Warmth takes over. Building. The blaze burns hottest between my thighs.
I could cry from the relief.
I want to laugh and sob and sing.
Until he jerks away, breaking the heavenly connection with a scowl. “Shit. That shouldn’t have happened.”
I blink rapidly, entirely dazed. “I’m sor—”
“Don’t you dare apologize.” He shoves to his feet. “This wasn’t your mistake; it was mine.”
I wince. “I kissed you, not—”
“You were barely fucking coherent moments ago. You didn’t know what you were doing. But I did.” He shoves a hand through his hair, his scowl deepening. “I knew, and I didn’t stop it.”
He’s wrong. I knew, too.
Heart, mind and soul, I knew.
“I took advantage.” He backtracks, his hand falling to his side. “After everything you’ve been through, I still took fucking advantage.”
“Luca, no.” I scramble to my feet. “Please don’t walk away from me.”
“I’m not.” He gives a sad smile. “But you were right. You need space. And time. I’m going to give you both.”
12
Penny
He’s been true to his word.
He walked away without looking back and kept me at arm’s length.
I’m not sure if it was another ploy, but the unspoken threat of being sent to live with Sebastian was enough encouragement to move my ass out of the pit of despair.
It’s not that I don’t love my brother. Not that I don’t miss him. I’m just not ready to face my old life.
There’s still overwhelming agony when I think of loving someone and being loved in return. For unending months, everything I cared about was not only stripped from me but tortured. Brutalized. Murdered.
One by one, my sisters were taken away through my entire stay in Greece. And even after my tormentor was killed, more women were stolen from me.
Chloe died. Abi, too.
It’s far easier to keep my vulnerabilities at bay.
So instead of living in fear of being sent to stay with my brother, I focused on my health. Mental and physical. I didn’t even dwell on the kiss.
At least not to begin with.
I put my mistake with Luca to the back of my mind and exercised. I ran and used the weight equipment.
I cleaned the destruction from my room and filled the wall dents, sanding them back to smooth perfection with supplies I found in his shed.
I unpacked the phone he gave me and watched online videos to learn more self-defense moves. I even used his credit card to order more clothes that wouldn’t hang off me. I ordered extra underwear, too.
But each hour became lonelier with Luca’s avoidance, and the memory of that kiss grew legs to run circles around every thought I had. Especially at night.
I started seeking him out after the first day—exercising at the same time he did, disturbing him when he stayed in his room to watch television.
It became obvious how my strength grew when I was around him. How my smile became easy and my heartbeats quickened.
He feels a change, too. I can see it in the tension coiling itself around him whenever he notices me. In the lingering eyes and three feet of space he keeps between us at all times.
Tonight is different though.
He stalked into the kitchen around dusk, dressed in charcoal jeans and a black shirt, his hair styled to cover his scar.
I place down the self-help book I’m reading, already on edge, as he pulls groceries from the fridge and starts to chop zucchini with heavy strokes of the blade.
I rise from the sofa, hating how he doesn’t look at me as I approach to stop on the opposite side of the island counter. “You look nice.”
“Thanks.” He continues to chop, throwing onion and carrot into a wok. “I scrub up okay.”
His appearance is far beyond okay. His demeanor, too.
He’s solid strength and exuberant power.
“You’re going out?” I hide the hint of unease in my voice. “Am I meant to be going with you?”
“No. I’m flying solo.”
I knew this day would come. He couldn’t trap himself in here with me forever. I just always envisaged he’d drag me along by his side.
“I know you don’t want to leave the house,” he continues. “So Hunt and Sarah are on their way over. They’ll keep you company while I’m gone.”
My stomach hollows. The painful stab of fear slices between my ribs, piercing my heart. The betrayal does, too. “Hunter’s back?”
“And your brother. They flew in early this morning.” Finally, he meets my gaze, the intensity in his features welcomed and unwanted at the same time. “Decker wants to see you tomorrow, if you’re