Chapter 3
Luca
Now that I’ve talked to Perry, I can’t stay away.
I stayed up all last night, riding the high from helping and speaking to her.
She knows my name now. I’ve made contact, so step one of my plan to get her to fall in love with me is complete.
Now I just need to run into her again, strike up a conversation, and ask her out.
Yeah, easier said than done.
I glance at her tracker, sighing when I see that she’s still at the motel. I hate that she’s staying there. If there was a way for me to move her to literally anywhere else, I would’ve done it by now.
I force my eyes back to my work, but that doesn’t last long. I keep stealing glances at my phone, checking on my girl.
After answering a few emails and finalizing a report, I notice Perry’s tracker moving. As soon as I see the dot gliding along the map, I’m on my feet and grabbing my keys.
I check my phone to see she’s stopped at the diner in town, and I think about how best to approach her as I speed down the back roads toward Main Street. Spotting her car in the parking lot, I park next to it. I glare at the tire that I told her to fix yesterday and shake my head.
I should have taken care of that tire yesterday, but I was worried about freaking her out.
She jumps at shadows and loud noises, sleeps with all the lights on in that shitty motel room, and flinches whenever anyone gets too close to her.
I know she’s running from something—or someone—but I don’t know what or who yet.
Once I find out who hurt her, I’ll deal with them. They’ll be begging for her mercy by the time I’m through with them.
I look through the windows of the Nosh Diner, and my heart kicks when I spot her curvy form leaning against the counter.
I try to play it cool as I approach the front door, but I’m sure I look way too intense.
I can’t pull my gaze off her, can’t stop my palms from sweating, and my heart from going haywire.
“So you’re not hiring?” Perry asks Cameron, the server behind the counter.
“No, we don’t have any positions right now. Sorry,” she replies, shooting my girl a sympathetic look. “You can leave your resume, though. I’ll give it to my boss to keep on file for the future.”
Perry’s shoulders slump as she nods. “Okay, yeah, that would be great.”
She looks so defeated. I hate seeing the disappointment and worry on her face as she slides a copy of her resume across the counter.
I want to tuck her against me and tell her she doesn’t have to work, that I’ll take care of everything. I don’t see that going over well, though. I may have fixed her tire, but I’m still a stranger. I need to win her trust. Need her to be a fraction as obsessed with me as I am with her.
And I need that to happen soon before I lose my mind and kidnap her.
I’m still trying to figure out how to approach my girl when she turns to leave and collides with my chest. She jerks backward, and I reach out instinctively to steady her.
“Easy,” I say softly.
Perry looks up in shock, then relaxes as her pale blue eyes lock onto my face. The smile she gives me lights up her face, and I almost beat my chest like a Neanderthal.
“Luca,” she says. “What are you doing here?”
Stalking you. Doing anything I can to get close to you.
“I was grabbing a coffee before I ran some errands,” I say instead.
“Coffee?” Cameron asks.
I nod. “To go, please. Plus whatever Perry would like.”
“Oh, I’m okay,” Perry says just as her stomach growls.
I raise an eyebrow at her.
She blushes, then grins sheepishly. “Maybe a blueberry muffin.”
“And two breakfast burritos. Do you want bacon or sausage?” I ask.
“You don’t have to feed me,” she protests.
I stare at her.
She sighs. “Bacon, please.”
“Coming right up,” Cameron says cheerfully, turning to put our order in.
“You really don’t have to buy me breakfast,” Perry says.
I shrug one shoulder. “It’s no big deal.”
She ducks her head and bites down on her bottom lip. The urge to tug her lip free with my thumb is almost overwhelming, but I know she’s not ready for me to touch her like that. And I’m not sure I could stop at one touch. I’m greedy when it comes to my girl.
“Are you out running errands too?” I ask as we lean against the counter.
“Kind of. I’m looking for a job, but I haven’t had much luck. No one seems to be hiring.”
I open my mouth, about to offer her a job working for me, when Cameron returns and sets my coffee and Perry’s blueberry muffin in front of us.
Perry smiles. “Thanks.”
“Of course,” Cameron replies, placing the bill on the counter. “Burritos should be up in a second.”
I grab my wallet and place the cash on the counter next to the bill. “Keep the change.”
Cameron grins and thanks me before heading back to the kitchen to grab the rest of our order.
Once our food arrives, I’ll have no reason to stay and talk to Perry. Panic slams into me. I should’ve ordered more food. Handcuffed her to a booth. Okay, maybe handcuffs are taking things a little too far. Although…
“Here you are,” Cameron says, pulling me from my inappropriate thoughts.
“Thanks,” Perry says as she takes the to-go bag.
“See you around,” Cameron calls as she turns her attention to a couple that just walked in.
Perry looks at me uncertainly. “Um… So, thanks again. For the food.”
“You’re welcome. Let me walk you out.”
She smiles. “Okay.”
I place my hand on the small of her back as we leave the crowded diner, noticing that she doesn’t startle or tense up at my touch.
Good. She’s getting used to me already.
Perry stops once we’re outside. “I—shoot!”
“What?” I ask, looking around for any sign of trouble.
She sighs. “I left the other copies of my resume on the stool inside.”
“I’ll grab them.”
I go back inside and grab the small stack of resumes. As I turn to head back outside, I see a man smirking at Perry through the window. My jaw clenches as she tenses, looking uncomfortable. The guy doesn’t pick up on her unease, leaning closer and giving her a greasy smile.
I tear out of the diner.
“Hey, baby. Are you from around here?” the guy asks.
“Um,” Perry whispers, clearly anxious about the situation. Her whole body is tense as she fidgets with the paper bag in her hands.
Oh hell no. No one gets to make my girl feel uncomfortable. Not with me around.
I stop at her side and wrap my arm around her shoulders. Perry blinks up at me as I tuck her against my chest, and I give her a reassuring smile.
Then I turn my attention on the man, pinning him with a murderous glare. “Mine,” I growl quietly.
The guy’s eyes widen, and he backs up, nearly tripping over his feet. “Sorry,” he squeaks.
I continue to glare at him until he turns and bolts.
“You all right, Pumpkin?” I ask softly.
Perry nods, refusing to look at me. “I’m fine.”
I know she’s not, but she will be. I won’t let anything bad happen to Perry. If anyone wants to hurt her, they’ll have to go through me first.