Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
“ T hanks so much for coming,” Serenity called out, waving as Mrs. Pendergast stomped her way down the sidewalk to her car.
The older woman waved over her shoulder but didn’t respond otherwise, and Serenity shook her head.
Closing the door, she sighed in relief. The night had been stressful, but good. The business owners were almost all on board with swapping goods and creating a neighborhood watch. Only a small handful had opted out, feeling like they didn’t have the capacity to take on the added responsibilities.
Serenity understood the sentiment. She was ready to drop after just this one meeting. Taking this on regularly was going to be some major work. But if it resulted in a safer work environment, she was all for it.
“It went well.”
She spun, laying her back against the door and smiling. “Thanks.” Pushing a hand through her hair, Serenity shoved it away from her face. “I wasn’t exactly charismatic, but the result wasn’t too bad, I think.”
Luca grinned, his arms folded over his chest, and Serenity cursed the blush rising to her cheeks. She’d been really bold in holding onto his arm tonight and resting against his shoulder. His strength and heat had been so welcoming and had kept Serenity grounded all night.
But she wasn’t quite sure what Luca thought of her brazenness.
It wasn’t like he’d wrapped his arm around her in return or tucked her in tighter. Of course, she’d already told him she wasn’t sure what her feelings were…maybe he was just being cautious?
She closed her eyes and shook her head. Why was it all so complicated? Why did she question and doubt every thought that came into her head? Why couldn’t she just take life at face value and move forward like a normal person?
“Hey.” She heard his footsteps move across the front entryway. “Are you okay? You seem really flushed.”
When the back of his hand landed on her forehead, Serenity’s eyes popped open. “Just tired, I think,” she whispered hoarsely. Sheesh, he smelled good. He was so close, and the urge to fall into him and let him hold her was nearly overwhelming.
“I’d say you should take an early bed, but I think we’re already past that,” Luca said with a soft grin.
“Why don’t you sit on the couch?” Shiloh offered, breaking into the intimate reverie.
Serenity leaned around Luca to see her best friend grinning wildly.
“Take a load off, have a couple of cookies, and just unwind before you head upstairs,” Shiloh continued.
“It’s a good idea,” Serenity said reluctantly. She didn’t want to step away from Luca, but it wasn’t like she could keep him here all night. “Thank so much?—”
“Luca, why don’t you sit down too?”
Luca’s head whipped around.
“I mean, you were standing the whole meeting,” Shiloh gushed, shaking her head. “Even your tree trunk legs have to be exhausted.”
A couple of coughs that were quite evidently hiding laughter sounded from behind Shiloh, and she turned to glare.
“You two troublemakers, however, should just head home.”
Tate stepped forward and threw an arm around Shiloh’s neck and shoulders. “You’re about as subtle as a brick to the face,” he teased.
Shiloh poked Luca’s brother in the side. “Someone has to do it,” she said in a mock whisper. “And you men are about as dense as that very same brick.”
Still laughing, Tate and Jett came toward the door, slapping Luca on the back. “Better do what she says,” Tate said, giving Serenity an amused look. “Shiloh can be frightening when mad.”
“I heard that.”
Tate fake shivered. “If I’m not careful, she’ll end up selling me a lemon next time.”
“I thought that was in cars,” Luca said in a deadpan voice.
“Still works with houses,” Shiloh’s voice grew louder as she advanced. “And they’re right. Out, you fiends. Get out before I demand payment for all the brownies I’ve fed you over the years.”
“Run!” Tate said, darting around a stunned Serenity. “Don’t take away my brownies, dude! That’s downright evil!”
Shiloh and the twins continued to throw around insults for the next two minutes before Shiloh shut and locked the front door and darted up the stairs, leaving Luca and Serenity in a very pregnant silence.
“Uh…” Luca rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not sure if I should apologize and go home, or if I should take advantage of this opportunity and drag you to the couch.”
“I’m still trying to figure out what exactly happened,” Serenity said, shaking her head.
Luca tucked a piece of hair back that had stuck to her cheek with the movement. “Your friend and my brothers have decided they know better than we do.”
Serenity shivered at the contact. This was dangerous. Her hurt and worries from the past several years felt too far away. She was exhausted, and he was strong. She was scared, and he was brave. She’d fumbled tonight, and he’d not only caught her, he’d saved the whole meeting.
If they sat down now, she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to keep her wits about her. There was a lot of baggage between them, but the longer she stared into his gorgeous brown eye, the less she cared.
“I can go,” Luca said in a low tone, but anyone would have heard the regret in the tone.
“You don’t have to,” Serenity said automatically, then stiffened when the words penetrated her own head.
He gave her a sad smile. “Our relationship, no matter what kind it is, is between no one but us. Shiloh and my brothers don’t get to dictate when or even how we spend time together.”
Serenity swallowed and blinked a few times, trying to bring her thoughts back into a non-panicked focus. She’d told him earlier that she wasn’t sure of her feelings. Those words still held true, but there were only a few ways she would be able to figure them out. One of the most direct ways to understand where she stood was to spend time with Luca, and fate had just handed her the perfect opportunity.
Shiloh had deserted them. The brothers were gone, and the meeting was over… It was just Serenity and Luca. No customers. No renovation. No stress. No curious eyes. If she wasn’t willing to test the pull between them, this renewed pull between them, she’d regret it for the rest of her life.
“You’re right,” Serenity said. Hopefully, her tone didn’t sound as shaky as it felt. “This isn’t about them. But I’d like you to stay for a while, anyway.” She tilted her head toward the family room. “Come take a load off and talk with me.” She paused, a sudden concern coming to mind. “Do you want to come talk with me?”
Luca stared for several heartbeats, and Serenity couldn’t breathe until he nodded. “Yes.”
In a dreamlike state, Luca followed like an obedient puppy behind Serenity. She’d been unsure, according to her body language. The stiffening of her spine, the indecision as her fingers twitched.
He didn’t blame her for those feelings, so he definitely wasn’t going to push her to get past them. He’d made strides tonight. More than expected. She’d stayed by his side, accepted his help when she’d begun to crumble in front of the crowd. That was enough. Every time she gave him more attention, it was a step in the right direction,
But Shiloh and the twins had obviously thought differently, and Luca was equal parts grateful and annoyed at it.
“Ah…” Serenity sighed as she plopped down on the couch, letting her head settle into the back cushion. “I didn’t realize how much my feet hurt from standing up all night.”
“You did great up there,” Luca said again. He was so stupid. Didn’t he have something else to say? At one point in time, he’d had a pretty decent brain. Where was it now that he needed it?
Serenity laughed softly. “While I appreciate that, you’re probably the only one who thinks so.”
Luca tried to settle back and relax, but she was too close. Her perfume and her sweet-smelling shampoo surrounded him. The strands were down and ready for him to run his fingers through. He wanted to rub his palm up and down her soft, pale arm.
What had he been thinking when he agreed to sit and talk? He didn’t even like to talk!
But he loved to listen to Serenity. Why were men such suckers for women? And this redhead in particular had had Luca wrapped around her thin finger for ages, it seemed.
“So,” Serenity began. “What happens next at the shop?”
Luca cleared his throat. This wasn’t supposed to be some romantic rendezvous. He needed to get his emotions under control. This was just a friendly evening visit. Nothing more.
“The floors are dry, so we’ll need to get the new flooring you picked out put down. Then paint and replace the trim. I’ll call the plumber tomorrow, and we’ll see if he’s ready to replace the toilet and sink.
“Sounds good.” Serenity turned her head a little, watching him.
Luca tried to act casual, but he was anything but relaxed.
“You look terrified,” Serenity said with a small laugh. “It’s kind of an odd look on you.”
Luca frowned. “What?”
“You.” She waved a hand toward him. “With your big, bad look. You aren’t supposed to look frightened. You’re supposed to make other people frightened.” Serenity’s smile fell. “Like all the women tonight who were drooling when I introduced you. You should frighten them.”
Luca made a face. “Women who were drooling?” He waved a hand in front of her face. “I think you need new contacts.”
“I don’t wear contacts.” Serenity swatted his hand away. “And I’m serious.”
This was starting to get good. Luca put an arm on the back of the couch and rested his temple against his fist, leaning slightly closer to Serenity. “Why do you want me to frighten them?” he whispered.
Serenity scowled at him. “So they leave you alone. Are you telling me you want all those women coming after you? The Luca I knew hated that kind of attention.”
His lips twitched at her anger. Should he laugh or continue to tease? This was so like the old Serenity. She used to get playfully jealous when they were younger, which was hilarious. Especially since Luca knew it was a bunch of bunk.
No other woman had ever vied for his attention, and he’d been content with that. Serenity had always claimed he was just blinded by the intensity of her red hair. Luca didn’t usually argue with her.
“I do hate that kind of attention,” Luca insisted. He leaned in even farther. “But no one was drooling, so it’s a moot point to be upset about it and I don’t see the need to intimidate anyone just for the sake of intimidation.”
Serenity scoffed and poked him in the chest. “Chicken.”
“Oooh,” Luca breathed. “First, I’m a big baddy supposed to frighten people. Now I’m a chicken. Make up your mind, Seri. You can’t have it both ways.” His fingers seemed to have a mind of their own as they reached out and took one of her silky waves, teasing it between his fingers. How long had it been since he’d played with her hair?
Bright red, beachy waves and smooth as silk…it was every guy’s dream…and at one point in time, Luca had had full access to it.
She narrowed her green eyes, glaring at him. “I’m a woman. We’re allowed to be contrary.”
“Is that so?” Luca couldn’t bring himself to let go of her hair. “I suppose I forgot about that.”
“Didn’t you ever—” She cut off, her eyes widening and her face flushing red.
“Didn’t I ever what?” Luca inquired, the air in the room growing cold.
Serenity pinched her lips together and shook her head, knocking the hair from his hand. Jerking upright, she scooted away from him and folded her arms over her chest.
Luca didn’t move, just watched. He wasn’t sure what thought had just run through her head, but it was enough to have her running. Why? Was she reminded of how he’d left her? That would be enough to have her running for the hills. Or was it something else? Was it the trauma from the break in?
She turned to him, brow furrowed, and opened her mouth, then snapped it shut again and turned away.
“It’s okay,” Luca said, sighing softly. He shifted his weight to get off the couch. “I’ll just go home.”
“Did you ever date anyone else?”
The words had him freezing. Luca could barely breathe as he slowly turned his head toward her. “Did I what?”
Serenity’s lips trembled, and she hesitated before shaking her head. “Never mind, it’s a dumb question and not any of my business.”
Luca sat back down more fully. “No.”
She frowned. “No, what? No, it’s not my business?”
“No…I never dated anyone else.”
Her eyes widened, then filled with tears.
“How could I?” Luca continued. The words were like lead in his mouth. He was either hanging himself with the admission, or opening a door to his every dream. Only Serenity could decide which. “I’d already left behind the most perfect woman in the world. There was no one else to compare.”
The tears in her eyes began to spill over and Luca started to lunge forward, but stopped himself. She hadn’t slapped him or yelled at him, but he still didn’t have the right to touch her. Not this way.
“It’s been, like, five years,” she whispered hoarsely.
Luca nodded. “I know.”
“And you didn’t go on a single date?” She wiped furiously at her cheeks.
Luca shook his head. “Not one.”
“Didn’t you want to move on? Didn’t you want to have a family someday?”
“Of course,” Luca offered. His voice was raspier than he would have liked, but the ability to control it was out of his hands. The air between them was thick and heavy, and he couldn’t decide which way the evening was going to end. She was surprised at his lack of social life, but she shouldn’t be.
Luca had known many years ago there would never be another woman for him. Letting go of Serenity had nothing to do with not wanting her and everything to do with him falling apart and coming back a different man.
She’d grown more wonderful. He’d been broken.
He was insane for even thinking he’d ever get a second chance.
“But I wanted those things with a person I couldn’t have them with.”
Serenity’s tears came harder. “You already had me.”
“No,” Luca corrected. She clearly still didn’t quite get it. “The old Luca had you.” He waved to his bald head and eyepatch. “The new Luca has no one.”