Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“Mickey-D!”
The moment I push open the door to my penthouse, I abandon my bags and fall to my knees, letting the goodest boy greet me with his slobbery kisses.
I missed him, but he’s been in excellent hands with my staff, who have been sending me daily updates on my furry companion. He’s been treated like the king of the castle, as he should be.
Mickey-D hops up and down on his front paws, turning in happy circles as I lower myself to sit on the floor with him. His tail wags with each ear scratch, and he lets out a little roo-roo in appreciation.
“Mickey-D, I have so much to catch you up on, but first, I need a hot shower and a long nap.” Even though I slept on the plane, it wasn’t as restful as sleeping in my own bed. “Do you want to take a nappy with me?” I baby talk while his tail wags so hard his booty shakes.
After a few more minutes of a happy homecoming with my furry old man, I push back up to my feet and lock the door to my penthouse. Picking up my smaller bag, I bring it with me to the bathroom.
The spray from the shower splashes off the tiles as I let the water warm while I strip my clothes and pick up my cell phone, surprised to see a message waiting for me.
I can’t stop the smile from beaming across my face, and I bite my lip as I stare down at his words, a giddy, blissful feeling permeating through my chest.
Asshat Lawyer
My office. 4 p.m. This time, be on time.
Bossy, as usual.
And if I’m late?
The dots indicating a person is typing show up immediately, and it takes seconds before his text chimes through.
Asshat Lawyer
You won’t be. You want to see me just as badly as I want to see you.
He’s not wrong.
Abandoning my phone, I get into the shower. The water cascades around my body like an embrace, and I let the hot water melt the tension from my bones.
I take my time lathering my hair and body, shutting my eyes and relaxing in the luxurious silence.
God, it’s been an insane few days.
Letting the water run down my skin, my mind goes over every detail of the trip to Spain. The guilt from up and leaving Javier in the middle of his father's funeral has been weighing heavily on my chest.
I shouldn’t have done that.
He’s called me countless times, and I haven’t had the lady balls to pick up, not even having an explanation for my behavior. I can’t exactly tell him I left him high and dry because I was swept up in the tidal wave that is Luciano Paladino.
As far as Javier is concerned, Luciano and I are engaged; therefore, shouldn’t the frenzy stage be behind us? Especially after Luce willingly gave us time alone at his family estate.
I’m not a perfect person—I make mistakes and have regrets, but walking out on Javier during such an emotional event will haunt me. I’ve never done anything as messed up as that.
Well, having sex with Luciano in the middle of a sacristy was also pretty messed up, all things considered.
Rather than my thoughts staying focused on Luciano, they trickle back to Javier. I’m not prepared for what comes next with him—his anger, the conversation—none of it.
But I need this divorce.
I need to woman up and handle my business.
My vision swims as my anxiety grows, and I decide it’s time to get out of the shower. A snack, my bed, and cuddles from my dog sound like exactly what I need right now.
When I step onto the plush bath mat, I sigh heavily when I hear my phone vibrate on the bathroom counter. A quick glance at it tells me it’s my best friend, and I exhale a shaky breath, pressing to connect the call and bring the phone to my ear.
“Hey, Vins!”
“Hey! How was Spain?”
My stomach twists, not sure how to answer without lying to her. It’s unavoidable.
“Good. Busy. Uneventful.”
Her sweet laughter fills the receiver. “Uneventful? I know that’s not true. Please indulge your pregnant friend and tell me every juicy detail.”
Visions of Luciano devouring me flash through my mind, but I can’t exactly give her those details, now can I?
“There’s honestly not much to tell.” Desperate to pivot, I change the topic. “How are you feeling? How’s my niece or nephew?”
“Good! Kicking up a storm. Sly has been bothering me to find out the gender, but I just don’t think I want to. There’s something so magical about waiting.”
“What if he finds out and you don’t?”
“Oh c’mon, Raina, no! If he knew, I’d be bothering him twenty-four-seven to tell me. And he wouldn’t, and then I’d end up irrationally irritated with him.” She laughs, and I imagine her shaking her head.
“Yeah, you’d totally do that.” I laugh with her. “Okay, I miss your face and want to see you. Do you have time for lunch this week?”
“I have an ultrasound appointment on Thursday, but can meet you after. Are you free?”
“Vinnie, for you, I’m always free. Let me know what you’re craving that day and we’ll figure it out.”
“Sounds perfect. Hey, I have to run. Sly just walked through the door.” No sooner does she say that, do I hear a storm of kisses in the background mixing with Vinnie’s laughter, then her muffled voice says, “Sly! Stop! I’m on the phone.”
Their love is sickening in the best way possible. Rolling my eyes, I shake my head with a smile on my face. “Talk soon.”
“Bye!” she squeals before I hear the click of the phone disconnecting.
Curling up on my bed, I pull Mickey-D closer and nuzzle into my pillows. I have several hours before I need to be at Luciano’s office, and I intend to catch up on some much-needed beauty sleep. My body feels like the plane I just deboarded has run straight into it.
Between my comfortable bedding and the body heat from the dog, it doesn’t take long before I’m fast asleep.
It’s four o’clock exactly when I get dropped off by my driver in front of Luciano’s office building.
Holding my head high, I breeze through the automatic doors and immediately turn left to the elevators, pushing the call button.
The firm is nestled in a skyscraper shared with several other prestigious businesses, and as I ride the elevator up to the twenty-first floor, I stand quietly next to a woman who looks incredibly nervous.
I feel for her, but I just don’t have it in me to engage in small talk.
Watching as the floor numbers ascend, I patiently wait, trying not to tap my foot with anxiousness until it’s my turn to get off. Glancing at my watch, a smile pulls on my lips when I see I’m now five minutes late.
Luciano is going to be pissed.
As soon as the elevator doors open, my eyes connect with a very irritated pair of blue-grays from across the room.
Luciano leans against the doorway of his office, arms folded in front of his body.
His white button-down is crisp, sleeves rolled to his elbows, and his gray slacks are fitted just right.
The sight of him practically makes me salivate. He looks incredibly handsome, and not at all like someone who just flew from Spain overnight.
“You’re late, Ms. Lancaster,” he grumbles, pushing off the doorframe.
From behind her desk, his secretary types away at her computer, sneaking glances at the two of us while she pretends not to listen.
“In my defense”—I saunter toward him, closing the distance as my heels click against the tile floor—“I was here on time. It’s not my fault the elevators in this building are slow.”
Luciano gestures me into his office, and I walk past him, heading straight to his chair. Pushing it back, I leave a space between it and the desk and sink onto the soft leather cushion, crossing my legs.
My dress rides up my thighs, but I don’t bother tugging it down.
From over my shoulder, I see Luciano closing his office door, then he turns to stalk toward me. “What did I tell you about being late?” There’s a heaviness in his stare that makes me want to squirm under his gaze, but I refuse to move a muscle, knowing he’s studying my every move.
“What are you gonna do about it, Luciano?” I play with a strand of my hair, feigning innocence.
“If you were any other client, I would return your retainer and kick you the hell out of my office. I don’t do tardiness. My time is valuable.”
Pursing my lips, I tap them with my manicured finger. “Hmm, but I’m not just any client, now am I?”
Crouching in front of me, he grips both of my knees, dusting his fingertips against my skin. “No, you most certainly are not.”
“So, I repeat my question, Luce.” I shudder breathlessly as his hands slide up my thighs. “What are you going to do about it?”
He stills, then uses my legs as leverage to push up and catch my lips with his.
A moan vibrates through my throat, but I don’t let it cloud my thoughts. Breaking it, I turn my head away from him. “Why am I here, Luciano?”
I shouldn’t be flirting, or letting him kiss me, for that matter. He made it clear on the plane we couldn’t be together until I wasn’t his client anymore. He isn’t willing to risk his career, and I understand that—it’s valid. But in order to protect my heart, I need to take a step back.
My feelings for him are, and have always been, real and intense, and knowing he feels something for me makes it hard to not dive into this fully. But I have to stay strong. I won’t risk my heart. I’ve worked too hard to protect it. “Do you have something about my case to discuss?”
His features contort from my sudden impassiveness, but he doesn’t press the issue, and instead rocks back on his heels, holding onto the sides of my chair before pressing back to stand.
Rounding his desk, he rubs his jaw with his hand. “Actually, yes. Lydia drew up some paperwork for you to read through and sign.”
“Great. Can I take it with me?”
“I plan to file it first thing tomorrow. We need to set things in motion and get ahead of Javier. Rather than take the paperwork, I’d advise you to read through it now, so I can answer any questions you may have.”
“I can always call you.” Standing, I outstretch my hand, waiting for him to give me the paperwork. “And I’ll drop it back by before you’re even in the office.”
Luciano’s brows furrow, and he searches my gaze, but rather than argue, he says nothing and collects everything, putting the papers inside of a large envelope before handing it to me.
But he doesn’t let go. “Raina, if I?—”
“You didn’t.”
“Then why?—”
“Because, Luce.” I pull the envelope from his hand and take a step back.
“As long as I’m your client, we can’t be anything.
Which is fine. I completely understand and I respect it.
I would never ask you to jeopardize your career.
But until I’ve had more time to process everything, and until I’m no longer your client, we need to remain professional.
I have to protect my heart, and you have to protect your livelihood. ”
He swallows thickly, nodding his head. “Okay.”
My heart sinks with his curt response, sadness sinking deep into my soul. But what did I expect?
“I do want to be with you,” he stresses, placing his palms down on his desk. He’s staring at me so intensely, my stomach flip-flops as I look into his eyes. I want to cry, but I also want to kiss him at the same time.
I lift my chin, trying to stay strong.
This isn’t our end. This just isn’t our beginning, either.
Shifting the paperwork into my left hand, I step closer to the desk and cup Luciano’s cheek. He leans into my touch, and I press on my tiptoes to place a soft kiss on his lips.
Then I turn and walk to the door.
“Raina.” His voice stops me mid-step. “When can I see you?”
My eyes flutter closed and I sink my teeth into my bottom lip, but I don’t turn around to face him. “Tomorrow, if you happen to be here when I drop off the paperwork.”
“But when will I see you? Will you be at my birthday this weekend?”
It takes every ounce of my strength to not go to him right now. The strain of emotion in his voice is like an ice pick chipping away at the shards of my heart. “Do you want me there?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then I’ll be there.” Swiping away the tear rolling down my cheek, I leave Luciano’s office, absolutely hating the way it feels like I’ve left my heart in there, too.