31
The sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Luca's bedroom woke me before I was ready.
I blinked groggily, the now familiar surrounding—his place.
The sleek, masculine decor screamed Luca, all sharp lines and muted tones, but somehow, it didn't feel as cold as I imagined it would.
Maybe it was because he had softened, just enough, to let me in.
Stretching under the plush duvet, I let out a soft sigh.
For the first time in forever, I hadn't woken up from a nightmare.
Strange. Maybe it was the way Luca had held me last night, his presence a protective barrier against the shadows that usually crept in.
The thought made my cheeks warm, and I tried to push it aside as I slipped out of bed and padded barefoot to the bathroom to freshen up.
After much time of convincing Luca that I wasn't going to wear his clothes 24/7 he ordered a couple dresses for me which fit me quiet well considering I never gave him my sizes.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm pancakes greeted me as I wandered into the kitchen after getting dressed in a pair of grey cotton shorts and baby pink sweater, still a little groggy but feeling strangely safe.
Luca was at the stove, flipping pancakes with an ease that made my stomach flutter—dressed casually in a fitted black t-shirt and sweatpants I never thought I'd see him in this light—so domestic, so effortlessly at home.
"You're awake," he said without looking at me, his deep voice pulling my attention.
"Good morning," I murmured, taking a seat at the island.
He turned, setting a plate in front of me. Waffles, eggs, fruits—everything arranged perfectly, as if he'd taken his time.
"You didn't have to do this," I said softly, touched by the gesture.
"I wanted to," he replied simply, sitting across from me with his own plate.
We ate in comfortable silence, though I caught him glancing at me from time to time. Every time our eyes met, I felt a blush creep up my neck. There was something in his gaze—protective, yet intense—that left me breathless.
The peace didn't last long.
A loud bang echoed through the house as the front door slammed open.
"LUCAAA! WE brOUGHT—"
The voice was cut off as two men sauntered into the kitchen.
They were identical, their dark hair and mischievous grins instantly catching my attention. I blinked, confused by the sudden burst of energy in the otherwise serene morning.
Twins.
"Who's this?" A asked, his eyebrows shooting up as his eyes landed on me.
"Since when do you have company, Luca?" B chimed in, his tone teasing.
Luca's jaw clenched, his hand tightening on the counter. "Arlo. Nico. What are you doing here?"
"We came to check on you," Nico said with a shrug. "Didn't realize you were entertaining."
Arlo smirked, stepping closer. "I'm Arlo," he said with a dramatic bow.
"And I'm Nico," his twin added, winking at me. "You must be the reason Luca's been in such a good mood lately."
"Out," Luca growled, his voice low and dangerous.
"Relax," Arlo said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "We're just saying hi."
Their banter was oddly charming, and I found myself smiling despite Luca's obvious irritation.
"It's nice to meet you," I said softly, trying to ease the tension.
"Oh, she's polite," Nico said, nudging Arlo. "Luca definitely doesn't deserve her."
Luca shot them a glare that could have melted steel. "I said, out."
"Wait," Arlo said, ignoring him completely. "Does she know about my little princess?"
Nico groaned. "Oh, here we go."
Arlo grinned and pulled out his phone, swiping through pictures until he found what he was looking for. He handed the phone to me, his expression beaming with pride.
"This is my daughter, Mia," he said. "She's four, and she's already smarter than Nico."
"Hey!" Nico protested, but Arlo ignored him.
The photo showed a little girl with curly dark hair, amber eyes and the biggest, brightest smile I'd ever seen. My heart melted instantly.
"She's beautiful," I said, handing the phone back.
"Thank you," Arlo said, clearly pleased. "She gets it from me."
Nico scoffed clearly unimpressed.
Arlo shot him a look. "As if you're one to talk. How's your string of failed relationships going?"
"Better than your dad jokes," Nico retorted, grinning.
"Enough," Luca snapped, his tone cutting through their bickering. "You've said hello. Now leave."
Arlo and Nico exchanged amused glances but didn't move.
"You're no fun big brother," Arlo said, shaking his head. "But seriously, Luca, she's amazing. Don't screw this up." He said seriously.
Nico nodded, his grin softening. "Yeah, she's...different. In a good way."
Luca didn't respond, his jaw tight and his eyes locked on them as they finally turned to leave.
"See you at dinner on Sunday!" Arlo called over his shoulder.
"And bring her!" Nico added. "Mia will love her."
The door slammed shut behind them, and the house was quiet again.
"Sorry about them," Luca said, running a hand through his hair. "They're...a lot."
"They're funny," I said, smiling.
"They're pests," he muttered, but there was no real malice in his tone.
He turned to me, his expression softening as he stepped closer. His hand rested on my shoulder, his thumb brushing against my skin in a way that made my heart race.
"You're safe here," he said quietly, his voice a promise.
I nodded, unable to speak as his intense gaze held mine. For the first time in years, I felt it—safe, wanted, and maybe...something more. Something I was afraid to be too sure of.