TWENTY-SIX
Max
I ’ll catch hell for this, but I grab a ride home with Damien Carter and a guy he picked up. They laugh in the front seat like they’ve known each other forever. I hide how jealous I am of Carter.
I keep telling myself life would be different, better, if only I came forward about what my uncle did to me. But I’d be ripping open a wound that my family will only use to return deadly fire on me. Repeat the lie that I assaulted Jake and deserved to be raped for it.
But it doesn’t change the way I admire how Carter knows himself and is so secure with his sexuality. I still second guess every flip of my stomach, every pinch of my heart, and ache in my pants when I look at...
Luca.
I can’t get that fucker out of my mind. I can’t get the taste of his mouth out of my head. It was so fucking selfish of me to kiss him when he made it clear nothing can’t happen between us again.
Damn, I don’t like anyone telling me no.
But why him ? Other than he’s the most beautiful fucking man I’ve ever laid eyes on. Is it the close proximity? Is it how he looks at me? How I feel challenged to talk about my feelings and what happened to me?
All I know is to keep quiet.
Never say another word.
My father blames my sexuality on what I did to Jake. When I defended it as consensual and just kids figuring shit out... Well, that’s when the sick bastard hatched his plan with his child-molester brother to prove me wrong.
Only, it was never clear if Dad told Uncle Harris to rape me. Or did the fucker come up with that all on his own? Throat tight, I push those useless memories away because that was the past, and I have bigger issues in my life at the moment.
Carter’s Benz comes to a stop, jerking me further out of my thoughts.
“Thanks, man. See you tomorrow.” My eyes glance at his date. “Have a good night.”
They each return the sentiment, excitement bubbling in their tone. I’m so fucking jealous. But I’ve seen Carter’s cock, I hope that dude can handle him.
I strut through my lobby, and nod through the guards’ greetings.
“Good evening, Mr. Ryan.”
“Good evening. Have a good night.” I take note if any of them sound like Luca. They’re basically in the same profession.
“You too, sir.”
Nope, nothing like Luca.
I ride the elevator staring at my phone. There’s not one text from him asking where I am. Did he give up on me? And shoot, why does that hurt? He’s seriously not looking for me? What the hell?
Now I’m mad he’s not stalking me. Not up my ass. I freeze, thinking about that. Waiting. Waiting for the sickening dread to wash over me. No. There’s nothing. Just...want. Damn.
My apartment is deadly silent, and I know in my bones, it’s empty. Carter made a couple of stops. The pharmacy for condoms and lube. Then the guy’s place for an overnight bag. Luca should have beaten me home. Where the hell is he?
Is he out looking for me?
I stomp to the bedroom wing. His door is closed, so I knock. When I don’t get an answer, I open it, startled by the darkness and the lack of any trace of his cologne.
Is he meeting with Coach Beck and the GM complaining about me? Wanting off my detail?
I gaze down at the bed he’s been sleeping in. He hasn’t been here long, but the bed looks like it’s molded to his body. Shaking, I reach down and bring one of the pillows to my face and inhale deeply. The scent of him nearly makes my knees give out.
A noise in my kitchen makes me drop the pillow. I twist and spin, wondering what he’ll do, catching me in his room. Sure, it’s my apartment, but guests have the right to privacy.
Then I remember, I’m mad at how he’s forcing me to feel things that make it impossible for me to not fucking kiss him. That’s why I left the gala in the first place.
I kick off my shoes and sit on his bed, my back against the headboard.
After soft footsteps sound down the hall, raising goosebumps on my arms and chest, Luca fills out the doorframe. He’s shadowed at first, and I shiver at the sight of him. After a step, the small wall sconce shines on his face, and the beauty there takes my breath away.
What is happening to me?
“There you are?” he purrs, breathy but not surprised.
“Good of you to notice. Thought you were trying to keep track of me.”
“I do keep track of you.” He struts up to me. “Wallet.”
“What?”
“Give. Me. Your. Wallet.”
“If you need cash, just ask.” I reach into my suit jacket and throw it at him.
Fucker catches it with one hand. Impressive.
“I don’t need a penny from you.” He reaches into my wallet and takes out what looks like a dime. “Tracking device.”
I sit up and reach to take back my wired-up wallet. “Who did this? You?”
“Yes. In case someone got to you.” He places the tracking dot back. “Please don’t remove it. But now you know. You can’t escape me.”
“But I did.” I lean back.
“I let you escape. I knew you were with Damien Carter. It’s part of the job. Giving space to a client when they need it.” He removes his suit jacket, slow and controlled. “Tonight, you needed it.”
“Why did you let me kiss you.?”
“Let you?” He cocks an eyebrow. “I guess you needed that, too.”
“You were right the first time. That can’t happen again,” I bite out.
“Are you sure?” He removes his tie and tosses it on the dresser. “I’m thinking I may have been wrong.”
I don’t counter that, shock and excitement racing through me.
Luca removes a gun from his holster, the loud clang on the dresser kicking up my excitement. With my eyes back on him, he strips off layer after layer of his sexy suit. His bare chest is a work of art. Muscles. Tattoos. More piercings.
My head was spinning so badly in Houston, all I could see was his mouth.
I have some ink, nothing elaborate, but Luca has the etchings of a warrior. The words ‘Freedom and Choice’ are boldly scrolled in thick calligraphy, one on each hip.
His nipple piercings make my mouth water, wanting to tug them between my teeth. His trim waist flares out to hips with a V-cut muscle. His biceps are beautifully sculpted with sexy veins running up and down both arms.
He drops his trousers and the bulge in his briefs makes me blink a few times. “See something you like, Mr. Ryan?”
“Actually...” I lose my breath.
“Care to take that kiss in the coat closet further?” He tugs on the waistband of his briefs.
I swing my legs across the bed and get to my feet, standing at my full height. “I’m sorry for leaving the gala without you.”
“You’re forgiven.” He grabs my arm as I try to pass him. “Are you sleeping in my bed tonight?”
“No,” I blurt.
“It’s your apartment, but if you’re not staying, I’d like to get some sleep.” Luca’s fingers slip into his waistband, and I freeze. “Well? Are you staying?”
I huff out a breath and wait him out.
He calls my bluff and slides them down.
The room lighting glints off metal, and staring closer, I see rows of bolts. I was robbed of this view in Houston. His big hands had gripped his cock, hiding this surprise.
His fucking cock is pierced.
And it’s goddamn huge. Even flaccid. Long and thick.
I amble up to him until we’re sharing breathing space, and release a long, teasing answer.
“No. I’m not staying.”