Chapter 31
SUMMER
I soon decided jocks were boring and Imogen is obviously of the same mind because we wasted no more time than thirty minutes on the guys.
As we head back to Willow Tree House, a familiar face is heading toward us and Imogen gasps, “It’s Jesse!”
I watch with amusement as he eagerly searches her face as he reaches us, and I don’t miss the yearning in his eyes as he smiles. “Hey, Imogen. Summer.”
“Jesse.” We both say at once and I seize my chance and say in dismay, “Damn, I left my text book back at the cafeteria. I’ll go and fetch it and see you back at the house, Imogen.”
She nods and her eyes convey her thanks as Jesse offers to walk her back the short distance. I leave them to it and head back the way I came.
I enter the cafeteria and wait five minutes before heading out of the door. However, I don’t make it that far as I crash straight into the one guy I wanted to avoid like the plague.
His arms reach out to steady me and I gasp as I find the darkest eyes in hell boring deep into my soul.
“Hey, angel.”
“Don’t you angel me.”
I glare at him with derision. “Go and find your new toy to play with. I’m no longer interested.”
My words only appear to amuse him and he tightens his hold before leaning down and whispering, “I never played with toys. I prefer the real thing.”
“Asshole.”
He pulls me closer and bending down, licks my neck, causing me to shiver inside.
“What are you doing?”
I don’t miss the curious stares of a bunch of students nearby, but he obviously couldn’t give a damn that we are putting on a show for them.
“You taste so good, angel. I can’t wait to eat you whole.”
Oh, fuck.
My legs tremble but my voice is steady as I hiss, “Let me go, you deranged bastard.”
“Have you put your name on the list?”
“No.” I snap, hating how my legs turned to jelly after one interaction with him.
“What are you waiting for?”
“For somebody interesting to add their name to the list—obviously.”
My tone drips sarcasm as he jerks me closer and in full view of the cafeteria, he fastens his lips to mine and reminds me there really is only one contender – in my game anyway.
If I was shocked that he kissed me in public, I’m even more shocked that he doesn’t let up for what appears to be several minutes.
Is he making a statement? I’m guessing we will be beaming through campus on everyone’s WhatsApp groups as the star attraction right now.
Frankie will see this—they will all see this.
Does Luca have a death wish? – apparently so.
It’s an interesting way to commit suicide and I kind of love his balls, so I take full advantage of the situation and kiss him back, running my fingers through his hair, demonstrating to anyone watching that I am in charge of this—not him.
Silence falls around us and as I kiss Luca Romano, I am reminded why God gave me a beating heart. It comes to life when he kisses me and I can only imagine what happens to it when he takes this further.
It will probably stop beating if Frankie discovers what’s going on.
After a decade, he pulls away and, reaching up, runs his fingers through my hair, gazing at me with his usual intensity that never fails to turn me on.
“Sign up.”
“I’ll think about it.”
I push him away. “Isn’t there somewhere else you should be right now?”
My acid tongue drips venom because I hated how he blanked me back in art.
“No.” He shrugs, tugging me toward an empty table and pulling me down beside him.
“What are you doing?” I hiss, realizing we are making a spectacle of ourselves and expecting Frankie and his army to rush in on full charge any second.
“I want a word.”
He stares deep into my eyes and I swallow hard.
“Then get on with it.”
“Firstly–” He frowns. “Do not flirt with other guys. It’s disrespectful.”
My mouth drops because how the hell did he find out?
“Secondly, I have no interest in anyone else and if I am otherwise occupied, it’s only business.”
“Business.” I laugh softly. “Business – here at Rockwell? Don’t take me for a fool, Luca.”
“Then don’t act like one, princess.”
His eyes flash. “I told you the truth and if you choose to disbelieve me, then you are a fool.”
I stare at him open-mouthed and his gaze narrows. “This evening I must attend to business and I would appreciate not returning to discover that you flirted with half of the faculty merely to prove you are not interested in me. It changes nothing but your reputation.”
“Now you’re seriously pissing me off.”
I glare at him. “Who are you to tell me what to do? Nobody and I can do what the fuck I want to.”
“If you believe that, Summer, I pity your future.”
He shrugs. “I’m stating fact, and you are better than this. So–”
He leans forward and, taking both of my hands in his, he caresses my thumb as he stares deep into my eyes. “Sign up for The Claiming. I already settled our attendance with Frankie, who has given me permission to claim you.”
“He did?” It’s as if he has defibrillated my heart because it’s beating with more life than before.
“Frankie understands that you will be happier with me. I assured him of my intentions and he won’t stand in our way.”
His words change everything. I never realized how heavy the chains were that have been dragging me down all these years until they slacken a little. It’s as if I am finally free and the man staring into my eyes with all the darkness of hell is the reason for it.
“He really said that?” I seek to confirm that I didn’t just dream that sentence and Luca smiles softly. “He did and I will not give him cause to regret his decision.”
“But–” I make to protest. To tell him to go to hell, but I would probably go there and find him anyway.
I can’t deny the inevitable because there is no other guy at Rockwell that interests me, even a corner of how much this guy does.
I want to dance with the devil and that devil is Luca Romano, and he has manipulated his way into getting us what we both want.
“Sign up Summer and I’ll be waiting in the dungeon to claim your heart.”
“Fuck, Luca.” I am so turned on because how can I refuse such a kind offer? The guy holding my hands so sweetly and staring into my eyes with darkened lust is every dream I ever had, and as opportunities go, I recognize the perfect one when I see it.
“Okay.”
His smile forces a matching one from me.
“I’ll meet you in the tunnels, but if I get away, you have lost your chance.”
“You won’t.” He winks and I wonder if I should just give in now because it’s as if I’m waiting for Christmas day to unwrap the one gift I have coveted ever since I knew it existed.