Chapter 12 Willow
Willow
True to his word, Luca proves he wants things to work out between us.
We shower together, which takes twice as long because neither of us can keep our hands—and mouths—to ourselves, then he takes me out for lunch, holding my hand across the table, and splitting a dessert with me.
When we get home, we avoid our parents, hanging out in my bedroom, where he asks me questions about my dad, how I got into singing, and what I hope to achieve with my songwriting. I think he’s worried he’s steering me away from my dream, but I assure him I can write and produce music anywhere.
He tells me more stories about his mum, and what things were like with his dad when she was still alive. It makes me sad to think how much he lost when she passed, and how lonely and hurt he’s been all these years.
The thing that surprises me the most is that we never run out of things to talk about.
Despite my lack of soccer knowledge—or football as he constantly reminds me—and his tone deafness, we just click, and I resent all the missed opportunities we’ve had to get to know each other over the past four years.
“We can’t change the past, Angel,” he murmurs, pressing his lips to my temple when I voice my regrets while we’re lying in his bed. “We can only focus on our future.”
I huff out a laugh, resting my chin on his chest so I can look up at him. “Is that so, oh wise one?”
He boops my nose, a cocky smirk tugging on his lips. “It is so.”
“You’re so sure of yourself, aren’t you?” I tease.
“When it comes to you? Yeah, I am.”
I groan, pushing my hand in his face and rolling away. He doesn’t let me go far, his laughter filling the room and sending a warmth through me as he hooks me around the waist and pulls me back into his body, spooning me.
My body melts into his like it’s natural, like I was made for him, but I push down that feeling, knowing I need to guard my heart.
Luca’s determined for me to come to the UK with him, and he’s saying all the right things, but we’re still in our little bubble.
The fact remains that on paper, I’m his stepsister, and people will talk when they find out about us.
Mum’s and George’s reactions are proof of that.
When we went downstairs earlier for food, Mum was in a tizz, huffing about and making scathing remarks about how disgusted she is with our disrespectful behaviour. George pulled her away, but not before she shot off a parting barb about Luca only being interested in me because of my whoring ways.
Her words cut deep. The one person who’s meant to love me unconditionally is the one who’s tearing me down and making me feel worthless.
Luca warned her to stay away from me, and he and his father got into a massive argument while I just stood there staring at the floor and twisting the hem of my shirt.
“Don’t let your mum’s words get to you,” he murmurs against my shoulder, sensing my change in mood.
“This was never about sex for me. It was about connection. That’s why I kept pushing you to meet up with me outside the club.
I want to be with you, and I’ll keep showing you that until you believe me. ”
I snort, pressing my butt back against the hard ridge of his cock. “Not about sex, huh?”
He pokes me in the side, causing me to giggle and squirm in his tight grip. “I can’t help the fact he is turned on by that sexy little arse pressed up against him.”
“Right,” I mutter sarcastically. “Sexy. Uh huh.”
His hold on me stiffens. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?” I ask, but I know exactly what he’s talking about. Unfortunately, after four years of my mother telling me I’m too frumpy, too flabby, and could stand to lose a few kilos, it’s hard not to be negative about myself.
“Put yourself down.” Luca sighs, his warm breath caressing my skin.
“I don’t know how else to tell you that you’re beautiful.
” Brushing my hair off my face he presses a kiss to my temple.
“But it’s not all about your looks. You’re a good listener, Willow, and you make me feel like I’m enough, regardless of wealth and football. I love that you think you’re funny—”
“Hey!” I protest, reaching behind me to poke him in the ribs. “I’m hilarious.”
“Sure, you are, Angel,” he agrees, humour lacing his tone and his body trembling against mine with his restrained laughter.
“Whatever,” I sass, playing with him. “I’m sure I’ll eventually find someone who appreciates my jokes.”
His arms tighten around me, and he growls, nipping at my ear. “There won’t be anyone else. You’re mine. You’re the girl for me.”
My throat clogs with emotion. He’s the first person to make me feel wanted, and yes, I know how pathetic that is. I snuggle deeper into his hold. “Tell me what else you love about me.”
Luca chuckles. “Searching for compliments now, are we?”
“No.” Abso-fucking-lutely. No one has ever made me feel this good about myself.
“You’re kind,” he says in a low voice that has my lady parts tingling. “Even when people don’t deserve your kindness. You’re a good friend. You’re incredibly talented, and you have the voice of an—”
I twist around and smash my lips to his. “Don’t you dare say I have a voice like an angel,” I mumble against his lips.
He deepens the kiss before pulling away with a groan. “I’m trying to be a gentleman and prove it’s not all about sex.”
Smirking, I push him onto his back and straddle him. “Who said I want a gentleman?”
His brows lift. “What is it that you want, Angel?”
“I want you to fuck me.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
On Monday, we drive to school together, and I don’t miss the stares and whispers we receive when he wraps his arm around my waist and kisses my temple.
Theo is a little more direct with his thoughts, calling out, “Boning your sister, Whitford? Kinky.” He mimes bending someone over and thrusting into them doggy style. “Getting a last-minute bang in before you move? A little more cushion for the pushin’, am I right?”
A few of Luca’s teammates laugh, but Luca just tightens his grip on me so I can’t run away. “Keep your opinions about my girlfriend to yourself, Walters, unless you want everyone to know what really went down with the BHU keeper last year.”
The look on Theo’s face would be comical if I didn’t want a black hole to open up and swallow me. His reaction is exactly what I expected—why would the super-hot soccer captain want to be with his frumpy, nerdy stepsister?
“Luca,” I murmur, still trying to extricate myself from his hold.
He stares down his friends. “Anyone else got something to say?”
A few of them shake their heads, casting curious glances in my direction.
“Good. Willow’s off-limits. If anyone says or does anything to her, they’ll have me to answer to, got it?”
They nod, and I bury my head against his chest as he guides me to the arts building. “What was that?” I ask with a groan. “Next time, maybe piss all over me like a dog.”
He chuckles, his laughter vibrating over my cheek. “I didn’t realise you were into golden showers, Angel.”
“Ew.” I wrinkle my nose in disgust, shoving at his chest. “Gross.”
I spot Leni near the entrance, a smug smirk playing on her lips as she watches us. Great, I’m never going to hear the end of this.
Cupping my cheek, Luca brings my gaze up to meet his. “Meet me here after class? I’ll go with you to see your course advisor.”
I cage my bottom lip between my teeth. “I don’t know—”
He runs his thumb over my lip, freeing it before leaning in to kiss me.
I moan into his mouth.
“You’re not playing fair,” I grumble when he pulls away.
He laughs again, and it’s definitely my favourite melody. “Let’s just ask the questions. I told you, I’m determined not to lose you.”
I roll my eyes. “Get out of here, Romeo.”
He shakes his head. “Their story was a tragedy. Ours is going to be epic.”
My heart does a somersault, and I stare at him in shock. Thankfully, Leni appears by my side, linking her arm through mine as Luca winks and strolls away as casual as can be.
“Well, well, well.” The amusement is clear in my best friend’s tone. “Someone’s had an eventful weekend.”
“You have no idea,” I mutter, turning and dragging her into the arts building.
“So,” she says, drawing the word out as she rolls her hand in a gesture for me to continue. “Don’t leave me hanging, girl. What’s going on with you two?”
Biting my lip, I tell her, “He asked me to move to the UK with him.”
Her mouth drops open. “Holy shit, do you have a magic vagina or what?”
I squirm as her gaze drops to the apex of my thighs. “It’s not about sex.”
The words are more to ward off my insecurity than for her, but my best friend must hear the vulnerability in my voice because she smiles and wraps her arm around my shoulder.
“Of course it’s not,” Leni assures me. “Sorry, I was only kidding. The man would be insane not to fall madly in love with you. You’re beautiful, kind, generous, and did I mention how gorgeous you are?”
I blanch at the ‘L’ word. “He’s not in love with me.”
“Maybe not yet,” she says with a sly grin, “but I saw the way he looked at you back there. He’s definitely infatuated with you.”
Groaning, I bury my face in my hands. “This is insane. It was a knee-jerk reaction to our parents finding out about us, and—”
“Woah, hold up! Your parents found out about you?”
I wince at the memory. “Mum walked in after we… you know.”
“Oh, shit.”
“Yep.”
“I bet that didn’t go down well.”
“Worse than even you could imagine.”
“So, how did the invitation to leave the country and run away with him come about?”
“My mother was spewing her usual hateful crap towards me, and Luca stood up to her. Before I knew it, he was telling me to come with him.” I shake my head, realising how crazy it all sounds now I’m saying it out loud.
He’s my stepbrother, not some gallant white knight for me to run off into the sunset with. It’s ridiculous.
But then Leni says three words that shock the shit out of me. “You’re going, right?”