Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Luca
The smell of cheap perfume woke my senses as I opened my eyes and stared at the arm that was draped over me. Carefully removing last night’s fuck off me, I climbed out of bed and hopped into the shower, the taste of whiskey still on my breath. After finishing, I wrapped a towel around my waist, and the bed was empty when I walked into the bedroom. I silently smiled at the thought that she’d left without me having to kick her out. But no such luck when I entered the kitchen and found her staring at the coffee pot.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Trying to figure out how to use this thing. I really need some coffee,” she spoke as she stood there wearing one of my black T-shirts.
I rolled my eyes and sighed while I walked back to the bedroom, gathered her clothes off the floor, and handed them to her.
“There’s a Starbucks around the block.”
“You want me to leave?” She frowned.
“Yes. I need to get ready and go to the office. I’m already running late.”
“I can wait for you here all day, and maybe we can do something later. I had a lot of fun last night.” She bit down on her bottom lip while her finger ran down my chest.
“As did I, but there won’t be another time. Now get yourself dressed.” I returned to the bedroom and pulled a ten-dollar bill from my wallet. “Here. Your coffee this morning is on me.” I smiled.
She took it from me without as so much as a thank you and slipped into last night’s clothes.
“Do you always do this?”
“Do what?”
“Use women and then throw them out like they’re a piece of trash?”
“Do you always do this?” I raised my brow.
“Do what?”
“Go home with and fuck random guys you’ve only known for a couple of hours?”
“You know what? You’re a jerk.” She put on her heels and stomped away.
“You’re no different than I am, sweetheart.” I smiled as she slammed the door shut.
I respected women a lot, and I liked them. I liked their company as long as they were intelligent. Last night’s fuck wasn’t. Usually, I’m more selective with whom I bring to my bed, but I hadn’t had sex in over a week, and it was getting to me. She approached me at the bar, and I bought her a few drinks. The next thing I knew, we were at my place. I had a lot of casual flings. And that was all they’d ever be. As much as I liked the company of a strong, intelligent woman, I kept them at a distance, never letting them in and never letting things get too comfortable. It was for the best, not only for me but for them as well. My secrets and my fears were my own and ones I’d have to live with for the rest of my life.
“Good morning, Olivia.” I smiled. “Are those depositions ready?”
“Morning, Luca. They’re right here.” She handed me the folder.
“Thank you.” I walked into my office.
“I wanted to ask you if it would be okay if I left an hour early today?”
“For what? Do you have a doctor’s appointment or something?” I took a seat behind my desk.
“No. A friend of mine whom I haven’t seen in four years is coming to New York today, and she’s staying with me.”
Curiosity got the better of me.
“Have a seat.” I motioned for her to sit down. “May I ask why you haven’t seen her in four years?”
She swallowed hard and looked down. It was absolutely none of my business why she hadn’t seen her friend, but by her reaction, something must have happened.
“Olivia?”
She looked up at me and scratched her head. “I may or may not have stolen her boyfriend.”
I narrowed one eye as my other brow arched.
“Harry?”
“Mhmm.” She nodded.
“And you haven’t seen her since?”
“No. She cut all ties with us after that.”
“I would say that will be an intense first-time meeting after all these years. By all means, leave an hour early, and while you’re at it, you might want to do a couple of shots first.” I smirked.
“Thanks, Luca. I appreciate it.” She got up from her chair and began to walk out.
“Olivia?”
“Yeah.”
“Make sure you’re in an hour early tomorrow morning.” I winked.
She gave me a small, un-genuine smile as she left my office.
There was nothing I couldn’t get out of people, which made me a damn good lawyer, probably the best. I was always in complete control. I controlled every aspect of my life, including what happened in the bedroom. There wasn’t anyone or anything I couldn’t control, and I thrived on it. It was what made me what I was today. Some called me ruthless because I played dirty in the courtroom. Some called me a man-whore because I liked to sleep with women but refused to give them anything more, and some called me a bastard because it was my way or no way. Did I care? Not in the least. I was a thirty-year-old man with the world at his fingertips. I had a successful career that I loved, a luxury apartment on Park Avenue, and the company of any beautiful woman I wanted at any time.