Luca
The drive back to his house felt like it took forever.
He had so many questions that he wanted to ask her, but doing so in his truck wasn’t safe.
If she were being stalked, he’d need to make sure to get as many details as possible.
By the time he pulled into his garage, his mind was running in circles, but he needed to remember that Sophia had been through a lot already.
He shrugged, not wanting to boast. “I do all right,” he said.
That wasn’t a lie. He did well, but he had so much further to go.
If Jonesy kept booking his fights, he might get on the fast track to be the next heavyweight champ on the East Coast. Then, he planned on conquering the rest of the country and eventually, the world title.
Sure, it was a long shot, but he had the drive to go as far as he possibly could.
“This place is great,” she said. “You even have a security gate at the entrance of your driveway.”
“I will never underestimate Peter again. I did that one too many times, but I appreciate your security measures,” Sophia said.
He wanted to ask her what Pete had done to her, but he didn’t want to get into all that while standing in his garage.
First, he needed to show her around, and then, he planned on sitting down with Sophia and asking her all his questions.
“Let’s go in, and I’ll show you around the house.
You have two rooms that you can choose from, and you’ll have your own bathroom,” he promised.
That was something that they didn’t have while growing up in most foster homes.
Most of the time, all the kids had to share a bathroom, and that caused a good amount of fights—usually between the teen girls who “Needed the mirror.”
“I had my own bathroom in my little apartment. It wasn’t much, but it felt like such a luxury to have my own bathroom, you know?” she asked.
“Yeah, I remember how bad it was to share a bathroom with everyone else in the house,” he admitted.
“I snuck in while you were in the shower a few times, to grab my toothbrush,” she said, her cheeks turning pink. “I’ve never told anyone that before.”
“Um, I know,” he said. “You weren’t the quietest person, Sophia.
A few times, I thought about giving you a little show.
” He thought about giving her more than a show, but that wasn’t something that he would admit to her.
He used to fantasize that he’d step out of the shower, while she was getting her toothbrush, and push her up against the wall with his wet body, trapping her there so that he could kiss her.
But he was a chicken. Luca knew that leaving the foster care system would make things harder on them both if he gave in to his basic desires.
Hell, he wasn’t even sure if she ever felt that way about him.
Why would she? As far as everyone was concerned, they were siblings, but he knew that what he wanted to do with Sophia wasn’t something that a brother and sister would do together.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” she squeaked.
He shrugged, “I guess I didn’t want to embarrass you. Plus, I was a walking hormone back then, and would have probably done something to embarrass myself too.” That was probably the most honest thing that he had said to her all day.
“I probably would have been embarrassed if you had caught me,” she said, her cheeks flushing again.
“Heck, I’d be embarrassed now if that happened.
I promise not to sneak into your bathroom.
” A part of him felt disappointed that she wouldn’t be coming into his bathroom during his shower, but maybe she was right.
It was for the best that they kept everything between them as friends.
He tossed his keys on his kitchen table and took the overnight bag that she brought in with her. “I’ll get the rest of your stuff after we eat.”
“I can grab it,” she assured. “I’m not helpless, Luca.
I am a grown-up now.” He looked her over and nodded.
She didn’t look helpless at all. And Sophia didn’t need to remind him that she was a grown-up now.
She had grown up well, and he knew that Sophia wasn’t the same kid that he had left behind in that foster home.
He took a step toward her, crowding her up against the table. Luca didn’t seem able to stop himself as he reached out to her, running his thumb over her cheek. He loved the way that it instantly turned pink and heated from just his touch.
“I’ve noticed that you’ve grown up, Soph.
But I would still like to help you. Let me bring in your stuff, and you just concentrate on settling in.
” He could tell that she was thinking his offer over.
He didn’t pull his hand away from her soft cheek.
And when Sophia leaned into his touch, he nearly kissed her lips, taking what he wanted from her, but that would take things too far.
Sophia deserved better than him, and he needed to remember that.
He forced himself to take a step back from her, letting his hands drop to his sides.
Luca cleared his throat, needing a distraction from what he was about to do.
He put his hands on Sophie, and that was the last thing that she needed.
Right now, she needed him to step up and help her with her problem.
“Come on,” he said gruffly, “I’ll show you the rest of the place, and then you can unpack.” Sophia nodded, but she still looked a little dazed. He had a feeling that it had to do with a whole lot more than whatever had just passed between the two of them.
Luca led her through the house, pointing things out as he went, trying to make her feel at home in his space.
The kitchen opened into a large family room with high ceilings and big windows that looked out over the backyard.
There was a staircase that led up to the bedrooms, and Luca decided to take her up there first.
She followed him up the steps and down the hallway.
“This room is mine,” he said, nodding to the closed bedroom door.
She stared at the door, and he knew that he was being a prick intentionally.
He wasn’t used to showing anyone his space, and for some reason, his bedroom felt very personal.
Luca sighed and opened the door to the master bedroom.
“I have a bathroom through there,” he said. “It’s fully stocked, so if you need something, help yourself. But you’ll have your own bathroom, so we won’t have to share.” He didn’t want to make too much of the flash of disappointment in her eyes, but he saw it.
Sophia peeked into the room and smiled back at him. “It’s very you,” she teased. You still travel light, I see.”
He snorted, “Don’t worry,” he said, “the spare room has more furniture than my room.”
“Good to know,” she breathed.
Sophie took one last look into his bedroom and turned to face him, ready to continue the tour. He pretended not to notice that she seemed nervous again.
He walked across the hall and opened the door to his spare room. “This is the guest room,” he announced. “It’s got a queen bed, a good-sized closet, and the bathroom is here, across the hall.” He shoved the door open, and she looked in.
She crossed the hallway and walked into the room, turning in a slow circle. “It’s really nice,” she said.
“There’s another room down the hall, if you want something smaller,” he said. “It’s currently set up as my office, but I can move stuff around if you want to take that room instead.”
Sophia opened her mouth as though she was about to respond when she turned the palest shade of white that he’d ever seen.
“Hey,” Luca said. He was at her side in two long strides, wrapping his hand around her arm as she swayed.
“Sophia, are you all right?” he asked. He knew that she wasn’t.
Hell, she looked about ready to topple over.
“I’m fine,” she insisted, though her knees clearly disagreed with her.
“I just feel a little woozy. The room spun for a second, but I think that I’m okay now,” she lied.
He wasn’t about to stand in the middle of the guest room and argue with her.
And if he questioned her, she’d probably lie to him some more, so he didn’t ask her any questions.
Instead, he just scooped her up before she could protest.
“Luca,” she yelped, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Put me down,” she insisted.
“Relax,” he muttered. He liked the way that she felt against him, but there was no way that he was going to tell her that. “Dizzy people don’t get to boss me around.”
“Well, I say that I’m fine, so put me down,” she said.
“Dizzy people don’t get a vote,” he mumbled as he carried her back downstairs and straight into the family room. He set her down gently on the couch and crouched in front of her, studying her face the same way that he’d study an opponent for signs of weakness. And he didn’t like what he saw.
“When was the last time you ate something?” he asked.
She blinked at him, and he couldn’t help his smile. She used to look at him that way when they were younger, and she didn’t want to have to admit something out loud. “Um, I ate breakfast. Well, I think that I did. Maybe—but it was early, and I can’t remember now.”
“Jesus, Sophia,” he mumbled, scrubbing his hand over his face. “It’s almost time for bed, and you haven’t had anything to eat all day?”
“In my defense, I was nervous,” she said softly. “And I was busy trying to avoid Peter. Honestly, I didn’t really give food much thought today.”
“Yeah, well, it’s time to think about it,” he said, standing. “You’re not going anywhere until you eat something. Stay put,” he ordered.
“Luca,” she drawled, “I don’t want to be a problem.”
“You’re not a fucking problem,” he cut in. “You sit here, and I’ll grab you something to eat.” He stared her down, leaving no room for argument.