"Fuck" Luca exhaled.
Heat spread through me at the sound of his voice, at the way his body reacted under my touch. I took the head into my mouth, my lips wrapping around him as I hollowed my cheeks and sucked him.
Luca's head tipped back slightly, a quiet groan vibrating through his chest. I kept my movements slow, taking my time, watching him, feeling him. His thighs tensed beneath my hands, his breathing uneven now, his control slipping piece by piece.
"Just like that" he rasped.
I took him deeper, my tongue flattening against him, my fingers digging into his thighs for balance.
"Alessa" he groaned, my name rough on his lips.
Something about the way he said it sent a shiver through me, a strange sense of power curling in my stomach. He was always the one in control, always composed. But right now, I was undoing him.
I hollowed my cheeks again, taking him deeper, my tongue swirling, my hand stroking what I couldn't take. His hips flexed the slightest bit.
"Just like that, carina" he said, his voice strained now. "Don't stop."
I didn't. I wanted to see him fall apart completely. I gagged but took him in again.
Soon his breathing turned ragged, his muscles tightening beneath my touch. I could tell he was close. His grip in my hair tugged, just enough to make me look up. His eyes were darker than I had ever seen them, wild with something primal.
"That's it" he groaned, his voice low and wrecked. "Take it all."
I did. I wanted all of him.
His body tensed and then with a final sharp groan he fell apart. I swallowed, letting him ride it out, his grip in my hair loosening, his muscles slowly relaxing beneath my touch.
I sat back on my haunches wiping the corner of my mouth with the back of my hand, my pulse still a frantic rhythm in my ears.
He reached forward, his thumb dragged slowly over my bottom lip, lingering there for a moment.
Luca then gripped me firmly under my armpits and lifted me like I weighed nothing, placing me right onto his lap with my legs falling on either side of his hips.
His arms locked around my waist, trapping me against him.
His grip tightened before his mouth crashed onto mine, claiming me all over again.