Chapter 8
Lucca
Stubborn. The woman in my arms is far more stubborn than anticipated, and I don’t like it one fucking bit. My cousins, Cormac and Salvatore, would say it’s because I’m used to women falling at my feet. Perhaps, there’s a slim chance they could be right.
Again, don’t have to like it.
I carefully place Coco in my SUV’s backseat, and Preston raises an eyebrow in question, but smartly keeps his trap shut for once.
“You can’t kidnap me.” Her grumpy face doesn’t fool me one bit. This woman has spent too many years living on the defensive, protecting herself from heartbreak, but her eyes reveal how much she wants this. Even if her fear gives her a fight.
“It’s not kidnapping if you come willingly,” I respond, buckling her in and turning on the heated seat. I wrap her blanket around her legs, then give her phone to her. “And look, you can even call for help if you really want.” Her eyes drop to her lap, where the phone rests.
Without waiting for an argument, I close the door and tell Preston, “Call in a few people, pack everything up, and bring it to the house. She has this huge chair in her living room; make sure there’s space for it in my home office.”
“You’re just leaving me here? I’m not a fucking mover.” His arms fold across his chest, and he levels me with a glare as I shrug and take the driver’s seat. It’s been a while since I’ve driven myself anywhere. I always have a shadow with me.
“You’ll figure it out, old friend.”
He snorts but does as I ask without argument for once. Coco is probably wearing him down.
Slamming the door shut, I glance back at Coco to find her eyes still locked on her phone. “Did you call?” Her head pops up, glare firmly in place.
“Why are you doing this?”
Her vulnerability catches me off guard.
“Why not?” Much as I’d like to give her more, I can’t. Not yet.
She grinds her teeth but says nothing else.
The silence speaks volumes between us as I expertly maneuver the vehicle through the city.
Coco doesn’t realize it yet, but as she tracks our journey, she unveils precisely what I need to know—that her life has been one of hardship.
She carries so much pain within her that it emits from her pores.
Her eyes light up as we pass Campus Martius Park, where the city prepares to erect the Norway Spruce tree for the light ceremony in the coming weeks.
“Would you like to go?” I ask as we stop at a light, turning slightly so she can see me as well.
“I’ve never been,” she says wistfully as a finger draws little stars in the condensation on the window.
“I would like to take you, Coco.” Saying her name is addicting. “A date.”
Slowly, her head turns towards me, and her sparkling green gaze finally falls on mine. They reflect a dash of excitement before she attempts to mask it. “Like, a real date?”
“Is there another kind?” She shrugs. “Yeah, a real date. We’ll do dinner, come watch the lights, then get drinks before going home.” You can’t miss the heat in my words as I say home.
Just as soon as she’s cleared, we’ll be in bed together, and if I have my way, we won’t leave it for days afterwards.
“Okay,” she whispers. “Okay, yes. I’d really like that, Lucca.” She sits up straighter and holds my stare.
Reaching back, I ignore the honking vehicles behind us and stroke the exposed skin of her knee, watching as a beautiful blush works its way up her body and blossoms into her cheeks.
“Then, it’s a date.” Turning forward again, I finish the drive home, planning everything that needs to be done before the ceremony.
That includes buying her a lovely dinner dress, a warm outfit for the outdoor ceremony, a cocktail dress for drinks afterwards, and finally, a negligee for our night together.
Which also means a hotel room for the night so she can change between events.
Pressing the garage button, one door opens, and I quickly roll in before shutting the vehicle off and closing the door once more. My house manager, Jason, stands in the doorway to the house as I exit the SUV.
“Preston rang, said to expect company, but had no more details.” I nod as I go around to collect Coco. He watches me skeptically.
“I can walk,” she mumbles.
“You can, but why, when I can be your servant?” She glares at me, making Jason snicker in his button-up shirt and bowtie.
“I’m going to like her,” he comments with a grin, clearing the doorway for our entrance.
“I would hope so, because you’ll be at her beck and call for the foreseeable future.”
He appears startled but quickly wipes the look from his face.
“It’ll be a pleasure, miss. I’m Jason, and all you need to do is call, and I’ll be available to you.” He appears eager. He won’t let me down.
“Please, call me Coco. And if this neanderthal ever puts me down, I would tell you I don’t need anyone to wait on me.”
“Neanderthal,” I mutter while Jason has a belly laugh behind us as I take her to the couch in my office. “You were hit by a car. Should have had more testing done but ignored the doctors.” Placing her down gently, I hover. “I think you hit your head too hard.”
“I’m fine,” she grits out.
No use in arguing with this woman, there is no point. She’ll keep insisting she doesn’t need help, and I’ll keep giving it to her.
“A handful, I see.” Jason narrows his eyes at her before making his exit. He’s going to prepare her some tea and likely some finger foods. While that’s not ordinarily his job—he’s more the boss of my home, dictating orders to the other staff—I know he’ll enjoy the challenge that is my future wife.
Coco loses her fight pretty quickly as she cuddles into the comfortable sofa. I drape a blanket over her, her eyes close, and she sighs. When I dim the lights, I hear a soft, “Please don’t leave,” before I’m halfway to my desk.
Returning to her, I kneel and trace her delicate jaw with a rough finger, then lean forward and press my lips to hers and say, “I’m staying here, too. Sleep, amore, I’ll be here when you wake.”
“Promise?” Her eyes barely remain open.
“With everything I am.” I kiss her again, and her soft moan makes my dick kick behind my zipper. “I’ll always be here, amore.”
She’s out cold as I get to my feet and go sit in the plush brown leather chair behind my desk.
Immediately, I log into my computer, open my email, and send a few messages to a hotel and a boutique.
After that, I inquire with my private physician about visiting Coco in person tomorrow to assess her injuries and healing process.
My goal is to ensure that Coco has everything she needs to get back on her feet, while encouraging her to choose to stay with me.