9. Kylie

Chapter nine

Kylie

" T hat's lazy." I cringe, wanting to take it back. I'm pretty sure Ms. Wesley and Talia would not approve.

His head jerks back and his brows lower as he searches my face. I threw him off guard, but I'm not sure if it's from what I said or the fact I had the balls to say it. Honestly, I can't even believe I said it. The fact I'm now one of those women means I don't have a leg to stand on. But I can't back down now.

Squaring my shoulders, I free my face of emotion. I don't want him to think I'm mad. Because I'm not.

Irritated maybe.

Disappointed, definitely.

He tilts his head, raising his eyebrow at me. "I'm sorry?" His voice comes out slow and smooth with a touch of … humor?

Thank goodness he's not pissed at me. Although, it's making me more bold.

"It's lazy. You want a girlfriend without having to be a boyfriend. Right? You want a woman to behave like a girlfriend would, but you're free from the obligation. You throw money at her to keep her from wanting more from you, while expecting her to be everything a girlfriend should be." I pause, but decide what the hell. "I just think it's lazy. "

He studies me and I have to stifle the urge to fidget under his scrutiny. He's not exactly mad, but he isn't pleased either. I have to work at keeping my face free of emotion. I already messed up by asking why he's doing this and now I keep putting my foot in my mouth. Talia’s going to kill me. I don't even want to think what Ms. Wesley will do.

He finally puts me out of my misery. "Isn't it better than stringing a woman along only to scratch an itch? Sweet Connections has provided a service that takes emotion out of the equation, saving both parties from the pitfalls of casual dating." He shrugs unapologetically. "It's cruel to give a woman hope for more when you know your feelings won't change. I'm not sure I'm capable of caring for a woman like that. Should I be celibate for the rest of my life because of it?"

He's made a good point, and a pang of disappointment hits me.

I want to argue he should try, but at what expense? To the woman? Thanks to my own parents' love story, I've always believed in that spark from the beginning. If he hasn't felt it, then who am I to judge? I ignore the fact that my heart aches at his admission when I felt something the moment our eyes connected. Could it turn into love? I don't know. But what I do know is I've never felt it before with any other man. Not even Danny, who I've crushed on for years.

How cruel would life be if he's the one for me, but I'm not the one for him?

And what in the hell am I even thinking right now? I literally just met the man.

I internally roll my eyes at myself before plastering a smile on my face. "You're right. I didn't think of it that way. If it was me, I wouldn't want you to string me along. Being in this contract is better for all involved." I wave my hand around dismissively.

Needing the extra courage, I take his drink and slam it back only to have scorching fire sear my throat, seizing me in a coughing fit so strong I have trouble catching my breath.

"Jesus, woman!"

He yanks the glass out of my hand, sloshing what's left in the glass. He pulls me to his chest and rubs my back as he lifts his other hand to signal someone out of sight, asking them to bring water .

Well, that backfired.

When a glass of water appears in front of me, I latch onto it like it could save my life.

Once the urge to cough diminishes, the embarrassment creeps in. Not caring that my face is now beet red, I look up at him and realize at the same time that I don't even know his name. "What's your name?"

His eyes widen right before he bursts out laughing. I frown at his reaction, not sure why he thought that was so funny.

Once he settles down, he pulls me back into him and kisses the top of my head.

Taking advantage of our position, I inhale his scent that has been enticing me all night. I want to lift my head so I can bury my nose in his neck and crawl into his lap, never to leave again.

"It's Luca, Angel. My name is Luca Morelli." He squeezes me one last time before releasing me.

In a daze, I stare at his gorgeous face while he tucks my hair behind my ear. His tenderness is unexpected.

I understand it now. A woman who's had the privilege to spend time with him would want more. I'm already craving more, even as the man keeps tipping me off balance.

"You keep looking at me like that and you'll be going home with me tonight." He growls. The tenderness morphs into a smolder, sending heat straight to my core.

Oh boy. I'm in so much trouble.

I gulp, and with a shaky hand, set the water down on the table.

"So, does this mean you still want me? I mean, to sign the contract? You still want me to sign your contract?"

For fuck's sake, Kylie.

Luca's smolder turns into a smirk at my fumbling. "Yes, Angel. I still want you to sign the contract." But then he narrows his eyes. "You are going to sign it, yes?"

His glare is just as sexy, causing my "yes" to come out a little too huskily .

"Good girl." His hand on my back slides under my hair until it stops at the back of my neck. When he lightly squeezes, I shiver and my breathing picks up. Laying my hand on his thigh, I slide it forward until his other hand slams down on mine, jolting me out of my daze.

"Oh!" I try to snatch my hand back, but he holds on tight and pulls me forward by the neck until our lips are lightly touching.

By this point, I'm practically panting into his mouth.

"Are you a virgin, Angel?" His voice is like melted chocolate, which is why it takes me a moment to register what he's asked. Stiffening, I go to pull back, but he won't let me. His hold is firm as he searches my eyes. "It's not an insult. Just something I need to know."

"Why?" I'm not, but I want to know why he asked.

"Because it will determine how I'll take you for the first time." He lets go of my hand on his thigh to place it on the side of my neck as his other hand slides so he's cradling my neck between them. He's on the verge of kissing me and it's driving me crazy that he won't just do it. "Answer me, Angel. Are you a virgin?"

"No," I whisper.

I barely have my answer out before he slams his mouth on mine and devours me. It's the only way I can describe what he's doing. I'm at his mercy and can't think past the feel of his mouth.

His tongue.

His taste.

I want it. I want it so badly he could make me orgasm from only a kiss. The need is so strong I almost move my hand under my dress for some relief. Instead, I resume sliding my hand up his thigh. As I edge near the bulge in his pants, he gently pushes me back.

"Fucking hell," He spits out.

Turning away from me, he grabs his drink and downs the rest of it before signaling the big guy from the other day. Trying to appear calm, I smooth my hair back .

Luca's rattled and I like that I have that effect on him. I don't know why I'm proud of that, but I am. I have no idea how he is with other women, but something tells me I got a reaction no one ever has.

As Luca murmurs to his man, I glance across the room and my gaze stops on a busty blonde woman holding a serving tray and glaring daggers at me.

The big guy walks away and Luca turns back to me, so I ask with a nod toward the woman, "Who's that?"

He glances over his shoulder and narrows his eyes. The woman swiftly turns and rushes to the bar to load her tray before walking toward a booth on the other side of the room. Luca relaxes his features before turning back to me. "No one." His face is void of emotion as he stares at me.

So that's how it is.

Lifting the corner of my mouth in a smile, I try not to show how much it bothers me. "I should get going. I have class in the morning."

He doesn't budge. Only continues to stare at me.

After an uncomfortable minute, the blank look morphs into curiosity as he tilts his head. I'm beginning to realize this man may have multiple personalities with the way he can switch from one emotion to the next.

"Ready to be rid of me?" He quirks his eyebrow in humor. When I attempt to deny it, he places his finger on my lips. "I need to handle a few things tonight, which is why I asked Gio to pull the car around. He'll give you aride home while Rafael follows behind in your car.

I frown. "It's not necessary. I- "

"Angel, you've been drinking. I will not allow you to drive even if you only had one drink. I recognize you need your car for school tomorrow, which is why I'm having my men help." He slides out of the booth and holds out his hand to me.

Placing my hand on his, I let him pull me up. I won't argue that I'm sober enough to drive. My dad drilled into my head that one drink is always too much.

I sigh.

He smiles .

Following behind Luca to the door, I sneak another glance at the server. We make brief eye contact before she turns away. I can already tell she's going to be trouble. I'm hoping Luca won't want to spend time here at the club. I hate dealing with jealous women. Why anyone would chase a man who didn't want them is beyond me.

Has he had her? It's obvious she wants him. He did say women always want more. Maybe she's one of them.

If that kiss is a preview of what's to come, I understand the pining. But I would never let a man know it after he tossed me aside.

I narrow my eyes at Luca's back. I can't accuse him of putting me in the same room as one of his conquests since it is the only place the service uses, but rational thought be damned.

Gio's chuckle snaps me out of my crazy thoughts and I swing my gaze to his. I try masking my irritation with a smile, but it doesn't fool him. His smile kicks up higher as he opens the car door for me.

"I've got it," Luca informs him. Gio nods, then moves to round the front of the carand jumps into the driver's seat. "Give me your keys, Angel."

I dig into my tiny purse and pull out my keys to hand to Luca when I jump at the sight of the other guy standing beside us.

Where did he come from?

Luca snatches the keys out of my hand and tosses them to who must be Rafael before pulling me into a hug. He rests his chin on my head as I snake my arms around him and enjoy his embrace.

I never would've guessed he was a hugger.

"Angel, sign the contract first thing after school. I'll pick you up at 7. I have a dinner meeting I want you to come to."

"Okay." I tilt my head just enough to breathe in his scent at his neck and it seems like he's doing the same with his nose buried in my hair. "What do you want me to wear? "

"Don't worry about it. I'll send a package to your apartment with everything you'll need." He turns me around toward the door. As I climb into the SUV, Luca smacks my ass, making me shriek, and I look over my shoulder to glare at him.

Gio chuckles from the front seat while Luca smirks. I playfully roll my eyes before settling into the backseat. Before I can buckle in, Luca beats me to it and proceeds to strap me in. I've never had a man buckle my seat belt for me and my mind immediately goes to him using restraints on me.

Where did that come from?

Maybe I'm projecting because a soft chuckle brings my focus back to the here and now. He's leaned in, both hands on either side of me, and his face is inches from mine as he stares at my mouth. My lips part in surprise just before he gives me a quick kiss. Then with heat in his eyes he tells me, "Tomorrow, Angel," before backing out and closing my door. Even in my dazed state, I admire his form as he saunters back into the club.