Chapter 17
SUMMER
I am apoplectic but he doesn’t need to know that.
How dare he interfere with my cheerleading dream?
I had it all in the palm of my hand and I was going to be one of them .
The popular girl with the quarterback or some dumb shit like that.
Just once in my life I was going to be normal and instead I’m heading off for pizza with a carbon copy of my family, who believes that interfering in my life is in my best interests.
I hate Luca Romano as a person, but I am insanely attracted to him at the same time. I am now officially my own worst enemy and I hate myself, too. Once again, it reminds me of how my life sucks.
If I thought we were heading to the cafeteria, I was wrong because as I make to bear left where the path splits, Luca instructs me to turn right.
“But–”
He interrupts, “We’re heading into town. Less of a goldfish bowl and we get to enjoy the meal outside of scrutiny.”
“Are you afraid of being seen with me?” I goad him and he shrugs.
“No, but I prefer to conduct my business away from curious eyes.”
“So, I’m business now.”
“Of course.”
He smirks. “Life is merely one business transaction at a time. It’s how I view it, how I deal with it and how I like it.”
“Why?”
I fall into step beside him and his husky voice drags against my soul like a rusty nail. “Because if a deal fails, I don’t dwell on it. I move onto the next one and learn from my mistakes.”
“I doubt you make many mistakes, Luca.”
“You would be right.”
The conversation ends when he stops beside a gleaming silver motorcycle.
“Is this yours?”
“Yes.” He replies simply and tosses me a helmet.
“You want us to ride to town on that?”
I glance at my dress that seemed a good idea at the time for my date with Mason. Wholesome, pure and selected by my cheerleading wannabe self. It’s totally impractical for a ride on a steel beast because my legs will be exposed to my thighs. I already gather that.
He sits astride the beast, looking like every wet dream I ever had as his hands grip the handlebars, the tattoo straining against his knuckles. The fact he turns me on is irrelevant because I will not let myself fall for a guy like him.
“Jump on, princess. I promise not to be reckless with your safety.”
He tugs the helmet over his face, and I quickly do the same because he doesn’t need to know that I’m smiling right now. For some reason, his care for my safety lit a light in my heart.
Chivalry is something I crave. A soft look, a tender touch and consideration are powerful weapons to win my heart and as I slide in behind him, he grasps my hands and pulls them around his body, saying in a husky whisper, “Hold on tight. If I’m going too fast, tap my chest and I’ll slow down.”
The fact my skirt does the deed and rises up, exposing my bare leg, is overlooked by him and I appreciate that.
Sarcastic comments aren’t something I deal well with and as I adjust to my current situation, I kind of get satisfaction knowing that if Frankie could see me now, all hell would break loose.
He may even enact my revenge for me, but then again, I kind of hope he doesn’t find out either.
This is a delicious secret that is entirely mine and I don’t get to enjoy many of those.
The bike roars into life and nerves flutter inside me because for all my bravado, this is a new experience I never expected today. I’ve never ridden on a motorcycle before and I’m frankly terrified. He doesn’t need to know the details, so I tighten my hold and shift a little closer behind his back.
We soon leave the gates of Rockwell behind and as we tear through the lanes surrounding the academy, I bury my face against Luca’s back and hold on tight. After a while, I relax when I discover it’s not so scary after all and turn my head to view the scenery that passes in a blur.
If anything, the ride is exhilarating and I try to ignore the voice in my head that tells me it’s down to the driver.
I hate that I’m interested in him. I suppose from the moment our eyes connected, I knew it deep down.
We are similar in many ways, and I am resisting that side of me.
It’s almost a homecoming which bothers me—a lot.
Luca is from a rival family, but this is no Westside Story. It could end badly though for both of us, yet here, in this moment, it’s as if we are flying above our problems and I experience a freedom I never expected to find with a guy like him.
He pulls up outside the Italian restaurant in town and I gaze around me with interest. It’s a small town with a few shops, bars and a diner.
I spy a dress shop and a hardware store, which reminds me of Mason.
I’m guessing it would be a completely different experience with him than this one and it surprises me that I’m happy to be here instead of at the cafeteria playing at being Troy and Gabriella.
I push down the image of us more like Romeo and Juliet and slide off the bike, tossing Luca the helmet while I rearrange my clothing along with my hair.
As Luca secures the bike, I peer around with interest, already loving the fact we are outside the academy. My parents would throw a hissy fit if they saw me now and as for my brother—it drags a smile onto my face and Luca chuckles softly.
“Not so bad after all?”
“The place. The jury’s out on the company.”
I remind him I’m still angry with him, but that is fading the more he ticks all of my boxes.
He reaches for my hand in a surprise move and as his strong one closes around mine, I hiss, “What are you doing?”
“Making my move.” His eyes flash and reel me in because he is gazing at me with desire heavy in his eyes.
I’m speechless for once as his thumb caresses my wrist, and he says softly, “You have a bad opinion of me, because I remind you of a world you are here to forget. Has it ever occurred to you I want the same?”
It hasn’t and his declaration surprises me as he opens the door to his soul a little, revealing we may be more alike than I thought.
“Do you?”
I cock my head to one side and search his expression for bullshit and he tugs me a little closer and whispers, “Freedom is a drug we rarely get to experience. It’s why I choose the bike.
It offers me an escape from it all. I’m guessing you could also use a little time out and perhaps now we can relax and discover we are not that dissimilar after all. ”
“I hate that you’re right.” I admit, and his lips curl into a soft smile.
“I’m not the enemy, Summer. I’m a victim the same as you are, and it’s how we deal with it that counts.”
“I don’t believe you’re a victim, Luca.” I roll my eyes and yet the sadness that sits behind his smile pulls on my heartstrings.
“Some beginnings are hard and affect you more than you realized.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
I hold my breath because this is a side to him I never expected to see.
“Maybe one day. Pillow talk perhaps.”
His wicked grin lights the touch paper in my soul and despite my anger toward him, I’m surprised to discover I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now than holding the hand of the man I should run from but inexplicably crave like a baby’s first breath.
This was a genius move, even if I say so myself. Removing us from the academy ensures we get uninterrupted time alone, and I never realized how much I want that. Luca intrigues me and I wonder if he’s guessed that I am battling myself more than him right now.
He’s surprised me. It’s obvious he plays to win and adjusts his game accordingly.
I have experienced the harshness of our world and have never had anyone to fight my corner from the inside.
Someone with my best interests at heart, a champion, confidante and best friend.
It’s an intimate friendship when two souls collide and for him to become my world he must step into the role that will bring me the greatest prize. Him.
I won’t appreciate him bullying his way into my affections and I applaud the way he switched up the game and appealed to my soft heart instead.
As we head into the Italian restaurant, I smile with delight. “Wow, I love this place. It’s so authentic.”
The red checkered tablecloths hold an empty wine bottle with a candle replacing the wine. Silver cutlery gleams beside crystal wine glasses and paintings of Italy hang proudly on the walls, accompanied by fake olive trees dotted at intervals around the restaurant.
A beaming waiter shows us to a table tucked in the shadows and before he has the chance to hold out my chair, Luca replaces him, his fingers brushing my shoulder, causing me to shiver inside.
As he takes the seat opposite, he asks for a bottle of the best red wine they have, and I raise my eyes.
“I didn’t have you down as the drinking and driving kind, Luca.”
“I’m not. The wine is for us to enjoy when we return to Rockwell.”
“Where?” My eyes widen.
“Somewhere private.”
I hate how my face heats as he paints a provocative image of our future.
“That doesn’t prevent you from enjoying it with your meal. I’ll order a soda.” He lifts the menu and hands it to me with a wink. “Order whatever you want. It’s on me.”
“I can pay my way.”
“I’m aware of that, but money is irrelevant to us and we both know it.”
He states fact and I shrug, understanding that splitting the bill is the least battle I will face concerning him and it doesn’t really matter who waves their credit card.
To be honest, it’s probably better it’s him because if my father spies the entry on the statement, I would be whisked back home quicker than we rode here.
We place our order, and I stare at him with interest. Outside of Rockwell he appears easier, more open even and I wonder how much is a facade he erects among strangers.
“Tell me about your life, Luca.”
I’m interested in hearing a similar tale to mine and he sighs heavily.
“It’s privileged, controlled and lacking in spontaneity.”
“It sucks, doesn’t it?” I smile as we share something in common.