Chapter Nineteen

I'm practically vibrating with anger when Luca enters, the door opening without a single squeak. His eyes go straight to me sitting on the bed, a towel wrapped around me. I managed to scrub the makeup off my face and I'm feeling relatively normal again, but I haven't gotten dressed. He seems to immediately know something's gone wrong.

"What's happened, Schatz?" He sits on the bed beside me, his hand going to my thigh and a look of concern stamped on that handsome face of his. "Don't tell me nothing because you were smiling when I left you last. Was it Shelby? I knew I shouldn't have listened to the producers. I told them I wanted to get rid of one of the mean girls, and they talked me into Kate."

"It wasn't Shelby. She's perfectly happy with the situation. She's thrilled she's the last bully standing because she's sure that means she's making the final two." I don't care about the NDA in this moment. I need to talk to him. I need him to understand why I'm going to blow his relationship with an important person. "It's something else. Something serious. I caught Joe trying to force himself on Patrick."

"What?" Concern seems to turn to confusion. "Force himself?"

His English is so good, I forget it's not his first language. "I caught him and Patrick in a sexual situation. A nonconsensual one."

"But he's married." He shakes his head. "I'm sorry. That was a na?ve thing to say. I'm a bit startled because I didn't know he was anything but the straight man he presents himself to be. I don't have a problem with it. I believe we're all born the way we're born and we accept it, but why would he hide it?"

I truly believe Joe told me the truth about this. Not so sure that his wife knows, but that doesn't matter to the situation at hand. "Apparently his parents are loaded, and he's concerned about them not approving of his lifestyle. He doesn't want to get cut out of the will."

Understanding dawns as he nods. "Ah, yes. Of course, and they are very religious in an… How would you put…old-school fashion. I've met them. They've done business with my country. Are you all right? Did he try to hurt you?"

He hadn't, though I had felt like it could happen. "No. I accepted his explanation that he's having an affair. Although I don't know he would call it that since he told me his wife knows about his lifestyle and they have an open marriage. I don't think Patrick would say they're having an affair."

"Did you talk to him?" Luca asks.

"I heard him saying no. He said it plainly, and he was crying when he did." My gut clenches because sometimes men don't understand. If you've never been in the position, it can be easy to wave it off. "I saw what was happening, Luca. I have zero doubt that Patrick didn't want what Joe was trying to do to him. I don't care if Patrick was having some kind of relationship with him. He has the right to say no at any point."

"Of course." He takes my hand, holding it to his heart. "You're right, my darling. So what are you going to do about it? How can I help you?"

I sniffle and lean into his strength. "I was sent to work on this show by the head of the company. She's been a mentor to me since I was an intern. She wanted me to take a low-level PA position so I could investigate some rumors she's been hearing."

His hand strokes over my hair. "Rumors about Joe. Rumors that he was hurting people?"

"Women," I correct. "I thought he was harassing the women around him. I assumed that was why Jessica sent a woman in. I'm young and potentially someone he might hit on. When he didn't and he seemed to treat all the contestants with respect and professionalism, I didn't even look at the men." I'm upset with myself for walking into this with a mindset that didn't allow for a different outcome. I had a specific scenario in mind and didn't think about all the times Joe would bark at Patrick to meet him in his office. Didn't see how tense Patrick would get. How angry he was all the time. "I should have known. Directors don't work that closely with production assistants."

"But Patrick is the head of the department."

"Which is why he should be working with Christy and the second unit directors," I explain. "I've never known a PA with such access to the director, especially one at Joe's level. I should have seen it."

He pulls me into his arms. "This is not your fault. No one saw it. But now we can deal with this problem. What does it mean for the production? I'm concerned for the young man, but I have to wonder what it means for the project. I can certainly handle a delay, but I've put a lot of my time and effort into this. I've spent a lot of money getting the palace ready for the shoot. What should I be expecting?"

"I don't even think there will be a short delay." I've thought this over because I know how much this project means to Luca. I've come to the conclusion that there's zero chance they'll shut down production. "The CEO sent me here to find this information, so she'll have a plan in place. The second director can take over. This is a flashy project for Joe, but it's simple compared to what he's used to. It's not the best use of his talent."

"No, it was a way for the production company to find out if he's a good bet," Luca surmises. "He told me he was doing this in exchange for the potential of heading a large franchise that will bring him millions of dollars."

"Yes. If he proved himself on this, Jessica was going to announce him as the head of what will end up being a billion-dollar franchise. But what it would really bring him is power," I reply. "I think he wants the power even more than the cash. After all, he told me he has millions waiting for him when his parents die."

He tilts my head up and stares into my eyes. "You're sure this won't shut down production? They can't throw it all away?"

I hate that he has to be so worried. "There's too much money but, Luca, you should know even if they were going to, I would still tell Jessica what I found out."

"Of course you would. You wouldn't be Anika if you didn't. I'm not telling you not to. I'm simply setting my expectations." He kisses me, and I feel my shoulders come down from around my ears. "I'm sorry you're in this position. Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"You didn't see it so you can't be a witness." I tilt my head back. "I don't want to cause trouble for you, but you'll be asked questions when it comes out. All you have to say is you never saw him acting inappropriately, but you believe his victims and stand behind them. I suspect we'll discover there are more Patricks out there."

He kisses me again. "Even if there's a delay, we'll work it out. Though it's hard to be patient. I want to get through the rest of this process. Excuse me, journey. I can't wait to get you home. I can't wait to show you off to my people. I know you don't think this can work…"

"I might be changing my mind about that." I cup that face I'm coming to love. There's a crisp brush of his beard because he hasn't shaved. He does that in the morning, so by this time of night, it rubs against my skin, and I've become addicted to the feel of it. "But I have to be able to work in some capacity. I know it seems like a hard business, but I do love it."

His mouth takes mine, and suddenly the towel drops away and I'm naked in his arms. "We'll work it out. Now stop thinking. I want to feel for a while. I spend so much time thinking and pushing away my own needs. This is the space where I get to be a man and not a bloody king. Only with you. Only ever with you."

I wrap my arms around him and let the kiss take over reality. This is where I need to be. I need to be with the man and not the king. I like the king, but I'm in love with the man. I accept that in this moment. I love Luca in a way I've never loved a man before. He's become vital to my life.

I'd been worried he would ask me to stay quiet until the project ends. Ivy had told me he would have to pick his country over me, but he's reacted exactly as I needed him to.

He murmurs something in German as he lays me out on the bed and gets to his feet to undress. I'm going to have to learn some German because every word is sexy, and I'd like to know when he's praising my body parts.

My mind flashes to the look on Patrick's face. I wonder how many times I've had that look on mine.

"Don't. Stay here with me," he urges as he tosses his shirt aside. "Stay here, Schatz."

I want to. I shove aside those dark thoughts because they have no place here between us. The day was long, and this is what we've both craved. This is our safe space from the storm that rages around us. From the heaviness of responsibility. From the anchor of our pasts. This is where we plan our future.

I shove off the bed and drop to my knees in front of him. I want to take some power. He's so dominant, so big and strong, but I can make him weak in the knees.

"Ani," he murmurs as my fingers work the ties of his pants. "Are you sure?"

I'm more than sure. He's got the tongue thing that makes me crazy. I want that, too. I have to experiment until I find what can have my big, gorgeous guy panting. "Ja."

I know that much. Yes.

His hands sink into my hair as I pull down his pants and boxers and free his cock. He's thick in my palm, and I love how hard he is.

"Yes, I'm always ready for you," he promises. "Always."

We're going to make beautiful babies. One day. In the distant future. But the thought does go through my head as I lean forward and kiss him.

He hisses and his body tightens as I lick at the head, tasting the salty arousal I find there. His breath hitches, and I feel what I needed to feel. Powerful. In control. Giving to him, knowing how much he needs me, sends a wave of calm surety through me.

When I take him in my mouth and start to work him over with my lips and teeth and tongue, I forget all about the stress of the day. It's only me and him and this moment.

I alternate between butterfly kisses and sucking him deep, loving how his body has a fine tremble running through it. Those hot abs of his tighten even as he twists my hair in just the right way. My body feels alive. I want to swallow this man down, but I don't think he's going to let me.

"No," he says, pulling me off him. "I want to be inside you. I need to be inside you."

He kicks off his pants and hauls me up, tossing me on the bed. Before I can settle myself, he's on me. He drags me down the bed by my ankles, spreading my legs wide. I watch as he rolls a condom on, heat pulsing through me.

He's savage as he thrusts inside me. Luca can be so gentle and sweet, but I love this side of him, too. I love the man who can't seem to get enough of me because I'm certain I'll never get enough of him.

"Anika," he groans as he thrusts in and pulls out. "Anika, du bistmein Schatz."

I know this one, too. You are my treasure.

He makes me feel like a treasure.

"I need you closer." He grips my hips. "Hold on to me."

I gasp as he lifts me up like I don't weigh a damn thing. He brings me close, my breasts crushed against his chest. I kiss him as he lifts me on and off his cock, his strength taking my breath away. He plunges deep inside me, and the pleasure rolls over my body like a tidal wave, washing away everything that came before it and leaving only him.

He groans my name as he takes us back down to the bed, wrapped up in each other. His head rests in the crook of my neck as he rolls us over. "I needed that."

I hold him tight. "So did I."

He rubs his cheek against my skin. "And now I need slow."

I lie back as he starts the process all over again. Journey. Now see, this is one journey I don't want to miss a second of.