26. Kylie

Chapter twenty-six

Kylie

O h shit.

My eyes widen when he stalks toward me. I shuffle back, confused as to why he's so angry. When the back of my feet hit the couch, I fall back and Luca follows. He leans down to place his hands on the back of the couch, effectively caging me in.

"Uh … are you mad?" I'm kind of scared and turned on at the same time.

His jaw is clenched and his nose flares. "Who?" The intensity in his eyes has me wanting to shrink back.

My eyebrows rise and I dart my eyes around the room as I push myself further into the couch. "W-What?"

"Who, Angel? Give me his name."

I frown, then glance to my right, trying to understand his anger when he grabs my jaw and forces my face back to his. I have enough clarity to register he's gentle about it despite his anger. "Luca, I don't understand why you're mad. I mean, I know why I'm mad … wait, is this because he wanted to ask me out?" My confusion morphs into a pleased smile at his jealousy.

Luca closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. I swear I can hear him counting in his head for patience .

Hoping to calm him, I place my hand on his jaw and he opens his eyes, connecting with mine. "Babe. You gotta ease up that jaw clench. For one, I don't want you breaking any of your teeth, you're grinding them so hard, and two, Esther can see us. She's going to think we're fighting, and I just met her." I place a quick kiss on his lips and when I pull back, he's lost the scary scowl. Except now he's looking at me as if I'm deranged.

I guess that's better.

When Luca attempts to speak, I place my hand over his mouth. "You have nothing to worry about with this guy. In fact, I chewed him a new asshole for his assholery ways and he ran from me." I look down, contemplating that. "Well, he may have run from Joseph, but I think he ran from me, too." I glance back up because Luca straightened, leaving my hand hanging in the air before he swiftly lifts me and sits down on the couch, placing me on his lap.

"Start at the beginning." Luca no longer looks mad, just resigned.

I relax into him and recap the entire scene to him. He's angry and demands Danny's name again, but I refuse. "This is silly. He knows I'm unavailable, and I doubt he will approach me again. If he does, then I'll give you his name."

I won't, but he doesn't need to know that.

Luca's about to argue, but I interrupt. "Look, I didn't harass you about the two women at the restaurant. They're in your past, no matter how bratty they were." I roll my eyes. "I let it go, so should you."

Luca stills. "What women?"

"The two women with your cousin." I search his gaze, but he just tilts his head, staring at me.

After a beat, he closes his eyes and shakes his head. "I think you need to start at the beginning again."

I sigh like a bratty teenager because the last thing I want to do is discuss his past conquests.

"Angel." He warns.

"Fine." I snap, then recap the bathroom scene and Luca's jaw is back to clenching .

My whole body moves as he takes a deep inhale. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Now I know the glare isn't meant for me.

Pinching my brows, I shake my head. "Why would I? I told you I knew they were from your past and I wouldn't punish you for that. Who cares what they said? Annnnd, I let them know they couldn't bother me with their pettiness. It's ridiculous what women will do for a man that doesn't even love them. Like I said, it was petty." I roll my eyes again.

Luca bursts out laughing, causing my lips to twitch at his humor. I'm glad he's finally past the pissed stage and we can move on from this ridiculous conversation.

Luca squeezes me to him, then tucks my head to his shoulder before laying his cheek on mine. I snake my arms around him and just enjoy the embrace.

We sit like this for a few quiet moments before he explains. "One, I never slept with those women. You were right, they were being petty, but they also might have been put up to it to test you. My cousins are not exactly in my life, but they are still a bit protective."

I lift my head to search Luca's face. "Why aren't your cousins in your life?"

"It's a long story, and I'd prefer to tell you another day." He squeezes me briefly.

I can't stop the disappointment from showing on my face and since Luca misses nothing, his face softens as he explains. "Angel, our childhood was not typical. You come from a loving family. Gio, Rafael and I … we didn't have that. It's why we're so close. My cousins aren't bad … well, not like their fathers, but their lives are … difficult, and I made the decision to keep them at arm's length not only for me, but for Gio and Rafael, as well."

I pat Luca's chest, hating the thought of him having a difficult childhood. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to pry. With dad's cancer, I'm hypersensitive to enjoying my family before it's too late, and it's hard not to want that for others."

Luca takes my hand from his chest and brings it to his mouth to kiss my palm. "When I first saw you, I felt like someone had just punched me in the stomach. You took my breath away. You're so beautiful and I could tell you didn't even realize it. That guy was right … one look at you and any man would realize you deserve far more than what he can offer. That he didn't take his chance with you ma kes him a fool. I have no doubt he's kicking himself right now for letting you slip through his fingers."

My chest warms at his words and tears threaten to spill. I search his face and dare to hope he has feelings for me as I do for him. I take a shuddering breath and whisper, "Luca ..." but before I can say anything more, he leans in to kiss me. It starts out gentle, but it doesn't take long before he consumes me. His hands roam south when suddenly we are jarred apart by a voice in the room.

"Mr. Morelli. Gio's on the line. He says it's important."

Thankfully, Esther chose to use the intercom and has her back to us from her desk. I'm sure she saw us and chose this way to communicate to alleviate any embarrassment, which is why I blush, anyway.

Luca sighs before moving me off his lap and going to his phone.

"I got it Esther. Thank you." Next, he pushes a button on the desk phone. "I'm here."

As Luca talks, I gather my school papers to put them back in my bag. I can tell our night has just been interrupted.

Luca turns to me after hanging up the phone. "I'm sorry, Angel. I've gotta go." He grabs his jacket and puts it on, then gathers his keys and cell before meeting me by the door. When I'm within reach, he takes my hand and leads us out of his office. "We're heading out, Esther." He checks his watch before turning to her. "It's late enough. Head home to your husband."

"Thank you, sir. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye, Kylie." She smiles at me.

"Bye, Esther." I give a tiny wave as Luca pulls me to the elevators.

Once we get in and Luca presses the button for the garage level, he turns to me. "I want you to go to my house and stay there. I don't know what time I'll be home, but I want you in my bed tonight."

"Okay. I'm going to run to my apartment first and grab my tablet. A new book was released last week and I haven't had a chance to read it yet."

The elevator comes to a stop and Luca pulls me after him. "Text me when you get to my house. I'll remotely turn off the code when you arrive and set it again once you're inside. "

"Fancy." I rush to keep up with him as he walks me to my car.

Ignoring my comment, he opens my door and nudges me into the car and buckles me in. I give him a smile, but he doesn't return it. The call must not have been good.

"Be aware of your surroundings and be safe. Remember, call as soon as you get to my house." He frowns. "Never mind, I'm going to have Joseph meet you at your apartment." He pulls out his cell before I can say anything. "Go on. Joseph will meet you."

Luca shuts my door and moves back while bringing his phone to his ear. When I just frown at him, he points at my steering wheel. I playfully roll my eyes and start the car. He waits as I back out and drive off.

So weird. I can't tell if he got bad news or if it's just his overprotectiveness. I doubt he'll tell me either way, so I let it go. No sense borrowing trouble when I can do nothing about it.

When I enter my apartment building, I move to the bank of mailboxes on the first floor when the new guy is suddenly standing next to me. "Holy shit." I jump back, placing a hand on my heart.

The guy looks annoyed at my reaction.

"Sorry, I just didn't hear you." I frown because it's not like a girl can't have cause to be cautious with a strange man.

He ignores me as he opens his own mailbox, but I catch him glancing at our open box. I quickly grab the mail and lock it before heading upstairs. The guy is giving me a weird vibe and I try to rush without making it look like I'm doing it because of him.

I sigh in relief when I'm finally inside my apartment and turn to lock the door. I put my ear to the door and listen, just to make sure. When there isn't a sound, I move to the peep hole … and then scream.

"Miss. Davis? Is everything okay?"

"Yes, sorry." I rush to unlock the door and open it for Joseph, then sag into the doorway. "Man, you scared the crap out of me. Come in. "

Joseph frowns as he steps into the apartment, but doesn't go any farther. "How exactly did I scare you?"

Locking the door again, I set my backpack on the table. "Oh, I thought I heard something and looked out the peephole. I just wasn't expecting to actually find anyone." I will not tell him I was nervous about the neighbor. He'll take that directly to Luca. The guy didn't do anything. I think I'm just on edge with everything.

Joseph doesn't respond, but scans the apartment as if he's looking for someone to jump out from behind the couch, making me wonder if he's former law enforcement. His attention to his surroundings reminds me of my dad. "I'm going to pack a few things and then be right back. Feel free to help yourself to a drink or whatever." I wave toward the kitchen.

Jogging down the hall, I find a post it note on my bedroom door.

I missed you again. It seems we're never home at the same time anymore. How's everything going? Leave me a note and let me know all is well. Talia.

How thoughtful.

I rush to pack a few things then grab a post it note for her door. I scribble that everything is fine and plan to end it there, but then decide to ask her about the new guy in the building.

What are your thoughts on the new guy downstairs? He gives me weird vibes.

If anything, it'll make her pay more attention to him.

"Okay, Joseph. I'm ready."