Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70686 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70686 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Instantly, Luca stops the expression on his face darkening even more. “Why are you assuming a fighting stance?”
I wave a hand at him. “You went into predator mode.”
He takes a step back, actually looking shocked. “Do you really think I’d hurt you?”
No, I don’t.
My body relaxes, and feeling stupid, I explain, “All the tension is getting to me.”
Luca approaches me as if I’m a bomb that’s going to detonate on him. He reaches for my shoulder, then pulls me into a hug.
When he presses a kiss to my temple, I close my eyes and wrap my arms around his waist.
“I’m sorry I raised my voice earlier,” he murmurs.
Loving the feel of his arms around me makes me feel like it's safe to admit, “This is harder than I thought it would be.”
“There are going to be rough patches, but we’ll work our way through them,” he assures me. He holds me a little longer, then pushes me back so he can make eye contact. “Our bedroom. Our apartment.”
I search his face, and appreciating that he’s trying, I say, “I just need time. It feels like I’m a guest who needs to ask permission for everything, which is something I’m not used to.”
He shakes his head, and lifting his hands, he frames my face. “I’m sorry. I’ll work on it.” He surprises me by pressing a tender kiss on my forehead.
“Thank you.” His phone starts ringing, and when he ignores it, I say, “You can take the call.”
“It can wait.” He pulls the device out, switches it off, and drops it on the display case containing his wristwatches and cufflinks. “You’re more important.”
Jesus, my heart.
Taking my hand, he says, “Let’s relax in the living room. I’ll let you pick a movie we can watch.”
Loving the sound of that, I chuckle, “Brace yourself for one hell of a sappy romance.”
Feeling much better after the tender moment we just shared, I grin as we head downstairs. I sit down on the couch, folding my legs beneath me, and take the remote from Luca when he holds it out to me.
“How does your TV work?” I ask while pressing a button to switch it on.
“Our,” he corrects me before patiently talking me through the process.
When I pick Grown Ups, Luca chuckles, “Thank God for small mercies.”
“See, I’m not a bitch all the time.”
He wraps his arm around my shoulders and tugs me to his side. “You’ve never been one.”
God, this is a refreshing change of pace.
This I can do.
Watching a comedy with Luca, the last of the tension eases between us, making space for the attraction to return full force. I’m overly aware of every breath he takes and the feel of his powerful body next to mine.
My eyes lower to his hand resting on his thigh, and I admire how strong and sure his fingers look.
I want to hold his hand but don’t have the courage.
As if Luca can read my thoughts, his hand finds mine, and he interlinks our fingers.
I can’t keep a smile from spreading over my face and try to focus my attention on the movie again.
If things remain like this, I can actually start to believe there’s hope that Luca might love me one day.
Chapter 16
Luca
After the initial arguments, Mariya and I have been putting in more effort to get along.
I’m not gonna lie. I feel a hell of a lot more optimistic that we can make this marriage work.
It’s only been two days, though.
On my way to the office, I catch up with all the calls I ignored so I could give Mariya my undivided attention. Knowing she’s going to unpack her belongings and spend the day at our place, I don’t have to worry about her, and I can focus on work.
I press play on a voice message from Viktor.
‘I don’t even want to think why you’re not replying to my previous message. We’re going to have a serious talk on Monday. I still can’t believe you had the balls to marry my little sister, you fucker.’
I let out a chuckle which turns to laughter when I see Viktor leaning against a pillar in front of the office building we share with Uncle Alexei and his business partner, Tristan Hayes.
The moment I climb out of the G-Wagon, Viktor pins me with a raised eyebrow. “I see you finally fucking checked your messages.”
“I was busy,” I taunt him. “Wedding night with my blushing bride.”
“You sure Mariya wasn’t red in the face from anger?”
Laughing, we walk into the building, and only when we’re in my office does Viktor say, “Tell me the truth because there’s no way I believe the shitty story that you got drunk.”
I take a deep breath, hoping my friendship with Viktor is strong enough to survive what I’ve done.
“I love Mariya,” I get the most crucial detail out in the open.