Chapter 15
Fifteen
Harper
January and February are filled with snow and cold. I’ve gotten into a routine with Zeke, taking him to daycare on campus every day while I’m in class.
Luca and I don’t have any classes together this semester, which is a bummer, but I’m also not sweating another economics class, which is a relief.
I managed to pass my final last semester, all thanks to Luca’s help studying throughout the entire semester. I’ve also kept my GPA up to continue my scholarship, which is at least one thing that I don’t have to worry about.
Fitting into my wedding dress, however, is a new fear I’ve unlocked.
It took until the third time the seamstress made alterations to get it right.
His mom didn’t attend the latest fitting, and to be honest, I was relieved because it meant I didn’t have to put on a fake smile about the whole ordeal.
Not that she doesn’t know the truth.
But I’ve been trying to act cheery and excited, not wanting to worry her that I’ll flake at the absolute last minute.
Planning a wedding is supposed to be the most exciting part, but I haven’t done anything to plan the wedding. I’ve been a bystander.
I got to pick out my wedding dress; that was the most involvement that I’ve had.
And I suppose I got to pick the date, in February.
The choices don’t even feel like they’re really mine.
Luca has been distant, busy with his father on weekends, at practice and the gym during the weekdays, not to mention his hockey games.
He hasn’t tried to be distant, at least I don’t think so, it’s just trying to mesh our lives together and with Zeke. I can’t help but wonder if he still hasn’t forgiven me for lying to him.
There’s a prominent knock at the bedroom door. “Come in,” I call out as I try to secure my wedding gown.
Zeke is still at daycare for another hour before I have to swing by and pick him up.
Luca is in class. I’m not sure who’s home right now.
I’m trying on my gown, staring at my reflection in the full-length mirror.
“Wow,” Ashton’s voice catches me off-guard, and I spin around in the gown, holding it up, but it’s not about to fall down. It’s a zipper back, making it easier than having to cinch it closed. While I loved the design of the corset, I felt like I was suffocating.
Another alteration.
While it gives the illusion of a corset in the back, there’s a hidden zipper to make the gown more comfortable.
Somehow, the dress is ready for the wedding this Saturday.
I kept hoping that if it hadn’t been ready, then perhaps the wedding would be postponed.
“Too much?” I ask, feeling his eyes move over the gown.
He shakes his head. A wry smile cracks his features.
“Not at all.”
I bunch up the bottom, keeping the train from getting trampled on. “What’s up?” I ask, wondering why he’s knocking on my door in the afternoon and not at the gym with Luca.
“I wanted to talk to you. I have a proposition,” Ashton says, and I pinch my lips together, not liking the way this is sounding.
My displeasure must be obvious because he forces a smile.
“Relax,” Ashton holds up his hands in surrender. “I’m just trying to help you.”
I don’t trust his version of help.
“Help me?” I raise an eyebrow skeptically. “I don’t think you’re in the business of helping anyone, Ashton.”
He was there the night that I encountered the little boy.
I didn’t see him trying to help anyone but himself.
“I don’t think you should marry Luca. You should marry me instead.”
I nearly die of laughter.
Ashton can’t be serious.
My eyes water as the giggles spill out, until I realize he’s not laughing or making a joke.
“You’re crazy. Besides, his father insisted I marry Luca, his son would be mafia, I would be protected.” I wave my hand precariously through the air as if that explains away the last few months of chaos.
“His father has made other arrangements. He wants us to wed.”
“I don’t believe you,” I say and take a step back. “And you’re dating Nova!” I shake my head, feeling betrayed for all of us —Luca, Nova, and myself.
Ashton’s tone isn’t any less quiet or filled with any bit of remorse. “This wasn’t my idea.”
I can see the storm in his eyes, the conflicting emotions swirling across his face, his shoulders slumped, filled with defeat.
He’s not convincing me, and he’s certainly not in love with me.
“Then that’s a wonderful reason for the two of us to get hitched, because it wasn’t your idea,” I snap.
I reach for the zipper on my gown, wanting to rip it off. The thought of marrying anyone right now has my blood boiling and I’m finding it hard to breathe.
“Turn around!” I scold him as I loosen the material, find the zipper, and let it slink to the ground.
Ashton obeys, turning to the door, facing away from me.
I step out of the wedding dress, grabbing a robe and slipping it on quickly, not wanting to be undressed in his presence.
“We aren’t marrying. I don’t even know what’s gotten into you,” I say.
He continues to face the door, giving me more than enough privacy, not realizing that I’m done dressing. “Trust me, it wasn’t my idea. I’m falling for Nova.”
“Then why would you suggest that we get married!” I can’t stop myself from shouting at him. Thankfully, no one else is home, or everyone would have heard me.
He chances a glance over his shoulder and when he realizes I’m dressed, he turns to face me.
“Dante demanded I marry you instead of Luca. He wants you, a loose end, tied up and doesn’t want you destroying his son’s life.”
“Wow,” I say, not sure if those are Ashton’s words or Dante’s.
The wedding planning has been going on for months.
Why now?
Why the sudden change?
Does Luca know?
“What the hell happened, Ashton?” I step closer, prepared to beat the answer out of him if I have no other choice.
“Nova’s father found out about me and his daughter,” Ashton says. “I think this is his way of keeping me away from her.”
It’s a punishment.
For all of us.
I tilt my head back, staring at the ceiling, running my hands frustratedly through my hair. “I’m not marrying you!”
“Fine, but Dante isn’t going to be happy when you walk down the aisle and it’s his son who’s waiting for you.”
“Well, fuck him! I’m—” I shut my mouth before I say anything incriminating.
“You’re what?” Ashton asks, shaking his head, waiting for me to elaborate.
“I’m fucking tired of being told what to do,” I grumble and point at the door. “Get out of my bedroom!”
Ashton stalks to the door, throws it open, and glances at me over his shoulder. “Dante isn’t going to be pleased.”
“That makes two of us!”
I’m in bed early, after Zeke is sound asleep. The warm bed calls to me and I willingly oblige. Had it been earlier in the day, I’d have taken a nap, but it’s just after nine and I can’t seem to keep my eyes open.
I barely drift to sleep when I hear the bedroom door creak open, and I glance up, relieved to see it’s Luca and not Zeke sneaking out of bed.
Having him go from a crib to a big boy bed has been hellacious. He keeps escaping his room after I put him down, refusing to go to bed until he tires me out.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you,” Luca says as he stumbles in the darkness, fumbling through the dresser before giving up.
“It’s okay, I don’t mind.”
I watch as he disrobes, his clothes in a pile on the floor, removing everything before climbing into bed with me.
This is a pleasant surprise.
“Come here,” he mumbles, pulling me against him and his arms wrap around my waist, holding me close.
“You’re naked,” I rasp, stating the obvious as I let my hand glide across his bare skin, grazing his hip and then slowly letting my hand wander down his stomach.
“I couldn’t find my boxers,” Luca says. “Did you rearrange the drawers again?”
I chuckle against his chest.
“What’s so funny?”
“I don’t think you’ve done laundry for a week, maybe two. All your dirty clothes are in the hamper in the closet, including your boxers.”
Luca curses and then kisses my forehead. “Laundry tomorrow.”
I’m glad he’s not climbing out of bed now to start a load.
My fingers caress his skin, sliding across his hip to his back, feeling over his ass. “I like it when you’re in bed with me, naked.”
Luca grins and plants a soft kiss on my lips. “That’s my line, babe.”
“Too bad we can’t share it.” I pull him against me, rolling onto my back, wanting to feel his body against me.
“Oh, I think there’s plenty to share.” His lips are warm and inviting, his body heating my very core as I sink farther into the mattress as he presses into me.
I drink him in, every kiss another sweet taste of honey and almonds as I nip at his neck. “You smell really good,” I whisper between kisses as I nuzzle his neck.
Luca pulls back. “I used your shampoo at practice. You’re just smelling yourself, babe.”
“I don’t think so.” I shake my head. “Definitely smells better on you.”
His hands glide down my hips, finding the hem of my tank top, teasing against the skin as I squirm under his ministrations. “You like that,” he whispers, memorizing every detail about me.
“I like you,” I say, my cheeks flooding with heat as he studies me like I’m his next exam.
He guides my tank top over my head but doesn’t fully remove it as he tangles my hands together, binding them with the cotton material. He keeps one hand forcefully on my arms, pinning me down.
“I really like having you like this,” Luca whispers into my ear, and a shudder courses through my body. “I knew you’d like it too.”
My nipples pebble against him, my insides throbbing from just the mere act of being completely at his mercy.
“I do,” I whisper, letting him know that I’m giving him consent. I’d let him do almost anything to me, willingly. I trust him that much.
“Good girl,” Luca whispers into my ear, and my body floods with heat, and my eyes momentarily close as I let myself give in to temptation.
I wrap my legs around him and lift my hips against the mattress, needing contact, wanting to grind against him for a little indulging before the main course.
My heart races and my insides tingle.