Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Ariana
Luca left to go get lunch, and I walked around my apartment and examined my new furniture. I was speechless at the fact that he bought all of it for me. A part of me was grateful beyond words, but the other half of me was upset, disoriented, and confused. Why would he do it? How was I ever going to pay him back?
I picked up my phone from the counter and closed my eyes for a moment while taking a deep breath. As much as I didn’t want to make the call, I had to. I needed to do it and then move on with the rest of my life: new apartment, new job, new beginnings. Bringing my phone up to my ear, my heart started pounding when I heard her voice on the other end.
“Hello.”
“It’s me,” I spoke in a flat tone.
“Ariana?”
“Yes.”
“We’ve been so worried about you. Did Olivia tell you I called her?”
I knew what she was doing, and I needed to be careful.
“No. I didn’t know you got in touch with Olivia. I just called to let you know that I’m okay. I’m safe, and you don’t need to worry.”
“Please tell me where you’re at. I promise I won’t try to come see you. I just need to know.”
“Really? You just need to know? What about the things I needed to know?”
“Ari, please. We need to talk. Please give me a chance to make things right.”
“You could have made things right years ago, but instead, you decided not to tell me the truth. You all lied to me for twenty-five years,” I shouted uncontrollably. “Do you have any idea how that made me feel? How much you betrayed me?”
“Please, Ari. I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry that I found out? Anyway, I have to go. I only made this call so I could move on with my life. I’m putting the past to rest and moving forward on my own. I suggest you and the rest of the family do the same.” Tears filled my eyes as I ended the call.
I threw my phone down on the couch, and before I knew it, I felt two arms wrap around me.
“Are you all right?” Luca asked.
“I will be.” I wiped the tears from my eyes.
“If you don’t want to be found, I hope you blocked your number.”
“I did.”
“Smart girl.” He smiled as he turned me around and kissed my forehead. “Let’s eat. Shall we?”
As we were eating, there was a knock at the door. Giving Luca a confused look, I got up and answered it. Standing in the hallway was a tall thin man with a dolly that housed a very large brown box.
“Ah, Yemin, thank you.” Luca smiled as he approached the door. “Just bring the box over here to the living room.” He pointed.
“Now, what did you do?” I cocked my head at him.
Luca winked at me, pulled some cash out of his pocket, and handed it to Yemin. As soon as he shut the door, he sat back down at the table to finish his sandwich.
“Luca? What is in the box?”
“Why don’t you go open it and find out?”
I sighed as I walked over to the box and ripped the tape off the top.
“What is all this?” I reached into the box and pulled out a book.
“Everything you need to study for the bar exam. You only have a few days, Ariana. Which to me is a ridiculously low amount of time. Law students usually spend months prepping for that exam. I know I did.”
I couldn’t help but smile.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. They’re on loan, so I’ll arrange for someone to pick them up after your exam.”
After making love for the second time, we got dressed and went out for a nice dinner. After dinner was over, Luca dropped me off at my apartment.
“Aren’t you coming up?” I asked as we stood outside my building.
He brought his hand to my cheek.
“No. Your study time officially starts now. The only thing I want you thinking about is the law.”
“Do I have to?” I pouted.
“Yes. Your future depends on it.” He smiled as his lips brushed against mine. “Now get upstairs and crack open the books. I’ll be in touch.”
“Yes, sir!” I saluted him.
When I walked into my apartment and turned on the lights, I took in a deep breath. I couldn’t stop thinking about sex with Luca and how he made me feel. It was something I had never felt before, not even with Harry. He was charming and irresistible, and he knew it. Was I just another notch in his belt? I’d hoped not because I’d already fallen for him. As much as I tried to stop myself, I couldn’t help it.
Luca
After I dropped Ariana off at her apartment, I headed to Clement inside the Grammercy Hotel and sat at the bar.
“Good evening, Mr. Russo. The usual?” Harvey, the bartender, asked.
“Good evening, Harvey. Yes, the usual will be fine.”
I grabbed my double scotch and threw it back like a glass of water. What happened to me after I fucked Ariana was unexplainable. My initial attraction to her was strong. Stronger than anything I’d ever felt before. But after today, the intensity of it terrified the fuck out of me. I knew she felt something for me. I could see it in her eyes, and I felt it in the way she kissed me. Women fell for me all the time, no big deal. But with Ariana, it was a big deal. The biggest deal of my life because I had fallen for her.
“Give me another, Harvey.” I set my glass down.
“Coming right up, sir.”
I took a sip of my second drink. With my hands tightly clasped around the glass, I knew what I had to do. I had to protect her. Protect her from me, my past, and the things I’d done. I cared deeply for her and possibly even loved her, which was more than enough reason for me to let her go.