18. Kylie

Chapter eighteen

Kylie

I admire the three story brownstone situated in Lincoln Park as we pull up to the black gate. The house's traditional trim is painted a beautiful black, giving it a modern look against the Chicago brick.

“Pretty. What floor do you live on?”

I'm admiring the ornate historical details of the front porch when a chuckle has me pulling my eyes away and turning to face Luca.

”All the floors, Angel. It’s a single family home.” He smiles, amused.

“Oh,” is my brilliant reply.

Thankfully, he exits the car before witnessing the red spreading across my cheeks. I want to smack my forehead for assuming he rented. If the man can afford to have a sugar baby, he can afford his own house in this part of the city.

As I follow Luca to the front door, I look over at the garage.

“Why didn't you park in the garage?”

“It's full right now.”

“Oh.” I don’t know why it’s just now hitting me how wealthy Luca must be. Or why I’m suddenly insecure about it all. It should have sunk in with the contract and the new things he bought me earlier today.

I check out the surrounding homes, which are just as luxurious, and the well-maintained park located across the street .

It’s not where I pictured Luca living. I envisioned him in a modern condo located downtown with all the fancy amenities a bachelor would want. Not that a condo downtown would be cheap, but these luxury homes in this neighborhood are on a whole other level of wealthy.

I wonder again what Luca does for a living. Is he only in real estate? I’ve only ever heard the mention of the hotel acquisition from dinner last night.

"How'd your talk with your parents go?" Luca puts his hand on my back, guiding me through the front door.

I'm so busy taking in the beauty of his home that I'm distracted when I answer. "Oh, you know … I only told them I just started seeing someone and there's not much to tell yet."

A beautiful painted black pier mirror sits at the entrance and I can't resist running my fingers over the fine details when I'm whipped around and maneuvered until my back hits the wall beside it. Luca steps into my space and my breath hitches at the promise in his eyes. He leans his body into mine, his forearms lying against the wall beside my head.

"Why does it feel like it's been months trying to get you alone when it's only been a couple of days?" He glides his nose over mine, moving languidly down my cheek and to my throat, where he buries his face.

I grip his suit jacket as if it's my lifeline. His nuzzling my neck sends tingles down my skin, making my knees go weak. He commands my full attention, wiping his home and thoughts of his wealth from my mind.

Luca brings his arms down to gather me into him and all I can think about is finally .

Then his cell rings.

You’ve got to be kidding me!

Luca sighs.

We both know this will interrupt our plans again.

Releasing me, he pulls the phone out of his jacket pocket and curses when he views the screen. Curious, I tilt my head as he accepts the call, and bites out, "What? "

His gaze comes back to mine.

An unintelligible murmur comes over the line and whatever they're saying is escalating Luca’s agitation.

"No." His eyes narrow.

Even knowing it’s not for me, that look has my eyes going wide and wanting to apologize for whatever he wants.

"I don't care." Luca breaks eye contact to look down at the floor. His jaw clenching the longer he listens.

"Can't it wait?" He grits out. "For fuck's sake. Fine, you asshole. You have one hour, that's it." Luca disconnects the call and exhales.

I place my hands back on his chest and lean into him. His jaw unclenches as his eyes flick down to my lips. I rub soothing circles over his chest and his shoulders relax. He brings his arms back around me to squeeze me to him as he leans his forehead against mine.

"Why is it, every time I think I'll get to strip you naked, someone pulls me away?" He lifts his head, bringing his eyes back to mine.

My lips tip up as I pick at his shirt collar. "I admit, I wasn't expecting to still be at first base at this point."

He snorts, turning my smile wider. I’m happy to bring his mood back up.

Shaking his head, he releases me to step back. "I'm sorry, Angel. Something important came up and I have to leave for about an hour." Grabbing my hand, he leads me further into the house. "Feel free to roam and explore. No room is off limits to you."

We pass through the front sitting area, to the formal dining room, and arrive at the kitchen. I try to admire all the details as we pass each room, but Luca is moving swiftly.

"The fridge is here—fix yourself anything you want." He points to a set of custom cabinets masking a refrigerator before he continues to lead me into the living room. He releases my hand to grab the two remotes from the coffee table. "Use this for the TV and the stereo.” He shakes the larger remote, then shows me the smaller one. “This one is for the blinds. You can lower them if you want more privacy. Watch whatever you want—there are plenty of channels to choose from."

He places the remotes back on the coffee table then kisses my forehead. Skirting around me, he walks back to the front door. I follow as he continues to rattle off instructions.

"I'm going to set the alarm, so I don't want you to answer the door. If anyone comes, they can come back later. Rafael will be with me, but Gio has a key, and he's known to come and go, so don't be alarmed if he lets himself in.”

When Luca reaches the front door, he turns to me. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, his gaze roams my face.

Tilting my head, I wait. He doesn't leave me hanging for long before he moves closer, and lays his hands on my upper arms to pull me to him before burying his nose in my hair. I let myself relax against him and enjoy this moment of being held.

All too soon, Luca pulls back. "There's a soaking tub in the main suite you might like to try out. There's also a sauna in the gym in the basement, if you prefer that. I asked Joanna to provide a few bikinis for the pool outside when it gets warmer. Please wear one if you choose the sauna in case Gio comes over. I’d hate to give him another black eye."

My eyebrows raise in surprise at his comment. I want to ask the story behind that, but he wipes all thought from my head when he slams his mouth on mine again.

Just like that, I'm lost to the feel of his tongue. Wanting more, I tightly grip his lapels and try to drag him closer, even though our bodies are already pressed tight. His hands roam down my back to my ass, where he squeezes me to him. His hard cock presses into my stomach and I can't hold back my whine of need.

It breaks the spell as it seems to jolt him and he rears back with a growl.

Releasing me, he looks away and runs a hand through his hair in frustration. "Jesus woman. You'll be the death of me. "

I don’t respond—lust still blazing through me. He glances at me and growls again before grabbing my upper arms to turn me around and nudging me forward.

"Go, Angel, before I don't have the strength to walk away again.” He turns back to the door. “Keep your phone on you and I'll text when I‘m heading back home."

"Okay." I glance at him over my shoulder as I make my way to the kitchen, but he's not looking at me anymore. He's entering a code into the alarm before he leaves out the front door.

***

I wish I could say I'm one of those girls who could resist snooping, but he did give me permission.

Admiring all the intricate details in the trim, crown molding, and wall paneling, I explore the first floor. I also found working pocket doors in the dining room, and a set to the office. A half bath sits in between the stairs for the basement and the upper level.

Whoever designed this place kept all the charm of its original form while modernizing it, and I love it.

Before I go downstairs, I take a quick peek out the window into the backyard. I'm surprised to find a nice size deck with a hot tub and a small pool. That'll be fun in the summer.

Next, I head downstairs to the basement to locate the sauna, already hyped about trying it out.

My mouth drops open when I step down into a full gym furnished with a small boxing ring. Looks like Luca takes his exercise seriously.

I find a large sauna at the back of the basement and across from it is a full bathroom with a steam shower and next to that looks like a locker room.

This house has more amenities than most condos in the city. In awe of what I've found so far, I'm curious about what I'll find next, and I eagerly head back up the stairs.

The second floor has what I thought was an owner's suite and two guest rooms with an additional full bath, but when I reach the third floor—which looks like a finished attic—I find Luca’s bedroom.

It’s no wonder he's in great shape. If I had to take these stairs every day, I’d be in better shape myself.

I can see why he chose it, though. The whole third level is split between a large owner's suite on one side and a theater room on the other. The movie room is set up with sound control and also has its own kitchenette with a popcorn machine, drink cooler, and snack bar.

Dad would have a field day in this room watching the Bourne movies. I wish I could show it to him. A pang hits me at the thought. I rub my sternum, taking one last look around before going back to Luca’s bedroom.

Standing at the entrance to the closet, I scan the room, hoping a shopping bag is lying around, but everything's neatly arranged.

This closet is a dream. Immense and professionally organized, with an island in the middle of the room. It has a stunning white and gray marble top with drawers wrapping around every side.

When I step into the room, I jump, not expecting the motion lights. There would be no hiding in this closet—not that I think anyone would need to.

I turn to the first drawer to peek inside and continue with each drawer, trying not to linger too long since it feels like I'm invading Luca's privacy. I'm delighted at the additional motion lights that activate as I move around the room.

Not finding anything in the drawers along the perimeter, I turn to the island.

I slide the top drawer open first, even knowing it's too shallow to hold clothes and admire the sheer volume of watches he has displayed.

And they say women are bad about their shoe collection. Shaking my head in amusement, I push to close the drawer when my eyes catch on a few watches lying on top of a picture frame turned upside down.

Strange.

Pulling the drawer open more fully, I ease the watches aside and pick up the frame and turn it over. It's an older picture and partially folded in the frame, clearly hiding a person in the picture. The part you can see is of a woman and a young boy.

This must be Luca and his mom.

I bring the frame closer and study the woman first. I can tell she's a tiny woman. Her features are delicate, almost frail and she has beautiful dark hair the exact shade of Luca's. What has me riveted are her eyes. An overwhelming sadness fills me at the pain reflected there.

What happened to you?

Unable to bear her pain anymore, I flick my eyes to the boy, only to gasp when I find the same expression on him as his mother.

Oh Luca.

Running my finger over his image, I recognize the man in the small boy. I know if he were smiling in the picture, dimples would be displayed on his cheeks.

I take a painful breath as I look between the two, cataloging their features. That's when I find a dark shadow on the woman's jaw. I can't be sure, but I think it's a bruise.

Desperate to see if the boy has any, I bring the frame closer as I scrutinize everything about him. I should feel better not seeing any dark shadows, but I don't. Even as a young boy, Luca looks like he's lived a lifetime.

I eye the edge where the photo is folded. My curiosity gets the best of me and I turn the frame over, intending to open the back so I can unfold the picture. But before I can, the sound of a door being shut alerts me to a visitor.

"Shit."